The common people are actually afraid of dying.

And with the patrolling soldiers shouting out, if discovered outside, one wouldn’t receive any grain. Who would hold a grudge against life-sustaining grain during this time?

Moreover, lying at home brings grain, the court has accommodated to such an extent, why would they still run outside?

So, the populace truly does not run outside anymore.

The entire city has achieved closure of city, gates, and households.

On the other side, Xiao Chunning used the remedy given by his elder sister for all those with the same symptoms, brewing not just porridge, but also medicinal broth in a large pot.

Each person drinks a large bowl thrice daily, morning, noon, and night.

"Sir, Lord Xiao ordered us to brew medicine with this formula, for all those not yet sick to drink. We must drink it too."

"Then arrange it."

Zhao Minglang would only listen to Xiao Chunning now.

The imperial edict held no sway over Chun Ning’s words at this moment.

He once thought the unrest at the city gate couldn’t be suppressed, but surprisingly managed to persuade those people successfully.

However, doing this meant the report before the Emperor likely contained nothing but harsh words.

In the Capital, upon learning the situation in the Two Lakes disaster area was worsening, reports from nearby cities stated no citizens were seen coming or going, dead silent like a ghost town.

"Emperor, the Two Lakes have millions of people. Emperor, Lord Zhao and Lord Xiao are still somewhat young; they’ve never experienced such a disaster. Facing such a huge matter, they’d only give blind and chaotic commands, with unimaginable consequences."

"Indeed, Emperor, we must find a way."

"Since all of you are so concerned, who among you will take charge? Who has disaster experience, who will go to the Two Lakes Region?"

At the Emperor’s single sentence, the arguing ministers instantly fell silent like mute.

The Emperor coldly thought: a bunch of useless!

The two young ones were dispatched by his own decree; is this questioning him, the young Emperor?

Yet, the Emperor knew clearly: Fortunately, Zhao Minglang and Xiao Chunning were the ones sent.

If it had been anyone else, the outcome would have been entirely different.

"Emperor, there’s a report from the Two Lakes Region." Mr. Fu reported.

"Emperor, be careful."

A minister hurriedly said: "Worried that the report might carry the plague."

"Mr. Ma, the report traveled thousands of miles; if the plague reached me, how would thousands live, would it not be a land of corpses by now?"

"Emperor, please calm down! This humble servant was merely overly concerned about your health."

Mr. Ma immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness.

The crowd... this Mr. Ma is foolish!

But, what does the report from the Two Lakes Region say?

The Emperor finished reading Zhao Minglang’s report, gently laid it down, closed his eyes, unexpectedly, truly unexpectedly that the Two Lakes Region reached such a perilous state!

The plague was postponed for optimal timing by two imperial physicians falsely reporting the epidemic, leading to widespread outbreak.

Zhao Minglang decisively ordered city closure of city, gates, and households.

Since the founding of the dynasty, such a matter as city closure of city, gates, and households has never happened.

What the Emperor found remarkable was: Zhao Minglang did this without sparking public rage, but rather earned understanding and support from the people.

This is the backbone of the court!

In the report, Zhao Minglang mentioned Xiao Chunning had already delved into the epidemic area, personally participating in the treatment, which reminded the Emperor of the unjustly deceased Doctor Xiao.

Whether the spirit of the Father in heaven saw Doctor Xiao, whether knowing that Doctor Xiao’s descendants have achieved this much for Great Zhou’s empire!

"Emperor..."

The Emperor closed his eyes, silent for long, not a single minister dared to breathe loudly.

Mr. Fu couldn’t help but remind.

"Someone, order the Ministry of Revenue to dispatch more silver to the Two Lakes Region..."

Zhao Minglang and Xiao Chunning have achieved this extent; as emperor, his only option was to become their sturdy backing: providing grain, silver, and people!

The ministers, hearing this from the Emperor, were greatly shocked.

Some even wondered: Has the Emperor lost his mind?

Dispatching so much to just one region, what if another place has a disaster, what if there’s a war at the border? 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

However, smart as they were, they understood the Emperor had commanded it, and this matter was settled.

Once an imperial order is given, there’s no reason to retract it.

Annoying the Emperor would only lead to discomfort.

Who dares to touch such a bad head?

Only, no one knows what exactly happened in the Two Lakes Region?

What caused the Emperor to be so generous?

It’s known that when the Emperor acts, he must have pondered deeply, not to mention dispatching silver, grain, and people.

This incident became the subject of speculation among the ministers.

Lord Qiu returned home, seeing his daughter Qiu Yan.

"Father, is there news from the Two Lakes Region."

"Don’t worry, today the Emperor received a report from the Two Lakes..."

Immediately spoke about the Emperor’s preferences toward the Two Lakes Region.

"This indicates severe conditions in the Two Lakes Region." Qiu Yan was deeply worried: "Ming Lang and Chun Ning..."

"Yan’er, no need to worry." Mrs. Qiu said: "Chun Ning is the descendant of Doctor Xiao, and with Chun Nuan’s counsel, undoubtedly made thorough preparations, they will surely return whole."

Lord Qiu also sensed the unusual circumstances in the Two Lakes.

After his daughter and wife went to the backyard, Lord Qiu returned to the study, summoned a Hidden Guard.

"Reporting to you, sir. According to our spies, the plague’s wide transmission in the Two Lakes Region led Mr. Zhao to order city closure of city, gates, and households. The gates have been closed for many days, no one coming or going..."

Lord Qiu nodded, no wonder the Emperor would bleed, dispatching silver, grain, and people, indeed the matter reached a very serious state.

"Continue investigating."

"Yes."

At the same time, Zhao Minghua was also meeting with spies.

Upon hearing Xiao Chunning had entered the epidemic area, he sighed.

"This foolish boy!"

Yet, what choice was there?

After the Hidden Guard left, Zhao Minghua went to the pharmacy to see Chun Nuan.

"News from the Two Lakes Region."

While mixing medicine, Chun Nuan asked.

"Indeed, according to our reports..."

"This news will soon spread throughout the Capital. Would you like to speak with your second sister-in-law?"

Zhao Minghua never hides from Chun Nuan; he deeply knows Chun Nuan isn’t an ordinary woman, she’s wise.

Some matters, once she knows, will find more suitable ways to handle and resolve.

"I will speak with Qiu Yan, only, could you send someone to deliver this formula to Chun Ning for me."

This was another formula Chun Nuan reformulated, optimized beyond the two given to Chun Ning.

Thus, she prepared several bottles of pills for Chun Ning, Zhao Minglang, and those around them.

"Alright, don’t worry, I’ll have it sent to Chun Ning as soon as possible."

Even with city closure of city, gates, and households, Zhao Minghua had ways, after all, his brother had people arranged around him who had different methods, of course, it could be sent along with the court, but that would be much delayed.

Being a medicine formula, delay is unacceptable; the sooner it reaches there, the better, saving many lives a day early.