The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

Chapter 67 Another Epidemic?

The Imperial Palace of Daqi.

"Father, Qin Xuan attempted to use Qiu Xingzhi's connections to gain the favor of the Confucian Sage, but not only did he fail, he also implicated Qingshan Academy and was severely reprimanded as a lackey by the Confucian Sage. It is truly gratifying."

The Third Prince, Qin Zhen, said with a face full of excitement.

Emperor Qin Tian of the Great Qi Dynasty smiled slightly, but he felt extremely happy inside.

This rebellious son has been advancing with unstoppable momentum ever since he went to the North.

Now look what's happened. The Confucian sage's words "lackey" weren't just directed at Qingshan Academy; they were also telling all scholars in the world that Qin Xuan was an unfaithful and unfilial person.

"The matter of the Confucian sage must not be taken lightly! Qin Zhen, this time you will go to Shanhaiguan on my behalf, and you may freely allocate all the resources of Qingyun Bookstore."

At the last court assembly, although Minister of Personnel Wen Liangshan opposed the Qingyun Bookstore's publication of "Confucianism," the emperor ultimately had the final say in this grand event. Wen Liangshan was even fined half a year's salary as a result, which shows Qin Tian's autocratic rule.

"Your subject will certainly not disappoint your father's expectations."

Qin Zhen was overjoyed and quickly bowed.

He had just habitually cupped his hands in greeting when he suddenly stopped.

His left arm had long been severed by Qin Xuan, and now his left sleeve was empty. Whenever he thought of it, he wished he could grind Qin Xuan to dust.

"Qin Yu!"

The Emperor of Daqi did not notice the change in Qin Zhen's expression, but instead turned his gaze to his fourth son.

"My son is here."

The fourth prince, Qin Yu, was tall and handsome. He had been stationed in the southern border region and had now returned to the capital, so he was naturally qualified to attend court and participate in government affairs.

He returned a month and a half ago and was immediately appointed as a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.

This position may seem low-ranking, but it is responsible for overseeing salt warehouses and customs duties in various states.

He was in charge of overseeing the production of the coal stoves that the Ministry of Works had previously copied.

"You have done a good job with the coal stoves, which pleases me greatly. However, I hope you will continue your efforts and not only stop the coal stoves from Beining City from entering my Great Qi territory, but also sell Great Qi's coal stoves to all foreign countries."

The Emperor of Daqi said with a smile.

During this period, imitation coal stoves gradually took over the market in Daqi, and the Ministry of Works earned a lot of money as a result. The national treasury gradually became full, and the Emperor of Daqi was naturally delighted.

After all, he not only dealt a heavy blow to Qin Xuan this time, but also made money, killing two birds with one stone.

"Your Majesty, I have achieved this small success entirely thanks to your guidance and instruction. I will do my utmost to share your burdens in the future."

Qin Yusheng was handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. Even when flattering the emperor, he maintained an air of elegance and composure.

The Emperor of Daqi laughed heartily: "With you two princes assisting me, what do I have to fear about this world not belonging to my Daqi!"

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

The ministers immediately knelt down and sang loudly, their voices booming like bells.

Beining City, Tiangong Workshop.

The name "Tiangong" is derived from the phrase "Tiangong Kaiwu" (the creation of things by nature), and it was proposed by Qiu Xingzhi that the entire workshop area was officially named after it.

At this moment, Qin Xuan was leading several craftsmen around a huge steamer.

Beside them, Zhao Luoying and Qiu Xingzhi waited with bated breath for the cage to be opened.

Before long, as the sand in the hourglass ran out, Qin Xuan immediately ordered the craftsmen to open the steamer, and then some dried-out tree bark appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Put all of these into a stone mortar and pound them vigorously until they are mushy."

Qin Xuan then gave another instruction before looking up at Zhao Luoying and couldn't help but laugh, "Luoying, there's no need to be so nervous. This is just an intermediate step; it's not ready yet."

"How could I not be nervous? This is papermaking, Mr. Qiu, don't you think?"

Zhao Luoying blushed and muttered.

Qiu Xingzhi nodded repeatedly, saying somewhat helplessly, "In the whole world, I'm afraid only Your Highness would speak of such a weighty matter as if it were a trivial matter."

Papermaking technology exists in the modern world, but due to technological limitations, paper is not only too expensive to produce, but it also absorbs ink too easily, making it prone to tearing even for ordinary writing, let alone painting.

But the paper that Qin Xuan was currently developing was the most suitable for writing, which made Qiu Xingzhi very interested.

"Papermaking can be difficult in some ways, but it can also be simple. It's just a few steps: cutting hemp, washing it, soaking it in ash water, then steaming, pounding, and pulping it..."

Qin Xuan blurted out, but Zhao Luoying was so frightened that she quickly stepped forward and covered his mouth.

Even Qiu Xingzhi, who was standing to the side, had already made a move. He guessed that if Zhao Luoying didn't do anything, it would be his turn to cover her mouth.

"Your Highness, please be cautious."

Zhao Luoying reminded her angrily.

Qin Xuan smiled wryly and could only nod, saying, "Alright, let's continue watching!"

The reason Qin Xuan dared to discuss things so freely was not because he was truly unguarded.

Instead, now that the entire workshop area has been officially named "Kaigong Workshop", it has been under the strict control of the Shence Army.

All the artisans lived independently in the workshop's living area, while their families and relatives were arranged by Qiu Xingzhi to live in another separate area in the west of the city.

This was done to prevent leaks and also to better control the artisans' relatives, who were essentially hostages.

Qin Xuan initially wanted to object, but considering the current era and the special circumstances in which Beining City was in, he put aside this inappropriate sentimentality.

"Report!"

Suddenly, a hurried voice came from behind.

Ning Yuanfeng then rushed over, panting, and said, "Your Highness, something has happened in the Northern Wilderness. A large number of refugees have suddenly developed diarrhea and persistent fever."

"When was it discovered? Have you called a doctor?"

Qin Xuan immediately walked towards Ning Yuanfeng and asked anxiously.

"I need Mr. Zhuge to report the specific situation to you, but the current situation is not optimistic. Nearly one-fifth of the displaced people are sick, and the disease is gradually spreading."

Ning Yuanfeng looked solemn.

"Another epidemic?!"

Zhao Luoying cried out, and Qiu Xingzhi, who was standing to the side, also looked solemn.

"It may not be an epidemic, but the infectivity does look very similar."

Qin Xuan shook his head.

Although medical conditions were poor in ancient times, their food was relatively natural, so it was generally impossible for two epidemics to occur in a short period of time. There must be some other reason for this.

"Luo Ying, you stay here and continue the research and development according to the manual I wrote."

"Mr. Qiu, you keep an eye on things from the side. Papermaking is also of utmost importance."

Qin Xuan gave a few instructions, and then immediately followed Ning Yuanfeng on horseback straight to the Northern Wilderness.

Half an hour later, when Qin Xuan arrived at the scene, he saw thousands of refugees gathered in front of the wooden house, wailing in pain.

"Your Highness, the situation is quite serious; many people have already begun to dehydrate."

Zhuge Xuan was filled with worry and immediately gave a general overview of the situation.

Qin Xuan listened while observing the patients around him.

The more he observed, the stranger it seemed to him became: "Where is the water source in the Northern Wilderness? Take me there immediately."