Chapter 81: Crisis in Beijing 2
Doctor Hu sat in the carriage, while Zhao Xiaofei rode a horse. Behind them followed Zhou Shuai Wanshan and his 300-man escort team, while Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu escorted the cargo. Besides anti-epidemic drugs, there was also ammunition for muskets.
As for epidemic prevention, it's the same old routine: quarantine, disinfection, cremation, injections, and medication. Zhao Xiaofei also discovered that the plague is now more severe, and it's possible that the previous medications are no longer effective. Perhaps because there were no antibiotics, the first medications were very effective, but now, when people are given injections, the effect is less pronounced. Perhaps the plague has developed drug resistance, so the plague vaccine is only a consolation. However, if it's caught early, the chances of a cure are still relatively high.
Doctor Hu lifted the carriage curtain and said to Zhao Xiaofei, "Your Majesty! The epidemic in Gongji County is not that serious this time. Why are you focusing on Gongji County?"
"Old Doctor Hu! Believe me, we can save our lives if we go to Gongji County!" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"I don't understand what Your Majesty means?" Doctor Hu asked doubtfully.
"You'll know when you get there!" Zhao Xiaofei said. He had discussed it with General Zhou Wanshan, and decided to defend Gongji County against the Jianlu attack. The capital was impenetrable, and of the surrounding cities, the only one they could hold was Gongji County. The city there was easy to renovate, and the escorts from the nearby Zhenyuan Escort Agency were also heading there. He could organize a defense force of 1,000 men in Gongji County. And it would be an all-firearms force. Wanshan had produced 600 rifled muskets using a hand-cranked rifling machine. There was also an enormous supply of yellow explosives. General Zhou had also done his analysis and planned to set more traps around the area, such as horse pits and minefields.
Outside the gate of Gongji County, County Magistrate Hu Wen and his men from the county government greeted them. Zhao Xiaofei dismounted and saluted, saying, "Master Hu, long time no see. How are you?"
"Thanks to the prince consort, I am still in good health. Why did you come to our county for epidemic prevention this time? I heard that the plague was rampant in the surrounding counties, so I immediately organized epidemic prevention according to your previous method. There is basically no possibility of an epidemic outbreak in our county!" Hu Wen said.
"First, go and take your father to the county government office, then I will discuss something with you!" Zhao Xiaofei said solemnly.
When Hu Wen heard that something was wrong, he immediately took Doctor Hu to the county government office and arranged for him to stay, and then went to Zhao Xiaofei's original house in Gongji County.
Xiao Wen let Magistrate Hu in, and Xiao Wu went to make tea. After the two of them sat down as host and guest, Zhao Xiaofei said, "Sir Hu, I'm here to save your life this time!"
"What? I don't know what the trouble is. Please give me some advice, my Lord!" Hu Wen said in surprise. He didn't expect Zhao Xiaofei to say this when he first met him.
"It's nothing. I have almost finished the tasks assigned to me by the emperor. I can't say that the epidemic is under control very well, but it doesn't threaten the capital. But you don't know that the court suffered a great defeat in Songshan, and the Jianlu are about to enter the pass to plunder. I am worried that your defense is not enough, so I came to you in the name of epidemic prevention to see if I can help you." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"What? The Jianlu are going to move south again? Is there any accurate news?" Hu Wen asked.
"Without any news, do you think I came all the way here to play a trick on Lord Hu?" Zhao Xiaofei said.
Hu Wen dropped the teacup in his hand in shock. He quickly knelt down and said, "Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for your kindness! If you have anything to ask, please tell me. I will do my best to do it!"
Zhao Xiaofei helped Hu Wen up and said, "Our families are good friends, so don't be so polite! Without your father, Imperial Physician Hu's recommendation to come to the palace to treat the Crown Prince, I wouldn't have become his consort. So, even a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. Brother Hu, just believe me, and together we can definitely save Gongji County!"
Hu Wen was so moved that he didn't know what to say. His hands began to tremble. When he calmed down, Zhao Xiaofei said, "Since Brother Hu trusts me, then follow my instructions! Gather all the craftsmen in the city and let them obey my orders. We will first raise the city walls. Also, immediately purchase food and store it in large quantities. Then, we will urgently recruit men to defend the city. Let me ask you, how many soldiers are there in Gongji County?"
"Probably less than 500 people!" said Hu Wen.
"Are they all strong and healthy?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.
"Both! I'm not like other counties, sucking the blood of soldiers and eating up empty quotas!" Hu Wen said.
"That's good. Let them organize the people to prepare rolling logs and thunder stones. The 300 bodyguards I brought will be responsible for climbing the city wall to kill the enemy! In addition, the bodyguards from other counties of my Zhenyuan Escort Agency are also rushing here. There are probably more than 1,000 people." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"That's great! Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life!" Hu Wen knelt down again and saluted.
"Brother Hu is almost 10 years older than me, so we will call each other brothers from now on! My other brother and I have been calling each other brothers for a long time in the capital." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Then I will call you Brother Zhao!" Hu Wen said.
"Brother Hu, don't make this public in advance. If the Jianlu take a detour, just pretend I didn't say anything!" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Impossible. Every time the Jianlu came to plunder near the capital, they would pass through my Gongji County. They had already attacked it once before I took office!" Hu Wen said.
"Then please trouble Brother Hu to prepare it!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
Since entering the palace, Princess Kunxing Zhu Mianzhu has been accompanying Princess Zhaoren and Zhu Cijiong in Kunning Palace. She visited Yonghe Palace to pay her respects but never returned to her husband's residence. Today, in Kunning Palace, she unexpectedly overheard her father and Empress Zhou announce that the Jianlu invaded again, having already reached Changping. They were now dividing their forces, with some heading towards Tongzhou and others planning to advance to Liangxiang and Zhuozhou.
"Father! Please transfer the prince consort back to the capital!" Princess Kunxing Zhu Mianzhu knelt on the ground and cried.
"I, I have already sent someone! If I meet the prince consort, I will ask him to return to the capital immediately!" Chongzhen said hesitantly. In fact, he did not send anyone. Because he did not know where Zhao Xiaofei went for epidemic prevention, he only knew that the epidemic prevention situation in the surrounding area was basically stable. The threat to the capital was not great. He said this completely to comfort his daughter. Queen Zhou certainly knew that Chongzhen was comforting Princess Kunxing, but she was also busy helping Chongzhen to cover up the lie: "Your father has been thinking about the prince consort! He has made so many contributions to the country, how can he forget him! Don't go back to the mansion recently, let Zhaoren and Cijiong accompany you more. When the prince consort comes back, I will let someone know you!"
"Thank you, Father, and Mother, for your concern!" Princess Kunxing, Zhu Mianzhu, sensed something was wrong. She probably didn't know where her husband was. She couldn't leave the palace right now; she could stay here and know what was happening outside firsthand.
In Nanjing, the Chu Honglou was a scene of peace and prosperity. Today was Kou Baimen's last performance for guests. Tomorrow, she would be picked up by the Prince Consort's family. Besides the two taels of silver she had given to redeem Kou Baimen, the Prince Consort also gave Chu Honglou two taels of silver as a betrothal gift. Of course, Kou Baimen wouldn't get these two taels; they gave them all to Mother Qin. They agreed to bring Kou Baimen into the palace tomorrow.
Zhu Guobi drank alone, feeling bitter as he watched the woman he loved being snatched away by someone else. However, since the man had displayed the signboard of the Prince Consort's Mansion, he didn't dare to make a move. However, he felt a deep hatred for Zhao Xiaofei. He planned to write to his friends in Beijing and ask the censors to find a reason to report him, so as to relieve his anger.
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