Chapter 7 - Getting to Anhui

In the morning, they get up and resume their trip towards Anhui. The closest city is Huangshan, where they intend to stay. Due to the potential risk of infection, Zhang Yi warns Yu Lexuan:

-His highness, we don't know how this plague spreads, as well as who is infected. I've seen some diseases that can take as much as six days until any symptoms show up. So, avoid touching surfaces, wash your hands using water or ash, and keep some distance from others.
-Understood, Zhang Yi. - Yu Lexuan smiles.

The last bit of the trip was on irregular terrain. As expected, the surfaces were a bit slippery but not nearly as bad as if it was raining:

-Zhang Yi, we should arrive at Huangshan, right in the border, in a few hours. The Anhui empire has an official representative there that we can rely on or, at least, someone who will not attack us. His name is Ding Qi, and his personality was a bit arrogant. We were friends a long time ago, so we should be fine. 
-That's a good thing.

As they go down the steep mountain range, they follow along the qiayang river until arriving at the larger Xin'an river. The city is on the opposite margin, so they need to take a barge to cross the river until the city gate, as the carriage is too heavy for the small boats. 
Getting to the other side, Yu Lexuan shows his official seal to the gatekeepers:

-Who are you? - One of them asks, holding his sword.
-Hello, I'm on an official mission from the Zhejiang empire. I want to talk directly with his majesty, Ding Qi. Here's the official seal.

The gatekeeper analyses the seal and confirms its authenticity:

-You can enter, but we will guide you to the palace.

Yu Lexuan smiles:

-No problem. 

About 20 soldiers and one of the gatekeepers guide Yu Lexuan and Zhang Yi to the palace. Yu Lexuan follows the advice of Zhang Yi and avoids touching anything. Since he's on the carriage, he can keep a reasonable distance from people on the sides.
The gatekeeper shows Yu Lexuan's badge to another soldier, who opens the door of the palace. As they get in, a soldier runs and calls Ding Qi, who is playing in the backyard:

-Excuse me, Your Majesty, we have an envoy from Zhejiang waiting for you in the lobby.

Ding Qi turns and looks at him:

-An envoy from Zhejiang? Why?
-I don't know the purpose, your majesty. 
-Right, no problem. I'll go there to attend to them. 
-Do your majesty wants something else?
-No, just let them there. No need to create a fuss.
-Right.

The soldier reaches the lobby first and announces the emperor is coming:

-Your Majesty is coming!

Formally, and also to show respect, Zhang Yi and Yu Lexuan bow to him:

-You can rise, feel welcomed by our empire. 
-Thank you, Your majesty. - Zhang Yi and Yu Lexuan rise.
-So, what is the purpose of your visit. At least one of you I can remember from memory.

Yu Lexuan rises and goes one step forward:

-Yes, happy to meet you again, Ding Qi. 
-Oh, now I can remember you. It's been a long time since we last met.
-For sure. And I brought our ministry of Health, Zhang Yi, with me. 
-So, what's the deal? - Ding Qi gets closer to them.
-Well, your majesty. During my last trip to Jiangxi, I discovered that an unknown disease was rapidly spreading in your empire. Due to public health concerns, and given that an important trade route passes through your sector, we want to investigate this issue, alone or with you. All the knowledge gained will be shared.

Ding Qi stares at him:

-How come they know a disease is spreading in my sector and no one told me about it?
-Please, your majesty, I ask you not to worry that much. I got this information from commoners and travelers. They might have lied to me. And, as your majesty knows, you only control a small part of the Anhui empire. We are here both to investigate this disease and to inform your majesty about the ongoing epidemic. - Yu Lexuan bows to him and goes back one step.
-I understood. Well, for me, no problems are happening in my sector. You may investigate it, but I'll require you to be monitored by one of my soldiers. This is not because I distrust you in any way, just a formal procedure.
-I can understand. Your majesty wants to keep his sector safe, no problem. But, just for your safety, please send a message to the emperor. I think the epidemic is spreading around other sectors, and the kings are not aware or may have omitted it.

Ding Qi goes to his desk and starts writing a letter:

-Right, I'll send an alert to the emperor. It is a good thing we got to know this information in advance. Our hospitals are full due to the bad weather. Crops failed due to the flood, and people starved. Please, let them in our guesthouse. As I said before, we don't have so many resources by now, but I'll provide you decent accommodations. 

Yu Lexuan and Zhang Yi bow to the emperor:

-We are happy with your heartwarming kindness, majesty.  
-Feel welcome. If you need any materials, please ask my soldiers. 
-Right.
-You can all go. I'll resume my activities. Please, guide them to the guesthouse and offer some food. I think they might be hungry and tired from the trip.

Yu Lexuan and Zhang Yi arrive at the guesthouse. Ding Qi finishes the letter and puts it in a small compartment attached to the foot of a carrier pigeon:

-Please, send it to the emperor. 

The pigeon flies away, while Ding Qi thinks:

-If there's a disease knocking other sectors, why haven't the emperor sent me a message? Strange, my sector is not the most important, but still, he should have warned everyone...

...

◄Previous chapter                  Next Chapter►