Chapter 582: Fervent

"What a false alarm. So the plague was fake. Now we can finally live in peace."

"His Highness the Yan Wang is truly formidable. He actually knows the secret method to curb Smallpox. Otherwise, if Smallpox had really spread in Yanzhou, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

"What's even more remarkable is that His Highness the Yan Wang turned the tables on the Northern Di. Our soldiers dealt them a crushing defeat, and they even lost the Ningjin Dusi."

"It's truly incredible. That the Yan Wang can govern Yanzhou is our great fortune. I'm afraid the good days are still to come."

"……"

In a tea shop at Golden Scale Pond, three or five merchants were drinking tea and holding newspapers, talking incessantly.

Other scholars who hadn't managed to buy a newspaper pricked up their ears to listen, occasionally interjecting; the atmosphere was fervent.

Although Cavalry had been shouting about the great victory at Ningjin along the way since yesterday.

They only knew that such an event had occurred, but did not understand the cause and effect.

Once it was published in the paper, they suddenly understood: from the moment the Yanzhou Daily reported the appearance of the plague in Yanzhou, a trap had been set for the Northern Di.

Understanding this, they couldn't help but admire the Yan Wang from the bottom of their hearts.

They felt deeply the far-reaching nature of the Yan Wang's planning.

If it were them, they would never dare to risk the setback to trade and mobilize the officials of the Yanzhou Seven Commanderies to stage this play.

"This brother, could you lend this old man the newspaper to take a look?" A slightly trembling voice suddenly sounded outside the tea shop.

The merchant turned his head and discovered an old man and a young girl standing in front of the tea shop, pushing a wheelbarrow.

"Take it by all means." The merchant was a local merchant from Yanzhou.

The great victory at Ningjin made him feel exceptionally proud and arrogant at this moment; he wished he could climb onto the roof to announce this news to the world.

Naturally, he would not refuse the old man's request, so he stood up and handed the newspaper over.

The old man was none other than Yang Zhen.

After arriving in Yancheng, he had already been disheartened.

He only sold some tofu every day to make a living, intending to spend the rest of his life in Yancheng.

But having led troops in battle for so many years, he could not let go of his concern for the affairs of the world.

So after the rumors of the plague ran rampant in Yanzhou, he felt anxious in his heart, worrying for the Yan Wang.

After all, the current imperial court had become that way under the control of the powerful clans.

If the Yan Wang also collapsed because of the plague, the Great Song would truly be beyond saving.

But he was merely a martial man, knowing nothing about medicine, and could only worry in vain.

It wasn't until yesterday, when the people of Yancheng passed on the word of the great victory at Ningjin, that his pent-up mood finally dissipated.

Today, passing by the tea shop and seeing the merchants discussing the Ningjin Battle with newspapers in hand, he couldn't help but stop.

Taking the newspaper, Yang Zhen was immediately drawn in.

First was the Northern Di's poisoning plot, then the Yan Wang's method of breaking it, and finally the process of the Ningjin Battle.

Reading through it, he felt as if he had personally experienced this thrilling war, and couldn't help but call out, "Brilliant!"

"In this great victory, the Northern Di and Xiliang forces suffered nearly four hundred thousand casualties. The Northern Di retreated north in a panic. After the last Northern Expedition,

plus this heavy blow, the Northern Di will need a long time to recover their vitality. The northern border is secure." Yang Zhen's back straightened involuntarily, and he stroked his beard lightly.

At this moment, he was no longer an old man selling tofu; he had become the former Duke of Yi of the Great Song once again.

He continued to read down, and his body suddenly trembled.

In the section introducing the Ningjin Battle, alongside Qin Shan occupying the outskirts of Ning City, the passage about Yang Zhen capturing Jin City appeared prominently.

"Yang Zhen..." Yang Zhen's heart suddenly felt a sharp pain, and he sighed: "Having a general with the same name as you capture Jin City can be considered a form of solace."

"Grandfather, what's wrong?" Seeing the high-spirited Yang Zhen suddenly look dim, Yang Susu couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing, nothing at all." Yang Zhen returned the newspaper to the merchant and pushed the wheelbarrow away.

After the two left, a merchant wondered: "I didn't expect Yanzhou to be full of hidden talents; even a tofu seller is literate."

"You can tell just by hearing that you haven't been in Yancheng long. This old man's granddaughter is the famous Tofu Beauty in Yancheng," a local merchant in the tea shop said indifferently.

"Tsk tsk, she is indeed beautiful," the out-of-town merchant said. "But with such a beauty, I'm afraid there will be many lecherous men with evil intentions, right?"

The local merchant chuckled, "There were at the beginning, but later on, anyone who harassed her either broke an arm or a leg. After that, no one had the guts, and everyone says they have a significant background."

Hearing this, the out-of-town merchant immediately extinguished an idea in his heart.

At the same time, in restaurants, by the Golden Scale Pond, and on the streets, there were merchants and scholars discussing fervently everywhere.

They all wore smiles, their expressions proud.

The light in their eyes seemed as if it could seep out.

……

Tianxiang Lou.

At this moment, Nian Yuyan and Xu E were also reading the newspaper they had just received.

After reading the whole thing, the two looked at each other and suddenly both chuckled softly.

"I didn't expect that this time even our Tianxiang Lou was fooled." Nian Yuyan shook her head helplessly.

Smallpox was no trivial matter; even they at Tianxiang Lou dared not get too close to villages infected with the plague.

Most of the time, they only watched from afar.

Most importantly, she truly could not understand how the Yan Wang had managed to make the commoners appear covered in pustules.

"It can only be said that the Yan Wang's methods are becoming increasingly seasoned. Now, he probably knows exactly what our Tianxiang Lou is doing," Xu E said.

Pausing, a trace of worry appeared on her face, "So, the Master wanting to use the Yan Wang is, I'm afraid, just wishful thinking in the end. The Yan Wang will not be led by the nose by Tianxiang Lou."

Nian Yuyan frowned, recalling something, and said worriedly: "The plague in Yanzhou made the Imperial Concubine stop her plan to incite conflict between the Yan Wang and the powerful clans. Now that the Yan Wang has defeated the Northern Di, I fear she will take the opportunity to stir up trouble."

Having said this, she and Xu E looked at each other and sighed softly at the same time.

At that time, if the Yan Wang had collapsed because of the plague, he would have lost his value to the Imperial Concubine.

Now that Yan Wang is safe and secure, and has even achieved a great victory, she will absolutely not let this opportunity slip by.

"Actually, there is no need to worry. After Yan Wang learned of the Dou Family's affairs, he already became aware and has maintained a shred of wariness toward both you and me," Nian Yuyan said with a bitter smile.

In her view, Yan Wang is a very sharp and cautious person.

Unless they betray Tianxiang Lou, they will never win Yan Wang's trust.

Suddenly thinking of something, she abruptly said, "Right, take the intelligence that was just delivered to the Prince's Mansion immediately. The venomous snake of the Northern Di has just had its tail severed, yet unexpectedly, a vicious wolf has come in its place."

At dawn, a piece of intelligence sent from Qingcheng in Qizhou made her feel a wave of anxiety.

The content of this intelligence was about Dongying.

Yan Wang saved her life, and according to her promise, it is now necessary for her to provide intelligence to Yan Wang.

Especially intelligence that is not easily obtained by Yan Wang's subordinates.

After all, sometimes it is easier for women in brothels to obtain intelligence.

Gently nodding, Xu E originally intended to go to the Prince's Mansion in person.

But after thinking about it, she decided against it.

Just as Nian Yuyan said, the relationship between Yan Wang and them will only be superficial courtesy; there will be no sincere friendship.

Why bother causing oneself distress?

Leaving the room, she retrieved a letter and handed it to Xiao Huan, telling her to make a trip to the Prince's Mansion.

"Set your heart at ease, there is no poison."

Upon arriving at the Prince's Mansion, Xu Lie checked the letter repeatedly several times; seeing this, Xiao Huan could not help but roll her eyes and turn to leave.

Xu Lie scratched his head, licked the envelope with his tongue, and waited for a while before delivering the letter to the study.