Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Meanwhile, on the main street of Lantian County.

Li Chengqian rode on his black horse, while countless refugees huddled in corners along the roadside, shivering. Some had long since perished, their bodies covered by snow.

A little girl held a half-bowl of porridge that had long since gone cold and handed it to her mother.

"Mother! Drink your porridge! It will give you strength and keep you warm!"

However, no matter how he called out, his mother on the other end of the line did not respond to him at all!

Seeing this scene, Li Chengqian felt a tightness in his chest. Was this the prosperous scene under the rule of Zhenguan?

Why is this so?

He turned to look at Xue Rengui behind him and said:

"Rengui! Have soup kitchens set up. Before the imperial grain arrives, take it from the Crown Prince's private treasury. Also, find Shen Wansan and have him transfer as many tents as he has. If it's not enough, buy more!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Yang Zaixing, Du'er, you lead your troops to surround the area where the plague has broken out. Without my order, not even a fly is allowed to get out!"

"promise!"

……

Inside a dilapidated temple.

This place was a gathering place for a large number of disaster victims and also the epicenter of the plague outbreak.

Sun Simiao, along with his apprentices, wore alcohol-soaked gauze in their mouths as they treated plague patients.

"The gauze must be soaked in alcohol; this is absolutely crucial!"

"Yes, Master!"

……

"Old Sun!"

Just then, a familiar voice reached Sun Simiao's ears, and Li Chengqian, also with his face covered by gauze and a solemn expression, walked in.

Even Sun Simiao was startled to see that the person who came was Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness?! Why have you come in person? Go back immediately! This is a plague! How could you, as the Crown Prince, come here personally?!"

He sent someone to find Li Chengqian just to get the Crown Prince to send him some helpers, but he never dreamed that the Crown Prince would be so bold as to come over himself.

If the Crown Prince were to contract the plague, his crime would be enormous!

However, seeing Sun Simiao's expression as if he wanted to send him away, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile.

"Master Sun, don't panic. I'm not afraid of myself, so what are you afraid of?"

I have already had this area fenced off. Furthermore, I will have tents delivered. All those infected must be isolated, and anyone who has been in contact with a patient must also be isolated. All excrement from the disaster area will be collected and disposed of by me. Anyone who dares to defecate indiscriminately will be executed!

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Sun Simiao was slightly taken aback, then quickly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Chengqian and said:

"Your Highness is very thoughtful!"

Li Chengqian did not leave after that, but instead began to assist Sun Simiao.

In his previous life, he had at least gone through a long education, including graduating from university, so he knew some basic first aid techniques.

He went to an old man and wiped his body with gauze soaked in alcohol to cool him down. Then he brought him a bowl of warm water and fed it to him.

"Grandpa? How are you feeling?"

"Much better, young man. You're still young. There's a plague here, don't catch it. This old man is too old, if he dies, so be it."

"What nonsense are you talking about? You're perfectly fine, aren't you!"

Then he pointed to Sun Simiao, who was not far away.

"See that old man? That old man is Sun Simiao. He's the most skilled physician in our Tang Dynasty, even more skilled than the imperial physicians. With him around, it'll be hard for you to die. Just live in peace!"

……

the other side.

Prince Wei's Residence!

"Your Highness! A large number of disaster victims have gathered in Chang'an County and Lantian County, and there is also a plague! His Highness the Crown Prince has already led people to the disaster area."

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Li Tai couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

"What did you say? Li Chengqian went to the disaster area? Is he out of his mind?"

Meanwhile, an aide standing nearby couldn't help but speak up:

"Your Highness! The Crown Prince's actions seem to be an attempt to win over the people. Our Prince Wei's residence must also take some action!"

After he finished speaking, Li Tai fell into deep thought.

"You're right, but it's still a plague. A wise man doesn't stand under a crumbling wall. I'm not a reckless fool like Li Chengqian. How foolish of me to risk my life like that!"

"Go! Find someone to distribute porridge outside the city. If there's not enough food, borrow from the Wang family in Taiyuan and the Zheng family in Xingyang; they have plenty!"

"promise!"

Watching the departing figure of the advisor, Li Tai looked towards Lantian, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Without this throne, I might still be that little bluebird following you around, constantly being teased by you. This time, I must live!"

……

Liangyi Hall.

"What??? Gao Ming went to the disaster area?"

Changsun Wuji stared at Li Shimin with disbelief, his eyes even showing a hint of anger.

"No? Your Majesty! How could you send Gao Ming to the disaster area? That's plague! You... No, I'll go and bring that brat back right now!"

As he spoke, Changsun Wuji prepared to turn and leave, but Li Shimin, seeing this, quickly shouted:

"Auxiliary machine operator, stop right there! Don't you know what kind of temper that kid has? Do you think he'll listen to you now?"

"He's my uncle, why can't he..."

"He is the Crown Prince!!! The future Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and all those people will be his future subjects! I am proud and happy that he went to the disaster area first!"

"I summoned you here to discuss disaster relief; don't bring up other matters!"

Seeing Li Shimin's bloodshot eyes, Changsun Wuji didn't know what to say for a moment, but he couldn't help but show a hint of worry on his face.

Just then, Du Ruhui immediately stepped forward and spoke:

"Your Majesty! I have already sent people to the Ministry of Revenue. Since His Highness the Crown Prince has already gone to the disaster area, let His Highness take charge of the disaster relief work. If His Highness needs people, he should provide them; if His Highness needs grain, he should provide it!"

In addition, the city gates of Chang'an were temporarily closed, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter or leave the disaster area until the situation improved.

There's also the issue of grain prices. With so many disaster victims flooding into Chang'an, grain prices are bound to skyrocket. A large number of merchants will emerge to profit from this national crisis, so we need to prepare in advance!

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly began to add their own details, afraid of missing any.

In an instant, the entire city of Chang'an began to stir, and many people even started to distribute porridge spontaneously.

At the entrance of the Duke of Wei's mansion.

"Line up properly! Anyone who dares to cut in line, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Li Ling'er held a sword in one hand and a porridge ladle in the other. The disaster victims who came to collect porridge were stunned and frightened, and they all lined up in a long queue!

Fortunately, there weren't many disaster victims in the main city of Chang'an, and the plague did not spread into the city thanks to the timely handling by Li Chengqian and Li Shimin.

In addition, many high-ranking officials and nobles spontaneously distributed porridge, and the disaster in the city was quickly brought under control.

But misfortunes never come singly, and the thing Li Shimin feared most still happened!