Chapter 30: The Essence of Choice and Sacrifice

Chapter Thirty: The Art of Choosing and Letting Go

The summer of Jing Rui's second year was far from peaceful. In late May, urgent reports arrived from Yu Zhou, detailing the collapse of several sections of the Yellow River, leading to devastating floods that affected millions of people in over ten counties. The imperial court issued several edicts, allocating silver for disaster relief and ordering nearby provinces and prefectures to urgently distribute grain and provide shelter to the affected populace.

By mid-June, when the calamity had just slightly abated, news arrived from a county under the jurisdiction of Yu State that an epidemic had broken out within its borders. Starting from a single village, it had spread to the entire county within a mere dozen days, and showed no signs of slowing down or being contained.

Floods often give way to epidemics, but the rapid spread of this one caught everyone off guard. When the initial signs of the illness emerged, the local county magistrate tried to conceal it, isolating the entire village and dispatching a few barefoot doctors to assess the situation, distributing herbal remedies, assuming it was a minor issue. Little did they expect neighboring villages to fall like dominoes, with one person after another falling ill and infecting others. Within days, nearly three-quarters of the county's twenty thousand inhabitants were stricken. The timid and cowardly magistrate, fearing for his life, abandoned his people and fled with his family. It was only when the adjacent county realized the gravity of the situation that they promptly reported it to the imperial court.

The emperor, filled with rage, immediately issued an imperial edict to apprehend the fleeing county magistrate and behead him in public as a warning. He then dispatched a special envoy to provide relief to the people.

As the days passed, the epidemic showed no signs of abating; instead, it grew more severe.

In the imperial study of the secondary palace, Zhu Yunxuan's brows were knitted tightly, his forehead etched with unyielding concern. He had not slept soundly for a single night, his dreams haunted by the situation in Yu Zhou.

"Speak up, all of you. How do we control this plague?"

The epidemic raged fiercely, far more menacing than anyone had anticipated. The imperial envoy had been in Yu Zhou for nearly a week, yet no favorable news had returned. The plague worsened, spreading to neighboring counties. The methods the court had employed in the past to combat such diseases seemed powerless against this new threat.

The faces of the cabinet ministers were grave. During the morning court session, they had debated endlessly without finding a suitable solution. Now that the emperor had summoned them to discuss the matter again, they were all at a loss for words.

Zeng Hua pondered for a moment before addressing the group of imperial physicians who had also been called to the meeting. "Why has this plague spread so rapidly? Does the Imperial Medical Institute have any means to address it?"

Doctor Fang, having recently been promoted to the position of Chief Physician and enjoying the emperor's trust, was naturally the first to be put forward. The elderly physician replied cautiously, "We have thoroughly examined the medical records of the plague-stricken citizens sent back by Lord Envoy. This epidemic is indeed extremely perilous and unprecedented. Our usual herbal remedies might not prove effective. We have formulated several new prescriptions in recent days, but their efficacy can only be determined after direct observation."

At this, the old physician stepped forward and asked the emperor for permission. "This minister wishes to travel to Youzhou to treat the plague-stricken and do my part, hoping to curb the outbreak as soon as possible. I humbly request Your Majesty's approval."

Such bravery and willingness to risk one's life at this time did earn him respect. However, before Zhu Yunxuan could respond, Liang Zhen interjected. "You're not fit for the job. Stay here, and send someone else instead."

Zhu Yunxuan's lips quirked slightly. With the constant turmoil within his womb, he truly couldn't afford to be without an imperial physician. Doctor Fang had always attended to him, and he didn't wish to involve more people in his secret. "Doctor Fang, stay here. I will dispatch another to Youzhou."

Zeng Hua suggested, "In my opinion, we should follow previous methods: isolate the infected, release them only when they recover, send imperial physicians, and recruit more doctors from the public to treat them. Provide daily doses of medicine, cremate and bury the deceased, and once we endure this month, with the coming of autumn and cooler weather, the epidemic should subside."

Others chimed in agreement. This had historically been the most effective and practical approach. Zhu Yunxuan couldn't think of a better alternative and was about to issue the order when Liang Zhen scoffed. "Isolation, doctors, and daily herbal medicine – isn't that what the executed county magistrate initially did? What good did it do? Within ten days, the plague spread from a village to the entire county."

Someone had already raised this concern during the morning court session, but no better solution had emerged, leading to an unsatisfactory conclusion.

Upon hearing this, Zeng Hua's expression changed, and he said testily, "Then, I wonder what insightful suggestion Prince Zhao has?"

Liang Zhen forcibly curved his lips. "In the summer, mosquitoes, insects, and ants run rampant, spreading disease through every crevice. This outbreak is different from previous ones; it's fiercely contagious. Even drinking a sip of cool water could infect someone. Can we really forbid the local people from drinking water?"

A cabinet minister disagreed. "We can urge the county offices to send more men to catch the pests. If the water isn't clean, boil it before consuming..."

Liang Zhen glanced at the speaker as if he were listening to a joke. "Has this cabinet minister never held a local official position? Your theories sound overly optimistic. Just after the floods, the plague strikes. Every prefecture and county office is overwhelmed. How can they spare manpower to catch mosquitoes? Besides, can you really eradicate all the insects? And those flood victims who've lost their homes would consider having a sip of cool water a luxury. How can you expect them to boil it? Isn't that asking too much?"

Embarrassed by Liang Zhen's rebuttal, the cabinet minister stiffly replied, "Aside from that, Your Majesty personally sacrificing to heaven for blessings and divine protection would be a good strategy..."

"Misguided," Liang Zhen scoffed. "To rely on divine intervention is akin to self-deception."

"How dare you, Prince Zhao! You dare defy the gods!"

"Enough," Zhu Yunxuan interrupted sternly. Frowning, he asked Liang Zhen, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Liang Zhen met his gaze and calmly stated, "Your servant believes that if Your Majesty truly wishes to curb the spread of the disease, the most effective and decisive solution is to dispose of all infected patients on the spot and then burn everything to ashes to eliminate any further threat."

Upon hearing this, everyone present paled. Zhu Yunxuan's brows drew together even tighter. Ceng Hui was the first to protest, "Absurd! Absurd! What a terrible idea, Prince Zhao! How can you be so ruthless and heartless? These are living beings! Your suggestion would place Your Majesty and the court in an unjust position!"

Liang Zhen coldly reminded him, "If we deal with the problem now, only these two thousand people will die. Delaying will only result in more lives being lost. I have the well-being of Your Majesty and the court at heart. Don't accuse me without reason, Minister Ceng."

"How can you be so certain they will all die! If we gather the infected and treat them together, some might still survive! Yet, Your Highness, you refuse to even give them a chance at life!"

Liang Zhen calmly retorted, "The first cases appeared almost a month ago. Apart from worsening, has anyone shown any sign of improvement?"

"The Emperor has already decided to send the Imperial physicians. They must have a way to save lives! Your Highness, your reckless words only sow panic among the people!"

Liang Zhen scoffed, "By the time they come up with a solution, those infected might have already perished, spreading the disease even further. It would be better to deal with them now and prevent more casualties."

"Foolish—!"

The group of Imperial physicians hung their heads, not daring to refute. Though they vowed to do their best, they knew all too well how deadly this plague was – swift in its spread and untreatable by medicine. Most of them did not wish to be chosen by the Emperor for the mission to Youzhou, fearing they might never return.

Liang Zhen turned to Zhu Yunxuan, dismissing Zeng Huai. "My words end here, Your Majesty. The decision is yours."

Zhu Yunxuan's expression darkened as he sternly asked, "Is this truly how the Prince of Zhao thinks? How is this different from wantonly taking lives?"

Liang Zhen showed no remorse. "Delaying the disposal of the infected will only lead to more suffering. That is true disregard for human life, don't you agree, Your Majesty?"

"You are out of line! How dare you speak to the Emperor in such a manner!"

Zeng Huai once again lashed out with a sharp rebuke. A colleague behind him discreetly tugged at his sleeve and shook his head, but Zeng Huai paid no heed.

Zhu Yunxuan had recently dealt with the Marquis of Anle, seizing his title, which was seen by all as an open rift between the emperor and Prince Zhao. It was as if they had publicly severed ties. At this point, most people chose to remain neutral and observe from the sidelines rather than get involved in the conflict.

Unappreciative of the attempt to dissuade him, Zeng Huai shrugged off his sleeves and huffed. Liang Zhen's lips curled into a smirk. "Very well, I'll keep my silence then, lest I become an annoyance."

Despite the objections, Zhu Yunxuan ultimately followed the previously agreed plan and summoned three or four imperial physicians to depart for Yu State immediately.

After the officials who had gathered for the meeting dispersed, Liang Zhen asked, "Has Your Majesty truly considered this? Do you intend to prolong the situation indefinitely? Are you relying on the physicians to save the day, or hoping that the disease will naturally subside when the weather turns cooler?"

Zhu Yunxuan replied coldly, "Is killing everyone, as Prince Zhao suggests, truly the solution? Does Prince Zhao believe that this would eliminate all concerns?"

"What is it that Your Majesty fears? If the spread of the disease can be stopped, who would dare criticize even if all were eradicated?"

Annihilating them all was indeed the last resort, but in the face of an uncontrollable epidemic, it might be the only desperate measure to protect more lives. As long as it was done discreetly, it would only add a few multiples to the daily death toll – who could question such a decision?

This method had been employed in the past, and though the officials debated endlessly during court sessions, none dared to voice it directly. Liang Zhen, Zeng Huai, and the other cabinet ministers were well aware of this, and so was Zhu Yunxuan.

Liang Zhen could propose mass extermination without blinking an eye, but a scholar like Zeng Huai, steeped in the teachings of sages, would never do so. As the emperor, Zhu Yunxuan had even more considerations to bear in mind.

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze fell upon the jade stone on the imperial desk, a gift from Liang Zhen in the past, and lingered for a moment. "If the infected citizens included the Emperor of Zhao's parents and family, would he still be so resolute in saying to kill them all?"

Liang Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed deeply into Zhu Yunxuan's. After a moment, he lifted the corners of his lips in a silent smile. "Your Majesty is right. If my wife and children were among them, I would undoubtedly risk my life to save them."

"So you believe that those infected citizens have no parents or spouses and children?"

"But my wife and children are not among them, so naturally, I wouldn't consider them," Liang Zhen said softly, attempting to reason with him. "Your Majesty, you are the emperor. You cannot concern yourself with just one or two individuals. You must prioritize the greater good and not let compassion cloud your judgment. You cannot save everyone, and there will be times when difficult choices must be made."

Zhu Yunxuan closed his eyes briefly and spoke with a heavy voice, "The imperial edict has been issued, and my decision stands. Let it be."