Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

After three long and agonizing months, the city's once-dreadful and rampant epidemic has finally been effectively controlled and is gradually stabilizing. During this period, all those already infected have been meticulously treated and recovered, while those who were not yet ill but at risk have also been kept safe through a series of preventive measures. Today, life in the city has largely returned to normal, seemingly brimming with its former vitality and vibrancy.

With Baili Xi's approval and the solemn assurances of the imperial physicians, everyone unanimously decided to slowly open the long-sealed city gates, allowing people to come and go freely. As the heavy gates swung open, sunlight streamed onto the streets, illuminating every corner. The common people witnessed this scene, their hearts filled with unspeakable joy and excitement. They cheered and burst into tears, for this moment was truly momentous for them—after three full months! During these long days, they had constantly missed their loved ones in the city, longing for a swift reunion.

At the same time, the city's residents were equally eager to escape the "cage" that had held them captive for so long. Some felt trapped for so long, their spirits on the verge of collapse, and feared they would eventually go mad if they didn't get some fresh air. Others longed to see the world outside the city and experience a long-lost breath of freedom. As a result, the flow of people, both entering and leaving the city, instantly merged into a torrent, making the entire scene bustling with activity, filled with boundless energy and hope.

For the past three months, Bailixi and the Fourth Prince hadn't been able to see each other. However, their communication remained constant, thanks to carrier pigeons that flew back and forth, constantly relaying news from within and outside the city. Despite being in different places, the two maintained close communication, ensuring an unimpeded exchange of information.

As soon as Baili Xi learned of the impending city gate opening, he immediately released a carrier pigeon, delivering this crucial news to the Fourth Prince, who was far away outside the city. Zhu Qi, watching the long-closed city gate slowly open from afar, was overcome with uncontrollable excitement. He hurried over to the Fourth Prince, his face filled with anxiety as he shouted, "Your Highness! Finally... finally, the city gate is open! We can enter!"

At this moment, the Fourth Prince was standing there quietly, gazing at the gradually opening city gate. Hearing Zhu Qi's excited shouts, he turned around, a relieved smile on his face. Yes, after more than three long months, they had finally successfully defeated this terrible epidemic. Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince's originally tense heartstrings finally relaxed, and even his voice unconsciously took on a bit of joy: "In that case, let's hurry into the city."

In fact, even before Baili Xi's message about when the city gates would open, they had already made all the necessary preparations. All the necessary items had already been carefully organized and packed into their bags. Now, everything was ready; they only needed to wait for the city gates to open and they could immediately enter the city.

As the heavy city gate slowly opened, a dull sound emanated, as if breaking some kind of silence. In an instant, the people inside the city rushed out impatiently, while those outside the city rushed in like a tide. The two sides converged, instantly blocking the city gate tightly, leaving no way out.

Seeing this, the soldiers guarding the city gates hurriedly shouted loudly to try to maintain order, but the noisy crowd drowned out their voices. In desperation, they waved their spears, forcing a path through the crowd and shouting, "Quiet! Line up!" However, the chaotic situation was not immediately brought under control. People continued to push and shove, and the situation was temporarily out of control.

After a long and arduous half-hour of effort, the crowds inside and outside the city gates finally split into two groups. The left group headed toward the city, while the right group headed out, separated by a sturdy wooden fence. This way, the two groups didn't interfere with each other. Although the people were still anxious, they were finally able to line up quietly and wait for passage.

Zhu Qi stood aside, quietly observing the scene before him. Beside him, the Fourth Prince was also staring intently at the crowd, a thoughtful expression on his face. Zhu Qi turned to the Fourth Prince and said cautiously, "Your Highness, this huge crowd is truly overcrowded. How about we wait a moment, until the crowds thin out a bit, before entering the city?" The Fourth Prince nodded slightly, agreeing with Zhu Qi's suggestion. And so, the two of them stood there in silence, patiently waiting for the right moment to enter the city.

The Fourth Prince's magnificently decorated carriage, expertly driven by the driver, passed through the towering, sturdy city gates unimpeded. As the wheels rolled forward, the Fourth Prince finally entered this once-familiar yet strangely unfamiliar city.

He gently lifted the carriage curtain and peered out, only to be greeted by a shocking scene of desolation. This had once been the bustling provincial capital, its streets bustling with traffic and pedestrians, filled with the sounds of noise and laughter. But now? The streets were deserted, with only a handful of shops still barely open, mostly small stores selling food and necessities. Those once-thriving restaurants and diners were now all closed, their doorways covered in dust, as if they had been forgotten by time.

Due to the prolonged drought, many large restaurants were already struggling to make ends meet and were forced to close. On the streets, one could occasionally see a few disheveled, ragged individuals leaning listlessly against the walls. Their faces were gaunt, their bodies emaciated to the point of being skin and bones, their skin an unhealthy, pale yellow. The entire city was filled with a dead, lifeless atmosphere, completely devoid of its former vitality and energy.

The Fourth Prince watched silently, a flood of emotion filling his heart. He knew the people were suffering immensely, and he shouldered the heavy responsibility of reviving the city. Yet, faced with such a dire situation, he felt momentarily helpless. Finally, reluctantly, he slowly lowered the curtains and ordered the driver to drive directly to the Protectorate, where he would discuss countermeasures with local officials.

Chen Duhu arrived at the government office early in the morning, anxiously gazing towards the end of the road. He had received word from Baili Xi that the Fourth Prince would personally visit the Protectorate after the city gates were opened. So, he and his men waited respectfully. As time passed, the sun rose higher, its blazing rays piercing down, blinding the eyes. Despite this, Chen Duhu and his entourage remained erect, not daring to slack off.

Sweat dripped down their foreheads, soaking their clothes, but no one dared to wipe it off. They all knew that if they left without permission at this moment, missing the opportunity to greet the Fourth Prince, they would be severely punished. So, despite the unbearable heat and being soaked to the skin, they could only grit their teeth and persevere.

They waited like this until nearly 50: PM, when a slowly approaching carriage finally appeared in the distance. It was pulled by a team of sturdy, plump horses, each with a sleek coat and a steady gait. They were clearly well-fed, never having suffered from hunger. Protector Chen thought to himself, "In these chaotic times of war and suffering, perhaps only the noble Fourth Prince and his entourage could possess such fine horses."

As the carriage drew nearer, it finally stopped in front of the Protectorate's mansion. Protector Chen hurriedly led everyone to kneel in unison, shouting, "Welcome the Fourth Prince! May he be blessed with good health!" The sound resounded through the sky, lingering in the air for a long time.

The Fourth Prince was already feeling uneasy in his carriage, and the resounding "Your Highness" from outside was like an annoying fly buzzing in his ear, irritating him to the extreme.

Just as Zhu Qi put down his stool, the Fourth Prince stepped down. Although his heart was already filled with anger, the self-control he had cultivated over the years kept his face calm, without any trace of emotion. He looked at the ministers expressionlessly and said slowly, "Ministers, do you still have the leisure to wait for this prince here? Look at the scene at night! The streets are full of displaced people, and not a single person can have a full meal. However, you adults are full of energy, and your voices are as loud as a rainbow piercing the sun. I believe you must have eaten and drunk enough at home before rushing here. In that case, why not donate some of your excess food to these suffering people to help them overcome this difficult time together."

After hearing this, everyone's faces instantly turned extremely ugly, and they cried out inwardly. However, they didn't dare show this pain on their faces. After all, a higher-ranking official can crush someone, especially when the person in front of them is a dignified prince! Although no one required everyone to donate their property, everyone knew that if they didn't, the consequences would be serious. So, despite their reluctance, everyone forced a smile and shouted in unison, "The Fourth Prince is wise!"

At this moment, Chengdu Wei stepped forward and said respectfully to the Fourth Prince, "Your Highness, you have traveled all the way here, and you must be exhausted both physically and mentally. Why don't you go to the mansion to rest for a while? After you have rested enough, we can discuss how to resettle these refugees." After saying that, he bowed slightly and made a gesture of invitation.