Survival countdown

"The master is a staff member hired by the county government. Because it was strongly recommended by the previous county magistrate, the subordinate officials have continued to use it and trusted it. Unexpectedly, he would use the flood to fill his own pockets, steal the allocated medicinal materials and sell them, so that the epidemic Outburst, no medicine available. When the officials tracked him down, they found that he had committed suicide in fear of crime."

"However, the lower officials have notified the prefect of Yangzhou in time, and the dispatcher has agreed to transfer a batch of medicinal materials, and also dispatched an imperial physician, which will be sent to the disaster area tomorrow."

Lu Liangshi outside the door bowed his head to report, and raised his eyes from time to time to peek at the movement in the room.

In the room, Adjutant Cui said in a low voice, "He thought we were imperial envoys, so he didn't dare to take human life lightly for the time being. We still acted according to the original plan, mainly investigating Deng Wen'an's case and secretly cooperating with Mr. Zhao."

Wei Bo thought for a while, but was still worried.

Adjutant Cui: "With Hai Dongqing sending messages at any time, I'm not afraid that I won't be able to know the situation of Mr. Zhao in time."

Wei Bo was silent for a moment: "Open the door."

"My lord?" Lu Liangshi was full of suspicion, and raised his voice. Seeing no response for a long time, he boldly tried to open the door. The next moment someone opened the door from inside, which made him back away in fright: "I have offended you by my humble position, please forgive me, my lord." .”

"Lu Liangshi?"

"I'm here." Lu Liangshi raised his head and glanced at the young man in front of him. He saw that his age was in line with the characteristics of the rumored 'young imperial envoy', but he didn't look like a civil servant, but rather a member of the army. "Does your lord have any orders?"

Adjutant Cui: "You are well-informed. You came to the door as soon as you landed, and the bench has not had time to heat up."

Lu Liangshi apologized, but didn't dare to answer.

Adjutant Cui put his hands behind his back and said, "I don't want to talk nonsense. Your Majesty's family, you asked me to come to your Jiangyang County to observe the people's situation. I came here because of Deng Wen'an's case. How to deal with the victims and how to deal with the epidemic , are all your responsibility, Lu Liangshi, as long as you don’t make any serious mistakes, I will not overstep my authority to control you.”

He glanced at the dead body on the ground: "There is no need to bring a dead body to demonstrate to me. This kind of matter should be handled by your errand, the prefect of Yangzhou."

Lu Liangshi hurriedly said: "I'm terrified, how dare I intimidate my lord? I wouldn't even dare to give you a hundred guts! I'm just... just worried that you might misunderstand—"

"If you don't do anything wrong, why are you afraid of being misunderstood? After all, the laws of heaven are clear, and the universe is clear! You officials are used to being emperors, and you have no rules for acting boldly. You came to see me with a dead body, and write down Mawei for me. , I really think I'm young and easy to fool, I can't see your scheming?"

Lu Liangshi's face twitched, and he waved his hands again and again. Adjutant Cui changed the subject at this time, and went straight to the topic: "I don't have time to accompany you to play these tricks, so don't play ghost tricks with me! I'll borrow a few people from you." Assist from the side, do you have any objections?"

Lu Liangshi smiled reluctantly: "The lower officials should try their best to cooperate."

Adjutant Cui stared at Lu Liangshi for a while, then suddenly said: "Master Lu said that he is unfortunate, and he is lucky."

Lu Liangshi was puzzled: "What do you mean by your lord's words?"

Adjutant Cui: "Unfortunately, the county under your rule has an unjust case, but there is also a seasonal epidemic. If you don't handle it well, it will be your fault. Don't say whether the Wushamao can be kept, or you may lose your head! It can be said Lucky is indeed lucky, if the epidemic is handled beautifully and cleanly, maybe we can make up for it.”

Lu Liangshi was stunned, thought for a while, and felt that it made sense.

Although there is a method provided by the master, it is not necessarily safe. In the final analysis, whether Deng Wen'an is an accomplice or not depends on the personal opinion of the imperial envoy.

But the epidemic happened under the nose, but it is a real achievement!

It is common knowledge that epidemics often break out after the Yellow River flood, and it is not his fault alone. If it is handled properly, the casualties are controlled, and the number of casualties is wiped out when the book is requested. If it is beautifully decorated, it will be a great achievement one piece.

Not to mention making up for the mistakes, it is not impossible to get a higher position!

But why did the envoy specifically remind him?

As soon as his doubts arose, Lu Liangshi heard Adjutant Cui say, "Actually, I have a very close personal relationship with General Guide."

Isn’t General Guide the new Huainan Deputy Envoy Zheng Chuzhi?

Lu Liangshi had a thought, but he was a little hesitant. Before King Qin fell, he was on the boat of King Qin. He was not implicated in the crony case because of his soft words. Landing on the ground, I want to rely on the Huainan appeasement to switch to the princelings, but can the dignified second-rank officials see and vote when they want?

He really wanted to catch up with the Huainan appeasement envoy through the prefect of Yangzhou, but apart from reporting to the yamen every quarter, he had no chance to step into the gate of the prefect alone.

Right now, the imperial envoy is reminding him again, and he is also taking the initiative to talk about his relationship with Zheng Guogong's mansion. Could it be that he is still treating him as a party of King Qin's family, and in the face of Zheng Guogong's mansion, to mention something?

"cough!"

Lu Liangshi, who was deeply immersed in his thoughts, was shocked by the sudden cough, and quickly replied: "Understood! I understand! I must take good care of the epidemic, and will not allow the slightest mistake! My lord, this inn is not comfortable enough. Why don't you stay here?" Xiaguan to live in the mansion?"

Adjutant Cui flicked his sleeves and said, "Do you want to arrange where I live and go?"

"No, no, no... I don't dare, I will resign immediately, my lord, please rest well."

Lu Liangshi led the yamen servants to leave the inn in a hurry, ordered several yamen servants to stay in the inn to be sent by the envoy, and ordered the head arresters to pay attention to the envoy's movements and report back in time.When I got back to the county government office, I couldn't help but find out all the staff, repeat what Fu Envoy said, and ask the staff what they meant.

Goatee staff said: "Literally speaking, it seems to be protecting you. Epidemics can be big or small. If they are allowed to develop into a catastrophe, a few heads are not enough to chop off. On the contrary, timely control of the epidemic is a great disaster to save thousands of people." Political achievements, even ten more Deng Wen'an cases can be saved."

Lu Liangshi: "I think so too, but as soon as Mr. Fu Envoy came, he first made a private visit in a low-clothes suit, and then made some remarks with guns and sticks. He said that he should handle the case impartially. I don't see it as kind."

Yu Fan's staff: "No, Fu Yushi's behavior just shows that he is really reminding you, my lord! He started with a gun and a stick. Moreover, you carried the master's body over there. Although it was to clear the relationship, it is understandable that you were so abrupt that the envoy made you feel unhappy. The imperial envoy emphasized every word that he came for Deng Wen'an's case. It doesn’t matter what you want to rule, but it’s the imperial envoy’s main duty to understand people’s sentiments, if he asks a few people from the people, or makes use of the disaster victims or the epidemic, you, my lord, can’t escape the fate of being killed.”

Lu Liangshi was terrified by the words of those who beheaded and beheaded, but after listening to their analysis, he could barely feel at ease.

"In this way, he is indeed from Zheng Guogong's mansion. Tell me, master, do I want to pay a visit to Deputy Zheng Yun?"

"But the letter shows your sincerity. Don't visit at home for the time being. You are tied to the same boat with the prefect and An Shuaisi because of Deng Wen'an's case. If you visit rashly, you may be misunderstood. They will join forces and abandon you."

"That's right!" Lu Liangshi suddenly wanted to understand one thing: "The envoy is from Zheng Guogong's mansion, so he must find a way to deal with the princelings. Does he always emphasize that Deng Wen'an's case actually has another meaning? Is he trying to make use of it?" , use this case to deal with Shuai Shi and them, so you hinted that I would switch to their ship and help them deal with Shuai Shi?"

The two aides frantically used their brains, from the hesitant "possible" to the resolute "yes", to persuade Lu Liangshi: "Let's not move for now, let them fight each other, and you will jump out at the critical moment. Deng Wen'an In this case... the first trial pleadings and files are all from you, there is no way to shirk it, you can only use the epidemic to make up for it, but the retrial may be used to make a fuss."

Lu Liangshi nodded repeatedly.

***

Zhao Baiyu chatted with the victims to learn more about the details of the disaster area.

"At first they ate good rice, then old rice, and then rice bran. Many people died of starvation. Some people tried to go to the city to find food when they were too hungry. They robbed the grain truck and were arrested. You said, why don’t the victims go to Kyoto, or Yangzhou, which is more prosperous? Because they were killed and driven away by officers and soldiers on the way, so we can’t ask us to destroy the dignity of Dafu !"

"Absurd! Absolutely lawless!"

Zhao Baiyu was so angry that his heart ached.

"Look at the tens of thousands of victims in Jiangyang County, all of whom are not allowed to enter the city, and there are still more victims pouring in! Look at the gates of the prefect, the gates of Cao Si and Shuai Si, singing and dancing every night , very clean, where can I see a victim?" The victim hugged the starving child and said numbly: "Now that the epidemic is breaking out, we only use a fence to separate a seasonal epidemic area at the back. The front does not let out, but let in—— Isn't this harmful? Isn't it pushing people into the fire pit?"

Someone moved over from the side: "I heard that His Majesty has sent an imperial envoy, who may be able to bring our grievances to the capital."

"Officials and officials protect each other!" The victim holding the child sneered: "Anyway, I don't hold out hope. I am lucky to be able to leave the epidemic area alive. Who expects someone to sue for your grievances? But in a few days, the epidemic has intensified. Last night I saw three Throwing a corpse into the ravine behind shows that not only is the epidemic fierce, but there are also no medicinal materials available."

Hearing this, everyone was heartbroken, there were many soldiers outside, if they rushed out rashly, they would only be killed on the spot, even if they left the disaster area, no county or government would welcome them, they would only treat them like scourges and fear them Bring the epidemic.

Zhao Baiyu's face was ashen, with mixed senses and complicated emotions. He could only trust the imperial court, believe that His Majesty's emergency floods and disaster victims' urgency, and corrupt officials have always been like this since ancient times. governance.

Others didn't believe much in Zhao Baiyu's words, they just took them as hopeless consolation.

Zhao Baiyu approached the epidemic area with a heavy heart, and happened to see three carts of medicinal materials and two imperial physicians brought in. After a while, a child came out pushing a barrel cart, and he quickly followed.

The wooden bucket was full of the patient's vomit, and the child cleaned it up skillfully. Zhao Baiyu rolled up his sleeves, not feeling the stench, and stepped forward to help him, asking about the situation inside.

The child is a medicine boy next to the old doctor. Because of Zhao Baiyu's help, he said, "I'm not very optimistic. It is said that it is an epidemic that has never happened before. It is highly contagious and there is no prescription for it. Just now, two imperial doctors came. Seeing the patient, and listening to the doctor describe the symptoms in detail, I immediately frown and shake my head repeatedly, which shows that it is difficult."

"Not much to say, I have to go in to help, there are not enough people inside, and I am too busy to touch the ground."

Watching Yaotong leave, Zhao Baiyu gave a brief account of what he had inquired all day and handed it to Haidongqing to take him out. Yanbing, who also went out to inquire, slipped back until evening.

"Goro, the situation is not good."

Zhao Baiyu frowned: "How to say?"

"The experienced imperial doctor seemed to have no way to start. He tried some medicine first, but it didn't work. And it was highly contagious. He sent ten patients in a day. At this speed, three carts of medicinal materials would not last long. The imperial physician and medicinal materials are too few."

"Have you entered the epidemic area?"

"I sneaked in and found that they were burying the corpses behind. It is roughly estimated that seven or eight people died. So many people died at the beginning of the plague. There is no medicine to suppress it for the time being. The follow-up is not optimistic."

Zhao Baiyu was in a difficult situation. In his previous life, he had recited many prescriptions related to epidemics with his grandfather, but he rarely came into contact with prescriptions related to epidemics. Because modern medicine is advanced and he directly studies vaccines, he was not asked to recite prescriptions related to epidemics.

He can't help with this.

"First ask Adjutant Cui to invite Yangzhou government in the name of envoy, and send more medicinal materials and imperial physicians to find a way to stop the epidemic."

***

Adjutant Cui received the reply and pressured Lu Liangshi to request more medicinal materials and imperial physicians from Yangzhou Prefecture.

Judge Zuo: "Perhaps it is really an emergency. It seems that Lu Liangshi's letter means that the envoy also noticed the epidemic in Jiangyang County, and the Yangzhou government had to contribute."

The right judge: "Lv Liangshi has both sides. He sharpened his head and drilled into the Yangzhou mansion a while ago, wanting to join the princeling party, but he disappeared these days, as if he found a new backer."

Xiao Wence: "You want to say that he has taken refuge in the imperial envoy?" He suddenly sneered: "The envoy came to catch his braids. Doesn't he throw himself into a trap by taking refuge in the imperial envoy?"

The right judge: "But there is another deputy Zheng Yun. Lu Liangshi used to belong to the party of the King of Qin, and he wanted to find a new backer when the King of Qin fell. Now a deputy of Huainan Yun is transferred, but it happens to be from the Duke Zheng's mansion. They say that the disciples are old and old. Climbing another high branch, it is better to climb back to the original branch. He Lu Liangshi is a grass on the wall, and it is natural to want to catch both ends. But I don't think that Zheng Yun may not take him seriously. He dared to ask us for medicinal materials and imperial physicians repeatedly. I'm afraid it is the idea of ​​taking advantage of the epidemic to make meritorious deeds, and to atone for the crime."

Xiao Wence guessed along his train of thought: "You mean that Lu Liangshi lied about the epidemic and only reported the seriousness of the epidemic, and defrauded me of medicinal materials and imperial physicians in order to make good political achievements in the future and make up for Deng Wen'an's unjust case? "

Right judge: "That's it! Otherwise, how could the epidemic suddenly break out, and the situation suddenly turn sour, and there was a incident where the underlings stole medicinal materials to sell? How can there be such a coincidence when so many things collide together? "

Xiao Wence: "If it's just a coincidence, and Lu Liangshi really wanted to take advantage of the epidemic to make up for his mistakes, and at the same time, Fu Envoy came to Jiangyang County to stare at him, so he didn't dare to neglect or cheat, so he went to Yangzhou Mansion repeatedly? "

"It's not impossible." Judge Zuo pondered for a moment and then said: "It's better to send someone to the epidemic area to find out what happened first, and then ask someone to go to Jiangyang County to find out the reality of the envoy. Logically speaking, if the envoy arrives, my lord You also have to pay a visit in person. As for the brochure for asking for medicinal materials and people, you can send some more, but not too many. Let’s just say that we also found a few patients with symptoms of epidemics here, and we are calling the imperial physician to discuss countermeasures. Even if the envoy asks questions, we have reasons to resist."

"It's also a way." Xiao Wence slapped the table: "That's the way."

***

When Lu Liangshi received a cart of medicinal materials, an imperial physician, and four or five apprentices, he was about to go crazy, pointing to the outside of the yamen, in the direction of the Yangzhou government office, and scolded: "Human lives are ignored! He Xiao Wence is a disregard for human lives! When is it? Do you know how many people have fallen ill? Just so many medicinal materials, so many people, this is going to kill me!"

The staff hurriedly persuaded: "According to the yamen servant's reply, it is said that the number of victims of the disaster has increased from a dozen to hundreds of people. The three carts of medicinal materials used to be seventy-eight eighty-eight. The imperial doctor worked day and night, and one of them was exhausted. We are waiting and testing, we really can't wait, why don't we search for the doctors and medicinal materials in the county first?"

Lu Liangshi: "Okay! Okay! Let's do it like this—wait, three, no, five doctors, and two carts of medicinal materials are left in the county government office. By the way, the imperial envoy must not let the imperial envoy know about the epidemic situation—— "

"Do you want to send someone to find Cao Si or Shuai Si? The magistrate doesn't believe us, so he just jumped over the ranks and went to the superior one?"

"No!" Lu Liangshi sternly refused: "If Cao Si and Shuai Si also know about the epidemic situation in Jiangyang County, it means that the whole of Huainan knows about it. Sooner or later, the news will reach the capital, and the Holy One will know that so many people have died. What should I do? Make up for it?"

"Also, the epidemic area has to hide the situation, and can't leak half of it to the outside world."

Lu Liangshi was sweating all over his head. He could have used the epidemic as a political achievement. Who would have expected that the epidemic would become violent, but within a few days, it would become uncontrollable, which made him dare not even make a serious statement to the Yangzhou government. .

"Keep it secret—if anyone comes to ask, they must keep it a secret. Beware that it's a private visit by the imperial envoy, you have to take the epidemic lightly!"

The staff were stunned, obviously they didn't expect Lu Liangshi's lower limit to be so low.

***

Those who came to investigate the epidemic area were deceived, thinking that the epidemic was not serious, and reported the situation to the prefect of Yangzhou truthfully.

Xiao Wence was furious, and severely reprimanded Lu Liangshi for being overjoyed, and told him to do practical things with his feet on the ground and think about the head on his neck.

Thinking about the envoy, afraid that Lu Liangshi would make a fuss during it, Xiao Wence used the reason that the Yangzhou government discovered a epidemic, and only gave a small amount of medicinal materials, and even refused to send more imperial physicians.

Lu Liangshi, who received the reply, was so anxious that his eyes went dark, and he sent letters to Yangzhou Mansion.

***

The officials in Huainan pushed back and forth, and it took seven to eight days in the epidemic area in a blink of an eye. Hundreds of people died in a short period of time, and they were all dragged to the back mountain and buried on the spot. However, a lot of lime was used to prevent the spread of the virus.

During this period, only seven carts of medicinal materials, two imperial physicians, and eleven or twelve doctors from Jiangyang County were sent. Zhao Baiyu took the opportunity to enter the epidemic area to help. Because he mentioned some effective methods, he integrated into the group of doctors and often listened to their discussions. How to stop the spread of the epidemic.

As he listened, Zhao Baiyu's mind came up with some ancient thousand gold prescriptions. Because of the time, his memory was blurred and it was difficult to recall them. He has been trying to recall the thousand gold prescriptions from his previous life these days.

At this time, someone opened the curtain and said to the doctor inside: "A batch of patients, about 80 people, have been sent in. There are only two and a half carts of medicinal materials left. Try to save as much as possible, but if you don't replenish them, you will just sit and eat!"

An old doctor with a gray beard said in a heavy tone: "Now the capacity has been expanded to 450 people! If this continues, within a month, the entire disaster-stricken area may fall! Didn't the news get back to the county magistrate? There is no movement in Yangzhou Prefecture? What about Huainan Province? It’s been four days, and no new manpower or medicinal materials have been sent here. Do you really want to kill tens of thousands of victims here?”

Another imperial doctor said: "It is impossible to say that I really want to kill the victims of the disaster! I heard that the Holy Spirit sent an envoy to investigate an unjust case. If the epidemic broke out, the crime would be added to the crime. Now dozens of people have died. Even if the epidemic is solved in time , the local county magistrate can't shirk responsibility. Rather than being held accountable, it's better to smash the pot and smash it to the end!"

The old doctor, who was exhausted and sick, reprimanded tremblingly: "Bold and reckless! If the old man is lucky enough to escape this catastrophe, he will return to Beijing and report to His Majesty, and he will be punished with thunder and heavy punishment, and give an explanation to the people of Jingdong and Huainan provinces."

A dozen or so doctors beside him sighed: "I'm afraid this disaster is inevitable."

"I know the local county magistrate, that is a greedy jackal. I also know about Deng Wen'an's case. I once received a patient who worked as a cook in Wang Guozhi's house. Even Deng Wen'an was beaten and threatened by Wang Guozhi to pretend to be She also knew about the replacement. It's a pity that during the time when Deng Wen'an pleaded guilty and was imprisoned, she fell into a coma due to illness, and when she woke up and wanted to testify, she had already been sent to Huainan Province."

Zhao Baiyu said, "Really?"

"Of course!" said the old doctor.

Zhao Baiyu asked the old doctor's name and address, and asked him if he would like to testify in court if the envoy summoned him to testify. It is the principle of life that I will stick to all my life!"

Zhao Baiyu was admired from the heart, he cured the disease and saved the patient, the old man truly achieved the benevolence of the doctor.

Not only him, none of the more than a dozen ordinary doctors and imperial medical officials present flinched. The exhausted imperial medical officer even took strong medicine to keep his mind clear, and studied the prescriptions for the right medicine.

The old man said again: "Even the cook is willing to testify. We are poor and have a lot of ambition. How can we feel at ease if we don't help when we are busy? How can we feel at ease?"

Zhao Baiyu bowed to him, thanking him and the cook in advance for their righteous words.

This world is not that everyone is cold and indifferent.

The old man felt strange: "Who are you?"

Zhao Baiyu: "A gentleman with two sleeves, a Confucian scholar, uses the courage of a hero to practice justice and justice."

The old gentleman's expression froze slightly, his eyes lit up, and he bowed his hands solemnly and secretly, and then kept silent.

Hearing that the imperial physician and the doctor were engaged in an argument over another thousand gold prescription, the old gentleman squeezed in energetically and expressed his opinion loudly.

Zhao Baiyu stood at the door, opened the curtain, the light inside came out, the people outside were in a hurry, the fire of boiling medicine and the smell of medicine filled the air, it was the insignificant people and the sky, the intriguing officialdom, the struggle with the supreme imperial power, those people People throw themselves into the battlefield of intrigues and tricks. They stand high above them and ignore the people under their feet. But when it comes to life and death, they are far less noble than the earthly ants in their eyes.

With his eyes closed, Zhao Baiyu strode out of the temporary tent and wrote a letter: "Pass down this official order, ordering Huainan to appoint prison envoy Song Ling to dispatch the Huai Army and the Southern Army's battalions, and Huainan to appoint the Changping envoy Xiao Wence, the magistrate of Yangzhou, immediately allocated people, money, and medicinal materials to support the epidemic situation in Jiangyang County, and ordered people to take down Lu Liangshi, the magistrate of Jiangyang County, and wait for his questioning! The disaster is urgent, so there must be no delay!"

***

After receiving the document with the official seal, Wei Bo immediately took the Shangfang sword and went to Huainan to ask Song Ling, the prison envoy.Song Ling took the booklet, without saying a word, immediately went to the Huai Army and the Southern Army to dispatch battalions.

The general manager of the two roads said in a righteous way: "Provide some punishment and prison envoys have no right to dispatch battalions, unless there is an order from the commander-in-chief to appease the envoy!"

Song Ling took out the brochure and showed them the Shangfang sword in Wei Bo's hand: "The envoys patrol the sky on behalf of the hunters, and are ordered to do things cheaply. According to the law, they can dispatch troops from all directions in the local provinces beyond their authority!"

The general managers of the two roads retreated immediately, and each led a group of battalions to follow Song Ling to Yangzhou Prefecture to transport people and medicinal materials. They arrived in Jiangyang County on the second day and detained Lv Liangshi, the county magistrate of Jiangyang County.

***

At this time, the epidemic area.

The three imperial medical officials and a dozen doctors worked tirelessly on how to control the epidemic, but they still have no clue. It seems that in response to the biggest flood since the founding of the country, they brought down the most difficult epidemic. Two doctors were even infected and had to isolation.

Zhao Baiyu sometimes came in to check on the situation, and most of the time he was out as the commander of the epidemic area, because all the headhunters ran away, leaving only the small soldiers messing around like headless flies, and the outside was still blocked by camp soldiers Live the way out.

Helpless, Zhao Baiyu had no choice but to come out and act as the commander temporarily. He was simply used to being in front of one person, and the calm demeanor he cultivated persuaded the panic-stricken crowd.

And when he entered the temporary tent again, he happened to hear the most experienced old doctor sigh: "It would be great if the genius doctor Xu Mingbi was here."

--------------------

The author has something to say:

The miracle doctor's name is Xu——? ! . ————Mingbi, I really changed a lot of isolation symbols, inserting 1.12 and other symbols in the middle, it’s still a mouthful, I really, I convinced the mentally retarded Jinjiang.

I give up, and I will automatically substitute the name later.

The transshipment department is also called the Cao department, which is in charge of the first-instance water transportation and finance.The largest official is called the Transshipment Envoy, referred to as Ducao.Three products.

The appeasement department is called Shuaisi, which is in charge of the military and administration of a province.The largest official is called the appeasement envoy, or Shuai envoy for short.Second product.

The Provincial Department of Penalties is in charge of a provincial criminal prison, referred to as Tiping, about three or four grades.

The province promotes the general department, and in simple terms, it is to manage a provincial warehouse.Four products.

Province, state, government, county: Roughly similar to province, city, county.

State and government administrative levels are similar.