Chapter 64 - The tests arrive in Jiangsu

With some delay, the tests sent by Feng Long finally arrived at Jiangsu. Because Zhejiang has sent soldiers to move the load, they were blocked in the city gate, even after they presented Zhejiang's official seal. One of the soldiers has run to the palace to inform Xia Chunyu about the soldiers trying to enter the city:

-Your Majesty. - The soldier bows.

-You may rise. -Xia Chunyu smiles, walking toward the soldier.

-We have four soldiers from Zhejiang at the city gate. They have a carriage with some barrels, and they said it was a product your majesty requested for Feng Long.

-Oh, it must be the tests! Please, let's get there! Ouyang, please, let's meet the soldiers!- Xia Chunyu turns and looks at Ouyang Ziyu.

-As your majesty wants.

-We must also give them the money for the tests, 12856 taels, exactly. I provided it in advance, please ask for some soldiers to bring it there. They can use their carriage. 

-Right.

-Your Majesty, should I let the soldiers get past the city gate?- The soldier asks.

-You can. They may be hungry, so let's provide some food, water, and a surplus for the returning trip.

-Your Majesty is wise!

The soldier bows, rise, and moves away. Xia Chunyu accompanies Ouyang Ziyu to a nearby building, where there are large wooden boxes stacked over each other:

-That's a considerable amount of money, your majesty. - Ouyang Ziyu looks at him.

-This is nothing compared to how much we would spend if this epidemic hits our empire in an uncontrolled manner. 

 -Your reasoning makes sense. 

Xia Chunyu asks some soldiers who were nearby to follow him to the city gate. Getting there, Xia Chunyu greets the soldiers from Zhejiang:

-Welcome to our empire.

Xia Chunyu bows to the soldiers. They reciprocate the gesture:

-As I have set with your Minister of finance, we will pay 12856 taels for the tests. As the load is weighty, I ask you to let our soldiers take your cart to the palace. We will unload the tests and put in the payment. As a gesture of gratitude for your effort in getting there, each one will receive a hundred taels and a stay in our best hotel, including free food and drink. - Xia Chunyu smiles.

-We sincerely thank your majesty for the generosity. - The soldiers bow to Xia Chunyu.

-So, please, you can enter the city. Your hotel is right there. You can choose any room you want. Feel free to walk in the streets. Since you are from Zhejiang, there's no need to teach you our code of good manners and appropriate behavior in public. Our rules and laws are the same. - Ouyang Ziyu smiles.

The soldiers walk towards the hotel. The cart with the testing solution is moved to the palace and unloaded. Soldiers load the cart with the boxes containing the taels. Xia Chunyu and Ouyang Ziyu overview the operation:

-Ouyang, do you have a plan to start testing soon?

-As soon as possible, your majesty. We only need to make the necessary preparation. We can probably conduct it ourselves.

-I'd love to apply tests in our population. Would you teach me how to do it?

-Yes, I can teach your majesty. Zhang Yi sent the tests as solutions ready for use. Some small cups and a small needle to prick someone's finger are necessary. I'll build two testing booths in the palace. We can spend our day there doing it.

-Thank you, Ouyang. Let's get it done.

Ouyang moves with Xia Chunyu to a workshop. He gives the carpenters the description of the desired structure they should build. Hot water is required to keep needles safe for reuse. A small brass stove, installed close to the booths, will heat the water.

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