"Um... cough cough..." Nalan Yiren coughed lightly twice and said, "This epidemic isn’t strong, but it’s very novel, so I just carefully studied it. If I’m not mistaken, this epidemic is cultivated from the basis of cholera, first using the human body, then transferring to animals and recreating it."
"Okay, plus during cultivation, both humans and animals were likely still alive at the time."
Chen Mo’s expression remained calm.
Beside him, Yu Zhu, felt a chill down her spine.
Living body experiments, it’s horrifying.
"So..."
"That’s right, this epidemic is man-made."
As soon as Chen Mo began to speak, Nalan Yiren seemed to know what he wanted to say and continued on his behalf.
Nalan Yiren further said, "I really want to meet the person who created this epidemic. Although I don’t find its contagiousness strong, it gave me some fresh ideas. Perhaps from this person, I can gain methods to advance my Poison Technique further."
"When we find them, I’ll hand this person over to you." Chen Mo said.
Since it’s man-made, and clues point to Jin Xia, it’s almost a hundred percent certain that this is Jin Xia’s conspiracy.
"Do you want to repay him in kind? I have an epidemic that’s much stronger than his." Seeing Chen Mo’s displeased expression, Nalan Yiren hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
Chen Mo pondered for a bit, then shook his head.
Although he aims to sweep through Jin Xia, he doesn’t want to eradicate Jin Xia completely, killing all without leaving any behind—that would be too extreme, and he doesn’t want to harm innocents.
Troubles have causes, debts have owners, just find those executors.
Additionally, he plans to annex Jin Xia, to include Jin Xia into the territory of Great Wei—if Jin Xia is rampant with an epidemic, he wouldn’t gain anything either.
"Well then, since there’s a solution now, the next step is to wait for the epidemic to be controlled and then settle accounts with Jin Xia." A flash of cold light flickered in Chen Mo’s eyes.
After saying that, he walked towards the door, as the smell inside was really unpleasant.
Nalan Yiren and Yu Zhu followed closely behind.
Just then, the County Magistrate of Sheng’an County and Prefect of Youzhou, who went down to make arrangements earlier, ran over drenched in sweat.
The County Magistrate of Sheng’an County said, "Your Majesty, two Nobles, regarding the prescription’s Purple Gold Hidden Flower and Jade Bone Amaranth, I have consulted the county’s doctor and the shopkeeper of the pharmacy. These two medicinal ingredients are not available in our Great Wei; only in Jin Xia and Baiyue."
"I almost forgot, Purple Gold Hidden Flower really is not found in Central State." Nalan Yiren suddenly remembered.
Of course, the meaning of unavailability here does not mean it doesn’t grow on the land of Central State.
Central State is vast and rich; perhaps in some remote mountain forests, it might grow, but these two herbs correspond to too few ailments. Herbalists aim to make money, thus primarily sell high-demand herbs, so there’s practically no one in Great Wei to collect these, and naturally, none of the pharmacies in every city would have them.
"What now?" Chen Mo frowned, even if Baiyue and Jin Xia would supply them, how many would die during transport?
Nalan Yiren pondered and said, "Use Celestial Ganoderma and Hundred Herbs Fruit Ginseng as substitutes, but the efficacy would decrease..."
At this point, she addressed the Prefect of Youzhou and County Magistrate of Sheng’an County, "You should begin preparations, administering them multiple times will suffice."
The County Magistrate of Sheng’an County looked at the Prefect of Youzhou.
The Prefect of Youzhou looked at Chen Mo.
"Do as the State Preceptor says." Chen Mo stated.
"Understood."
The two of them withdrew.
Certainly, Nalan Yiren’s blood can neutralize all poisons, this epidemic would naturally not be a problem.
But considering how many are infected, if blood purification were used, how would Nalan Yiren’s blood be adequate?
...
The County Magistrate of Sheng’an County first checked if Youzhou had these medicinal ingredients like Celestial Ganoderma and Hundred Herbs Fruit Ginseng. Knowing these ingredients are common and not scarce, he then instructed his subordinates to brew a few prescriptions initially, administered them to infected patients, and upon seeing effects.
The Prefect of Youzhou then issued orders to notify all counties within Youzhou and informed Cang and Gao States.
After all, while Your Majesty and his party only needed to issue orders, these people had much more to contemplate.
...
Upon realizing the prescription worked, although Chen Mo had long trusted Nalan Yiren, a trace of worry still lingered in his heart, which now finally dissipated.
He could now fully plan the assault on Jin Xia.
But before that, a bath was needed—the mugwort smell on him was overwhelming.
Chen Mo invited Nalan Yiren to bathe together.
Even though their relationship was just one step away, with Yu Zhu beside them, Nalan Yiren was sure not to agree, glaring coldly at Chen Mo, and refused without hesitation.
Following Yu Zhu, Chen Mo arrived at the place of lodging arranged for them by the County Magistrate of Sheng’an County.
It was a refined and elegant mansion.
Even the servants in this mansion, each so attractive, could easily become courtesans in a brothel.
Clearly, it was specially arranged by the County Magistrate of Sheng’an County.
Chen Mo had no intent of picking wildflowers, leaving arrangements to Yu Zhu, and under a maid’s guidance, he entered a study room.
Firstly, he sent word back to the Capital to inform Geng Songfu.
To let the Court announce the recent epidemic in Youzhou.
To denounce Jin Xia’s crimes.
Chen Mo had two purposes for this.
One, to let people nationwide know the heinous crimes of Jin Xia.
Two, having had peace for over two years now, many people might have grown averse to war. He aimed to stir up hatred in people’s hearts, to unify the citizens of Great Wei, and make the army fight with greater vigor.
By the time the message reaches the Capital and the announcement is made nationwide, the epidemic in Youzhou should be just about under control.
Then Chang En, waiting in Qingzhou, can head north.
Chen Mo finished writing his letter, as Yu Zhu entered, saying, "Your Majesty, the hot water is ready."
Chen Mo nodded and asked Yu Zhu to wait a moment. Then he summoned Sun Meng, asking him to have someone send the letter back to the Capital.
...
In Youzhou, there is a dedicated bathhouse, and a mansion as large as the one Chen Mo was lodged in certainly wouldn’t lack one.
Yet, since it wasn’t winter yet, these bathhouses hadn’t been opened.
But Yu Zhu had already made arrangements.
Entering the bathhouse, it was filled with steam, enveloped in a refreshing floral fragrance, the air heavily saturated with moisture.
Instead of bath tubs, there was a sunken bath embedded in the ground, somewhat reminiscent of the bathing pool used by Imperial Consort Yang that Chen Mo once visited in a previous life.
But it was large, with its surroundings laid with gentle jade fragments, making it appear more exquisite.
The surface of the steaming water was sprinkled with a layer of petals.
"Your Majesty, let me undress you."
After closing the door, Yu Zhu walked over to undress Chen Mo, her eyes lowered, a shy blush appearing on her face.
Though they had shared a bed numerous times, it was Yu Zhu’s first time attending to Chen Mo’s bathing.
"Join me."
Chen Mo also began to untie Yu Zhu’s dress.
Before Yu Zhu became Chen Mo’s woman, her attire was quite revealing, but after becoming his and serving as a consort, her dressing naturally grew conservative.
Chen Mo certainly wouldn’t allow his woman to show her thighs and small waist in front of others.
Yu Zhu softly acquiesced.
As the dress slipped off, Yu Zhu’s tantalizingly languid body instantly came into Chen Mo’s view.
After some time nurturing, Yu Zhu’s skin wasn’t so dark anymore, turning into a wheat color. Her bust wasn’t particularly ample, but was significantly perky, thus appearing substantial.
A lock of her hair fell across her forehead, perhaps due to the humid steam, enhancing her allure, her diamond-shaped, beautiful eyes shimmering with a spring-like allure.
Chen Mo cradled her slightly sharp oval face, his fingers gently caressing her cheeks.
Yu Zhu had just finished undressing, extended her hands to touch the young man’s shoulders, her body instantly feeling heated.
Chen Mo lowered his head to kiss her lip corner, then scooped her up and moved towards the water pool.
The water level in the pool was low, reaching only waist-deep, necessitating them to sit down.
As the hot water enveloped their bodies, they both let out a pleasant, soft moan.
Chen Mo once again drew Yu Zhu into his embrace, and said, "Yu Zhu."
Yu Zhu’s cheeks grew slightly red, sensing a certain heat, she softly said, "Your Majesty..."