The weather has been kind, and it has been sunny and not rainy these past few days.
On the night of May 19th, Yu Cheng discussed matters with Duanzhou officials and learned that the people in two villages and towns were all infected with the disease and were in urgent need of medicinal materials.
Yu Cheng asked the official in charge of medicinal materials: "How much is left?"
The official said: "According to the previous needs, it is enough for two days."
After thinking about it, Yu Cheng decided to keep only one day's supply of medicine in the city and give the rest to the affected villages and towns.
The villages and towns are far away, and they are urgently needed. But it was different in the city. As soon as Zhou Boxu came back, supplies would be available immediately.
Yu Cheng believed that Zhou Boxu would definitely bring back the medicinal materials as scheduled.
On May 20th, early in the morning, Yu Cheng sent someone to inquire outside the city, and Zhou Boxu immediately reported back as soon as he arrived.
On this day, Yu Cheng did not go on inspection with Shen Changze, but patiently handled matters at the residence and waited for Zhou Bo's order.
Seeing that noon was approaching and the spies had not reported back yet, Zhizhou frowned and said: "There is no news yet. Will there be any accidents during Mr. Zhou's trip? Or maybe he was tripped up by something and delayed his trip?"
He wasn't questioning Zhou Boxu's ability, he was just anxious.
They have no medicinal materials in their hands. If Zhou Boxu doesn't come back today, they will run out of medicine.
Yu Cheng firmly said: "Wait a little longer."
Having known Zhou Boxu for many years, he knew Zhou Boxu's character well.
Zhou Boxu is a man who keeps his word and is punctual. Knowing that the situation is serious, he will definitely overcome all difficulties and return as scheduled.
The sun was shining brightly outside the house, and Zhizhou was sweating on his forehead. He didn't know whether it was from anxiety or heat. He looked at the door and paced back and forth anxiously.
When you are suffering and waiting, time always passes very slowly. It is obviously just time for tea, but it feels like you have been waiting for a long time.
"Report!" Finally, a figure rushed out of the door and walked through the courtyard to the hall.
"Your Highness, Sir, Lord Zhou is back with medicinal materials." The spy gasped and was very excited.
Zhizhou hurriedly asked: "How many medicinal materials have you brought back? Is it enough?"
The spy said: "Many, many, there must be enough."
"Let's go and greet him." Yu Cheng stood up happily and greeted him personally.
The carriage loaded with medicinal materials moved slowly. Yu Cheng and Zhizhou waited outside the gate of the mansion for a long time before the team appeared in sight.
Seeing the cart full of medicinal materials, Yu Cheng and Zhizhou were overjoyed.
Duanzhou is saved.
The first two carriages stopped, and Dr. Zhou Boxu and Dr. Duzhong got out of the car and saluted.
"Your Highness."
"Caomin Duzhong has met His Royal Highness the Prince." Eucommia ulmoides and the doctor knelt down to salute.
Yu Cheng said: "Sir, please get up quickly."
Eucommia ulmoides and the doctor got up.
Yu Cheng said gratefully: "Sir's righteousness is really a blessing to the people of Duanzhou."
Eucommia was a little embarrassed and said: "I heard that the imperial doctor from the palace would come, and I came here because I wanted to compete with him."
Yu Cheng was startled and reacted very quickly: "Sir, I'm glad that the palace doctor should be here in the next two days."
A hero does not care about his origin, and his righteousness does not care about the reason.
When an imperial doctor came, Eucommia ulmoides' eyes lit up.
At noon, Zhou Boxu had dinner with Yu Cheng and reported to Yu Cheng about the trip to Dabancheng.
After hearing this, Yu Cheng sighed and said, "I knew this trip would be difficult. I will rest assured only if you do it."
After purchasing enough medicinal materials, I asked the strange doctor Eucommia ulmoides to get back 80,000 taels. Zhou Boxu did such a bad job, but he did it impeccably.
"This is the duty of a minister." Zhou Boxu was neither arrogant nor impetuous.
Yu Cheng stared at his arm and asked, "How serious is the injury?"
Under the cover of the sleeves, only the bandaged area of the arm can be seen to be slightly bulging.
"It doesn't matter, just give it half a month and it will be fine." Zhou Boxu said lightly.
Seeing that he looked tired and didn't want to say more, Yu Cheng stopped asking: "Let's eat. After eating, go and rest."
Along the way, the guards were traveling during the day and needed rest at night, so Zhou Boxu led the team to keep watch. After staying on guard all night last night, and with the injury on his arm, he was indeed very tired.
Although I slept in the carriage for half a day, I still haven't had a good rest in a bed for several days, which even a tough person can't bear.
Eucommia ulmoides and the doctor had a rest at night and were still energetic. After eating, they went to the north of the city where the epidemic was most severe.
The doctors stationed in the north of the city were in awe when they heard that it was Du Zhong, the strange doctor. They all followed Du Zhong, informed him about the past epidemic situation, and learned from him humbly.
"Is the situation the same everywhere?" Du Zhong asked.
The doctor nodded: "It's almost the same, it just depends on the severity."
No matter how much you hear, you still need to check it out.
Eucommia ulmoides wears a scarf to cover her mouth and nose and treats people infected with the epidemic.
The diagnosis results were similar. Eucommia checked the previous prescription and learned that the effect was not satisfactory, so she decided to change the prescription.
Epidemics are different from other diseases in that they are ever-changing and uncertain. Effective prescriptions need to be tried based on actual conditions.
Although they are the same medicines, the ratio of medicinal materials is different. Adding or subtracting one or two flavors will have a very different effect.
Zhou Boxu slept for half a day and regained his energy. After dinner, he discussed matters with Yu Cheng, Shen Changze and others.
"Now that we have enough medicinal materials, the strange doctor has also come to Duanzhou, and the palace doctor will arrive soon. The disease can be solved soon."
After having a frown on his face for so long, the Duanzhou official finally had a smile on his face, and he felt a little relieved.
"In that case, it's time to start solving the second problem." Yu Cheng said.
"The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and people are gathering in shacks. This is not a long-term solution. We have to let them return to normal life."
"This year's flood is really rare. It's the first time I've seen it in Duanzhou in decades. Most of the houses were washed away. Rebuilding is no easy task."
"No matter how difficult it is, it must be built." Yu Cheng said firmly.
Only by rebuilding the houses and allowing the people to return to normal life and become self-sufficient can Duanzhou be revived.
Duanzhou officials also knew that this was a must-do and started discussing it immediately.
"Ask craftsmen and workers to buy wood..."
Zhou Boxu frowned and interrupted: "Are there no craftsmen among the people in Duanzhou?"
Zhizhou came to his senses and said hurriedly: "Yes."
Looking at his mind, he is so busy.
After receiving an affirmative answer, Zhou Boxu said: "If we rely on foreign help, it will be very difficult to rebuild Duanzhou, and it will require a lot of money. But if we help ourselves, it will be much easier."
Yu Cheng had an epiphany: "You mean, let the people of Duanzhou build their own houses?"
Zhou Boxu nodded: "I see that the trees on the mountains outside Duanzhou City are tall and strong, and there are many trees that have been knocked down by the flood. They can all be used."
"The workers selected strong-looking men from the common people and were led by the government to perform their duties."
Someone asked: "What if they don't want to?"
Under normal circumstances, work is paid. Now if we ask them to work for nothing, most people will definitely not want to.
This is human nature.
Yu Cheng made a decisive decision: "From tomorrow on, prime-age men will no longer be given free porridge. Only those who work will have food to eat. In addition, wages will be paid appropriately so that they have the capital to start a new life."
"The old and the weak, women and children can wash their clothes and cook, and send food and water..."
The court is doing its best to help, and the people should be self-reliant. Otherwise, this disaster will never end.
"Yes." The officials responded.
It was already late at night after the discussion, and after everyone left, Yu Cheng said to Zhou Boxu: "You will set off back to Beijing tomorrow, otherwise the emperor will be in a hurry."
There are only fifteen days left before Zhou Boxu and Yu Lan's wedding, and the groom is still far away, so everyone has to be in a hurry.
When they came to Duanzhou, they were escorting money and food, so the journey was a little slow. But if we go back to Beijing and travel quickly by car, fifteen days will be enough.
Thinking of Yu Lan, Zhou Boxu's heart surged, and he felt like returning home.
