"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Li Qing, leading the generals of the Snow Bear Army, including Suo Dacheng, Xu Mancang, Xue Wentai, Bai Ma Wu, Yang Xinhong, Wu Tianqi, Chen Kunkun, Hu Tieniu, An Minghai, Pan Jian Gui, Yelihu, Wei Xiazi, Yi Jisheng, He Lilang, and Hugujin, arrived at the Grand Governor's Mansion in Donghai Commandery. The door was pounded with such force that the gatekeeper was awakened, along with the guards within the mansion, but Zhou Fugui remained undisturbed.
The saying "Once you enter a noble's door, it's like diving into the deep sea" refers not only to people but also to the residences. There are front courtyards, middle courtyards, back courtyards, inner courtyards, corridors, and covered walkways. Generally, the master of the mansion resides in the depths of the complex. Therefore, not only would the sound of knocking be unheard, but even the lighting of firecrackers at the entrance might not reach the masters in the inner quarters.
"Creak!" With a sound, the gatekeeper opened the grand door, and Bi'e, clad in full armor, emerged with several guards.
Bi'e was loyal. Having just captured Donghai Commandery, the situation was still unstable. Bi'e dared not be careless. He stationed himself personally within the Grand Governor's Mansion with his personal guards and attendants to protect Zhou Fugui and his companions.
Bi'e's armor was never removed, and he never cleaned his sword. He slept by sitting on the ground.
"Military Advisor, what is it?" Bi'e asked after stepping out and glancing at the assembled generals.
"Of course, it's urgent. Hurry and report," Li Qing replied.
"Military Advisor, the master only just fell asleep yesterday after drinking. Look at this..." Bi'e said with a troubled expression, scratching his head.
"If you don't go, I will. Get out of the way," Li Qing said urgently, holding the hem of his long robe and pushing Bi'e aside to barge in.
"Military Advisor, Military Advisor... Alas..." If it were anyone else, Bi'e would never have allowed them to storm in like this.
However, Li Qing was the Snow Bear Army's Military Advisor and Zhou Fugui's countryman. He had previously prevented Bi'e and others from breaking into prison, thus averting a disaster. Therefore, Bi'e had no choice but to follow Li Qing into the mansion.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a grand courtyard. I, old Xu, have never seen such a place in my life, let alone lived in one," Xu Mancang exclaimed, looking at the exceedingly luxurious and spacious residence as if he were Liu姥姥 entering the Grand View Garden. "This Erlang is truly enjoying himself! Gold, silver, jewels, and beautiful women, tsk, tsk, tsk..."
"You oaf, would you die if you didn't speak?" Li Qing glared at Xu Mancang and said, "Do you think the Grand Governor is willing to stay in this place?"
Li Qing's words were somewhat of a cover-up for Zhou Fugui.
The Prince of Yan's Eastern Sea Royal Manor. Zhou Fugui occupied its house, used its possessions, and employed its people. Of course, he had other intentions, but Zhou Fugui also indulged in some pleasure.
A spacious, bright, and luxurious mansion, countless rare treasures, and throngs of beautiful women. Who wouldn't love it? Who wouldn't enjoy it? Zhou Fugui was also human, not a sage. Naturally, he couldn't resist such temptation, especially after years of campaigning and living rough. When faced with such allure, most people, or even ordinary individuals, would be unable to resist.
Xu Mancang still wanted to say something, but Suo Dacheng gave him a push, telling him to shut up.
"Heitan..." Xu Mancang still wanted to speak, but seeing Bi'e glare at him, he swallowed the rest of his words...
Bi'e was incomparably loyal to Zhou Fugui, to the point of being somewhat fanatical. Anyone who dared to insult or endanger Zhou Fugui would be met with Bi'e's life-risking resistance.
Xu Mancang was also a fierce warrior, but compared to Bi'e, he felt outmatched.
...
"When did the Grand Governor go to sleep yesterday?" Li Qing asked as a maidservant carrying a lantern led the way through the inner courtyard of the Governor's Mansion.
The young maidservant shook her head slightly. It wasn't that she didn't want to say, but rather that she dared not.
Their master, the Marquis of Yanpingliang, the General of Jianzhong, the Grand Governor of Donghai, Zhou Fugui, was quite lively when he did things, much like killing people. It wasn't until dawn that the activity ceased. The maidservant didn't know if he had slept or not.
"Defeat the enemy! The enemies are like falling leaves!"
"Kill the enemy! Leap from a height, crushing them like withered grass!"
"Resist the enemy! Like the towering sun, standing majestically in the way!"
As the maidservant led Li Qing towards Zhou Fugui's residence, shouts of battle suddenly erupted from a garden outside.
Zhou Fugui had not slept at all. As dawn broke, Zhou Fugui was in the garden practicing the spear techniques taught by his divine master, Huo Qubing. This had become a habit for Zhou Fugui over the past two years, a practice of rising with the rooster, diligently continued day after day.
Zhou Fugui's Zhen Tian Long Yue, his entire body moving as if dancing among pear blossoms, his entire being like drifting auspicious snow. His spear thrusts were like a viper's flicking tongue, fast as wind, sharp as lightning.
As the poem goes: a silver snake's flicking tongue injures the eye, a golden dragon's tail strikes the chest. Thrusting upwards at the throat to take a life, striking downwards at the groin to shock gods and spirits.
Zhou Fugui's spear dance not only mesmerized the little maidservant holding the lantern, who watched her master's heroic and valiant posture with dazed admiration... it also made Li Qing stand rooted to the spot, nodding with relief.
"A gentle haven, a hero's tomb." Li Qing had feared that Zhou Fugui would become lost in the seductive embrace of his women and be unable to extricate himself.
Now, it seemed, he had worried unnecessarily. Li Qing thought to himself, but where did this fellow get so much energy?
After a night of pleasure with his concubines, he still practiced martial arts at dawn? Truly, comparing people makes one want to die, comparing goods makes one want to throw them away...
"Yongshou, why have you come so early in the morning?" Zhou Fugui, who had long heard the commotion, stopped his spearplay and turned to ask Li Qing.
Sweat beaded on Zhou Fugui's back, glistening in the morning light.
"They have left," Li Qing replied, stepping closer.
"Who has left?" Zhou Fugui asked, holding his Yue.
The little maidservant took out a silk scarf to wipe the sweat from Zhou Fugui's forehead, while Li Qing wiped the sweat from his back...
It was understandable for the little maidservant, but Li Qing... This made Zhou Fugui's sweat turn into goosebumps... Zhou Fugui glanced at Li Qing, wondering if this fellow countryman and brother had questionable tendencies.
Li Qing was still unmarried and had never heard of him taking concubines.
"Besides those barbarians, who else could it be?" Li Qing replied. "The escort troops have also fled..."
After Zhou Fugui dismissed the little maidservant, he asked Li Qing joyfully, "They've all left?"
"All gone, not a single one left," Li Qing replied.
"Isn't this good news? Why do you look so dejected?" Zhou Fugui asked.
A group of Xianbei soldiers had remained in Donghai Commandery, not only eating and drinking for free but also constantly harassing the local populace. Zhou Fugui was extremely troubled by this. Now that the Xianbei soldiers had fled, wouldn't that be exactly what Zhou Fugui desired?
"Fugui, disaster has befallen us. An epidemic has broken out in Quyang, Shuyang, and Houqiu counties, which is why they were all scared away," Li Qing sighed.
"An epidemic? No wonder they all ran. Hmph, they sure ran fast!" Zhou Fugui snorted coldly upon hearing this.
In times of chaos, with widespread famine and frequent warfare, corpses scattered across the wilderness, leading to the prevalence of epidemics. Zhou Fugui was not surprised at all.
The crucial point was the severity of the epidemic. It must have been quite severe, otherwise, a group of Xianbei soldiers would not have disregarded military orders and fled north in panic, Zhou Fugui mused to himself.
"Grand Governor, should my Snow Bear Army stay or leave? The generals are waiting for your command," Li Qing said subsequently.
"Hmm, someone, prepare my clothes," Zhou Fugui ordered his servants while deep in thought.
Xiao Qing heard this and entered with two maidservants to help Zhou Fugui change.
Xiao Qing did not have the habit of rising with the rooster, but she forced herself to stay by Zhou Fugui's side.
"Xiao Qing, close the mansion gates tightly and do not allow anyone to go out freely," Zhou Fugui instructed her while Xiao Qing helped him change. "Prepare plenty of wine, hot water, firewood, acupuncture supplies, and also herbs like Cangzhu, Ai Ye, and Dingxiang, to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances."
"Yes, my husband, rest assured," Xiao Qing nodded lightly and replied softly.
Although Xiao Qing didn't know what Zhou Fugui needed these items for, she knew that something major had happened. In a matter of life and death, Zhou Fugui's words were like imperial edicts to her.
"Yongshou, what do you think, should we go or stay?" Zhou Fugui asked as he put on a robe and walked out with Li Qing.
"Fugui..." Li Qing replied, "After receiving the news, I have been constantly considering whether our Snow Bear Army should stay or leave."
"What was your conclusion?" Zhou Fugui asked again.
"The common people regard me as their parents; how can I abandon them?" Li Qing replied.
"Hmm, parents indeed cannot abandon their children," Zhou Fugui nodded. "But do the people of Donghai Commandery truly regard me as their parent?"
If the Snow Bear Army continued to remain in Donghai Commandery, they would risk complete annihilation. This was an obvious fact.
Epidemics did not discriminate between righteous or wicked armies, nor did they care about which country an army belonged to. At this moment, the epidemic was like a vast net, sweeping towards Donghai Commandery, devouring everything in its path.
"..." Li Qing was speechless.
"Yongshou..." As they were about to leave the courtyard, Zhou Fugui suddenly turned and called out.
"Ah? What is it?" Li Qing, following Zhou Fugui closely, almost bumped into him. He looked up and asked in surprise.
"You are not yet married, are you? How about choosing any of the women in the Donghai Royal Manor?" Zhou Fugui said with a smile.
"Oh, my dear Grand Governor, at a time like this? You still have the leisure for this?" Li Qing said, pushing Zhou Fugui with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
...
"Most likely it's the 'Numb Foot Plague'!" Wei Xiazi, the Snow Bear Army's physician, declared loudly in the main hall of the Grand Governor's Mansion. "Grand Governor, the 'Numb Foot Plague,' as it is known, originates from wind. The south is prone to evil influences, and this disease is caused by the invasion of external evils, meaning the descent of disease mothers and pestilence spirits upon the world. Livestock infected with it become listless, often lying on the ground and unable to move. Their noses crack, their eyes become bloodshot, their urine is yellow, and their feces are foul. Within a few days, they..."
"Your half-baked old Wei grandma, you're talking about animals when you should be talking about people!" Xu Mancang interrupted before Wei Xiazi could finish. "What happens to people when they contract this damned plague?"
Zhou Fugui was also at a loss for words, wishing he could kick this half-baked doctor out of the hall with a single foot.
Wei Xiazi was indeed skilled at treating livestock like horses and cattle, but when it came to diagnosing and treating human patients... if he didn't kill the patient, it would be considered good luck for both of them and the patient.