Chapter 75

Chapter 75

On the second day after his return, Xie Zhiyu met with Qi Yuanjing again and took the chance to take his pulse and check on his health.

On the third day, Xie Zhiyu and Shen Song talked about things related to Shen Family Gully.

On the fourth day, Xie Zhiyu called the rich merchants who'd bought land in Shen Family Gully to the yamen to talk things over.

At first, Qi Yuanjing thought Xie Zhiyu's talk of "discussing" meant just talking. He suspected force might be used later and even considered doing a good cop, bad cop routine with Xie Zhiyu.

Unexpectedly, Xie Zhiyu actually talked it out with the land buyers, all polite and reasonable.

The land they'd bought in Shen Family Gully—other than growing grain, they couldn't figure out what else to plant.

There were just too many buyers; nobody could buy up big chunks of land all in one piece, and the plots weren't big enough to back any serious business.

Xie Zhiyu gathered them together and pitched a plan to grow medicinal herbs.

Basically, these folks would use the land they'd bought in Shen Family Gully to grow herbs, working with the government. The government would buy up all their herbs, and then drugstores and clinics would buy them from the government.

Since this was meant to help the public, the profits obviously couldn't be too big.

Some said yes right away, hoping to score points with the yamen.

Naturally, others disagreed.

After jotting down the names of the ones who agreed, Xie Zhiyu then revealed what had been previously discussed with the Shen family. "You folks should know the Shen Family Farm pretty well."

The merchants all nodded along.

Of course they were familiar.

Everything they ate every day came from either the Shen Family Farm or Shen Family Gully.

"Once the fruit trees on the Shen Family Farm grow up, they'll make jams, dried fruit, and fruit wine to sell. The six families who agreed to grow herbs can come to the yamen for the necessary documents and do this business with the Shen family."

The six families who'd agreed to grow herbs with the government were thrilled—they never saw this coming.

The other dozen or so families were a mix of regretful and scornful.

Seeing the six families grinning ear to ear, one guy couldn't help but snipe, "What good's that? Six families splitting scraps—you can't even make a real business out of it."

That cold water killed the mood for the six families, and they were pretty annoyed.

Saying stuff like that when everyone's on cloud nine—man, that's just annoying.

Patriarch Qian, the first to agree, fired right back, "At least we got something. You got nothing! We're happy even if it's small-time!"

After saying that, he shot a careful glance at Xie Zhiyu.

Three years ago, a pawnshop run by the Qian family had ripped off one of the Shen boys, and Lord Xie's men had given them a lesson. The Qians had gone to the Shen house to apologize in person. The pawnshop got shut down for a bit, but it reopened later and there was no more trouble.

That kind of thing was just how pawnshops did business, and it wasn't like they'd meant to screw that kid over. Patriarch Qian figured it was lucky they hadn't gone after the kid on purpose—otherwise, this wouldn't have ended so easy.

Just look at the Chen family—the whole lot got exiled.

Served 'em right, always taking things too far.

Thinking about what happened to the Chens, Patriarch Qian was even more thankful they hadn't done it on purpose.

When the pawnshop reopened, they set prices a lot fairer than before.

That got them a lot of flak from other pawnshops.

Patriarch Wang, the one who'd made the snide comment, was one of those complainers.

Patriarch Wang snorted, "After you bust your back and make next to nothing, then come talk about being happy."

Patriarch Qian laughed. "Even if we make nothing, that's our problem. What's it to you? Why you gotta keep yapping? Why so nosy and long-winded? If you're jealous, just say yes yourself! Who's stopping you?"

"Qian, who the hell are you cursing at?"

"I'm cursing whoever's running their mouth."

The two quickly got into it, and soon it turned into two sides screaming at each other, faces red, about to throw punches.

Everyone figured Xie Zhiyu would have someone break it up, but he didn't look like he was gonna step in at all.

He had someone bring him some paperwork and read it slowly, like he couldn't hear the shouting match at all.

After he finished five documents, the two sides were still at it, but their voices and attitudes were way less heated than before.

They were all big shots; with no underlings around, they didn't want to actually throw down.

They'd only end up hurting themselves.

Especially since Lord Xie clearly wasn't gonna stop them or give them an out.

They'd have to find their own way out.

Seeing they were still going at it, Xie Zhiyu had more paperwork brought in.

When he got to the last page, Xie Zhiyu's brow scrunched up a little.

Everyone had been sneaking looks at Xie Zhiyu's face, and when they saw him frown, they used that as an excuse to shut up.

Muttering stuff like "for the magistrate's sake, I'll let it go this time," they sat back down.

Once it was dead quiet, Xie Zhiyu put down the paperwork and said flatly, "Scarcity makes things valuable—merchants should know that. When you six families go pick up goods from the Shen Family Farm, you'll get a line to sell in the capital."

With that, Xie Zhiyu rose and left.

A low-ranking clerk scooped up the paperwork and followed right behind him.

The remaining merchants sat in the hall, pondering the meaning of Xie Zhiyu's words.

Patriarch Qian looked flattered and incredulous, staring at the other five. "Does Lord Xie mean... we can use his connections to sell the jams and such in the capital? That we can do business in the capital?"

The capital—that was the capital.

How many connections and relationships would one need to reach the capital?

The other five were equally stunned, overjoyed, unable to believe it, yet unable to contain their excitement.

"Yes, yes, yes! The capital—I heard it right, the capital!"

The six were ecstatic, lifting their chins proudly toward Patriarch Wang and the others. Their eyes gleamed with triumph—dare they now say they couldn't make money?

Patriarch Wang and the others were no less shocked than the six—perhaps even more so. They never imagined Xie Zhiyu would go to such lengths for this matter.

The dozen-plus people exchanged uneasy glances, then quickly left the hall, hurrying after Xie Zhiyu.

"Your Honor, would it still be possible to agree to growing medicinal herbs now?"

Naturally, that was not allowed.

Xie Zhiyu did not even bother to see them again, simply had a minor official send them away.

As for the herb-growing matter, Xie Zhiyu had other plans in mind.

The land in Shen Family Gully did look promising right now, but it was not the most suitable place for cultivating medicinal herbs.

Shen Family Gully already had the Shen Family Farm; you couldn't just keep everything in one place—it needed to be spread out.

Xie Zhiyu had previously asked Shen Song about the Land God legend in Shen Family Gully.

As the county magistrate, Xie Zhiyu had long known of this matter, and he was the one who'd kept it under wraps, stopping the rumor from spreading.

Shen Song's story matched what the Shen family had said publicly.

They didn't know why, but suddenly their land started producing way more, and the crops tasted great. Later, some folks started worshipping at the edge of their fields before planting, and surprisingly, those households also got bigger harvests—not as much as the Shen family's, but definitely more than before.

Over time, more and more people came to worship at the fieldside. Worried it would get in the way of the Shen family's farming, organized by the village head and funded by the Shen family, they built a small Land God shrine at the foot of the mountain.

At first, only Shen Family Gully villagers could burn incense there; later, anyone from the surrounding areas who wanted to could go.

However, when villagers from other villages went to offer incense, maybe only one in ten households would get a better harvest.

The ones who benefited were either poor families about to starve or people known far and wide for doing good deeds.

The numbers were small and the yields modest, but it genuinely worked.

Everyone believed the Land God was really watching over them.

Xie Zhiyu couldn't say whether he believed it or not. If he did believe, then as a kid he'd certainly prayed to the gods before. If he didn't believe, then he wished gods really did exist, so the protective talisman he'd given Shen Song would actually keep him safe.

Shen Song had brought this up not just with Qi Yuanjing but also with Xie Zhiyu—no need to insist on growing herbs in Shen Family Gully's fields. If they planted elsewhere, worshipped the Land God more, and genuinely cared for the people, it would surely work too.

Xie Zhiyu, though, figured even if it didn't work, no big deal.

The biggest hurdle to growing herbs was not knowing how to tend them.

Now that Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue were willing to lead folks and teach them how to grow herbs, as long as the land was big enough, yields could go up. More supply meant lower prices.

It didn't have to rely just on potency.

The villages that needed herb income were definitely not just Shen Family Gully.

But the yamen did need top-quality herbs to get pharmacies and medical halls to come buy.

What grew in Shen Family Gully's fields was exactly what would draw them in.

That way, even if herbs grown elsewhere had stronger potency, selling them wouldn't be a problem.

Which village would grow the herbs still needed investigating and negotiating.

What Xie Zhiyu was worried about right now was the official document he'd seen in the reception hall.

It had come from Xiaoming County, the most far-flung county in Yunan Prefecture, saying that traveling merchants had spotted a few people in Yeping County, in neighboring Qing'an Prefecture, with pockmarks on their faces—suspected smallpox.

It was spring, which historically was the peak season for smallpox.

Smallpox was crazy contagious; if it really was smallpox, one infected person could infect a whole city in no time.

And because it was so severe, once it broke out, it would spiral out of control fast, and this region had a history of smallpox outbreaks. That's why Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue had been preparing ahead of time, constantly researching it.

Xie Zhiyu immediately sent word to Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue, then wrote an official dispatch to Xiaoming County asking for details. After having a minor official rush it over, he went to talk with the Deputy Magistrate and others to figure out a response.

Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue got the news, their faces turning grim.

Whether the report was true or not, you couldn't deny how contagious smallpox was. On this, even a shred of doubt meant you had to prepare for the worst.

News from Xiaoming County didn't come until ten days later.

By all accounts, a fast horse should've brought a reply within six days. When no reply came by the sixth day, Xie Zhiyu figured things weren't looking good.

Sure enough, the news that came ten days later confirmed smallpox had broken out in Yeping County.

Calculating from the detailed timeline in the dispatch, five days prior, Yeping County had already sealed its city gates, and Xiaoming County had done the same. The entire city was burning mugwort, spraying strong liquor, and spreading lime.

It was for this reason that the minor official had been delayed and returned late.

As a precaution, the minor official who brought the documents was confined to a room with lime spread on the floor and roof. His clothes were all removed and steamed at high temperature, and a physician prescribed herbal remedies to ward off colds and strengthen the body—one dose daily. His food was also carefully managed, with meat, vegetables, and eggs all provided.

Xiaoming County was still a considerable distance from Yunxi County, and to avoid causing panic, the yamen could not openly tell the people that smallpox had broken out in Yeping County.

They could only reinforce the city gates, carefully questioning those entering about their origins and routes. Anyone from Yeping County or passing through it was strictly barred from entering.

Yeping County.

County Magistrate Xu Xiyu was at his wit's end.

Of all times, in his final year of tenure, smallpox had erupted in his county—heaven was determined to destroy him!

Outside the yamen, thunderous shouts rang out as crowds clamored to have the gates opened for passage.

From discovery to lockdown, in barely half a month, the entire Yeping County had become like a dead city. The yamen entrance was besieged all day by crowds—all servants of the county's wealthy gentry and merchants—demanding the gates be opened to let them flee.

How could Xu Xiyu dare open the gates and let people leave?

If he opened the gates, even if those who left were not infected with smallpox, it would still be a grave crime.

If other counties remained uninfected, fine—but if any became infected, regardless of whether it was due to his opening the gates, if he were fortunate enough to survive the smallpox, he would still be sentenced to execution.

When those people came privately bearing heavy bribes, Xu Xiyu had already refused.

In normal times, he might have accepted, but at this critical juncture, with his life and family at stake, he dared not touch a single coin.

When bribery failed, they resorted to coercion.

All the yamen staff were out working—every street and village needed mugwort burned and lime spread, requiring enormous manpower and resources.

Beyond that, the infected had to be gathered and confined in one place, and everyone's clothing, socks, and shoes had to be steamed and washed at high temperature—everywhere needed people.

The uninfected commoners who could help all came to assist, yet hands were still in short supply.

Who was left to stop the troublemakers outside demanding the gates be opened to leave?

The common people were not without thoughts of leaving either; they were all waiting for the right moment.

Xu Xiyu, kept up at night by the smallpox outbreak, couldn't sleep, partly because of the constant shouting outside from dawn to dusk.

After the wealthy merchants' men had shouted for several days and saw that Xu Xiyu was resolute in not opening the city gates, they got serious—refusing to sell essential goods such as grain, seasonings, herbs, lime, and strong liquor.

When Xu Xiyu got the news, he was so mad he cursed them out, calling them animals.

The official granary could sustain them for a few days, but the yamen couldn't come up with such large quantities of other supplies.

Seasonings weren't a big deal—people could go a few days without salt—but herbs, lime, and strong liquor were absolutely essential, needed in large amounts daily.

Yet even the yamen's grain would only last a few days...

After that ran out, everyone would either die of disease or starve.

Xu Xiyu was totally stuck and helpless.

Every moment he hesitated, more people in the county contracted smallpox, and the outbreak spread further. The death toll kept rising—three in ten infected died.

In the end, Xu Xiyu did not open the city gates.

If he let them go, they wouldn't sell supplies to the yamen anyway. But if he resorted to force at such a critical juncture, he feared it might spark an even bigger disaster.

Xu Xiyu felt like there was no hope for the future.

Left with no choice, Xu Xiyu arranged for them to leave secretly, but they had to sign a contract—goods would be delivered to a specific drop-off point, and only then would they be allowed to depart.

The wealthy merchants were reluctant, wanting the yamen to pick up the goods after they left and cut the amount in half.

On this point, Xu Xiyu wouldn't give an inch.

The number of smallpox infections was growing, and grain and herbs were running out fast. Lime and the rest went without saying—you couldn't skimp on any of it.

If they delayed further, the spread would worsen, and if they got infected, they'd never be able to leave.

The wealthy merchants were forced to agree.

Xu Xiyu sent people to receive the goods and provisions, and in the dead of night, he had these people escorted out through back roads.

As they were leaving, Xu Xiyu warned them again, "You are fleeing Yeping County, and the surrounding counties all know what's going on here—they won't let you in. If you ask me, it's better to stay here. At least your estates are well-stocked; shut your gates and keep strict watch—far better than roaming around out there."

Some wavered, but others were determined to leave.

Ultimately, two-thirds left, and one-third stayed.

Those who remained returned and, following Xu Xiyu's advice, stocked up on food and herbs, and kept doctors on hand. Guards patrolled and kept watch over the estates, while servants spread lime on the ground daily and burned mugwort to fumigate the houses, sealing their homes up tight.

As for those who left, sure enough, just like Xu Xiyu said, no county allowed them entry—they couldn't even approach the gates.

In the wilderness, they were easy prey for bandits and robbers. After several families ran into trouble, the rest either returned to Yeping County or banded together, attempting to bribe with vast amounts of gold and silver.

The latter didn't succeed—everyone knew how deadly smallpox was, and no official, however greedy, would risk his own life. They took their money and sent them packing.

So they gained the gold and silver while avoiding the risk of smallpox.

Even if they had connections in the cities, no one dared gamble with an entire city's lives.

These wealthy merchants who had fled had no choice but to sheepishly return to Yeping County.

They suffered heavy losses, but at least they had a place to stay, instead of sleeping out in the open.

If they'd known this would happen, they should have heeded Xu Xiyu's advice and not gone through all this trouble.

Now, they had tried to get ahead and only ended up worse off.

And it was all Xu Xiyu's fault for stringing them along so long!

The situation in Yeping County wasn't really under control, and the number of infections continued to rise steadily each day.

Many infected people either didn't dare admit it, fearing they'd be arrested and locked up and believing imprisonment meant certain death, or their families couldn't stand to be apart, afraid they'd never return and would be burned by the yamen, leaving no trace of their remains.

Others didn't know they were infected, mistaking it for a regular cold or a fever. They paid little attention and kept interacting with people without any precautions, thus spreading it to more and more people.

The county was desperately short on people, especially physicians.

Xu Xiyu could only send letters to the surrounding counties and also to the prefecture, requesting reinforcements.

Whether soldiers or doctors, they needed people to show up.

Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue made up their minds to go to Yeping County.

The two had pored over ancient texts and their masters' research notes, gaining many insights. But they lacked practical experience—a lot of it was still just theory, and they didn't know how effective it would be.

If they wanted to make a breakthrough with smallpox, they had to go to Yeping County and work with the infected.

Xie Zhiyu knew the two were determined and didn't try to talk them out of it. He handed a pigeon cage to Qi Yuanjing, saying, "The carrier pigeons inside know the way. If you need anything from me, write a letter and send it by one of them."

Qi Yuanjing accepted the pigeons. This trip was dangerous. But since he had joined the sect, there were plenty of things he couldn't skip just because he didn't feel like it.

Besides, he truly wanted to go.

Qi Yuanjing joked, "We've been brothers for years, and today you finally talk to me like you actually care—it makes me reluctant to leave."

"Then don't go."

"I'd better go; my teacher's there too." Qi Yuanjing picked up the pigeon cage to leave but stopped to tell Xie Zhiyu, "Take care, and say goodbye to Song Geer for me. I really don't have time to meet him in person."

Xie Zhiyu nodded. "Will do."

Shen Song found out the next day that Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue had gone to Yeping County.

Recently, he had also noticed something was off about the county. There were more Blade Constables patrolling, and inspections at the city gates had become very strict.

There was always a faint smell of mugwort in the air, different from when making qingtuan—it was more widespread and stronger.

Shen Song didn't remember anything about smallpox. Xie Zhiyu thought for a moment—though Yunxi County hadn't had an outbreak in the past decade or so, surrounding counties had.

Maybe the Shen family never told him?

But how could they keep something that serious from him?

Shen Song said to Xie Zhiyu, "My parents said that when I was young, I was slow, and I didn't remember things—I only recognized family. I didn't like talking or smiling, and I'd just sit there by myself, zoned out. Later, as I grew up, my head cleared up, and my memory became especially good."

Xie Zhiyu understood upon hearing this, but also got a little worried. He thought that when Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue returned, they should give Shen Song a full check-up to make sure he was alright.

Shen Song learned from Xie Zhiyu what smallpox was and how severe it was, and he got scared.

"Qi Yuanjing and Doctor Yue will be fine, right?" he asked, sounding worried.

Xie Zhiyu wasn't certain either—even they couldn't be sure.

But Xie Zhiyu still reassured Shen Song, "It's going to be okay."

Shen Song had never experienced smallpox, but his previous planet had once been hit by a virus, one that specifically attacked the human body. Back then, all humans were banned from going outside, and it took a full five-year lockdown before the virus was finally eradicated.

Moreover, the planet he had lived on before had androids, nutrient solutions, medicines, and a galactic network—conditions that were a million times better than here. Even so, they had struggled back then. The common folk here now would likely face hardships a million times worse.

Within a couple of days, news of the smallpox outbreak in Yeping County could no longer be hidden, and it spread all over the streets of Yunxi County.

The information came from traveling merchants, so there was no doubt about its accuracy.

Smallpox was a terrifying topic that made everyone's face go pale, and Yunxi County was instantly thrown into a panic.

Many people began lining up to buy grain, medicine, mugwort, and quicklime.

The local government office became extremely busy, having to control prices, calm the public, and deal with the unrest caused by frayed nerves. They had to keep a tight watch everywhere, ensuring no one slipped through the cracks and caused irreversible consequences.

Xie Zhiyu was busy, and he worried that Shen Song's running back and forth might be unsafe, so he asked him to stop bringing vegetables and said he would send someone to handle it.

Shen Song said it wasn't necessary, "I'll head straight home after dropping off the veggies and won't loiter."

Xie Zhiyu quietly posted extra guards to protect Shen Song, urging them to make sure Shen Song, his family, and any strangers didn't come into contact with him.

Yunxi County was a good distance away from Yeping County. When news of the smallpox outbreak in Yeping reached Yunxi, the county did not close its gates, but it did begin scattering lime and burning mugwort every day.

What they'd done in secret before, they now did out in the open.

The local government office also sent low-ranking officials to beat gongs and walk around loudly announcing that people should mind their hygiene, not drink unboiled water, and make sure all drinking water was boiled. Clothes should be washed in hot water, and bedding and straw mats should be sun-dried. People should not take off clothes too quickly just because of a bit of heat.

If anyone had a headache or fever, they shouldn't put it off and should see a doctor right away. If they really had no money, they could go to the local government office, which would set up a place for them to stay alone until they got better, after which they would be allowed to go home.

It was also stressed that neighbors should keep an eye out for anyone sheltering outsiders. If they had, they had to demand to see their entry permits. If they couldn't produce one, they had to turn them in to the authorities.

Not reporting it would be treated as harboring bandits, and they'd be dealt with as accomplices.

From top to bottom, Yunxi County tightened things up. People on the streets would scatter at the sight of anyone sneezing, watching the sneezing passerby in fear and dread.

Only when the person explained they were fine and it was just a dry, itchy nose would the onlookers half-believe them and hurry off.

Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue headed out for Yeping County with several carts of medicinal herbs.

When the guards at the city gate saw people coming, they figured it was reinforcements from another county or the prefecture, and immediately asked.

To avoid being held up, Qi Yuanjing identified himself, saying he wasn't sent by any county or prefectural office.

When the guards heard Qi Yuanjing announce himself, dropping the capital and the prince's residence, they were scared stiff. They hurried to report to their superior, who rushed over, confirmed the identity again, but still hesitated to open the gate.

It wasn't that they doubted his identity—it was precisely because they didn't doubt it at all that they didn't dare open the gate.

They were just afraid that if such a big shot ran into any trouble in Yeping County, even ten heads wouldn't be enough to answer for it.

Qi Yuanjing shouted that he was a physician, had come with his master, and brought seven carts of herbs. He told the guards to call the county magistrate and decide quickly, not to waste time.

This really wasn't something a low-ranking soldier could decide.

Soon, Xu Xiyu, the deputy magistrate, and others were all summoned. Xu Xiyu tried to talk Qi Yuanjing into leaving, but Qi Yuanjing naturally refused.

Unable to keep them locked out, Xu Xiyu was also pretty tempted by their status as physicians and those seven carts of herbs.

He decided to roll the dice.

A gamble that the prince's son would make it out of Yeping County alive.

Xu Xiyu ordered the gates opened and let them in.

Xu Xiyu arranged for Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue to stay at the local government office. Noticing the red mole between Shan Yue's brows, he said, a bit awkwardly, "Right now, the safest place in the city is the local government office, but the only spare room we can manage is probably just one..."

Qi Yuanjing said, "I can stay somewhere else."

"No need." Shan Yue didn't look at Qi Yuanjing, his tone calm and indifferent. "There's a lot to discuss later, and staying outside would be a hassle. Since you and I are both men, there's no need to worry about such trivialities."

He asked Xu Xiyu, "Can we spread a bedroll on the floor in the room?"

Xu Xiyu quickly nodded, "The floor's cold and damp; I can have a small cot brought in."

Shan Yue nodded and said nothing more. Qi Yuanjing immediately added, "Then it's settled."

After their lodgings were arranged, the seven carts of herbs Qi Yuanjing and the others brought were also stored in the local government office, close to where they were staying.

The people they brought were both guards and helpers, and they were all housed in a courtyard near the local government office.

As it was getting late, Xu Xiyu ordered food to be made.

Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue planned to go out and check things out early the next morning and wanted to get a heads-up, so the three of them ate and talked.

The local government office served rice, pickled veggies, and a pot of vegetable soup.

Xu Xiyu said apologetically, "Forgive me, this is already a rare treat. It's just that the city's sealed off, and there's no other way."

Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue didn't mind and dug in.

Seeing that the two stayed calm and seemed to take it in stride, Xu Xiyu breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he start explaining the current situation in Yeping County.

In the county town alone, there were 17,000 residents. The number of registered infected so far was 3,000, with 800 deaths.

Across the whole county, the population was 150,000, with 10,000 infected and nearly 3,000 dead.

The county was huge, with villages scattered far and wide, and the local government office had limited manpower. Reports went from village heads to the ward chiefs, who then submitted unified reports to the county office.

Xu Xiyu said, "They report every ten days. This one's from eight days ago; new info should come in two days."

By the end of the meal, the three had lost their appetites.

The numbers of infected and dead were just too staggering.

The next day, Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue covered their faces with cloth and wore white robes on top of their clothes. Everyone with them was dressed the same, and the group headed to the courtyard where the infected were held.

Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue intended to collect pus from the pox sores.

Xu Xiyu didn't come; he was busy planning grain supplies. The garrison commander, Cui Shan, arrived with five soldiers, worried that something might happen to Qi Yuanjing.

From the moment Commander Cui showed up with his men, his brow was deeply furrowed. He couldn't understand why the prince's son, instead of living it up in the capital, had come to cause them trouble here.

If he wanted to deliver herbs, he could've just sent them and left.

But no, he had to stay.

Cui Shan was also really bitter about Xu Xiyu—how could he leave such a big troublemaker behind just because the guy knew a bit of medicine?

What a dumb call.

They'd barely been there a day, and he was already stirring up trouble—refusing to stay at the office and demanding to go to the smallpox ward.

They were already slammed, dead on their feet, and now they had to babysit some damn prince's kid.

What a pain in the ass.

When Cui Shan saw that Qi Yuanjing, upon arriving, wasn't even observing from a distance but intended to enter the tent, he got even more pissed off. He stepped up and blocked the guy, saying, "Master Qi, there are smallpox patients in there. If you've never had smallpox, you really shouldn't go in."

Qi Yuanjing could tell Cui Shan was annoyed, but the guy wasn't wrong.

"Don't worry, Commander Cui. If something happens, you won't be blamed."

Cui Shan scoffed, "Easy for you to say, Master Qi. If something really does happen, do you think the capital's gonna listen to us?"

Qi Yuanjing didn't get mad; he just smiled and said, "Commander Cui, you don't know this, but my dad's got a ton of wives and more sons than I can count. He's not gonna do anything to you over me. Besides, I've left a letter behind. If something happens to me, my trusted aide back home will hand it to my best friend, and it lays everything out. Yeiping County won't be dragged into it."

Cui Shan was speechless for a second. He'd figured royal relatives lived in glory and got all the favor.

He never expected Qi Yuanjing to be a son his dad didn't give a damn about, or that he'd thought things through that carefully.

Realizing he'd misjudged the guy, Cui Shan didn't beat around the bush. He cupped his fists and said, "Sorry about earlier, Master Qi. I didn't mean any harm—I just couldn't get why you'd put yourself in danger like this."

Qi Yuanjing replied, "Take the scabs, inoculate—fight poison with poison."

"That method?" Cui Shan frowned. "This might work, but you'd need to inoculate kids who haven't had it. The success rate's super low, and I doubt the kids' families would go for it."

Qi Yuanjing knew it was difficult, but they had to try, and there would always be those willing.

He had Cui Shan take them to the mild smallpox patients. Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue carefully picked out a sturdy guy with the mildest overall symptoms—a hunter with a tough build.

In the same tent, he was the strongest and slept the soundest.

Both his body and mindset were excellent.

His onset of illness was also within seven days, meeting the requirements written in their predecessors' medical notes.

Hearing that Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue had come to treat him, the hunter was very cooperative.

The two put on gloves, first punctured the pustules, but didn't extract the pus. Instead, they came daily to check on him and brought him food as a thank-you.

The hunter had no idea what the white-clad figures who came every day were up to—they said they were treating him, but didn't really do much. Still, having meat to eat was nice, so he didn't care.

Once the pustules had dried and crusted over, Qi Yuanjing and Shan Yue put on gloves and peeled off the dried scabs.

They brought them back to the yamen, ground them up, and got ready to recruit people for inoculation.

They needed at least seven people, and they had to be kids.

According to their predecessors' notes, kids' reactions were milder than adults', mostly mild cases.

Such scabs were best for iterative attenuation to make the vaccine.

Xu Xiyu had initially thought they'd come to treat smallpox patients, but what the two were doing was way bigger—they were directly inoculating people who hadn't gotten sick, aiming to make them immune to smallpox for good.

This was huge. Xu Xiyu felt his dim, hopeless prospects suddenly turn bright and promising.

Though there was now a glimmer of light, if he couldn't see it through, it would all be for nothing.

Xu Xiyu had naturally heard of the live scab method—using pus from infected people and the variolation technique to infect healthy kids. If symptoms were mild and they recovered, they'd never get smallpox again.

But this method carried big risk. Kids had a higher success rate than adults, but even two or three out of ten would be impressive.

Because of the high risk, not many had ever used it.

It was basically gambling with lives.