Except for Old Man Liu, who was shrewd and natural in his demeanor, Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao both appeared indifferent, showing no warmth.
Zhao Wenrong didn’t mind, but upon seeing Lu Zheng appear, he became somewhat timid, no longer daring to engage in banter.
Liu Qingyan continued her routine of diagnosing patients, checking pulses, and prescribing medicine. Zhao Wenrong then directly obtained the medicine from the pharmacy at Benevolent Heart Hall and took his leave.
…
In the days that followed, Lu Zheng continued to travel between two worlds. He heard that Sweet Food Studio had signed a large contract, producing numerous candy sets. The sugar refinery began working overtime, and they placed a large order for packaging oilpaper with the paper mill.
Even so, there was a shortage of high-end icing sugar. The manager Lu Zheng had hired came to his residence, asking if Lu Zheng could procure more icing sugar through his previous channels.
That is, rock sugar.
“What’s the situation? Where did this merchant come from, ordering so many candies?” Lu Zheng was somewhat puzzled.
“It’s a big merchant from the prefectural city. They said our candies are exquisitely designed. Although other candy shops in Tonglin County have imitated them, ours remain the highest quality and best designed. While others haven’t caught up with the imitation, they can make a small profit.”
The manager said excitedly, “For such a big order, I suggested giving them a discount, but they were so wealthy they didn’t care.”
“That makes sense, but these middlemen can’t make much profit, can they?” Lu Zheng paused. “Wait, a big merchant from the prefectural city, Yizhou Prefecture?”
“Exactly, Yizhou Prefecture!”
“Alright…” Lu Zheng nodded, roughly understanding the situation.
Since they were so cooperative, wouldn’t he be a fool not to make money?
“Wait! I’ll deliver it to you tomorrow.”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Hearing that the supply could be replenished tomorrow, the manager was delighted, secretly marveling at Lu Zheng’s vast connections. He became more vigilant, determined to work hard, knowing his employer had other capable hands.
…
In fact, Lu Zheng hadn’t managed Sweet Food Studio or the sugar refinery for a long time. The refinery’s existing supply channels were sufficient to cover Sweet Food Studio’s market in Tonglin County.
Of course, extra large orders were not included.
Lu Zheng neither placed an online order nor went to a supermarket. He checked and found the nearest sugar factory was in the distant suburbs of Kun City.
He made a call, informing them he could pay a premium temporarily, and they agreed he could pick up the goods directly from the factory.
The rest was simple.
He rented a large truck, went to the factory to collect the goods, and found an opportunity to store all the goods in his gourd.
Done!
…
The next day, Lu Zheng went to Sweet Food Studio and noticed scattered refugees suddenly appearing in the county town.
“What’s going on?” Lu Zheng asked the manager after filling the sugar refinery’s warehouse.
“There was a flood in the west, submerging several prefectures in eastern Sichuan and northern Ling. The court has ordered disaster relief, but with so many victims, they can’t manage everyone. Many have become refugees, scattering to survive.”
The manager said, “Our Yizhou Prefecture is relatively fortunate, with only a few northern counties flooded. But there are many refugees. Being close, many have flooded in. The prefecture and county have set up temporary camps and relief porridge stalls.”
Lu Zheng’s gaze sharpened.
Living in the modern world for so long, and in a city, he had hardly considered natural disasters.
In his two years in this ancient world, it had always been prosperous years, and he had forgotten about such events.
Several prefectures, if all turned into refugees, how many people would that be!
Also… a flood?
The court had a River God Mansion. Lu Zheng remembered hearing that the River God Mansion had appeared during a past flood, managing water channels to prevent disasters.
What about this time?
Was the flood too severe to be controlled?
Lu Zheng was puzzled but knew his manager couldn’t answer, so he stopped asking.
After leaving, Lu Zheng made a special trip to the northern part of the city.
Indeed, a flat area outside the city had been cleared, with porridge stalls set up and refugees cutting wood to build a small camp.
Back at Benevolent Heart Hall, he saw the clinic had more patients, many of whom were refugees from elsewhere.
“Qingyan!”
“Lu Lang!”
Du Yueyao greeted him, handing Lu Zheng a cup of tea.
“I heard there was a severe flood in the northwest.”
Liu Qingyan nodded, her eyes filled with concern. “After a great disaster, an epidemic often follows. With the warm weather, I fear this disaster will be significant.”
Lu Zheng nodded. From outside came Yuan Jing’s voice, “Junior Brother!”
“Senior Brother!” Lu Zheng turned.
Yuan Jing entered, speaking solemnly, “Floods have occurred in several southern regions of the Great Jing Dynasty. Our sect has ordered disciples to go down the mountain, travel to affected areas, aid the people, and eliminate demons.”
“Eliminate demons?”
Lu Zheng’s gaze sharpened. “This flood isn’t a natural disaster?”
“A natural disaster compounded by human interference!”
Yuan Jing said, “This year’s rainfall was heavy, making floods likely. Local authorities and the River God Mansion prepared, reinforcing riverbanks and using spells to speed up water flow.
This flood was indeed ferocious, with many demons and ghosts causing trouble, disrupting the Water Mansion’s spells, causing the flood to breach riverbanks, destroy farmland, and ruin spring planting.”
“Who are they?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Remnants of the previous dynasty, demons from the northern regions, and some heretics practicing evil arts. As for whether other demons or ghosts are involved, I don’t know.”
“Good grief!”
Lu Zheng exclaimed, leaning back tactically. “Does the Great Jing Dynasty have so many enemies?”
Yuan Jing nodded. “Mediocrity escapes envy. Otherwise, how could the Great Jing Dynasty hold the fertile central lands? Its armies, the Anomaly Suppression Division, and the Imperial Observatory, what are they for?
But the Great Jing is at its peak now. They’re just testing the waters during this disaster, stopping short. Some didn’t even show themselves, merely acting covertly before retreating.”
Yuan Jing continued, “Only some brainless small demons and ghosts are causing havoc. The Anomaly Suppression Division is fully mobilized. As compassionate cultivators, we must help during such disasters, aiding the people.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Understood. What should I do?”
“Bring some herbs and food, go to the disaster areas, and help the people,” Yuan Jing said.
“Lu Lang, I’ll go with you,” Liu Qingyan said, standing.
“Alright!” Lu Zheng nodded.
From Yuan Jing’s words, the situation was still under the Great Jing Dynasty’s control, with major players staying behind the scenes, so it wasn’t dangerous.
“I’ll go too!” Du Yueyao said. “My medical skills aren’t great, but I can assist Sister Liu.”
Lu Zheng smiled. “Your father…”
“He’ll agree. Our family is a medical lineage, and with you protecting us, there’s no danger,” Du Yueyao argued.
Lu Zheng blinked, seeing Liu Qingyan gently hold Du Yueyao’s hand and nod slightly. “Let Yueyao come along.”
Lu Zheng thought for a moment. “Fine!”
