Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

The emperor and Yu Shizhang were silent. Lu Shenglin racked his brains but couldn't figure out how... had he failed in his duty?

Until the emperor spoke in a deep voice: "Just now, Jiang Zhiming has already explained that cowpox is a preventive and therapeutic method. Lu Shenglin, can you distinguish between 'preventive' and 'cure'?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "prevent", which made many officials break out in cold sweats.

That's it!

Xingning Prefecture was not close to Shangjing, and after the epidemic was over, Lu Sichu was strictly investigated, and all of their attention was diverted.

When everyone is in danger, who cares about that damn cowpox?

Smallpox epidemics are not common, so they will be over soon.

Who would have thought that he would be suddenly pushed out today, catching everyone off guard!

Fortunately, Lu Shenglin took the blame alone.

Looking at Lu Shenglin's stiff expression, Yu Shizhang sarcastically said, "So, Mr. Lu, you really don't know that cowpox needs to be vaccinated before the epidemic? If that's the case, I haven't wrongly accused you by reporting you."

There was a constant buzzing in Lu Shenglin's ears, and he looked at several of Cui Xiang's disciples for help.

But now they are busy taking care of themselves, so how can they dare to come forward and plead for him?

His crime of dereliction of duty was thus determined - he was fined one year's salary, immediately left the palace, and returned home to reflect on his mistakes.

It was just a year's salary, which was not a big deal to him. However, being punished to go back home to reflect on his mistakes during the morning court would make him the topic of conversation among other officials.

There were many cases of killing a chicken to scare the monkeys in the court, but this was the first time that he was the "chicken" to be "killed".

There are really many discomforts in suddenly becoming a "chicken".

For example, Yu Shizhang's overly teasing look made him extremely embarrassed.

For example, Jiang Zhiming, who claimed to be sick that day and did not see him, gave him an awkward smile.

After he left in the drizzle, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed a lot.

Lu Fugong originally thought that he would be fighting alone today, but he didn't expect Yu Shizhang and Jiang Zhiming to cooperate so well.

Excited, he got straight to the point: "Your Majesty, long ago, I, along with Doctor Li, developed a vaccine for cowpox. I've also tried it on myself and experienced no discomfort. Therefore, I believe it can be promoted throughout the capital. Prime Minister Cui is the head of all government officials, and the Cui residence is plagued by smallpox. Why not... start a trial in Cui's residence?"

All the officials were shocked when they heard this, and then they all fell silent as a flock of chickens.

Can't speak, can't speak...

Whoever speaks out against it may be the next "chicken".

The emperor glanced at their faces, extremely satisfied: "Does any of you have any objections?"

The hall fell into an eerie silence.

"Since that's the case, then I will pass on my order." The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "The Imperial Medical Bureau will dispatch medical officers with instruments to Cui's residence to give priority to testing the cowpox vaccine for Prime Minister Cui and all eligible people in the residence. During the trial period, Jingzhao Prefecture will dispatch personnel to patrol the area around Cui's residence and strictly prohibit outsiders from disturbing it. After Cui's residence has finished the trial..."

He paused and asked Lu Fugong, "How many days will you observe?"

Lu Fugong immediately replied, "Your Majesty, seven days is enough."

"Okay, then seven days. After seven days..." He looked at the officials, his lips curled up, but not even slightly smiling. "Once everything is confirmed to be safe, the National Medical Bureau will draft regulations. We will start with the noble families and the soldiers in the Beijing garrison, and then gradually extend it to the common people. During this period, if any medical officer neglects his duty or any official shirks his responsibilities, they will be punished for disobeying the imperial order!"

At the end of his speech, his tone was so resolute that no one could argue with him. All the officials were so frightened that they dared not even breathe.

"Your Highness, obey your order—"

The emperor's expression relaxed a little, and he looked intently outside the palace. Raindrops were falling like beads.

He asked, "It rained suddenly last night. Is there anything unusual happening anywhere in the capital?"

Wei Xiyu knew that the emperor was speaking to him.

Whenever the rainy season comes, the water supervisor is often pulled out for questioning, not to mention the heavy rain last night.

As soon as he stepped out of the line, he raised the scepter above his head and said, "Your Majesty, the rain suddenly fell heavily at midnight last night. Lord Shen, Lord Jiang, and Minister Xu went to the mouth of the Hui River overnight and opened the sluice gates to divert the water."

When the officials heard this, they whispered to each other, and the words "Lord Shen" and "Minister Xu" appeared frequently in their mouths.

How come these two people who have nothing to do with each other went together to open the gate?

It's really intriguing.

"Oh?" The emperor's focus was different from theirs. "Will the floodgates at the upstream river mouth be opened in advance?"

"That's right." Wei Xiyu, unaware that Shen Zheng had already informed the emperor, felt somewhat uncertain and could only do his best to speak up for Shen Zheng. "The water level of the Su River surged last night, and the water whistle at the sluice gate was also struck by the river. If Lord Shen had not opened the sluice gate in advance to divert the flow, the Su River would have been in danger of a dam collapse. I hope Your Majesty will take this into consideration."

The emperor raised his hand and waved it gently.

It's just a formality to ask that question, why are you checking?

"The intensity of the rain is beyond human control. Since the water level has risen so rapidly, we must open the sluice gates to divert the water." After a pause, he murmured, "But what a pity..."

He also said that he would leave the palace in disguise and go to see it in person, but unexpectedly, God wanted to stop him.

The rain outside the hall was getting lighter and lighter, and the dome was much brighter than before.

The officials discussed last night's heavy rain for a moment. The emperor rubbed his brow and said, "Now that the Huihe Dam has been put into use, all departments should submit their reports promptly. I am exhausted."

Every time he rubbed his brows with his knuckles, the officials knew it was time to leave the court.

The reports from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue were delivered by Ji Benchang and Yue Zhenchuan, but Wei Xiyu did nothing.

Only after the court was dismissed did he call over the anxious Jiang Zhiming and said, "Sir Jiang, I wish to personally see Your Majesty and explain the Wu Ti incident. I hope Your Majesty will make your decision."

Jiang Zhiming was so frightened that he lost all his sleepiness. He thought to himself, you are such a real man. You went to the emperor to complain about me and even informed me in advance.

"Then..." He turned around with a painful look on his face, "Let's go."

......

The two stood outside the imperial study in an orderly manner, waiting to be summoned by the emperor. As they waited, Eunuch Hong and Xu Zhijie appeared.

Xu Zhijie was not surprised to see them here. He nodded slightly and then went inside under the guidance of Eunuch Hong.

Jiang Zhiming moved his numb heel and sighed secretly - look at the treatment given to the Shangshu, it is indeed extraordinary.

In the imperial study, as soon as Xu Zhijie entered, the emperor called him to play chess.

He knew that the emperor had other intentions, but he remained calm and focused, devoting himself to the game of chess.

Just as the two were at a stalemate, the emperor suddenly spoke up, "Why are you going to the Shen residence in the middle of the night?"

Xu Zhijie's expression remained unchanged. After dropping off his son, he replied, "Your Majesty, yesterday, Prime Minister Cui was seriously ill. Cui Jinyin, worried about her grandfather, went to the Shen residence to seek medical treatment. However, Doctor Li was busy and couldn't go. That girl then threw a tantrum and said a few unpleasant words to Lord Shen. When I learned of this, I reprimanded her and then came to apologize."

The emperor gave him a half-smile and said, "Prime Minister Cui should go and apologize. As your uncle, you are quite flexible."