Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 530 - 477 Evacuation_2

Besides, if we can delay the plague medicine, we can win a great merit at Taihao Mountain, and that is definitely good for the future of the Wang Family."

"You, COUGH, COUGH!"

The White-haired Clan Elder couldn’t catch his breath and pointed at Wang Bo Fan, coughing continuously. After a while, he regained his composure and said hoarsely, "I disagree. Even if edicts are issued, war will not truly break out. Perhaps Jing Country’s edicts are just a bluff, meant to bolster Zhou Kingdom. Even if Jing Country genuinely intends to go to war, they need time to prepare arms and mobilize their national strength. This will take at least a year, and anything can happen during that period. Perhaps the Head will die, and Taihao Mountain will get a new Head who decides against war. Perhaps the Head will change his mind. Perhaps Yu Country will make certain compromises. They might only close the Academic Palace East Lord Tower, share all the technology for Spiritual Energy Locomotives and talisman boards, and allow Taihao Mountain to intervene in the royal succession. The Wang Family has survived for a thousand years by planning meticulously before acting. We must remain steadfast until the situation is completely clear."

War is an extension of politics. These twenty-some edicts are merely a game between Taihao Mountain and the Academic Palace. The Wang Family doesn’t even know what they are truly fighting over, so why should we be the first to act and jump into these murky waters?

"Third Uncle, even if we do nothing, Zhao Ming’s people might have already taken action."

Wang Bo Fan shook his head and said, "I just received another piece of news. A rumor has been spreading in the city. Someone infected with the plague claims that during their feverish hallucinations, a divine being told them that Li Ang is the reincarnation of the Little Medicine King God, and his undiluted blood can cure the plague. Moreover, it’s not just one or two plague patients; dozens of people are having the same hallucination."

The expression on the White-haired Clan Elder’s face suddenly stiffened.

"Yu Shi’s goal is to use the plague to pressure Yu Country into releasing his master, Situ Zhi. Naturally, he cannot allow Li Ang to peacefully develop an effective cure," Wang Bo Fan said. "The rumor that divine blood cures disease is spreading rapidly through the city. The garrison and all the Government Officials in the city simply cannot silence everyone. People are on the brink of death. Why would they care about being punished for what they say?"

"If they can’t, then we will!" the White-haired Clan Elder said sternly. "Issue an order for our people to stop the spread of the rumor. The Wang Family still has authority in Taiyuan Prefecture! Our original goal was merely self-preservation. With the Plague Demon Talisman, this goal has been achieved; there’s no need to cause unnecessary trouble."

"It’s too late now, Third Uncle."

Wang Bo Fan shook his head. "If we intervene, it will only antagonize Zhao Ming. If they reveal the matter of the Plague Demon Talisman, it will antagonize Yu Country. And what benefit is there in helping Li Ang or the court? It would also antagonize Taihao Mountain. Regardless of how you look at it, it’s a losing proposition. If you disagree, Third Uncle, then let’s vote. Those in favor of Third Uncle’s idea to actively stop the rumor, raise your hands."

The courtyard fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. Only a few people, including the White-haired Clan Elder, raised their hands.

Wang Bo Fan continued, "Those who agree with my opinion, to secretly promote the rumor, or at least permit its spread, raise your hands."

This time, far more hands were raised in the courtyard.

"Alright, the result is clear."

Wang Bo Fan lowered his hand. "Third Uncle, you should go back to your room first. We’ll handle things here."

He took the walking stick from the White-haired Clan Elder’s hand and, with a meaningful look, directed others to carry the still-protesting elder back to the inner chamber.

Wang Bo Fan himself, with steady steps, dismissed the servants and went to a bungalow at the corner of Wang’s Mansion.

As usual, he took out his key and unlocked the padlock on the door. A foul smell immediately assaulted his nostrils.

Wang Jie, once the handsome and dashing eldest son of the main branch of the Wang Family, was still alive.

His limbs were covered with swollen, pus-filled boils, and his skin was dotted with black spots. He lay diagonally on the bed, a soft tube in his mouth, sipping a medicinal decoction as costly as Fine Gold.

Only such an extremely rare and precious medicinal decoction could barely keep Wang Jie, who should have long ago succumbed to the plague, clinging to life.

Seeing Wang Jie in this state, Wang Bo Fan, who had just seized control of the Wang Family’s power, felt his expression darken. However, he forced his tone to sound as light as possible, "My son, wake up. Your father is here to see you."

"Dad? Is it you?"

Wang Jie struggled to open his swollen eyes, gazing vaguely towards the door.

"It’s me."

Wang Bo Fan took two steps forward. Hearing the footsteps, Wang Jie hurriedly said, "Dad, don’t come any closer! I’m still sick. I’ll infect you."

Wang Bo Fan had no choice but to stop. Watching Wang Jie on the sickbed, suffering a fate worse than death, his expression flickered with complex emotions. He said somberly, "It’s all my fault, Son. I was the one who sent you to Yunzhou to procure furs, and that’s how you fell ill."

"No, I volunteered to go at that time. It had nothing to do with you, Dad," Wang Jie said with effort. "How are things in the city?"

Wang Bo Fan forced a smile. "The Plague Demon Talisman is proving very effective; more and more people are falling ill. Even many Government Officials have succumbed. With the shortage of manpower, the Taiyuan Prefecture Government Office can barely maintain street patrols for the full twelve hours. The city is descending into chaos. Prince Yue and Princess Guanghua will have to retreat in disgrace within a couple of days, leaving Taiyuan Prefecture an isolated city."

"That’s good."

Wang Jie nodded weakly. "Then, what about Yu Shi? With the city in chaos, can he come and cure my disease?"

Wang Bo Fan fell silent. He had previously lied to comfort his son, telling him that once the city descended into chaos, Yu Shi of Zhao Ming would come and cure Wang Jie’s illness.