The Empress’ Livestream

Expectedly, Feng Jin still came to settle scores with Qiguan Rang.

Then again with scholarly men, especially intelligent scholars, the means they settled scores isn’t by folding up their sleeves and fighting.

Her eyes shifted left then right, only to see Feng Jin and Qiguan Rang sitting at opposite sides, their lips and tongues equipped as their weapons. Neither gave in, the entire tent was congested with tension. She discreetly rolled her eyes and directed her words to the live stream viewers.

Streamer V: “Do you want to bet these men are dominated by women? Quarreling has never looked so refined; my general knowledge has broadened.

Obviously, she is the one who sparked the dispute… it has since become a big issue but she extracted herself from this incident completely.

Such a shameless streamer, she will be known throughout the world of live streaming.”

Wutang Bohetang: “Women’s domination isn’t the scary thing: rather it is frightening that they have brains too. I initially thought they’re having a joyful conversation just now, though, after Livestream Elder’s translation, the realization hit me that they were having a conflict. The ancient scholars are so terrifying, they can appear so civilized even in disagreement.”

Sishimi Dadao: “Nothing to fear about being refined, what’s truly scary is if one is cannot decipher their true intentions and think that they are being praised. That’d be awkward.”

Dahongzao: “Isn’t this streamer the worst? She was obviously the one who ignited this conflict.”

Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her hands. Regardless of whether it was Qiguan Rang or Feng Jin, it’s impossible for either of them to initiate a fight with her as they couldn’t expect to beat her.

The disagreement continued for half a day, both had the tacit understanding and chose to stop the dispute since neither had the upper hand. Tea was served and drank; no signs of the previous heated argument was observed.

Jiang Pengji rolled her eyes in annoyance… she couldn’t comprehend the way scholarly people settle their disputes.

—–

Medical skills in ancient times were not advanced, so many people presented with injuries that the doctors cannot handle all the cases. Those who sustained severe injuries cannot make it through and they sighed regretfully. Those with minor injuries recovered very fast and they had no issue journeying at an average pace.

After a few days, the dead who were resistant to treatment would be buried, and finally, Jiang Pengji ordered them to pull out from camp and begin the journey.

Riding White, she wore a pair of cooling wooden clogs. Jiang Pengji was at the frontiers paving the way forward, the horse carriages that followed behind traveled slowly, the rations, medical herbs, and severely wounded people were in the carriages. The remaining people rode on horses if they could, otherwise, they walked.

The people packed their belongings and followed behind. Jiang Pengji specially left two-thirds of the troops and imperial guards behind to protect them.

Meng Hun took scouts with him to survey the road ahead. He reported the situation every 15 minutes.

Riding a date red-colored horse, Feng Jin rode ahead to consult Jiang Pengji.

“The troops from Fengyi county mentioned that the people intermittently died of infectious diseases. Does Lanting want to reconsider changing the route and make a detour to Xiangyang district instead? The people behind are unfit to enter an infectious area, if they are infected, it will cause unnecessary deaths.”

She understood, in ancient times there was no effective medicine. These infectious diseases are very frightening as they can spread and claim the lives of many.

Nodding in agreement, she replied, “Let’s change route and head to the Xiangyang district to settle the people down first before we head to Fengyi county and other places.”

An epidemic is bound to spread after a disaster, as basic aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of diseases is not well implemented.

Jiang Pengji’s timely response to decide on burying the corpses and overlay with lime, thereby minimized the likelihood of corpses surfacing from the ground and spreading sickness.

Nevertheless, it was imperative that the camp base underwent frequent cleaning. The items used by the injured were decontaminated using mugwort’s leaf water.

Because of this, the heavens showed them favour: no epidemic occurred in Shangjing. However, it was not so for Fengyi county. Based on the reports from the troops that are involved in the rescue efforts there, many corpses lay open in the streets, water mingled with the decomposing corpses. The wild cats and dogs nibbled on the bodies, eventually, the river waters became contaminated, even the water the people used was unclean.

Under such circumstances, with the hot summer at hand, it was impossible to prevent an epidemic from escalating.

Jiang Pengji could only order the troops and their people to be careful. They must watch their intake of food and water and have an unceasing supply of mugwort leaf water and water from roots of reeds. Protecting themselves was their priority so that they could save more people.

Xu Ke furrowed his brows and added, “If so, Langjun please remember to write letters to other district magistrates and county chiefs, Fengyi county chief ought to be notified too. Otherwise, when Langjun bring a thousand troops over, it will arouse their suspicions and inflict fear.”

She holds the position of the district magistrate at Xiangyang district but she’s not the county chief in Fengyi county, theoretically her troops cannot step outside her area of control.

“Compared to all these, Rang is more worried about the situation in Xiangyang district.”

Qiguan Rang was bored and joined the conversation, his expression solemn. “Xiangyang district is within the radius of the earthquake. When the earthquake happened, there was no one in charge. It might be in a total mess; we also cannot foresee what challenges lie ahead. If an epidemic is spreading over there, Lanting will be kept busy for a while.”

Fortunately, the Xiangyang district had a big land area but a sparse population of people. Even if the people were injured or dead, it would not advance to a widespread outbreak or have a chance to become a serious epidemic.

“I’ve sent a small group of private troops to survey the situation in Xiangyang district. The report should be out in two days,” Qiguan Rang told them calmly. His pure black pupils carried with them a chilly feeling.

Luckily, Jiang Pengji already foresaw this problem and has already prepared for it.

Honestly, with such a meticulous future Lord, Xu Ke and the rest felt relieved. A god-like Lord trumped a pig-like one…even if, ideally, she would be closer to perfection if she changed her bad temper.

——

When Jiang Pengji brought 20,000 men to the Xiangyang district, Wei Ci fell sick along the way. His fever went on for two days, almost damaging his brain.

All he could do was cough.

His perfect features became increasingly thin after suffering from his illness. Remaining a beauty despite his sickly appearance, he was still mesmerizingly attractive in spite of his illness.

Wei Ci sat up with much difficulty to drink the bowl of dark black medicine and he almost vomited out of disgust.

“Ai, seriously, I don’t know what you’re anxious about,” Zhangping said as he helplessly aided him to lie down. He tasked the servant to retrieve some preserved food. “Since the earthquake, I feel that you’re hiding something in your heart, rushing day and night and never taking care of your body, it has finally broken down, right?

Wei Ci felt his whole body was on fire, he still sustained a high temperature, even seeing the person before him was blurry.

“Xiheng, Ci is fine…”

Zhangping was unconvinced, “Are you really fine? If the fever does not subside, your brain will be cooked and ready to be served at the table.”

If he didn’t journey along with Wei Ci, how could he know that he wouldn’t merely collapse halfway through and die in some wilderness?

He’s never met someone who undervalued his heath this much.

Wei Ci’s constitution was not strong to start with, and as he is not taking his health seriously he is courting death.

Down with a high fever to the point where even the breath he exhales is steaming hot, Wei Ci dare not sleep… as once he does, countless nightmares haunt him causing him even more extreme fatigue. His health condition showed no signs of improvement… it even worsened somewhat.

In his current state, Zhangping will not allow Wei Ci to continue his journey. Both master and servant should settle down at this household.

—-

The second day.

Zhangping heard that a monk begging for alms has arrived from elsewhere is looking for a resting place. The people turned him away as they don’t have any rooms available.

Zhangping was about to boil the medicines when he heard the old monk outside cheerfully asking around. His attention was diverted:

“Forgive this monk for asking, is there a man by the name of Wei in this mansion?”

An old monk?

Looking for Wei Ci?