Lu Qing Wan did not understand, but upon opening the booklet Lian Yu had opened, she immediately understood.
"You all have... already coordinated among the heads of the six ministries?"
What Tie Shou handed to Lian Yu and then to her was the official road planning map and construction plan of the Ministry of Works for the three southeastern kingdoms.
And what Lian Yu referred to as Lu Qing Wan's previous plan was Lu Qing Wan's idea to directly transfer injured or aging soldiers from the Xuan Jia Army, who could no longer fight, to engineering teams, managed by the Ministry of Works.
This way, it would provide a livelihood for the wounded and disabled soldiers or old veterans, preventing them from becoming disheartened.
It would also alleviate some of the corvée labor for the people of the new dynasty, all of which were beneficial to the country and the people.
However, this was merely a casual mention Lu Qing Wan had made to the Minister of Works, Nian Zhi Yao, and she hadn't had time to formally discuss it.
She was quite surprised that Nian Zhi Yao not only agreed but had also informed the officials of related departments.
"Minister Nian is quite enthusiastic about the matter of building a nationwide official road network.
His initial concern was that the heavy corvée labor would cause public dissatisfaction and destabilize the new dynasty, which is why he hadn't brought it up in court.
Since the Princess Consort has offered such a brilliant solution, Minister Nian naturally supports it wholeheartedly.
However, the Xuan Jia Army already enjoys superior equipment and provisions compared to other armies, which has caused discontent.
If such preferential policies are now exclusively applied to the Xuan Jia Army, disregarding other soldiers, could it lead to unrest within the military?
Furthermore, the Xuan Jia Army only numbers 400,000. The territory of the new dynasty has more than tripled. If only the wounded and old soldiers of the Xuan Jia Army are used to build the road network, won't it be insufficient?"
Lian Yu's words were all reasonable, but Lu Qing Wan was troubled.
"To be honest, I haven't systematically planned this matter yet.
What the strategist said makes sense, but if this policy were to be implemented across the entire army, it's not something you and I can decide with a few words.
I'll find Prime Minister Nan, Nian Zhi Yao, and Minister Chen to discuss it and create a comprehensive plan to present to the Prince. We should try to have it definitively decided in court.
This will also prevent the Xuan Jia Army from becoming a target for those with ulterior motives."
Matters involving the military were best resolved in court.
Lian Yu acknowledged this and left.
Lu Qing Wan turned and pushed open the window, whistling a cheerful tune. A familiar little sparrow landed on the windowsill.
After a lengthy exchange between the person and the bird, the little sparrow flapped its wings and flew away.
Thus, while treating cholera, they also investigated the source of the virus.
By the time all the wards at Ji Ci Hospital were cleared, a new spring had arrived.
And the source of the virus had also been identified.
"It was there, how could I not have thought of it?"
Lu Qing Wan said belatedly, "Have you confirmed?
Are Liang Jiu Xiao, his assistant, and the remaining virus in the northwest underground city, or is the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall and his cronies all there?"
"The northwest underground city is merely a branch. Liang Jiu Xiao, his assistant, and a group of assassins are hiding there, waiting for an opportunity to sow chaos and attempt to split the nations.
As for the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall, he has always been on the main island of the Illusory Night Sea.
This King has already sent people to determine the exact location of that island. We should have news within a month."
The speaker was Si Feng Wu, who had rushed over upon hearing the news. He was still clad in black robes, but his steps towards Lu Qing Wan were slightly hurried.
Lu Qing Wan also stood up in surprise, "Why are you here?
For a full month, she had not returned to the palace, and she had strictly forbidden Si Feng Wu from coming to Ji Ci Hospital.
Speaking of which, the two of them hadn't seen each other for a full month.
It was also because Si Feng Wu indulged her; otherwise, with Si Feng Wu's status and power, he could have battered down the doors of Ji Ci Hospital eight hundred times.
Si Feng Wu snorted, his tone quite arrogant, "You didn't allow this King to come before the cholera crisis was resolved.
You boldly declared that you would drive this King away if he dared to come. What, now that Ji Ci Hospital is cleared, you still won't allow this King to come?"
Although the people around them were trying to suppress their laughter, Lu Qing Wan could feel the resentment hidden beneath Si Feng Wu's arrogant tone.
She quickly stepped forward to appease him, "How could that be?
As long as the danger is gone, I'll be angry if you *don't* come!
This is for your own good, isn't it?
I'm already stuck here. If you were to fall ill too, wouldn't the entire court be weakened before it's even fully established?"
On the third day of the incident, Si Feng Wu had already cleared the danger of cholera infection. However, due to his status, Lu Qing Wan had not seen him and had forbidden him from coming to Ji Ci Hospital.
It was no wonder Si Feng Wu harbored such deep resentment.
However, despite his resentment, Si Feng Wu was more concerned about Lu Qing Wan's exhaustion over the past month.
He was so unwilling to scold her, even with a feigned anger, that he simply opened his arms in front of everyone and hugged Lu Qing Wan, "The cholera is gone. Can we go back to the palace and deal with other matters slowly?"
What else could Lu Qing Wan say? Facing such a well-behaved "big dog," she could only obediently reply, "Alright!"
And so, Lian Yu, who was waiting to gather information from Lu Qing Wan to deal with the enemies, could only follow the two friends into the palace with a look of disdain.
Fortunately, Si Feng Wu was thoughtful. Before leaving the hospital, he had arranged for a sumptuous meal to be prepared. Although Lian Yu found the couple's affection cloying, he did not dislike the meal specially prepared by the chef Si Feng Wu had found for Lu Qing Wan.
After a hearty meal, all matters could be calmly resolved.
"The whereabouts of Liang Jiu Xiao and the remaining cholera virus have been found. They are in the northwest underground city.
Later, Su Shang and Wu Feng will lead a contingent. All viruses will be destroyed on site. As for the people, try to bring them back alive.
If that's impossible, we must obtain a confession."
Lu Qing Wan said, then turned to Si Feng Wu, "Your Highness mentioned earlier that the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall and his other lackeys are on the main island of the Illusory Night Sea. That should be the headquarters of Han Xiao Hall, right?
Regarding this Grand Elder and his lackeys, how does Your Highness intend to deal with them? Do you have any specific plans?"
Si Feng Wu countered, "Is the Princess Consort asking for a plan to deal with the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall and his lackeys, or a plan to completely eradicate Han Xiao Hall and San Sheng Lou?"
Lu Qing Wan raised an eyebrow, "To completely eradicate Han Xiao Hall and San Sheng Lou, isn't that idea a bit too bold?"
Lu Qing Wan didn't have a precise grasp of the strength of San Sheng Lou and Han Xiao Hall. However, just by looking at Lun Hui Hall, which was mentioned in the same breath as them, she knew that these two major forces were not to be trifled with.
The key was that the Grand Elder of Han Xiao Hall was the one causing trouble and stirring up chaos from the beginning.
The others in San Sheng Lou and Han Xiao Hall seemed innocent. To condemn them all at once, Lu Qing Wan felt it was a bit excessive.
Moreover, to completely resolve these two major forces, it wouldn't be a simple matter to imagine!
Si Feng Wu looked at Lu Qing Wan's solemn expression and smiled, "What are you thinking?
This King is not some bloodthirsty Yama. Why would I kill them?"
Lu Qing Wan chuckled foolishly, "Then what do you mean?
Without killing, you still want to completely resolve Han Xiao Hall and San Sheng Lou? Isn't that idea a bit too far-fetched?"