The Sickly Beauty Substitute Called It Quits

Chapter 115

07/06/23 - currently been edited. 

"The people who stayed in the capital did send me some things, but I had my people exchange them for grain and medicinal herbs to donate," said Shen Yu. He then remembered an important matter and added, "His Majesty must ensure that they prepare in advance to prevent any epidemic."

After a major disaster, there will inevitably be a major epidemic. The former is a natural disaster that cannot be resisted, but the latter can be mitigated by human effort.

"I have already ordered it. This time, I will send experienced physicians from the imperial hospital, and I have also recruited physicians with research in this field from the public. They will go to Subei with the next batch of relief supplies," said Shang Junlin. Through this incident, he realized that utilizing civilian power could accomplish many things.

Previously, they had thought too narrowly and overlooked the vast resources that could be drawn from the civilian population. If it were not for Shen Yu's reminder, this relief effort might not have been so successful.

"Your Majesty, is there any new development regarding 'Fei Meng'? If an epidemic occurs after this drought, could it be related to 'Fei Meng'?" Shen Yu asked.

Shang Junlin shook his head. "The Hidden Dragon Guard is investigating, but there are few clues and every time it is about to become critical, the trail goes cold. I am afraid that we might startle the snake, so I have not ordered any major action."

"Who are the physicians going to Subei? Can they be trusted?" Shen Yu inquired.

"It is Head Physician Wu and his student. They will also be accompanied by several physicians with less experience. Physician Gu who takes care of your health, wanted to go, but I did not allow it," Shang Junlin replied. To him, Subei was important, but Shen Yu's health was another matter. He would not easily let Physician Gu leave.

"These people are all fine, but do you have any thoughts, Ah Yu?" Shang Junlin did not think that Shen Yu would bring up this matter for no reason.

"There are some things regarding 'Fei Meng' that I want to discuss," Shen Yu said.

Finally, after consulting with Shang Junlin, they decided to disclose some important information to Physician Wu. Physician Wu was highly skilled and had researched various epidemics. If the situation really involved 'Fei Meng,' physician Wu would be able to identify it in time.

At the Imperial Hospital, Head Physician Wu called his student and Physician Gu over.

"I have already spoken to His Majesty. You don't need to worry too much. There are many physicians going to Subei, so there won't be any problems," Physician Wu reassured his disciples.

He knew that his students were worried about him, but there were some things that, if everyone gave up because of the possible risks, would only lead to more severe consequences.

Moreover, he had dealt with various epidemics before, and they were not as terrible as the rumors suggested. They only had a higher infection rate. Once the cause was identified, and the medicine was used properly, the disease could be cured.

As a physician, he had to treat all diseases equally. If he gave up because of fear, he might as well not be a physician at all.

"We know we can't persuade you, Teacher, nor do we intend to. We just hope that you will take care of yourself and remind Third Brother to eat on time and rest regularly. Don't overwork yourself," his students said to him.

They actually don't oppose the idea of the teacher going, but they just can't help worrying. After all, the teacher is getting older, and going to the harsh environment of Subei could be risky. What if something happens...

Don't worry, fellow senior brothers, I can handle it," the third disciple stood up and saluted the group.

I originally wanted to bring Xiao Gu with me. This is a good opportunity for him to gain experience, but unfortunately, His Majesty doesn't allow it." Physician Wu knew that Physician Gu's medical qualifications were still lacking if he wanted to succeed him. If Gu could go to Subei with him, he could accumulate some achievements.

Physician Gu also wanted to go. On the one hand, he came from a family with a long tradition of medicine, and on the other hand, he wanted to help heal people. He had expressed his desire to His Majesty separately, but the latter clearly hoped that he would stay in the capital and take care of the Noble Monarch's health.

Physician Wu gave some instructions to his disciples. He was determined to go to Subei, and he knew that he was not young anymore. However, with his medical skills, he had to make some contributions.

"Don't worry, there hasn't been an epidemic in Subei yet. We'll be doing more prevention work than treatment. It's not that dangerous. Instead of worrying here, why don't you use what you've learned to prepare some medicine for me to bring along?" Physician Wu didn't want his disciples to be stuck in worry, so he made a suggestion.

Based on his experience, Head Physician Wu listed some essential items and went to the Yu Zhang Palace to make his final report.

At the time, Shang Junlin was with Shen Yu, so Physician Wu went directly to the Yu Zhang Palace.

This was the first time that Physician Wu had seen Shen Yu up close. He had initially thought that Shen Yu was a sickly beauty, but upon meeting him, he realized that he was not.

If it weren't for knowing that Shen Yu had a congenital deficiency, Wu would have thought that he was just a normal person based on his current appearance.

He had a good complexion, bright eyes, and showed no signs of illness. Sitting next to His Majesty, he wasn't overshadowed in the slightest. The atmosphere between the two was so harmonious that it could not accommodate anyone else.

No wonder His Majesty refused to let Gu Chong go to Subei.

At this moment, Physician Wu understood that in His Majesty's heart, the Noble Monarch's status was no lower than anything else, and even vaguely higher than anything else. There could be many physicians going to Subei, and having one more or one less Gu Chong didn't matter. However, the only one who could make His Majesty feel at ease in taking care of the Noble Monarch's health was Gu Chong.

Gu Chong was indeed the most talented physician he had ever seen. If it weren't for his previous background, Physician Wu would not have made an exception to let Gu Chong enter the Imperial Medical Hospital, nor would he have thought of passing on his position to him now.

According to the records in the Imperial Medical Hospital, the consort's physical condition was not good. Even if he were to intervene, it was estimated that the effect would not be as good as it was now.

Please sit down, Head Physician Wu. Don't be so formal," Shen Yu asked the palace attendant to bring a chair for Physician Wu.

He and Shang Junlin were originally playing chess in the courtyard. Since Wu came over to see them directly in the courtyard, it was not a formal occasion, and there was no need to be too formal.

After Physician Wu sat down, he discussed the preparations and handover matters of the Imperial Medical Hospital.

"I will temporarily leave the Imperial Medical Hospital to Gu Chong to take care of. Your Majesty, please rest assured that everything has been arranged. After I leave, the Imperial Medical Hospital will operate as usual without any problems."

"I understand. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you need anything. This trip to the north is for me to handle affairs, and I will not mistreat you." Shang Junlin said.

"Your Majesty, even if you did not order it, I would still want to go there in person. I obtained this position because of my contributions to epidemic control. There have been no new epidemics in your reign these years, and I have had no opportunity to use my skills. Please rest assured, with me there, there will be no problems in the north!"

No one dared to make such a guarantee except for Physician Wu.

"With you there, I feel relieved. During the journey, please take care of your own health as well." Shang Junlin trusted Physician Wu's medical skills.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." As a courtier, the most desirable thing was to receive the emperor's recognition. Physician Wu felt that everything was worth it after receiving Shang Junlin's words today.

"There are also some other things. The medical alcohol that was given to you before can not only reduce wound infections but also be used for disinfection. If there is really an epidemic, I hope Physician Wu can carefully observe whether there are any differences or similarities compared to what you have seen before. I have listed some things here. If the situation matches, I hope you can inform Official Fang as soon as possible."

Shen Yu waved his hand. "Mu Xi, bring the things over."

Mu Xi presented a sealed letter to Physician Wu.

"Just read the things inside, Physician Wu." Shang Junlin said.

"I will follow your orders."

"Why did Ah Yu write those things to Physician Wu?" Shang Junlin asked after Physician Wu left. "When Ah Yu asked about 'Fei Meng' earlier, was he suspecting that an epidemic in the north would be related to 'Fei Meng'?"

It had to be said that Shang Junlin was a very perceptive person. He could easily grasp the most critical information from a person's actions, integrate it, and reach a conclusion that was very close to the truth.

"It's possible," Shen Yu didn't hide much from Shang Junlin now, "but it's only my personal guess. We'll have to see Physician Wu's verification to know for sure."

In the letter, Shen Yu wrote about the phenomenon of the artificial epidemic and the symptoms of some of the patients. He also wrote about some of the ways to deal with it based on his memories from his past life. However, since the artificial epidemic he knew about did not happen in the present, he was not sure if the other party would take action.

"Don't worry, Ah Yu. We've made such thorough preparations this time. Nothing will happen," Shang Junlin comforted Shen Yu by holding his hand.

After the first batch of disaster relief materials was sorted out, they were transported to Subei from all over the country.

Shang Junlin gave a strict order that every donation of money and materials should be made public, and how they were used would be communicated back to the people every step of the way when the materials arrived in Subei.

Previously, Shen Yu had proposed to Shang Junlin to use the separate communication channels built in various places for the first time. The latest information about disaster relief would be sent to various places through this channel at the fastest speed.

Unlike the court bulletins, this newspaper was for all the people of Da Huan, and considering that some people couldn't read, special readers were also arranged.

At first, the court did not agree to this, and some officials felt that it was inappropriate to tell the people everything. However, Shang Junlin didn't bother to listen to them and just gave orders. With a decree from the emperor, few dared to disobey.

The prime minister, however, had a hard time. He now had to be responsible for one more thing.

"After this, I plan to send He Chengyu and the others to Subei," Shang Junlin said as he reviewed documents at night.

External assignments have always been the fastest way to increase one's qualifications. If they could make some achievements, they could also be called back to the capital early and enter the power center of Da Huan.

Every official who passed the imperial examination had to go through this. According to the normal process, He Chengyu and the others would need to serve in the Hanlin Academy for two to three years before being sent on an external assignment, and then step by step be called back to the capital. However, Shang Junlin was now sending them to Subei when they had served in the Hanlin Academy for less than half a year, which was actually against the ancestral system.

But to Shang Junlin, the ancestral system was there to be broken.

"Why does His Majesty suddenly want them to go to Subei?"

"I don't plan to keep any of these officials in Subei once the disaster is over," Shang Junlin said. He didn't want to hide such a big event, and they shouldn't stay in that position either.

"Come here, Ah Yu, let me hug you."

As soon as Shen Yu approached, the man pulled him into his arms.

Shang Junlin buried his head in Shen Yu's neck and took a deep breath. "Let me hug you, Ah Yu. These things aren't so troubling anymore."