novelraw Chapter 224
Chapter 224
Chapter 224: Beauty is in the Eye of the Lover
Although Wei Yu didn’t expect Tan Lin to come looking for the Medical Saint, since they were all on the same side, it didn’t make much difference who could get the Medical Saint’s help.
Wei Yu was a bit resentful that he had been exhausted for two days, but then he thought to himself that he would also need to spend time writing after this, so it wasn’t that big a deal.
While Doctor Shi was busy in the medicine fields, Wei Yu called Tan Lin over and asked about the situation over at Third Prince’s place.
Tan Lin was quite grateful to Wei Yu and responded fully and frankly to all his questions.
He described the disaster relief over the past month and also mentioned that many had donated money due to the Merit Stele.
Speaking of which, Tan Lin sighed, “I had heard before that whenever there was a disaster year, the Imperial Court would ask wealthy families and gentry to donate money and grain. Many would make excuses to avoid donating, and what was collected was far too little to comfort all the disaster victims in a province. But this time, thanks to the Merit Stele, so many people came forward to donate goods, all claiming to be driven by righteousness. It seems that this chance to be remembered forever and revered by future generations strongly motivates people to flock towards it.”
Merit Stele?
Wei Yu blinked and suddenly recalled the promise he had made to Innkeeper Shen before in Daichuan Commandery.
It seemed he hadn’t told his Third Brother about this yet? Feeling a little guilty, Wei Yu rubbed his hands nervously. “Ahem, Lord Tan, after Third Highness heard about this Merit Stele, did he get angry or anything?”
Tan Lin looked puzzled, “Why would His Highness say such a thing? The Merit Stele plan benefits both the government and the disaster victims. Why would Third Highness be angry?”
Hearing Tan Lin say this, Wei Yu realized that his Third Brother hadn’t done anything about it but silently authorized it.
Tsk.
Feeling even more guilty now.
Wei Yu always felt that his Third Brother probably guessed he was behind this plan, but hadn’t confronted him yet—likely waiting to settle accounts later.
Just as he thought this, he heard Tan Lin continue.
“Actually, when I set out, Third Highness published all the donors’ names. There was one called Wang Jiu – not sure who he is – who donated 100,000 taels in one go. Really extravagant.”
Wei Yu: …??
“Who? Wang Jiu? What ‘Wang’ and ‘Jiu’?”
Wei Yu stared at Tan Lin with a bad premonition.
Tan Lin innocently said, “That ‘Wang (king)’, that ‘Jiu (ninth)’ indeed.”
Wei Yu was dumbstruck.
He suddenly covered his head with his hands, looking pained. “Ahhhh—”
His Third Brother really knew how to trap his younger sibling!!
100,000 taels donated in that name—how would he ever use the name Wang Jiu in the martial world from now on!!!
Tan Lin was also startled by Wei Yu’s reaction.
“Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? I can take your pulse!”
“No need!”
Wei Yu straightened up and instantly wiped the painful expression off.
He looked seriously at Tan Lin and asked, “You came to Medical Valley to invite Doctor Shi to help, right?”
Tan Lin nodded blankly, “Yes… but if Your Highness also wants Doctor Shi’s help, I can step back.”
Wei Yu appreciated his tact but, to make clear he wasn’t deliberately putting out their little romantic flame, he explained to Tan Lin, “Actually, this time I came from Qian City Commandery. Lord Tan, since you didn’t go there, you don’t know the situation. Let me tell you…”
Wei Yu then told Tan Lin about the numerous starving corpses scattered across the countryside in Qian City Commandery.
As soon as Tan Lin heard that, he immediately understood Wei Yu’s meaning.
He frowned tightly, “This is bad! If the situation in Qian City Commandery truly is bodies everywhere, there’s likely already an epidemic in the commandery!”
After a disaster, epidemics easily break out, especially with floods.
Having studied medicine, Tan Lin knew well that if flood aftermath was handled properly, epidemics might not easily spread, but with the starvation and corpses situation in Qian City Commandery, it was hard to say.
In this day and age, when epidemics occur, death happens en masse. Even battlefield generals knew after fighting to pile up and burn bodies.
Tan Lin understood why Ninth Highness came seeking the Medical Saint and said seriously, “Your Highness, regarding the Qian City Commandery situation, please allow me to go with you!”
Wei Yu scrutinized him, “If you come with me to Qian City Commandery, what about Daichuan Commandery?”
Tan Lin calmly put his hands into his sleeves, “Third Highness still has the Left Court Judge. If I’m not there, I believe the Left Court Judge can handle things independently.”
Wei Yu recalled the white-haired Left Court Judge.
Hmm… Hopefully the old gentleman stays healthy.
Although he knew that Third Brother’s doctors might have a harder time without Tan Lin, when he heard Tan Lin wanted to go, Wei Yu didn’t refuse.
After all, he had been to the three county cities in Qian City Commandery and seen the conditions along the way. Except for the people in the county cities who looked a bit better off, almost everyone in the small villages and towns looked sallow, emaciated, and sickly.
Though it was upsetting to see, because there was no doctor in the group and worried about possible epidemics infecting people nearby, Wei Yu mostly avoided crowds throughout the journey.
If he hadn’t heard about the Medical Saint, he wouldn’t have detoured to Nuo Commandery.
Having two genius doctors joining, Wei Yu was not foolish enough to not welcome them.
But thinking of Doctor Shi’s difficult personality, Wei Yu curiously asked Tan Lin, “Can you persuade Doctor Shi to go to Qian City Commandery with us?”
Tan Lin questioned back strangely, “Why not? Doctor Shi looks cold outside but is warm-hearted. She treats sick people without charging a penny. If there might be an epidemic in Qian City Commandery, once Doctor Shi hears about it, how could she not want to go?”
Wei Yu silently stared at him several times, confirming Tan Lin truly believed that with all his heart.
He took a deep breath and gestured for Tan Lin to find Doctor Shi, “Then go. I’ll wait for good news.”
Tan Lin left confidently.
After he left, Wei Yu immediately turned to Fang Sheng, “Fang Sheng, you’ve been married before. Tell me, isn’t this what they call ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’?”
Fang Sheng frowned, thought for two seconds, then asked, “May I ask, Master, what is ‘beholder’?”
Wei Yu: …
Damn!
Forgot that saying had no origin in this era!
Wei Yu was too lazy to probe how the relationship between Tan Lin and Doctor Shi started. He only knew that an hour later, Tan Lin returned with a mission accomplished.
“Your Highness, Doctor Shi agreed to come with us to Qian City Commandery. Doctor Shi is also willing to take along half of the disciples in this valley.”
Wei Yu felt genuine envy.
He looked up at the sky.
Sure enough, tactics don’t matter. In this world, the best strategy is still the beauty trap.