As they were about to descend the mountain, Steward Zheng saw a fair-faced young man walking with them. He was momentarily stunned, then looked closer and chuckled,
"I didn't expect Miss Gu to be in male attire; I almost didn't recognize you. Be careful you don't get captured by the young ladies in the city and taken as a husband."
Gu Zhaobei and his daughter exchanged awkward smiles.
Gu Qingcheng dressed as a man because she intended to act alone and it would be more convenient. The city was in chaos anyway, so rather than being secretive, it was better to be open with Steward Zheng.
It was also the first time Gu Zhaobei and Gu Qingcheng had seen the sheep leg ladder. As they descended, Gu Zhaobei even tugged at a sheep leg to see if it was firmly attached.
Steward Zheng saw this and laughed, "Divine Doctor Gu, don't worry, it's frozen quite solidly and won't fall. I've already gone up and down a few times."
Gu Qingcheng smiled slightly and said, "I was just curious. Steward Zheng is truly clever to have thought of this method."
When they had been pouring ice slides, they never imagined their efforts would be undone by sheep legs.
They felt quite sorry for the sheep.
Steward Zheng didn't mention that the idea came from his subordinates; instead, he smilingly accepted the credit and led them down the mountain along the sheep leg ladder.
Two carriages waited for them at the foot of the mountain.
The carriages were equipped with heavy curtains. After getting in and lowering the curtains, the entire carriage was sealed off.
Charcoal braziers were burning inside, making it as warm as before the natural disaster.
Indeed, no matter the circumstances, the wealthy could always ensure their comfort.
"How is the disaster situation in the city?"
Gu Zhaobei asked Steward Zheng, feigning ignorance.
It would have been strange if he hadn't asked.
"It's very serious. Although the city was notified in time with fireworks, most of the common people couldn't react.
Some, even if they reacted, were unprepared and never imagined it would be this cold. With nowhere to hide, they simply froze to death.
Now the city is ten houses with nine empty. An old wet nurse in the mansion, over 70 years old, said she has never encountered such cold weather."
Steward Zheng recounted slowly.
It was fortunate to be in the Prince's mansion that an old wet nurse over 70 years old was still alive. Ordinary commoners, even young men, couldn't withstand the extreme cold.
This was the sorrow of the common people.
Although Gu Qingcheng remained silent, she inwardly vowed once again to become a capable person, and realistically, a "wealthy person" with abundant resources.
She would never be like leeks, harvested time and time again by those above her, eventually losing the ability to even save herself.
Gu Zhaobei sighed heavily. Although he pretended to be hearing this for the first time, his sadness was genuine.
"Oh, right, Doctor Gu, we have such a good relationship, so I'll secretly give you a piece of advice. Recently, definitely don't mention Jinsha Mountain to Prince Xia."
Steward Zheng said, putting on an air of someone sharing exclusive information.
"Oh?" Gu Zhaobei asked, puzzled. "Why?"
"Alas, things haven't been smooth over there. Prince Xia is quite sensitive about it, so don't ask."
Steward Zheng acted as if he had done them a favor while deliberately being vague.
Gu Zhaobei knew in his heart that it was related to the theft of gold bars and coal, but he could only feign ignorance and say,
"Alright, thank you, Steward Zheng, for the reminder.
Oh, and speaking of which, do you know how Mr. Zhang is? His family should be fine, right?"
"They're fine. How could they not be? He's in the coal business and has underfloor heating at home. It's just that his father was too old and couldn't survive the extreme cold, passing away that night.
But honestly, with so many people in the city dead, the grief seems to have faded."
Steward Zheng shook his head.
Gu Zhaobei also sighed and commiserated.
Mr. Sun wasn't familiar with Steward Zheng, so Gu Zhaobei didn't ask him.
The carriage slowly made its way to Prince Xia's mansion through the thick snow and slippery ice.
Along the way, although the carriage curtains were tightly drawn, Gu Zhaobei and his daughter occasionally lifted a corner to peer outside.
This was consistent with their curiosity about everything on their first descent from the mountain.
Steward Zheng did not stop them.
To the father and daughter's surprise, they saw some shops opening their doors on the streets.
There were also some pedestrians hurrying back and forth.
Although everyone was bundled up tightly, the entire Jinsha City was quickly regaining some vitality after the disaster.
Indeed, human potential is limitless.
It made sense; if not for the wealthy or those with ample food reserves, they would have to work after the disaster, otherwise, where would they get food?
Freezing to death or starving to death was not a choice; they had no alternative.
Gu Qingcheng couldn't help but ask,
"Lord Zheng, was this disaster limited to Jinsha City?"
"No, according to reports from fast horses, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty has been affected. Liaoniao, our neighbor, is reportedly suffering severe disasters as well. Eighty to ninety percent of their horses, cattle, and sheep froze to death overnight, and countless people died or were injured. Both countries have been severely weakened and will likely take years to recover their former prosperity."
Steward Zheng's information was certainly more reliable.
A chill ran down Gu Qingcheng's spine.
This extreme cold was truly devastating.
Upon arriving at Prince Xia's mansion, Gu Zhaobei and his daughter naturally had to see Prince Xia first.
Even the corridors of the mansion were enclosed, with charcoal braziers burning all the way, making it warm. It wasn't spring-like, but it certainly wasn't bone-chillingly cold.
Gu Qingcheng now understood the extent of luxury enjoyed by the nobility.
It was only natural, she thought; Prince Xia owned the entire Jinsha Mountain coal mine, so why wouldn't he enjoy such a life?
Prince Xia and his consort received Gu Zhaobei and his daughter. Gu Zhaobei naturally introduced his daughter, who was dressed as a man, to Prince Xia.
Seeing them appear before him safe and sound, Prince Xia said with great relief,
"The Princess has always said that Divine Doctor Gu has profound medical ethics, and that heaven would bless and protect him. As expected, the treatment of the city's wounded will fall to Divine Doctor Gu."
"Treating the wounded is my bounden duty," Gu Zhaobei quickly pledged.
"Miss Gu, why don't you stay at the mansion and keep me company? It's harsh and cold outside, and I fear you won't be able to endure the hardship."
The Princess said kindly.
Gu Qingcheng politely declined.
What a joke, staying with the Princess? Wouldn't that be terribly boring? And she would feel constrained.
She made up an excuse, saying she wanted to study medicine with her father and help the people of Jinsha City.
Upon hearing this noble intention, the Princess did not insist.
Prince Xia did not treat Gu Zhaobei unfairly. He announced that Gu Zhaobei was considered one of the men he had recruited into his personal guards, and he gave both father and daughter a waist token, allowing them unrestricted passage within the city and exempting them from curfews and other restrictions.
Furthermore, Gu Zhaobei would receive a monthly salary of 100 taels of silver.
Gu Zhaobei and his daughter quickly thanked Prince Xia.
Afterward, Gu Zhaobei was led by one of Prince Xia's personal guards to a medical clinic in the northern part of the city, and Gu Qingcheng accompanied him for the time being.
Upon arriving in the northern district, the father and daughter discovered that the situation there was dire, with very basic conditions. The clinic had been set up by emptying a ancestral hall and combining it with uninhabited houses nearby.
All the soldiers and civilians in the city suffering from frostbite were gathered here, awaiting treatment.