Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1233: Ambition

Xuzhou Port was different; it was a newly established port whose management was far inferior to that of Pinggang.

An hour later, Zhou Shuren and Rongchuan left together. In just an hour, they had discussed solutions. If there were records, they would follow the methods in the records. Since all renowned doctors across the country were managed by the Imperial Court and had sufficient staff allocated, Zhou Shuren needed to allocate Silver to buy medicinal herbs. Everything was swiftly arranged in no time.

Rongchuan anxiously said, "I wonder how Third Brother’s situation is now?"

Zhou Shuren was also worried. This was not a joking matter. The era he recalled that had the most records on smallpox was the Qing Dynasty, but he did not know the specifics of the treatment, only remembering clearly about cowpox.

Zhou Shuren sighed. Flourishing maritime trade was a good thing, but it also posed significant risks. Ancient times lacked modern measures. Thus, vaccination was essential due to the development of maritime trade.

Rongchuan whispered softly, "Father, do you think it could be the foreigners causing trouble?"

Zhou Shuren, "We’ll know once the investigation is clear."

Rongchuan wouldn’t follow the Imperial Physician to leave the capital, not because he feared for his life, but because the Emperor did not allow it, and he understood the severity of the situation. This was no joke.

In Xuzhou, the Maritime Affairs Administration was under immense pressure. Chang Lian wore a stern expression. The first to show signs were the porters. When it was discovered in a porter’s family, they didn’t take it seriously until the situation worsened, and only then did they seek a doctor. Fortunately, all medical clinics were now under Imperial control, and Xuzhou’s clinic doctors were all from hereditary families.

Somebody did know about this disease and immediately reported it. That same day, everyone who had contact was put under observation.

Currently, only a few families of the porters were involved, and there was no panic in Xuzhou.

Chang Lian specifically inquired about smallpox, breaking out in a cold sweat. Now, an investigation was underway at Xuzhou Port, and the Imperial Physician stationed there, along with other doctors, had already examined all the porters.

Unfortunately, the cargo ship on which the porters had worked had already left Xuzhou Port.

That night, Zhou Shuren didn’t hide the situation from his wife, Zhulan, who was stunned for a moment before regaining her senses, "I had totally forgotten about this thing."

Well, she didn’t know history. The little she knew about smallpox was from reading novels about the Qing Dynasty, and she thought it only appeared during that period!

Zhulan also casually mentioned, "Wasn’t it only during the Qing Dynasty?"

Zhou Shuren twitched the corners of his mouth, "It has been around for a long time, but there are not many records of it. What I’m considering now is vaccination. With future business interactions, vaccination is essential. This incident is also a reminder."

Zhulan nodded, "Ah, vaccination, how is it done?"

Zhou Shuren, "Cowpox, but I can’t just say it outright. Saying it directly would be too suspicious, like openly telling the Emperor that I have an issue."

He was too transparent in the eyes of the Emperor; he didn’t even have the chance to lie. Could he say he just happened to know about it? That would be too funny; it would require too many lies to cover up. This matter was significant; the Emperor would undoubtedly investigate thoroughly. Having slowly built up a trustful relationship with his ruler, he didn’t want to ruin it.

Zhulan asked, "When did cowpox appear, and who discovered it?"

Zhou Shuren with a straight face, "Good question. I only know it hasn’t appeared yet."

Zhulan underestimated Zhou Shuren’s knowledge in history, "There’s still something you don’t know."

Zhou Shuren stretched out his hand and pinched his wife’s chubby face, "Wife, I’m human, not a machine. I don’t remember everything forever, and I haven’t studied these things either."

If it weren’t for his interest in archaeology and various histories and the ample supply of books at home, he wouldn’t even remember any records about it; asking more of him would be too much.

Zhulan, "Ouch."

Once Zhou Shuren bravely let go, Zhulan worried, "I wonder how Chang Lian and his wife are doing."

Zhou Shuren also worried, "I heard from Rongchuan that since it was discovered early, it has been contained. However, we fear there might be undiscovered cases in Xuzhou Port, so operations there have been stopped."

Zhulan remarked, "The Maritime Affairs Administration and Magistrate of Xuzhou seem quite capable."

Zhou Shuren nodded, "They indeed are responsible."

They didn’t conceal and underreport, but instead responded swiftly. That is indeed the work of wise people.

Zhulan suggested, "Should we not check the records more thoroughly and then prepare some medicines to send to Xuzhou? Lady Dong is still pregnant, and there are two young ones at home. I also don’t know if Old Lady Song has reached Xuzhou yet."

Zhou Shuren sighed, "Everything will be alright."

In Xuzhou, Chang Lian was comforting his worried wife, "Don’t worry, it was discovered early and has already been controlled."

Lady Dong was still uneasy, "Old Lady Song will arrive soon. I want to send our two daughters back to the capital, what do you think?"

Chang Lian looked at his wife’s belly. If nothing had happened, even if his wife gave birth, she could take care of the two daughters. But now, "Let’s wait until Old Lady Song arrives."

Lady Dong, looking at her haggard husband, said, "You’ve also been exhausted these last two days. You should rest early."

Chang Lian held his wife’s hand, "Mm."

The situation in Xuzhou hadn’t reached the capital yet. The Imperial court reacted swiftly, and within seven days, the Imperial Physician had arrived in Xuzhou City with medicinal herbs.

The investigation results had already been delivered to the capital, and the Emperor shared them with the ministers in the Imperial court.

The incident in Xuzhou City was no accident. The merchant ship that had left Xuzhou City did not return directly but sailed north to Pinggang following the Xuzhou coastline. Due to a storm at sea, they sought shelter for several days before arriving in Pinggang. It was unexpected that the Imperial court would react so quickly. Pinggang was already on high alert, and they found living infected slaves directly on this ship.

The Emperor was furious. This was definitely intentional. If it hadn’t been discovered first in Xuzhou, the consequences would have been unimaginable. The whole hall was eerily quiet.

Even the ministers who were normally sympathetic towards foreigners were no longer so, and they all excitedly shouted that these actions were deserving of death.

Zhou Shuren was dumbfounded. His efforts to sway opinions paled in comparison to facing the direct consequences. His eyes fixed on several ministers who had rebutted him, and yes, they were now quiet and even shrank back a bit.

Zhou Shuren took a step forward, "Your Majesty, I believe this incident is related to the foreigners who collaborated with the Zhang family."

He didn’t believe it was unrelated. If based on the earlier timelines, if the Zhang family had succeeded, the foreigners would naturally not want them to take over a powerful country, creating more chaos would serve them better.

If the Zhang family had failed, it would also have struck a blow to the current Imperial court.

The Emperor also realized this, hence his fury, "Their intentions merit death; I have been too lenient with them."

The Emperor had already prepared to call the ministers to draft laws specifically against all foreigners, decreeing that those with treacherous intentions be executed.

Zhou Shuren glanced at the Emperor, who was angered. Zhou Shuren’s lips curled up slightly, and his beard quirked—he was looking forward to the diplomats’ arrival in the capital.

The Emperor did not keep this matter hidden, so the Ministry of Rites’ foreign dignitaries were out of luck. Although they were not detained, they were strictly monitored, and even some merchants in the capital had to undergo investigation.

After a few more days, news from Xuzhou arrived stating that it had been discovered early and some people had already recovered. This was already good news.

Zhulan finally felt relieved. It was a good thing that Xuzhou was safe.

Zhulan was also measured for the making of her decree robe. Previously, when Zhulan wore the decree robe, one word could describe her: beautiful. Now wearing the decree robe, she could be described with one word: round!

Lady Li asked, "Mother, why are they making you another decree robe?"

Zhulan knew clearly that her decree robe was about to undergo a big change from a third-rank lady to a second rank, "You will know in due time."