Cholera

Unlike the plague, though both were once branded with the terrifying name "Black Death," the plague was transmitted by rats and flea bites. Its pathogenesis remains a subject of considerable debate even in modern times, but suffice it to say, it was a chilling presence.

Tang Feiliu had clutched Edward so tightly she nearly lost her footing, terrified it might be that virus. The Black Death embodied unimaginable horror—during its peak, it could obliterate entire kingdoms.

While cholera was also terrifying during its outbreaks—rumored to decimate entire cities—its origins have since been thoroughly researched: infection by Vibrio cholerae.

That explanation might not be entirely clear, so to put it simply: it came from drinking contaminated water. This inevitably brought to mind something Tang Feiliu had detested since arriving in this era—the people here truly possessed no basic understanding of hygiene!

In the same era, traditional Chinese medicine had already established principles like "disease enters through the mouth" and laid the groundwork for basic health preservation. Yet in this time, those championing Western medical enlightenment were hunted down by the Church, ultimately facing death by hanging or even being burned alive... The Templars' colossal authority, their iron grip on secular affairs and surveillance—even meddling in the most mundane matters within their domains—meant that knowledge truly vital for survival was branded as heretical cultism. Not only was it rejected, but it faced the most brutal suppression.

This is how cholera emerged. With medicine stagnant, people paid no heed to daily hygiene. They defecated and urinated indiscriminately, dumping chamber pots out windows after dark. This bred not only foul stench but also unseen pathogens.

To explain cholera's cause simply: it stemmed from drinking water contaminated by human waste. To later generations, this seemed absurdly unlucky, yet its outbreak in this era proved just how horribly polluted the Imperial City of Nat had become.

Tang Feiliu recounted these details meticulously to Edward, who summarized: "So you're saying the imperial city's water is undrinkable? Not only that, but wine brewed from this water is also unsafe?"

"Exactly," Tang Feiliu nodded solemnly. "Didn't you ever wonder why I always had the castle staff boil water before drinking it? Even mountain springs—I insisted on boiling them. It's the only way to ensure the impurities are killed."

"I understand. I'll relay this to Her Majesty Josephine." Edward kissed Tang Feiliu's hair, then said reassuringly, "So as long as I keep having clean water and food delivered, you'll be safe, right?"

"I'm perfectly safe, Edward. Have Her Majesty Josephine instruct everyone that if they come into contact with patients—especially their excrement—they must scrub themselves with soap. Absolutely no cutting corners!" Tang Feiliu emphasized sternly, then suddenly remembered something. "We came here in such a rush. I'll have the soap stockpiled at Black Swan Castle transported over immediately. "

"Alright, you rest first. I'll handle the rest." Edward spoke, then hurried off to the palace that very night. Tang Feiliu summoned the steward and carefully instructed him on the necessary tasks.

By the next day, tension had thickened throughout the city. When Alexander regained consciousness, he felt an immediate wave of relief wash over him. His illness had been more like a rebound from shock and exhaustion. Now, under Tang Feiliu's attentive care, he recovered and felt invigorated. But as soon as he descended the stairs, he saw his younger brother urgently addressing all the servants: Everyone who goes outside must be vigilant about avoiding contact with feces or contaminated areas. Clean yourselves thoroughly daily. Refrain from purchasing food from outside for now. Prepare all meals at home using ingredients from our existing stockpile..."

Alexander listened silently for a moment. Tang Feiliu, noticing her brother had woken, brightened instantly and sped up her instructions. She finished quickly, then ordered the maids to monitor each other—especially the cooks, who must wear masks... And if anyone showed symptoms, they had to report it immediately!

Only after settling all these matters did Alexander descend the stairs, allowing Tang Feiliu to finally exhale. Alexander approached to massage his brother's shoulders, asking with puzzlement, "What's wrong? Why all the sudden fuss?"

"Cholera has broken out in the city," Tang Feiliu explained softly to his brother. Alexander knew the wine he'd drunk was likely contaminated, but hearing that the water he'd once consumed contained feces—and that the god proclaimed by the Temple wouldn't magically make the feces in the river disappear—left him speechless with disgust for a long moment. Covering his head, he screamed, " Holy shit, I drank a bottle of apple sparkling wine mixed with fecal water! I might never want to drink this again anytime soon..."

Tang Feiliu smiled faintly at her brother's antics, then quickly asked with concern, "You're not going to get diarrhea, are you?"

Alexander thought for a moment before replying, "...Not yet, but I feel like throwing up... Don't worry! I'm just disgusted!"

Truthfully, nature could purify these impurities, but when the volume was overwhelming and untreated, accumulation was inevitable. Seeing her brother seemed genuinely fine, Tang Feiliu's greatest worry eased. She then thoroughly explained to Alexander how to properly address cholera.

Cholera manifested in various ways, but based on Edward's description, the current strain triggered immediate vomiting and diarrhea upon onset, followed by acute coma and eventual death... This likely caused sudden organ failure. At this stage, it became terrifying—beyond what modern medicine could effectively treat.

"That's why I think we absolutely must inform everyone—to ensure they clean themselves, keep their drinking water and bodies pure... But soap is only available in York now, and shipping it here takes ages. We don't have enough servants here either. I'm worried we won't be able to meet everyone's needs..." Alexander watched his younger brother chatter on, his gaze slowly softening.

Was this the benefit of having a younger brother? No matter how hardened one's heart might be, seeing this little fellow fretting over everyone's welfare, counting on his fingers as he voiced his concerns, made you want to reassure him, to boldly shoulder the weight of the world.

"I have a friend—a nouveau riche sort..." Alexander addressed Tang Feiliu, who was still fretting over how to manage everything. "He owns a factory. It used to make liquor, but after his father passed a few years ago, he wasn't cut out for the business, so it's been sitting idle..."

"But what about workers?" The location was suitable enough, but Tang Feiliu worried about manpower—especially now, when everyone was on edge. Hiring new people amid the chaos would only add to the disorder. With too many people and poor management, if even one person carrying cholera slipped in, it would be disastrous.

"The original workers were all laid off, but he still has two textile mills. We could transfer some female workers over. Besides, the manager who ran the brewery was quite competent..." Alexander said. "Talking about it here is useless. Why don't I go meet him? If he seems reliable, I'll bring him back for you to discuss?"

"Alright, but remember this, brother: don't eat anything outside. Once you find him, make sure the servants wash the carriage thoroughly when you return. I'll pack your drinking water and food in a small box. And don't go poking around everywhere..." Tang Feiliu turned into a chatterbox, successfully wearing her brother down until he surrendered.

Alexander had barely stepped out after tidying his clothes when Edward returned. As soon as he entered, he announced, "Her Majesty Josephine wishes to see you. She wants to speak with you."

"Very well." Tang Feiliu was actually somewhat surprised. He had assumed Her Majesty Josephine would find his proposals utterly fanciful. After all, anyone with even the slightest faith in the Temple would likely interpret his actions as a declaration of war against everything the Temple taught.

Tang Feiliu had even imagined that, even if she granted him an audience out of deference to Edward, Her Majesty would hesitate. Yet he hadn't anticipated that Her Majesty would prove far more radical and decisive than he had anticipated.

"She'll have things to say to you," Edward murmured softly as he held Tang Feiliu on the walk. "But you only need to do what you love. She won't force you, nor can she. I will always be your most loyal knight. You have the strength of freedom to stand on your own, okay?"

"I know." Tang Feiliu felt comforted, smiling as he kissed Edward's lips. Edward's eyes softened, and he deepened the kiss, holding him tighter.

Panting slightly as he pushed Edward away, Tang Feiliu adjusted his half-unbuttoned jacket and grumbled, "How come you pick up these things so fast?"

Though spoken as a complaint, there was no real resentment in his tone. Edward chuckled softly, "It's my fault." He carefully buttoned up his little suit jacket while holding him close, kissing him deeply with lingering reluctance.

The palace gates were in sight.

The Black Duke's carriage had been left behind. They walked into the palace, ascended the steps, and arrived at Her Majesty Josephine's bedchamber.

That afternoon, Her Majesty Josephine wore simple attire. When Edward and Tang Feiliu arrived, she was lost in thought. Only the voice of her lady-in-waiting snapped her back to reality. On her finger shone a beautiful iris ring. She lifted her hand to show Edward, murmuring softly, "Do you remember this ring?"

"...It bears the emblem of your family's house," Edward murmured. "You once said you'd longed to inherit the true ring since childhood."

"Yes," Josephine sighed wistfully, "Even now, sitting in this position, I still cannot obtain that true ring of power." She added with a touch of melancholy, "Simply because I am a woman."

She turned her head to look at Tang Feiliu and whispered softly, "Little one, did you know? The Temple says that men go to heaven after death, but women do not... because women have no souls at all. They were merely fashioned from a man's rib."

Tang Feiliu's eyes widened. He hadn't known this at all. After all, if you told a modern girl, "You have no soul, you won't go to heaven," you probably wouldn't get humility and obedience in return.

But Tang Feiliu knew this discrimination persisted. Even in economically advanced times, absolute barriers remained—like his capable friend, a highly competent girl whose achievements were stolen by her boss for credit, while subordinates whispered she'd "sold herself" to climb the ladder. Then there's another girl who diligently did her job, only to have her matchmaker dismissively tell the man during a blind date, without her consent, "It's not like it's some amazing job anyway, so she can quit anytime and become a full-time housewife"...

These experiences happened to women living in economically developed societies, educated to a high level, who could speak for themselves and had parental support. For those in harsher environments, their lives might mirror the struggles of women in this era.

Thus, Tang Feiliu looked at Her Majesty Josephine, at a loss for words.

Her Majesty Josephine had no intention of hearing Tang Feiliu's response anyway. She murmured softly, "The Temple didn't just treat me this way—they did the same to my brother too..." He fell in love with his personal valet—a man of great talent and gentleness. He was originally Fran's first heir, but because of this, my uncle seized upon it as leverage. The Temple demanded he execute that valet to guarantee his own safety..."

Josephine fell silent for a long moment before continuing, "But he refused..."

Tang Feiliu swallowed hard. He didn't need to imagine the tragedy that followed. Fortunately, Empress Josephine changed the subject at this point. She looked at Tang Feiliu and said, "...Young man, do you know how much we have to contribute to the Temple each year?"

Tang Feiliu shook his head, glancing at Edward.

"The Temple maintains its own exclusive parishes in every city and town across the Nat Empire. Believers within these parishes pay taxes and donations directly to the Church. Beyond that, there are the annual gifts for the Pope's birthday and the funds contributed to the Temple..." Edward didn't quote specific figures, but Her Majesty Josephine interjected: "The annual expenditure alone could fund the construction of two new Nat imperial capitals."

Tang Feiliu didn't understand why she was telling him this. Hadn't he come specifically about the cholera outbreak?

But Empress Josephine cut straight to the point. She said, "Edward says you know the origin of the cholera."

"Yes." Tang Feiliu nervously leaned closer to Edward, who patted him reassuringly. Gathering his courage to face the emperor, who seemed to smolder in silence, he said, "Your Majesty, I know the cause of the cholera and how to reduce the mortality rate and prevent it... but for those already severely affected, I may not have a good solution."

"That is enough." Queen Josephine looked at him earnestly. "Proceed without restraint. Whether it involves bathing, cleansing, or any action contrary to the Temple's tenets—you may disregard all restrictions... There may be difficult times ahead, but Edward will protect you."

Tang Feiliu couldn't make heads or tails of what she was saying. Edward explained softly, "Her Majesty will likely announce everything you intend to do in the Gazette shortly."

With Edward's explanation, Tang Feiliu grasped the concept: The Gazette was not a newspaper, but rather its precursor—a novel method for disseminating royal decrees. Printed in the imperial capital, it was distributed to nobles throughout the realm.

In this era, printing had already begun, inspired by Asian movable type. The largest printing presses belonged to the king, while most others were used to print sacred texts for the Temple.

What Queen Josephine sought to accomplish could be seen as her reaching a breaking point. Having finally gained the power to act, after countless petty skirmishes and using the Templars' unsavory deeds as political leverage... she no longer wished to play such small games. Instead, she intended to challenge the Templars for the first time in earnest.

Of course, first she needed to see the results of Tang Feiliu's approach.

Author's Note:

Special thanks to Li Xiyu, Da, What If I Accidentally Fell Into the Pit?, Wu San, Tangyuan Nuonuo, and Shou Shou 925 for their generous donations.