Zhou Fugui led his army to capture Donghai Commandery, seizing the royal mansion of King Murong Hong of Donghai. Inside the mansion, gold, silver, and jewels were piled high, and grain was also stacked to the heavens. Thus, Zhou Fugui was indeed in possession of considerable wealth and provisions at this time.
However, despite Zhou Fugui's strict orders, many of the gold, silver, jewels, and grain from the Donghai royal mansion were still plundered by the Xianbei. The remainder, Zhou Fugui was expected to hand over a large portion to the national treasury.
Everyone knew that you, Zhou Fugui, had made a fortune. Wouldn't you contribute something to offset Yan's treasury deficit?
Zhou Fugui could refuse to pay, but that would be tantamount to raising the banner of rebellion right then and there.
At present, a major epidemic was ravaging Donghai Commandery. Zhou Fugui naturally used this as an excuse to refuse the handover, but this still depended on the intentions of the Yan court, the wishes of Empress Dowager Murong Qing, and awaiting imperial decree.
Furthermore, even if Zhou Fugui were to defy the order and refuse to pay, the money and grain from the Donghai King's mansion would be but a drop in the ocean for this epidemic. To deal with a major epidemic, the strength of the entire nation was required.
When pestilence strikes, the prices of medicines, food, and other necessities would soar dramatically.
At this moment, as Yang Hu had said, there was a severe shortage of people, wealth, and supplies. Zhou Fugui, the Grand Governor of Yan's Donghai, Prefect of Donghai Commandery, Marquis of Pingliang, General Jianzhong, and Commander of the Xue Pi Army, paced back and forth in the inner hall, unable to make up his mind for a time.
Li Qing, Suo Dacheng, and Yang Hu, the three men, also focused their gazes on Zhou Fugui as he paced.
"Your Excellency..." After a long while, Suo Dacheng spoke cautiously, "Your subordinate and you were both farmers from Luoyan Village in Luming Township, Youzhou. When we were young, due to natural disasters and man-made calamities, we could barely put food on the table. I remember, when we were starving, I even ate insects, rats, snakes, and ants. We were so desperate we almost resorted to eating people. Under such difficult circumstances, both you and I survived. What is there to fear now? What can possibly trouble you and me?"
"Slap!" Upon hearing this, Zhou Fugui suddenly realized the truth and clapped his hand, saying loudly, "That's right, Dacheng is right! I had nothing before, so what do I have to fear now? At worst, we'll start all over again."
Zhou Fugui's remark, with its double meaning, left Suo Dacheng and the other two somewhat confused, but they were certain that Zhou Fugui had regained his confidence.
When he was a child, Zhou Fugui hadn't been there yet, but he had memories of the difficult and harsh times, which remained fresh in his mind.
Since that was the case, what else did Zhou Fugui have to fear?
Thus, after thinking for a moment, Zhou Fugui extended a finger and ordered, "Military advisor, dispatch a golden dispatch rider with urgent speed to the court, reporting the Donghai epidemic and requesting imperial relief!"
"As you command!" Li Qing replied with a worried expression and said, "However, the court... I estimate that the court is also struggling to fend for itself, so relying on them is probably out of the question."
"Hmph, this governor never intended to rely on them..." Zhou Fugui snorted, then extended his second finger and ordered, "As Mr. Yang said, the key to controlling an epidemic is to first stabilize the hearts of the people. If the people's hearts are unstable, all is lost! This governor wholeheartedly agrees. Suo Dacheng, the matter of maintaining order in Donghai Commandery is entrusted to you. The order in Donghai Commandery, especially in Quyang, Shuyang, and Houqiu counties, is of utmost importance. Anyone who dares to take advantage of the situation and cause trouble will be beheaded! Those who spread rumors and sow discord will have their family property confiscated and be thrown into the great prison!"
"Your subordinate obeys the Grand Governor's command!" Suo Dacheng cupped his fists and replied loudly.
"Your Excellency, there is much profiteering and price gouging happening!" Yang Hu reminded Zhou Fugui.
"Hmm, profiteering and price gouging?" Zhou Fugui pondered, "What is your clever solution?"
"This humble one is at his wit's end..." Yang Hu spread his hands again and replied with a worried expression.
Profiteering and price gouging, of course, needed to be curbed, but how? One had to know that those who engaged in profiteering and price gouging were the noble families, powerful households, and wealthy merchants of Donghai Commandery. They possessed many retainers, that is, private soldiers. If pushed to desperation, they would dare to confront the officials with weapons or even openly rebel. If things escalated to that point, with the meager forces Zhou Fugui had, he would probably be worked to death trying to suppress them.
Moreover, at this time, Zhou Fugui still needed their support, or rather, he needed to beg them.
Zhou Fugui was aware of this, and Yang Hu, having served as an official in Changshan Commandery, was even more aware.
"We can only grope for stones while crossing the river, taking one step at a time," Zhou Fugui said, nodding. He cupped his fists and said to Li Qing and Yang Hu, "This governor is a military official and knows nothing of governance or civil affairs. Therefore, matters of medical relief, medicine relief, food relief, the establishment of the Huimin Bureau, the Anji Fang, and other matters, as well as the governance and civil affairs of Donghai Commandery, are all entrusted to you two gentlemen. This governor also implores you two gentlemen."
"Your Excellency is concerned for the people; how dare this subordinate not share your burden?" Zhou Fugui unreservedly shifted the responsibilities to them, and how could Li Qing and Yang Hu refuse? Both of them replied in unison, hastily returning the salute.
After the four had discussed in detail for a long time, Li Qing, Suo Dacheng, and Yang Hu prepared to leave the Grand Governor's mansion.
"Scholarly idler, Dacheng, Mr. Yang..." As the three were about to leave the inner hall, Zhou Fugui suddenly said to them, "Living, living is better than anything."
"Your Excellency..." Zhou Fugui's concern was evident, moving Li Qing, Suo Dacheng, and Yang Hu to tears.
.........
"Has it dawned?" After Li Qing, Suo Dacheng, and Yang Hu left, Zhou Fugui asked Pi E, who had been accompanying him all along.
"Master, it has been bright for a long time," Pi E replied. "Master, please go and get some sleep."
Zhou Fugui nodded, stood up, stretched, and said, "Pi E, do you know? This Zhou has only one wish in this life, and that is to sleep soundly for three days and three nights, to sleep until the heavens and earth are dark. But... alas... it is only that heaven does not grant my wishes! Let's go, to the yamen."
"Yes, Master." Pi E followed Zhou Fugui out of the inner hall of the Grand Governor's mansion.
Yesterday, you could have had a good sleep, but you indulged in revelry with your concubines all night... thus wasting this good opportunity, Pi E thought helplessly and with a pang of heartache as he walked.
What is so good about women? Pi E mused inwardly.
In Pi E's eyes, women were far inferior to the blade in hand, the meat in the mouth, and the wine in the cup...
"Husband..." As Zhou Fugui walked out of the hall with Pi E, Hu Jue, and other personal guards, Xiao Qing, Liu Xia, and Fei Yun, three of Zhou Fugui's concubines, stood below the hall, waiting for him.
In the eyes of Xiao Qing, Liu Xia, and Fei Yun, great matters had occurred in Donghai Commandery, and their husband, their pillar of strength, was like a warrior about to go into battle.
It was said that this epidemic was also like a battlefield!
"Pi E, Hu Jue, wait outside the mansion. I will be there shortly." Zhou Fugui needed to give them a few more instructions, so he ordered Pi E, Hu Jue, and the other personal guards.
"Husband!" After Pi E, Hu Jue, and the others left, Xiao Qing and Liu Xia couldn't help but throw themselves into Zhou Fugui's arms, one clinging to his left chest and the other to his right. Fei Yun, however, had no space...
"Make way, make way, clear some space..." Fei Yun nudged Xiao Qing and Liu Xia aside, then threw herself into Zhou Fugui's embrace, crying, "Husband..."
The pestilence was ferocious, and everyone in the world feared it deeply. Xiao Qing, Liu Xia, and Fei Yun also feared it and knew its ferocity. Zhou Fugui was going to face it himself, which was undoubtedly extremely dangerous. Who knew if he would return?
In this world, men were the heavens for women, the earth for women, and everything for women. They were like the main pillars of a large house; if the pillars collapsed, where would the house stand? Like silk vines clinging to tall trees; if the trees were gone, how could the vines survive?
"What are you doing?" Zhou Fugui spread his arms and embraced the three women in his arms, feigning a relaxed smile. "I know what you're afraid of, but your husband is in great health. How does the saying go? Hmm, divine protection, impervious to all poisons, you can rest assured."
In truth, Zhou Fugui most wished that the one he loved most would worry about him at this moment and be by his side, but that was now a flower in the water, a moon in the mirror.
Xiao Qing, Liu Xia, and Fei Yun were also Zhou Fugui's women, especially Liu Xia and Fei Yun. Even if Zhou Fugui only wanted to regard them as his younger sisters, he had to bear the consequences of his temporary indulgence and self-abandonment.
"Mmm..." The three women knew that Zhou Fugui was merely comforting them, but they still felt a little better.
"I am the one who is worried about you..." Zhou Fugui then said to the three women, "Xiao Qing, your health is so weak, eat more, rest more, strengthen your resistance, so you can resist the illness."
"Mmm..." Xiao Qing nodded heavily in Zhou Fugui's arms.
Xiao Qing did not understand some of what Zhou Fugui said, but she knew he was speaking for her own good.
"Liu Xia, I don't know what goes on in that little head of yours all day. Thinking too much will tire you out. Aren't you tired? Stop overthinking, get fatter, and give me a big fat son." Zhou Fugui then said to Liu Xia with a smile.
"Ah? Husband... you..." Upon hearing this, Liu Xia's face flushed red, like her name, with a radiant glow, making her look exceptionally beautiful. Liu Xia playfully chided him.
To give birth to a big, fat son for Zhou Fugui, ensuring his lineage, was a matter of immense happiness. Furthermore, giving birth to a son for Zhou Fugui would cause a significant change in her status within the mansion.
Of course, the three women, Xiao Qing, Liu Xia, and Fei Yun, all had this opportunity.
"And you..." Zhou Fugui finally pinched Fei Yun's milk-white skin and said with a smile, "Do you know how external evils come about? It's from not being hygienic. If you're not hygienic, external evils will take advantage of the weakness. Bathe often, wash your hands frequently, keep your tableware clean and hygienic, and also keep yourself clean... then external evils will have no opportunity to enter."
"What? You say I'm not clean?" Fei Yun retorted angrily, "What about yourself? Ew... disgusting..."
After saying this, Fei Yun even tried to pull at Zhou Fugui's clothes.
"Xiao Qing, Liu Xia, Fei Yun, remember what I've told you. Keep the mansion gates tightly shut, and no one is allowed to enter or leave freely. Prepare more soap, medicinal herbs, wine, and other items." Zhou Fugui was so frightened that he fled, shouting as he ran.