Chapter 278: Personal Inspection

Chapter 278: Personal Inspection

Smart folks never go into a fight unprepared. Zhou Boxu had his men visit different shops to buy medicines in small quantities, purchasing only one or two types from each shop, and then posed as medicine traders to inquire about the lowest prices for large quantities, without raising any eyebrows.

The day before, he had also sought advice from Du Zhong and compared the prices reported by his subordinates.

So, he knew exactly what the prices of various medicinal materials should be.

When he heard the merchants' prices were fair, even slightly lower than he had expected, Zhou Boxu didn’t make things difficult and quickly told Lin Jun to tally up and pay.

The merchants forced smiles and muttered, "Thank you, sir."

The prices they offered were the usual bulk rates. However, they had scrambled to gather the medicines just the day before, so the prices were naturally higher than usual, but they didn’t dare ask Zhou Boxu to pay the extra.

They weren’t willing to risk their necks.

Thus, this deal left them in the red, and they had to bite their tongues and take the loss.

"Sir, we’ve got eighty thousand taels left," Lin Jun reported to Zhou Boxu after settling the accounts.

Zhou Boxu was somewhat surprised: "Take it back for His Highness to use elsewhere."

He had expected some leftovers, but not this much.

Hmm, buying straight from the source really pays off.

"Yes," Lin Jun nodded and had the leftover silver loaded up.

Zhou Boxu glanced at the sun, now high in the sky.

"Give the order: we leave right after eating."

"Yes, I’ll arrange it right away," Fei Kai quickly replied.

Today, Zhou Boxu hadn’t made things difficult for him, which was a great relief. Arranging a meal was nothing.

The grim reaper was finally on his way out, and Fei Kai and the merchants sighed in relief.

As Zhou Boxu stood and walked into the mansion, the merchants also prepared to return home.

"By the way," Zhou Boxu suddenly turned back and said to the merchants, "I’ve taken note of the prices and the folks. If I need more in the future, I’ll come to you again."

Upon hearing this, the merchants’ knees buckled, and they almost fell over.

He’s coming back...

"We’re at your disposal anytime, sir," the merchants said with forced smiles, looking more like they were crying.

Fei Kai, now a ways off, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead upon hearing Zhou Boxu’s words.

He better not come back!

Not only had he not made a single penny from this trip, but he had also been cut and might even be impeached afterward.

If he comes again, will I even survive?

The weather in May was already somewhat hot, and the noon sun was particularly scorching. But to return to Duanzhou as soon as possible, the team set out under the blazing sun.

Fei Kai watched the distant convoy with a sinister expression and instructed his secretary: "Find someone to leak the news to the Black Wolf Gang. Do it cleanly, don’t expose your identity."

He aimed to prevent Zhou Boxu from ever returning to Dapan City or going back to Shang Jing to report against him.

"Yes," the adviser acknowledged, quickly departing.

In stark contrast to Dapan City's blazing sun, Duanzhou's sky hung heavy with overcast gloom.

"Your Highness, rain is coming. We should head back," Shen Changze gently urged.

He had arrived in Duanzhou a few days ago escorting the third batch of money and grain. Learning of Duanzhou's dire situation and need for help, he stayed to assist Yu Cheng.

Yu Cheng surveyed the rows of makeshift shelters, doorless, revealing the stark scenes within.

Inside the rudimentary shelters, the floor was strewn with dry grass and coarse mats. Men, women, and children lived together in one room. The sick lay curled up, while those with a bit more strength cooked porridge and brewed medicine in the open, caring for one another.

Thankfully, it was summer, and the nights weren't cold; otherwise, these conditions would have claimed many lives to the cold.

Overcome by the sight, Yu Cheng sighed deeply, brow furrowed, "What we fear most always happens. This rain will only bring more hardship."

Shen Changze stayed silent, shadowing Yu Cheng to the carriage.

After a long dry spell, rain was inevitable in Duanzhou.

They couldn't alter nature's course, only hope the rain would be brief and light.

As they reached the mansion, the first raindrops began to fall, just as expected. After freshening up, Yu Cheng was handed an urgent letter from Shang Jing by his guard, Yang Quan.

Yu Cheng opened the letter, and as he read, a mix of joy and worry washed over him.

He was relieved to learn the emperor had sent imperial physicians, now en route to Duanzhou. Yet, he worried as the funds were still being gathered and would take time.

He feared the people of Duanzhou might not endure the wait.

Setting the letter aside, Yu Cheng asked with concern, "How long has Zhou Boxu been away?"

Yang Quan answered, "Twelve days. He should be returning now."

"Can the remaining medicine hold out until he returns?"

"They should be enough."

Relieved, Yu Cheng leaned back, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples to ease the tension.

Lately, he'd been working from dawn till dusk, often in meetings late into the night, busier than in Shang Jing, leaving him exhausted.

Hearing the rain and seeing Yu Cheng's weariness, Yang Quan prepared to leave, giving him a moment's rest.

But as he turned to go, Yu Cheng's voice stopped him: "Notify the officials to meet in the study when they return."

It was just past noon, with daylight to spare, and Yu Cheng was eager to press on.

Yu Cheng reclined in his chair, neck stiff, mind adrift. Unconsciously, he murmured, "Wanruo..."

Silence answered.

Yu Cheng opened his eyes, scanning the unfamiliar and empty room with a feeling of emptiness.

Before he knew it, he had been away from Shang Jing for over a month. Without Xie Wanruo by his side to fuss over him and offer thoughtful care, he felt truly out of sorts.

After some thought, Yu Cheng walked to the desk, laid out a sheet of paper, picked up a brush, and began writing a letter to Xie Wanruo, to be taken back to Shang Jing by Zhou Boxu upon his return.

The rain had lasted for half a day and a night, only stopping at dawn.

Water dripped from the eaves, splashing into puddles and sending ripples across the surface.

"Your Royal Highness, the sun is out," Shen Changze said, looking at the faint light on the horizon excitedly.

Yu Cheng looked up at the sky, a smile forming on his lips. "It's good that it's cleared."

It seemed that the heavens had not completely abandoned them.

Yu Cheng took a deep breath and stepped outside to continue his daily rounds.

Outside Duanzhou, there were many surrounding villages and towns. Yu Cheng and Shen Changze were responsible for matters within the city, while other officials from Duanzhou handled the surrounding areas.

The epidemic was relentless; every day, people died, and every day, new cases emerged. Despite daily inspections, it was impossible to catch everything.

Today, Yu Cheng and Shen Changze checked on the southern part of the city, where the terrain was slightly lower. The heavy rain from the previous night had flooded the makeshift homes, leaving the ground muddy and wet. The people had to sit up all night, unable to lie down.

The young children, too exhausted to stay awake, fell asleep in their parents' arms, their heads tilted to the side.

Their innocent faces were streaked with dirt, their clothes tattered, and their bodies thin, yet faint smiles lingered on their lips as they slept peacefully.

It was said that the southern part of the city had once been prosperous, and the people living there had lived in plenty.

But a flood had taken everything away, turning them into refugees overnight, surviving on the thin porridge provided by the government.

"Is that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

"It is His Royal Highness!"

The people recognized Yu Cheng and rushed out of their shelters, but they kept their distance, afraid of transmitting the plague to him.

Although those living in this area were not infected, there was always a risk, so it was better to be cautious.

"How are you all... holding up?" Yu Cheng asked with a forced smile, his voice choked with emotion.