Disease rights policy

Xie Laoshi led Min Heyu and the others to the reception room, where Chen Jiu had been waiting for a long time. He greeted them with a gentle and polite tone, "Lord Min."

Min Heyu returned the greeting, his attitude completely different from before. He smiled and asked him with concern, "Are you feeling better? Your father sent me several letters, asking me to take good care of you. I was afraid of disturbing your recovery, so I haven't been able to visit you yet."

Since the conversation had turned to family, Chen Jiu smiled and changed his form of address, "Uncle Min, don't worry, I'm fine, I've recovered completely."

Seeing that his spirits were indeed good, Min Heyu breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good."

After everyone was seated, Chen Jiu seemed to notice the other two people and politely asked, "Uncle Min, who are these two?"

Min Heyu immediately looked at the young man on his left and introduced him as "Lord Wang, under the command of the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Guard".

Chen Jiu nodded and smiled at the stern-faced middle-aged man on his right, "Then this must be the Imperial Censor."

Min Heyu: "It is indeed Lord He, personally appointed by the Censor-in-Chief. The two of you have come to Sichuan this time for two reasons: first, to investigate this case, and second, to clean up the chaotic situation in Sichuan."

The long-dormant martial arts world in Sichuan is now engaged in endless fighting, a matter that has alarmed the imperial court. To prevent these martial arts figures from crossing the line, the Imperial City Guard and the Censorate have dispatched officials.

"Thank you both for your help." Chen Jiu spoke slowly and deliberately, giving everyone a sense of approachability. He then thanked the group for helping them out of the predicament.

The young man from the Imperial City Guard responded to everything without saying a word. He Yuanzheng from the Censorate could no longer sit still and tentatively asked, "Lord Min, we two have only arrived in Sichuan today on orders, but what we have seen and heard is different from what we expected. May I ask what the identity of this young man is? And what is the reason for Cang Zhengqing's claim of impersonating someone from the Imperial City Guard?"

Min Heyu feigned surprise, "Look how careless I was. It turns out that Lord He didn't know Young Master Chen's identity?"

"Hmph." He Zhengyuan looked down at him. "I really don't know," he said, staring at Wang Zhi beside him. "You don't recognize anyone from your Imperial City Guard?"

Wang Zhi looked at Chen Jiu, moved his lips but didn't say anything. He really didn't know, but he had been instructed before leaving the capital to follow orders in Sichuan, so he didn't dare to make a decision for the time being.

Min Heyu laughed it off and quickly stepped forward to explain, "I thought Lord He knew Young Master Chen like Lord Wang, so I didn't introduce him. I'm truly sorry."

After hearing this, He Zhengyuan glanced at Wang Zhi again.

"Young Master Chen and the Commander of the Imperial City Guard are old friends. He served in the Imperial City Guard in his early years, but later his health deteriorated, so he went into hiding and took a nominal position in the Special Affairs Department of the Imperial City Guard to recuperate. Unexpectedly, this time he lent a helping hand because the matter happened in Sichuan."

"The Imperial City Special Intelligence Division?" He Zhengyuan scoffed. "It really is a position that nobody wants. No wonder I've never seen it before. For Lord Min to treat you so politely, it seems that Young Master Chen has a close relationship with the Commander."

Chen Jiu smiled, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm, "Brother Gongyu and I are bosom friends, and he has always taken good care of me."

"Wang Zhi, you serve under the deputy commander, have you ever heard of your commander's close friend?"

Wang Zhi replied without changing his expression, "I know that Young Master Chen and Commander have a deep friendship. I didn't expect to meet Young Master Chen in Sichuan. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Chen Jiu cupped his hands in greeting, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

He Zhengyuan then dismissed his suspicions, but still looked down on the sickly man. In the past, the Imperial City Guard, relying on the emperor's confidants, was just as arrogant as the Golden Guard, looking down on people and causing a lot of gossip in the court.

What right does a mere Imperial City Special Envoy have to interfere in the affairs of Shu?

Chen Jiu slowly took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. "A few days ago, Brother Gongyu wrote to me, asking me to assist Lord Wang in investigating the case. I originally wanted to refuse because I was not feeling well, but after all, I am a member of the Imperial City Guard. How could I stand idly by when such a thing happened in Sichuan? I will have to trouble Lord Wang to take care of me."

Wang Zhi dared not, as it was uncertain who was actually obeying whose orders; he could only pretend to agree.

He Zhengyuan was eager to solve the case, so he coughed and said, "Since we're all here, let's go over the details of this case. Special Envoy Chen has already taken the initiative and imprisoned some of the Wuting Hall members in the state prison, but I don't think Cang Zhengqing is a good guy either. He must be involved in Yang Min's death."

Min Heyu continued, "Although Young Master Chen took the bodies of Yang Min and Master Kongji out of Wuting Hall earlier, Master Kongji's body is now missing. We don't know who did it."

Chen Jiu: "The master's body is missing? When did this happen?"

"Around midnight, when the guards went in to check, they were already gone."

Wang Zhi: "Why would they steal Master Kongji's corpse? That's too strange."

Min Heyu didn't know either. "Let's take it one step at a time. Everyone should rest today. Tomorrow we'll take everyone to the state prison for interrogation. We'll be able to get some clues out of them."

He Zhengyuan stood up, having not drunk a drop of tea since entering, and said with dissatisfaction, "Investigate this case within ten days, and I must return to the capital to report back."

After saying that, he left first. Min Heyu's face stiffened. "Lord He's temper is obvious to anyone with eyes. Please forgive him, Young Master Chen."

"Hmm." Chen Jiusu twirled the teacup in her hand, glancing at Wang Zhi unintentionally.

Wang Zhi immediately stood up as well, saying, "I'm tired from the journey, so I'll take my leave now. Let's talk again tomorrow."

“Alright,” Min Heyu saw him to the door. “Take care, Lord Wang. Go back and rest early.”

After everyone had gone far away, Min Heyu turned around and came back in. He saw Chen Jiu still sitting there, his expression not much changed, but he gave people a feeling that was different from his approachable manner just now.

"Did Father often write to Uncle Min?" Chen Jiu suddenly asked. "What did he ask in those letters?"

Min Heyu felt a chill run down his spine and said softly, "I was just saying that to others. The Prime Minister does write to me, once every month or two, asking about your well-being and what you might be lacking so I can provide it for you."

Chen Jiu smiled at Min Heyu, "No need to trouble Uncle Min. Just let my father know that everything is fine when he writes to me in the future."

“Understood,” Min Heyu said, his hands clasped together, unsure of what to do. For many years, he was the only one in Shu who knew Chen Jiu’s true identity, yet he could never figure out this sickly young master. He seemed powerless, yet he inexplicably frightened him, not to mention the intimidating presence of the prime minister behind him.

"By the way, young master, since you've used the identity of the Imperial City Guard, I'm afraid you'll have to be patient during this period. Wang Zhi is easy to get along with, and as for He Zhengyuan, I'll just tell him to see you less often."

"Okay." Chen Jiu didn't say anything more, clearly indicating that he was seeing the guest out.

Before leaving, Min Heyu remembered something and turned back to say, "I happened to meet that young master's daughter on the way here, so I brought her along. She's a kind and caring person who looks after you."

Chen Jiu paused for a moment, then realized that he was probably talking about Qiao Ran.

Old Qu couldn't wait for the guests to leave. Min Heyu had just been discharged from the hospital when he brought in the medicine and urged Chen Jiu to drink it and then go to sleep.

Chen Jiu was indeed feeling tired, so he decided to see Qiao Ran again that evening. However, after sleeping for two hours, he felt even more tired. He gripped the armrest by the bed and frowned as he answered Old Qu.

"My vision is blurry, and I can't see very clearly."

Old Qu almost burst into tears again, but he forced back his tears and asked, "Can you still hear clearly? Does your head hurt? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

“I can hear you clearly,” Chen Jiu said. “My head hurts a little.”

Old Qu slapped his thigh and said regretfully, "It must be because I didn't take the medicine on time at noon. I heated it up twice, and the effect of the medicine was reduced."

"Never mind, it'll be fine tomorrow." Chen Jiu was used to it and called over Xie Laoshi, "Go and invite Qiao Ran to have a late-night snack with me."

"Yes, son."