72
The plague in Fuzhou City came with ferocious force. Mu Peizhi summoned every physician from the city’s medical halls and designated the sparsely populated western district as a quarantine zone, relocating all those infected, along with anyone who had been in contact with them into that area. He even stationed troops to guard it. His actions caused a great stir; there had already been rumors of the plague circulating in the city, and now panic spread among the populace. The remaining citizens couldn’t sit still and tried to flee the city, but when they reached the gates, they found that they were heavily guarded, no one was allowed to enter or leave.
In an instant, the entire city of Fuzhou descended into chaos.
Mu Peizhi had anticipated this. He sent a silver-tongued low-ranking official to persuade the common folk below and had blade-bearing soldiers flanking the crowd. That alone was enough to quell many of the townspeople.
But not everyone was so easily swayed. One particularly unruly man shouted at the top of his lungs, “Don’t listen to the officials’ nonsense! I say they’re trying to trap us in here! They want us to wait and die!”
Mu Peizhi stood atop the city wall alongside Zhou Ting and the others, his expression was unreadable as he silently observed the crowd below.
A young, low-ranking official stepped forward and said, “Fellow townsfolk, Lord Marquis has already established shelters in the western district to house those afflicted by the epidemic. If he truly didn’t care whether we lived or died, he could’ve simply led the army away. Why would he go to such lengths?”
He continued, “Lord Marquis is a man of high standing, yet he remains in the city, fighting to win us a chance at survival. We are the people of Fuzhou; this is our home, our roots. How can we create chaos at a time like this?”
For a moment, the commoners looked at each other in dismay. One of them sneered and said, “All talk and no action. Just take a look, how many physicians are still in Fuzhou City? How much medicine is left in the medical halls? And how much grain remains in the city? When the time comes and there are no physicians, no medicine, and no food, I’m afraid the authorities will burn us alive first!”
The low-ranking official pressed his lips together and looked in the direction of the voice, but the speaker had already melted into the crowd. He said, “To tell you the truth, Lord Marquis has already sent people to Wanzhou and Heyang to requisition physicians, medicine, and grain.”
“Please rest assured, everyone. We are all citizens of Daliang. When the rebels first entered the city, how many innocent people did they kill? But after Lord Marquis drove the rebels out, didn’t he distribute food and clothing to us? Why would he abandon us now?” The minor official had been shouting for some time, and his voice was already turning hoarse. “Everyone, please go back for now.”
Another person shouted loudly, “You’re just spouting words, how do we know you’re not just stalling for time?”
The low-ranking official grew annoyed as well. He said in a low voice, “Who was speaking just now?”
No one among the crowd answered.
The low-ranking official sneered, “That so-called ‘brother’ who kept stirring everyone up, going against the imperial decree, yet now hides in the back, what exactly is he plotting?”
“We all know there’s an epidemic in the city. To be frank, even if you manage to leave Fuzhou, do you think you’ll survive?” The low-ranking official barked. “The rebels are vicious and are right outside the city! Can you outrun their horses? Can you outrun their blades?”
“If people find out you came from Fuzhou City, do you think you’ll be allowed through the gates? Do you think anyone will take you in?”
The low-ranking official’s tone softened slightly as he said, “If everyone stays in Fuzhou, there are physicians, there’s medicine, and there’s still food, that’s your chance to survive.”
His words were earnest, and the townsfolk looked at each other uncertainly. The low-ranking official continued, “Besides, if everyone’s crowded here and by chance—” he glanced around, then said, “And if someone among us already has the plague…”
The crowd broke into an uproar. People hurriedly stepped back, scattering like startled birds and beasts, covering their mouths and noses, not daring to linger any longer.
The low-ranking official let out a sigh of relief.
“Well done,” a gentle voice came from nearby. The low-ranking official looked over and saw a handsome young man standing before him, wearing a jade crown and a brocade cloak, exuding an air of refinement and distinction. He was momentarily stunned. Someone beside him nudged him and said, “What are you standing there for? Hurry and greet Lord Marquis!”
“This low-lowly one greets Lord Marquis!” The low-ranking official exclaimed, eyes wide as he dropped to his knees, but Mu Peizhi raised a hand to steady him, smiling as he said, “No need for formalities.”
“You handled things very well just now.” He added.
The low-ranking official scratched his head and gave a sheepish grin.
Mu Peizhi asked, “What’s your name?”
The low-ranking official froze, his face lighting up with excitement and a hint of embarrassment, tongue-tied and unsure of how to answer. Zhou Ting teased, “Weren’t you quite talkative just a moment ago?”
The low-ranking official grew even more embarrassed and murmured, “This lowly one is Zhou Zijin,” then added, “The jin from ‘huai jin wo yu[mfn]Cherishing jade and holding virtue[/mfn]’.”
Zhou Ting said with a laugh, “Well, you’re one of my kin.”
Mu Peizhi smiled and said, “A fine name. Have you studied before?”
Zhou Zijin replied, “I attended a private school for a few years.”
Mu Peizhi said, “You handled things well just now. You deserve a reward.” Then he added, “While this marquis is stationed in Fuzhou, come work at the yamen.”
Zhou Zijin was stunned, then suddenly broke into a wide grin, flashing a row of white teeth as he exclaimed, “Thank you, Lord Marquis!”
Mu Peizhi gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Even after he walked away, Zhou Zijin remained dazed, his legs unsteady beneath him. The other low-ranking around him looked on with envy and said, “You lucky brat, you actually caught Lord Marquis’s eye.”
Zhou Zijin chuckled happily to himself.
Mu Peizhi and Zhou Ting had walked a few steps ahead when Mu Peizhi turned to Chen Ping and asked, “Did you get a good look at the one stirring up the crowd?”
Chen Ping replied, “Yes, I did. I’ve already sent someone to tail him.”
Mu Peizhi nodded, his expression cold and devoid of warmth. “Keep a tight watch. If there’s any suspicious movement, execute on the spot.”
Chen Ping answered firmly, “Yes, Lord Marquis!”
Zhou Ting frowned and said, “Judging from their appearance, they’re probably from the Jiulian Sect again.”
Mu Peizhi’s face remained calm as he said, “How could they possibly pass up a good opportunity like this?”
Zhou Ting let out a sigh and said, “It really is while the house is already leaking, it keeps raining the whole night[mfn]As if the situations are not bad enough, troubles keep coming up one after another.[/mfn]. Lord Marquis, what I’m most worried about now is whether the people we sent to Wanzhou and Heyang will actually manage to bring back physicians and grain or not.”
Mu Peizhi was silent for a moment, then said, “Time waits for no one. We’ll have to requisition from the surrounding prefectures instead.”
Zhou Ting said, “That’s true. Ruizhou is too far away, just the round trip alone—” He trailed off, shaking his head. “How could it be such a coincidence that an epidemic breaks out in Fuzhou City right at this moment?”
Mu Peizhi lifted his eyes to gaze at the empty street and said, “I’ve never believed in coincidences like this.”
Zhou Ting’s eyes widened slightly. “What Lord Marquis mean is?”
Mu Peizhi said, “Whether it’s the uprising in Fengzhou or the epidemic in Fuzhou, it all feels premeditated, as if we’ve been walking step by step into a trap they laid long ago.”
He gave a cold smile and added, “And yet, we have no choice but to walk right into it.”
Zhou Ting drew a sharp breath and said, “Lord Marquis, are you saying that this epidemic was deliberately caused?”
“An epidemic may be a natural disaster,” Mu Peizhi replied, “but for it to break out specifically within Fuzhou City, I suspect it’s a man-made one.”
Zhou Ting growled in anger, “How dare they! This concerns the lives of the entire city!”
Mu Peizhi let out a soft sigh and said, “What have the common people done to deserve this?”
Zhou Ting fell silent as well.
The epidemic within the city grew increasingly severe. Just as Zhou Ting had feared, most of the envoys Mu Peizhi sent to the surrounding prefectures returned empty-handed, some couldn’t even get past the city gates.
At some point, news of Fuzhou’s plague had spread to all the neighboring regions, exaggerated like a tale of monsters and demons, striking fear into anyone who heard of it.
The governor of Wanzhou, Wang Qifang, never even met the people Mu Peizhi sent. He merely ordered several dozen physicians to be dispatched, along with a dozen carts of medicinal herbs and grain, and wrote a tearful letter claiming Wanzhou was struggling as well and had no strength to further support Fuzhou.
When the letter reached Mu Peizhi’s hands, he took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled to suppress the fury churning in his chest. The number of infected citizens in the city continued to rise, and even within the army, many soldiers were coming down with fevers. The physicians were so busy they barely had a moment to rest, and the already limited supply of medicine in the medical halls, along with the city’s grain stores, was steadily running dry.
A heavy, deathly pall hung over the entire city of Fuzhou.
Mu Peizhi made a visit to the temporary shelters. It was dusk. Each house was shut tight, with sounds of agonized moaning and sobbing leaking through the doors, making even his fingertips go cold.
He had known since childhood that he was the heir to Marquis Annan Mansion, born to guard the southern frontier, to protect Marquis Annan Mansion, and to shield the people under its care.
For some reason, Mu Peizhi suddenly recalled the first time he had gone to war. It had been many years ago. After the battle ended, he vomited until the sky spun, and for a long time afterward, he couldn’t bear to touch a weapon or even look at meat.
He remembered the feeling of being plunged into an icy cellar and even more clearly, the look of disappointment in his father’s eyes.
Suddenly, Mu Peizhi’s steps faltered. A child was stacking stones in the corner against a wall, tiptoeing and using both hands and feet, trying to climb over.
Mu Peizhi asked, “What are you doing?”
Startled, the child slipped and almost fell, but Mu Peizhi reacted quickly and caught him in time. He saw that it was a boy about six or seven years old, about the same age as Mu Jinyu.
The child was thin, his cheeks sallow and waxy, which made his large, dark eyes seem even more striking. He stared up at Mu Peizhi in fright.
Mu Peizhi steadied him and said gently, “You mustn’t climb the wall.”
The child lowered his head and said nothing.
Mu Peizhi asked, “Where are your parents? I’ll take you back.”
The child glanced at him cautiously and said, “My father was killed by the rebels. My mother… she’s sick.”
Mu Peizhi paused. “Is it the epidemic?”
The child shook his head and said in an aggrieved voice, “My mother just caught a cold… but they said she had the plague, so they brought us here.”
“She doesn’t have any rashes,” the child said, “but they still won’t let us leave.”
Mu Peizhi replied, “Don’t worry. If your mother really just has a cold, they’ll let you both out in a couple of days.”
He looked around, the people living here were all those suspected of possibly being infected with the plague. The child tilted his head up and asked, “Really?”
Mu Peizhi nodded with a smile. “Really. But you mustn’t run around like that again.”
The child pouted and said, “Mother’s sick, but she wants to eat meat buns.” He glanced at the wall and added, “I wanted to go buy some for her.”
“Good boy. But—” Mu Peizhi’s heart softened as he looked at the child. He reached out and gently tousled the boy’s dry, yellowing hair. “All the stalls in the city are closed right now. It’ll be a few more days before they reopen.”
The child looked at Mu Peizhi and nodded. Mu Peizhi said, “Go take care of your mother.”
He mounted his horse and rode back to the yamen. He had only taken a few steps inside when he heard a commotion. It was Zhao Qianhou and a few others arguing with Zhou Ting.
Mu Peizhi paused, a dull ache forming at his temples. Zhao Qianhou spotted him and quickly strode over. “Lord Marquis, I want to leave Fuzhou City.”
Mu Peizhi asked, “Oh? And why is that?”
Zhao Qianhou forced a smile and said, “I heard that Lord Marquis intended to requisition physicians and medicine from other provinces, but things haven’t gone smoothly. I suddenly remembered that I have some acquaintance with Shen Suiliang, the governor of Qingzhou, and I’m willing to make the trip on Lord Marquis’s behalf.”
Mu Peizhi’s expression didn’t change. “And how many men does Lord Zhao intend to bring along?”
Zhao Qianhou was inwardly delighted. “A thousand riders — no, five hundred will suffice…”
But Mu Peizhi suddenly smiled and said, “Lord Zhao is an envoy of His Majesty. With you here, it shows that His Majesty cares for the people of Fuzhou, which helps stabilize morale. Why don’t you write a letter instead? I’ll send someone to deliver it to Qingzhou on your behalf.”
Zhao Qianhou’s face fell, and he forced a smile. “A written letter can never match the effect of my presence. With Lord Marquis here in Fuzhou City, the people’s morale is already steady. What need is there for a lowly court eunuch like me?”
Mu Peizhi sighed and said, “Lord Zhao, this marquis has already issued an order, no one is to leave Fuzhou. I must ask that you not make things difficult for this marquis.”
The smile vanished completely from Zhao Qianhou’s face. He stared hard at Mu Peizhi, his voice suddenly rising in pitch, sharp and shrill. “Mu Peizhi! The city is full of plague-stricken commoners, even the army has infected soldiers! This battle is already lost before it’s fought!” Like a trapped beast, Zhao Qianhou snarled, “Why should I waste any more time on a war that’s destined to fail?”
“I want to leave! Send someone to escort me back to Liangdu at once, or I will report you to the capital!”
Mu Peizhi’s expression also turned cold. He said calmly, “No one is permitted to leave Fuzhou, this is a military order. Any violators will be — executed. I advise Lord Zhao not to test the law.”
Zhao Qianhou shouted in anger, “You dare execute me? Mu Peizhi, who do you think you are? I am an envoy of His Majesty, a trusted confidant of Zhang Dugong[mfn]督公 (Dugong) is an honorific title typically referring to a powerful eunuch who holds a high-ranking supervisory position in the imperial court or military.[/mfn]!”
“If I suffer any harm here, Liangdu will surely hold Marquis Annan Mansion accountable!”
Mu Peizhi looked at the eunuch before him and gave a faint smile. “This marquis was unaware that a mere eunuch now dares to spout such insolence before this marquis.”
Zhao Qianhou met Mu Peizhi’s cold gaze and shrank back slightly, but when he thought of the terrifying plague and the rebel army outside the city that could storm in at any moment, he somehow summoned a burst of courage and said, “Mu Peizhi, don’t forget the flood disaster in Ruizhou. You nearly lost the disaster relief silver, Dugong hasn’t forgotten that matter yet.”
Mu Peizhi narrowed his eyes slightly and flicked his sleeve. “There’s no need for Lord Zhao to trouble himself over that. Zijing, escort Lord Zhao back.”
Having waited nearby with visible displeasure, Zhou Zijing received the order and, without a word, grabbed Zhao Qianhou’s arm. A petty official by post but a rough man by nature, he had a strong grip. He caught Zhao Qianhou just as he opened his mouth to speak again, clamped a hand over his mouth, and said, “Lord Zhao, this way, please.”
Zhou Zijing showed no mercy and dragged him out as he spoke.
Zhou Ting gave a wry smile and said, “That’s going to offend him badly.”
“If he really returns to Liangdu and files a report against Lord Marquis, things could get quite difficult.”
Mu Peizhi replied, “Let him do as he pleases.”
Zhou Ting lowered his voice and said, “Perhaps we should—” He made a cutting gesture with his hand. Mu Peizhi paused, then shook his head. “His death would cause even more trouble. Leave him be for now.”
Zhou Ting acknowledged with a quiet sound, then looked at Mu Peizhi’s expression and said, “The greater matters are not yet resolved. Lord Marquis must take care of your health.”
Mu Peizhi slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and smiled. “I understand.”
In Ruizhou City.
“Your Highness wants to go to Fuzhou?” Duan Linzhou was slightly taken aback. Mu Peixuan looked at him and nodded. “Yes. I’m not at ease.”
Ever since he found out that those afflicted with the epidemic had come from Fuzhou City, he hadn’t slept a full night. Every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was a Fuzhou littered with corpses.
He hadn’t told the Old Madam or Lady Li about any of this, they were still waiting for Mu Peizhi to return in triumph.
Duan Linzhou said, “Once you leave, they’ll know.”
Mu Peixuan replied, “Then let me keep it from them for a few more days.” He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Duan Linzhou and said softly, “If I don’t make this trip, I won’t be able to rest easy. The epidemic is severe, if Liu Ziyi takes advantage of the situation, we’ll be caught between internal unrest and external threat. I have to go help him.”
Duan Linzhou let out a sigh and said, “Very well, but—”
He paused, then added, “Fuzhou has already been plundered by rebels. Supplies there are likely scarce. It’s better to prepare more provisions before setting out.”
Mu Peixuan was slightly moved and said, “Boss Duan is truly thoughtful.”
Duan Linzhou gave a soft snort of laughter. After a moment, he said again, “I’ll go with you.”
Mu Peixuan refused without a second thought. “Absolutely not.”
“Leaving aside the hardships of the long journey,” Mu Peixuan said, “houf body is too weak, if the epidemic in Fuzhou truly is severe, how could you possibly endure it?”
He put on a stern face and rattled off a string of scolding words. Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but laugh, muttering, “You make me sound like a clay Buddha.”
Mu Peixuan furrowed his brows. “Duan Linzhou, I’m not joking with you.”
Duan Linzhou sighed helplessly. “Fine, I won’t go.”
He looked at the young man’s serious expression and couldn’t resist teasing, “But if you leave, what am I supposed to do if I miss you?”
Mu Peixuan was stunned for a moment, pressed his lips together, and mumbled, “I’ll be back soon.”
Duan Linzhou said wistfully, “Does Xiao Junwang not know what it means to feel as though three months have passed after a single day apart?”
Mu Peixuan’s ears turned slightly red. He gave a soft cough and said, “Duan Linzhou, why are you being so sentimental?”
Duan Linzhou said, “Will Your Highness truly not miss me when you leave?”
Mu Peixuan: “……”
Duan Linzhou sighed and said, “We’ve only just gotten married, and yet Your Highness is already set on a long journey, without a single thought of me…”
Mu Peixuan simply refused to take the bait and instead instructed, “Stay in Ruizhou and take good care of yourself. Don’t overexert.”
Duan Linzhou blinked slowly, looking at Mu Peixuan. When his gaze met the boy’s dark, somber eyes, he stopped teasing and, after a pause, he simply gave a quiet “En.”
Obrigada pela tradução 🥰💞