Su Wanwan's unusual condition cannot be considered poisoning, but it is more terrifying than poisoning.
Its pathology is similar to that of Cordyceps sinensis.
Lu Xingjian convened folk doctors and the Imperial Medical Academy to search for treatment options.
At the same time, similar poisons were administered to the Grand Princess of Yixing and the Empress Dowager, and even the princess's residence and related personnel of the Wang family were poisoned.
Various extreme treatment methods were also tested on them first.
Lu Xingjian was frantically busy with these matters, leaving all political affairs to Liu Jin.
...
Liu Jin was not having an easy time either.
Last year, Cao Yuan, the Minister of War, pointed out the drawbacks of the horse administration policy and converted many farmlands in the capital region and even Beizhili into pastures for horse breeding.
But the horses haven't been properly raised yet, and grain prices are getting higher and higher.
The situation in Jiubian is relatively good, because after two consecutive years of border reserve verification and land surveying, corruption in land reclamation has been greatly reduced, and they can still get through this winter.
However, the grain supply in the capital is dwindling.
He had hoped that the grain transport from Jiangnan to the capital would be transported via the Grand Canal. However, officials from Jiangnan said that due to years of famine, there was simply no surplus grain to be transported.
Under strict supervision, the first batch of grain was finally loaded onto the ship.
When they reached Huaiyang, the granaries were flooded due to rain. Chen Xiong, the Earl of Pingjiang and the Grand Canal Transport Commander, and Shao Bao, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief in charge of the canal transport, decided to sell the damp grain and convert it into silver to be transported to the capital.
If local officials follow suit, why bother with all that effort?
They converted all the grain into official silver and transported it to the capital.
This would significantly reduce transportation costs.
That's what we've been doing for the past two years anyway.
Liu Jin was so angry that he was practically fuming.
They ordered that Chen Xiong, the Earl of Pingjiang, and Shao Bao be arrested and imprisoned.
Madam Yuan, the wife of the Earl of Pingjiang, became anxious.
Chen Xiong was able to become the Grand Canal Transport Commander thanks to Empress Su's support, and now he has no choice but to continue to plead with Empress Su.
The news of Su Wanwan's serious illness was kept from the outside world.
Lady Yuan submitted a petition requesting an audience, but there was no response from the palace.
This completely enraged Liu Jin.
He knew that in the past two years, even grain from Jiangnan couldn't be transported over, but a large amount of grain was shipped in by sea, so the grain price in the capital was stable and there were no major problems.
But it won't work this year.
There were no grain transport ships arriving from the sea this year.
He was so angry he gritted his teeth.
He had also sent people overseas to buy grain, but by the time he did so, it was too late; distant water could not quench an immediate fire.
The most urgent task is to make an example of them and force the powerful families and officials in Jiangnan to transport grain over!
Liu Jin sent Zhang Cai and Cao Yuan to persuade Shao Bao, the governor of the Grand Canal, to impeach Chen Xiong, the Earl of Pingjiang, in order to protect himself.
Shao Baozheng refused with righteous indignation:
“The Earl of Pingjiang is the descendant of a meritorious official. He has not been in charge of the grain transport for long and has not committed any major offenses. I do not know what to impeach him for.”
Liu Jin was furious and ordered the censor to frame Chen Xiong, the Earl of Pingjiang, and Shao Bao for various embezzlements, intending to put them to death.
This matter shocked the government and the public.
Liu Jin's arrogance and domineering attitude went far beyond simply fining rice and losing the border.
All officials, both civil and military, felt insecure.
Even the usually cautious and self-protective Grand Secretary Lee Dong-gyeom stood up to protest.
However, Liu Jin remained obstinate.
However, the emperor rarely left his residence, so officials had no way to contact him, and even protests were useless.
Because Liu Jin used his power of approval to issue edicts in the emperor's name, no one else could do anything about it.
...
"Sweetie, finish your medicine."
Lu Xingjian supported the limp Su Wanwan and coaxed her gently.
"It's too bitter." Su Wanwan weakly turned her head away, refusing to open her mouth at all.
She's been taking medicine every day lately, and she's practically been pickled up like a marinade.
I absolutely loathe it.
Lu Xingjian picked up the bowl of medicine and swallowed it himself, then pinched her chin and shoved it directly into her mouth, not allowing her to struggle.
The remaining medicine dripped from the corner of his lips.
"I'll suffer with you."
Su Wanwan stared at him blankly, her eyes welling up with tears.
Many years ago, when he was poisoned, he was so disheartened that he refused to take his medicine for a while, and that's how she treated him.
At that time, the thirteen-year-old boy had just started to experience voice changes. When she grabbed his chin, he froze and didn't move at all.
When she fed him the medicine, he still stared with wide eyes, but his ears turned bright red.
She was embarrassed at the time, and tried to save face by saying, "It's just a little tough, right? I'll suffer with you."
From then on, he obediently drank every last drop of the medicine that was brought to him, never giving her a second chance to force him to take it.
Now, however, the situation has reversed.
Su Wanwan said, "Life and death are predestined..."
Lu Xingjian interrupted her directly, "You promised to spend your whole life with me, not even a day or an hour less."
"You have to take your medicine properly and wait for the antidote to be found. You're not allowed to give up prematurely!"
Su Wanwan looked at him with complicated emotions.
For the past six months, he has been away searching for a divine physician who could refine the antidote pills he took back then, and it took him a lot of effort to finally find one.
It is said to be able to cure all poisons.
However, it didn't work when I used it on her.
She didn't believe there was any other way.
At this point, death is all she has to accept.
Lu Xingjian, however, was unusually resolute and said decisively:
"I've sent out everyone to find the antidote; we're sure we'll find it."
As they were talking, Zhang Yong arrived.
Lu Xingjian was very impatient and waved for Zhang Yong to leave.
He doesn't want to deal with anything else except the antidote.
It's just that more people die and more people are wrongly accused.
His family is on the verge of falling apart, how can he care about others?
Su Wanwan stopped him and asked Zhang Yong, "What is it?"
Zhang Yong still reluctantly reported the matter.
"The Earl of Pingjiang, Chen Xiong, has been sentenced to have his property confiscated and beheaded. This matter is of great importance. The Cabinet and Minister Liu have differing opinions, so we have come to request Your Majesty's decree."
Su Wanwan frowned: "The Marquis of Pingjiang has an iron certificate of immunity from death. Wouldn't killing him discourage the military officials of the world?"
She looked at Lu Xingjian with a resentful gaze, "Aren't you going to do anything about this?"
"It's none of my business if they all die." Lu Xingjian's attitude was very indifferent.
He had no interest in meddling in other people's business.
What does this have to do with him?
He doesn't care.
Liu Jin should kill as many people as possible, and wipe out all the villains who are using Wanwan and trying to harm her.
Those who seem honest and innocent may still harm others.
Having experienced the incident involving the Grand Princess of Yixing, he had become utterly disillusioned with humanity.
Su Wanwan stared at him in shock.
The young emperor, who was full of ambition and determined to expel the Tatars just over half a year ago, is now neglecting state affairs and so indifferent.
She tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Don't do this."
He then coughed lightly twice.
A metallic, sweet taste filled my throat.
Lu Xingjian frowned and turned to Zhang Yong: "Pass down the Empress's message: if Liu Jin is still stubborn, go find Li Dongqian."
Zhang Yong accepted the order and withdrew, his steps unusually heavy.
If something happens to the Empress, the consequences will be quite severe.
The Emperor is in such a state that he has already given up all hope.
He couldn't imagine what kind of madness the Emperor would go through if the Empress passed away.
However, thinking of the Empress's trust and entrustment to him, as well as the young prince, he felt an extremely heavy burden on his shoulders.
With his strength, he was no match for the increasingly arrogant Liu Jin.
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