This is also reflected in the original text. Lin Wanru, the book-traveling girl, knew the plot in advance and used modern methods to eliminate the plague, saving the lives of the harem and the entire capital. Afterwards, the emperor bestowed upon Lin Wanru the title of County Princess. Lin Wanru's status among the people also improved, and she became famous through this battle.
However, according to the original text, King Qin Xie Yunqi had died long ago, and Lin Wanru only had the opportunity to rescue others under the arrangement of King Chen.
Now that Xu Jing is still alive and well, the task of disaster relief naturally does not fall on Lin Wanru's shoulders.
During the court meeting, Xu Jing volunteered to investigate the epidemic. Emperor Zhao was worried that no one would take up this hot potato, but he did not expect that the King of Qin, whom he always regarded as a fool, would actually agree to it. Emperor Zhao was both happy and worried. He was happy that someone finally took over the mess, but unexpectedly, it fell into the hands of his stupid son.
At least he had to give Xu Jing some face, so in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, Emperor Zhao announced that he would discuss the matter later. He then asked Wang Ying to bring Xu Jing back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Looking at the kneeling King of Qin, Emperor Zhao was somewhat dazed. His eyebrows and eyes overlapped with the person deep in his memory, gradually converging into one person: his legitimate son Xie Yunyi.
Yier is extremely talented and open-minded. Looking around the entire court, no one can be compared with Yier.
If Yi'er were still alive, the position of Crown Prince would be his, and he wouldn't have to go to such great lengths to select a qualified heir from among the many unsavory and unrefined candidates.
With Yi'er here, he can pave the way for Yi'er without any worries. He no longer has to worry about the entire court of civil and military officials, because he knows that these are the wealth he left for Yi'er.
What a pity...
The queen had lost three sons in a row, and he had also lost his most suitable heir. Now, looking around the entire harem, he couldn't find a decent son.
The King of Qin was arrogant, extravagant, and indulgent, seeking only pleasure. King Zhuang, though bold and cautious, was kind and soft-hearted, unable to suppress the Zhang family's burgeoning ambitions. The King of Chu was even worse than the King of Qin, petty and narrow-minded. The King of Zhao and his ilk were merely mediocre and incompetent.
The King of Qin volunteered to go and treat the epidemic. To be honest, Emperor Zhao was also a little confused.
The King of Qin is not that kind of person at all! In terms of military strategy, everyone else is superior to the King of Qin. How dare he bring this up?
Could it be that he has been keeping a low profile?
As expected of an emperor, he is always suspicious. If we put it in the perspective of the King of Qin's strategy of keeping a low profile, everything will make sense.
He deliberately created the image of himself as a weakling in order to dispel the doubts of other competitors, so that the King of Qin could reap the benefits while others were fighting to the death.
Emperor Zhao understood, but didn't show it on his face. "How do you plan to handle this?"
Xu Jing remained kneeling, speaking in a calm and composed manner, "In your opinion, we should first contain the source of the epidemic and control it. We should then have the Imperial Hospital develop a cure for the epidemic as soon as possible based on the existing cases. Furthermore, the infected concubines and servants should be isolated in the Forbidden City to prevent excessive human contact and the spread of the epidemic. Your Majesty and Your Majesty can temporarily move to Qinghe Garden to handle government affairs. Once your son and the Imperial Hospital's doctors have completely cured your illness, we can welcome your Majesty back to the palace."
"Did the Imperial Concubine teach you this?"
"I dare not deceive my father. This is what I thought."
Xu Jing knew that he could only deceive Emperor Zhao temporarily, not forever. Emperor Zhao's imperial tactics had been mastered to perfection. He could deceive the likes of Prince Chen, but not him.
Instead of causing a falling out between father and son, it is better to say it openly.
Emperor Zhao's eyes were deep and boundless. The things reflected in his calm eyes were unfathomable. He said quietly, "What do you want?"
"After the matter is accomplished, I want to be granted a fiefdom outside the capital."
"Have you thought it through? If you go, you'll never come back."
The Southern Liang Dynasty stipulated that adult princes could accompany their mothers to their fiefdoms to live out their remaining years after being crowned kings. However, this was conditional on the emperor selecting a suitable heir, to avoid the other princes being deliberately driven to their fiefdoms due to constant disputes.
If Xie Yunqi went to his fiefdom at this time, he would no longer have the opportunity to compete for the throne. Emperor Zhao did not believe that an ambitious person would be willing to stay in his fiefdom.
"Yes!" Xu Jing nodded and continued, "I want to leave the capital for a while."
"how long?"
"When the emperor appoints a crown prince, I will come back."
Emperor Zhaodi also had a scale in his heart, knowing that no matter how much he said at this moment, it would be empty talk. If Xie Yunqi wanted to become the crown prince, he had to use the necessary means. Otherwise, even if he gave him the crown prince, he would not be able to keep it with his own ability. "Alright. I'll leave this matter to you."
Xu Jing was overjoyed and bowed to the ground. "Thank you, Father."
"After I leave, the Yulin Guards will be under your command. Anyone who makes any unusual move will be killed without mercy." Emperor Zhao waved at Wang Ying, who understood and took out the token and handed it to Xu Jing.
"yes."
The next day, Emperor Zhaodi announced to his court that the King of Qin would be given full authority over epidemic prevention. Court meetings were changed from daily to biweekly. The court was in an uproar, with some opposing and others supporting the move. Despite the heated arguments among the civil and military officials, they were unable to change Emperor Zhaodi's decision.
After the court meeting, Emperor Zhao discussed with the empress and took several concubines to Qinghe Garden for refuge.
After everyone left, Xu Jing began to fight the epidemic, following his previous experience. He first relocated the concubines who had remained in the harem to a single residence. The remaining palace maids and eunuchs were then categorized: those who were healthy stayed as volunteers, while those who were ill were sent to quarantine.
The entire harem was disinfected daily, and the Imperial Guards strictly guarded the area and did not let a single person escape.
The Imperial Hospital worked overtime every day to produce medicine, and Xu Jing shared the prescription without reservation. The imperial physician tested it on several palace maids who had fallen ill, and after confirming its effectiveness, he began treating the sick.
Besides this, the palace's purchases were also strictly carried out according to the regulations. After Xu Jing punished a few cunning and dishonest people and made an example of them, the eunuchs and palace maids became much more honest, and the purchases went much more smoothly than before.
Beyond the harem, the commotion was also raging outside. Merchants were even reportedly raising prices, and Xu Jing, using the Imperial Guards, dealt with a number of those who were raising prices. Unexpectedly, the next day, an imperial censor accused the King of Qin of treason and abuse of his position for personal gain. Memorials were flooding into Qinghe Garden daily, seemingly free of charge, keeping the eunuchs busy.
Qinghe Garden.
Eunuch Wang Ying passed the message. "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."
Emperor Zhao, who was buried in the pile of memorials, looked up and said, "Announce."
The empress came slowly and, upon seeing the emperor, knelt and saluted. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"Stand up." Emperor Zhao saw the food box in Jianjia's hand and knew it was time for dinner again.
The days spent in Qinghe Garden were much more comfortable than those in the Forbidden City. It had been a long time since Emperor Zhao had enjoyed the company of ordinary people. After staying there for a while, he began to miss the time when he was still a prince and his princess had shared a lot of joy.
Thinking back now, it seems like a lifetime ago. Everything back then has changed.
"Your Majesty, please have lunch first before dealing with state affairs."
"Don't worry." Emperor Zhao waved his hand and said, "Come here."
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