Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 528 - 476 Misfortune_2

It was unclear when it started, but the flyers that used to appear unpredictably in the streets and alleyways each day had completely vanished. All shops selling paper and ink had shut down. On the walls of those still in business hung banners proclaiming, "Do not discuss idle matters." Every night, an even greater number of Government Officials and soldiers patrolled the streets, lanterns in hand, arresting those who violated the curfew.

However, these measures could not stop the spread of various rumors. Some said Mr. Li had not been seen for a long time and might have already left Hedong Road. Others claimed the actual number of plague cases was far higher than what the newspapers disclosed. They whispered that Yu Country had given up on Taiyuan Prefecture, preparing to let the common people within the city die as long as the plague did not spread to other parts of Hedong Road.

Among all the rumors, the one that spread most widely and rapidly was about the Plague Demon Talisman. This simple, even rudimentary, talisman only required a few careless strokes on paper to form a crude human shape. Attaching it to someone else’s front door could supposedly transfer the risk of the plague to them. If one’s own door had a Plague Demon Talisman and they chose not to draw a similar talisman to pass it on, the curse would befall them and their family. No one was willing to take that risk.

Therefore, upon finding a Plague Demon Talisman on their front door, nearly all common people chose not to report it to the officials. Instead, they secretly drew a similar talisman paper and posted it on the door of someone they suspected or an enemy. Such acts were endless and continued despite prohibitions. Even though the Taiyuan Prefecture Government Office severely punished those who privately posted talismans, it could not prevent widespread imitation among the populace. Consequently, conflicts and disputes among the people constantly escalated. They sought revenge for old grudges and new grievances, either by drawing talismans to curse their enemies or by reporting their enemies to the officials for doing the same. The Government Officials of the Taiyuan Prefecture Government Office were run ragged; it was impossible to imprison everyone.

Worse still, as time passed, the effects of the Plague Demon Talisman began to manifest—it seemed to actually work. Those who had a Plague Demon Talisman placed on their door and chose not to transfer the curse were indeed more likely to contract the plague and other diseases than others. This information was not leaked by any Government Office, and the long-discontinued flyers could not have spread the news. It was the common people who, through word of mouth, idle chat, and rumors, disseminated this information to every corner of the city.

In response, the Taiyuan Government could only attempt to remedy the situation by explaining in newspapers that the phenomena attributed to the Plague Demon Talisman were probabilistic events aligning with the rules of Natural Science. They stated that most of those who had a talisman placed on their door but did not believe in its power were Government Officials, soldiers, and medical personnel cooperating with the government’s efforts. These individuals frequently entered plague-stricken areas and thus naturally faced a higher risk of illness than ordinary people. The Plague Demon Talisman itself, upon examination by the Academic Palace, was still proven to be ineffective.

However, such explanations failed to convince the populace. The fervent belief in the Plague Demon Talisman continued unabated.

As days passed, the situation in the city, which had just begun to show improvement, deteriorated once again. Small-scale outbreaks of plague erupted, centered around each workshop, and spread to the surrounding areas. Many individuals working for the Taiyuan Government contracted the plague and fell ill. Their incapacitation hampered efforts to contain the plague, causing it to spread further out of control among the common people. Soon, the initially established lockdown period was exceeded. With the lockdown deadline surpassed, even in the absence of inflammatory flyers, the pent-up emotions of the common people gradually reached their peak.

***

"To think a mere Plague Demon Talisman could cripple the government of an entire state."

In a separate courtyard of the Prince Manor, the clan elders of the Wang Family gathered once again to discuss their next move.

"Heh, the newspapers are still saying the Plague Demon Talisman is useless. They’re only deceiving themselves."

One of the clan elders chuckled and closed that day’s newspaper, telling the others, "We can now be sure that the Chang’an Court won’t be sending any more manpower to Taiyuan Prefecture. The plague in the city is almost uncontrollable. Sending another one or two thousand soldiers to suppress the situation is like trying to put out a raging fire with a cup of water—utterly futile. They will only guard the city gates to prevent the common people from escaping."

"Of course, the Plague Demon Talisman is useful. We of the Wang Family no longer have to suffer daily deaths. And no commoner dares to post a talisman on the ever-guarded gates of the Wang Family."

Another clan elder spoke with a smile, "What about Prince Yue? Hasn’t he left yet?"

"No, but he will soon."

Someone said with pride, "According to reports from our informants within the Chang’an imperial court, the discussions have shifted from the Hedong Road Rat Plague to the southern front and the war with the Zhou Kingdom. His Majesty himself does not wish to sacrifice his most beloved son and daughter for a mere State Mansion or a meaningless reputation. Prince Yue and Princess Guanghua are likely to be escorted away today. Taiyuan Prefecture will be ours again."

For the noble family, regaining control of the State Mansion where they resided was as comfortable and pleasant as a fish returning to water. Thanks to the Plague Demon Talisman, the Wang Family no longer feared death nor felt the urgent need to escape the State Mansion. In fact, the more deaths in the city, the more advantageous it was for the Wang Family—they could seize the opportunity to buy property and houses, further solidifying their control over the city. Even if the common people suffered heavier casualties, the negative impact on the Wang Family would be limited. The more severe the casualties, the sooner the plague would end. Besides, Yu Country never lacked people; if the population dwindled, others from different parts of Hedong Road would naturally flow into Taiyuan Prefecture.

"Who says the plague is always a disaster? Now, with the Plague Demon Talisman, it seems the plague has turned into a good thing. We can specifically target our enemies without harming ourselves."

One clan elder remarked, "The Gu Master truly follows the strongest Dao Path. When it comes to destructive power, it far surpasses the Talismanic Sword Thought Body."

"To call it the strongest might not be entirely accurate," another clan elder said, shaking his head. "Gu Technique depends on the Gu Master’s own body. If the Gu Master dies, the Gu Technique loses its sustainability and will soon dissipate on its own. Moreover, if the Gu Technique’s influence covers too large an area, the Gu Master themselves will be under immense pressure. This means man-made Gu Technique can, at most, affect a single state; it cannot sweep across an entire country. That’s why, historically, the more powerful Talismanic Sword Thought Body has been mainstream, while Gu Technique is considered a heterodox practice. The most terrifying and unsolvable epidemics can only be those naturally evolved by the Heavenly Dao. A Gu Master might utilize such an epidemic, might even exacerbate it, but killing the Gu Master cannot end the epidemic itself."

"Like the earlier Suzhou Water Poison or this Hedong Road Rat Plague."

The White-haired Clan Elder paused, then asked, "How are things in the Governor Mansion? Has that Li Ang developed a medicine yet?"

The Wang Family, with the help of the Plague Demon Talisman, had successfully preserved themselves and repelled the pressure from Chang’an. Now, with Prince Yue and Princess Guanghua about to withdraw, Taiyuan Prefecture was returning to their hands. The Wang Family had once again achieved a complete victory.

"If Li Ang can develop a medicine, that would be best. The plague would have a solution, and everyone could live in peace," the White-haired Clan Elder mused. "If he cannot, that’s also acceptable. With the Plague Demon Talisman, the Wang Family is safe and sound."

He continued, rambling, "No matter the outcome, when the time comes, we’ll escort Prince Yue, Princess Guanghua, and Li Ang out of the city respectfully. The Wang Family will remain the Wang Family. And we’ll also be able to properly acknowledge the Cui Family, the Lu Family, the Zheng Family, and the others who helped us so much in secret..." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"My apologies, Third Uncle."

Wang Bo Fan’s voice interrupted the White-haired Clan Elder. He held a bamboo tube in his hand. "This time," Wang Bo Fan said, "we cannot let Li Ang produce the medicine."