Chapter 369: Chapter 358 Chaos
Fengyu’s heart gave a heavy thud. During the recent clash, many Protectors and refugees had come into contact. If they had been infected, then... the epidemic was highly contagious; one infected person could doom an entire household. Fengyu couldn’t abandon those Protectors who had fought desperately to protect them. Chaos and killings pervaded the streets among the refugees. Fengyu lifted the curtain again and said solemnly, "Everyone, tear off a clean piece of cotton cloth and cover your mouth and nose. Once we reach the mansion, change your clothes outside, wash your hands and face thoroughly before entering. Burn the clothes on the spot. Everyone must obey orders. Nuanyang, watch them closely!"
"Yes!"
The group understood there were already cases of illness among the refugees. The fact that the Miss hadn’t considered abandoning them was met with immense gratitude. Yangzhou City was in turmoil with fires and riots, leaving nowhere safe to hide.
Soon, they arrived at the mansion. The three-entry courtyard was neither large nor conspicuous, merely an ordinary residence tucked away in winding alleys. The surrounding area was home to small households, not the primary targets of the desperate refugees. The refugees mainly targeted prominent families in the city; these smaller residences lacked the provisions they sought to loot.
Everyone stopped at the front gate. Except for Su Ming, Housekeeper Su, and Fengyu, who remained inside the carriage, everyone else changed their clothes and burned them on the spot. The carriage was quickly unloaded, with medicinal materials and food carried into the mansion. Standing at the doorway, Fengyu saw fires blazing in the distance. Smoke rose high into the sky as muffled screams and cries of anguish reached her ears. Fengyu worried about Fang Lingjun.
Fang Lingjun’s maternal grandmother had remarried into the Yang family—a prominent household in Yangzhou City—which would inevitably be a target for the refugees.
Junjun...
"Miss, don’t worry. The State Mansion’s opportunists, who follow the shifting wind and speak honeyed lies, will not let Marshal Fang’s family come to harm. Moreover, their mansion is located close to the State Mansion itself. They will be safe," Nuanyang said softly, as if seeing through her worries.
Fengyu nodded. After everyone entered the mansion, Fengyu quickly took charge of the arrangements. She immediately placed the Protectors who had clashed with the refugees under isolation and addressed them, "Do not worry. You might not have contracted the epidemic, and even if you have, I’ve brought medicinal supplies. I will not abandon any of you. Isolation is merely to prevent the disease from spreading. Please understand. Nuanyang will also be isolated. If there is no high fever or rash in two days, the isolation will be lifted. This is a critical time; I ask for everyone’s cooperation and urge you not to panic."
Although the situation was perilous, Fengyu handled everything methodically. The Su Family’s Protectors, who were more loyal to Su Ming than familiar with the Third Miss herself, still followed her lead. On their journey, she had ensured their escape from the Su Mansion, avoiding a deadly stampede and plunder, and had guided them safely away from the attacking refugees. This developed an inexplicable trust in her, and none questioned her decisions.
"Miss, I won’t isolate myself, nor will I enter the mansion. I’ll stay outside the courtyard and gather news for you. We cannot remain blind in Yangzhou," Nuanyang said, as she pointed at two soldiers. "They will follow me."
"Yes!"
These men, who had accompanied Fengyu in her journey southward, were considered among the finest soldiers.
"Fine. But there’s one thing I need your help with first," Fengyu said as she instructed Chunlu to settle the others. She then brought Nuanyang inside the house and said in a low voice, "Listen closely, Nuanyang. News of Yangzhou will certainly reach Jiaozhou. Zhixu will come to Yangzhou, but he does not yet know that the epidemic has broken out; he thinks it’s just rioting among refugees. When I exchange information with him later, tell him he must return to Jiaozhou immediately. We will find ways to survive here in Yangzhou. But he must not come. The epidemic has already spread from Yangzhou and will soon reach Yanyang and beyond. The Twelve Provinces will not be spared, even though trade routes are currently suspended. Refugees will inevitably flood into the Twelve Provinces as well. Jiaozhou will bear the brunt of it. No matter where he is, he must turn back immediately. Containing the epidemic’s spread in Jiaozhou is vital. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s six thousand troops are stationed there. We absolutely cannot let them contract the epidemic. The Twelve Provinces are impoverished, and medicinal supplies are scarce. Without warning measures, an outbreak would mean waiting for death!"
"Yes!" Nuanyang hadn’t considered such far-reaching consequences. Hearing Fengyu’s words left her shaken. The Twelve Provinces lacked resources, unlike Jiangnan. If a large-scale outbreak occurred—especially if the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry were infected—it could lead to thousands, even tens of thousands, dying. The tightly knit military, where everyone dined together, would see the epidemic spreading at an alarming rate!
Fengyu removed the Soul Suppressing Pearl and swiftly entered Xie Xun’s body. The world spun momentarily, and he found himself onboard a ship. Fengyu exited the cabin—the ship had departed from Jiaozhou, bound directly for Yangzhou from another port. The vessel carried Ningzhou Iron Cavalry soldiers accustomed to fighting in the north but unfamiliar with navigating Southern waters. Several were naturally seasick. The high water levels, strong winds, and turbulent currents made the journey unbearably rough, leaving many vomiting. Ying Yi followed closely behind him.
Fengyu inquired, "How far are we?"
Ying Yi responded gravely, "Three hours until Yangzhou."
"Turn around. Head back to Jiaozhou," Fengyu ordered.
"Master?" Ying Yi froze, puzzled. "Miss?"
"Turn around and return to Jiaozhou. Don’t worry. Your master will return soon; he understands the gravity of the situation," Fengyu said.
For a moment, Ying Yi didn’t know how to respond. Fengyu continued, "The epidemic is spreading in Yangzhou, and the city gates are sealed. The waterways and ports are under strict inspection to prevent refugees from entering. This ship will not make it to Yangzhou. To my knowledge, Ningzhou Iron Cavalry has no experience handling epidemics. If the disease spreads to the Twelve Provinces, already low on medicinal supplies, everyone on this ship could die. Do not risk yourselves for me."
Though Fengyu exaggerated the threat, she cited historical records: the flood three years ago had led to an outbreak where an epidemic spread across merely four cities, killing twenty thousand people. Her caution was no baseless alarm.
Ying Yi’s face turned pale. Xie Xun had embarked southward with two thousand troops upon hearing of Yangzhou’s unrest, but now he realized how futile that would be—it would not save the city and only waste lives.
"Turn around. He’ll come back and turn the ship himself if need be."
"Yes!"