Chapter 4 - Uncertainty

After a while, Yu Lexuan goes to a separate pavilion, where Zhang Yi is manipulating some herbs in a bowl:

-Excuse me, can I get inside?

Zhang Yi turns around and smiles:

-Good morning, prince. You can enter, please.

Yu Lexuan enters the room and sits close to Zhang Yi:

-Zhang Yi, I returned from Jiangxi yesterday. I discovered that Anhui is facing a problem caused by an unknown disease. All the available data is incomplete or missing. His majesty suggested that it would be a good thing if we could investigate it better. 

-An unknown disease? Well, this is a bad thing! Maybe we should really act upon it fast. Anhui has many trade routes, and some of our goods arrive through them. Did you know how long this was active?

-Unfortunately, no. Anhui does not talk with anyone else about what is happening there. We really need to investigate it closely. I suggested to Feng Long I'd accompany you on this task.

-No problems at all, we can do it together. 

Yu Lexuan smiles:

-Ok, all set. We will depart in the morning. I'll provide a wagon and also some supplies for us.

Yu Lexuan gets up and goes out of the room. Zhang Yi stops manipulating the herbs, takes a book, and sits down:

-These mystery diseases are a problem. We do not have enough information available on it and how it spreads... I hope our trip allows us to get a more thorough understanding of it.

Yu Lexuan returns to the palace and meets again with Feng Long:

-Your majesty, excuse me. - Yu Lexuan bows.

-You may rise.

-Thank you. I've met with Zhang Yi, and we have scheduled our departure to Anhui for tomorrow morning. We will need a wagon and some supplies for a couple of days.

-No problem. I'll provide everything you want. Please, get as much information as possible and return safely. I'll miss you.

Yu Lexuan gets closer to Feng Long:

-I'll be back. I promise you. - Yu Lexuan smiles.

-I trust you...

-I need you, and I'm loyal to you.

Yu Lexuan smiles and leaves the room. Feng Long looks at him from behind, thinking:

-This is a silly thing... But, at the same time, it frightens me. We've fought an epidemic before, and we almost lost. But times have changed, so did the people... I don't know what I should do... Fortunately, I have Zhang Yi. I'm sure he will conduct it well.

...

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