Chapter 1338: War Clouds Gather 149

went out, but I came back soon after. It didn't take long before it happened again.After half an hour, having run to the privy four times, Dugu City's legs were weak. Looking at Feng Lingxi who was..."Yu Mo understands, thank you, brother-in-law."

獨孤城 looked at Feng Yu Mo, "This is all this king can do for you."

I hope Yu Mo won't disappoint his earnest efforts.

Over the course of two days of medication, the number of patients continued to rise. Anyone who had come into contact with a patient and showed any signs of fever was sent to the slums and isolated.

The whole town of Tuwu was filled with the smell of medicine, as per Feng Lingxi's disinfection requirements. However, this medicinal smell did not cause disgust among the people, but rather gave them a sense of security. Many villagers couldn't afford to see a doctor, but now that the infection had been brought here, they could receive treatment without spending a penny. The villagers were deeply grateful.

While common folk were grateful, the wealthy families and officials' children in Tumu Town were not.

There are several wealthy merchants in town who have shut their doors and are acting as if everyone outside is sick. Not only do they refuse to cooperate with the government, but they even complain about being locked up. Some even operate pharmacies and refuse to sell their medicine to the government, making things very difficult for the officials.

"Your Highness, we can't buy Sichuan peppercorns. The shopkeeper said the owner refuses to sell."

Mr. Liu approached, panting heavily. These two consecutive bouts of illness had nearly worn him down as the county magistrate. All his former plumpness had vanished.

"Can't even the powerful Liu get it with his official connections"

Lord Liu looked embarrassed. "I am truly helpless. They know the effect of this Sichuan peppercorn brine, so they refuse to sell it, saying there isn't much."

"Is this the only place in town that sells this"

"Lord Liu wore a pained expression. 'The merchants in this city, upon hearing of these medicinal herbs' effects, have either inflated their prices or refused to sell them to us. I tried my best to persuade them, using every possible tactic, but they wouldn't budge.'"

"It seems Lord Liu has truly been kind to them in their daily lives. In that case, we won't force them. Those who sell medicine at high prices, if a family member or close friend falls ill, they will not be treated. For those who withhold medicinal materials and refuse to sell, they will not receive treatment either. Official medicines shall not be given to them."

Feng Lingxi's words surprised Liu, who wore a look of astonishment and delight.

"The queen's plan is good. These people are wealthy, but they are all afraid of death and will definitely sell us the herbs."

"Lord Liu, you've worked hard."

Mr. Liu waved his hand and hurriedly left.

Lu Nian watched Feng Ling Xi's worried expression, "Sister, why don't you let Feng Ao Tian go out of the city to buy medicine He is the Generalissimo! This time he came here, besides pointing fingers and making gestures, I haven't really seen him do anything."

This is clearly Feng Aotian's doing, but now everything falls on his sister's head. It's as if they want her to be overworked and exhausted.

"People inside the city are not allowed to leave at random. Right now, no one in the city knows who might be at risk of infection. Even though we've all taken precautions and taken the antitoxin, there's no guarantee that we're safe."

Feng Lingxi looked at Lu Nian, "Including you."

Lu Nian looked at Feng Ling Xi's determined eyes and smiled, "When I agreed to come with you, I never thought about going back. What are you afraid of If I want something, I just shout on the city wall, and someone will bring it to us."

"Let Feng Aotian figure it out first."

Feng Lingxi still refused to let Lu Nian take action, unless Feng Aotien did not have the ability, she would allow Lu Nian to help.

"You never let me help you, you know. It's like I'm a stranger."

Lu Nian shrugged, feeling like he was always extraneous here.

“As for the Yuan Dynasty, you are not someone from our dynasty. There's no need for such help. Your donations have been generous enough; there's really no need for you to donate everything. If you do this, they will think you are inexhaustible.”

Although she refused to acknowledge the Lu family, she would not allow others to exploit the Lu family's kindness towards her for personal gain. She knew what was right and wrong, and had her own set of principles.

"Then why don't you just let them buy it with money I'll sell it to them at the regular price, that way you won't have to look at those swindlers' faces."

Wind Ling Xi thought for a moment, “What you said is feasible, but I still want them to come forward on their own. Think about it, everyone is currently within this small county town. With the plague worsening, if there are no controls or medicine, will they be able to escape Once someone in their family gets sick and seeks our help, will they not hesitate to sell us the medicinal herbs”

Feng Lingxi's words made Lu Nian raise an eyebrow, "With that attitude of yours, those merchants will definitely hate you to death."

This clearly could have been sold for a high price, but in the end, it got nothing.

"Now that we're all in the same boat, and they are all selfish, how can I blame myself for being cold and ruthless later"

Feng Lingxi's words made Lu Nian feel quite reasonable, "You're right, to deal with such people, you should use this method. But what if they never get sick Do you think they would be willing to sell us the medicinal herbs"

"If they're that lucky, then you're their only hope."

Wind Lingxi continued to tinker with the herbs in her hands, "But this is just a small county town, they can hide on the first but not the fifteenth. When the government needs them, they refuse to help, but when they need it, I will make them bankrupt and regret their actions."

Feng Lingxi felt that her own thoughts were a bit ruthless, but compared to them, she was nothing.

Selfish merchants, that's how they are.

Mr. Liu was delighted to follow Feng Lingxi's method and speak with the merchants. As a result, he was met with a closed door. The merchants didn't think they had anything to do with the plague at all and refused to sell. Those who were willing to sell had already increased the prices tenfold. The government was unable to forcefully seize them, leaving Mr. Liu furious and returning to report.

These merchants, they bully people in the county town on a daily basis. Now they even refuse to give this official face. This official tried to persuade them nicely, even speaking for the Princess, but they were all rude and dismissive. They don't want to get sick, otherwise, this official would be the first one to forbid the Princess from giving them medicine.

Mr. Liu, despite his age, ran up and down, panting heavily, still visibly angry. Feng Lingxi watched and admired him; it's truly difficult to find such dedicated officials these days. People like Mr. Liu are rare indeed.

As for the medicinal herbs, I'll figure something out. No matter how high the price, we won't buy from them. If any of these families get sick, we won't send them medicine, and we won't allow doctors in the city to treat them either.

Feng Lingxi looked at Lu Nian, "You notify someone to procure medicinal herbs for us. I will have General Zhen Guo petition the court for payment on your behalf. If the court refuses, I will personally pay you the equivalent amount."

"That's out of the question. If Feng Aotian can't pay up, I'll go straight to your imperial court! Lu Nian doesn't do unprofitable business."Seeing Doctor Zhang nod, Qingyun Huangfu frowned, "How could this be""Besides the pain causing her to faint, Miss Lin is currently fine. She woke up after resting and felt no discomfort.""If one faint...