CHAPTER 176: CHAPTER 174: QUICK REACTION

February is not warm, but fortunately, Xie Liangchen was concerned about the epidemic from a past life and prepared early, setting up a shed far from the village entrance.

Chen Yuyu and Hei Dan brought hot water and clothes to the front of the shed. Xie Liangchen waved them off before taking the clothes inside.

Chen Yuyu was worried and kept saying, "The shed isn’t warm, will changing clothes after washing make one catch a cold?"

Old Mrs. Chen had been waiting not far away. Hearing Chen Yuyu’s words, she frowned even more. Miss Chen said she feared an epidemic, and it really did come. If only it could be delayed. They had planned to fix the shed in a few warm days when they could work the earth. It’s really inconvenient now.

Old Mrs. Chen still hoped it wasn’t an epidemic.

Mrs. Gao comforted her, "Miss Chen is smart, and with Mr. Xu around, even if there is an epidemic, they can avoid it. Don’t worry."

Chen Yuyu wanted to say more, but Mrs. Gao quickly gave her a look to prevent her from scaring Old Mrs. Chen.

After a while, Xu Tingzhen and Xie Liangchen emerged from the shed, both covering their mouths and noses.

Chen Zigeng and Mr. Dongli had also arrived at the village entrance upon hearing the news. Seeing his sister in such a state, Chen Zigeng became anxious.

"I am fine, and so is Mr. Xu," Xie Liangchen didn’t come too close to the crowd. "Today, we saw someone at the city gate who was trying to enter the city with symptoms that looked like an epidemic.

Mr. Xu and I reported to the government office, and they placed the patient outside the city. Mr. Xu prescribed some medicine; we will visit tomorrow to see how things are."

After speaking, Xie Liangchen looked at Chen Yongsheng: "Second Uncle, you need to inform the village chiefs of several villages to be cautious in their interactions with outsiders and to report any sicknesses promptly."

Having thought of these things after hearing about the epidemic, Chen Yongsheng followed Xie Liangchen’s advice and quickly sent someone to deliver the message.

Xie Liangchen said, "If it really is an epidemic, the water must remain clean, and someone must watch over the water source. We don’t know yet if it’s an epidemic, but the village has enough food, so avoid going out if possible."

Everyone agreed in unison.

Xu Tingzhen and Xie Liangchen didn’t stay in the shed but went to an empty house beside the Familiar Medicine Institute at the village end.

Chen Zigeng, Hei Dan, and a few others crowded outside, unwilling to leave.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but smile and said through the door to her younger brothers, "Go home. If anything happens, I’ll call out. Aunt Qian living next door will hear it.

Go help at the Familiar Medicine Institute and move all the herbs except the ones for treating the epidemic. Once it’s ready, Mr. Xu and I will go over to prepare the medicine."

Actually, there’s not much to explain. Fear of an epidemic led to early preparation, and now it’s just a matter of following the plan.

Xu Tingzhen looked at Xie Liangchen: "You shouldn’t have taken the lead. There are so many things waiting for you in the village."

Xie Liangchen replied, "This task is the most important right now; lives are at stake."

Xu Tingzhen said, "I saw how quickly the government office acted. With County Magistrate Qu there, we should be okay."

The government office indeed acted swiftly. Before General Song Xian went to Zhaozhou, he visited the office to check documents, instructing them to follow procedures if an epidemic was detected in Zhenzhou.

County Magistrate Qu was personally involved and remained at the office to oversee things.

Both Xu Tingzhen and the city doctor examined the patient and confirmed it was an epidemic causing vomiting and diarrhea. Medicine offered little relief as the illness quickly overcame the patient again. Taking advantage of a moment’s clarity, the clerk thoroughly questioned the patient, learning he came by mule from Yingzhou.

County Magistrate Qu ordered the search for the mule driver and all associated individuals, sending documents to Yingzhou as well.

Last year’s end, County Magistrate Qu received a directive from General Song Xian to remind neighboring states. Despite yearly epidemics and reminders, people cannot live forever terrified.

An epidemic is even harder to catch than spies, as it can appear unexpectedly, demanding constant vigilance.

As the weather warmed, more people moved in and out of the city. Zhenzhou preemptively set up checkpoints at the gates, with doctors stationed alongside city patrol soldiers, allowing Mr. Xu and Miss Xie to quickly detect anomalies.

County Magistrate Qu felt both fortunate and concerned.

Fortunate that the patient was stopped before entering the city, yet worried that those showing no symptoms might have already spread the disease.

Qu Chengmei ordered officials, "Visit every household and call a doctor if there’s a sick family member. Complete the checks within two days."

The surrounding villages, too, require examination.

Qu Chengmei said, "Leave Chen Family Village, Sun Family Village, Beishan Village, and Xiahe Village for last." These four villages each dispatch two people daily to patrol the surroundings, minimizing reliance on the government office.

As soon as Qu Chengmei gave the orders, a government official said, "The village chief of Chen Family Village has arrived."

Chen Yongsheng was invited into the hall. Upon seeing Qu Chengmei, he immediately bowed and handed over the document in his hand: "Lord County Magistrate, here are the situations in our four villages. Sun Family Village has two sick people, both with old winter illnesses. Beishan Village has three suffering from colds. Xiahe Village has three children and two adults sick, all definitely not from the epidemic."

Having completed the inspection so swiftly, Qu Chengmei let out a long sigh. Given the shortage of manpower at such times, these villages, with hundreds of households, significantly aided him.

Qu Chengmei looked at Chen Yongsheng and asked, "How are Mr. Xu and Miss Xie?" Before General Song Xian went to Zhaozhou, Chang An specially requested him to keep an eye on Chen Family Village. After all, they had helped capture Liao spies and might face retaliation. Thus, he was to pay extra attention.

Chen Yongsheng replied, "Everything seems fine now. The two of them didn’t stay with our villagers; they changed clothes after returning and took their own brewed medicine."

Qu Chengmei nodded repeatedly: "Now, our offices are too busy to focus on your villages, so if anything happens, come to me directly."

As Chen Yongsheng left the office, a clerk specially handed him a document: "There are two checkpoints at the city gates; this document will facilitate your entry and exit."

Chen Yongsheng walked around the city and noticed fewer people on the streets compared to usual, indicating County Magistrate Qu’s measures were effective.

Half a year ago, Zhenzhou City would likely have been in chaos. Thanks to the governance of General Song and County Magistrate Qu, the situation has greatly improved, maintaining order even in these circumstances.

A long line formed at the city gates, with occasional sounds of dispute and cries. The soldiers were diligent, searching everyone, including wealthy families.

Chen Yongsheng took a close look, noticing two more soldiers at the gate appearing stern, possibly under General Song Xian’s command.

As night approached, Chen Yongsheng returned to Chen Family Village and recounted his observations to Xie Liangchen.

Xie Liangchen said, "I discussed with Mr. Xu, and tomorrow we will go to the city. Given the current situation, there are surely not enough doctors, so we will help the government officials check each household."

Chen Yongsheng was momentarily stunned, instinctually wanting to stop Xie Liangchen, as doing so would greatly increase the danger?