As time passed, fifteen days had gone by since the camp was sealed off, meaning that half the time had passed.
Many people who contracted the plague began to have their skin ulcerated, and the camp was filled with cries of agony.
Yun Qingran kept flipping through the medicinal herbs, constantly trying to come up with a prescription in her mind. She had already tried dozens of prescriptions in the past few days, but none of them worked.
The situation at the camp was not optimistic, and a major event had also occurred in the capital.
"Your Majesty, your birthday is in half a month. The other three kingdoms have sent delegations to congratulate you on your birthday." Eunuch Wei entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation with three visiting cards in hand.
Upon hearing this news, the Emperor stopped writing. "The three kingdoms have sent envoys to Beiyin?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Wei presented the three visiting cards to the Emperor with both hands.
The emperor put down his pen, took the visiting cards, and began to read them one by one.
“Your Majesty, the three kingdoms have brought generous gifts to congratulate you on your birthday. Isn’t this a sign of respect?” Eunuch Wei asked, somewhat puzzled as he noticed the Emperor’s expression darkening.
The three kingdoms have sent delegations to congratulate the emperor on his birthday. This is a good thing, so why does the emperor seem unhappy?
"The capital has been thrown into chaos and panic recently because of the plague. They're not here to congratulate me on my birthday; they're clearly here to laugh at me." The Emperor slammed the three visiting cards on the table.
Only then did Eunuch Wei realize, "That's right, these are turbulent times. Those people coming at this time must have ill intentions."
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Liang has brought all the civil and military officials to request an audience," a young eunuch hurried in to report.
The Emperor sneered, "Let them in."
Eunuch Wei quickly stepped aside, beckoned to a trusted eunuch, whispered something to him, and then waved him away.
The young eunuch obeyed the order and quietly left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Liang Xiangzhi led a large group of ministers in, instantly filling the empty Yangxin Hall.
"Such a grand display, is there some kind of excitement?" The Emperor looked down at the kneeling ministers, his words were joking, but his tone was cold.
The ministers on the ground trembled. Today's emperor possessed a terrifying sharpness that instilled fear in them.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that the three kingdoms are sending delegations to congratulate you on your birthday," Liang Xiangzhi replied.
"Prime Minister Liang is incredibly well-informed. I just received the news, and you've already arrived with your ministers." The Emperor looked sharply at Liang Xiangzhi.
Upon hearing this, Liang Xiangzhi felt a pang of unease, but quickly regained his composure. It was nothing more than intercepting a secret letter; it wasn't a serious crime.
"I keep a close eye on the affairs of the court, so I learned in advance that the three kingdoms had sent an envoy," Liang Xiangzhi replied solemnly.
"Prime Minister Liang is truly a pillar of the nation." After saying this, the Emperor continued, "So, what has brought you here today?"
“Your Majesty, the delegations from the three kingdoms will arrive soon, but the capital is currently ravaged by a plague. If they come, won’t they be making a fool of Bei Yin?” Liang Xiangzhi said impassionedly.
"So Prime Minister Liang means we shouldn't let them come?" The Emperor leaned back on the dragon throne, his gaze fixed on him.
“Of course not. Refusing the delegation’s visit would damage the dignity of our great nation of Beiyin.” Liang Xiangzhi paused and continued, “The only way is to kill those refugees infected with the plague and burn down the camp.”
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Liang is right. There is still no cure for the plague of corpses. Even if we don’t kill them, they will die anyway. It’s better to kill them now, clean up the capital, and preserve the reputation of our Northern Yin throughout the land.” Another minister stepped forward to agree.
"Let me think about it." The Emperor waved his hand, "You may all leave."
“Your Majesty, the delegation will arrive in the capital in just over ten days. If you don’t make a decision soon, it will be too late.” Liang Xiangzhi did not get up and continued to kneel on the ground.
"Your Majesty, please make a decision as soon as possible!" the other ministers shouted in unison.
"Three days. If a cure for the plague cannot be found within three days, then do as you say," the Emperor said.
“Your Majesty, what about the Marquis of Zhen’an and his son? They mistreated the refugees, which led to this disaster,” Liang Xiangzhi continued.
"We'll talk about their father and son's matter later," the Emperor said, rising and retreating to his bedchamber at the back of the palace.
The arrival of the three kingdoms' delegation in the capital coincided with the first wave of refugees falling ill and dying. If a large number of refugees were to die before the delegation's very eyes, the reputation of the Northern Yin would plummet, making them a laughingstock throughout the world.
This is something he absolutely cannot allow to happen. Therefore, even if Liang Xiangzhi doesn't bring anyone into the palace today, he will still give this order.
"Yun Qingran, Lin'er, I hope you can create a miracle for me in three days." The Emperor stood by the window, looking towards the camp where refugees were being settled.
"What? The delegation from the three kingdoms will arrive in the capital in ten days. If they can't find a cure for the plague within three days, the refugees will be executed." When Yun Qingran heard this news, she wanted to curse some people's ancestors for eighteen generations.
"Mm." Jun Molin nodded.
"How could three days be enough?" Yun Qingran coughed as she became anxious.
Jun Molin silently poured her a glass of warm water, pushed it in front of her, and continued, "The influx of refugees into the capital and the outbreak of plague is a serious matter. It must have been reported back to their countries by spies from the three kingdoms long ago, which is why the delegation came to the capital."
"You mean the delegation from the three kingdoms came here on purpose to watch the show?" Yun Qingran hadn't expected the inside story to be so complicated.
“It’s not just about watching the show. If they really encounter a large number of refugees dying when they arrive, then Bei Yin’s status among the four kingdoms will decline.” Jun Molin poured himself a cup of tea.
The choice between the fate of an entire nation and the lives of ten thousand refugees is not difficult to make rationally. But Yun Qingran is not rational right now.
"I will definitely find a cure for the plague within three days." Yun Qingran looked intently at Jun Molin.
"I believe in you," Jun Molin said slowly.
Yun Qingran thought he would laugh at her and then advise her to give up, but she didn't expect him to actually believe her.
"I'll continue reading the medical books now." Yun Qingran picked up the medical books on the table and began to read.
"Haven't you already read all the medical books here?" Jun Molin snatched the medical books from her hands. "Go out for a walk, clear your mind, and you might come up with some new ideas."
Yun Qingran didn't know whether to admit it or not, but she had indeed been under a lot of stress lately, and her mind was currently a complete mess.
The two men came out of the house and walked through the camp.
"Greetings, Miss Yun. Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Beihan."
"Miss Yun, are you feeling better?"
"Miss Yun..."
...
Even though everyone was sick, they still greeted Yun Qingran warmly.
Looking at these pitiful faces, Yun Qingran felt very sad. Was she ultimately unable to save them?
No, Grandpa said that human will can overcome nature, and there is no incurable disease in the world. She can definitely cure them and save them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
