CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 181: DESCENDANTS

Xie Liangchen looked at the letter in her hand.

The letter was brought by government officials, and it bore Song Xian’s handwriting, explaining Gouzi’s affairs clearly.

Song Xian was meticulous, knowing that she was with Mr. Xu, he mentioned Gouzi, Xiao Chi, and the Yuezhou epidemic repeatedly, without a hint of their past life’s secrets.

This way, Xie Liangchen could safely hand over the letter for Xu Tingzhen to see, as there was nothing to hide from Mr. Xu.

The only sound in the room was Xu Tingzhen flipping the paper. After a while, Xu Tingzhen sighed deeply, she hadn’t thought that Gouzi was really coerced into being a spy in the Chen Family Village.

"I don’t remember Xu Xiao," Xu Tingzhen said, "but I know General Xu. It is said that a tiger father does not beget a dog son, but I didn’t expect General Xu’s son to serve the Liao people."

Xie Liangchen said, "Sir, did you see the epidemic in Yuezhou? It’s also the work of the Liao people."

Xu Tingzhen took a deep breath, "I’ve long heard that Xiao Xingzong is very capable, but I didn’t expect him to be so deranged, spreading the epidemic deliberately for his purposes.

When the epidemic was rampant in Yuezhou, I was far in the North. When I heard the news and rushed there, it had already subsided; I heard many people died, but I hadn’t expected it was not a natural disaster but a man-made calamity."

This kind of epidemic happens every year, deliberately seeking out patients to spread it is not hard.

Xie Liangchen said, "The Yuezhou epidemic was related to the Liao people because the Huaiji County Magistrate had caught a Liao spy. Now I suspect that the Li Family that adopted me was also somewhat involved."

Xu Tingzhen gazed deeply at Xie Liangchen, "If this is true, catching them now would avenge your adoptive parents."

Xie Liangchen nodded in response.

Xu Tingzhen sighed again, "It’s been nineteen years, and there are still those who want to avenge Prince Guangyang. They stay in their territories, contending with the remnants of the former dynasty, just like Gouzi’s family."

Xu Tingzhen didn’t continue further. After Prince Guangyang and the Princess died, the remnants of the former dynasty sought capable physicians everywhere; she was unwilling to go and hid, eventually brought quietly to Daqi. She hadn’t expected someone would persist in the territories for so long...

Xu Tingzhen said, "The General Zhang that Gouzi mentioned, I have thought over and over again, and perhaps it is Prince Guangyang’s trusted Zhang Weihe. If it is indeed him, then he is in his sixties now, and it’s hard for Old General Zhang."

Xie Liangchen saw a trace of moisture in Xu Tingzhen’s eyes.

Mr. Xu was a doctor, different from General Zhang who led troops, but they both remembered Prince Guangyang and still wanted revenge for him.

Xu Tingzhen said, "Maybe after a while, I will find a way to go to the territories to see, maybe I can help, although my thoughts differ from General Zhang’s...

Would killing the remnants of the former dynasty truly avenge Prince Guangyang? If the previous dynasty people are expelled, who will the territories fall to? If Prince Guangyang had descendants, I certainly would not hesitate, but unfortunately..."

Unfortunately, all of Prince Guangyang’s descendants are gone; Xu Tingzhen doesn’t want to serve the Emperor of Daqi, nor does she want the fruits gained from so many lives to be presented before the current emperor.

Whether it’s the Liao people, the Daqi emperor, or the remnants of the former dynasty, whoever claims the territories makes no difference to Xu Tingzhen.

Previously, she thought this way, and so her heart remained still, but after meeting Gouzi again, hearing him mention General Zhang, she could no longer stand by.

"Don’t worry, sir," Xie Liangchen held Xu Tingzhen’s hand, "Once this matter passes, we will discuss it slowly. For now, the priority is to prepare the medicine to treat the epidemic. The situation in Zhenzhou is not too bad, but we still have to quickly suppress the outbreaks in Dingzhou, Yingzhou, and Qi State. If delayed, who knows how many more will die, and encountering a delay in the spring ploughing, the North will suffer greatly this year."

This is the reason the Liao people are stirring up trouble at this time.

Xu Tingzhen nodded; Liangchen was right; she should put aside her thoughts and focus on the task at hand. In the past, when encountering such things, it was that old geezer Dongli indulging in endless chatter with her, now it was replaced by Liangchen...

Liangchen’s words more suitably align with her heart.

"Let’s go, first check on the patients, then adjust the medicine," Xu Tingzhen said, "The patients with mild symptoms in the epidemic prevention station have shown improvement. If everything goes smoothly, we can finalize the prescription in a couple of days, and Zhenzhou’s medicinal supplies can be distributed to other states."

Xie Liangchen knew that the main target of the Liao people was Zhenzhou; in their past life, the Zhenzhou epidemic was the most severe, but this life is different. With Song Xian stationed in Zhenzhou, Xiao Xingzong would not act predictably, to be safe, besides Zhenzhou, they would also target other states.

Currently, Song Qizheng and the Henghai Jiedu Envoy have both gone to the Capital City, with Song Xian overseeing this side of Song Qizheng, it remains uncertain about the situation in the few states governed by the Henghai Jiedu Envoy.

...

Li Cong’s plan was to go from Qi State to Mo State, finally crossing the Juma River back to the new city, but the journey was not smooth.

Traveling from Zhenzhou to Qi State, the official roads were filled with checkpoints, and the soldiers were rigorous in their inspections, forcing them to take smaller paths.

In the past two days, it started snowing again, making the paths difficult to traverse, prompting Li Cong to halt and have others scout new routes.

If the epidemic could spread from the Chen Family Village, it would entangle Song Xian, perhaps reducing the checkpoints, giving them a chance to take the official roads.

"Third Young Master," Geng San reported to Li Cong, "The troops at the next checkpoint were supposed to rotate twice daily, but today they haven’t changed, and two more checkpoints have been added in the direction of Zhenzhou, seemingly manned by the Song Family Army."

Geng San paused, "We aren’t sure if it’s because the situation in Zhenzhou has worsened, or..."

Li Cong pondered for a moment and then smiled suddenly, "Zhenzhou has worsened; otherwise, they wouldn’t increase the checkpoints, the usual manpower in checkpoints is insufficient, and they have even mobilized soldiers under Song Xian, fearing the Zhenzhou epidemic might affect other states and counties, and Song Xian is unable to account to the court."

Geng San’s face showed a smile, "So, our plan has worked? Third Young Master, what should we do?"

Li Cong said, "We can’t conceal this matter, find a few people to spread the news, saying the Zhenzhou epidemic is severe.

Upon hearing this, civilians will seek ways to flee Zhenzhou for refuge. As long as the Song Family Army tries to stop them, chaos will ensue, and nearby troops will have to help. Meanwhile, we’ll seize the chance to head towards Qi State."

Geng San understood, "I will take people to do it immediately." Inevitably someone wants to enter and leave Zhenzhou; they only need to seize the right time to stir things up.

After Geng San left, Li Cong instructed others to be prepared, to disguise themselves as civilians, ready to leave at any time.

Li Cong patiently waited for two days, and Geng San delivered news again, "Third Young Master, it worked, there’s chaos now, the checkpoint troops have returned to Zhenzhou, and now there’s only one checkpoint left on the road to Qi State."

Li Cong decisively ordered, "No time to lose, go quickly."

Before leaving, Li Cong instructed Geng San, "See if that woman is dead, if she’s still alive, take her to the mountains to be dealt with." He had considered bringing her to Qi State, giving her to the garrison commander who worked for him, but now she would be a burden.

Geng San agreed.

Li Cong and his people left the mountain quickly, heading towards the official road.