CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: ENTERING THE CITY

Finally, after traveling day and night for a month, they reached the gate of Ganning.

But they found that in broad daylight, Ganning’s city gate was tightly closed, which was very unusual.

Seeing the closed city gate of Ganning, Fu Shinian’s heart sank.

She had originally hoped that if luck was on their side, and the epidemic hadn’t broken out yet, they might be able to stop it early.

But now, it seemed impossible.

"Who goes there?" shouted the soldiers from the city wall.

Cheng Yuanshan found these soldiers very strange, as each of them had their faces covered with cloth, with only their eyes visible under their helmets.

Cheng Yuanshan got off his horse and said, "We are ordered by the emperor to deliver supplies to the Northwest Army."

"An epidemic has broken out in the city, and it has been reported to the court," yelled the soldier on the wall. "Ganning is now under lockdown, you should take a detour."

"Epidemic?" Cheng Yuanshan was surprised.

Fu Shinian thought it was indeed the case, and raised her voice to ask, "May I ask if there is enough medicine in the city?"

The soldier’s eyes lit up, barely able to contain his excitement, "Do you have medicine?"

Another soldier asked, "Is it supplies for the army?"

If it was, they wouldn’t dare to take it.

Cheng Yuanshan, reminded by Fu Shinian, also thought if there was an epidemic, there must be a medicine shortage, so he said, "These medicines were bought by us along the way, not military supplies."

"Originally, we intended to gift them to the army," Cheng Yuanshan said, "Anyway, since we are transporting supplies, it’s no trouble to bring some medicine over. But now, if the city needs it, we can donate the medicine to Ganning. I believe the army would understand."

Upon hearing that it wasn’t court supplies, the soldiers on the city wall sighed in relief, "If you can donate to us, we would be extremely grateful."

"Please wait a moment, I will report to the County Magistrate immediately!" said the soldier.

Before long, the County Magistrate of Ganning, Hu Pingcheng, hurriedly ascended the city wall and shouted, "May I ask if it’s Mr. Cheng who is in charge of the military supplies!"

"It is indeed me, a humble commoner." Cheng Yuanshan said.

"Mr. Cheng, your righteousness is commendable!" Hu Pingcheng said, "An epidemic suddenly erupted in the city, and the medicines in the medical clinics are running out. Mr. Cheng’s actions indeed alleviated our urgent needs!"

"According to protocol, I should personally leave the city to greet you, but due to the outbreak of the epidemic, I fear infecting you, so I can only converse like this across the distance." Hu Pingcheng said.

Cheng Yuanshan was shocked, "Is it so severe already?"

Hu Pingcheng sighed and said, "Ganning is currently inaccessible, and we, who are in the city, can only try our best to treat the citizens and prevent the epidemic from spreading outside."

"Hence, you should take a detour." Hu Pingcheng said.

"I understand, thank you, sir." Cheng Yuanshan said.

"I kindly ask you to leave the medicine behind and withdraw the other goods with everyone to a safe distance." Hu Pingcheng added, "I will send someone to collect the medicine to avoid infecting you."

"I will stay behind," Fu Shinian said.

"What?" Cheng Yuanshan was surprised.

"Sir mentioned that it’s very severe, and it must spread quickly. If not for the medicines, they wouldn’t let anyone from the city out so easily." Fu Shinian raised her voice and asked, "Am I right?"

Hu Pingcheng nodded and sighed, "Exactly."

"I suspect we’re not even aware of all the ways it can spread." Fu Shinian said, "Just now, sir asked us to leave only the medicine and withdraw all the people and goods. Does that mean you suspect that besides human-to-human close contact, it could also spread through objects? Or even several other undiscovered ways?"

Hu Pingcheng paused, not expecting Fu Shinian to guess so accurately, then said, "The young master is observant, that’s precisely the case."

"In that case, it’s best if the soldiers inside don’t come out." Fu Shinian paused and said, "Sir, I can take a carriage of medicine into the city."

"No way!" Cheng Yuanshan broke into a cold sweat, "How am I supposed to explain to Madam Fu! I promised Madam Fu to take good care of you."

"Just yesterday, I sent news back to the capital to assure your safety, and today you want to enter Ganning City? How would I explain to your mother?" Cheng Yuanshan said, "You cannot go, I’ll send someone else to take the medicine in."

But who would be willing to?

The situation in the city is already so serious. Going in is no different than sending oneself to death.

When Cheng Yuanshan looked around, everyone averted their eyes at the same moment.

He didn’t want Fu Shinian to take the risk, but they were unwilling to risk it either.

Fu Shinian said, "Uncle Cheng, you are entrusted with the important task of delivering supplies to the Northwest Army, how can you leave casually?"

Upon hearing Fu Shinian’s words, everyone behind secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Fu Shinian lowered her voice, speaking in a volume only Cheng Yuanshan could hear, "Marquis Changping is currently in Ganning City as well. Uncle Cheng knows the Old Madam Xiao favors me and my relationship with the Marquis Changping is quite good. If they find out I’m here but ignored them, it might offend Marquis Changping."

"Breaking off the engagement between my sister and Xiao Fengxing already strained the relationship with the Marquis Changping..." Fu Shinian silently apologized in her heart for portraying the Changping family as so domineering.

Cheng Yuanshan: "..."

He felt something wasn’t right but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

A flicker of insight appeared in his mind, but he couldn’t grasp it.

While Cheng Yuanshan pondered over Fu Shinian’s reasonable words in silence, Fu Shinian suddenly dismounted and got on the medicine cart, driving it towards the city gate, calling out loudly, "Please, sir, open the gate!"

"Young master, how noble!" Hu Pingcheng said in admiration, and ordered the soldiers to open the city gate.

Fu Shinian then took out a kerchief from her sleeve to cover her face, covering her mouth and nose.

As Fu Shinian entered the city and the gate slowly closed, Cheng Yuanshan suddenly realized what was wrong.

Fu Shinian had come out without the Fu Mansion knowing.

Now she’s in disguise, how could the Changping family possibly know she came to Ganning and didn’t care about Marquis Changping’s safety?

"No, come back!" Cheng Yuanshan shouted, "Shinian, come back!"

Cheng Yuanshan prepared to ride up and follow.

But Fu Shinian waved at him, "Uncle Cheng, don’t come closer. You still have to go to the Northwest Army, don’t bring the disease into the army."

Hearing Fu Shinian’s words, Cheng Yuanshan quickly pulled the reins tight, not daring to approach any further.

He watched helplessly as the city gate closed, losing sight of Fu Shinian completely.

Gritting his teeth tightly, Cheng Yuanshan was both anxious and regretful, "How shall I explain this!"

After Fu Shinian entered the city, she immediately stopped the carriage and dismounted to greet Hu Pingcheng.

"No need for formalities, young master." Hu Pingcheng quickly said, "You risked your life bringing medicine into the city, you are the savior of all of Ganning City!"

Fu Shinian had brought four full carts of medicine inside.

A horse led, with a cart behind it, linked one after the other, four vehicles connected together.