Emperor Zhaolie of the late Han Dynasty: Rising to power in Liaoxi

When the urgent report from Linyu County arrived in Yangle City, the main hall of the prefect's mansion was instantly thrown into chaos.

Even Hou Chong, who had long served on the frontier, was shocked when he saw the urgent report filled with "sudden death from illness" and "extinction of the entire family."

His fingertips still trembled so much that he could barely hold the bamboo slips.

The officials below the hall looked at each other, their faces pale and their eyes filled with unconcealed fear.

The tragic situation in the Central Plains and Youzhou had already spread throughout western Liaoning, and everyone knew how ferocious this plague was.

Of those infected, only one in ten survives; the virus spreads everywhere.

No matter how high your rank, how generous your salary, or how brave and skilled you are.

Once contaminated, one is likely to end up as a hastily buried corpse.

Moreover, this is not the first time such an incident has occurred; the tragic events of a few years ago are still vivid in the minds of most people.

"Gentlemen, now that things have come to this, we need to come up with a plan!" Hou Chong slammed the bamboo slips onto the table, his tone complex.

"The imperial court's medicines are located far in the Central Plains and cannot reach Liaoxi at all, not to mention that the Central Plains are currently not even sufficient to meet their needs."

"Are we just going to stand by and watch the plague spread, and see western Liaoning turn into a series of dead cities?"

The hall remained deathly silent.

Yan Gang and Zou Dan were both military generals who could stand tall and fight against the Xianbei cavalry, but they were helpless against this invisible and intangible plague.

Even though he was in charge of money and grain, gold and silver were of no use whatsoever in the face of the plague.

The other old officials whispered among themselves, repeating the same old things about "offering sacrifices to the mountains and rivers" and "inviting shamans to exorcise evil spirits."

But as everyone knows, countless sacrifices were offered in various states of the Central Plains, and countless shamans performed their rituals, yet the plague only intensified.

Just as the room was filled with panic.

Liu Bei, who had been standing silently below the steps, suddenly stepped forward. His voice was calm and composed, instantly silencing the noise in the hall.

"My lord, my colleagues, panicking won't solve the problem."

"Although this plague is fierce, it is not incurable or unpreventable."

"I am willing to take charge of all epidemic prevention matters in western Liaoning. Within a month, I will surely curb the spread of the plague and ensure the safety of the people of western Liaoning."

With just one sentence, all eyes in the room turned to him.

Hou Chong was shocked and immediately rebuked him, "Nonsense!"

"This matter is of utmost importance; even countless wise and virtuous men throughout history have been unable to handle it. How can you respond so rashly!"

"I know you love the people dearly, but the epidemic is dangerous, and you cannot act recklessly!"

Xuande is so foolish!

How can I take this on? How can I possibly take it on!

Have you not heard the ancient saying: "Bending the chimney and moving the firewood brings no favor, while being scorched and battered is treated as an honored guest!"

An ancient proverb says: "Doctors don't knock on doors, and they don't treat illnesses haphazardly!"

As the ancients said: If loving others does not bring them affection, then one should revert to one's benevolence; if governing others does not bring them order, then one should revert to one's wisdom!

Today, you volunteered to fight the epidemic with a heart full of benevolence. If you succeed, it will simply be your duty as a subject. The people may remember your kindness.

However, if there is the slightest mistake, the epidemic will spread, and the court will hold those responsible accountable, while the common people will resent it and be condemned by everyone.

They'll all say you claim to be saving the people, but in reality you're harming them!

How could you agree to such a thankless and risky task, one that could ruin your reputation if you were not careful?

Hou Chong's eyes were full of reproach and his heart was filled with worry. At this moment, he could only try his best to make amends for him, after all, he was his beloved son-in-law!

Liu Bei naturally sensed Hou Chong's urgency, but he really couldn't back down from this matter.

This not only concerns the safety of tens of thousands of people in western Liaoning, but also whether he can further win the hearts and minds of the people across the country.

He understood very clearly from the beginning that starting from a border region had its limitations.

First of all, it was difficult to gain the support of powerful clans; Gongsun Zan, Dong Zhuo, and Lü Bu are examples of this!

Ma Teng and Han Sui are examples!

Because in the eyes of the people of the Central Plains, the border regions were synonymous with barbarity, desolation, and violence.

It is incompatible with the culture, rules, and traditions valued in the Central Plains.

Therefore, those who started in border regions found it difficult to gain recognition from people with even a little cultural heritage and who considered themselves civilized.

This principle applies to both ancient and modern times!

In the past, the six states viewed Qin in this way!

Today, the Central Plains view Dong Zhuo in this way!

Liu Bei believed that even a hundred or a thousand years from now, this discrimination of civilization against violence and of the Central Plains against the frontier would still exist.

Secondly, the common people, who lack cultural heritage and education, still find it difficult to accept the power of the border regions.

Because the people yearn for peace, and border regions often appear in conversations alongside foreign tribes.

Foreign races are usually synonymous with chaos, such as killing, plundering, destruction, violence, and disregard for rules.

This will still subconsciously make people feel resistant!

As for other issues such as insufficient funds and food supplies, and a lack of talent, we won't go into detail for now.

Yes, Liu Bei must become famous throughout the world!

At the very least, people need to know that there is such a person as Liu Bei, and even that he has a benevolent image!

In other words, it's called: cultivating one's reputation!

In Liu Bei's view, cultivating prestige does not necessarily require associating with gentry or studying scriptures!

Right now is a great opportunity!

"I dare not deceive the Prefect!"

Liu Bei solemnly said, "Years ago in Zhuojun, I met a reclusive physician who passed on to me an ancient prescription for preventing and treating epidemics."

"Later, I studied under Master Lu and read extensively from the medical classics of previous generations. I learned that this plague was not a disaster brought down by heaven, but rather 'typhoid fever and epidemic toxins,' which could be prevented, isolated, and treated."

"As long as you all listen to my instructions and act accordingly, we will surely be able to overcome this calamity."

He naturally couldn't say that these methods came from the life's work of two later medical sages in his dream life.

One of them is Zhang Zhongjing, who wrote "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" and established the diagnostic and treatment criteria for epidemic diseases that no one had been able to understand for hundreds of years.

One of them was Hua Tuo, who created Tusu wine, was skilled in surgery, and knew how to prevent disease.

He dreamt of a life of hardship, witnessing the human tragedies of pandemics, and that there would be at least four more major pandemics in the next five years.

He had already deeply engraved the methods of epidemic prevention and treatment of the two medical sages into his mind.

At this moment, he understood better than anyone else in this era that the core of this Xiping epidemic was a highly contagious respiratory disease.

The key to prevention and control has never been sacrificial rituals to exorcise evil spirits.

Instead.

isolation.

Disinfection.

prevention.

Treatment.

Four things.

He not only knew the theory of this method, but he had also practiced it in his dreams.

Not to mention the great plague of Xiping at this time, there was also the great plague in Nanyang and Yuzhou in the first year of Jian'an (196).

That was when he had just taken control of Xuzhou, when he was ambushed by Lü Bu and forced to retreat to Haixi and Guangling. His army suffered from food shortages and plague, resulting in the deaths of many soldiers, and he was forced to surrender to Lü Bu.

Furthermore, in 208 AD, during the great plague at the Battle of Red Cliffs, the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei were able to defeat Cao Cao. At this time, Zhang Zhongjing began to write the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases.

Furthermore, in the twenty-second year of Jian'an (217 AD), a nationwide epidemic occurred. At this time, Zhang Zhongjing's systematic and mature typhoid (epidemic) treatment system was formally established.

Subsequently, Zhang Zhongjing's treatment methods were widely used in epidemic control.

Therefore, Liu Bei was fully confident in curbing the spread of the epidemic and felt that he should take this action.

Hou Chong saw that his expression was resolute and did not seem to be speaking recklessly, and he was conflicted.

Then I recalled his various methods of raising money and grain and securing the border, which showed that he was indeed an extraordinary person.

Immediately, a glimmer of hope began to rise in his heart: what if he really had a way?

"Xuande, you..."

"Do you really have a way?"

"This matter is of great importance; how dare I speak recklessly!"

"Moreover, I discussed this method with Master Lu before, and he highly praised it!"

Liu Bei silently apologized to Master Lu, saying that for the sake of the people, he had no choice but to borrow your name.

This trick really works!

"really?"

"really!"

Hearing Lu Zhi's approval, most of the people believed him, and many showed joy on their faces.

As for why Lu Zhi didn't take it out since he already knew?

Nobody wants to think about it.

When a glimmer of light appears in the darkness, everyone will desperately try to grasp it!

Hou Chong made up his mind and immediately stopped hesitating.

He then ripped off the governor's seal from his waist and shoved it into Liu Bei's hand.

"Very well! Xuande, from this day forward, the entire Liaoxi prefecture, from officials and soldiers to commoners, will be under your command!"

"Anyone who dares to disobey this order will be executed first and reported later!"

"I entrust my old life, and the lives of tens of thousands of people in western Liaoning, to you!"

"Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my utmost and live up to your trust."