Denghuaxiao

Chapter 227 Debt

Dense clouds piled up, a cold wind suddenly rose, and the north wind was strong under the dilapidated city gate.

The young man sat high on the horse, glanced at the crowd lightly, and whipped his whip, and several tightly tied people rolled out in front of the crowd.

He said: "How many thieves have been caught, Sunan people?"

Cai Fang hurriedly stepped forward: "Yes, sir. These people killed the keeper of the Treasury last night and stole the medicine and food in the city. Thank you for catching the murderer!"

The other party's eyes passed over him and said: "Handle it yourself." He raised his hand again. Seeing this, the guard beside him got off his horse, dragged out many heavy boxes from behind the carriage, and said to Cai Fang: "My lord is here I met this group of people outside the city and saw that they were acting suspiciously, so I took action to arrest them. These should be the stolen medicines and grains. "

Cai Fang was overjoyed. He walked to the box in a few steps and opened the lid. Seeing that the medicinal materials and grains were intact, he breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the man on the horse again and was extremely grateful.

 “My lord is…”

The guard who just spoke stretched out his waistband and flashed it in front of Cai Fang's eyes. Cai Fang took a closer look with a look of surprise on his face.

 Dianqian Si’s waist badge, is this the royal guard of Shengjing?

Why did the Royal Guards come to Sunan?

Cai Fang's mind turned when he thought of the words that the yamen servants had previously reported to him.

The rebellion in Qishui has not subsided for a long time. The imperial court sent people to suppress the rebellion. At first, it was said that it was General Zhenwei, but now it was replaced by someone from the front office.

However, Shengjing's affairs are too far away from southern Sunan, so even asking about them is meaningless.

Li Wenhu on the other side couldn't help but wonder: "Why did you come to Southern Jiangsu?"

Immediately the young man heard the words and said slowly: "Didn't you write a letter asking me to come?"

 Li Wenhu was startled.

Cai Fang Nanran: "It's the lower official who wrote a letter asking for Qishui's help... I'm sorry to bother you, sir."

 In fact, he wrote the letter with the thought of treating a dead horse as a live doctor. After all, all the previous requests for help to Qishui fell into the sea without any reply. He never thought that this gentleman from Shengjing would come here.

A round-faced young man came down from the carriage team with a friendly expression. He smiled and said to Cai Fang: "Don't worry, County Magistrate. Your Majesty is aware of the situation in southern Sunan and has specially sent Mr. Pei to come to help." He pointed to the team behind him and said, "We have brought I bought a lot of rice, food, medicine and warm things, which should help.”

 “Really? Great!”

Cai Fang looked serious, clasped his fists and bent down to salute, "Your kindness will be unforgettable to the people of southern Jiangsu."

  “It doesn’t matter.”

 The medical officers beside him saw the familiar faces and started whispering. Lu Yan stood in the crowd and looked at the young man on horseback with a complicated mood.

 She did not expect that Pei Yunying would come to Sunan.

I heard Chang Jin say before that Pei Yunying went to Qishui. When Lin Danqing told her about this, she also speculated whether he would come to Southern Jiangsu.

 Lu Zong thinks this is very unlikely.

Southern Jiangsu is an epidemic area. Even if he successfully quells the chaos, his top priority should be to return to Beijing first.

I just came here.

 She raised her eyes and looked at Pei Yunying.

The young man sat high on the horse, his eyes calmly passing over the people in front of the city gate. He stayed on her for a moment and then looked away, like a stranger.

 Lu Zhen also withdrew his gaze.

Cai Fang's voice came from the side: "Sir, you are tired from traveling and traveling. I will lead people to unload these rice grains first." Then he turned to look at Chang Jin, "Sir Yi Zheng, now that the medicinal materials have been found, can we?" Have you prepared a medicine that can be thrown into a well?"

Chang Jin perked up for a moment, recovered from the surprise of meeting an acquaintance, and said: "Yes, business is more important." He called the medical officer behind him: "Stop watching the fun, without further ado, go and see the medicine well first. position."

Li Wenhu took Chang Jin and several medical officers to see the location of the well where the medicine packages were dropped. The other medical officers, except those who were on duty, went back to pick the medicine packages and prepare the incense to avoid the plague. Cai Fang first led people to settle the group of carriages and horses coming from Qishui.

Lu Zong, Lin Danqing and his entourage returned to the medical officers’ quarters and continued the unfinished work of incense to avoid the plague.

Large and small medicinal herbs and spices were piled all over the floor. Lin Danqing pounded the herbs in the jar hard and said suspiciously: "How come Pei Dianshuai suddenly came to Qishui? Shouldn't he return to Beijing to resume his life?" He sneaked closer to her, "It can't be because You?"

"How is that possible?" Lu Yan said calmly, "I told you that it was His Majesty who gave the order."

"Same." Lin Danqing nodded, and then remembered that now that the new emperor had ascended the throne, there were some changes in Shengjing, and whether these changes would affect the Lin family, he sighed worriedly.

The two of them worked for a while. Lin Danqing took the prepared batch of plague-repelling incense and went outside to distribute it to the medical officers. Lu Zhuo sat alone in the yard sorting the medicinal materials. After sorting for a while, a "Medical Officer Lu" suddenly came from behind.

 Lu Zong made a move.

 Looking back, Duan Xiaoyan's bright smiling face was right in front of him.

"I just saw you at the city gate." The young man sat down on the stone bench opposite her. "It was just that there were so many people at that time that it was hard to say hello to you. The carriages and horses were all settled, so I was the first to come. you."

Lu Yan looked at him, and Duan Xiaoyan took the initiative to explain: "Brother Yun Ying is with Cai County Cheng. The thieves who stole medicine and food yesterday have not been dealt with yet, so we are very busy today."

Lu Zhen lowered his head and continued his movements: "I didn't ask him."

 Duan Xiaoyan touched his nose.

Lu Tong picked two bunches of medicinal herbs, put the clean herbs into the bamboo basket, paused for a moment, and asked: "Why did you suddenly come to Sunan if you weren't making trouble in Qishui?"

 Duan Xiaoyan was startled for a moment.

There was no one in the courtyard, and the medical officers had all gone to the front to avoid the smell of plague.

“You should know everything about Shengjing?”

 “I’ve heard about it roughly.”

"Your Highness... Your Majesty sent Brother Yunying to Qishui to cause chaos. Qishui soldiers have been in chaos for too long. Our people quickly captured their party leader. We were supposed to go back, but later we learned that southern Jiangsu was short of supplies, medicines and food. This year There may be snowstorms, famines, snowstorms and plagues. I am afraid that southern Jiangsu will not be able to survive, so Brother Yun Ying asked your majesty to bring people to help southern Jiangsu control the epidemic, and your majesty agreed. "

 Lu Zong paused.

It was actually he who brought it up on his own initiative.

"Deputy Ambassador Xiao took the rest of the troops back to the capital first. Brother Yun Ying and I came to help, but Sunan is even worse than I thought." Duan Xiaoyan glanced at the gray sky in the distance, "On the way here. I also encountered bandits who stole your food and grass, and took care of them easily. I wonder if there are others."

They are not afraid of thieves, but they are worried about them. In the past, there were not enough manpower, so they were no match for them. Now the soldiers came and just wiped out these bastards. For Sunan, it was also a big worry.

Seeing Lu Zhen was silent, Duan Xiaoyan blinked and said, "What about you, Medical Officer Lu, how are you doing these days?"

"It's okay." Lu Huo reminded, "The medical officers will distribute face towels soaked in concoction to you. Remember to wear them at all times to avoid infection."

“That’s not what I’m asking,” Duan Xiaoyan leaned closer and whispered, “Are you planning to reconcile with Brother Yun Ying?”

The young man scratched his head, with a troubled look on his face, "Although I don't know what happened to you, I still feel that something is not right. Deputy Xiao said that you had a quarrel, why?"

 “How did he make you angry?”

Lu Chen leaned over and picked up the bamboo basket filled with medicinal materials. He did not answer his question, but said, "There are prepared anti-pesticide sachets in the wooden barrel at the door. You can take them to them according to the number of people." After finishing speaking, he walked out the door holding the bamboo basket without saying anything more to him.

Duan Xiaoyan sat in the yard and was stunned for a while. He looked at her back and touched his chin, muttering to himself: "Why does it feel weird?"

 …

 This day was spent in a busy way.

 In the next few days, the medical officers’ tasks increased dramatically.

Chang Jin confirmed the well where the medical kits were placed, and immediately ordered the medical officers to speed up the preparation of the medical kits. Because Pei Yunying and his party brought new medicines and grains, the medicinal materials were more abundant. Cai Fang added a few more wells. Each well required a lot of medicine packages, and more medicines had to be added from time to time. The medical officers were often busy until midnight. There are often medical officers who are so tired that they fall asleep on the spot.

Lu Zong and Lin Danqing are also among them.

The weather in southern Jiangsu was getting colder day by day. Lu Zhu took a nap, and when he woke up again, there was a faint line of white in the sky.

Winter in southern Jiangsu is always foggy, like accumulated haze piled on top of people's heads. Lu Zhuo sat up, Lin Danqing was crouching at the desk, with half an unfinished medicine bag in front of him. Several medical officers were sleeping in the room, and he had half written the prescription, and fell asleep due to extreme sleepiness.

 The lamp oil has burned out.

She stood up gently, pulled up the half-torn mattress on Lin Danqing, and went out.

Just when he walked to the yard, a bit of moist coldness fell on the tip of his nose. Lu Yan raised his eyes and saw that in the sky, the flying snow was dancing like poplar flowers.

 Lu Zhuo was startled.

I don’t know what time it was last night, but it snowed in southern Sunan.

 “You’re awake.” Someone’s voice came from behind.

 She turned her head and saw Ji Xun sitting in the corner under the eaves, fiddling with a charcoal basin in front of him.

The charcoal basin is burning with Atractylodes and other medicinal materials used to ward off plague and strengthen health. On weekdays, medical officers always connect the burned medicine basin at any time to drive away plague.

“Medical Officer Ji got up very early.” She looked at Ji Xun.

Ji Xun was wearing a gray-green cotton robe distributed by the medical hospital. The clothes were wrinkled and a bit messy. He no longer looked like the handsome young man in Shengjing in the past. I remember Zhuling said earlier that Ji Xun's clothes were worn every day. To be replaced.

When we go to southern Jiangsu to fight the epidemic, everything is not so particular.

 “Can’t sleep.”

Ji Xun put down the branches that were playing with the brazier, stood up, looked at the dancing snow in the yard, and spoke softly.

"These days, fewer people are sick, but we haven't found a cure, and the patients in the hospital are still dying. If this continues, it will only delay time. Sooner or later, they will still be buried in the area behind the temple. "The execution ground." Lu Yan was silent.

"Originally, I boasted that I had outstanding medical skills and that I was above the top in the imperial medical bureau. But now, only when I go deeper here, I realize that everything I have learned is just a drop in the ocean. Medical methods are ever-changing, it is difficult to treat patients, and I see patients suffering and unable to help. I am ashamed to be called Doctor."

Lu Zong glanced at him.

 The young medical officer's eyebrows no longer looked aloof and arrogant, and he looked a little tired.

This was the first time she had seen Ji Xun so lost.

"Medical Officer Ji," Lu Huan said after a moment of silence, "We are doctors, not Bodhisattvas. We can only try our best to save lives. It is not your fault that the disease is difficult to cure. Instead of blaming yourself, it is better to study hard."

 “I believe there must be a way.”

Ji Xun looked at Lu Xu.

 During the days in southern Jiangsu, she traveled to the soup kitchens to distribute medicinal soups, discussed with Chang Jin how to treat the epidemic, and worked at night making medicine packets until midnight.

She always looks indifferent and her tone is indifferent, which seems a bit unhuman. However, she still does not forget what she needs to do. She always seems to have very firm confidence. No matter what happens, no matter how bad the situation is, she will go there immediately after a short silence. Find a way to solve the next problem and never stop at irrelevant things.

 He used to think that Lu Shen was very special, but now, he seemed to know her better.

Ji Xun’s heart moved slightly.

“I want to go to the hospital to deliver medicine.” Lu Yan asked, “Does Medical Officer Ji want to go?”

Ji Xun thought for a moment and nodded: "Let's go together."

Lu Zhuo then picked up the medical box and went out with Ji Xun.

Just as he walked to the door, Ji Xun suddenly remembered something, glanced at Lu Zhu, and said, "I'll go back to get something. Wait for me at the door."

Lu Zhu nodded, watched him turn around and enter the yard, then turned around and opened the door.

 “Creak—” a sound.

The door of the dormitory was pushed open, and Lu Huan was about to walk out when his footsteps suddenly stopped.

The sun was freezing cold, the snow was falling, and someone was passing by the door.

Pei Yunying was walking in the direction of the camp with a few guards. When he heard the movement, he turned his head and looked this way.

He was standing in the sky full of spring breeze, wearing a dark cloak, looking over with his beautiful, dark eyes, the meaning of which was unclear.

Before Lu Yan could speak, he suddenly felt warm and put a furry cloak on his shoulders. Ji Xun walked up to her and said, "It's snowing today, you are wearing too little."

 After finishing speaking, he seemed to see other people at the door. He paused for a moment, gathered his clothes and saluted: "Commander Pei Dian."

Pei Yunying glanced at the two of them, his expression was indifferent, showing no emotion or anger, and he left with his guards without saying anything.

Ji Xun frowned and looked at Lu Xu: "He..."

Lu Zhen lowered his eyebrows and said, "Let's go."

 …

It was very lively outside the temple.

It snows heavily today.

"The Collection of the Seventy-Two Hours of the Moon Order" says, "The snow will be abundant at this point."

Sunan is located in the south. Except for the mountains in winter, it rarely snows in the city. The last time it snowed heavily was the severe cold six years ago.

Unexpectedly, on this winter day just after the locust plague and famine, and when the plague was prevalent, heavy snow suddenly came.

The door of the temple was half open, and a charcoal pot was lit inside. Pei Yunying's people brought heating supplies, and the temple door was renovated. The inside of the temple was much warmer than when Chang Jin and his party first arrived.

　　 Lu Zhen arrived at the hospital, and Cuicui ran towards her.

The little girl wore a brand-new light pink cotton skirt today. Perhaps because of the medicine she has been taking these days, she is no longer hungry, and her complexion looks much better.

Lu Zhen asked: "Where did this new clothes come from?"

Southern Jiangsu is in short supply of supplies, so beautiful little girls’ clothes are rare.

 “This is a gift from Mr. Pei. Mr. Pei’s subordinate, Brother Duan, distributed new warm cotton clothes to everyone in Fusuo. He found a beautiful skirt among them. Knowing that I was in Fusuo, he specially kept it for me.”

Cuicui pointed outside.

 Lu Zhuo turned around.

Outside the temple, Pei Yunying was talking to Chang Jin. Beside him, several guards were unloading supplies on the horses.

These days, Pei Yunying's arrival has helped a lot.

The county government's medicine and food were stolen, and Pei Yunying captured the bandits, which caused a serious problem in southern Jiangsu. The food and herbs he brought from Qishui have also greatly alleviated the problem of the medical hospital. At least for now, the medicines poured into the wells every day are enough, and when making the incense and medicine bags to avoid plague, there is no need to worry about the medicinal materials. lack of.

"Everyone is very grateful to Mr. Pei," Cuicui whispered in Lu Zhuo's ear: "Every time he comes to Fushuo, he brings us good things, and when he talks to others, he doesn't look like those who came from Shengjing before. "The senior officials dislike us." Cuicui smiled sheepishly, "My father told me that if I look for a husband in the future, I must find someone as handsome, good-tempered, and powerful as Mr. Pei."

Lu Zong couldn't help but be amused by her.

“Then what good things did he bring to you today?” Lu Huan asked.

"It's snowing heavily today." Cuicui opened her eyes wide. "In the past, when there was heavy snow, we had to take supplements, and every household had to pickle bacon. This year's plague in southern Jiangsu is no better than in previous years. I heard from Brother Duan that Mr. Pei brought dried meat. , Ask someone to cook some broth for us today to welcome the New Year."

 The little girl said, swallowing her saliva, with a trace of desire in her eyes.

 For the people in southern Jiangsu who have been hungry for a long time, being able to drink a mouthful of broth is undoubtedly the happiest thing.

Lu Zong glanced outside again.

Pei Yunying was talking to people outside. He seemed to be aware of this line of sight and looked towards this side.

Lu Zhuo quickly glanced over.

 When he does something seriously, he always considers it carefully. It has always been easy to please people.

“It’s time to change the medicine bag.” Ji Xun walked to her side and reminded her.

 The anti-plague capsule will lose its efficacy after a few days and must be replaced with clean herbs. When Lu Yun and Ji Xun went to change the herbs for the patients, the medical officers came in.

Chang Jin and Pei Yunying came in together.

The guards brought the boiling iron pot into the temple, and the temple immediately became lively. The alluring aroma immediately filled the room, and the patients cheered.

“Slow down, everyone has it.” Chang Jin raised his hand and asked the patients to line up one by one to receive it. Everyone received a bowl of broth.

The original deserted 渐 gradually became noisy, with charcoal basins and hot soup. The original silence was like a pool of dead water. Now there is hope, and the smile is no longer a rare thing.

Pei Yunying was about to leave, but was kept by Chang Jin. Chang Jin smiled and said: "The palace commander has been working a lot these days. Let's finish the soup before leaving."

There is not much dried meat in the broth, but a lot of anti-plague herbs are added to the broth. Drinking it is also quite effective in preventing plague.

Pei Yunying paused, took the soup bowl, and sat back.

Chang Jin took another big spoonful and said, "Medical Officer Lu, you also have a drink."

Before Lu Chen could get up, Ji Xun had already walked over, picked up the bowl of soup for Lu Chen, handed it to her, and sat down next to her.

Pei Yunying's eyes fell on Lu Huan for a moment, and then he was called away by Chang Jin.

 In the crowded temple, separated from the crowd, he was on the other side, and she was on this side. It was obviously small, but it seemed as far away as a chasm in the sky.

 Lu Zong looked outside the temple,

 Outside the door, there was a blanket of wind and snow, and further away in the direction of the execution ground, there was a blanket of silvery white.

Ji Xun’s voice came from beside him.

“The old farmer occupied the land and got Jibu. One night the north wind filled the house with snow. The house was so heavy that it was about to collapse. Don’t be sad. There is a foot of mud in Longtou’s new wheat..."

As he spoke, his expression gradually became silent.

 The Imperial Medical Bureau teaches medical science, and the medical officials read medical records all over the place. However, only by going deep into a very difficult place can one realize how difficult the people's livelihood is. Only now can the young master, who is well-dressed and well-fed in a pearl tower and a jade pavilion, understand the true meaning of medicine.

Medical knowledge is endless, but benevolence is the foundation.

The hospital was very lively. The patients and the medical officers were discussing the plan to remove the clay statue of Bodhisattva in front of the altar. Since the medical officers arrived, the disease course of the patients had been delayed a lot. However, the number of people joining the hospital continued to increase. The narrow temple became increasingly crowded. If the clay Bodhisattva is demolished, at least one more space will be available.

 Now that the situation is getting better, medical officers are more useful to living people, and this clay statue of Bodhisattva is less popular with people.

Cuicui ran to the altar table, intending to compare the size of the Bodhisattva. Her wooden bed was very close to the altar table. If the statue was removed, there would be a gap between her father's wooden bed and her own.

 She bent down and crawled in.

The surroundings were noisy and noisy. Lu Meng lowered his head and drank the Chinese medicine soup in his hand. In the midst of the conversation and laughter, suddenly, the little girl's voice sounded in surprise:

 “Hey, why is there a debt note on this wall?”

 (End of this chapter)