CHAPTER 916: CHAPTER 918: GOVERNMENT OFFICE SEALS THE VILLAGE

In order to leave Anding Village as soon as possible, Yang Ming hurried to the town without bothering to eat.

Once in town, he quickly bought a good horse, but because he needed to pull the lamb, a lot of time was spent modifying the carriage. Yang Ming paid extra money for the rush job and finally made it back by nightfall.

Yang Ming drove the carriage quickly because he was anxious about his wife and son.

As he approached Anding Village, from a distance, Yang Ming sensed something was amiss.

At the entrance to Anding Village, there was a glow from a bonfire. The closer he got, the more he realized there were tents nearby, as if soldiers were camping there for a battle.

Yang Ming frowned, as a bad feeling surged through his heart. This feeling made him snap the whip a few more times.

The carriage sped forward, finally reaching the entrance of Anding Village.

Once he got closer, Yang Ming understood everything. Government officials had set up camp in Anding Village.

The reason must be related to that strange disease. They were likely here to quarantine and purge the village.

As soon as he reached the entrance of Anding Village, Yang Ming’s carriage was unsurprisingly stopped, "Stop, stop quickly."

After stopping the carriage, Yang Ming got off and inquired with the government officer, "Brother officer, what’s going on? Is entry to Anding Village not allowed?"

The officer thought Yang Ming was passing by for the first time, and kindly reminded him, "Brother, you better not go into Anding Village. Your life is more important. This village has caught a contagious disease."

As expected, it was just as Yang Ming had thought. The government got the news and sent people to quarantine the village to prevent the spread of the disease. Yang Ming feigned surprise, "Caught a contagious disease? Really? Did the government confirm it?"

"Could it be fake? Isn’t it? The magistrate sent us here to quarantine the village. Ah, we’re pretty unlucky, getting such an assignment. We’re also afraid of getting infected." The officer started complaining to Yang Ming, "Okay, brother, you better leave quickly to avoid getting infected."

But Yang Ming didn’t leave; he wanted to ask more, to see if he could gather more information, "Brother officer, I’m here in Anding Village on an errand for my master. I can’t explain going back empty-handed. Has the Magistrate really determined this village is plagued by a contagious disease? Have they found a doctor to check it?"

"Oh, let me put it this way. It’s almost certainly true. The entire county is talking about it. But our Magistrate is an honest and upright official who wouldn’t take a life without cause. Isn’t that so, he sent us here first to thoroughly investigate, and he even brought a doctor along."

From the officer’s words, Yang Ming understood that the village was only quarantined for now, and the magistrate was thoroughly investigating the matter, so the people inside weren’t in immediate danger.

Yang Ming breathed a sigh of relief, at least his wife and son were safe for now.

This village had more than one entrance. Yang Ming had hoped to find another way in, but unfortunately, they were all tightly blocked by soldiers.

The government office’s handling of matters was never quick. If they waited for the government to resolve this, who knew how long it would take. They didn’t have time to waste now.

The only solution was for Yang Ming to go to the County seat personally to find the Magistrate, where there might still be a glimmer of hope.

Thinking of this, Yang Ming unloaded the newly bought carriage and left it by the side of the road.

He looked toward the village, hoping his wife would know he was outside and would think of a way to rescue them.

"Wife, wait for me."

After saying that, Yang Ming jumped onto the horse’s back, nudged the horse’s belly with his foot, and galloped away.