The prescriptions for preventing the plague, sent out by Margaret’s people, quickly reached the hands of the three princes.
After receiving the formula, each of the three
reacted differently.
Li Wenxing was naturally overjoyed. He
immediately sought out two divine doctors to verify the prescription, and after
receiving high praise, he began using it right away --- boiling herbal decoctions
and distributing them to patients.
Although it couldn’t fully cure them, it at
least alleviated the symptoms and slowed down the worsening of the plague.
Right now, time was of the essence. Being able
to achieve this level of effectiveness was already a tremendous help to him.
As for Li Guanglong, upon receiving the
formula, he was unable to tell whether it was real or fake. None of the people
around him could understand it either.
With a mindset of “trying anything is better
than doing nothing,” he decided to give it a try.
To his surprise, the prescription worked
remarkably well.
So Li Guanglong didn’t hesitate --- he
distributed the formula immediately and began purchasing large amounts of
medicinal herbs.
However, what Li Guanglong didn’t anticipate
was that the herbs he had given out for free ended up in the hands of corrupt
local officials in Lin City --- and they twisted the situation completely.
Those officials took the opportunity to profit,
selling the herbs at exorbitant prices.
News of the plague spreading throughout Lin
City had already leaked out.
With the officials acting in such a way, the
situation grew even more chaotic.
Everyone who caught wind of the situation
started panic-buying herbs.
The wealthy and powerful in particular hoarded
massive quantities and resold them at sky-high prices.
As a result, not only were ordinary people
unable to protect themselves from the plague, but even those already infected
couldn’t receive timely treatment.
If anyone wanted to buy herbs, they would have
to pay tens or even hundreds of times more than normal.
And if they had no money --- they could only
stay home and wait for death.
Under such a toxic environment, not only did Li
Guanglong fail to contain the plague, but the entire city fell into panic and
suffering.
By the time Li Guanglong received feedback on
the situation, Lin City was already in chaos.
Furious, Li Guanglong immediately ordered the
execution of over ten corrupt officials who had taken advantage of the crisis.
He also had the wealthy profiteers arrested and
thrown into prison for inflating prices and exploiting the national disaster.
Only under such harsh punishments did the foul
atmosphere in Lin City finally start to subside.
However, with so many officials arrested,
government operations were thrown into partial paralysis, which in turn led to
the plague spreading even further.
Li Guanglong was overwhelmed, running around in
a frenzy trying to contain the disaster.
On the other hand, things were much better in
Li Juntang’s domain.
Li Juntang not only brought his own medical
team, but on the very day he stationed himself in Liyang City, he dispatched
his trusted aides to monitor the officials and issued stern warnings.
Thus, when the plague began spreading, most of
the officials in Liyang cooperated fully.
Moreover, unlike Li Wenxing and Li Guanglong,
after receiving the prescription, Li Juntang didn’t use it right away.
Instead, he had his medical team work on
developing their own antidote.
This wasn't just out of caution --- it also
reflected a deeper strategic consideration.
...
Night passed quickly.
The next morning, while Margaret was inspecting
patients at the factory, Su Lan suddenly walked in.
“Boss, Pei Nan has been captured. Would you like
to interrogate her?” Su Lan asked.
“Well done. Lead the way,” Margaret nodded.
The plague in Pu City had been caused by this
woman named Pei Nan --- Margaret certainly intended to question her thoroughly.
“This way, boss.”
Su Lan said no more and led Margaret outside.
After passing through several security
checkpoints, they finally arrived at a concealed cabin.
The area around the small building was
completely sealed off, with several squads of soldiers standing guard to
prevent any unauthorized approach.
Creak ---
Su Lan pushed open the cabin’s iron door.
Sunlight poured in, instantly illuminating the previously pitch-black interior.
Margaret stepped inside and saw a woman tightly
bound to a chair.
She had delicate features and a slim figure ---
looking completely harmless.
If one didn’t know her background, they would
likely drop their guard upon seeing her.
“Remove her blindfold,” Margaret ordered.
Su Lan gestured, and a soldier in hazmat gear
and a gas mask stepped forward and removed the black cloth covering the woman’s
eyes.
The woman instinctively squinted as the light
hit her. It took a moment for her vision to return to normal.
“You’re Pei Nan?” Margaret asked coldly.
“Who are you people? Why did you bring me here?
I haven’t done anything wrong!” Pei Nan looked panicked and frightened.
“We are official personnel. We’ve already
investigated your background thoroughly, so you’d best drop the act,” Margaret
said expressionlessly.
“Official personnel? Why are you arresting me?
I haven’t committed any crime! You must have the wrong person!” Pei Nan looked
stunned.
“Enough! There’s no point in pretending now.
You’re already here --- do you really think that shedding a few tears and
acting pitiful will make us let you go?” Su Lan said coldly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about… Are
you kidnappers? I’m very poor --- you won’t get any ransom from me,” Pei Nan
said weakly.
“Still playing dumb, huh? Fine. Looks like
unless we get tough, you won’t tell the truth.”
Su Lan had no interest in further talk. She gave a direct order: “Men! Apply the torture!” - Ton
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