Chapter 693 - 693: Although There Are Ten Million People, I’ll
Chapter 693: Although There Are Ten Million People, I’ll
Still Advance On
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Grand Chancellor Ye cupped his hands and said, “After an investigation, your subject has found out that the epidemic has really started to spread from the villages downstream of the Jian River.
“The people in the village often come to the capital to earn a living. Therefore, those who have the same symptoms in the capital have most likely come into contact with them.”
Censor Zhang quickly continued, “The current plan is to control the source first. The Imperial Academy of Medicine is already researching the prescription urgently. However, the current epidemic is spreading too quickly. I’m afraid the commoners won’t be able to wait for long.”
An old cabinet elder pondered and said, “His Majesty, since ancient times, the way to deal with the epidemic has always been to risk killing wrong rather than missing a single kill.
“This subject suggests sealing off and burning the villages that are the source of the epidemic to stop the endless contagion.
“The remaining infected people will be locked up together. The focus will be to quarantine them and not to treat them.”
Gu Yihan’s expression was dark. Before he could say anything, Censor Zhang had already retorted bluntly.
“Cabinet Elder Liu, these words are very cruel! Do you know that there are more than 320 people who have contracted the epidemic in Ning’an Village alone? With Ning’an Village as the center, there are 14 villages densely surrounding the area.
“Based on a rough estimation, there are as many as a thousand people infected with the disease. Every single one of these commoners has a life! Not to mention there are those who aren’t sick. We can burn down the epidemic with fire, but what about the people who died tragically?
“Or perhaps, those who are infected with the epidemic disease might also have a chance of being cured!”
Cabinet Elder Liu snorted coldly, his eagle eyes burning.
“Censor Zhang, it’s easy for you to say that. A person’s life is a life, but wouldn’t the lives of more than 100,000 people in the capital be lives as well? If we don’t stop the epidemic and the situation continues to worsen, it’ll be too late for regrets if it endangers us or even the emperor!”
Censor Zhang flicked his sleeves. “I definitely won’t agree to use such a cruel method to resolve the epidemic. I read the cla.s.sics. The books only taught me how to govern the world and serve the people. They didn’t say that I should send them to their deaths!”
He looked at Gu Yihan and raised his hands above his head.
“His Majesty, this subject is willing to invite troops to Ning’an Village to guard it. Apart from distributing medicinal herbs for them, this subject will supervise and not let the people in those villages go out nonchalantly. This will reduce the spread of the epidemic.”
Cabinet Elder Liu chuckled. “Censor Zhang, even if you’re not afraid of death, aren’t those soldiers afraid? Moreover, who would be willing to lend you troops at this juncture?”
Lord Zhang was speechless for a moment.
At this moment, Bai Yi, who had been silent with a solemn expression, suddenly said, “Bring this subject’s soldiers over.”
Everyone fell silent and looked at him.
Bai Yi’s expression was solemn. He cupped his hands and said, “The Bai Family’s army has risked their lives for His Majesty and fought on the battlefield. The duty of soldiers is to protect the country and the citizens. At a time like this, it’s our duty to step forward.”
Gu Yihan’s expression was unreadable and his tone was calm. “Bai Yi, have you thought it through? That place is comparable to a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den. The epidemic is raging and anyone who gets infected will die immediately.”
Currently, there was not a single example of a successful cure.
Bai Yi’s voice was unprecedentedly firm.
“This subject has thought it through. This subject will set off with Censor Zhang to Ning’an Village. Soldiers don’t easily talk about life and death, let alone fear death!”
Gu Yihan suddenly stood up. “Alright, someone, draft a decree! Bestow General
Bai Yi with the t.i.tle of Evil-suppressing General. He will head to Ning’an Village with Censor Zhang. Bestow them with my token. Seeing that the token is as if I’ve personally arrived. Anyone who dares to disobey General Bai’s transfer order is allowed to be executed first before reporting back to me!”
“Yes!”