At this moment, Shen Qingwan was dressed in men’s clothing, so Shopkeeper Wu naturally addressed her as “Young Master.”

She didn’t mind and directly stated her purpose.

“I’ve come suddenly because I have a request. Shopkeeper Wu, are you acquainted with the county magistrate of Ji City?”

Shen Qingwan’s sudden mention of the magistrate caught Shopkeeper Wu off guard.

After a moment of thought, he replied, “Wan Tong Bank is the largest bank in Ji City. With the Bai family’s influence, even the magistrate has to show some respect to the owner. Does Young Master need to see the magistrate?”

Shen Qingwan nodded. “Yes, I have urgent business with him. However, given my low status, it would be difficult for me to gain an audience. That’s why I was hoping Shopkeeper Wu could help introduce me. This matter concerns the plague, so I must trouble you to assist me.”

Hearing that it was related to the plague, Shopkeeper Wu immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but the city is under lockdown. Meeting the magistrate won’t be easy. Could you share the details of the matter? That way, I can figure out how to help.”

Shopkeeper Wu’s words were clear—given the current circumstances, if the matter was truly urgent, he would do his best to assist.

However, if it wasn’t pressing, it might not be worth disturbing the magistrate at this moment, as everyone was already busy.

Shen Qingwan understood his implication and didn’t hesitate to explain, “The plague broke out suddenly in Ji City. I have a prescription that can treat it, and I want to deliver it to the magistrate. Can you help? As long as the plague remains unresolved, the city will be in chaos. This is a matter of life and death for the people.”

“You really have a cure for the plague?” Shopkeeper Wu exclaimed.

If the plague could truly be cured, that would be a great achievement.

Shen Qingwan nodded. “I’ve already given a copy to Second Master Bai. He’s probably working on a solution as well, but news may take time to reach Ji City.”

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Wu immediately slapped his sleeve and said, “Come, I’ll have a carriage prepared. Even if we have to barge in, I’ll take you to the magistrate!”

Shopkeeper Wu was a man of swift action.

Without delay, he led Shen Qingwan out the door.

However, as soon as the carriage set off, it was stopped.

Seeing who had blocked their way, Shopkeeper Wu stuck his head out and recognized an acquaintance.

He quickly greeted him, “Yu An, where is Lord Hai right now? I have urgent business with him.”

Yu An was surprised to see Shopkeeper Wu in the carriage.

His initially stern expression softened slightly.

“Shopkeeper Wu, why are you out at this time? The city is under lockdown. Please don’t make things more difficult—just go back. Lord Hai is already overwhelmed with the plague situation.”

From their exchange, it was clear that the two were quite familiar with each other.

Seeing that Yu An was trying to send him back, Shopkeeper Wu frowned and scolded him, “You brat, I told you it’s urgent! It’s about the plague—I have a cure! Take me to Lord Hai right now, or you’ll regret it when your brother-in-law beats you up again!”

Yu An was actually Lord Hai’s brother-in-law and worked at the county office.

Because Shopkeeper Wu and Lord Hai had a good relationship, he had also grown familiar with Yu An over time.

Yu An’s scalp tingled at the mention of his brother-in-law.

His father had died early, leaving only his widowed mother and elder sister, who was ten years older than him.

She had practically raised him herself.

Without a father’s discipline, he had grown up rather unruly.

After his sister married, she continued to look after him closely, and Lord Hai treated him like a son, disciplining him strictly.

As a result, Yu An had been beaten many times in his youth.

Now that he was older, he had become a capable assistant to Lord Hai, though he still occasionally suffered from his brother-in-law’s stern teachings.

Shopkeeper Wu often used this to tease him.

But at the mention of a cure for the plague, Yu An could no longer dwell on the teasing.

“Are you serious? You really have a cure?” Yu An looked at Shopkeeper Wu in disbelief.

“You brat, would I joke about something like this? Hurry up! Stop wasting time!”

Shopkeeper Wu pulled the carriage curtain shut.

Without hesitation, Yu An drove away the original driver and took the reins himself, steering the carriage straight toward the refugee camp.

Lord Hai had been deeply troubled by the plague.

Early in the morning, he had summoned all the doctors in the city to diagnose patients and discuss possible treatments.

However, after hours of consultation, none of them had come up with a solution.

They had managed to identify those already infected and those suspected of being infected, but they had no idea how to treat them.

Some officials even suggested burning the infected and suspected patients to prevent further spread of the plague.

Without a cure, containment was the only option.

Hai Chengrui had served as an official for over a decade, always conscientious and caring for the people.

This year had already been disastrous—famine had left the people starving, and now the plague had struck.

He couldn’t bear to watch them die helplessly, but he was at a loss for what to do.

“Lord, please save us! I don’t want to die!”

“Please, let us go! We just want to go home!”

“Heavens, have mercy on us!”

“County Magistrate, I beg you—save us!”

“Let us leave! We won’t stay here any longer!”

Desperate cries and pleas filled the air, cutting Hai Chengrui’s heart like a knife.

“Well? Have you found a cure yet?”

He turned to the gathered doctors, but they all looked dejected, shaking their heads. His heart sank even further.

“Brother-in-law, the plague can be cured!”

Just as Hai Chengrui was lost in despair, Yu An came rushing in, shouting from the carriage before it even stopped.

Seeing Yu An’s reckless entrance, Hai Chengrui immediately scolded, “How many times have I told you not to shout like that? And how many times have I told you to address me properly in public? Wait—what did you just say?”

Only then did he realize that Yu An had mentioned the plague.

Yu An, too excited to care about the reprimand, exclaimed, “Lord, the plague can be cured! Shopkeeper Wu has a prescription for it—I brought him here!”

As he spoke, Shopkeeper Wu and Shen Qingwan stepped down from the carriage.

Shopkeeper Wu quickly approached Hai Chengrui and bowed. “This humble citizen greets the county magistrate.”

Yu An was about to bow as well, but Hai Chengrui grabbed his arm. “Old Wu, do you really have a cure?”

Despite their ten-year age difference, they were close friends, and Hai Chengrui often addressed him informally.

Shopkeeper Wu grinned and pulled Shen Qingwan forward. “It’s not me—it’s him who has the cure.”

In his urgency, Shopkeeper Wu had forgotten to ask Shen Qingwan’s name, so he could only present her directly.