Chapter 29: The Epidemic Prevention War in the Capital
After Zhao Xiaofei took the stage, facing ten thousand Ming soldiers, he felt a profound sense of powerlessness. Many of them looked hungry and sallow, clearly malnourished. Even the healthy ones had a dull look in their eyes. They looked like zombies from American TV series. Were these the elite troops selected by Zhu Chunchen? Was he trying to scare me?
He had been about to deliver some impassioned speech about serving the country and the people, but it seemed he had to resort to practicality. At that moment, Xiao Si came over and handed him the loudspeaker. He picked it up and said, "Brothers! I believe Duke Cheng has already explained the purpose of this trip. This time, you're following us to help with epidemic prevention. There's a good chance you'll contract the disease and die, but! Since ancient times, wealth and honor have been sought through risk! This time, as the epidemic prevention officer personally appointed by the Emperor, I guarantee that as long as you obey, you'll save your life and receive your silver."
The soldiers below were completely stunned, no one dared to speak. They had two things in mind: first, what the heir apparent had that could make such a loud noise? Second, the silver. When had the Ming Dynasty ever paid silver on time? Who knew how long this debt had been owed? Being a soldier here was just barely surviving.
But before they could react, they saw two men carrying several wooden boxes. After they put the boxes down, Zhao Xiaofei said, "Brothers! Look! This is the silver I asked the Emperor to prepare!" He then raised his foot and kicked over one of the boxes, causing the loose silver inside to pour out. The soldiers' eyes lit up.
Zhao Xiaofei raised the loudspeaker again and said, "You see! Anyone who is selected by us will receive a deposit of one tael of silver today. Gather at the training ground tomorrow, and I will give each of you nine taels of silver."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar. The soldiers whispered to each other, knowing that the court was serious this time. They were offering real money, and they were willing to do it as long as they had the money.
Zhao Xiaofei waited until the soldiers had finished discussing their issue and said, "Brothers! I won't let you get into danger! First, I'll give you some medicine to make sure you don't get rashes! Second, I'll give you some protective clothing. These are clothes that can protect you from getting sick."
At this time, a man who should be an officer raised his hand and asked, "Sir! What is an injection? We have never seen this protective suit before!"
"No problem! I'll demonstrate it to you right away!" Zhao Xiaofei said and called Wang Erxi up.
Wang Erxi was not at all stage-frightened. He stepped onto the stage and asked, "Prince Consort! Why did you ask me to come up on stage?"
"I'll give you an injection and let them see what an injection is!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"No! My Lord, I felt pain all over my body when I saw you giving the prince an injection last time! Please spare me!" Wang Erxi felt a little dizzy from the injection.
Zhao Xiaofei grabbed Wang Erxi and said, "No! If you follow me to fight the epidemic, you won't be afraid of getting the disease. I guarantee you won't get the disease with this injection. Didn't you see that I saved the prince with this injection? Don't you still believe me?"
Wang Erxi's face changed and he said, "You are spanking the prince on his buttocks, and I can't take off my pants in public." The eunuch was afraid that others would see what he looked like down there.
"What are you thinking about? Can you get the same treatment as the prince? Hit my arm!" Zhao Xiaofei said with a smile.
"Oh! Just don't spank me!" Wang Erxi gritted his teeth, eyes closed tightly, as if he were about to be executed. Doctor Hu held the medicine box, a familiar one. Despite his age, he was nimble and deft. In the blink of an eye, he had everything ready, injected the needle, and gently inserted the medicine.
When it was all over, the soldiers took notice. It was the first time they had seen someone treat illnesses in this way, but they all believed it. Why? Because of the glass medicine bottles in their hands. The medicine contained in these bottles must not be ordinary, and it was injected by the prince himself, so how could it be wrong? The soldiers had such simple thoughts. Moreover, they knew what was going on. If the disease could be cured with an injection, it would be like saving their lives. So the soldiers who had been numb before started to become active, raising their hands and shouting: I want to go!
Seeing the effect, Zhao Xiaofei picked up the loudspeaker and announced, "Also! I've invited Zhang Tianshi to give everyone a talisman. May everyone be safe and sound!" Zhang Tianshi was referring to Zhang Yingjing, the authentic descendant of the Tianshi Dao. However, Zhao Xiaofei couldn't afford to have him give each of the 5,000 soldiers a talisman. The cost would likely be more than the two companies of 1,000 soldiers Chongzhen had given him. He planned to have Zhang Tianshi perform a ritual, then return home and have Li Sihong draw 5,000 talismans for him to distribute to the soldiers.
When the soldiers heard about the talisman given by Zhang Tianshi, they were immediately excited! They knew that this talisman was not something that could be given to ordinary people. Even if they had money, Zhang Tianshi might not give it to them. This time, for epidemic prevention, the imperial court had been able to invite Zhang Tianshi. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Long live the court!" Then, one after another, everyone began to shout, and the shouts of "Long live" were endless.
So the recruitment plan was very successful. Zhao Xiaofei and Doctor Hu successfully recruited 5,000 of the best soldiers. Wang Erxi was in charge of screening and also caught those who were lazy and corrupt. Basically, all of them were obedient soldiers.
Most of those who were not selected sighed and lamented, feeling as if they had suffered a great loss, and returned to the camp dejected.
Zhao Xiaofei stood on the throne and said, "Good! Since you were chosen, it means you are all heroes. You are all pillars of the Ming Dynasty. Tomorrow at 1:00 AM, roll call will be held here. I and the doctors from the Imperial Hospital will give you injections. After the injections, you can collect your money! Then, after dinner, you can go back to work! Do you understand?"
"I heard it! I heard it!" The people below answered incoherently, but they still looked in good spirits.
"Haven't you guys eaten yet? Answer me in unison once, do you hear me?" Zhao Xiaofei asked in a loud voice.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
