The fear of doing business is that people faint in their own shop, especially when three people faint. No matter how many explanations the shopkeeper has, he cannot clear his name and can only settle matters by compensating.
The shopkeeper thought this was the end of the matter.
But he did not expect that three days later, the three friends of Fu Kang actually died.
Not only that, but Maguan County saw several more deaths, all connected to the Fu Ze Restaurant in the county.
Without any surprise, the Fu Ze Restaurant in Maguan County was taken to court with a lawsuit.
...
The County Magistrate of Maguan County was Guo Ning, the runner-up of the last imperial exam under the Great Song.
He had willingly requested Chen Mo to assign him to the north, and thus he took office in Maguan County.
The food poisoning death case at Fu Ze Restaurant was the largest case he had handled since taking office.
Just these past few days, over a hundred people died in Maguan County, all connected to the Fu Ze Restaurant.
Guo Ning ordered the closure of the Fu Ze Restaurant and initiated an investigation.
Investigation revealed that all the deceased had eaten beef and lamb.
Just as Guo Ning was tracing the source of the beef and lamb.
Reports came in that those who had been in contact with the deceased had also started showing symptoms of unconsciousness, and rescue efforts were underway.
Among these people were the shopkeeper from Fu Ze Restaurant, the staff, the meat butchers, chefs, etc.
Guo Ning’s face changed, realizing from his historical studies that the cattle and sheep might be sick and contagious.
Guo Ning immediately ordered a quarantine.
But by then, it was already somewhat too late.
Those who had been in contact with the deceased and had fallen unconscious died within two days.
Not only that, forensic doctors and constables from the government office who had come into contact with the deceased were also falling unconscious.
Guo Ning’s expression changed dramatically and he immediately issued a notice to lock down the entire city, banning all citizens from leaving their homes. The entire city was not allowed to enter or exit.
Then, Guo Ning promptly reported the situation and gathered personnel to burn the corpses related to the Fu Ze Restaurant incident, and drafted all the doctors in the city to the government office.
...
Moreover, such incidents occurred not only in Maguan County, but also affected Victory County and surrounding counties, even the whole of Youzhou.
When the Prefect of Youzhou learned of this, he felt overwhelmed.
Youzhou also had skilled doctors.
Through their diagnosis and observation, it was deemed to be an epidemic.
Upon hearing about the epidemic, the Prefect of Youzhou nearly fainted.
Epidemics have appeared throughout history numerous times, almost like clockwork every few decades or centuries, claiming many lives each time.
If he mishandled this situation and it spread, he’d be risking more than just losing his position; he might lose his head.
He first went to Zhao Liang and several other generals guarding the border pass, hoping to mobilize the army to seal off the entire state.
Upon learning it was an epidemic, Zhao Liang dared not delay even a moment and immediately mobilized troops to blockade the transportation routes connecting Youzhou and other states.
The Prefect of Youzhou, besides immediately reporting the matter, also conducted investigations to trace the source of the epidemic.
Soon, they traced it to Guan Rong in Victory County.
But by then, Guan Rong had already died from the epidemic, and everyone in the Guan family, including servants, was not spared.
However, not all information was lost.
Before the complete demise of Guan Rong’s household, the family’s butler revealed that the recent cattle and sheep were all purchased from Jin Xia.
...
During the investigation in Youzhou.
The epidemic was not limited to breaking out only in Youzhou.
Even Cangzhou and Gaozhou had detected cases.
Prior to the lockdown in Youzhou, there was free movement between Youzhou and Cangzhou. Some traders who had eaten hot pot in Youzhou returned to Cangzhou the next day.
Others who had been in contact with the deceased traveled widely to visit friends and relatives.
...
July of the Second Year of Zhenghe.
Celestial River.
The Imperial Palace, third floor of the Observatory.
Unlike the usual pearl-laden rooms of women.
Nalan Yiren’s room was extremely simple, not filled with fragrant scents but with a rather strong medicinal aroma.
The windows on the window sill were open, letting warm sunlight spill onto the passionate couple on the soft couch.
Nalan Yiren sat in Chen Mo’s embrace, holding his head tightly, biting her lip, her head tilted back.
Her fragrant shoulders were bare, the collar of her palace skirt was spread open, and a white waistband had snapped, casually thrown aside.
Chen Mo, like a hungry baby, was feeding on Nalan Yiren.
At this moment, Chen Mo was feeling triumphant.
Since the incident at the Royal Hunting Ground, the relationship between Chen Mo and Nalan Yiren progressed rapidly.
Not only did they kiss and build snowmen, but Chen Mo could now come whenever he wanted.
Sometimes, he could even play baby for a while.
But Nalan Yiren highly valued her "chastity," refusing to give herself to Chen Mo for the time being.
After satisfying his hunger, Chen Mo looked up at the already enchanted Nalan Yiren, raised his hand, pinched her chin, and kissed her sweet lips.
The most immediate change was that with the closeness to Chen Mo, Nalan Yiren’s "poison" lessened.
Nalan Yiren even unconsciously responded to Chen Mo’s passionate kiss.
While kissing, Chen Mo pushed Nalan Yiren onto the soft couch, leaning over her, holding her rosy white face, gazing into her eyes, kissing the corner of her mouth, and whispered into her ear, "Yiren, are you ready?"
"Hmm?" Nalan Yiren was momentarily unresponsive.
"About what we said at the Royal Hunting Ground last time, are you ready to be my woman?" Chen Mo caressed Nalan Yiren’s cheek, smiling brightly.
Nalan Yiren’s flushed face heated up, after contemplating for a while, she replied tremblingly, "I... I want a wedding."
"Sure, I’ll instruct the Ministry of Rites to arrange it right away."
"No."
"?"
"I mean, you should come with me to Poison King Valley, you... you’re my man, so I must bring you to my grandfather’s grave to let him see you, and then we complete the marriage at Poison King Valley. After that, I... I’ll give myself to you."
After speaking, Nalan Yiren seemed to have spent all her energy, her head blushing so much it nearly emitted smoke.
"Then let’s go in a few days." Chen Mo thought it over, found Nalan Yiren’s request reasonable, and saw no reason to refuse.
"Hmm."
Nalan Yiren gently nodded, her heart instantly hanging in suspense, but shyly avoiding eye contact with Chen Mo.
Chen Mo pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him, and then he playfully said, "Yiren, since that’s the case, help me out now won’t you?"
"Hmm?"
Nalan Yiren looked at Chen Mo puzzled, not understanding his meaning.
"Yiren, I feel awful, please help me." Chen Mo again leaned to her ear, whispering.
Nalan Yiren’s face turned bloody red, understanding Chen Mo’s words clearly.
Just as she was a bit lost, unsure whether to agree.
A voice came urgently from outside.
"Your Majesty, Elder Geng has urgent matters requesting an audience."
...
Nalan Yiren seized the chance to push Chen Mo away, sat up, seemed worried about Chen Mo’s displeasure, explained, "Since it’s urgent, you... you should go quickly."
Chen Mo was inwardly gritting his teeth in frustration, almost achieving success.
However, despite his irritation, he wasn’t resentful, just felt it was a pity.
He didn’t dwell in Nalan Yiren’s place anymore.
Now that Geng Songfu sought him with urgent matters, it must truly be urgent.
...
Imperial Study.
When Chen Mo rushed over, Geng Songfu had already been waiting for some time.
"Minister, greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities, Minister Geng quickly speak." Chen Mo waved his hand, suggesting he sit and talk.
Geng Songfu didn’t bother with pleasantries, the situation being urgent, he didn’t sit, hurriedly took out a memorial from his coat and handed it to Chen Mo, saying, "Your Majesty, a great crisis has occurred, an epidemic has broken out in Youzhou, linked to the beef and lamb of Fu Ze Restaurant. The source is still being investigated by the Prefect of Youzhou, since he handed over this memorial, Youzhou already has over a thousand deaths."
"What?!"
At these words, Chen Mo’s face changed dramatically, quickly opening the memorial to examine.
The actions even seemed a bit hurried and tense.