Shen Yun watched the intense black smoke in the distance, the smell of burning still seeming to hang in the air.
His handsome brows knitted, and he said softly, "Why don't we split up?"
"Oh, how do we split up?" Wang Enze raised an eyebrow.
Shen Yun's decision was somewhat beyond his expectation.
After spending this time together, observing his way of handling things, he had thought Shen Yun would be like him.
Although he cared about the common people, his mind was always clear, and he wouldn't waste effort on things that couldn't be done.
Even with the matter just now, he thought Shen Yun's plan was the same as his.
To leave here, return to the capital, report this matter, and hand it over to those who could manage it.
"I'll stay to rescue people, and you will return to the capital to report this matter," Shen Yun said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Xiaoqi was the first to respond, "No, I'll stay with you."
Su Xiaoqi knew that if she hadn't subtly tugged his sleeve, he probably wouldn't have made such a decision.
It was too risky for him.
Shen Yun's nature dictated that he wouldn't do anything risky.
But now that he had, Su Xiaoqi felt a surge of emotion, accompanied by an indescribable pressure.
If Shen Yun had chosen to abandon these people, she might have been disappointed.
But when he chose to stand with her and protect them together, she felt worried for him, afraid that something might happen to him.
After all, this was an unforeseen variable for him.
"I will stay too," Lu Mingyang immediately declared.
Like Su Xiaoqi, he genuinely wanted to treat these people.
"Court Physician Lu should still go back; the matter of Tongzhou requires your report," Shen Yun took something from his懷 and handed it to Lu Mingyang, asking him to present it to the Emperor on his behalf.
Lu Mingyang was about to refuse, and Su Xiaoqi also advised him.
Lu Mingyang had no choice but to agree.
Wang Enze, on the other hand, showed no hesitation.
He also wanted to save people, but he would first assess what methods could minimize casualties and cost.
As for how many people could be saved, that was not within his consideration.
Su Xiaoqi knew his nature; he was the truly refined egoist.
The group quickly reached an agreement and split up, with Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi staying to rescue people.
Wang Enze and Lu Mingyang galloped back to the capital to report the matter.
In essence, it was to go to the capital to lodge a complaint.
As soon as they left.
"Zhang Feng!"
"Where is Zhang Feng?"
Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi spoke at the same time, both calling for Zhang Feng.
Seeing how synchronized he and Xiaoqi were, Shen Yun smiled and let Su Xiaoqi speak.
"You need to hurry back to the capital as fast as possible, find the Grand Princess and report the situation here to her, then go to the Duke of Yu's mansion, and then..."
A name flashed in Su Xiaoqi's mind. She looked at Shen Yun, feeling a little embarrassed, but still said firmly.
"Go to the Prince of Duan's manor and find the second young master."
Zhang Feng heard this and instinctively looked at Shen Yun, wanting to ask if his master meant for him to do so.
"Go ahead," what Xiaoqi said was very complete, even more thoughtful than his own considerations, and he really had nothing to add.
Shen Yun looked at a map and pointed to a place, saying, "Zhang Lei, take them to this place to take temporary refuge first."
Zhang Lei leaned in and saw it was a residence in Bazhou Prefecture.
He couldn't help but widen his eyes, hesitantly saying, "Sir, so many people would be too conspicuous, wouldn't it?"
"It's alright. As long as we apprehend them and have guards escort them, they won't be suspicious." Since Shen Yun had decided to do this, it meant he had already considered everything.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the determined expression on his face, knowing that this matter was likely to succeed.
Under Shen Yun's command, Zhang Lei led his men to tie up Cao Manzi and others and sent them to the Bazhou government office first, stating that they had encountered them killing innocent civilians midway.
Su Xiaoqi blinked, not expecting Shen Yun to have such a move.
She had been racking her brain about how to deal with these Crown Prince's guards lying on the ground.
Killing them was impossible.
If they were to kill innocent people indiscriminately, how would they be different from the cruel Crown Prince?
But letting them go was even more impossible.
If they were to set off for the capital now, it would be fine.
But they were still staying here to rescue people.
This was tantamount to opposing the Crown Prince's faction.
Letting them go would be equivalent to exposing themselves.
Not only would they fail to save people, but they might even endanger themselves.
However, Su Xiaoqi's concern was about the character of the prefect of Bazhou Prefecture.
Shen Yun lowered his voice and said, "The Prefect of Bazhou, Li Minzhi, is a man of Prince Duan."
He didn't elaborate on Li Minzhi's character, but with this one sentence, Su Xiaoqi understood.
Shen Yun was a man of Prince Duan, and Li Minzhi was also one, which at least indicated one thing: they were together.
Indeed, they walked openly on the official road the entire way.
Several times, the Crown Prince's guards passed by, but because they were officials, they did not attract any attention.
Upon entering Bazhou Prefecture, Shen Yun immediately ordered them to break up into smaller groups, with Zhang Lei leading each group to enter the residence located on Wutong Street from various directions.
Shen Yun and Su Xiaoqi, on the other hand, leisurely strolled through the city for a few laps. After confirming they were not being followed, they also arrived at the residence.
As Su Xiaoqi alighted from the carriage, she saw a square and spacious residence.
According to the introduction, this residence was a five-courtyard property, belonging to Shen Yun's private estate.
Su Xiaoqi examined the residence from top to bottom, then looked at Shen Yun.
Shen Yun couldn't bear to look up under her gaze.
He carefully explained, "My lady, this residence was bought not long ago, and I haven't had a chance to tell you about it..."
Su Xiaoqi remained silent.
"My lady, it's true. I only found out that the people below had bought it before we left..."
Su Xiaoqi lightly parted her lips, "What else is there that I don't know?"
Shen Yun seemed to think seriously for a moment and then replied, "There are three more estates, and besides this, two other residences."
Su Xiaoqi frowned slightly, "So my husband is not only a top scholar but also a wealthy landlord."
Su Xiaoqi's expressionless face made Shen Yun feel a little at a loss.
He didn't intend to hide anything from Su Xiaoqi, but he was busy with his affairs and hadn't remembered.
But would she believe him if he said it like this at this moment?
That would be strange.
Xiaoqi was simply too clever, and clever people always thought more than ordinary people.
"The land deeds and property deeds are all managed by Zhang Dian; he is in charge here," Shen Yun shifted the blame to Zhang Dian, who was not present.
Su Xiaoqi said nothing.
Shen Yun became nervous and whispered if they could put these matters aside for now, as he wanted to settle the rescued people first.
Su Xiaoqi had no objections and nodded in agreement.
Soon, Zhang Lei brought the people back.
He said, "Sir, Lord Li said he is aware and will handle this matter properly. He has also been dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's actions for a long time but dared not openly oppose him."
As Zhang Lei spoke, he took out a marked piece of paper from his person and presented it to Shen Yun.
"Sir, this indicates the place where the infected civilians are being held."
Shen Yun nodded and said he understood, telling him to make arrangements immediately and go to rescue them at night.