From Ying Zheng's words, it was clear.
Xia Wuqi was far more important than the mere commoners of Daliang City.
And the meaning behind his words was also very clear.
If the situation became uncontrollable, Xia Wuqi was not to risk himself. Naturally, Ying Zheng was worried about Xia Wuqi's advanced age and frailty.
Secondly, if the plague truly broke out, abandoning the people of Daliang City was also an option.
"Your Majesty, rest assured."
"I understand."
"If things truly reach that point, I will be careful." Xia Wuqi responded with a smile.
However, as a doctor, he had a benevolent heart.
If the plague truly erupted, he would never abandon the sick.
He was neither a military general nor a court official.
Since his early days studying medicine, his goal had always been to heal and save lives.
He could never act with the heart of a monarch like Ying Zheng.
"Enough."
"I will set off tomorrow. For now, I shall return and rest."
"Your Majesty, take care." Xia Wuqi smiled, turned, and walked out of the palace hall.
Ying Zheng silently watched his departing figure, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Then, he sat down.
He took out a blank royal edict and wrote a sentence on it before sealing it.
He then called out in a firm voice, "Ren Xiao."
Ren Xiao strode into the hall and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, your command?"
"Escort Grand Physician Xia to Wei territory. Under no circumstances is he to put himself in danger."
"And, if the plague cannot be controlled, deliver this royal edict to Zhao Feng." Ying Zheng commanded solemnly.
"I accept the decree." Ren Xiao responded respectfully.
Fu Su's Residence!
As several ministers were about to leave after a discussion, the steward of the prince's residence hurried in.
"My Lord."
"Honored ministers."
"Good news from the palace!" The steward spoke excitedly.
Wang Wan and the others paused and turned to him.
"Speak."
Fu Su immediately instructed.
Given that the present ministers were all his loyal supporters, there was no need for secrecy.
"Wang Jian left the Shangtai Palace looking utterly dazed as if he had suffered a great blow." The steward reported at once.
Upon hearing this, Wang Wan and the others exchanged glances before breaking into laughter.
"My Lord."
"I was right."
"Although His Majesty did not accept Wang Jian's request to retire in court, it is clear that he now harbors suspicion toward the Wang and Zhao families."
"Wang Jian must have been reprimanded in the Shangtai Palace, which is why he looked so lost and shaken when he left." Wang Wan said with certainty, a pleased smile on his aged face.
"Indeed."
"Two allied families controlling half of the army no ruler would tolerate such a thing, not even a monarch as powerful as His Majesty."
"Though His Majesty has not yet stripped Wang Jian of his military command, that is only because the empire is not yet unified. Once it is, either the Wang or the Zhao family will surely fall." Kui Zhuang nodded with a smile.
Beside them, Chunyu Yue also smiled, clearly pleased.
Fu Su did not speak much but nodded slightly in agreement.
How did palace news spread so quickly?
Even within the palace, Fu Su had his informants.
Since this was a battle for succession, both he and Hu Hai naturally had their covert networks.
Hu Hai, however, received news even faster because Zhao Gao, the chief eunuch of the Central Vehicle Administration, was his teacher.
"My Lord."
"You may now be at ease."
"Although we have angered the Wang and Zhao families today, ultimately, we have won."
"In the future, these two families will be heavily constrained by His Majesty, so we need not worry too much about them." Wang Wan said with satisfaction, a triumphant look on his face.
Fu Su nodded but sighed slightly. "I still feel we should not push too far."
"My Lord, as the future Crown Prince and even the future ruler…"
"You must never be too soft-hearted."
"To ascend to the throne, blood must be shed."
"Anyone who stands in the way must be eliminated." Chunyu Yue immediately advised.
Hearing this, even Wang Wan and Kui Zhuang looked at Chunyu Yue with admiration.
It was rare to hear such ruthless words from a Confucian scholar like him.
"Grand Tutor Chunyu speaks wisely."
"We hope My Lord will keep this in mind." Wang Wan and Kui Zhuang both bowed.
Seeing the unwavering support in their eyes, Fu Su felt that if he did not nod in agreement, they would persist in persuading him.
"Sigh."
"As you wish."
"But if I truly lose… then you all…" Fu Su sighed.
He could not bring himself to say the last words.
"My Lord will not lose." Wang Wan declared firmly.
The others also wore expressions of strong confidence.
At present, the only contenders for the throne were Fu Su and Hu Hai.
Other princes might have ambitions, but they had not taken action.
On the surface, Fu Su's succession seemed inevitable, so many ministers were willing to pledge allegiance to the rising dragon.
The odds were heavily in his favor.
Wang Jian's Residence!
Wang Jian's carriage had just returned.
At the mansion gate.
Lady Wang and Wang Yan stood waiting with the two children.
Another little one, Wang Li, was also present.
Now, Wang Yan's belly was noticeably swollen again it was evident she was expecting another child soon.
As the carriage approached, Wang Jian slowly stepped down.
The moment they saw his expression…
Wang Clan's Concerns
Wang Shi and Wang Yan exchanged glances, both showing concern.
"Husband, did something happen today?"
"Why do you look like this?"
Wang Shi immediately stepped forward and asked respectfully.
"It's nothing."
Wang Jian snapped out of his thoughts, a smile appearing on his face.
However
If someone observant were to see it, they would surely think he was forcing that smile.
"Grandfather!" Wang Li called out loudly.
"Grandfather!" Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling also called out in their crisp voices.
"Ah." Wang Jian responded with a smile.
Then, his gaze fell upon Wang Yan, whose belly was noticeably swollen.
"Yan'er."
"You've been pregnant for so long, why are you still standing outside?"
"Come, let's go inside."
"Today is your husband's big day." Wang Jian chuckled.
With that, he strode briskly towards the mansion.
As he approached
Just like always, Wang Jian picked up Zhao Qi in one arm and Zhao Ling in the other.
Wang Li, meanwhile, quickly walked ahead to lead the way, looking like a little adult.
Wang Shi and Wang Yan exchanged glances again, worry still evident in their eyes.
But since they were outside, they refrained from asking further and simply followed Wang Jian into the residence.
Back at the Mansion
Inside the grand hall
"Steward, is dinner ready?" Wang Shi asked immediately.
"Madam, dinner is already prepared," the steward responded at once.
"Then serve it." Wang Shi instructed.
"Yes." The steward quickly obeyed and left.
"Father."
"Did something happen in the palace?"
Wang Yan asked with concern, her face filled with worry.
"What could happen in the palace?" Wang Jian looked puzzled.
"Then why do you look so troubled?" Wang Yan asked in confusion.
"Well…"
Seeing his daughter's worried expression and his wife's anxious gaze, Wang Jian smiled.
"It's nothing. I was just deep in thought. The King did not reprimand me, you're worrying too much."
What happened today in Zhangtai Palace
It wasn't something he could simply brush off in a day or two.
For Wang Jian
The events in Zhangtai Palace today were even more shocking than when he was promoted to Guard Commander. He still hadn't fully processed it.
His son-in-law was the Crown Prince.
And there was a strong chance that the King would officially declare him the heir.
His two grandsons were both legitimate heirs.
Which meant that his eldest grandson, Zhao Qi, would one day be the Crown Prince.
His gaze fell on Wang Yan once more his daughter would become the Crown Princess, perhaps even the Queen in the future.
This feeling Wang Jian could only describe it as exhilarating.
He truly wanted to share the news, but under the current circumstances, he couldn't.
So, he had to keep it to himself.
"But I've heard rumors," Wang Shi said anxiously, "that some are saying our Wang family's marriage alliance with Zhao Feng gives us too much military power. They claim this has made the King wary."
"They say sooner or later, the King will move against us."
Wang Jian shook his head and cast her a stern look.
"Women's foolish worries you know nothing."
"Rest assured, even if the King acts against the court officials, he will not touch our family."
"Our best days are yet to come."
With that
Wang Jian lifted Zhao Qi and Zhao Ling into his arms, his happiness evident.
The daze he had felt in the palace, the lingering thoughts on his way home all of it vanished.
Seeing this
Wang Shi and Wang Yan exchanged another puzzled look, both feeling that something was off.
"But."
"The matters Wang Wan and Kui Zhuang brought up in court today"
"I won't forget."
A cold gleam flashed through Wang Jian's eyes.
Wang Wan and Kui Zhuang's remonstrations in court today had thoroughly offended him.
Originally
Wang Jian had no deep-seated hostility towards them or Fusu.
But from now on
That had changed.
Even without his connection to Zhao Feng, enmity had already formed.
But now that this connection existed, there was even less to be said.
In the future
Wang Jian knew he had to fight for power.
Within Wei Territory
About twenty to thirty miles outside Daliang City
Everywhere, there were tents. Crowds of displaced civilians moved about, along with several surrendered Wei soldiers.
"Hear me!"
"Daliang City has been submerged by the flood. Returning is no longer possible."
"To prevent a plague"
"From today onward, the Qin army will construct houses and establish a city here to provide for the people's needs."
"However"
"The war is not yet over."
"Everything here will be governed by military law."
"Anyone who dares defy military orders will be dealt with according to military law."
"Furthermore"
"For surrendered soldiers, you are not permitted to leave."
"For civilians if you have relatives elsewhere to seek refuge with, the Qin army will provide rations and allow you to depart."
Zhang Han stood before a refugee camp, shouting orders.
His commands fell upon the ears of all
And were immediately echoed by countless Qin soldiers, ensuring that every person in the camp heard them.
Meanwhile, in another section of the camp
The surrendered Wei soldiers were gathered.
They had been stripped of their armor and weapons, but their military uniforms still made them identifiable.
After the flooding of Daliang
The smarter Wei soldiers had disguised themselves. They had shed their armor and uniforms, dressing in commoners' clothes.
Now, they blended among the refugees.
With such a vast crowd, the Qin army would never be able to find them all.
Of course
In the wake of the flood
Survival was the only thing that mattered.
It was rare for Wei soldiers to do such things. At that time, all they could think about was how to survive the flood.
"All surrendered soldiers, listen up!"
"Your king has already surrendered, and your nation is on the brink of destruction."
"From this day forward, you are all of slave status. However, our Great Qin is not a nation that delights in slaughter. As long as you do not attempt to escape and obey military orders, our Qin army will not lay a hand on you."
"As for the future, whether you remain as slaves or are reorganized into a penal military unit like us will depend on the decree of His Majesty."
"But for now, what you must do is comply and obey military orders."
Tu Sui coldly announced as he gazed at the surrendered soldiers sitting on the ground before him.
This battle resulted in the deaths of many within Daliang City due to the flood.
However, the majority had survived. When the floodwaters breached the city walls, the two major rivers eventually provided an outlet, preventing further inundation.
Even though Daliang City was downstream, there were still areas further downstream. The floodwaters gradually receded, and with the presence of floating debris and high ground, many people managed to survive.
Roughly seventy to eighty percent of the city's civilians survived.
Among the original 400,000 Wei soldiers stationed in the city, around sixty to seventy percent had also survived, with over 200,000 captured by Qin forces.
Faced with the fierce and imposing Qin soldiers surrounding the prisoner camp, these surrendered soldiers had no choice but to comply.
Even if they harbored resentment toward Qin in their hearts, having just endured the hellish flood, their only option at this moment was to endure and submit to stay alive.
In the Supreme General's Camp
"Supreme General,"
"The number of surrendered soldiers and civilians from Daliang City is overwhelming."
"With our current military rations, we may only have enough for half a month at most."
Tu Sui reported with a helpless expression.
"Are you suggesting we abandon them?" Zhao Feng raised his head and glanced at Tu Sui.
"My lord, I believe that we do not need to waste our military rations on these people. Tens of thousands of mouths consume too much." Tu Sui responded honestly.
"If they were still of an enemy nation, we would have no obligation to provide for them."
"But now that Wei has fallen, they are all of the Huaxia people, now subjects of Great Qin."
"Emotionally and logically, I cannot simply watch them die." Zhao Feng said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
In truth, many within the army opposed the decision to provide for the 600,000 to 700,000 displaced Wei people.
Some even suggested leaving them to fend for themselves.
But Zhao Feng had personally overruled such proposals, insisting on keeping them alive.
"Kuaipu."
"When will the court's relief grain arrive?"
Zhao Feng turned to Kuaipu.
"Supreme General, it should arrive within half a month," Kuaipu immediately replied.
"Good." Zhao Feng nodded.
Just then
"General Yang Bo seeks an audience!"
A voice called from outside the camp.
"Hmm."
With a wave of his hand, Zhao Feng signaled for his attendant Zhang Ming.
"Let him in."
The next moment, the tent's curtain lifted.
A middle-aged general strode in and bowed before Zhao Feng.
"Subordinate Yang Bo greets the Supreme General."
He was clad in the armor of a commanding officer, though he was not one of the main battlefield commanders.
He was the chief of logistics under the command of the Wuan Army.
"Hmm."
Zhao Feng gestured for Yang Bo to rise.
"Supreme General!"
"Around sixty percent of the grain stored in Daliang City's granaries has been preserved!" Yang Bo reported excitedly.
Upon hearing this, Tu Sui and Zhang Han both showed signs of joy.
"This means we won't have to use much of our provisions."
"Wei Wuji had stockpiled rations in Daliang City for 400,000 troops to last a year in preparation for war against us. Even if some of it was lost in the flood, there is more than enough to sustain these civilians and surrendered soldiers."
"If we ration the grain by making porridge instead, we can stretch our supplies even further," Zhang Han said excitedly.
The Qin army was well aware of the extensive grain reserves that Wei had accumulated.
"Why weren't these grain stores destroyed by the flood?" Tu Sui asked curiously.
"Wei Wuji was highly cautious."
"He built many underground granaries throughout the Wei capital, all of which were sealed. These granaries not only resisted flooding but were also fireproof."
"Most of the underground grain stores remained intact," Yang Bo explained.
"Haha!"
"So, Wei Wuji had been guarding against us using fire tactics to burn his grain, which is why he built so many underground granaries."
"Now, those very precautions have ended up benefiting us," Zhang Han laughed.
"General Yang."
Zhao Feng turned to Yang Bo.
"Your orders, Supreme General!" Yang Bo bowed.
"Daliang City has been flooded. If proper sanitation measures are not taken, there is a high risk of plague."
"Have the logistics personnel covered their mouths and noses while clearing corpses from the city?" Zhao Feng asked sternly.
"Yes, Supreme General."
"Everyone involved in corpse disposal has been required to cover their faces. Additionally, upon exiting the city, all their clothing has been burned, and they have been disinfected with strong liquor."
"This ensures the risk of plague is minimized," Yang Bo replied immediately.
"Good."
"All bodies in the city must be buried on-site."
"The logistics soldiers will have to work hard for now clear the corpses as soon as possible."
"As for those already buried under mud and debris, leave them be."
"Once all visible bodies have been cleared, seal off the ruined sections of Daliang City," Zhao Feng ordered.
"Understood!" Yang Bo responded at once.
"Of course."
"Before sealing the city, ensure all usable grain is transported out first," Zhao Feng added.
After giving several more instructions, Tu Sui and Zhang Han finally departed from the camp.
Just then
"Supreme General!"
"Governor Han Fei seeks an audience!"
A soldier reported from outside the tent.
Upon hearing Han Fei's name, Zhao Feng's face immediately lit up with a smile.
"Let him in at once!" Zhao Feng ordered without hesitation.
To Zhao Feng, Han Fei was not just an official he was also a friend.
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