I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1259 - Chapter 1259 Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-One Dramatic

Chapter 1259: Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-One: Dramatic Change Chapter 1259: Chapter Five Hundred and Fifty-One: Dramatic Change “Grandfather, shall we leave now?”

Standing on the deck of the Nong family’s merchant ship, the young master gazed at the large quantities of supplies being carried aboard by the clan’s warriors, and hesitated as he turned toward Elder Nong at his side.

The elderly man with a spirited appearance clenched the ship’s rail, his hand bulging with veins. Forgoing the family’s foundation in Chaochang was not an easy decision.

Yet the elder knew when to stand firm against popular opinion, so even if there were some optimistic and naive voices at home, they had been forcefully suppressed by him.

However, his grandson’s question was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back, severing nerves that were already stretched to the limit.

“What do you propose?”

The young man, full of courage to change the world, failed to notice the change in his grandfather’s tone and confidently said, “The Nong family is a prominent house in Longzhou. Now that Chaochang is in chaos and plagued by an epidemic, it’s an excellent opportunity for our clan to step forward, rally the countless nobles and commoners, and lead them out of this predicament!”

“Is that so?”

Elder Nong turned and looked at his beloved grandson, asking faintly, “Do you think this epidemic in Chaochang is an opportunity for our family?”

“Indeed!”

The young man, head held high, with eyes as bright as stars, was full of longing for the future: “At this moment, the noble families of Chaochang are as flustered as headless flies, naturally unable to think of a solution. The source of the epidemic is the problem with the sewage system, but there are many cities in the world that do not rely on such systems for water supply. By dividing Chaochang into smaller districts and then purifying the regional wells, we can ensure a clear water source. Following that, dispatch physicians from the outer city to suppress the epidemic. With a dual-pronged approach, the epidemic will surely be eradicated!”

“Well said.”

After praising him, Elder Nong said to the young man, now brimming with joy, “I grant you three hundred family warriors. Within three months, if you can secure one main street inside the city of Chaochang, you will be a candidate for the next generation leader of the Nong family.”

The young man who was just full of vigor changed his expression. His intention was to show his grandfather that he was different from those who indulged in luxury and sloth in the clan; the impassioned words he spoke were mostly summaries of the frustrated strategists’ private conversations over drinks.

But how feasible were these exciting methods when put to the test? Not to mention him, even the strategists who proposed these solutions had no confidence in their hearts.

To resolve the crisis in Chaochang with such a proposal was just like throwing eggs against rocks, or tossing meat buns to dogs.

Even with the promise of becoming a candidate for the next family leader, he could not muster the courage to take the risk.

“Grandfather…”

But Elder Nong, who had made up his mind, did not give the young man any time to argue and simply said to a red-haired, robust man standing behind him, “Gather three hundred warriors and escort the young master off the ship.”

“As you wish, Elder!”

The red-haired giant grinned, stretching out an arm as solid as iron and steel, lifting the dejected young master like a chick and dragging him to the rear cabin.

“Elder… Jingxian is also full of youthful passion. Why put him through this?”

Lady Nong, seeing her grandson being dragged away, was filled with heartache. With no one else around, she complained to Elder Nong.

“The Nong family does not need idlers who only talk big.”

With eyebrows raised like swords, Elder Nong reproached his wife: “It’s all because of your excessive doting that the Nong Clan of Chaochang has brought forth nothing but a bunch of useless, indulgent layabouts who know nothing of the world’s hardships, flattering themselves as grand scholars while they drink and make merry with guests every day. If they are not forged by experience, returning to Yancang will only make us a laughingstock!”

“But Jingxian has been with us since he was young, never having been on his own. With the epidemic so fierce right now, if something were to happen to the child, how could I go on living!”

Scolded by Elder Nong and with the departure of her grandson, Lady Nong couldn’t stop sobbing.

“Strict fathers and kind mothers often raise spoiled children!”

Visibly annoyed, Elder Nong barked harshly, “With Liu Hong looking after him, are you still afraid he’ll die?”

“Set sail, turn the rudder, launch the ship!”

On the fifth day of April, more than thirty Nong Clan shops on Vermillion Bird Street in the Upper City District closed down; the Nong residence was deserted as people realized that the Yancang Nong Clan had moved away with all their resources, fully withdrawing from Chaochang.

The furious populace felt betrayed, and the Nong Family’s young master, Nong Jingxian, along with three hundred clan soldiers, was surrounded by the angry citizens.

In the chaos, no one could hear the young master’s cries clearly; the people just kept shouting, “Why didn’t you take us with you!”

“Why didn’t the Nong Family take us along!”

Following the departure of the Yancang Nong Clan, Chuanyuan Liu Clan’s caravan also set out from the East City, the solemn array of their military forces shining with the gleam of steel and armor, keeping all the refugees who tried to cling to them at bay.

Some astute citizens saw this as an opportunity and followed behind the caravan seeking refuge; the Liu Clan did not drive them away.

As Longzhou’s two major clans left, it seemed as though the prominent families of Chaochang had received some sort of signal; nearly overnight, the porridge stands in the streets and alleys, medicine huts, and even the patrolling warriors had all vanished.

Desperate patients could only wander aimlessly in the streets, then collapse at some unknown time, coughing, choking, or succumbing to organ failure due to the plague.

From being infected to death, the people were given only three days to live, sometimes even less.

The sewage system was completely abandoned, and the wells and Qutang became the most important resources in Chaochang; in this plague-filled city, no one cared about their reputation or dignity anymore. The elite families took control of all the clean water sources, countering anyone who dared to fight for it with swords and arrows.

Save oneself or save the people–the remaining clean water sources in Chaochang simply could not supply the entire city; in this epidemic, even the elite could not be considered strong.

But the darker the era, the more people long for the light; in times of every man for himself, there were still those willing to stand up, aiming to restore order, to help more people.

For instance, suddenly, at the Lower City East Market, a highly skilled goddess-like doctor appeared who, within just a few days, saved countless lives.

There was a young and handsome monk from Fuyun Temple, whose translucent body seemed to be made of glass, where he passed, the plague vanished.

There were five hundred ghastly Corpse Refiners roaming the streets and lanes. When they saw a patient, they would bite, and after being bitten, the disease naturally healed, leaving only some external injuries.

There were also the Taoists from Feisha View, medical practitioners from Poison Hand Forest, pharmacists from Beast Taming Sect, and retainers from the noble families.

These glimmers of hope shone in the darkness of Chaochang, ensuring the plague-stricken did not fall into utter despair. But even combined, the efforts of these beacons could not counterbalance the geometrically increasing number of patients, looking at the rapidly growing number of the afflicted and the quickly depleting medicine supplies.

“The medicinal herbs will run out in three days, and I can’t reach any of the caravans.”

Yun Xiu’s eyes were red as she said to Tang Luo, “There are still thousands of patients outside, what should we do now!?”

“We’ve thought of all the possible solutions, but you know we must face reality in the end.”

Tang Luo couldn’t bear to see a woman cry, yet he still told her the truth, “The key to the epidemic is the water source, but there are too many people in Chaochang, and too little clean water…”

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