Chapter 22: The Strategy of Disintegration

Lu Tianxing and Xu Gui actually had a solution? This left the crowd feeling bewildered. One patient could not help but ask, "Could it be... that you also know how to cure illnesses with talisman water?"

This question caused Lu Tianxing and Xu Gui to cough awkwardly. Finally, it was Lu Tianxing who replied:

"To tell you the truth, our county magistrate has promised that the medicine for the epidemic has already arrived at the Taiyang County government granary. It will be distributed soon, and then everyone's illness will be cured! Furthermore, the imperial court has specifically sent imperial physicians to our Qingzhou to eliminate the plague. That is medicine specially prepared by imperial physicians; its effectiveness goes without saying, and it has already cured many patients. As long as you drink the medicinal broth, you are guaranteed a full recovery! It is far more effective than any talisman water!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in an uproar. So this was why Lu Tianxing had been so confident in betraying Liang Jin—it turned out that medicine capable of curing the epidemic had arrived. For most of the patients, joining the Taiping Way was solely to find a cure for their ailments. If the county government could provide them with healing, they were naturally happy.

Xu Gui chimed in as well: "The magistrate has also said that the city gates will open at dawn. He will send people to distribute the medicinal broth to the heads of each township, who will then pass it on to everyone. So, everyone, hurry home! Do not gather here at the Lu Manor anymore. Otherwise, if you aren't home when the medicine is distributed, you will miss out on the cure!"

This sent the crowd into a frenzy. If this were true, they had to rush home immediately to avoid missing the distribution. As the saying goes, a desperate patient will try any doctor. Once an epidemic takes hold, people are often blind in their desperation. Many began to stir, eager to leave.

However, some remained skeptical: "Empty promises are not proof. How can we believe what you say is true?"

Lu Tianxing and Xu Gui seemed to have anticipated this. Lu Tianxing pulled a notice from his robes, walked to the bulletin board at the edge of the threshing floor, and posted it. Pointing at the official seal, he declared loudly: "This is an official document issued by the magistrate, complete with his seal! If you don't believe me, come and see for yourselves!"

The crowd rushed over to take a look. It was indeed an official document from the county government, and the contents matched Lu Tianxing's claims perfectly, even the seal was legitimate. Now, they had no choice but to believe. The scene turned chaotic as everyone began to whisper amongst themselves.

At this moment, Xu Gui added fuel to the fire: "Manor Lord Lu and his family are perfectly healthy, so it is natural that you might distrust him. But what about me, Xu Gui? My own family is still suffering from the plague! Would I gamble with the lives of my own kin? Do you think I would stand by and watch my family line end, leaving my vast estate with no one to inherit it?"

Everyone knew of Xu Gui's situation, and his words struck a chord of empathy. The patients could no longer sit still. They scattered to gather their belongings and prepare to return home. "Hurry home, or there won't be any medicine left!" The crowd grew restless, and more and more people chose to leave. The rest followed blindly, causing the situation to descend into further disorder. Within a short time, the once-crowded threshing floor was nearly empty of patients.

Seeing this, Lu Tianxing and Xu Gui could not help but smile with relief.

On the high platform, Lu Qiannan watched the scene coldly, making no attempt to stop them. She would not keep those who abandoned the Taiping Way so easily. Only when those who wished to leave had departed did she step down from the platform. Those who remained were not just there for a cure; they possessed a devout faith in the Taiping Way. They were fewer than one in ten of the original group. Trembling with anxiety, they gathered around her: "Divine Envoy..."

The Great Virtuous Teacher had been taken away by the county officials, and his fate was uncertain. If even their Divine Envoy abandoned them now, their faith would truly collapse. It was no wonder they felt this way, as even Lu Qiannan’s own father had turned his back on the Yellow Heaven.

Looking at those who remained, Lu Qiannan spoke firmly: "The Yellow Heaven will surely protect the Great Virtuous Teacher! We only need to recite the 'Taiping Scripture' daily, and the Great Virtuous Teacher will return soon." Hearing this, the crowd finally felt at ease. They clustered around her, waiting for her instructions.

Lu Tianxing walked over: "Qiannan, come with me—"

Before he could finish, Lu Qiannan interrupted him coldly: "Traitor!"

Lu Tianxing was speechless. How could his own daughter speak to him this way? Yet, understanding her feelings, he said with a sigh, "It is my fault for not keeping a tighter rein on you, letting you get so close to that charlatan. Do you know your father's intentions? That man gathers the masses to preach; he will bring ruin upon our Lu family sooner or later! Everything I do is merely to protect our family."

Lu Tianxing had poured his heart out, but Lu Qiannan’s brows remained furrowed in anger: "The epidemic has raged for so long, and who in this world has ever cared for these patients? The Great Virtuous Teacher is saving lives; what has he done wrong? You, the county government, and those who have betrayed the faith—what right do you have to condemn or abandon him?"

Lu Tianxing shook his head slightly. The Great Virtuous Teacher was not wrong for saving lives, but the world was not governed by right and wrong. The Taiping Way had gathered too many people; no matter who served as magistrate of Taiyang County, they would never tolerate it. This was not a matter of morality, but a struggle for power.

"Qiannan, you think too simply," Lu Tianxing sighed. "I only want to say that your Great Virtuous Teacher is no match for the government. Look, with just a few moves and a small trick from the magistrate, the Taiping Way has been easily dismantled. Following him will only lead you down a path of despair. It will be too late when you finally realize it."

Lu Qiannan scoffed, her beautiful face glowing with intense confidence: "How could a traitor like you ever understand the power of the Great Virtuous Teacher? Just wait and see. When the day of his return comes, you and all the other apostates will regret this!"

With that, Lu Qiannan led her followers away. Watching his daughter’s retreating figure, Lu Tianxing felt a profound sense of helplessness. His daughter had always been so obedient; how had she become like this? He longed to step forward and shake some sense into her, but Xu Gui held him back.

"Manor Lord Lu, let her go," Xu Gui said. "Once we retrieve the medicine, she will understand."

Lu Tianxing regained his composure. Yes, she wouldn't listen to anything now. But once the government’s medicine began to cure the sick, his daughter would finally understand all the efforts he had made.

Xu Gui continued, "Master Zhang said the city gates will open at dawn. Let us prepare to depart and try to reach the county seat before daybreak. The magistrate promised us extra medicine, and these drugs are worth their weight in gold right now! We must not miss this chance."

Lu Tianxing felt reinvigorated; he had important business to attend to. Enter the city, and get the medicine!