The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhanji glanced at Zhu Zhanjun and saw that he indeed stepped aside to make way, as if to say "you go first." Although he was somewhat suspicious, he was eager to make a contribution and didn't have time to think too much. He immediately straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and stepped onto the steps of the Qianqing Palace.

His steps were slightly hurried, and his figure quickly disappeared into the light and shadow at the palace gate.

Zhu Zhanjun followed slowly behind, his hands tucked into his sleeves, strolling leisurely as if he were just taking a leisurely stroll.

As he walked to the outside of the palace gate, before he could even announce his entry, he could vaguely hear hurried discussions coming from inside.

He stopped and listened intently.

Inside the hall, Zhu Di's voice, carrying an unprecedented solemnity, faintly drifted through the doors:

"...Smallpox has appeared in Dongliu Town, Jurong, with over a hundred infected and nearly twenty dead! If this epidemic spreads to the capital, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Immediately following was Zhu Gaochi's anxious voice: "Father, smallpox is dangerous and spreads extremely quickly!"

"Your Majesty, I believe we should immediately send more troops to completely block all roads leading to Dongliu Town and even Jurong County, allowing entry but not exit!"

"We urgently dispatched skilled medical officers and medicines from the Imperial Medical Academy to set up medical tents on-site for isolation and treatment, and strictly prevented the spread!"

Zhu Gaoxu's rough voice rang out: "Big brother is right!"

"However, Jurong is so close to Nanjing, so we need to control public opinion."

"Otherwise, it could easily cause panic among the people."

Yang Rong's voice was rather calm and steady.

"Your Majesty, what the Crown Prince and the Prince of Han said are both of the most urgent matters."

"I would like to add: martial law should be immediately imposed in and around the capital, and additional checks should be conducted at all city gates. Anyone with fever or rash should be immediately isolated."

"At the same time, an edict was issued to the entire city to explain the smallpox situation, to reassure the people, and to prevent rumors from spreading and causing panic and trampling."

The Imperial Medical Academy Director Han Shi's aged voice trembled: "Your Majesty... smallpox is extremely dangerous. This old minister... this old minister will immediately draft an epidemic prevention strategy and a list of medicines."

"However... however, once this epidemic breaks out, it may not be something that medicine can cure quickly; the key is prevention and isolation!"

The atmosphere inside the hall was clearly extremely tense and oppressive.

Zhu Zhanji, who was standing not far inside the palace gate, heard everything clearly and was also horrified.

He never expected that smallpox had broken out in the capital region!

If this matter is not handled properly, it could be a catastrophe.

His mind raced as he considered how he could offer advice that would demonstrate his responsibility and wisdom in such a critical situation.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhanjun, standing outside the hall, listened to the discussions inside about "blockade," "source investigation," "medicine preparation," and "martial law." His leisurely expression gradually faded, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Inside the hall.

Suddenly there was a noise.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the eldest grandson of the emperor, Zhu Zhanji, had stumbled and fallen into the hall at some point, almost collapsing to the ground.

Zhu Zhanji hurriedly steadied himself, his face still showing shock and embarrassment. When he looked up, he saw that everyone in the hall was staring at him.

Zhu Di was discussing an important matter with the Crown Prince, the Prince of Han, and several cabinet ministers when this sudden commotion interrupted him. His brows furrowed immediately, and he asked in a deep voice, "Zhanji? What brings you here? What kind of behavior is this, all in such a flustered state!"

Zhu Gaochi was displeased to see his son barge in so recklessly and scolded him in a low voice, "Zhanji, His Majesty and the officials are discussing important matters. How dare you intrude? Get out of here at once!"

Zhu Zhanji's face flushed red, both ashamed and annoyed.

I don't know what to do.

He originally wanted to share his grandfather's burdens.

But I heard it outside just now.

This time it's smallpox!

This thing can kill people.

It doesn't matter if you're from the imperial family or someone who rolls around in the fields.

There is a 50% chance of dying if you get infected!

He really couldn't share any of the burden in this matter.

Just as he was about to quietly retreat, Zhu Zhanjun suddenly kicked him from behind, almost causing him to fall inside.

That little rascal!

Zhu Zhanjun ignored Zhu Zhanji's gaze and instead addressed Zhu Di.

"Grandpa, my elder brother has come here specifically to share your burdens and solve your problems."

[Ding! You have obtained a golden treasure chest!]

Zhu Zhanji: "!!!"

What the hell? When did I say that?

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this. Zhu Di glared at Zhu Zhanji with annoyance and said in a deep voice, "What are you doing, you half-grown boy causing trouble!"

"This smallpox epidemic is extremely dangerous; even high-ranking officials and imperial physicians find it deeply troublesome. How could you possibly share its burden?"

"Get out of the way quickly, don't cause any more trouble!"

Zhu Zhanji was reprimanded until his face turned red.

He did want to argue, but nothing he said would be right, so he could only lower his head and retreat to the side of the hall, secretly hating Zhu Zhanjun even more.

Zhu Di ignored him and turned back to continue discussing with the others: "Minister Han, the epidemic prevention strategy and the list of medicines must be submitted as soon as possible."

"Yang Rong, draft the following decree: Effective immediately, the borders of Jurong County shall be sealed off. Entry into Dongliu Town is permitted, but exit is prohibited. Nanjing garrison troops shall be deployed to assist in the blockade. Those who disobey this order shall be punished for defying imperial orders!"

"Strict checks will be conducted at all city gates in the capital. Anyone with suspected symptoms will be sent to the isolation camp in the west of the city."

"Furthermore, public notices are being posted to reassure the public about the smallpox outbreak. Spreading rumors is strictly prohibited, and violators will be severely punished!"

Everyone answered in unison.

Just then, Zhu Zhanjun, who had been silently observing, suddenly stepped forward and said loudly, "Grandfather, I have something to say."

Zhu Di looked at him, his brow still furrowed: "Zhanjun, this is a matter of national crisis, not child's play. What ideas do you have?"

Zhu Zhanjun stepped forward and said solemnly, "Grandfather, the smallpox epidemic in Jurong is indeed critical, and it could spread to the capital at any time."

"The court's attention, ordering a lockdown, and dispatching medical officers were all necessary measures."

"However, I believe that in addition to strict defense, we must also stabilize the people's hearts and minds, and not let them despair, but give them hope."

He paused, then continued, "The people of Jurong must be filled with anxiety right now. If they only see the soldiers blocking off the roads and the government blocking off the streets, but don't see any real concern from the court, they might easily mistakenly think that the court is going to abandon them and let them fend for themselves."

"If the smallpox epidemic worsens, and there is a shortage of food and medicine, the accumulated panic may incite a popular uprising, and some people may even take the risk of breaking through the blockade, which would be the real disaster."

Zhu Di was taken aback upon hearing this, and stroked his beard thoughtfully.

Yang Rong, Zhu Gaochi, and the others nodded slightly, their expressions thoughtful.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhanjun continued.

"Therefore, I believe that in addition to supplies and medical personnel, the court should also send a high-ranking official of sufficient stature to represent the sincerity of the royal family and the court to personally go to Jurong to take charge."

"This person must not only supervise the implementation of all epidemic prevention measures, but also appear before the people to demonstrate the court's determination to never abandon any of its subjects."

"Only in this way will the people of Jurong believe that the imperial court has truly come to save them, and not just to imprison them. Only then can the people's hearts be at peace, and only then can the measures to prevent smallpox truly be effective."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di's eyes flashed with approval, and he said in a deep voice, "Zhan Jun's words make sense."

"Fighting the epidemic is like controlling floods; blocking is not as good as dredging, and dredging is not as good as guiding. If the people's hearts are broken, even a thousand troops will not be able to stop the spread of smallpox."

He surveyed the crowd in the hall and slowly asked, "Then, among those present, who is willing to personally go to Jurong to oversee this epidemic prevention effort?"

"If it is inconvenient for you to do so, you may recommend a reliable candidate."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Qianqing Palace fell silent.

Zhu Gaochi looked down at his toes, as if he had suddenly become very interested in the patterns on the boots.

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui exchanged a glance, then looked away, their lips tightly pressed together.

Cabinet ministers such as Yang Rong and Jin Youzi either stroked their beards in deep thought or lowered their eyes and remained silent.

Han Shi, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, shrank back even further, wishing he could disappear into the shadows.

Giving advice is easy, but going to the epidemic area and facing smallpox head-on... that's a perilous task with a slim chance of survival.

Who would be willing to gamble with their own life?

Recommending others?

Even more caution is needed. If the person recommended is harmed in the epidemic area or if their incompetence leads to the smallpox outbreak getting out of control, the recommender will also be held accountable.

For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the occasional crackling of the candlelight.

In the midst of this suffocating silence, Zhu Zhanjun suddenly chuckled, breaking the deadlock.

He turned to Zhu Zhanji, who was standing to the side of the hall and whose face was still somewhat pale, and said loudly, "Grandfather, I have an excellent candidate."

Zhu Di was taken aback and asked curiously.

"You mean...?"

Zhu Zhanjun said earnestly.

"I choose the eldest grandson of the emperor; he is the one everyone wants!"

All eyes turned to Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Zhanji: "?"

Zhu Zhanjun smiled broadly and spoke sincerely.

"My eldest brother is wise and decisive, with a strong sense of responsibility. He enjoys high prestige among the imperial clan and is the eldest grandson personally taught and entrusted with great expectations by our imperial grandfather. His noble status is sufficient to represent the imperial authority!"

"Having the eldest brother personally go to Jurong would not only demonstrate the court's concern and care for the people, but also allow him, as the eldest grandson of the emperor, to stabilize public sentiment. He is truly the best choice."

"Brother, don't you think so?"

[Ding! You have obtained a Prismatic Treasure Chest!]

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhanji's face turned deathly pale, his lips trembled, and his eyes were filled with shock, anger, and disbelief.

Damn it, all I want is to compete with you for the throne.

You really want to kill me?