My reborn husband and son are thinking about how to kill me every day.

As time went by, news of Ji Yunshuang's plan to hold a celebration banquet at the Prince's Mansion, as well as her personal donation of ten taels of new grain to treat refugees in Jingzhou, spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jingzhou.

Many established merchant families were discussing the news they had heard.

At this moment, in a restaurant in Xunhe County, several men dressed in brocade robes were exchanging information they had gathered.

After exchanging information and confirming that the information they received was true, they began to inquire about the other party's plans.

Those sitting at this table were all escapees from Jingyang City. Although they had escaped, they were still observing the situation.

Many of these people were born and raised in Jingyang City.

Although they have businesses in other places, they all agree that Jingyang City is their root.

No one wants to give up Jingyang City unless absolutely necessary.

Chu Muyang asked, "Do you think the plague in Jingyang City is truly under complete control now?"

Guo Xiaofei said, "That should be true. After we escaped from Jingyang City that day, we sent someone to Ningxing Prefecture."

Previously, we had only heard that Ningxing Prefecture was plagued, and that it was Lord Ji who led his men to bring it under control. Now, after sending people to Ningxing Prefecture, we've learned that the plague was no ordinary one.

Of those present, the Guo family was the wealthiest and most powerful. Therefore, his words carried the most weight.

Actually, the main reason we gathered here today was to hear the Guo family's attitude.

Sometimes when you don't know which way to go, following a wise person will prevent you from making too many mistakes.

After hearing Guo Xiaofei's words, everyone asked questions, inquiring about the differences in the plague.

In that era, communication was underdeveloped, and without deliberately sending someone to inquire, it was impossible to know what was going on.

They had only vaguely heard about the plague in Ningxing Prefecture. After learning of the outbreak, they adjusted their family business, ceasing all involvement in Ningxing Prefecture. Naturally, they knew nothing more about what happened thereafter.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Guo Xiaofei began to recount the results of his mission to Ningxing Prefecture.

"Do you know what happens if you catch the plague and don't take medicine?"

Chu Muyang said, "What else can we do? It's just death."

Guo Xiaofei said in a soft voice, "Is it really that simple, just dying? If only it were that simple."

Seeing that he was still not telling them what would happen, his tablemates urged him anxiously, "Young Master Guo, stop being so mysterious and tell us what will happen?"

Guo Xiaofei said, "The people of Ningxing Prefecture call this plague the 'insect plague.' Do you know why it's called the 'insect plague'? Because if people who are infected with this plague don't take medicine in time, they will get worms on their bodies."

From the outside, the person appears perfectly fine, but their internal organs have long been devoured by the worms. Moreover, these worms not only consume the internal organs but also mimic human behavior. From the outside, it's impossible to tell.

Upon hearing his words, everyone in the room displayed expressions of horror, disbelief, and disgust.

After observing everyone's expressions for a while, Guo Xiaofei said, "Shocked, aren't you? Are you wondering if this is fake?"

Why did he agree to attend this gathering today?

He just wanted to see everyone's reaction to this explosive news. He was satisfied when he saw everyone react the same way.

Then he continued, "Let me tell you, the person I sent to Ningxing Prefecture to gather information this time is a loyal servant of three generations of my Guo family. He is reliable and would never deceive us with false information. This information is absolutely reliable."

No one doubted what Guo Xiaofei said.

I was really shocked when I heard this news.

Now that they had calmed down, they all started thinking about what to do next. Some people asked Guo Xiaofei about the scale of the plague that broke out in Ningxing Prefecture and how the insect plague spread.

Although they escaped quickly this time, no one can say for sure whether they can avoid it again in the future.

Guo Xiaofei said, "I don't know how it spread to Jingzhou. The information we obtained from Ningxingzhou is that this insect plague is not a natural disaster. It is actually a man-made disaster, deliberately caused by someone."

Rumors spread throughout Ningxing Prefecture that the plague was caused by a witch. Later, Lord Ji personally dealt with the witch, bringing the plague under control in Ningxing Prefecture.

Guo Xiaofei's words were tantamount to dropping another bomb.

Everyone looked shocked and puzzled.

This plague wasn't a natural disaster, but a man-made one?

Chu Muyang asked, "Since Lord Ji has already killed the witch and brought the plague under control in Ningxing Prefecture, why has the plague spread to Jing Prefecture?"

Guo Xiaofei shrugged, indicating that he didn't know either.

"These are just the pieces of information I gathered from Ningxing Prefecture. You'll have to judge for yourselves what the actual situation is."

"Does Young Master Guo think the witch story is credible?" Chen Rong stood up, toasted Guo Xiaofei, and smiled ingratiatingly.

Guo Xiaofei, holding his wine glass, nodded slightly to him and said, "It's hard to say about folk tales!"

Seeing that Guo Xiaofei was unwilling to express his opinion on the matter, the others tactfully refrained from asking any further questions.

After everyone expressed their concerns about the future situation, the topic quickly shifted to wild potatoes, which yielded several thousand kilograms per mu.

The yield is several thousand kilograms per mu (unit of land area), which can be eaten by both humans and pigs.

If they could plant it on their farms, the benefits would be immeasurable. Everyone was naturally eyeing that unidentified wild yam.

Chen Rong asked, "Is it true that wild potatoes can yield several thousand catties per mu?"

Chu Muyang shook his head and said, "I've dealt with all kinds of agricultural products a lot, but I've never heard of any crop that can yield several thousand catties per mu."

Chen Rong said, "So, Brother Chu, you mean to say that the yield of these wild potatoes is fake?"

"I didn't say that!" Chu Muyang said, "I just haven't seen it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Maybe Lord Ji really has found a wild yam with a very high yield?"

Guo Xiaofei thought of the news that Lao Man had gathered in Ningxing Prefecture.

In fact, besides the various news related to the plague, Lao Man also found out a lot of news about Ji Yunshuang.

Ji Yunshuang has a very good reputation in Ningxing Prefecture.

In Ningxing Prefecture, she not only saved many infected people, but also introduced a number of new policies and founded a brand-new Peach Blossom Village.

She might be planning something big this time she comes to Jingzhou.

Guo Xiaofei had a premonition that Ji Yunshuang might completely change Jingzhou. This could be a great opportunity.

He might regret missing this opportunity for the rest of his life.

He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave today."

Seeing Guo Xiaofei about to leave, Chen Rong hurriedly asked, "Young Master Guo, will you be attending the banquet?"

His question was both hasty and rude.

But at this moment, everyone was curious about the Guo family's decision. Therefore, no one stood up to criticize him; instead, they all looked at Guo Xiaofei, wanting to see what he would say.

Guo Xiaofei shook the folding fan in his hand and said, "Of course I'll go and support Lord Ji."

After saying that, he turned and left the restaurant.