Chapter 351: Chapter 351 Flood
Except for Elder Liu acting naturally like an old crafty ghost, Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao both wore indifferent expressions without any pretense.
Zhao Wenrong didn’t mind, but upon seeing Lu Zheng, he shrank a bit, not daring to speak further.
Liu Qingyan continued as usual with consultations, pulse diagnosis, and prescriptions. Zhao Wenrong then picked up his medicine directly from the Renxin Hall pharmacy and took his leave.
...
In the following days, Lu Zheng continued to travel between both places, and then heard that Sweet Shop had signed a big contract, releasing many candy sets, and the sugar workshop started working overtime, placing a large order for packaging paper with the paper workshop.
Even so, the supply of premium icing sugar was insufficient, prompting the shopkeeper Lu Zheng had hired to come to his residence and ask if he could use his previous channels to procure more icing sugar.
That is, rock candy.
"What’s going on? Which merchant ordered this much candy?" Lu Zheng was a bit puzzled.
"It’s a major merchant from the state capital, saying our candies are extraordinarily realistic. Although they’re imitated by other candy shops in Tonglin County, they remain the highest quality and best-looking candies. Before others catch on, they can make a small profit."
The shopkeeper said excitedly, "I suggested giving them a discount, but they’re so wealthy, they didn’t care."
"I see, but these middle-men won’t earn much, will they?" Lu Zheng paused in his words, "Hang on, a major merchant from the state capital, Yizhou Prefecture?"
"Yes, indeed Yizhou Prefecture."
"Alright..." Lu Zheng nodded, understanding the situation.
But if they’re so sensible, wouldn’t it be foolish not to make money?
"Hold on! I’ll deliver it to you tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Upon hearing the source could be replenished tomorrow, the shopkeeper felt both glad and secretly marveled at Lu Zheng’s wide connections, resolving to work diligently, knowing his employer had other teams at his disposal.
...
Actually, Lu Zheng hadn’t taken care of Sweet Shop and the sugar workshop affairs for quite some time. The original procurement channels of the sugar workshop were enough to cover Sweet Shop’s market in Tonglin County.
Of course, additional large orders were not included.
Lu Zheng neither placed an order online nor went on a shopping spree in supermarkets, but he checked out a nearby sugar factory on the outskirts of Kun City.
He made a phone call and told them he could pay extra temporarily, and they agreed to let Lu Zheng pick up goods directly from the factory.
The subsequent tasks became simple.
Renting a large truck, Lu Zheng directly went to the factory to pick up the goods and found an opportunity to collect all the goods into his gourd.
All done!
...
The next day, Lu Zheng headed to Sweet Shop. On the way, he noticed some scattered refugees in the county town.
"What’s going on?" After filling the sugar workshop’s warehouse, Lu Zheng asked the shopkeeper.
"A flood occurred in the western regions, inundating several states in Chuandong Lingbei. The court has already ordered disaster relief, but there are too many victims to cover them all, so many have become refugees, scattered and trying to survive."
The shopkeeper said, "Our Yizhou Prefecture is relatively better, with only some lands submerged in the northern counties, but there are many victims, given our proximity. Many have flooded in, and the state capital has set up temporary camps and relief porridge stalls."
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed.
Having lived in the modern world for a long time, and in a city, Lu Zheng rarely considered natural disasters.
In the two years since coming to ancient times, it had always been prosperous, and Lu Zheng had nearly forgotten about such matters.
Several states turning entirely into refugees would mean how many people!
Moreover... a flood?
The court had the River God’s Mansion, and Lu Zheng remembered hearing about it when he visited the Lu River God’s Mansion. It was said the River God’s Mansion had appeared during a flood to sort out the water vein, preventing disaster.
Then what about this time?
Was the water too overwhelming, unable to save?
Lu Zheng wondered, but knowing his shopkeeper couldn’t answer such questions, he stopped asking.
After leaving, Lu Zheng specially went north of the city to have a look.
Indeed, a piece of empty land had been cleared outside the city, porridge stalls were set up, and refugees chopped wood to build houses, forming a small camp.
Returning to Renxin Hall, he saw the clinic crowded with more patients, many of whom were refugees from other places.
"Qingyan!"
"Lu Lang!"
Du Yueyao came over, handing Lu Zheng a cup of tea.
"I heard about the severe flood in the northwest."
Liu Qingyan nodded, worry in her eyes, "After a major disaster, there’s bound to be an epidemic. With the weather warming up, I’m afraid this disaster isn’t small."
Lu Zheng nodded, just as Yuan Jing’s voice came from outside, "Junior Brother!"
"Senior Brother!" Lu Zheng turned around.
Yuan Jing walked in and said solemnly, "Floods have occurred in several southern regions of Great Jing. The sect has ordered disciples to descend the mountain, travel various places, aid the people, and exterminate demons."
"Exterminate demons?"
Lu Zheng’s eyes focused, "Isn’t this flood a natural disaster?"
"Natural disaster combined with human calamity!"
Yuan Jing explained, "There was already abundant rainfall this year, heightening the chance of floods. Local government offices and the River God’s Mansion had prepared, raising riverbanks and accelerating water flow with spells.
This flood came fiercely, worsened by demons causing trouble, obstructing the Water Mansion’s spells, leading to breaches in riverbanks, submerging farmland, and hindering spring plowing."
"Who are these people?" Lu Zheng asked.
"Remnants of the previous dynasty, demons from the Northern Domain, and some abnormal people cultivating heterodox sects. Whether any other demons are involved, I don’t know."
"Damn it!"
Lu Zheng exclaimed directly, leaning back tactically, "Does the Great Jing Dynasty have so many enemies?"
Yuan Jing nodded, "Being envied is the price of talent. Otherwise, how do you think Great Jing occupies the fertile lands of the Central Plains, with various armies, the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, and the Observatory under its command?
Yet, Great Jing is at its peak now. They merely test the waters with this calamity. Some haven’t even revealed their true forms, while others retreat after casting dark spells."
Yuan Jing said, "Only some reckless little demons and ghosts are causing trouble, but the Anomaly Suppression Bureau is fully mobilized. As cultivators, with compassion in our hearts, we naturally extend a helping hand in such disasters to aid the people."
Lu Zheng nodded, "Understood, what should I do?"
"Bring some herbs and grains, and go to the afflicted areas to aid the people," Yuan Jing said.
"Lu Lang, I’ll go with you," Liu Qingyan stood up.
"Alright!" Lu Zheng nodded.
From Yuan Jing’s words, the situation was still under Great Jing’s control, with major figures remaining in the background, not taking action, so the situation wasn’t dangerous.
"I’ll go too!" Du Yueyao added, "I might not be skilled in medicine, but I can still assist Sister Liu as an extra hand."
Lu Zheng smiled, "How about your father..."
"He will agree. My family comes from generations of physicians, especially with Brother Lu’s protection; there’s no danger," Du Yueyao argued.
Lu Zheng blinked as Liu Qingyan held Du Yueyao’s hand, nodding gently, "Let Yueyao come along."
Lu Zheng thought for a moment, "Alright!"