Chapter 28 Conditions
Along the way, Zhao Xiaofei and Wang Chengen rode in a carriage to the palace, followed by Xiao Si. He noticed that carts carrying corpses passed by from time to time. It seemed that he had not changed history. Although Gongji County's epidemic prevention was successful, the entire capital was not. Instead, the epidemic spread to the city. He was busy making love with Li Sihong recently and forgot how Xiaohong died, and forgot that the prince also contracted the plague.
After lowering the carriage curtain, Wang Chengen asked, "Your Ma-sama! Didn't you expect this?"
"Eunuch! Are you asking me why I didn't expect the Emperor to summon me, or whether the epidemic in the capital has not been contained?"
"Neither! I mean, I didn't expect that the civil and military officials didn't have a solution!"
"Yes! Are all the civil and military officials in this court just sitting there doing nothing but eating and drinking? I remember that according to the rules of our dynasty, the prince consort is not allowed to participate in government affairs!"
"It seems that the Prince Consort is becoming more and more aware of the rules of our Ming Dynasty. This is a good thing! However, you haven't married the princess yet! It doesn't violate the ancestral system, so you have to bear this burden."
"Got it! Thank you for the reminder, eunuch!"
"Don't be polite with us! We are all doing things for the Emperor!"
After getting out of the carriage, Wang Chengen took Zhao Xiaofei to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Chongzhen was furious when Hu Jin arrived this morning to report that the epidemic in the capital was severe and threatening the imperial city. Because he had recommended Zhao Xiaofei for treating the crown prince, he was promoted to Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau. Chongzhen asked the civil and military officials for their countermeasures. A few requested funding for medicine and the dispatch of an imperial physician, but the others had no idea.
Chongzhen was furious! He thought, what's the point of keeping a bunch of useless people like you. Finally, Doctor Hu said, "Your Majesty! I think you can summon the prince consort Zhao Xiaofei to the palace to comfort him. He has been quite effective in epidemic prevention in Gongji County."
"I object! According to the ancestral system of our dynasty, the son-in-law cannot be granted an official position!" The person who stood up to speak was the new Minister of Rites Lin Yuji.
"Then let me ask you, do you have any plan to prevent the epidemic?" Chongzhen asked angrily.
Lin Yuji fell silent, and Chongzhen said, "Since it is the ancestral rule, then I ask you, can Zhao Xiaofei marry Kunxing? Will there be a betrothal gift?"
"Your Majesty! Not yet!" Lin Yuji replied. But he thought, you've already summoned people to the palace to express your gratitude. He's even calling him "Prince Consort." What's the difference between that and a real Prince Consort? I even sent someone to the Prince Consort's residence today to deliver a gift!
"Since they haven't married yet, it doesn't violate ancestral rules. Summon Zhao Xiaofei to the palace. Dismiss the court!"
Just like that, now Zhao Xiaofei is kneeling on the ground listening to Chongzhen's nagging!
"This is the situation! Do you have any good ideas?" Chongzhen asked.
"Your Majesty! I can do a good job in epidemic prevention in the capital, but I have several conditions that Your Majesty must agree to, otherwise I cannot do it." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Speak! Whatever I can agree to is up to you!" Chongzhen said.
"Your Majesty needs to issue an order to select 5,000 elite and brave warriors from the three major camps in the capital," said Zhao Xiaofei.
"What do you want 5,000 elite soldiers for?" Chongzhen immediately became alert.
"Your Majesty! These 5,000 men will be divided into five groups. 1,000 will patrol the streets daily. If they find a sick family, they will draw a circle on the door. They will also gather the surrounding neighbors to inform them of the disease, so that they will be wary of each other and avoid associating with this family. The second group will be responsible for carrying corpses, sending those who have died of illness to the suburbs for collective cremation. The third group will transport the sick outside the city every day and isolate them. The fourth group will use my medicine to disinfect the entire city. If medicine is insufficient, they can disinfect the homes of the sick first. I will personally lead the last group. I will leave half of them to give injections and medication to the patients in the isolation area outside the city, and the other half will assist the first group. If any powerful family falls ill and refuses to cooperate, these people can be sent to forcibly isolate them. They can even be executed on the spot." Zhao Xiaofei basically copied the epidemic prevention measures of Gongji County. However, this is the capital, with too many powerful families, and it is impossible to be without soldiers.
Chongzhen thought for a moment and said, "Sure! Let Wang Erxi go with you to handle it!"
Hearing this, Zhao Xiaofei complained in his heart: Are they afraid that I will rebel, so they let Wang Erxi keep an eye on me?
"Your Majesty, you must also grant me the imperial sword. If anyone refuses to cooperate and is isolated, I can execute them first and report to you later," said Zhao Xiaofei.
Chongzhen thought about it and said, "Okay! But only officials of the fifth rank and below can be executed!"
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I still need two taels of silver from the An family to give to these soldiers. After all, epidemic prevention is extremely dangerous." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Okay! You pick a good candidate, and I will let the Ministry of Revenue allocate money to you." Chongzhen said.
"You give me 5,000 taels first, and I'll need the remaining two taels tomorrow," said Zhao Xiaofei.
Chongzhen thought about it for a while, then gritted his teeth and agreed: "Okay! I promise you! I will have the Ministry of Revenue send someone to deliver it to you later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I..." Zhao Xiaofei hesitated.
Chongzhen asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Your Majesty, this is my private matter! I want the princess to live with me after we get married. Besides, the north is dry and I am not used to it. I want to move to Nanjing after we get married." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"You can live in your house after marriage. My daughter doesn't want her to suffer like the princess of the previous dynasty. But I won't allow you to go to Nanjing! There is a rule in this dynasty that the prince consort and the princess are not allowed to leave Beijing without special circumstances." Chongzhen said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Xiaofei was satisfied with this. As for going to Nanjing, they would wait until the city was about to fall. I'll take them back in time and drive to Nanjing on the highway, which is much safer. Even though Zhao Xiaofei had no feelings for Kunxing, he had to protect his woman. This was a principle. Whether he liked her or not was another matter.
After leaving the Palace of Heavenly Purity with Wang Chengen, Wang Chengen said, "My Lord! The last condition you proposed today is a bit too much."
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