northernbook Chapter 369 It seems things are not simple!
Chapter 369 It seems things are not simple!
Xuancheng Hall
Not long after Emperor Sukang returned to his bedchamber from the imperial study, a palace servant presented him with a letter.
The seventh brother and Judge Liu request an audience?
They only arrived at this hour, and even brought a letter!?
"It's probably the seventh prince's idea. What's he up to now! Does he not want me to have a moment's rest? What have he been doing all day? Why does he have to come to see me at this hour? Does he think I'm not busy enough every day? He better have something to say, otherwise I'll definitely give him a good beating..."
Emperor Sukang unfolded the letter while muttering to himself.
After reading the contents of the letter, the impatience and complaints on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of horror with dilated pupils, a tense and serious expression on his face, and a furrowed brow.
However, his expression quickly returned to calm.
Xiao Han's letter to Emperor Sukang was Long Chuqing's original manuscript.
The above details not only the location of the outbreak, the cause/number of people affected, symptoms, transmission speed, risk of the disease, and the source of the disease, but also...
The subsequent control measures and prevention work for the epidemic are also clearly written.
Even the analysis and prevention of the overall situation were taken into account, which can be described as extremely meticulous.
The letter itself is so well-written that it's hard not to believe it; her certainty is so strong.
Moreover, no one would fabricate stories on such an important matter. If spreading rumors causes panic among the people, it is a capital offense.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Sukang gave the order: "Summon the Prince of Qin and Imperial Physician Liu."
Not long after, Emperor Sukang received Xiao Han and Imperial Physician Liu in his study.
"Your Majesty, I immediately wrote to my third brother after seeing the letter. I believe he has already led his men and doctors to the west of the city to confirm it."
"Once the epidemic is confirmed, Third Brother will immediately order people to control that area and send someone to the palace to report the matter to Father."
"Father can also send imperial physicians to confirm, so that we can know the result more accurately and quickly."
Judging by the time, Bronze should have already met his third brother by the time he arrived at the palace gate.
Third Brother is a cautious person. Even if he doesn't completely believe what he says or the contents of the letter, he will still take his advice and lead people to confirm the situation just in case.
They should be on their way to the west of the city by now!
Emperor Sukang nodded in approval, "You did a good job this time. This arrangement is reasonable and correct. If the situation is true, the epidemic outbreak can be controlled in the shortest possible time."
The epidemic is a matter of great importance, especially since it has occurred in the capital, so it requires even more rigorous handling.
Liu Yuanpan knew he couldn't stand aside. As the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, he should take the lead. He wasn't afraid to enter the ward, but he regretted not being able to have a hot meal tonight.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to travel to the west of the city to diagnose the patient and ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis."
Emperor Sukang was surprised that Imperial Physician Liu would volunteer for the mission. It was rare for him to have such a heart. However, there was no need for this old man to be at the forefront right now.
Emperor Sukang rejected the passionate offer from Imperial Physician Liu.
Normally, all affairs of the Imperial Medical Academy are overseen by Director Liu, and this medical treatment will also be led by the Imperial Medical Academy. The subsequent treatment plan will also need to be discussed by Director Liu and his team. Therefore, Emperor Sukang will not send him to the ward.
Just then, Imperial Physician Liu happened to be there, and Emperor Sukang directly ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to take over the matter. They immediately dispatched medical officers to examine the patient on-site, confirm whether the illness was contagious, and record detailed symptoms.
Two imperial guards, carrying the emperor's decree, rode swiftly out of the palace gates and headed straight for the residence of Physician Zhu, who lived near the west of the city.
It would take some time for the Prince of Jin and Imperial Physician Zhu to send back news, so Emperor Sukang issued another decree summoning Chancellor Ye, the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Works, and the Commandant of the Capital Garrison to the palace for an audience.
Xiao Han and Imperial Physician Liu did not leave, but waited with Emperor Sukang in the Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty, it will take some time for the officials to enter the palace. Would you like to have some dinner first?" Eunuch Xue reminded him with concern.
Originally, they were supposed to serve dinner after returning to Xuancheng Hall, but this matter ruined it.
Emperor Sukang looked at Xiao Han and asked, "Haven't you had dinner yet?"
"Never."
"Then have dinner with me before they arrive!" Emperor Sukang beckoned for the meal to be served. "I'm afraid I won't be able to eat once news from Physician Zhu comes back."
"Okay," Xiao Han replied.
Emperor Sukang ordered Eunuch Xue to take Judge Liu to a side hall and prepare a dinner for him as well.
Judge Liu is old. If the situation is true, there are still many things that need to be dealt with by him. This old man cannot fall down now.
The Emperor bestowed food upon him; this was a divine favor. Imperial Physician Liu was moved to tears of gratitude, for his recent desperate act had not been in vain.
Emperor Sukang and Xiao Han dined in another hall. During the meal, Emperor Sukang would sigh softly from time to time.
There's never a moment of peace and quiet.
Being an emperor is really not easy!
No one speaks while eating, and Xiao Han didn't dare to utter a sound, only silently eating with his head down.
When the Emperor's edict reached the various households, the officials were mostly having their meals.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, he didn't even have time to eat. He quickly dressed and hurriedly left the house.
The imperial decree to enter the palace at this hour must be for something important, and I dare not delay.
Inside the Imperial Study, Prime Minister Ye, Minister of Revenue He, Minister of Works Han, Minister of the Imperial Guard Lu, as well as Imperial Physician Liu and Xiao Han stood below.
When the group arrived at the Imperial Study and saw so many people, they all wondered: Why did His Majesty summon so many people to the palace at night?
Emperor Sukang did not discuss the matter, but simply told them to wait.
Apart from Judge Liu and Xiao Han, who knew the reason, everyone else was completely baffled.
What are you waiting for?
It's still a mystery, is it really that secretive?
Things seem to be more complicated than they appear!
About an hour later, the guards escorting Physician Zhu sent the latest news back to the palace by fast horse.
To prevent the letters from being contaminated with germs, Physician Zhu did not choose to send them by mail.
Physician Zhu only sent back eight words: "The situation regarding the epidemic is true."
"The situation regarding the epidemic is true."
"The situation regarding the epidemic is true."
"The situation regarding the epidemic is true."
The message was relayed from the guards who brought it back to the gatekeepers, then to the palace servants, and finally to Eunuch Xue. It was reported up the chain of command before reaching Emperor Sukang.
Eunuch Xue approached Emperor Sukang and said, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Zhu has sent word that the situation regarding the epidemic is true."
Emperor Sukang's anxiety grew even greater.
After hearing the bad news become a fait accompli, Emperor Sukang had no intention of explaining the situation to his ministers. Instead, he had Eunuch Xue bring them the letter written by Long Chuqing so they could read it one by one.
The ministers were all shocked after reading it.
After they had learned everything, Emperor Sukang spoke.
"I sent Imperial Physician Zhu to the scene to confirm, and the matter stated in the letter has been confirmed to be correct."
After hearing Emperor Sukang's words, everyone wore a solemn and serious expression.