Chapter 1310 - 1264: Preparation (2)
Zhao Shen turned a deaf ear; at this time, the priority was to stop the bleeding, not worry about anything else.
Xun Fan was unable to even call out, his face pale, lips void of any color. When Zhao Shen first started stitching him up, he quivered. Later his eyes were half-closed, barely able to respond.
Just as Zhao Shen finished stitching, a doctor was dragged over by someone sprinting in a frenzy. The doctor was a bit angry initially, but upon seeing the blood-soaked scene in the courtyard, he was too frightened to make a sound. When he saw Xun Fan inside the room, he dared not speak at all.
He recognized Xun Fan. It could be said there’s no one in this city who doesn’t know him. Ever since the unceasing heavy rain began two months ago, he emerged to provide disaster relief.
So the people all believed he was a good official.
Seeing him now lying on the couch, covered in blood, his life or death unknown, the doctor stomped and exclaimed "Oh my!" rashly stepping forward.
He swiftly untied the bandage on Xun Fan’s leg, then immediately opened his medicine box, retrieved a bottle from a compartment, poured out a black-red pill, and shoved it into Xun Fan’s mouth.
Xun Fan was still somewhat conscious, weakly holding the pill in his mouth. The doctor, grabbing a needle pack while shouting, "Minister, quickly chew, once this medication is chewed and dissolved, it can save your life."
In his nearly unconscious state, Xun Fan vaguely heard, and began to chew with great effort. But it was just what he thought, in reality, his mouth merely moved slowly, the pill almost fell out.
Zhao Shen anxiously wanted to help him crush the pill, but just as he was about to act, he saw Xun Fan firmly bite the pill, breaking it, and the effort he put into chewing gradually increased.
The doctor had started acupuncture, tearing open his clothes and inserting quite a few needles. Gradually, the bleeding from the wound after stitching slowed down, and Xun Fan’s breathing began to lengthen slightly.
Zhao Shen keenly heard it, letting out a sigh of relief, knowing that Xun Fan was past the acute stage. Now it depended on his aftermath recovery.
Yuan Li was watching the color of Xun Fan’s lips, seeing the bluish-white tinge beginning to fade. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; regretting the missed opportunity.
He turned and left, ordering the arrest of everyone in the courtyard, while taking over the Governor Mansion.
The back courtyard of the Governor Mansion was filled with wailing. Yu Hong’s two sons and daughter, when dragged out, were still bewildered, completely unaware of what had occurred.
Yuan Li gave them a glance and simply said, "Take them to the prison, and escort them back to the Capital City all together."
If Xun Fan didn’t make it through, Yu Hong’s family would definitely be implicated.
Xun Fan hadn’t yet escaped danger. Zhao Shen left a doctor to care for him, then stormed off to find Yuan Li angrily, "Are you trying to kill Xun Fan?"
Yuan Li did not admit, "Vice Minister Zhao, the one who poisoned was Yu Hong, and the one who stabbed Grand Tutor Xun was Zheng Zhi. We were even about to leave the mansion smoothly when your sudden arrival ruined my plans, allowing Yu Hong to escape, causing the current catastrophe. To blame all on me is hardly appropriate, right?"
Zhao Shen looked at him firmly, "No matter how many reasons you have, you can’t fool me. Since things have come this far, I don’t want to pursue them, but I must warn you, don’t do anything unnecessary. Xun Fan must be returned safely to Luoyang."
He said in a low voice, "Even if he must die, it would have to be by the Great General’s will, not yours personally."
After warning Yuan Li, Zhao Shen went to find the telegraph to send a report to Luoyang. This matter is no small affair. Not only was Xun Fan seriously injured, but a prefectural governor dared to assassinate two Angels, which is a major case. The court must be informed at once.
Nowadays, the telegraph is no longer a secret. Zhao’s Weapon Workshop has produced more telegraphs, and the Telegraph Department in the Imperial Palace receives a large amount of information from all places daily.
By relying on this, Zhao Hanzhang has gained greater control over local matters.
Due to the abundance of information, the Telegraph Department needs to process messages first upon receiving them, then hand them over to the Secretary General next door, who prioritizes them before sending them to Zhao Hanzhang or the Central Secretariat and Ministry of Supervision.
Of course, most are sent to the Central Secretariat and the Ministry of Supervision, unless there’s a major accident.
Like now.
Fan Ying, the Secretary General on duty, was so shocked when he saw Zhao Shen’s telegram that he went directly to Zhao Hanzhang, "Great General, Xun Fan is stabbed, seriously injured, and not yet out of danger."
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, reaching out for the telegram.
Zhao Shen explained simply and clearly, knowing someone would relay it in the middle, he did not name Yuan Li, but placed all responsibility on Yu Hong and Zheng Zhi, and praised Yuan Li’s proper handling and timely rescue in the telegram. Yet Xun Fan is elderly, having suffered a serious injury, his survival appeared slim.
Zhao Hanzhang clenched the paper, first ordered someone to dispatch Imperial Physicians, and prepare some hemostatic, qi-reinforcing, and blood-replenishing medicines from the warehouse, "Deploy a squad of the imperial guard to escort the Imperial Physicians. Ensure Grand Tutor Xun’s safety, and bring him back safely to Luoyang."