Chapter 1673

translation

Hu Xiaotian continued, saying: "Perhaps the Emperor thinks that by lying in bed he can fool the whole world, cause some trouble for Li Chenzhou, and throw the Da Yong court into chaos, however..." He glanced at Dong Bingtai and said: "In my view, this kind of thing that harms others and brings no benefit to oneself has no meaning at all!"

Xue Daoming shouted angrily: "What are you saying? Do you know who you're talking to? As soon as I give the order, I'll have your head cut off immediately!"

Hu Xiaotian's face showed no trace of panic; he smiled and said: "The Emperor of Da Yong may be imposing and mighty, but even if you kill me, can you still preserve your ancestors' realm?"

"Impudent!"

Hu Xiaotian's expression was calm as an ancient well: "If I and Li Chenzhou both stood before you, and you could choose one to eliminate, who would you rather kill?"

For Xue Daoming, this was hardly a problem; deep down, the person he hated most and wanted to kill most was Li Chenzhou, and compared to him, Hu Xiaotian seemed less hateful.

Hu Xiaotian said: "The saying 'outsiders see clearly, those involved are confused' is not without reason; the enemies the Emperor faces are not just Li Chenzhou alone. This Yongdu rat plague is not a natural disaster but a man-made calamity, caused by the Black Hu Beast Tamer. Prince Yan Xue Shengjing colluded with the Black Hu to plot this disaster; the Emperor should know his aim."

At this moment, Xue Daoming gradually calmed down, and Hu Xiaotian's words made him reflect.

Hu Xiaotian added: "Today Li Chenzhou has arrested many people, most of them because of rumors that Yongdu has a rat plague; his motive in doing so is also to prevent Yongdu from falling into chaos. However, according to my verification, Yongdu has indeed suffered a rat plague. Have you heard of the Xichuan rat plague from years ago?"

Xue Daoming said: "How dare you conclude it's definitely a rat plague?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to explain; if the Emperor insists on evidence, time will prove everything. In just a few days, all of Yongdu will be plunged into extreme panic—you can't keep fire wrapped in paper. Even if Li Chenzhou adopts all sorts of extreme measures, he won't be able to control the situation. In fact, he already knows the plague has occurred; otherwise, why would he and the Grand Princess still not have entered the palace to visit the Emperor?"

Xue Daoming said: "You've said all this—what exactly is your purpose?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Li Chenzhou were to seize power in Da Yong, perhaps the first person he'd deal with would be me. As I see it, I don't want Da Yong to fall into his hands so quickly; if the Emperor and he were to struggle for a while, that would actually be to my advantage."

Xue Daoming gritted his teeth: "You want to reap the benefits without effort?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "To be frank, the situation now is clearly one of strong versus weak; the Emperor seems unable to fight back against him, let alone talk about being evenly matched."

Xue Daoming's face flushed from Hu Xiaotian's words; his heart itched with hatred, yet he couldn't deny that everything Hu Xiaotian said was true.

Dong Bingtai beside him said: "Did you come to the palace just to say these empty words?"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled: "A loss may be a blessing in disguise. Under certain conditions, advantages and disadvantages can transform. Li Chenzhou is now at his wit's end; I've heard he has already begun a citywide lockdown, ordering that no civilians may easily go out, and blocking the roads to all major medical clinics."

Dong Bingtai said: "If it truly is a rat plague, besides doing this there seems to be no other way."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Xichuan's practice back then was: upon discovering a rat plague victim, immediately kill and burn them, and kill and bury deep any livestock they kept and their dwellings. Yongdu is the capital of Da Yong. If Li Chenzhou ultimately adopts Xichuan's method, the palace where the Emperor now resides would likely not be spared."

Hearing this, Xue Daoming felt a chill run down his spine; he was merely feigning illness, but if he were deemed a plague victim, the entire palace would likely not escape.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Nobody wants to die; Li Chenzhou is no different. All his measures stem from his lack of a cure for the rat plague. If someone were to step forward now, to bring welfare to the people and relieve Da Yong's urgent crisis, wouldn't that person's prestige and fame rise rapidly, and wouldn't they gain the people's support?"

Xue Daoming and Dong Bingtai exchanged a glance; both understood Hu Xiaotian's true motive in coming this time. This fellow's motive is far from simple, yet no one can deny that his proposal carries tremendous allure. But since the rat plague has no cure, could he really have a treatment?

Hu Xiaotian said: "I not only have a cure for the rat plague, I also have a preventive method; as long as one takes the specially prepared decoction, one need not fear infection from plague victims."

Xue Daoming widened his eyes, showing a look of half-belief, half-doubt.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Life offers few chances to gamble; does the Emperor have the courage to leave this imperial city and personally relieve the people's suffering?"

Xue Daoming felt a surge of anxiety; Hu Xiaotian's proposal was tempting, yet extremely risky. If he went among the people and personally led this anti-epidemic effort, success would win him the hearts of Yongdu and all Da Yong; but if he failed? If he unfortunately contracted the plague, his future—and his ancestors' realm—would be ruined in an instant, with no chance left to defeat Li Chenzhou.

Dong Bingtai, who considers matters thoroughly, had thought of everything Xue Daoming had; he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please think again!" He did not trust Hu Xiaotian, believing his ultimate goal was inevitably to overthrow the Da Yong dynasty—how could such an ambitious man serve them?

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Minister Sir speaks correctly; the Emperor must think before acting, though the time left for him is not much. I will take my leave now; General Dong knows my residence, and I shall always await your arrival!" After saying this, he clasped his fists, turned, and departed gracefully.

Xue Daoming stared blankly at Hu Xiaotian's back until the palace gate closed behind him, then he said: "He wants to use me!"

Dong Bingtai said: "His heart deserves death!"

Xue Daoming said: "He hopes the Emperor and Li Chenzhou will fight each other."

Dong Bingtai said: "The Emperor's eyes are like torches, clearly discerning truth from falsehood; it seems I have overthought."

Xue Daoming added: "But he didn't get that one wrong—I am no match for Li Chenzhou, let alone able to oppose him; I am merely his puppet."

Dong Bingtai said: "Didn't the Emperor say he was using you?"

A faint bitter smile appeared on Xue Daoming's face: "If one day no one is willing to use me, that would mean I have lost all my value. Li Chenzhou uses me, wanting me to be his puppet; once he fully controls Da Yong's power, the first to be eliminated will surely be me. Hu Xiaotian wants to use me, hoping I will oppose Li Chenzhou; only internal strife in Da Yong would leave him free to pursue his own affairs."

Dong Bingtai stood silently aside, yet already understood Xue Daoming's meaning.

Xue Daoming whispered: "When choosing the lesser of two evils, at least for now Li Chenzhou is my greatest enemy; Hu Xiaotian wants to use me, but why couldn't I use him?"

Dong Bingtai sighed: "A fierce tiger, a hungry wolf—no matter whom you choose to cooperate with, caution is paramount."

Xue Daoming said: "I'm merely lying in the palace feigning illness; at most I can make Li Chenzhou a bit nervous—what real impact could that have on Da Yong's situation?"

Dong Bingtai reminded him: "Your Majesty, don't forget that a rat plague has indeed broken out outside."

Xue Daoming said: "To gain something, one must pay a price; if I lack even the courage to step out of the palace gates, I am unworthy to be a descendant of the Xue clan, let alone fit to sit on the throne."

Hu Xiaotian lounged lazily on a recliner, swaying at ease; the fire blazed brightly, casting his face in a red glow. The door stirred slightly, and Qin Yutong entered, bringing a chill wind, closed the door behind her, and coldly regarded Hu Xiaotian: "You're quite at ease!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I am waiting; when you reach my age you'll understand—waiting is actually the most painful, agonizing thing in this world." As he spoke, he picked up his purple clay teapot, leisurely sipped hot tea, and from his face one could find absolutely no trace of pain or anguish, only comfort and enjoyment.

Qin Yutong said: "The condition of those beggars' patients has stabilized; Li Chenzhou has increased patrol efforts, isolating nearly all medical clinics in the city; now no one may lightly go out, and the city's residents mostly stay indoors."

Hu Xiaotian said: "For now, that's really the only approach." The standard response to infectious diseases is nothing more than controlling the source, cutting transmission routes, and protecting the susceptible. Li Chenzhou's current measures are somewhat appropriate, though relatively extreme, but he still lacks an effective means to deal with the rat plague.

Qin Yutong said: "The death toll is probably still rising." Although she has a treatment method, relying solely on her own strength is absolutely insufficient; she must gain the support of the Da Yong court, and the key lies in Xue Daoming.

Hu Xiaotian said: "If Xue Daoming dares not step out of the palace gates, then he is unfit to oppose Li Chenzhou."

Outside came the sound of footsteps; Hu Xiaotian sat up, set down the teapot, and smiled: "General Dong is here!"

Li Chenzhou could hardly believe his ears: "What? What did you say?"

The commander of the Jinyu Guard, Shi Kuan, said: "The Emperor's illness has already been cured; just now he led the imperial physicians out of the imperial city, personally went to comfort the people, and also ordered all medical clinics opened, mobilizing all the doctors of Yongdu to set up temporary clinics in the city to treat the populace."

Li Chenzhou sprang to his feet: "His illness?"

Shi Kuan said: "The Emperor's illness has completely healed; reportedly it was Xu Baichuan who cured him, and Xu Baichuan has distributed the prescription to all major medical clinics, now dispensing medicine according to the formula to treat patients."

Second update coming up, please vote for the Monthly Ticket; Zhangyu goes down to write, hoping to finish chapter three soon! (To be continued~^~)