After waiting for a while without hearing a response from Jiang Ci, Pei Yan slowly turned his head to look at her, unable to suppress a bitter smile.
He stood up, his footsteps extremely light, and walked over to Jiang Ci, who was leaning against the chair back in deep sleep. He gazed at her travel-worn face for a long time, noticing the bloodstains on her military uniform and the yellow calluses on her right hand that hung by her side, formed from daily contact with herbs.
A figure flashed into the east hall. Pei Yan turned and made a gesture of silence. Nan Gong Jue glanced at Jiang Ci, startled, and was pulled by Pei Yan to the side hall.
Nan Gong Jue couldn’t help but say, “Isn’t that the girl? How did she come here too?”
Pei Yan smiled and said, “Yu De has worked hard.”
“Fortunately, I didn’t fail the mission,” Nan Gong Jue sighed. “At least we’ve avenged An Chen.”
Pei Yan took out a terrain map and unfolded it, saying, “Yu De, come and take a look. The next task will be even more arduous.” His finger moved across the map. “Now our two armies are facing each other at ‘Hui Yan Pass’. Although the Huan army has just been defeated, it won’t be easy for us to take ‘Hui Yan Pass’ and cross the Juan River.”
“Yes, ‘Hui Yan Pass’ is not easy to capture. I’m afraid it will turn into a tug of war,” Nan Gong Jue nodded.
“Indeed. Zi Ming and I have analyzed it. If a stalemate forms, it will take about a month for Yu Wen Jing Lun to bring reinforcements from the country, and for the forces of King Yi Ping and King Ning Ping to reach ‘Hui Yan Pass’. From then on, whether we can win this war still depends on Yu De.”
“What does the Young Lord mean—”
Pei Yan looked at Nan Gong Jue and slowly said, “I request Yu De to lead those martial artists, take the mountain route to the rear of the Huan army, and still follow the previous plan. Incite civil unrest in Dong Lai, Gong An, Yun Zhou, Yu Zhou, and Cheng County. Burn their granaries, seize their war horses, kill their scattered soldiers, and do everything possible to harass and frighten the enemy. I want them to have no peace!”
Jiang Ci opened her eyes, realizing she had fallen asleep due to exhaustion from many days of hard work. Smelling the incense, she had dozed off. She looked around, jumped up from the chair, packed up her medicine box, and stepped out of the east hall, squinting at the dazzling midday sun. She walked along the corridor to the side hall door, where Pei Yan and Wei Zhao, who were dining inside, both looked up.
Jiang Ci hesitated for a moment, then entered the side hall and said, “Your Excellency, I should still go—”
Pei Yan glanced at a servant nearby, who quickly set out bowls and chopsticks. Feeling hungry, Jiang Ci didn’t refuse. She put down her medicine box and sat down. Seeing that the table was set with pickled vegetables and white porridge, Jiang Ci wasn’t surprised and just lowered her head to drink the porridge.
After the three finished their meal, Pei Yan continued to discuss the military report for the court and the request for grain transport with Wei Zhao. Seeing that the two were talking very seriously, Jiang Ci picked up her medicine box and quietly left the side hall. Just as she was about to leave the prefectural governor’s mansion, Zhou Mi came over and stopped her. Jiang Ci had no choice but to pout and return to the side hall.
Wei Zhao stood up and said coolly, “Young Lord, you draft it first. I still need to go look for the remains of the Imperial Uncle. Otherwise, I would be greatly disappointing Prince Zhuang and the Noble Consort.”
“San Lang, do as you please,” Pei Yan smiled. “Zi Ming will return to the city tonight, and we’ll discuss it then.”
Wei Zhao nodded, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Ci’s face before leaving the hall. Pei Yan returned to his desk and picked up his brush to write a memorial. Just as Jiang Ci was about to speak, Pei Yan said in a deep voice, “You want to save people?”
“Yes.”
“Let me ask you, aren’t the people of Hexi Prefecture human beings?”
Jiang Ci was speechless. Pei Yan didn’t look up and said, “In this battle, many civilians have also been killed and injured. There aren’t enough doctors in the city. I’ve had people clean up the west side gate room of the prefectural governor’s mansion to serve as a free clinic. You and Xiao Tian will treat and heal the civilians there.”
“Ah?!”
“What? Not up to it? It seems Zi Ming hasn’t trained his disciple very well,” Pei Yan said while writing.
Jiang Ci thought for a moment and responded in a low voice, “I’ll do my best.”
The war had reached a stalemate. The Long Feng Cavalry couldn’t break through the “Hui Yan Pass,” and the Huan army didn’t dare to leave the pass. After more than half a month, the bloody battles with close combat gradually decreased, but both sides remained on high alert.
The people of Hexi Prefecture gradually emerged from the shadow of war, and the city finally regained some of its former bustling prosperity as the “First Prefecture of the Central Plains.”
Knowing that Pei Yan wouldn’t let her go to the “Hui Yan Pass” military camp, Jiang Ci settled down and, along with Xiao Tian, treated and healed civilians at the free clinic. After her time in the medical tent, ordinary injuries no longer posed a challenge to her. When encountering complicated cases, she would note them down and then consult Cui Liang. Over time, her medical skills improved rapidly. Cui Liang traveled between Hexi Prefecture and Hui Yan Pass every two days, while Pei Yan and Wei Zhao also occasionally visited the military camp. The four were busy with their respective tasks, and for a time, there was nothing to report.
Ten days passed quickly, and suddenly an epidemic broke out in the city. Dozens of civilians were coughing, vomiting, and having diarrhea, with blue spots all over their bodies. Those with severe symptoms had difficulty breathing and died in agony. Pei Yan was greatly alarmed when he received the report. Having experienced many battles, he knew that epidemics following major wars were the most terrifying thing in the world. He quickly ordered the Long Feng Guard to urgently search the city and bring all civilians with symptoms to a manor outside the city for isolated living. He also urgently summoned Cui Liang, Military Doctor Ling, and others back to the city.
Cui Liang, Military Doctor Ling, and several famous doctors in the city covered their heads and entered the manor where the infected civilians were concentrated. They examined for over two hours and questioned relevant personnel before deciding on a strategy: quickly isolate those infected with the epidemic, spread quicklime throughout the city, and order people to brew mugwort water for distribution to all city residents to drink.
However, due to the hot weather, the epidemic continued to spread in Hexi City. More and more civilians were brought to the manor outside the city for isolation, and every day, those with severe symptoms died in agony. Cui Liang, Military Doctor Ling, and others were so anxious that they were at their wits’ end, trying various prescriptions but still unable to find an effective remedy.
Two days later, the epidemic spread to the Long Feng Cavalry guarding Hexi Prefecture. Seeing soldiers being sent into the manor one by one, and the dead being carried out for mass cremation from time to time, Pei Yan became even more anxious.
To prevent the epidemic from affecting the main force of the Long Feng Cavalry at “Hui Yan Pass,” Pei Yan had no choice but to issue an emergency order: block all roads to Hexi Prefecture, and no civilians or soldiers in Hexi Prefecture were allowed to leave the city until the epidemic was completely resolved.
Pei Yan and Wei Zhao, under the strong persuasion of Cui Liang and others, temporarily moved to the military camp in Qing Mao Valley.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, Jiang Ci had been accompanying Cui Liang, inspecting wells, trying various prescriptions, and distributing mugwort water to civilians throughout the city. Seeing more and more people infected, with the entire city’s military and civilians shrouded in the shadow of death, a desperate and terrifying atmosphere permeated everywhere in the city. Jiang Ci couldn’t help but deeply feel that in this chaotic world, human life was as insignificant as grass. Faced with this increasingly severe epidemic, although she was anxious, she also felt powerless.
On the day Pei Yan left the city, Cui Liang, worried that Jiang Ci might contract the epidemic, urged her to move to the military camp with Pei Yan. Jiang Ci smiled without responding. Pei Yan glanced at her, flicked a pebble that hit her acupoint, and then ordered people to put her in a carriage and move her to the military camp in Qing Mao Valley.
Military Doctor Ling also advised Cui Liang to prioritize military matters and leave with Pei Yan, but Cui Liang just shook his head. Pei Yan initially wanted to force him to leave, but seeing the resolute look on Cui Liang’s face, he had no choice but to remind him to be extra careful.
Jiang Ci knew that Hexi Prefecture had been sealed off. Although she harbored some resentment towards Pei Yan in her heart, she also knew that this was an unavoidable measure. After all, during the standoff between the two armies, if the plague spread within the military, the consequences would be unimaginable. As the commander-in-chief, he couldn’t be in any danger, nor could he let the soldiers be put at risk. She could only put aside her worries and stay in the military camp, but she still worried about Cui Liang, Military Doctor Ling, and others, feeling dejected.
Following Cui Liang’s previous instructions, she brewed two pots of mugwort water every morning and evening for the soldiers to drink. She also had the soldiers fetch spring water from the mountains on both sides of Qing Mao Valley to cook rice and make tea. As a result, no signs of the epidemic appeared in the military camp.
The weather was getting hotter and hotter. At dusk, the sky was filled with bright clouds, and there was still steam rising in the valley.
After the soldiers from various camps had taken away the mugwort water, Jiang Ci felt a bit drowsy and had a slight headache. She yawned, picked up the medicine pot, and walked into Pei Yan’s tent.
Pei Yan and Wei Zhao were discussing important matters. They both took the mugwort water and drank it in one gulp. Jiang Ci smiled at them, turned around, and walked to the tent entrance, coughing softly. She felt her throat becoming increasingly uncomfortable, rushed out a few steps, and couldn’t control herself as she lowered her head and vomited.
Hearing the sound of vomiting outside the tent, Pei Yan and Wei Zhao’s faces changed simultaneously as they flashed out of the tent. Jiang Ci had already seen that her vomit was a grayish-blue color, and in an instant, her heart felt as cold as ice. She heard footsteps and suddenly turned around, shouting fiercely, “Don’t come any closer!”
Pei Yan and Wei Zhao stopped in their tracks. Jiang Ci slowly rolled up her left sleeve and saw several faint blue spots in the crook of her elbow. The color drained from her face, and her figure swayed.
Wei Zhao drew in a sharp breath, and Pei Yan’s brows furrowed tightly.
Jiang Ci slowly regained her composure. Looking up, she saw Pei Yan and Wei Zhao staring at her blankly. She smiled sadly, slowly retreated two steps, and said tremblingly, “Your Excellency, please prepare a horse for me. I will go to the manor myself.”
Pei Yan looked at Jiang Ci’s pale face, unable to utter a word. Wei Zhao took two steps forward, then stopped.
Jiang Ci smiled at them again, her smile full of despair, but her words were extremely calm: “Your Excellency, quickly have someone burn the tent I lived in and the things I used. Also, this vomit needs to be buried deep.”
Seeing Pei Yan’s brows tightly knitted and his lips pressed together, still not speaking, Jiang Ci turned and walked towards several war horses tethered in the distance.
The sunset gradually changed from bright red to a dull grayish-red. Pei Yan and Wei Zhao watched Jiang Ci’s figure, both taking several steps forward. But Jiang Ci quickly untied the reins, mounted the horse, and without looking back, violently whipped the steed beneath her, disappearing at the end of the valley.
The last ray of sunset faded away, and Wei Zhao suddenly turned around, striding into the tent.
Pei Yan stood motionless in front of the military tent. The sky gradually turned completely black. An Lu walked to Pei Yan’s side and cautiously called out, “Marquis!”
“Send a message to Zi Ming,” Pei Yan’s words were difficult to utter. “Ask him to find an effective remedy, no matter what.”
Jiang Ci galloped wildly, tears unstoppably pouring out, flowing down her cheeks and into her neck. It’s fine, just let it end like this, return to the wilderness, and never have to see the various aspects of this mundane world again—
As she sped along, the whistling wind in her ears suddenly reminded Jiang Ci of the life-and-death moment on the rope bridge at Tiger Leap Gorge. She reined in her horse, looked back at the vast night, and suddenly reached out to wipe away her tears fiercely.
She reined in her horse in front of the manor. Cui Liang was just coming out of the manor with Military Doctor Ling and several other doctors. Cui Liang took off his head covering, let out a long breath, and said, “We need to observe for a few more days to be sure if this is the cause.”
Military Doctor Ling also removed his head covering and nodded, saying, “If it’s this cause, then it’s manageable. The epidemic should be controllable, but how to treat these people is a big problem. Right now, we still need to bring in a large quantity of ‘Yu Grass’ to prevent the epidemic.”
“I’ll send a message to His Excellency immediately, asking him to urgently dispatch people to bring the medicine,” Cui Liang turned around and saw Jiang Ci standing under a tree in front of the manor holding the reins, startled. “Xiao Ci, why are you here?!”
Seeing him about to approach, Jiang Ci quickly retreated a few steps.
Cui Liang’s heart gradually sank. Jiang Ci was heartbroken but tried her best to control her voice and said softly, “Brother Cui, have someone open the door and let me in.”
Military Doctor Ling couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. Jiang Ci slowly walked towards the manor gate, then turned back and said, “Brother Cui, if you want to try medicines or acupuncture, feel free to try them on me.”
The manor gate creaked open and then clanged shut. Cui Liang stood woodenly in the night wind, suddenly lowering his head, his breathing becoming heavier.
Military Doctor Ling was very fond of Jiang Ci and was also deeply pained. Seeing Cui Liang upset, he stepped forward and said, “Military Advisor—”
Cui Liang raised his head and calmly said, “I’ll go look at the medical books left by my late master again. Military Doctor Ling and other doctors, please continue to try medicines.”
“Still seeking an effective method. The preventive decoction requires a large amount of ‘Yu Grass’. Please have His Excellency dispatch people to urgently procure it. Ci’s spirit is still good and can care for the infected.”
“‘Yu Grass’ has good preventive effects and has been distributed to city residents for consumption. Please order the army to brew and drink the decoction. I will do my utmost to find an effective treatment method. Ci’s condition is gradually worsening.”
“The epidemic within the city is somewhat under control. If no new cases arise in the next few days, the outbreak should come to an end. However, a specific remedy has yet to be found, and today eleven more people have died. Ci Shi is now intermittently conscious.”
Pei Yan clenched the letter tightly, his face ashen. An Lu entered the tent, clearly intending to report something, but then retreated.
“What is it?!” Pei Yan demanded sharply.
An Lu hurried back in and said, “General Ning has sent several prisoners.”
“Leave them for now. We’ll interrogate them tomorrow,” Pei Yan replied coldly. After sitting for a moment, he suddenly stood up, striding out of the tent, and snatched the reins from a Changfeng Guard’s hands, urging his horse south. An Lu and the others quickly followed.
Wei Zhao walked slowly into the tent, picked up the letter from the ground, and his gaze lingered on the last five characters.