flstandardbreds Chapter 156: Going South to Provide Disaster Relief
Chapter 156: Going South to Provide Disaster Relief
Yunzhu held Shen Tangan's hand tightly and urged her: "Princess, even if you don't consider yourself, you have to consider the child in your belly. You have been traveling all the way, what if something goes wrong? What if the situation in the south is chaotic and the plague is rampant? If you go there, won't you put yourself and the child in danger?"
Shen Tangan patted Yunzhu's hand gently with a firm tone.
"Yunzhu, I have made up my mind. Please stop trying to persuade me. I know this trip is very risky, but I cannot watch the prince face danger alone and watch the people suffer without doing anything. My pregnancy has been stable. As long as the carriage drives slowly and carefully, everything will be fine."
Seeing that Shen Tangan was so determined, Yunzhu knew that she could not change her decision and could only sigh helplessly.
"Princess, since you must go, I will accompany you. No matter what happens, I will stay by your side."
Shen Tangan looked at Yunzhu with emotion, nodded, and said, "Okay, I can feel more at ease with you by my side. Let's pack up and leave as soon as possible. We can't let the prince and the others go too far."
Soon, Shen Tangan and Yunzhu packed their luggage, got on a simple horse-drawn carriage, and slowly drove south.
Along the way, Shen Tangan had mixed feelings. He was worried about the safety of Prince Chen and concerned about the people affected by the disaster.
She stroked her belly from time to time, praying silently that the baby would be safe.
The carriage was moving slowly on the rugged road. Shen Tangan and Yunzhu tried their best to keep it steady so as not to affect the fetus.
They carried some simple medicinal herbs and food, ready to lend a helping hand if they met anyone in need along the way.
As he got closer to the south, Shen Tangan saw more and more people affected by the disaster.
They were ragged, their faces were haggard, and their eyes were full of despair and helplessness.
Shen Tangan felt a pang of pain in her heart, and she became more determined to do her best to help these people.
When Prince Chen's army was on the road, a scout suddenly came to report that a suspicious carriage was spotted ahead, and it was suspected that bandits were trying to get close to the army, which might be detrimental to the food and fodder.
Upon hearing this, Mu Chenye immediately ordered the army to be on alert and sent a team to surround the carriage.
The soldiers acted quickly and surrounded the carriage carrying Shen Tangan and Yunzhu.
Yunzhu turned pale with fright and held Shen Tangan's hand tightly.
Although Shen Tangan was a little nervous, she tried to stay calm. Would they be robbed by bandits?
The soldiers held their weapons and shouted loudly: "Come out, everyone inside!"
Yunzhu said in a trembling voice: "Princess, what should we do?"
Shen Tangan took a deep breath and said, "Don't be afraid, let's find out what's going on first."
The two of them slowly walked out of the carriage. The soldiers were about to go forward to search. At this time, a man who looked like a general suddenly widened his eyes. He recognized Shen Tangan and quickly knelt down and said, "I didn't know it was the princess here. I am sorry for the offense. Please forgive me."
The news soon reached Prince Chen. Mu Chenye was shocked and hurried over on horseback.
When he saw Shen Tangan standing there, with her big belly, her face full of fatigue but determination, a complex emotion surged in his heart.
He jumped off his horse and walked quickly to Shen Tangan, his voice filled with surprise and reproach: "Tang'er, why are you here? Do you know how dangerous this is?"
Shen Tangan looked at Prince Chen's anxious look, and felt warm in his heart. He said softly, "Prince, I am worried about you, and I also want to do my part for the people affected by the disaster. I knew you would not agree to let me come with you, so I followed quietly behind. My pregnancy has been very stable, and we have been very careful along the way."
Prince Chen frowned and said, "You are pregnant, how can you withstand the bumps on the road? What should I do if something goes wrong?"
Shen Tangan held Prince Chen's hand and said, "Prince, I know you are worried about me and the child, but I can't just wait in the palace. I know some medical skills and can help those sick people. Besides, I want to be with you and face the difficulties together."
Prince Chen looked at Shen Tangan's determined eyes, feeling both moved and helpless.
He knew Shen Tangan's character, and once a decision was made it was difficult to change it.
He sighed and said, "Okay, since you are already here, then stay with me. But you must promise me to take good care of yourself and the child and not take any risks."
Shen Tangan nodded, tears flashing in his eyes: "My Lord, I promise you."
Prince Chen ordered the soldiers to arrange a safe and comfortable place for Shen Tangan and Yunzhu to rest, and strengthened the guards around them.
He knew that from now on, he would not only have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of disaster relief, but also have to protect Shen Tangan and their unborn child.
As Shen Tangan stayed with the King, the army continued to move south. Along the way, the King kept an eye on Shen Tangan's condition, fearing that she would feel any discomfort. Shen Tangan also did his best to provide some simple treatment for the wounded soldiers in the army.
The further south they went, the more serious the disaster became. The land was cracked like a turtle's back, all the crops died, the people fled everywhere, and the land was full of starving people. The king looked at this tragic situation and felt a stronger sense of responsibility.
One day, the army arrived at a small town. The people gathered in the center of the town, looking eagerly at the King's troops, their eyes full of expectation. The King dismounted, walked among the people, and calmed them down.
Shen Tangan also got off the carriage. Seeing the hardships of the people, she felt sorry for them. She said to Prince Chen, "Your Majesty, we must find a way to distribute the relief grain as soon as possible so that the people can have food to eat."
Prince Chen nodded and said, "I have already sent people to check the nearby granaries to see how much grain is available."
At this time, an old man trembled and walked in front of the king, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please save us. Not only is the drought here severe, but there is also an epidemic. Many people have been infected and died."
Prince Chen and Shen Tangan looked at each other, their hearts sinking. Shen Tangan immediately said, "Prince, we must quickly organize people to prevent and control the plague. I can help prepare some herbs to alleviate the condition."
Prince Chen immediately ordered some soldiers to assist Shen Tangan in finding herbs, and at the same time arranged for people to set up an isolation area in the town to separate the infected people.
Despite her own fatigue, Shen Tangan took Yunzhu and several soldiers to search for herbs in the nearby mountains. With her medical knowledge, she identified some herbs that could cure the plague. After several days of hard work, she finally collected enough herbs.
After returning to the town, Shen Tangan immediately began to prepare herbs and distribute them to the sick people. Thanks to her efforts, some patients with milder illnesses gradually recovered.