"Brother Hai? I'm so glad you're okay!" Feng Lun shouted excitedly as soon as he saw Hai Qing, with a sincere smile on his face.
Hai Qing felt a sudden warmth in her heart when she heard Feng Lun's words. They both couldn't help but pat each other on the shoulders, as if this pat could convey their joy and relief.
"Brother Feng, didn't I hear you left with the Xu family? Why are you here?" Hai Qing asked curiously. It turned out that Hai Qing had been out with his caravan when the flood hit, and only learned about it later. Fortunately, his family was located on higher ground and was not greatly affected by the flood. He was more worried about the safety of Xu Ning's family.
Feng Lun sighed and recounted to Hai Qing the difficulties and dangers he and the Xu family encountered along the way, as well as how they ultimately separated. Hai Qing couldn't help but sigh, "It was truly thrilling. Fortunately, everyone is safe."
"Yes, we were lucky to have escaped this disaster!" Feng Lun sighed, frowning and asking worriedly, "Brother Hai, what is the current situation in Shanglu County?"
"Alas..." Hai Qing sighed and replied solemnly, "The situation isn't optimistic! The floods have submerged the county town for three or four days, and the houses are almost uninhabitable. The shops and the county government office have been destroyed, causing heavy losses. To make matters worse, due to the high death toll, a severe plague has broken out in Shanglu County. Now the city gates are sealed, and those inside can't leave, and those outside can't enter."
"Oh my God, what should I do?" Feng Lun asked anxiously, "What about the Minister of Agriculture and the others? Are they in the city or outside?"
"He is outside the city, and the officials who rushed over didn't dare to let him in. There are tents stationed outside the city, and the one leading the troops is said to be a general named Pei." That's all Hai Qing knew. Feng Lun was not aware of the good relationship between the Xu and Pei families, and he was relieved to learn that the Minister of Agriculture did not take any risks.
Feng Lun knew that Hai Qing was also concerned about the Xu family's recent situation. He simply told Hai Qing that Xu Ning's family was safe and sound and that they had parted ways, but he did not tell Hai Qing that the Xu family had settled in the valley.
Hai Qing didn't ask any further questions. He thought that since Xu Ning's family was fine, they would contact him soon.
The two chatted for a while and then parted ways. Feng Lun was anxious to go home, and Hai Qing wanted to send someone to escort Feng Lun home, but Feng Lun refused.
Finally, Feng Lun took out some money to buy a mule, rode the mule and went home.
As Feng Lun exited the other side of the county town, he glanced back at Hai Qing, remembering every moment he had with the Xu family. He was filled with emotion. He was grateful for the Xu family's help, so he didn't tell Hai Qing about the Xu family's plans.
Hai Qing was keenly aware of Feng Lun's unusual behavior, but he said nothing. After watching Feng Lun leave, he dispatched his men to various shops in the city to ensure they could contact him promptly if any news regarding the Xu family reached them.
At the same time, in a tent ten miles outside Shanglu County, Pei Yongjun was sitting in the center of the tent, pressing his temple with one hand, trying to relieve the discomfort caused by the headache.
A soldier reported and stood outside the curtain, saying respectfully, "General Pei, there is a letter for you."
Pei Yongjun raised his head and replied in a low voice, "Bring it in." The soldier obeyed and lifted the curtain, presenting a small bamboo tube with both hands. The bamboo tube was then taken by the servant waiting beside Pei Yongjun, and the soldier quickly left the tent.
The servant skillfully opened the bamboo tube and carefully pulled out a small piece of letter paper. He then handed it to Pei Yongjun and said, "Master, this is a letter from Miss Jiaojiao."
Pei Yongjun glanced at the small piece of paper and couldn't help but sigh, "Still no news?"
The servant shook his head helplessly. Pei Yongjun frowned even more tightly and felt the pain in his temple become more intense.
This morning, just after dawn, before the sun rose, the Grand Minister of Agriculture hurried away under cover of darkness. This time, he was fully prepared, making his movements difficult to detect. His men searched everywhere for him all day but could not find him.
Although the coach followed closely, the Grand Minister of Agriculture was old and in poor health, which made Pei Yongjun very worried.
His niece had been unable to contact the Xu family, and she was anxious and even wanted to return to the south herself. However, the plague was raging in the south, and the situation was serious. Pei Yongjun didn't dare to take any risks.
"Master, take a rest. You haven't slept for two days and two nights." The servant looked at the haggard man with bloodshot eyes in front of him with a face full of worry, his voice choked with sobs.
At this time, another spy came into the tent and told Pei Yongjun the news that Feng Lun had appeared in the county town.
"Reply to Jiaojiao and tell her there's news about the Xu family. The Xu family is fine at the moment, so tell her not to worry." Pei Yongjun forced a smile on his exhausted face and said softly.
After saying this, Pei Yongjun fell asleep as if relieved of a heavy burden, snoring loudly. But after only an hour of sleep, he suddenly woke up and got up to continue his work.
The surrounding tents were filled with a strong smell of herbs, and in front of each tent there was a large pot of boiling medicine, bubbling with steam.
Every day, carriages loaded with medicine set out from here and drove into the city, trying to alleviate the suffering brought by the plague. However, despite their best efforts, the plague showed no signs of improvement, which made Pei Yongjun extremely anxious and unable to sleep peacefully.
Meanwhile, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, whom Pei Yongjun worried about, was walking along the mountain path with the aid of a cane. His face was gaunt and his figure was thin, as if he would fall over if the wind blew. His face, which had once been round and plump since he was raised in the Xu family, now looked sunken, and he looked more than ten years older than before.
Ever since he started looking for the right herbal remedy, he has not rested, traveling through the mountains and forests every day, searching for any clue.
Cui Yong watched the Grand Minister of Agriculture work so hard and was deeply concerned. He feared the Grand Minister of Agriculture would be physically exhausted from the relentless search. So, every once in a while, Cui Yong would force-feed the Grand Minister of Agriculture some food and water to ensure he had enough energy to continue his search.
Qin Wen also understood that he had to maintain his energy to complete the task, so he would obediently eat whatever Cui Yong handed him every time.
Under Cui Yong's care, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, though still very thin, was able to hold on. Cui Yong stayed by his side, keeping an eye on him, fearing he would collapse suddenly.
In this way, the two of them worked hard together and finally found the medicinal herb at the bottom of a steep cliff three days later.
"Report!"
"Report! There's news about the Grand Minister of Agriculture!"
"General, the Grand Minister of Agriculture has returned! But Master Cui has been poisoned!"
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