Chapter 156: Bedside Secrets

gged you down. If it weren't for the three of us coming here empty-handed, the food you prepared wouldn't have been consumed so quickly."Li Qian said seriously."Brother Li, don't say that. You guys di...This batch of ten thousand new recruits were dispersed and sent to four disaster-stricken cities. The Third Princess was only with the three of them, and they arrived at Phoenix Xuan City.

When they arrived, the water in Fen Xuan City had receded, but the city was a shambles. Houses were collapsed, and there were drowned and crushed people and livestock everywhere. Clothing and furniture floated around, and the roads were covered in mud brought by the flood; there wasn't even a dry spot to stand on.

The Third Princess was also facing a natural disaster for the first time. Watching the people huddled together, sobbing uncontrollably, and those who had died without being buried, their eyes staring blankly into eternity, she had her first nightmare. Before she could recover, tasks piled up one after another.

They divided the thousand people into two groups: one group cleaned up the trash and the other group rescued the civilians, temporarily relocating them to safe places. Then they collected the bodies for incineration and burial.

The three princesses and three female soldiers were assigned to clean up the garbage. Every day, they dealt with corpses or rotting poultry, their noses always filled with the stench of decay. Their appetite had diminished.

After clearing half the city, officials from the government offices began mobilizing the people to dig out all edible items from the rubble. Then, they started to gradually clear the remaining half of the city.

During this period, a commoner was punished for not burying his poultry according to orders and instead cooked it privately. As a result, all seven members of his family started vomiting and having diarrhea. Within three days, they one by one collapsed and died, leaving him himself hanging by a thread.

The female officials at the magistrate's office were quite intelligent. They immediately had the physician keep him alive, and once he regained consciousness, he revealed the cause. It turned out to be rotten poultry that had caused his condition. Since he would do such a thing, it was estimated that other commoners would likely do the same.

In the eyes of the common people, as long as the rotten parts are cut away, the remaining meat can still be eaten. Besides, relief grain hasn't arrived yet, they can't eat dirt either!

Immediately, the plague in Fengxuan City broke out completely. In an instant, not only the common people but also the soldiers were affected. Fortunately, there were garrisoned imperial physicians and healers in the city. They immediately arranged personnel to separate those who showed symptoms from those who did not, then boiled medicinal agents for specific ailments and began fumigation throughout the city.

The Third Princess was infected in the second wave because she was very careful about protection. Her symptoms weren't the most severe, and due to her special status, she could use the best medicine left in the city. That's why she's managed to last this long.

"The Third Princess had a high fever before, but it has now subsided. She is still a little confused, sleeping and waking intermittently. When she's awake, we feed her rice porridge and medicine. Her condition has improved somewhat."

"Alright, thank you all. I'm sure you haven't had much rest lately. Please go get some food first, then take a pre-made medicine pouch to boil into soup and drink. Take care of yourselves as well. The Three Empress needs you."

When the wise servant learned that his daughter had passed the most dangerous time, he finally felt half his worry ease. He immediately sent the three of them to rest.

The three guards did not refuse. They hadn't left before because they lacked someone they could trust. Now that Your Excellency has arrived, he will certainly take good care of his daughter. After all, they have accomplished their mission and it's time to retire.

The wise servant stayed in the tent to look after the Third Princess until the sun set. The Third Princess finally awoke, straining her eyes open. The first thing she saw was her father, and she felt as if she were dreaming.

The wise servant immediately grasped his place's hand and covered the other's forehead with his own, saying softly:

"But are you feeling better Is there anything else that's bothering you Would you like some water"

"Father, I can't believe my eyes! How are you here"

"Knowing something happened to you, the Empress is very worried. She sent me directly to Fengxuan City with people and medicine to find you."

"I thought you guys didn't want me anymore."

The Third Princess cried pathetically, which amused the Honorable Attendant. He then straightened his face and said:

"Now you know how dangerous the outside world is If it weren't for your Empress Mother's secret arrangements for your protection, do you think you would have survived to this day"

The wise servant tapped the forehead of the Third Princess, somewhat exasperatedly scolding her.

"I understand! I'll never do such a foolish thing again. After leaving the capital this time, I realized how hard life is for ordinary people."

On the day that 賢侍君 entered Phoenix Xuan City, Zhao Family's general learned of this. The Zhao Family's general wore a gloomy expression, feeling that this matter must be a trap set up by someone secretly, and the Third Princess was merely a pawn to lure them in.

"General, look now"

Send word to the second princess in the capital, tell her about the situation here so she can be prepared. Also, send a highly skilled imperial physician to Phoenix City. Make sure nothing happens to the third princess!

The Third Princess is the Empress's most beloved daughter. If something were to happen to her while she was in our group, the Empress would certainly not hold us lightly accountable, and might even implicate the Second Princess as well.

"Yes, I'll do it right away."

Panyulung Country

The sixth prince, who had reigned for half a year, learned that the Fengqi country had suffered from a flood. He began to have ideas. The loss of five cities was a thorn in his side, and every time he thought about it, he felt stifled. Previously, he didn't have enough money to wage war, but now that Fengqi country had experienced a flood, he felt the time to strike had come.

The next morning, at the court session, he eagerly shared the news with all the civil and military officials.

Zhang Zhang was the most perceptive. He immediately stepped forward and said:

"The Emperor is wise, now is the best opportunity to reclaim those five cities! My humble opinion is that we don't need to engage in a direct confrontation this time. We can take advantage of Fengqi Country's flood disaster and make use of it."

"To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence."

Immediately, a warrior jumped out.

Then, even I, an old man with white hair, stood up and spoke:

"Your Majesty, after a major disaster, there is always bound to be a widespread epidemic. Medicinal herbs and food are the most scarce things. We can use the silver earned from Fengqi Nation to replenish the national treasury."

"My lord is right. What other solutions are there"

The new emperor continued to ask.

Of the five cities captured by the Fengqi Kingdom, there are still our people within them. One city was hit by a flood. We can let them incite the commoners to clash with the garrison soldiers, and then we attack from both inside and outside, taking control of the city first.

"If there were an outbreak of plague in the city, we would be taking too great a risk."

Immediately, some generals refused. These officials talked among themselves and made the soldiers charge into battle, but they didn't want their own men to die.

"Those infected with the plague should be killed outright. Those women who refuse to submit to us, do we want to keep them alive and feeding off of us"

A pedantic official said.

"Well, what you said makes sense. We still need to plan carefully and take things step by step."

The new emperor squinted and said.

On the other hand, the Second Princess also received General Zhao's falcon letter and learned that the Third Princess had contracted a plague and was trapped in Phoenix City. As for the wise servant, he had already arrived at Phoenix City. Her heart skipped a beat, so she went to see her mother after court.ryone said. Then she calmly pressed her hand down, and the disciples instantly fell silent."Be on guard, everyone. Don't think that just because we're gathered here the demons won't be able to get to...