Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 82 Shen Rumo! Give them a way out! (Eighth update!)
Shen Shixing wiped the sweat from his brow.

These two brothers in front of me keep talking about swindling money from the emperor, but then they turn around and say they're trying to squeeze money out of princes and nobles.
They were absolutely arrogant and domineering.

If Zhang Juzheng hadn't summoned him, he would have really wanted to go back and file a proper complaint.

You, sir! You should really put your two filial sons in check!
Shen Shixing sighed and said, "My dear nephew, let's talk about the management of the plague and the refugees."

Zhang Yunxiu looked at the other party as if he were a fool: "Your Excellency, we are just discussing how to deal with the refugees."

Shen Shixing: "???"

Zhang Yunxiu explained, "The martial law at the nine gates of the capital is handled by the Beijing Garrison. The commander of the three major camps is Duke Zhang Rong of Yingguo. The Minister of War, Fang Fengshi, retired a few days ago. Now, the commander of the Ministry of War is Liang Qianji (Liang Menglong), is that correct?"

"Nephew, you know this too?" Shen Shixing was somewhat surprised. Everyone in the court knew that Fang Fengshi had retired, after all, this Minister of War had been saying that he wanted to retire for many years.

But the newly appointed Minister of War, Liang Menglong, was only appointed a few days ago, how could Zhang Yunxiu know about it?

Why do you tell everyone, Enfu?
Without responding, Zhang Yunxiu continued, "In that case, Father's plan is very clear: the capital garrison will manage the nine gates under martial law, and the five city garrisons will set up checkpoints in the streets and alleys to restrict movement and conduct patient screening. Given my father's style, he would never have brought out this plan if it wasn't properly arranged!"

"My dear nephew, you already know about the arrangements of the En family?" Shen Shixing was somewhat surprised, as the other party seemed to be more familiar with the plan than he was!
Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes. He was perfectly aware of the situation, because he was the one who drafted the plan!

Then, Zhang Yunxiu continued, "My father has surely already arranged things here. The reason he asked you to come to me is simply because there is something more crucial."

Martial law was declared in the capital, patients were screened, and refugees were moved to the western suburbs. But how could hundreds or thousands of refugees be treated?

According to recent statistics from Renmin Medical Clinic, at least 100,000 people in Beijing have been infected with the plague, and almost all of the 20,000 migrants outside the city have also been infected!

To treat such a large number of patients, my four clinics alone are certainly far from sufficient.

Shen Shixing looked troubled.

Zhang Yunxiu's words were indeed correct; this was the problem that the plague in the capital was difficult to solve.

Yes, you sealed off the capital, which can curb the spread of the plague in the capital, but then what?

Zhang Yunxiu said helplessly, "Renmin Medical Clinic can only handle two hundred people a day. Even if we open ten clinics, we can only treat 60,000 people a month. It would take two months to cover all the patients, and that's under overload conditions. According to the clinic's statistics, the mortality rate of the Big Head Plague is a full 30%. How many more people will die in these two months? Has Your Excellency thought about that?"

A mocking smile appeared on his face: "This is probably the reason why the officials in the court oppose it. Sometimes it is better not to do it than to do it. Even if doing it will result in many deaths, it is not wrong to do it!"

"That's not the case! All the officials in the court care about the people and the common people; how could they be so self-serving?"

Shen Shixing hurriedly tried to explain, but the more he spoke, the less confident he became.

He also calculated that if Zhang Yunxiu's figures were correct, then in two months, 40,000 people could die in the capital!
If this happens, wouldn't the saying "the people are the foundation of the state" become a joke?
In an instant, Shen Shixing's forehead was covered in more and more sweat, and he asked rather anxiously.

"According to my nephew, even sealing off the capital would not be enough to solve the plague?"

"It can't be solved," Zhang Yunxiu said with certainty.

Shen Shixing's eyes were filled with disappointment, even despair.

Zhang Yunxiu then said, "Martial law alone cannot solve the problem. That is why my father sent you to me. To coordinate the Imperial Hospital and all the doctors in the capital, and to gather all our strength to control the epidemic in the capital."

Shen Shixing was speechless for a moment. What was wrong with this kid's way of talking?
He hesitated for a moment, still somewhat puzzled, and said, "Nephew, could you elaborate?"

Zhang Yunxiu had already prepared: "There's always a solution. We need to implement a tiered management system. Renmin Medical Clinic will prioritize treating severe cases, while the Imperial Hospital and other medical clinics, after receiving some training, will be assigned to handle moderate and mild cases."
The current plague in the capital has caused a surge in the price of medicinal herbs. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. The Imperial Guards and the Five City Garrison Commands have been dispatched to collect all medicinal herbs in the capital, with a certain amount of compensation to be paid.
Resources were allocated from all sides, with the imperial court taking the lead in increasing the production of medicines such as allicin.
"Encourage major workshops in Beijing to produce face masks."

Although he was somewhat prepared, Shen Shixing was still taken aback; Zhang Yunxiu's methods were undeniably radical.

Upon closer examination, these are indeed pragmatic methods, but they all have one prerequisite.
"I'm afraid that if this decree is implemented, there will be a lot of opposition both inside and outside the capital," Shen Shixing said hesitantly.

Zhang Yunxiu exhaled and said, "This is the reason why my father sent the Grand Secretary. I am determined to deal with the plague, but neither the Imperial Hospital nor the Five Cities Garrison will obey my orders. Only with the Grand Secretary in charge can the decrees be implemented."

"My dear nephew, let me think about this matter again," Shen Shixing murmured, his eyebrows furrowed, as if he couldn't make a decision.

He was tricked into coming by Zhang Juzheng, and was not given any time to react.

Clearly, this matter is of great importance. Once Shen Shixing is involved, he will inevitably be affected and will be completely labeled as a member of the "Zhang faction," which is inconsistent with his usual style of self-preservation.

Shen Shixing had initially thought it was merely a helping hand, but after hearing Zhang Yunxiu's words, he actually became somewhat intimidated.
He sighed repeatedly and said, "Nephew, this matter needs to be considered carefully. I also feel that the Prince is being too rash. This method will inevitably provoke a lot of opposition, and the implications are significant."

Zhang Yunxiu raised his eyebrows and said, "Is Grand Secretary Shen going to refuse?"

"No, I'm not." Shen Shixing stammered. "Let's think about it carefully... let's think about it carefully..."

It's time for a long-term plan!

Zhang Yunxiu suddenly felt a surge of anger.

In fact, he had already shown this "Emergency Plan for the Prevention and Control of Plague" to the emperor and Zhang Juzheng.

However, both of them refused. With no other option, Zhang Yunxiu could only prove himself to them by demonstrating the effectiveness of Renmin Medical Clinic.

But now, it has been almost a month, and countless innocent people have died in this plague.

However, Shen Shixing in front of us was still saying something about "taking it long-term"!
Zhang Yunxiu felt an indescribable anger.

In that instant, he thought of the court officials who held their positions without doing their jobs and were nothing but beasts in human clothing. A surge of anger rose to his chest, and he could no longer bear it and angrily rebuked them.

"Is Grand Secretary Shen still going to hesitate? Things have come to this point, there is no turning back! The imperial decree has been issued, Grand Secretary Shen, you either stand against my father and me, or you do your utmost to assist us, there is no other way to go!"

"Nephew, please don't force me," Shen Shixing said, somewhat flustered. "I have my reasons."

Unexpectedly, he, a high-ranking official, was being verbally abused by the other party.

Zhang Yunxiu, exasperated, pointed towards the direction outside the city gate and said.

"At this very moment, tens of thousands of people outside the city are still enduring the cold and hunger. They are suffering from serious illnesses, and with sheer willpower, they have endured wind and rain all the way. Who knows how many people have died? All for one word: survival!"

Shen Shixing stammered, then quickly explained, "Nephew, that's not what I meant!"

But Zhang Yunxiu seemed to have gotten carried away with his cursing, pointing his finger at Shen Shixing's nose and saying...

"Does the Grand Secretary, adorned with a seven-beam crown and a crimson robe, his body embroidered with brocade pheasants, also intend to watch as these people are torn apart from their families and die outside the city gates?"

"I have nothing," Shen Shixing suddenly felt a little aggrieved.

Zhang Yunxiu didn't let them off the hook: "Why have they come? Isn't it because they hope that you, the high-ranking officials who are always well-dressed in the court, will save them?!"

"Nephew, please stop talking. This old man..." Shen Shixing, who had always been mild-mannered, was stunned by the random punches from Zhang Yunxiu, this hothead, and his mind was in complete chaos.

"Shen Rumo!" Zhang Yunxiu shouted. "Whether they are refugees or sick and impoverished people in the capital, what they want is for you officials to spare some money and show some conscience! Give them a way to survive!"

"No, I'm not!"

Shen Shixing almost burst into tears.

　Thank you to the author "The Fallen One in the Novel" for the 420 Qidian Coins!
　　Two more chapters to go!

　　It will be sent before 8 o'clock!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)