After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 95 Selling Fake Medicine

The two returned to the East Palace, one after the other.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Yang, what have you figured out?"

Yang Shen had been pondering this all the way, and now he had made up his mind.

"This person is extremely shrewd and not easy to deal with."

Zhu Houzhao asked, "I just don't understand. His medicine isn't cheap, and he's made a considerable profit from selling it these past few days. Why would he stop supplying it? Is it really as he claims, that the dispensing process is too complicated?"

Yang Shen said, "According to Miss Liu, this medicine has the effects of tigers and wolves. It can boost spirits in the short term, but long-term use will inevitably have a backlash. The reason for stopping the supply of medicine to the common people is that we are worried that something will happen if it goes on for too long and people will find out. I am certain that his real target is His Majesty. From now on, this medicine will only be supplied to the palace, and outsiders will not be able to access it, so it will not be discovered."

Zhu Houzhao panicked: "What should we do? We must inform Father Emperor as soon as possible!"

Yang Shen remained calm and said, "Your Highness, do not panic. I have three strategies: superior, middle, and inferior!"

Zhu Houzhao was stunned and said, "Just say what you want to say, why use 'upper, middle, and lower'?"

Yang Shen smiled: "Doesn't that sound profound?"

"Alright, I really have three strategies: the best, the middle, and the worst. Let me start with the worst: Your Highness and I should go to His Majesty, tell him the truth, and argue our case based on reason."

Zhu Houzhao was puzzled: "Why is arguing based on reason a poor strategy?"

Yang Shen replied, "Because we have no evidence, it is a fact that His Majesty's health has improved after taking the medicine, and it is also a fact that the people are flocking to him. We are too passive and our chances of winning are not high, so this is the worst possible strategy."

"What about the middle option?"

"The middle strategy is to win people over with virtue. Your Highness, lead the Eastern Palace guards, storm into Zhenwu Temple, and kill that 'Kidney Deficiency Master' along with his disciples. This will eliminate future troubles! However, His Majesty will definitely misunderstand this move, and the consequences are hard to say."

Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment and said, "If we can eliminate future troubles, it's not a big deal if my father misunderstands me."

1

"Your Highness is truly filial! However, I have a better plan."

"Say it!"

"Actually, this best strategy isn't exactly honorable. The reason that the 'Kidney Deficiency Doctor' stopped distributing the medicine is because he was worried that some people would have problems with it. So we'll create some problems for him, which will turn the tables and force him to find evidence to prove his innocence. Otherwise, his medicine will be the problem."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands, exclaiming, "Brilliant! Use this trick!"

"There's no time to lose, I'll get right to it!"

Yang Shen took his leave and went back to prepare.

Three days later, news indeed came from Zhenwu Temple that they had stopped distributing pills.

The people were full of complaints. They had been queuing for days and were about to get the medicine when suddenly they were told that it would not be distributed anymore. Anyone would find it hard to accept this.

Some people are still holding on with hope, while others have gradually left.

Just then, a group of people suddenly appeared at the gate of Shuntian Prefecture, beating drums and appealing for justice.

Constable Liu Yong came out and asked, "Who's beating the drum—Zhao Wu? What are you doing here?"

Zhao Wu smiled ingratiatingly and said, "So it's Liu! I've come to complain."

Liu Yong asked, "Didn't you go to work under Young Master Yang?"

"That's right, I work as a guard at Zhu's Trading Company in the Development Zone. I'm honest and law-abiding. However, I have a brother who was cheated by an unscrupulous merchant and almost lost his life. I've come here today to seek justice for him!"

After saying that, he pointed behind him, where several men were carrying a stretcher.

Liu Yong stepped forward and recognized him at a glance: "Wang Er? What are you up to now?"

"Boss Liu, I'm innocent!"

Wang Er looked like he was about to die, groaning as he said, "Someone sold me fake medicine and scammed me!"

Liu Yong asked, "Which pharmacy are you going to sue?"

"Zhenwu Temple, Medicine King Sect!"

"What?"

Liu Yong thought he had misheard.

Wang Er said very seriously, "I took the pills sold by the Medicine King Sect, which cost five hundred coins! They said they could cure all diseases, but after taking them, I felt terrible all over; my head, buttocks, and stomach all hurt!"

Liu Yong said, "I'm warning you, the Medicine King Sect has been summoned by His Majesty the current emperor, how could they possibly sell fake medicine?"

You must take responsibility for what you said!

Zhao Wu stepped forward and said, "This is a matter of life and death, we will definitely take responsibility!"

Liu Yong ignored him, his brows furrowed, staring at Wang Er on the stretcher for a long time.

Wang Er's face was ashen, and he groaned weakly, looking as if he might die at any moment.

Zhao Wu, standing nearby, was filled with righteous indignation: "Boss Liu, he really did take that drug and that's how it happened. Several of us brothers can testify to that! If you don't believe me, we'll go to Zhenwu Temple right now to confront him!"

Liu Yong waved his hand: "Alright, alright, stop making a fuss. I can't make this decision. You wait here, I'll go report to the Prefect."

After saying that, he turned around and hurriedly went through the gate.

In the back hall of the Shuntian Prefecture government office, Prefect Han Zhong was reviewing official documents.

Liu Yong strode in, bowed, and said, "Sir, there are people outside beating drums to appeal for justice."

Han Chong didn't even look up: "Who filed this complaint? And what is it about?"

Liu Yong hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Yes—it's about the Medicine King Sect."

Han Zhong paused, pen in hand, and looked up: "What did you say?"

Liu Yong recounted what had happened outside.

Han Zhong's expression turned serious after hearing this.

He stroked his beard, remained silent for a long while, and then slowly spoke: "The sect leader of the Medicine King Sect is someone His Majesty personally summoned. And that Hundred Herbs Pill—it's said that many officials have taken it, and the common people are even more eager to get their hands on it. Do you think there's something wrong with this medicine?"

Liu Yong said, "That's what I said too, but the aggrieved party insists on filing a lawsuit."

Han Zhong asked, "Have you made it clear to them? If it's a false accusation, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, they will be punished accordingly."

Liu Yong nodded and replied, "I told them, but they said they'd sue to the bitter end."

Han Chong frowned and waved his hand, saying, "Even if they want to file a complaint, let them go to the county government office first."

Liu Yong said, "Sir, the aggrieved party, Wang Er, is from Wuqing County. He has documents from the Wuqing County government. The county magistrate, Wang Shouren, said that the Medicine King Sect is in the capital, and the matter is of great importance. Wuqing County dares not investigate him and can only transfer him to Shuntian Prefecture."

Upon hearing this, Han Zhong's expression immediately turned grim.

"Wang Shouren again? That guy really knows how to cause me trouble!"

Liu Yong asked cautiously, "Sir, should we—answer the call or not?"

Han Chong pondered for a moment, then sighed: "They're already blocking the door. What can we do if we don't accept it? We can't let people say that the Shuntian Prefecture is timid and afraid to even accept a petition."

"Then—shall I go and bring them in?"

Han Chong stood up and straightened his official robes: "Court is now in session. I will personally preside over the trial."

Liu Yong responded and quickly went out to prepare.

A moment later, in the main hall of the Shuntian Prefecture government office, Han Zhong sat upright.

Two rows of bailiffs, each holding a water-and-fire stick, stood on either side and shouted in unison, "Majesty!"

Zhao Wu helped Wang Er kneel shakily below the hall.

Han slammed his gavel down heavily and said in a deep voice, "Who is below the stage? What is the matter you wish to accuse?"