Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 197 - 181: Seizing the Prime Minister’s Power

Chapter 197: Chapter 181: Seizing the Prime Minister’s Power

Lu Yuan was not someone to be driven by emotions. He paused briefly, then left Zhuanghe Hall with a stern face.

At that moment, everyone was gathered outside the hall, discussing intensely about the Supreme Emperor’s illness.

The epidemic was highly contagious and incurable, causing a sense of panic among the crowd.

Zong Zhengxi was also anxious, but not for fear of contracting the disease himself, rather for the safety of his father.

Prime Minister Xun and Lady Yan were among the few whose expressions remained unchanged.

Lu Yuan approached Prime Minister Xun, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Does the Prime Minister have any instructions?"

Without waiting for Prime Minister Xun to answer, he immediately continued, "If not, I will assist Your Majesty in handling the epidemic."

This was the first time Lu Yuan had openly vied for power with Prime Minister Xun, both privately and publicly.

Everyone looked at Lu Yuan in unison.

Was he courting death?

That was the Prime Minister!

He had more military power, more experience, more prestige, and even the civil and military officials of the court were almost unanimously supporting the Prime Minister now.

Lady Yan fanned herself with her handkerchief, "Taking on the task of dealing with an epidemic, truly fearless. You all enjoy your game; I’m leaving. I don’t want to catch the epidemic!"

"I’m afraid you can’t leave."

Lu Yuan said sternly, "Everyone who has had contact with the Supreme Emperor must stay in Zhuanghe Hall."

Lady Yan bristled, "Why?"

"Because it is the Emperor’s decree."

Zong Zhengxi walked out with authority.

Lady Yan rolled her eyes, "Hmm."

Lu Yuan then glanced at the Princes, who hastily waved their hands.

The Fifth Prince said, "We haven’t touched Father! Only Wanping did!"

Princess Wanping walked towards Zhuanghe Hall with a wooden expression, "I’ll stay, I’ll accompany my father."

Zong Zhengxi looked at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan said, "Prepare a room for Princess Wanping."

Zhuanghe Hall had a main hall and two side halls. The Supreme Emperor’s main hall had been sealed off, with Princess Wanping and the palace maids temporarily residing in the East Wing, and the Imperial Physicians and eunuchs residing in the West Wing.

Additionally, guards needed to be arranged for layered protection.

But they had to be people he trusted and who trusted him.

The Second Prince gave a signal to his attendant, who smiled and asked, "Grand Commander, can my lord leave?"

Lu Yuan said, "The Prime Minister and the Princes can leave on their own, the Emperor doesn’t need to stay here."

Zong Zhengxi sat on the threshold, "I won’t leave; I want to wait for my father to wake up."

The Second Prince hurriedly advised, "Ninth Brother, the state is important."

If you don’t leave, how dare we a few leave?

Zong Zhengxi said to Prime Minister Xun, "Loyal Minister Xun, I’ll trouble you to handle state affairs for the next few days."

Lu Yuan had just seized the opportunity to manage the epidemic from Prime Minister Xun, and now made it up to him with a supervisory responsibility, appeasing both sides.

Zong Zhengxi was taken aback.

Wasn’t this the very way of governance Lu Yuan had taught him?

Prime Minister Xun solemnly bowed, "Minister accepts the decree!"

After Prime Minister Xun left, Lu Yuan instructed Zong Zhengxi to summon the Jinyi Guard.

"Jinyi Guard?" Zong Zhengxi was a bit puzzled, "Although Jinyi Guard is also under the Imperial Guard, after my father ascended the throne, he gradually moved Jinyi Guard out, and they rarely enter the palace. Are you sure you want to summon Jinyi Guard?"

"Yes."

Lu Yuan said.

The Imperial Guard and the Jinyi Guard were at odds; Lu Yuan had often clashed with the Imperial Guard when he was in charge of the Jinyi Guard.

There were advantages to the Jinyi Guard being moved out. Although they might not necessarily heed Lu Yuan, at least they bore him no ill will.

Zong Zhengxi thought about it and felt summoning the Jinyi Guard was the right decision.

An hour later, the Jinyi Guard, clad in armor, entered the palace with solemn expressions.

Han Ci knelt on one knee, saluting, "I, along with the brothers of the Jinyi Guard, pay respects to Your Majesty, pay respects to the Grand Commander!"

Lu Yuan smiled slightly, "Han Ci, you’ve arrived."

Zong Zhengxi suddenly realized, "So it was because of General Han."

Han Ci had followed Lu Yuan on a northern campaign, forming a life-and-death bond with him. He was more reliable than any Imperial Guard.

Lu Yuan helped Han Ci up, patting his shoulder, "You’ve become the Supreme General of Jinyi Guard; I knew I wasn’t wrong about you."

"Grand Commander, the war is finally over."

"You’re mistaken. The real battle has just begun. When we return to the Capital City, there will be a critical battle, unseen with gunfire and smoke. Han Ci, you must take over the Jinyi Guard as quickly as possible."

"Can I never return to the Grand Commander’s side again?"

"You can."

"When?"

"When I need you."

Han Ci asked, "Is now the time?"

...

Inside the main hall.

Meng Qianqian was concentrating on discussing methods for treating the plague with several Imperial Physicians.

There were five Imperial Physicians in the hall: Dean Yang, Director of the Left Hospital, Director Hu, as well as Doctor Li and Doctor Liang, who had been rather impolite earlier.

Director Hu advocated using the Yue Bi Decoction.

Meng Qianqian shook her head. "It’s not suitable."

Doctor Li scoffed, "What do you know?"

However, Dean Yang asked Meng Qianqian, "What are the ingredients of Yue Bi Decoction?"

Meng Qianqian said, "Ephedra, licorice, gypsum, fresh ginger, jujube."

Dean Yang stroked his beard, "That’s correct, but why isn’t it suitable?"

Meng Qianqian said, "’For wind water, aversion to wind, general swelling, floating pulse without thirst, continuous spontaneous sweating, no high fever, Yue Bi Decoction is indicated,’ the Supreme Emperor’s pulse and symptoms do not correspond well, it can relieve but is not highly effective."

Doctor Li glared angrily, "You girl, such arrogance!"

Director of the Left Hospital hesitated, "What about Ma Huang Decoction?"

"Ephedra, cinnamon twigs, apricot kernels, licorice." Meng Qianqian shook her head again, "Still not enough."

Director of the Left Hospital hesitated, "This..."

Meng Qianqian said, "Honorable sirs, you actually have the prescription in mind, don’t you? It’s just that it’s too strong, and you’re afraid to use it."

"Ahem!" Director of the Left Hospital cleared his throat.

Dean Yang let out a long sigh, about to speak when Meng Qianqian spoke ahead, "Use Da Qinglong Decoction."

Da Qinglong Decoction is a combination of Ma Huang Decoction and Yue Bi Decoction. Due to the excessive amount of ephedra, its medicinal properties are extremely potent.

The Supreme Emperor, being elderly, simply could not withstand its potency.

Originally, using Yue Bi Decoction or Ma Huang Decoction could hold on for three to five days; with a bowl of Da Qinglong Decoction, he might pass away tonight.

Doctor Li turned pale with fear, "You—you’re trying to kill the Supreme Emperor?"

Doctor Liang also said, "Do you know that if the Supreme Emperor dies under your treatment, it might implicate all of us? Anyway, I disagree!"

Doctor Li: "I also disagree!"

The epidemic was originally incurable; to drag on for three to five days was their utmost effort, but if he passed tonight, it would mean being drugged to death by them.

Meng Qianqian stood up, "Honorable sirs, my stance is different from yours. Whether the Supreme Emperor can linger for three to five more days is meaningless to me. If he perishes, my husband must pay with his life."

Doctor Li said, "But isn’t it worth living a few more days?"

Meng Qianqian ignored him, turning to write the prescription.

Doctor Li panicked, saying to Dean Yang, "Dean, stop her!"

Meng Qianqian said while writing, "Once I’ve knocked you all unconscious, the prescription will be solely mine. If anything happens, I’ll bear the responsibility alone."

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