Trip to Northern Xinjiang
The brief tranquility of Liangzhou was shattered by the sudden visit of his elder brother, Xu Zhiyuan.
He did not travel light; rather, as the military governor of Hexi, he arrived with a troop of personal guards, weary from his journey.
He hadn't changed out of his official robes, and his brows showed the weariness of his long journey, along with a heavy, stern aura.
When Xu Qingyao received the news and went to the front hall with Xiao Zhouyan, she sensed that the atmosphere was unusual.
Xu Zhiyuan first bowed to Old Master Jiang and Madam Jiang, then exchanged a solemn glance with Xiao Zhouyan before looking at Xu Qingyao. He tried to soften his tone, but could not hide his urgency: "Qingyao, are you feeling any better?"
"Thank you for your concern, brother. I'm fine now." A bad feeling rose in Xu Qingyao's heart. "Was this trip official business, brother?"
Xu Zhiyuan nodded, then shook his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall. He said in a deep voice, "There is indeed official business, but it is also related to family matters." He paused, then looked at Xiao Zhouyan, "Zhouyan, may I speak with you in private?"
Xiao Zhouyan understood, and the two of them went to the study and closed the door tightly.
Xu Qingyao's unease grew stronger.
She chatted with her grandmother and aunt for a while, but seemed somewhat distracted.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the study door opened, and Xiao Zhouyan and Xu Zhiyuan came out, both with extremely solemn expressions.
"Qingyao, you're here too."
Xu Zhiyuan waved to her.
The three of them went back into the study.
Xu Zhiyuan took out a sealed letter with sealing wax from his pocket and handed it to Xu Qingyao: "This was sent by a trusted confidant of the Ministry of Personnel at the risk of his life. Take a look at it first."
Xu Qingyao unfolded the secret letter and quickly browsed through it, her heart sinking with each reading.
The letter mainly states three points:
Firstly, the Fifth Prince Chu Huaijin, together with some court officials, submitted a joint memorial impeaching Xiao Zhouyan for dereliction of duty and lax management of his household, citing reasons such as "Marquis Zhenyuan Xiao Zhouyan has left the capital without permission and has not returned to his post for a long time. His wife, Xu, has a questionable identity. She has previously attempted to escape death and has shown strange medical skills, which may indicate that she is not a good person." They also implied that Xu Qingyao might be involved with foreign forces.
The memorial even subtly mentioned the mystery of her "resurrection" and the fact that she used her "medical skills" to shatter the evil artifact at Huangjue Temple that night, portraying it as a supernatural act.
Secondly, although the emperor did not immediately grant permission, his attitude had softened. Even more alarming was that the emperor had secretly ordered a reopening of the investigation into whether the Duke of Wei's mansion had had any clandestine contact with foreign powers. Clearly, someone had deliberately shifted the blame onto the Xu family!
Third, the situation in northern Xinjiang has further deteriorated. With the covert support of the Li Kingdom, the remnants of the Black Stone tribe frequently harassed the border. Although their scale was small, they were extremely cunning, targeting weak points in the defenses to burn, kill, and plunder, causing panic among the border residents.
The general's ineffective response led to growing calls for accountability within the court, with the blame seemingly pointing towards Xiao Zhouyan, who had initially "remotely directed" and recommended the general.
A three-pronged approach, each move deadly!
Not only must we bring down Xiao Zhouyan, but we must also drag the Xu family down with us, and even more importantly, we must completely destroy Xiao Zhouyan's prestige in the Northern Frontier!
Xu Qingyao put down the secret letter, her fingertips icy cold.
She finally understood why her brother had rushed here so hastily. This was no longer just a power struggle within the court; it was a plot to kill them!
“They’re trying to wipe them out completely,” Xu Qingyao said, her voice slightly hoarse.
“Not only that.” Xiao Zhouyan spoke, his tone as cold as ice. “The reopening of the investigation into the Duke of Wei’s mansion is aimed at you, Qingyao. They want to fundamentally deny your existence, and by extension, deny mine.” He looked at Xu Zhiyuan. “It’s also aimed at the Xu family.”
Xu Zhiyuan's face turned ashen: "My father is already being secretly monitored in the capital. My departure from the capital under the pretext of inspecting military affairs in Hexi has probably also been noticed by them. They are trying to cut off all our escape routes."
The study was deathly silent.
The other side had a meticulous plan, using the Fifth Prince to cause trouble in the court and Yan Zhan to create trouble in the northern border, putting pressure on two fronts. What was even more insidious was that they brought up old grievances and tried to make a fuss about Xu Qingyao's background and "abnormalities." This was undoubtedly the most insidious and difficult-to-defend move.
"Your Majesty... also suspects my Xu family?"
Xu Qingyao felt a chill run down her spine.
Their father, Xu Lian, was an upright official, and their elder brother, Xu Zhiyuan, held an important position at a young age, all thanks to their own abilities. Yet now they are being framed because of factional strife.
“The mind of an emperor has always been like this,” Xu Zhiyuan sighed. “Especially when it comes to the taboo of possibly colluding with foreign enemies, it is better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go free. Besides, the ‘evidence’ provided by the Fifth Prince’s faction is probably more than just baseless rumors.”
Xu Qingyao suddenly looked up: "What do you mean, brother?"
Xu Zhiyuan and Xiao Zhouyan exchanged a glance. Xiao Zhouyan said in a deep voice, "Your mother's Jiang family had close ties with the Western Regions. The Jiang family's rise to prominence was also inseparable from border trade."
Although he only rose to prominence after the establishment of the new dynasty, in his early years... there were inevitably some unclear and ambiguous business entanglements. It wouldn't be difficult for someone to deliberately connect these past events with the Li Kingdom.
Xu Qingyao suddenly realized.
So that's where the flaw was!
The other party not only wanted to take advantage of her bizarre "resurrection" and her strange "medical skills," but also to exploit her maternal family background to the fullest extent.
The Jiang family were major merchants in the Northwest, and it was a fact that they had business dealings with overseas countries, which gave them the basis to frame the Jiang family.
"What a vicious plan..." Xu Qingyao murmured.
By linking her personal "abnormality" with her mother's possible "collusion with the enemy" background, and then involving Xiao Zhouyan, they kill three birds with one stone.
"The best course of action now is to retaliate as soon as possible," Xu Zhiyuan said resolutely. "We must not allow their framing to be proven true! Otherwise, not only will our two families be in danger, but if the border falls due to internal strife, we will be sinners for all time!"
"How should we retaliate?" Xu Qingyao asked.
The other side's impeachment in the open, the investigation in secret, and the unrest in northern Xinjiang were almost impeccable.
Xiao Zhouyan walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Liangzhou City, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "They want to open a breach in the northern frontier, then we'll break through there! They want to exploit you, then we'll show them what true 'medical skills' and 'ability' really are!"
He turned to Xu Qingyao and Xu Zhiyuan, his tone resolute: "Zhiyuan, you shall immediately return to the Hexi Military Governor's Office. Under the pretext of inspecting the border, mobilize trusted troops and secretly strengthen the monitoring of the passes in the northern frontier, especially the routes that the Li Kingdom may infiltrate. At the same time, closely monitor the movements of General Fuyuan's troops. If there are any abnormalities, be prepared to respond immediately."
“Okay!” Xu Zhiyuan agreed without hesitation.
“Qingyao,” Xiao Zhouyan’s gaze fell on Xu Qingyao, filled with trust and entrustment, “I need you to get better as soon as possible. Not only do you need to get better, but everyone also needs to see that your medical skills are not supernatural, but a skill that can save the soldiers on the border from dire straits!”
Xu Qingyao instantly understood his meaning. He wanted her to stop hiding and instead step forward to go to the northern frontier, partly to treat the wounded and stabilize morale, and partly to prove to the emperor and the people that her abilities could be used for righteous purposes, rather than for some evil magic.
This is the most direct and effective way to break the stigma.
“I understand.” Xu Qingyao met his gaze, her eyes firm. “I will prepare as soon as possible.”
The risk is extremely high.
The northern frontier is fraught with danger, and her system has not yet fully recovered. If exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable. But at this moment, there is no turning back.
“I will go with you,” Xiao Zhouyan said in a deep voice.
Inside the study of the Jiang family mansion in Liangzhou, the flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn faces of the three men.
Once the decision is made, immediate action is required.
Xu Zhiyuan quietly left the Jiang residence that night and returned to the Hexi Jiedushi's office to make arrangements.
As the military governor of Hexi, he held military power and guarded the northwest gateway, so his movements were of paramount importance.
We must guard against unrest in the northern border region, and also be wary of those in the central government taking the opportunity to cause trouble in the Hexi Corridor.
Xiao Zhouyan then began to secretly contact his former subordinates in the Northern Frontier. Although he had officially relinquished military affairs in the Northern Frontier, his prestige in the army remained strong after years of cultivation, and loyal generals maintained contact with him.
Through encrypted channels, commands were quietly issued, targeting the forces in the northern frontier that were still secretly loyal to him, as well as closely monitoring the movements of the Li Kingdom and the remnants of the Black Stone tribe.
Xu Qingyao stayed indoors, claiming that her brother's sudden visit had caused her emotional distress and that she needed to continue resting. She devoted all her energy to the recovery of the system.
Xiao Zhouyan sent over some ancient jade artifacts and antiques containing faint energy from the Jiang family's warehouse under the pretext of "for Madam to play with and relieve her boredom." With the help of these objects, Xu Qingyao gradually absorbed energy, and the various functions of the system were slowly but steadily recovering.
[Energy restored to 42%... Basic scanning and analysis functions are stable... Medical assistance module is starting up...]
Time was of the essence, and Xu Qingyao knew they had to act before the Fifth Prince's faction's framing reached a conclusion and the situation in the northern border region spiraled completely out of control.
**
Five days later, another secret letter from the capital was delivered to Xiao Zhouyan.
The letter was sent at great risk by his informant in the palace, and its contents made Xiao Zhouyan's eyes turn cold.
"His Majesty has granted the Fifth Prince's request and dispatched an imperial envoy to the northern frontier to reward the troops and assist the General of Pacification in handling military affairs. The deputy imperial envoy... is one of the Fifth Prince's men."
Xiao Zhouyan lit the secret letter over the candle flame and watched it turn to ashes. "They're going to seize power, to confirm the 'incompetence' of the Fuyuan general, and... probably to gather some evidence against me as well."
Xu Qingyao's heart sank.
Once the imperial envoy arrives, military power in the northern frontier will change hands, and the General of Fuyuan will be rendered powerless. At that time, the border defenses will be virtually non-existent, and the remnants of the Li Kingdom and the Black Stone Tribe will surely advance unimpeded.
Thus, the charge that "Xiao Zhouyan was incompetent in recommending officials and misled the country through remote control" was confirmed.
"We must set off immediately."
Xu Qingyao stood up, her eyes resolute. "We must stabilize the situation in the northern border before the imperial envoy arrives, at least... we must protect a few key passes."
Xiao Zhouyan looked at her. Her face was still somewhat pale, but her eyes were clear and firm, carrying an undeniable strength. He nodded: "Alright. Tomorrow morning, we will use the excuse that we have heard there is a miraculous medicine in the Northern Frontier that can help you have a safe pregnancy to head to Yunzhou in the Northern Frontier."
This is a plausible excuse that can explain their movements without arousing suspicion.
**
The following day, Xiao Zhouyan bid farewell to Old Master Jiang and his wife.
Old Master Jiang looked at them with a deep gaze, but did not ask any further questions. He simply said in a deep voice, "This journey will be fraught with danger, so please be careful in everything you do. Although the Jiang family are merchants, we still have some connections in the Northwest. If you need money or supplies, just ask."
Old Madam Jiang held Xu Qingyao's hand, her eyes brimming with tears, and stuffed a heavy brocade pouch into her hand: "Inside are some emergency medicines and silver notes. Child, you must come back safely."
Jiang Caiwei and Jiang Wanrou were also filled with worry, but they refrained from trying to stop them and instead silently prepared their luggage.
The carriage quietly left Jiang's residence, exited Liangzhou City, and sped northwards.
Inside the car, Xu Qingyao closed her eyes and focused her mind, guiding the system through its final recovery sprint.
Xiao Zhouyan unfolded a map of the northern frontier, his finger moving slowly across it as he pondered each step after arriving in Yunzhou.
"General Fuyuan is straightforward but has limited abilities and lacks a deep understanding of the factional struggles within the court, making him easily manipulated by the imperial envoy."
Xiao Zhouyan analyzed, "We need to contact him first, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and try to gain his support, or at least... keep him neutral."
"What if he refuses?" Xu Qingyao opened her eyes.
“Then we have no choice but to use our old troops to forcibly take over part of the defense.” Xiao Zhouyan’s tone was cold and hard. “In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. We must not let Yan Zhan’s evil scheme succeed.”
Xu Qingyao nodded.
This means that Xiao Zhouyan may be accused of "abusing power" and "disobeying orders," but compared to the loss of the border and the loss of territory, personal honor and disgrace are insignificant.
The further north you go, the more desolate the scenery becomes.
The Loess Plateau was gradually replaced by the Gobi Desert, the wind and sand grew stronger, and the temperature dropped significantly.
Along the way, scattered refugees began to appear, carrying their families and looking panicked; they were all heading south from the northern border region.
"It seems the situation in the northern border is more serious than the military reports say." Xu Qingyao looked out the window at the displaced people, her heart heavy.
Xiao Zhouyan's expression was cold: "The remnants of the Black Stone Tribe are familiar with the terrain and move like the wind. They specifically target villages and small fortresses to create panic and undermine the morale of the army and the people. General Fuyuan's forces are scattered and exhausted, which is exactly what they want."
Five days later, the outline of Yunzhou city wall finally appeared on the horizon.
However, before they even got close, they saw a chaotic crowd gathered outside the city, with faint sounds of crying and arguing coming from outside.
Xiao Zhouyan ordered the convoy to stop and sent a personal guard to investigate.
A moment later, the guard reported: "General, Madam, there seems to be a riot at a refugee camp outside the city, it looks like... a plague!"
Plague?!
Xu Qingyao and Xiao Zhouyan exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock and solemnity in each other's eyes.
With a major battle imminent, the consequences of an outbreak of plague within the army would be unimaginable. Furthermore, gatherings of refugees would create a breeding ground for the spread of the plague!
“I’ll go take a look,” Xu Qingyao said without hesitation. Her system’s medical module had been mostly restored, and it might be able to help.
Xiao Zhouyan pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Both publicly and privately, they cannot stand idly by.
As the convoy approached the refugee camp, a stench of filth, herbs, and despair filled the air.
The camp was rudimentary and filthy, filled with emaciated refugees with sallow complexions and numb eyes. Many of them were lying or sitting, groaning in pain, with obvious red spots or blisters on their bodies.
Several people dressed in simple robes, who looked like doctors, were busy, but they were clearly in dire need of manpower and medicine, and their faces were full of exhaustion and helplessness.
Xu Qingyao put on the face mask handed to her by Xiao Zhouyan and stepped down from the carriage.
The system immediately began scanning.
[Scan complete... Outbreak confirmed: suspected smallpox variant, highly contagious, with a high mortality rate. Pathogen structure analysis underway to develop an inhibitory strategy...]
Smallpox! And it's a mutated strain!
Xu Qingyao's heart tightened. In this era, smallpox was almost synonymous with death!
Just then, a commotion broke out in the center of the camp, and someone cried out, "Dr. Wang! Dr. Wang, what's wrong with you?!"
An elderly man who was feeding medicine to a patient suddenly swayed and fell straight backward, his face turning blue and his breathing becoming rapid.
"It's the plague! Doctor Wang has also been infected!" The surrounding crowd panicked and retreated.
Xu Qingyao didn't have time to think and rushed over quickly.
Xiao Zhouyan followed closely behind, and the guards immediately stepped forward to separate the chaotic crowd.
"Get out of the way!"
Xu Qingyao squatted down to check on the old man's condition.
The system alerted that the elderly man was not only infected with smallpox, but also had a serious heart condition, and was currently experiencing an acute attack.
She immediately took out cardiac stimulants and a preliminary antidote for smallpox from her medicine pouch and quickly fed them to the old man while simultaneously performing CPR.
Everyone around held their breath, watching this suddenly appearing, elegantly dressed woman make no attempt to avoid touching the sick Dr. Wang.
A moment later, the old man coughed up a mouthful of phlegm, his bluish-purple complexion eased slightly, and his breathing gradually stabilized.
"He's alive! Doctor Wang is alive!" came the incredulous exclamation from the crowd.
Xu Qingyao breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and glanced at the terrified yet hopeful refugees around her. She then said loudly:
"Don't panic! Although this epidemic is severe, it is not incurable! Those with mild symptoms, please help to separate the severely ill patients into different areas and keep the area well-ventilated! Everyone who has been in contact with the patients should wash their hands with the boiled water over there!"
Her voice was clear and calm, carrying an undeniable power that temporarily suppressed the panic at the scene.
Xiao Zhouyan stood beside her, watching her calmly direct her actions amidst filth and despair, his eyes deep.
This sudden plague has added more variables, but perhaps...
It is an opportunity to turn the tide.
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