"Not difficult, when I say I’ll deliver you to the officials, do you think it’s just empty words? Of course, I’m giving you a chance for achievents."
Suspicion arose again in Shang Jingwang’s heart. What kind of achievent could this profligate young noble of the capital possibly deliver to him?
Huangfu Jingchen glanced askew at him: "It seems Lord Shang is not very attentive, perhaps you think there is no such good thing in the world, and that I have no reason to give you such a benefit?"
"Young Master, I don’t an it that way!" Though that’s what Shang Jingwang thought, he certainly couldn’t admit it. He smiled and said, "If Young Master is willing to teach , I will beco a humble student of your mansion, eternally grateful for the guidance and the opportunity. I will not forget such kindness and recognition!"
"Enough of the empty words!" Huangfu Jingchen said, "The achievent I speak of involves risks and challenges. It depends on how you choose. Opportunities co with risks; if you wish to pursue it, I’ll help you. If not, I’ll offer this achievent to your Lord Governor!"
"Please tell !"
Huangfu Jingchen’s gaze turned more serious as he said, "I have traveled from Jinzhou, and passed through a town under your jurisdiction, where I found many people suffering from a peculiar illness. This illness is just beginning but is contagious. The small town does not seem to recognize the problem, but I find it inappropriate!"
Shang Jingwang was startled and asked, "Contagious? Is it serious?"
"It can be fatal, do you think it’s serious or not? I encountered a young prodigy doctor on my way, and he told that this illness starts without symptoms. Once it breaks out, the afflicted soon cough up blood, are bedridden, and beco weak and powerless. Without proper treatnt, within ten days, death is certain!"
"This, this is an epidemic!" Shang Jingwang exclaid in shock.
Huangfu Jingchen looked puzzled, "Epidemic? Could it be an epidemic? Is it serious?"
"How could it not be serious? It’s infectious and can be fatal in a short period. It’s a very serious problem." Shang Jingwang anxiously reached out to grab Huangfu Jingchen’s sleeve, "Young Master Jing, which county? Which town?"
Huangfu Jingchen looked at his hand.
Following his gaze, Shang Jingwang quickly let go and smoothened the sleeve, his eyes showing urgency, yet his face displayed a fawning smile: "Forgive , Young Master, I lost my composure!"
Huangfu Jingchen curiously asked, "Aren’t you afraid I’m lying?"
"Well... a matter of life and death, regardless of true or false, soone should be sent to investigate. What if it’s true?" Shang Jingwang said, "Besides, given Young Master Jing’s status, how could you make jokes about such a matter?"
If it were an ordinary person, it would be debatable, as they could easily be a fraud.
Huangfu Jingchen asked, "What do you plan to do?"
"Treat the illness, dispatch doctors and dicines!"
"They are all poor commoners."
"The lives of poor commoners are lives too!"
"They don’t have money to pay for dical fees!"
"If it truly is an epidemic, it’s not just a personal matter, funds should definitely be allocated from the treasury, and the court should be reported to for additional funds!"
...
In their exchange, both asked and answered directly without much thought. Huangfu Jingchen saw that Shang Jingwang indeed cared for the commoners and was quite satisfied, saying, "I’ll take you there myself!"
"No way!"
A loud shout interrupted them—this wasn’t said by Shang Jingwang, but Jiang Ning.
This ti, Jiang Ning was truly anxious. He finally understood why the Young Master used the identity of the capital’s Prince Kang Mansion’s second young master to find this Shang Prefect. It was for this matter.
He stepped forward and said, "Princely Heir, your noble body must not venture into danger. The epidemic is contagious and rapidly progresses; once contracted, it’s almost incurable. You cannot go!"
In his urgency, he forgot to address him as Young Master and directly revealed Huangfu Jingchen’s true identity.
Shang Jingwang regained his composure, "Yes, Young Master, just tell the location, and I’ll send soone to investigate. If it’s true, I will certainly not neglect it. Young Master, please don’t go."
He was also puzzled—how could the second young master of Prince Kang’s Mansion also be a princely heir? However, the guard inadvertently disclosed in his urgency, evidently revealing this person’s status was even more noble than he had imagined.
Huangfu Jingchen sternly looked at Jiang Ning, "Are you making decisions on my behalf?"
Jiang Ning stiffened his neck and said, "I am not trying to influence your decisions, but Young Master, a gentleman does not stand next to a crumbling wall. The epidemic is so perilous, it could cost lives at any mont. I absolutely cannot let you go!"
Huangfu Jingchen warned, "Seems like you want to go to the Southern Camp!"
"Even if it ans going to the Southern Camp, I won’t let you go!" Jiang Ning said fiercely, "As your guard, it’s my duty. If you venture into danger, I have no choice but to offend!"
Huangfu Jingchen was so amused by his anger that he gave him a side glance, "Can you beat ?"
Jiang Ning was deflated, yet he did not give up, "Young Master, you are not a doctor, you going won’t help. Just tell the location, and I will take Lord Shang there. You should not go; neither the Prince nor the Princess would approve!"
Huangfu Jingchen flatly refused, "You don’t know the place, can’t lead the way." Ignoring Jiang Ning, he looked at Shang Jingwang: "I will depart imdiately, are you going or sending soone?"
Shang Jingwang originally wanted to say he’d send soone, but what ca out was, "I will go with you, Young Master!" If a princely heir dares to go, what fear should a re prefect have for his life?
Furthermore, he ntioned delivering achievents; if sothing happened and he hesitated, wouldn’t he be mistaken?
Moreover, as the Young Master faces a matter that doesn’t directly concern him, and yet he chooses to go. As a Prefect and parental official in the region, this is inherently my duty.
Additionally, if he travels with Young Master Jingchen, it could be counted as fighting side by side. When it cos to counting rits in the future, he could also boast of being close to Young Master Jingchen under Prince Kang!
Shang Jingwang comprehensively considered both public and personal aspects, making his resolve even firr.
He bowed slightly to Huangfu Jingchen and said, "Young Master, please have lunch before we depart, and allow so ti to prepare!"
Previously referring to himself sotis as ’I’ and sotis as ’this official,’ he now changed to ’this inferior official,’ signaling his stance and attitude.
Huangfu Jingchen nodded.
Shang Jingwang imdiately went out. He had brought attendants, yet to avoid offending the noble young master from the capital, they awaited outside. Now he called them over, instructed them on tasks, and ordered the shopkeeper of Baoyue Building to prepare an exquisite feast.
The lunch was shared with Huangfu Jingchen, during which he listened to the Young Master describe the symptoms and situations. He beca more convinced that Huangfu Jingchen was not speaking carelessly.
Indeed, Huangfu Jingchen’s insights were quite pertinent. This was an achievent, an opportunity with inherent risks! At forty-five, risks will be risks, but if he can control the epidemic, reducing the deaths of the commoners, it would be a monuntal virtue! Virtue can be accompanied by achievents, why shouldn’t he take a chance?
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