Chapter 523 Do you have a plan to deal with this?
plague!
When those two words were uttered, an even louder thunderclap exploded overhead at the Daxing Imperial Palace, instantly stunning everyone.
Chu Ruoyan, who had previously been indifferent and focused solely on her struggles in the imperial court, was now in a panic.
"How... how could this happen?"
Just as she murmured in disbelief, a clearer voice, carrying an even heavier emotion, solemnly proclaimed: "A comet appears, disaster strikes... A comet appears, disaster strikes..."
The one who said these words was none other than Wei Wenzhuo, the Grand Astrologer who had observed the stars at night a few days ago and presented the prophecy to the emperor. His face was solemn, and he seemed to be muttering to himself. But when he said those words again, it was more shocking than thunder!
Previously, when officials in the court heard about the ominous signs foretold by this celestial phenomenon, some were terrified, some did not believe it, and some even scorned it, thinking that even if it came true, it would only be a disaster. But this time, what came true was not only a disaster, but also a clear and obvious power shift right before everyone's eyes!
Everyone understands one thing—
The Great Ye Dynasty has come to an end!
When the panicked Chu Ruoyan finally realized this, she was struck dumb, standing there stiffly. After a long while, she turned her stiff neck and looked at Shang Ruyi not far behind her, her eyes filled with despair.
Yesterday, when Shang Ruyi wagered disaster on them and made this "high-stakes gamble," she didn't think it was really a gamble, or even that there would be a winner or loser, because it was just Shang Ruyi's wishful thinking—God, how could such a disaster befall us in such a short time?
But, just like that, this is exactly what happened, right before her eyes!
She lost, utterly lost.
What she thought would never happen, what she thought was a sure thing, was utterly defeated today. At this moment, she didn't even understand whether what had defeated her was Shang Ruyi or the heavens that were still rumbling and roaring as if trying to crush her.
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Shang Ruyi slowly raised her head.
However, she only glanced at Chu Ruoyan indifferently, her eyes showing no joy at her victory, but rather a deeper worry. Looking out of the main hall, the gloomy sky seemed to have foreseen this dark moment, but as dull as she was, she only realized it yesterday.
plague!
She should have been more vigilant earlier about the terrible disease that only killed Yuwen Ye in the battle of Fufeng—how could such a disease really only kill one person?
According to the message relayed by the young eunuch, it wasn't just a case of isolated illness; rather, a large number of patients had appeared in the city, crowding all the medical clinics inside and outside the city, and an epidemic had broken out in every neighborhood.
Wouldn't that mean the entire Daxing City—
With just that thought, Shang Ruyi didn't even have time to be happy about her "victory" before her heart sank.
The people around were so frightened that they broke out in a cold sweat.
At this moment, a weak, trembling voice came from Chu Ruoyan's arms, whispering, "Royal sister, what should we do?"
The one who spoke was Chu Chengfei.
The emperor of the Daye Dynasty, but at this moment, everyone no longer regarded him as the emperor. The moment they heard those words, everyone's gaze turned to another person who had already walked to the entrance of the Taiji Hall, looking out at the gloomy sky where the sound of drums and rumbling thunder still echoed. His tall and burly figure seemed to be able to withstand the oppressive force of the impending storm.
The next moment, he said in a deep voice, "Summon the Imperial Medical Academy immediately!"
Upon hearing this, the eunuchs who were waiting in the main hall didn't even have time to ask the emperor and the princess for their opinions before they hurriedly turned around and left.
Yuwen Yuan immediately turned around and looked at the civil and military officials standing behind him, still on both sides, though their ranks were somewhat disordered. He said in a deep voice, "Do you have any countermeasures?"
The crowd was still reeling from the shock that the prophecy of "a comet appearing means disaster" had come true, and from the fear of the plague spreading. Moreover, none of the people here had any experience in dealing with epidemics. For a moment, the entire Taiji Hall was completely silent.
Just then, Shang Ruyi stepped forward and said, "Father."
Yuwen Yuan immediately looked at her.
Shang Ruyi said, "Although I am not a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, I have encountered this kind of epidemic before during the Battle of Fufeng, so I would like to offer some advice."
Yuwen Yuan's eyes lit up.
He then remembered that his daughter-in-law had told him in the study last night that she would "resolve" today's matter, but Pei Xu and Ji Hong had been the ones talking the whole time, and she hadn't said much. Yuwen Yuan had assumed that Yuwen Ye had stepped in to help her resolve the matter.
But unexpectedly, the real problem to be solved was right here.
Moreover, just now, under Ji Hong's questioning, Chu Ruoyan spoke up, saying that as long as the Yuwen family could resolve the disaster brought about by the appearance of the comet, the emperor would abdicate.
Therefore, all of this makes perfect sense!
Yuwen Yuan's eyes gleamed, shining brightly even against the gloomy sky behind him. He said to Shang Ruyi, "Speak."
Shang Ruyi immediately said, "This disease spreads extremely quickly and can easily be transmitted to others through breathing, saliva, and even drinking water. Therefore, we need to immediately separate the patients from the healthy people in the city to prevent the disease from spreading further."
Immediately, someone behind him said, "Separation is easy, but where should we put those separated patients?"
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment, then asked the little eunuch who had come to deliver the message, "Do you have a specific number of patients now?"
The young eunuch said, "I came in a hurry to report this, as the statistics haven't been finalized yet."
Yuwen Yuan frowned.
Without a specific number, it's difficult for them to make a decision right now.
Shang Ruyi also frowned, and at the same time started counting on her fingers: "There are eighteen large clinics in the inner city and thirteen in the outer city. Judging from the number of patients they can treat, there are roughly six or seven hundred. The smaller clinics can treat two or three hundred patients in total. So, adding them together, there are about a thousand patients."
“And the disease has broken out in every ward, and the number is probably too many to count, at least a thousand.”
"And outside the city—"
She looked up at the young eunuch: "How many people are there outside the city, and what kind of people are they?"
The young eunuch hurriedly replied, "There are about two or three hundred people outside the city, and they are all seriously ill. It seems they come from the villages in the southwest of the city."
Shang Ruyi took a deep breath.
Yuwen Yuan said, "What do you say? Just tell me, and your father will think of a solution."
Shang Ruyi frowned and said, "Ruyi has only made a rough estimate, but there are at least one or two thousand patients in the city. With so many people, it may not be easy to settle them. If they are allowed to roam around the various neighborhoods, it may easily aggravate the spread of the epidemic."
At this moment, someone immediately said, "Then let them leave the city, find a village for them to stay in, and let them come back after they've recovered."
"no!"
Shang Ruyi spoke almost subconsciously, but after saying those two words, she turned around and realized that the speaker was Zhou Ying, the Grand Physician, who was also someone she had "crossed paths with" at the Dayan Temple Dharma Assembly.
Hearing her arrogant reply, Zhou Ying's face darkened. She was about to get angry, but dared not be truly angry. She could only sneer and say, "Young Madam, you are very decisive."
Shang Ruyi opened her mouth, about to say something, but was interrupted by another voice.
"In such matters, one must make a decisive decision immediately."
Zhou Ying frowned, and as she turned her head, she saw Yuwen Ye slowly walking to Shang Ruyi's side. He calmly said, "If we send thousands of patients out of the city, what if they spread and affect more prefectures and counties? Wouldn't that cause the entire Guanzhong region to be infected with this epidemic? Who will bear the consequences?"
"..."
"Besides, the people outside the city are asking to enter because they have nowhere else to seek medical help. If we drive them out of the city, wouldn't that be telling them that we're just letting them wait to die?"
"..."
"With so many people, are they really willing to just wait to die? If they start a riot, who will dare to quell it?"
His words were reasonable and well-founded, and Zhou Ying, though displeased, could not say anything. She could only let out a deep breath and leave.
Yuwen Ye then coldly withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Shang Ruyi.
The two looked at each other, and although they didn't say anything, a tacit understanding flowed between their eyes.
At this moment, Yuwen Yuan asked, "So, what do you think?"
Yuwen Ye immediately said, "Father, I think we should let them into the city."
"..."
Yuwen Yuan didn't speak immediately, but his brows were already furrowed into a knot.
This is indeed not an easy choice. After all, allowing patients, especially those suffering from the plague, into the city would put several times the pressure on the city. If the epidemic could not be controlled, Guanzhong might be saved, but Daxing City might become a dead city.
Moreover, this is no ordinary city, but the capital!
Not only were the young emperor and the eldest princess present, but also himself, who had just reached the pinnacle of power. What if, at this moment—
Yuwen Yuan wanted to object almost immediately, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
He understood that victory was found in the face of danger.
The recent court debate, whether it was Pei Xu's veiled criticism or Ji Hong's direct approach, both condemned the young emperor's incompetence. The reason the Yuwen family was seen as the likely successor was due to their achievements, and even more so because Shang Ruyi uttered those four words—
Disaster relief and helping the people!
This is the best way to force the emperor to abdicate and then take over the throne in the name of benevolence!
Thinking of this, Yuwen Yuan took a deep breath and finally said, "We can't drive people out of the city, but we also need to let people from outside the city enter. However, we can't let them wander around the various wards. There's only one way—clear out the two wards first, gather these patients together, and have them receive centralized treatment in those two wards!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall gasped in surprise.
Not only were they amazed by Yuwen Yuan's decisive actions, but they also marveled at how the Yuwen family truly cared for disaster relief and helping the people!
At this moment, Shang Ruyi asked again, "But Father, which two markets should we clear out?"
"this--"
Yuwen Yuan hesitated. Clearing out the market was not an easy task. Not only was it difficult to carry out, but careful selection was also required. If the people inside were uncooperative and caused trouble, it would be a loss.
Just then, a gentle voice said, "Anlefang and Yanzuofang would be best."
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