Chapter 654 Uncle, save me!
As soon as Prince Duan finished speaking, Prince Qi followed suit, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm and dissatisfaction:
"Uncle, as the regent, you should be thinking about the people. Now the plague is raging and the people are in a state of panic, but you are blocking the city gates. Isn't that trapping everyone? Do you really want to watch the Imperial Capital become a dead city?"
Xiao Changheng looked at them coldly, his eyes like knives, his voice low but with unquestionable majesty:
"The city gates are closed for the sake of the people of Daliang. Once the plague spreads, the consequences will be disastrous. As members of the royal family, you do not think about sharing the country's worries, but instead incite people here. What is your intention?"
Prince Duan's face turned pale as he was told, and he quickly considered his words:
"Uncle, why do you have to say such harsh words? We are just trying to protect ourselves. Uncle, go and take a look at the people in the city. Now the capital is full of people dying of sudden illnesses. The speed of infection is far faster than we can imagine. It won't be long before nine out of ten houses are empty!"
Xiao Changheng narrowed his eyes slightly and his expression became even colder.
Upon seeing this, the King of Qi immediately said:
"Yes, uncle, you have ordered the blockade of the imperial city for half a day now. I guess you haven't had time to understand how severe the plague is! Now we are the only two of our father's sons left. Can't you be flexible and let us go to a safe... place?"
As the King of Qi was speaking, he suddenly felt an itchy throat and it was difficult for him to utter the last few words. However, he forced himself to suppress his cough, fearing that it would be mistaken for a symptom of contracting an epidemic. However, this made his face visibly flush.
On the other side, Prince Duan's throat also began to itch, and he cleared his throat vigorously.
Xiao Changheng looked at the two of them in silence for a moment, then said calmly:
"No one in the Imperial Capital can guarantee that they have not come into contact with patients. Once they leave the city, not only will the plague spread further, but it will also be difficult to find a doctor to treat them. Right now, the safest thing to do is to stay in the Imperial Capital. The lockdown order does not apply to anyone. You should return home quickly. This matter can be left unattended for the time being."
Seeing that there was no room for negotiation, the two men looked even worse.
Prince Duan frowned and said:
"Uncle, don't think we don't know. You clearly have the anti-epidemic talisman in your hand, but you only give it to those who obey your orders. Now you are restricting our actions in the name of serving the country and the people. Even the palace has been blocked by you! I think you want to use this natural disaster to achieve your own ulterior motives!"
The King of Qi heard the purpose of his words, his eyes flashed, and he immediately agreed:
"That's right! If the uncle is truly selfless, why doesn't he distribute the anti-epidemic talismans fairly?"
The two of them sang in unison, and Prince Duan's tone softened a little, and he continued:
"In fact, we don't have to leave the city. As long as the emperor uncle gives us some anti-epidemic talismans to ensure the safety of our family, we will naturally be happy to cooperate."
Xiao Changheng frowned and said:
"The number of anti-epidemic talismans is limited. They are only issued to doctors, guards, civilian volunteers and other people who participate in the relief of the epidemic. This matter has already been notified to all prefectures. If you are willing to participate in anti-epidemic affairs from the beginning, you will naturally be able to receive the anti-epidemic talisman."
The two were speechless.
The King of Qi was about to say something reluctantly, but the King of Duan rolled his eyes and suddenly spoke first:
"It happened suddenly, and I didn't participate because I didn't understand the situation. I can join now. Can the uncle give me the anti-epidemic talisman according to the regulations this time?"
The King of Qi was shocked, thinking that participating in the fight against the epidemic would mean close contact with a large number of patients, wouldn't that be tantamount to seeking death?
Even if the anti-epidemic talisman was made by the Regent Princess, and it was said that the people who wore the talisman were not really infected with the plague, but who would dare to gamble when it comes to their lives? They just wanted an extra layer of insurance, so how could they really agree to fight the epidemic just for this talisman?
But when he saw Prince Duan secretly winking at him, he immediately reacted.
Let's get the talisman first. The Regent has so many things to do, how can he take care of it? They only agreed to fight the epidemic, but they don't necessarily have to go.
After understanding this, the King of Qi quickly followed suit and said:
"That's right! I'm willing to participate too. Please give me a plague-avoiding talisman too, uncle!"
Xiao Changheng looked at the two of them solemnly for a moment, then said:
"Can."
The two of them looked delighted, thinking that although they were stopped from leaving the city to avoid disaster, as long as they got the epidemic avoidance talisman, they would be largely protected.
Xiao Changheng glanced at the two of them calmly, then turned around and said:
"Go find a doctor and have them examine him. If he confirms that they are not infected with the disease, he can issue a talisman to prevent the disease."
When they heard this, they became anxious again.
"Ah? Why do we still need a doctor to see..." Prince Duan blurted out.
"Uncle, you're worrying too much. We've been acting cautiously since the plague began. It's impossible for us to have come into contact with any patients. How can we diagnose... cough cough cough cough..."
Maybe it was because he spoke too hastily, but before the King of Qi could finish his words, he felt an itchy throat and started coughing violently.
Xiao Changheng had been in control of the overall situation from the very beginning. He was well aware of the symptoms of several outbreaks of the plague and had long noticed that there was something wrong with the complexion of these two people. This cough was more in line with the early symptoms of the epidemic.
He looked at the two of them coldly and said in a calm voice:
"The plague-avoidance talisman can only prevent disease. It is useless if you already have symptoms of the plague. Therefore, all those who participate in the fight against the epidemic must first be examined by a doctor to confirm that they have no symptoms before they can receive the talisman."
After a while, Prince Duan felt his throat itchy. When he heard that he could not receive the anti-epidemic talisman if he was sick, he hurriedly said:
"I just... cough... was choked by the wind. Uncle, there's no need... cough cough cough cough..."
His coughing was so sudden and violent that he could hardly speak. The coachman was so frightened that he subconsciously jumped off the carriage and hid away. The guards following behind him also began to retreat cautiously.
Xiao Changheng directly said to the doctor who came over:
"Examine him."
The King of Qi did not expect things to turn out like this. He was frightened by the sudden symptoms of the King of Duan. He came to his senses when he saw the doctor coming forward, and his face turned pale.
He has had a lot of contact with Prince Duan today. If Prince Duan has been infected with the plague, wouldn't that be terrible!
The King of Qi stared at the doctor who came forward to diagnose him. In just a moment, the King of Duan could no longer stand steadily and collapsed while holding onto the door frame of the carriage.
This doctor came from the Medical Immortal Valley. He had treated countless patients during the day and soon came up with the result:
"It's a disease caused by the number three time qi."
This time nine kinds of plague broke out at the same time. The doctors of Yixian Valley had numbered them early on for the convenience of management. Epidemic No. 3 is also known as the disease of the season. It causes high fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and in severe cases, unconsciousness. If it weren't for Yun Qingqing's prescription and the elixir shipped from Yixian Valley, someone would have died of the disease in half a day.
Prince Duan's face was pale, looking much more miserable than before, and he was coughing so hard that he couldn't speak.
The doctor raised his hand and pierced several of his acupuncture points with a set of silver needles. Prince Duan finally stopped coughing and gasped for breath.
The doctor turned around and shouted to the disciples behind him:
"Go get the medicine soup!"
Without him saying anything, the disciple immediately ran towards the camp not far away.
The King of Qi's face changed again and again, and his throat suddenly felt itchy and he wanted to cough.
His legs went limp and he fell to his knees, coughing and pinching his throat while shouting intermittently:
“I, cough cough, I too…Uncle, save me… cough cough cough cough cough, hurry, hurry and get the doctor to save me…”
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