Chapter 67 Another Outbreak?

Great Qi Imperial Palace.

"Father, that Qin Xuan attempted to use Qiu Xingzhi's connection to gain the favor of the Confucian Sage. Not only did he fail, but he even implicated Qingshan Academy, getting himself bitterly denounced as a running dog by the Confucian Sage. It is truly deeply gratifying."

Third Prince Qin Zhen said, his face brimming with elation.

A faint smile surfaced on the face of the Great Qi Emperor, Qin Tian, though he felt exceptionally pleased within his heart.

Ever since that rebellious son had headed north, he had maintained an unstoppable momentum.

Now, look at him. That designation of "running dog" by the Confucian Sage did not merely denounce Qingshan Academy; it was telling all scholars across the realm that this Qin Xuan was a man devoid of loyalty and filial piety.

"The matter of the Confucian Sage must never be taken lightly! Qin Zhen, this time you shall represent Us in traveling to Shanhai Pass, and you may freely mobilize all resources of the Qingyun Publishing House."

During the last court assembly, although Minister of Personnel Wen Liangshan had objected to Qingyun Publishing House publishing *The Analects of Confucianism*, the Great Qi ultimately belonged to the Emperor's arbitrary will. Wen Liangshan had even been penalized with half a year's salary as a result, which showed Qin Tian's autocratic rule.

"This subject will definitely not fail Father's expectations."

Qin Zhen was overjoyed and hastily bowed in salute.

Yet just as he habitually raised his hands in a greeting, he stopped abruptly.

His left arm had long since been severed by Qin Xuan, and now his left sleeve hung empty. Every time he recalled it, he wished he could grind Qin Xuan to dust.

"Qin Yu!"

The Great Qi Emperor did not notice the change in Qin Zhen's expression, turning his gaze instead to his fourth son.

"This subject is here."

Fourth Prince Qin Yu was tall and handsome in appearance. Having previously been stationed in the southern border territories, upon his return to the capital, he naturally qualified to attend court and participate in governance.

He had returned a month and a half ago, and upon his return, was appointed as a Gentleman of the Household Department.

This position might not seem high in rank, but it was responsible for overseeing the salt granaries and customs duties of various prefectures and commanderies.

The coal stoves previously replicated by the Ministry of Works had been spearheaded entirely by him.

"You handled the matter of the coal stoves well, and Us heart is deeply gratified. However, Us hopes that you will press on and achieve even greater successes—not only blocking the coal stoves of Beining City from entering the borders of Our Great Qi, but also selling Great Qi's coal stoves to every single foreign barbarians' nation."

The Great Qi Emperor said with a beaming smile.

During this period, the replicated coal stoves had gradually captured the domestic market of Great Qi. The Ministry of Works had earned a considerable amount of silver through this, and the imperial treasury was gradually growing flush. Naturally, the Great Qi Emperor was exceedingly pleased.

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

"This subject owes this minor achievement entirely to Father's constant exhortations and guidance. In the future, this subject will certainly do his utmost to share Father's worries."

Qin Yu was handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and starlight eyes. Even when flattering the emperor, he maintained an air of refinement and detachment.

The Great Qi Emperor laughed heartily: "With the two of you princes assisting Us, why should We fear that the realm will not belong to Our Great Qi!"

"Long live our Emperor, long live, long live our Emperor!"

The gathered ministers hurriedly knelt and chanted in unison, their voices ringing like giant bells.

Beining City, TianGong Workshop.

The characters "TianGong" were derived from the phrase "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature" and were proposed by Qiu Xingzhi to formally name the entire workshop district.

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

Beside them, Zhao Luoying and Qiu Xingzhi were watching unblinkingly, waiting for the steamer to be opened.

Before long, as the sand in the nearby hourglass ran out, Qin Xuan immediately instructed the craftsmen to open the steamer. Soon, some tree bark that had been steamed to mush appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Put all of this into the stone mortar and pound it vigorously until it becomes a pulp."

Qin Xuan instructed further, then looked up at Zhao Luoying, unable to help a smile: "Luoying, there's no need to be so nervous. This is only an intermediate step, far from the forming stage yet."

"How can I not be nervous? This is papermaking we're talking about! Mr. Qiu, don't you agree?"

Zhao Luoying said with a flushed face and a pout.

Qiu Xingzhi nodded repeatedly, saying somewhat powerlessly, "In this entire world, I suppose only Your Highness would speak of such a matter, heavy as Mount Tai, with such casual detachment."

Papermaking was not entirely nonexistent in this world, but due to technical reasons, not only was the cost of paper production exorbitant, but it also absorbed ink far too easily. Even for ordinary writing, the paper tore with great ease, let alone for painting.

Yet the paper Qin Xuan was currently developing was the most suitable kind for writing. How could Qiu Xingzhi not care?

"This papermaking art is difficult if you say it's difficult, and simple if you say it's simple. It's nothing more than a few steps: cutting the hemp, washing it, soaking it in lye, followed by steaming, pounding, pulping..."

Qin Xuan rattled it off effortlessly, startling Zhao Luoying so much that she hurried forward and clamped a hand over his mouth.

Even Qiu Xingzhi beside them had already started to move, anticipating that if Zhao Luoying hadn't acted, it would have been his turn to cover that mouth.

"Your Highness, please be discreet."

Zhao Luoying reminded him with an indignant huff.

Qin Xuan chuckled helplessly, forced to nod and say, "Alright, let's keep watching first!"

The reason Qin Xuan dared to discuss it so recklessly was naturally not because he was truly unprepared.

Rather, now that the entire workshop district had been officially named the "TianGong Workshop," it was strictly guarded by the Divine Strategy Army.

All the craftsmen inside lived independently within the residential area of the TianGong Workshop, while their families and kin had been relocated by Qiu Xingzhi to another separate area in the west of the city.

This was naturally done to prevent anyone from leaking secrets, while also serving as a means of tighter control. Strictly speaking, the relatives of those craftsmen were essentially hostages.

Qin Xuan had originally wanted to object to this, but considering the current era and the special circumstances facing Beining City, he put away this misplaced benevolence.

"Reporting!"

Suddenly, an urgent voice rang out.

Then Ning Yufeng hurried over, too out of breath to pause: "Your Highness, something has happened in the Northern Wilderness District. A large number of refugees are suddenly suffering from diarrhea and running persistent fevers."

"When was it discovered? Have you called for a physician?"

Qin Xuan walked straight toward Ning Yufeng, asking anxiously.

"The specific situation requires Mr. Zhuge to report to you, but the current situation is far from optimistic. Nearly a fifth of the refugees are falling ill, and it's still spreading progressively."

Ning Yufeng's expression was grave.

"Another plague?!"

Zhao Luoying cried out in shock, and Qiu Xingzhi beside her also wore a solemn expression.

"It might not necessarily be a plague, but this infectiousness is certainly very similar."

Qin Xuan shook his head.

Although medical conditions in ancient times were backward, conversely, their food was relatively pure and natural. Under normal circumstances, it was virtually impossible for two plagues to break out in a short period of time. There was likely some other reason behind this.

"Luoying, stay here and continue developing according to the manual I wrote."

"Mr. Qiu, keep an eye on things here. Papermaking is also of paramount importance."

Qin Xuan gave those two instructions, then immediately mounted a horse alongside Ning Yufeng and dashed straight toward the Northern Wilderness District.

Less than an hour later, when Qin Xuan arrived at the scene, what met his eyes were thousands of refugees gathered before the wooden cabins, howling in pain one by one.

"Your Highness, the situation is rather severe. Many people have already begun to suffer from dehydration."

Zhuge Xuan said with a heavy heart, immediately briefing him on the general situation as soon as he arrived.

Qin Xuan listened while observing the patients all around.

Yet the more he observed, the stranger and more peculiar he felt in his heart: "Where is the water source of the Northern Wilderness District? Take me there immediately."