My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1186 - 1134: I Will Use Taoism to Defeat Taoism

Magistrate Liu was taken down because Qin Liuxi sent over a series of evidence of his corruption and exploitation of the people. The Inspector’s rapid arrival was due to his acquaintance with Qin Liuxi, Governor Xiao.

Governor Xiao was rigid but loyal and straightforward, albeit not very tactful, leading him to remain in the same position for several years. He had a chance for promotion last year but managed to offend his superiors and was subsequently passed over.

He didn’t mind himself much; after all, as the saying goes, ten years as a Magistrate. He’s only been the Governor of Ningzhou for eight years and can wait. Aren’t there County Magistrates who are reappointed after three years?

As the Governor of Ningzhou Prefecture, Governor Xiao naturally had his people. He had intended for the magistrate’s position in An Nan Prefecture for his people, but it was intercepted midway. He was already at odds with Liu Huai Zhong, so with the evidence provided by Qin Liuxi, it was the perfect opportunity to completely drown Magistrate Liu; he couldn’t let it pass.

Furthermore, because Qin Liuxi went to the epidemic area to volunteer, recalling her character, he personally made this trip.

Fortunately, he came in person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have witnessed Magistrate Liu’s madness. Even knowing a cure existed, he still wanted to burn down the village. If this decision were made and executed, even he would be implicated, becoming a great sinner. The post would indeed change, but it would be a demotion.

Thinking about the consequences had Governor Xiao breaking out in cold sweat. Seeing the villagers of Li Family Village nearly riot, he quickly reassured them, promising the village wouldn’t be burned, nor would they be abandoned. Officials would continue providing medicine so that everyone could drink the medicinal soup and recover.

With an official stepping in and Qin Liuxi using the Sanqing Bell to chant scriptures, they managed to calm the people who returned to their isolation sites in peace.

As long as there is a chance of survival, it’s good.

Governor Xiao personally inquired about the effectiveness of the Gypsum and Turtle Shell Soup, even drank a bowl himself, and asked Qin Liuxi if it could be used against other epidemics.

Qin Liuxi only then learned that just as summer began, the south faced floods. After the water receded, the summer sun scorched, and due to unremoved animal and human corpses, many areas suffered epidemics. Society plunged into chaos, leaving people without support. The so-called Heavenly Saint Sect, claiming to save the world, increasingly infiltrated society, attracting numerous believers.

"The Heavenly Saint Sect infiltrates everywhere; capture one, another emerges, spreading deceit and causing panic. Unfortunately, most sect followers are innocent civilians; they do nothing but praise its benefits. It’s not viable to suppress them all, or the jails would overflow," said Governor Xiao. A blister on his lip cracked from his passionate speech, and he grimaced in pain, saying, "They call it faith, but I see it as exploiting the ignorant, stripping them of everything, including wealth and faith. It poisons deeply, leading some to see family as obstacles and eliminate them. The so-called Heavenly Saint Sect is actually a demonic path, a faction of rabble."

Seeing Qin Liuxi glance at him, he held back, saying, "Of course, your esteemed temple, a Righteous Path of the Mystic Sect, naturally is no such lowly sect."

Qin Liuxi said, "Continuous natural disasters and calamities leave the world without solace. To calm their hearts, they construct beliefs to support fragile faith and make life bearable. These beliefs could be in a person, a god or Buddha, or even in something illusory. Some believe in Buddha, some in the Dao, others worship Mountain Gods or River Gods - all for peace of mind."

The crowd remained silent.

"Of course, I don’t agree with the Heavenly Saint Sect, but Governor Xiao, I fear you have no solutions. I heard that the sect’s altar was funded by the Palace’s favored Princess Consort Ru," Qin Liuxi said with a mocking tone.

Governor Xiao sighed, nodding wearily.

Returning to the epidemic topic, Qin Liuxi said, "The Gypsum and Turtle Shell Soup originally treats yin and yang poison. If it’s yang poison, symptoms like flushed faces, swollen throats, and pus can be treated; for yin poison, remove realgar and Shu pepper. We haven’t examined what type of epidemic exists outside, so I can’t conclude, but the prescription can be provided for reference."

She took paper and pen, wrote down the prescription detailing its use, wrote another prescription, and handed them over, all effective epidemic treatments.

Governor Xiao, holding the thin sheets, felt complex emotions but thickened his face, saying, "I’ll quickly relay these prescriptions, especially to places with plague, but could the temple master visit epidemic areas to finalize prescriptions?"

"Once matters here and at Qingping Temple are settled, I’ll find time," Qin Liuxi pondered, adding, "But in my opinion, addressing the Heavenly Saint Sect’s issue is urgent. Otherwise, letting it grow will only breed more trouble."

Governor Xiao, startled, asked, "Heavenly Saint Sect followers are numerous and deeply poisoned; can the temple master find a solution?"

"Why find a solution?" Qin Liuxi replied, "I just pull down and shatter what they believe in."

The crowd: "..."

That’s pretty rogue!

Seeing their odd looks, Qin Liuxi said, "Is anything wrong? Using Taoism to defeat Taoism - isn’t that normal?"

Heh, as long as you’re happy.

Governor Xiao, troubled by the Heavenly Saint Sect, eagerly wished someone would take on the task, saying, "If you need government cooperation, just say the word, and we’ll assist."

Qin Liuxi nodded.

Governor Xiao, busy with official duties, finished his affair with Magistrate Liu, instructed Wang Zheng with a few words, and left hurriedly. Who becomes the new magistrate isn’t Qin Liuxi’s concern.

Wang Zheng followed Qin Liuxi to check the recovering villagers and confirmed the Gypsum and Turtle Shell Soup’s effectiveness. Willing to share the prescription, he requested a copy, intending to distribute it to medical halls, allowing them to brew medicinal soups for the people, curing the sick and preventing illness.

Preventing an epidemic involves more than medicine; containing its spread is crucial. Besides drinking medicine for prevention, eliminating rodents and toxins is necessary, especially corpses, which must be cremated, not buried. Those unwilling would neither receive medicinal soup nor avoid fines. Corpses cannot be interred elsewhere, only on personal land, risking execution if disease spreads there.

This seemingly harsh regulation stopped many from defying officials, as the dead aren’t as important as the living, right?

With no resistance from the people, governmental tasks proceed more smoothly.

Ensuring Li Family Village no longer needed them, Qin Liuxi prepared to leave with Teng Zhao and company. She had to ’educate’ the now unruly Little Ginseng.

Little Ginseng: Uh-oh, something dangerous is coming!

Just as they were about to depart, Elder Doctor Zhang called out to Qin Liuxi: "Temple master, may I inquire about something?"