Chapter 68

The man's laugh was heroic and unrestrained, his speaking voice like a thunderous roar.

Despite being in such a clamorous environment, his voice was remarkably penetrating.

Gu Xixi turned her head and saw a youthful man clad in armor riding a chestnut-colored tall horse.

He was stalwart in build, holding the reins with one hand, his bearing imposing and awe-inspiring.

Just now I heard the soldiers call him General Meng.

He must be the younger brother of Meng Dangni zi, the person Mu Nan Zhao truly intended to meet in his plan.

Looking more closely, Gu Xixi felt somewhat startled.

The man actually had a baby-faced appearance, making it hard to associate his voice with his person.

He cupped his fists toward Gu Xixi and said, "General Meng Chengping arrived late, frightening you, sister-in-law!"

Gu Xixi turned sideways to return the salute, saying, "Thank you, General Meng, for your rescue; I have long admired your name."

Meng Chengping's round eyes narrowed into crescents as he smiled, saying, "Sister-in-law, no need for formalities; you and my elder sister were already good friends, and your husband and I hit it off at first sight."

"Today he barged into the main camp, found me, dragged me away, saying he was rescuing people in an emergency."

"It was only on the road that I learned you, sister-in-law, were trapped here."

Gu Xixi glanced sideways, but Mu Nan Zhao remained still and silent.

Meng Chengping continued to laugh, saying, "My brother was so anxious for you, sister-in-law, that he was nearly out of his wits; fortunately, it was a scare without harm."

"If anything happened to you, sister-in-law, while under my soldiers' watch, I would bear the guilt and could not absolve myself even with ten thousand deaths."

Being called "sister-in-law" over and over made Gu Xixi feel distinctly awkward.

Yet she and Mu Nan Zhao were still pretending to be a married couple in front of the Meng family, and she struggled to find an explanation.

Meng Chengping rode his horse a step closer, lowering his voice to tease, "My brother Mu's deep affection is truly rare; Miss Gu, why not consider loosening your grip and letting him formalize his status?"

The ever-silent Mu Nan Zhao finally spoke, "Old Meng, you talk too much."

Gu Xixi's eyes widened in shock; had General Meng learned everything?

Meng Chengping threw his head back and laughed loudly, spurring his horse away, saying, "You two do as you please; I'll go check over there first."

"These little monkey brats—tell them not to act rashly and to treat the common folk better."

"Now I'm the one left to clean up the mess they caused!"

The rioting villagers had already been halted by the soldiers, and no casualties occurred.

Many children were frightened, with crying everywhere, plus the shouts of family members scattered about, searching for one another.

Gu Xixi thought of Lao Langzhong and immediately leapt down from her horse.

Mu Nan Zhao was startled by her sudden movement, "Gu Xixi!"

Gu Xixi left behind the words, "I'm going to find my master," and ran off without looking back.

Mu Nan Zhao gritted his teeth, had no choice but to dismount, and handed the reins to a soldier.

The two quickly found Lao Langzhong in the crowd.

Gu Xixi instantly recognized the woman and boy accompanying him.

That was the boy suffering from a stomach stone.

Just now, after Gu Xixi had pushed Lao Langzhong aside, it was thanks to this mother and son that they helped him up and brought him outside the crowd.

After learning what had happened, Gu Xixi sincerely said, "Thank you, elder sister-in-law, thank you, little brother."

The woman felt a bit embarrassed, saying, "What's there to thank? The divine doctor saved our family's lives."

"We merely happened to meet; it was just a casual act of help."

Gu Xixi smiled at the boy, asking, "Your complexion looks better; has your fever subsided?"

The woman glanced at her son, her eyes loving and moved, saying, "After the divine doctor examined him last night, we only took one bowl of medicine and his fever broke; he no longer complains of stomach pain. Seeing him sleep peacefully, the whole family finally got a good night's rest."

By then, Meng Chengping had already exchanged a few words with Village Chief Zhao.

Village Chief Zhao scanned the crowd, and upon seeing Gu Xixi, he waved vigorously and pointed to Lao Langzhong beside her.

Gu Xixi understood, supported Lao Langzhong as she approached, saying, "Uncle, this is Village Chief Zhao, and the other is General Meng."

"Thanks to General Meng's timely halt of the turmoil, we were able to be saved."

Lao Langzhong gave a slight nod, offering his respects to General Meng.

Meng Chengping laughed, saying, "No need for such courtesy, sir! You disregarded your own safety, rushing overnight to Shitou Village to see patients—such lofty righteousness fills me with admiration."

Lao Langzhong always kept his distance from officials, and his response to Meng Chengping's flattery was merely lukewarm.

"I dare not accept such praise; it is simply the duty of a healer."

Village Chief Zhao turned to Lao Langzhong, his expression faintly betraying tension.

"I told General Meng that the rumor of several deaths in Shitou Village is unfounded."

"As a doctor, please corroborate this for us!"

Lao Langzhong said, "Last night I treated two fever patients; one had a stomach stone, unrelated to the rat plague, and after taking medicine his fever subsided and he improved. The other indeed contracted the plague, which I treated with acupuncture, medication, and other measures for a full day and night."

"Besides that, I have not seen any other patients."

Meng Chengping said, "I heard that the family of the plague patient has been confined to their home, not allowed to go out."

"How is the family faring now?"

Lao Langzhong said, "This morning's follow-up exam showed the patient's family all have normal pulses, with no signs of infection."

Meng Chengping mused, "Given how close they've been to the patient yet remain uninfected, perhaps your current measures are actually effective?"

Lao Langzhong replied frankly, "I dare not guarantee anything at present."

"All I can say is that if the patient's fever breaks before dawn, it would indicate the prescription is effective."

Meng Chengping's face lit up with joy, saying, "If you, sir, can produce a prescription for curing the plague, our commanding general will surely recommend you for merit!"

Since the rat plague ravaged the area, the local government offices have frequently sought doctors and medicine, but the results have been poor, and instances of human-to-human transmission have been increasing.

Nowadays the local area is almost helpless, so the prefecture shifts the pressure onto the local garrison.

The Northwest Army under Meng Chengping, the General believes the troops are not protecting the people but instead burning villages and killing people, which is utterly devoid of virtue.

But the plague's spread is a major affair; the Imperial Court issues orders layer by layer, and the General can only put the greater good first.

Now if we can effectively contain the epidemic, not only will countless lives be saved, but the General's dilemma will also be easily resolved.

Meng Chengping ordered the soldiers to clearly count the number of civilians.

It was again confirmed that the report of many deaths in Shitou Village was false.

Meng Chengping immediately ordered an investigation into the source of the rumor to prevent more rumors from arising and causing panic among the people.

Furthermore, two messenger soldiers were dispatched, each to deliver this news to the government office and the army camp.

He himself will not return to the army camp tonight; instead he will wait outside Shitou Village.

With the danger of death temporarily past, Village Chief Zhao, excited, both cried and laughed, "Thank you, General Meng, thank you!"

He found a high spot and stood there, shouting loudly, "Everyone, be quiet! Be quiet!"

"With General Meng guaranteeing our safety, no one dares to burn the village! Everyone, go home!"

The villagers were half-believing, half-doubting.

But the village entrance had already been tightly sealed by soldiers; even if they wanted to flee, they couldn't, so everyone could only cooperate.

Regardless of whether they live or die in the future, at least tonight they can finally rest easy.

Gu Xixi, Lao Langzhong, and Mu Nan Zhao also headed back.

Gu Xixi looked at Mu Nan Zhao, sighing for who knows how many times.

"My master and I are already trapped here; why are you voluntarily asking to come in?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Old Meng is outside; even if you die in here, I still have a way to get out."