During my escape from famine, I survived by eavesdropping on the whispers of food.

The man in black could only sigh and say, "Very well, let's consider this opportunity missed. But if there's a next time, I will certainly devise a plan for my prince. Originally, I was thinking of using this incident to properly punish the crown prince for failing to oversee the country."

But now that I think about it, it really isn't the right time to make a move.

……

Inside the yamen, everyone gathered around a table. Lin Zheng was looking at the account book in front of him when Jin Danian said to Lin Zheng, "Sir, have you thought this through? If we really take all these medicinal herbs out, what will happen if our brothers and the brothers who are recuperating nearby actually get sick?"

These are all the medicinal herbs we have left.

Lin Zheng nodded and said to him, "Don't worry, I've already informed the court. His Highness the Crown Prince will probably send over the medicinal herbs soon. For now, we can only take these herbs and go treat the people in these two cities who have already contracted the disease."

I have already drafted a letter to Lu Jun and Qin Shuangshuang, informing them to wait inside that dilapidated door. Several constables were dispatched there early this morning.

They're currently putting all the sick people into the dilapidated temple to recuperate.

Then, we must first close and lock the gates of these two cities, making sure no one escapes, lest they cause further trouble, which would be disastrous.

At this moment, Lin Zheng said to Jin Danian, "This is the only way we can do it now. If we don't use these medicinal herbs to save people, I'm afraid that soon more and more people will contract this disease."

Tell your brothers behind you to take good care of themselves and not to come out. I've had the city locked down because I'm worried about our safety.

……

破庙

Now, Qin Shuangshuang and her companion watched as the yamen runners moved all the sick patients here.

Qin Shuangshuang, now wearing a veil, said to Lu Jun, who was stewing medicine nearby, "More and more people are coming here. Now that we're out of medicinal herbs, we'll have to go to the nearby mountains to search for them."

At this moment, a yamen runner stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said to Qin Shuangshuang in his mind, "Lord Lin has already ordered the nearby city to be locked down. I'm afraid you won't be able to get out for a while."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuangshuang had no time to say anything, but the sick people around her started crying and shouting.

"Why? Why is the city suddenly under lockdown? Is this really a serious matter?"

"Exactly! In the past, very few of our adults and elders who got this disease survived. What are we going to do now?"

"I don't think Qin Shuangshuang knows anything about how to save people. If we stay here any longer, we probably won't survive. Let's leave quickly, otherwise it will be difficult to get out tonight."

Just as these people were about to leave, Lu Jun shouted, "Stop right there! Someone close the door!"

Those people turned around and looked at Lu Jun's resolute expression, like a stone, completely devoid of any human warmth. Then someone said, "What exactly are you trying to do, little kid?"

"You young master have no idea how pitiful we common people are. We were already pitiful enough as refugees, but now we have to wait to die here. Aren't you just trying to force us to our deaths?"

However, Qin Shuangshuang stepped forward and said to them, "This young master is only doing this for your own good. If you go out now and all the people around you get sick, what will happen to your families?"

What will happen to other people's families? There are not many medicinal herbs to begin with. You at least have a glimmer of hope here. If you really go out, have you thought about who will be willing to treat you?

"The decision to keep you here was made by Lord Lin, who has now taken over the county seat. We all need to teach you how to heal, so please rest assured that no one in either of these cities will die. I can at least guarantee that from here on out."

All eyes were on Qin Shuangshuang's face. Lu Jun saw a hint of courage and determination in her eyes, and he believed that Qin Shuangshuang could do it.

Lu Jun said to everyone, "Please be calm and don't worry. We will definitely save your lives. Please cooperate by taking the medicine and following Miss Qin's instructions."

Those people dared not say anything more. After all, the thought that if they went out, not only would they not have medicine, but they might also cause their perfectly healthy family members to get sick would be unbearable. So they went back to their seats and sat quietly to wait.

Qin Shuangshuang had someone bring the medicine over. Those people were coughing everywhere, and not only that, more and more people were vomiting blood, and even more and more people were having convulsions.

Seeing this scene, Qin Shuangshuang couldn't help but take several deep breaths. The smell of blood stung her nose, and she turned around, almost vomiting. At this moment, Lu Jun took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.

Qin Shuangshuang sniffed it carefully and asked him curiously, "A young lady's handkerchief? What kind of handkerchief is this?"

Lu Jun said, "This is my mother's secret recipe, and it used to be my mother's favorite flavor. I used to dislike the smell of blood, so she would put this handkerchief to my nose and smell it, which made me feel much better. Now it seems we need to go and find some more medicinal herbs nearby, otherwise, when Lord Lin comes, the people here will probably bring more and more."

Qin Shuangshuang nodded, looked around, and then instructed the constable beside her, "Brother, we need to get out of here now, otherwise, if we can't find enough medicinal herbs later, and we'll all be waiting here to die."

We should search the nearby mountains thoroughly.

The constable looked around, watching one person after another being brought in. He said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Lord Lin sent a letter early this morning saying he had already sent someone to deliver the medicinal herbs. If you two really want to leave the city, take this token with you. They will let you out when they see it."

However, there are probably many people in Chengkou who are indignant right now, so you should be careful when you go there.

Qin Shuangshuang nodded and took the token from his hand. Then, she and Lu Jun, each carrying a basket on their backs, went out. They were about a thousand meters away from the city gate.

However, there were already displaced people there, making a great fuss and questioning why the government was treating them this way.

Qin Shuangshuang looked at the small door, where someone was guarding it. Then she said to Lu Jun, "Let's go out from there. There are a few people there that I think I've seen before. Let's go over and say hello to them. We should be able to get out."

Lu Jun then went over with Qin Shuangshuang.

The two constables in front of her, seeing that it was Qin Shuangshuang, quickly bowed and asked, "Miss Qin, what brings you here?"

Qin Shuangshuang said, "This is the token that the yamen runner from the dilapidated temple gave me. We want to go out and collect some medicinal herbs. If we don't collect some from the people in that dilapidated temple soon, they're probably in grave danger."

At this moment, the two constables exchanged a glance, then opened the door and said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Hurry up and get out, and come back soon. Remember to knock three times when you come in later, otherwise I really won't dare to open the door."

You've seen what's going on now.

Qin Shuangshuang nodded, "Don't worry, I understand."

Afterwards, Qin Shuangshuang and Lu Jun hurriedly left the city gate.