Originally, they wanted to allocate another batch of funds to buy some grain. However, after the drought, everything was in need of rebuilding. Although Han Zhongyu had confiscated the mansions of a number of corrupt officials, he still had to pay back taxes to the court, raise enough grain for disaster relief, buy seeds, and send people to various places to supervise the repair of houses. The budget of the government was really limited.
Han Zhongyu then spent his own money to buy five cartloads of grain, and had his guards set up a large pot at Xie Yushu's clinic to cook porridge, so that the patients who were queuing in the cold wind could have a bowl of hot porridge at noon.
It's not like they would travel dozens of miles in the wind and snow to see a doctor, only to go hungry for another day, and then go back cold and hungry, which would only make their condition worse.
Han Zhongyu himself also started bringing his lunchbox to Xie Yushu's place every noon, ostensibly to check on the people's situation and to bring Xie Yushu a meal so that she could better carry out her free medical consultations!
The lunchbox that Han Zhongyu brought was made by the government canteen. It contained two dishes and a soup, as well as a few white steamed buns. The variety was small, but the portion was large, and the main point was to make it affordable. Xie Yushu ate with great relish. She was not a picky eater. If she had the means to eat something more refined, she could eat her fill of dry biscuits while working outside!
Xie Yushu, in her haste to squeeze in time, practically devoured every meal. Han Zhongyu, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up to remind her...
"You should eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. The weather is already cold, and if you eat so quickly, you'll suppress the cold and easily get sick!"
Even if it's urgent, there's still time to eat. Besides, they need to eat too, don't they?
Xie Yushu ate the steamed bun in her hand in a few bites and said
"If I go out a little earlier, I can see two more patients. Most of the people waiting in line are from far away. If I can see them all today, I won't make them come back tomorrow!"
You, on the other hand, have probably never experienced anything this tough! Take your time eating!
After saying that, Xie Yushu left in a hurry!
Han Zhongyu reluctantly quickened his pace, finished eating, and then carried his lunchbox back to the yamen!
Although Han Zhongyu was an honest and upright official, he had never really suffered much hardship!
Having lived in Kyoto since childhood and being the son of an official, the greatest hardship I've ever endured was studying alone for over a decade to become a top scholar in the imperial examinations, and also staying up all night to solve cases!
But there were always people serving them seven or eight dishes and bowls, plus late-night snacks, and the supplies were plentiful and the manpower was abundant.
Coming here is like a slap in the face from society.
They were ambushed as soon as they arrived, and then they had to clean up a huge mess. They had no money and no manpower, and it took a long time to find the right people.
Unfortunately, supplies were still limited. Although everything that could be done was done, the people were still eating porridge with empty stomachs. As the saying goes, an official should bring benefits to the people in his jurisdiction. As the governor, he couldn't bear to see the people in his area struggling to make ends meet. He couldn't possibly eat a hearty meal.
There was also a group of people working under him. With supplies scarce, everyone was trying to save as much as possible, so he simply did the same thing as them!
Fortunately, Xie Yushu took the lead in providing free medical consultations, and he also ordered local county governments to organize local doctors to participate in the free medical consultations, which ensured that no disease spread. After a severe drought, the population of Tai'an Prefecture was reduced by one-third. If another disease broke out, there would be no one to farm next year, and he would be left with no one to command!
Now that His Majesty has decreed that Tai'an Prefecture can be exempted from taxes for a year to allow the people to recuperate, he only hopes that next year will bring favorable weather and abundant harvests.
In just a few months, Han Zhongyu's hair turned several strands white from worry! He seemed to have never been so worried before!
He couldn't help but sigh, thinking of Xie Yushu, a woman, who braved the cold to provide free medical care, which was truly admirable.
It was almost the twelfth lunar month, and Xie Yushu was only wearing a long rabbit fur coat, sitting in the freezing cold all day long. Han Zhongyu immediately felt uneasy.
After returning home, he rummaged through his belongings and sent all the new sable furs that his family had sent him to the embroiderer. He also specially bought a piece of brocade satin that was worn by women from official families. He told the embroiderer about Xie Yushu's height and build and worked through the night to make a cloak, coat and boots for Xie Yushu.
Not to mention that Han Zhongyu was thinking about how to give Xie Yushu the cloak and other items in a reasonable and legitimate way, and he was also worried that Xie Yushu would not accept them, so he was anxious and couldn't sleep for half the night.
Speaking of Xie Yushu, she has been leaving early and returning late every day due to the increasing number of patients she sees, and she didn't even realize that she was being watched!
Today was no different. It was almost dark by the time I finished seeing the last patient. Although I had to travel in the dark, the patients all came in groups, so there shouldn't be any danger.
Little did she know that while others were fine, she herself was in danger!
Seeing that there were several of them, Xie Yushu thought that since Han Zhongyu came, the bandits and thieves within a hundred miles had disappeared, so she wasn't too worried. She then told Zhao Hu and Nanxing to pack their things as well.
By the time they finished packing, it was completely dark. Xie Tianqi and Xie Tianming cooked them hot noodle soup. By the time they finished eating and returned to the villa, it was already dark.
Because Xie Yushu had Zhao Hu and Nan Xing with her, and she also knew some martial arts, she never needed Xie Tianqi and Liu Qiang to escort her. In Liu Qiang's words...
"You're lucky you're not robbing anyone with this group of men!"
So neither side ever imagined that the short 20-mile journey from Tai'an Prefecture to Yuquan Villa almost cost Xie Yushu her life!
As Xie Yushu left the city, four figures followed her from a distance. These four people were all dressed in gray or black cotton coats and had cotton headscarves around their heads, looking like ordinary people and not at all conspicuous.
Upon closer inspection, they all moved with light and agile steps and had sharp eyes, clearly no ordinary people.
After Xie Yushu and her group finished their meal, they didn't rush on their way. They chatted and laughed as they discussed the events of the day.
During this time, Zhao Hu and Nan Xing observed the surrounding situation several times. At first, seeing the group trailing far behind, they assumed they were villagers from the neighborhood. It wasn't until the group drew closer that Zhao Hu realized...
"Master, something seems off about those people behind us!"
After Zhao Hu finished speaking, Xie Yushu, Nan Xing, and the others turned around to look, and the group of people began to approach rapidly!
Xie Yushu instinctively sensed danger emanating from the group and immediately shouted...
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
As soon as Xie Yushu finished speaking, Zhao Hu, Nan Xing, and the others quickly positioned Xie Yushu in the center of the room, ready to face the enemy!
Xie Yushu also drew her short sword and quietly observed.
Those people moved quickly, and within a few breaths they stopped a few steps away from Xie Yushu and the others.
The leading man stared at Xie Yushu and asked in a cold voice.
"You are Xie Yushu?"
"That's me! May I ask who you are?"
The man didn't answer, but instead spoke to Zhao Hu and Nan Xing.
"We are here only to take Xie Yushu's life. All irrelevant persons, please leave immediately!"
Seeing this, Zhao Hu snorted coldly.
"If you want to take the manor lord's life, you'll have to step over us first!"
As soon as Zhao Hu finished speaking, he led his team forward, blocking Xie Yushu's path, and said to Nan Xing...
"We're facing an enemy. You take men and protect the manor lord!"
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