Chapter 597 - 474: Isn’t This Just "Smallpox"! (Part 3)

"Yes, Mr. Lin." The village chief already knew Lin Miao’s true identity, so naturally, he obeyed. He was well aware of the terror of the plague. Having lived quite long, he heard from the elders that some villages infected by the plague were completely wiped out.

Now that someone was willing to save them and they didn’t have to spend their own money, no matter what Lin Miao wanted them to do, they would comply.

It’s not difficult to determine the zero patient in this village, but the source of the infection is hard to say.

Inferring the source of infection from the zero patient is the key to winning this outbreak of the plague.

...

The Imperial Envoy had arrived, and these days Wen Ruyu couldn’t manage the consultations at Yongning Hall, having to prioritize his primary duties.

He also needed to go to Shanglin Temple to see the Imperial Envoy. Such days were truly not what he wanted, as he hardly had any time to spend with Xia Zhu.

For a pair of lovers who were just deeply in love, this was truly a torment.

Moreover, there was the Lin Clan’s study session. Attending the class and looking at the notes was a different matter, and Wen Ruyu even thought of giving up.

"Sir, from the Chengde Manor, there is a young lady named Liansuo saying she has urgent matters to discuss!" The clerk entered, respectfully reporting.

"Liansuo, quickly invite her in." Upon hearing this, Wen Ruyu quickly set the brush on the brush shelf and instructed. Liansuo was the concubine and confidante of Mr. Lin, and also Xia Zhu’s minor teacher. She could not be neglected.

But, Mr. Lin had affairs and didn’t call for Xia Zhu. Why send the minor teacher instead?

"Mr. Wen."

"Miss Su, please have a seat. Someone, serve tea!"

"No need for tea, I have other matters. Here is a letter from my master for Mr. Wen. After you read it, please immediately go to the yamen and personally deliver it to Pei Jian." Liansuo directly took out Lin Miao’s letter, handing it to Wen Ruyu.

"Did Mr. Lin give any instructions?" Wen Ruyu was taken aback. What was this about, for Mr. Lin to send Liansuo with such a letter and asked him to read it and then transfer it to Pei Jian? There was an unusual vibe about it.

"The master said time is of the essence. Please read and then swiftly deliver the letter to Pei Jian!" Without even sitting, Liansuo clasped her fists and turned to leave.

Wen Ruyu took out the letter and upon seeing the words "plague", a cold sweat instantly broke out on his back. He immediately shouted: "Prepare the carriage, no, prepare the horse!"

...

Pei Jian was still in the second hall drinking tea with Zhuo Qingfeng, discussing when the Imperial Envoy Su Mobai would recover from his acclimatization illness.

The Emperor’s intentions with this case were clear. What was Su Mobai planning, to not express a stance, or did he have other ideas?

Ye Shengyuan took all the blame, and the Green Blade Sect has disbanded. The Sect Leader Shen Yidao, who was in closed retreat, along with some core elders and disciples, have vanished.

The substantial assets left by the considerable Green Blade Sect are now eyed with envy, with many wanting a piece of it.

But without an imperial edict, who dares charge forward to tear it apart, unafraid of the court dealing with you together?

Those jumping out now are brainless. The real big shots won’t act now. With the fall of Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion and the Green Blade Sect, few qualify to have a share.

The Snow Mountain Sect, the Su family, and several other fairly powerful sects in Lanzhou are poised to benefit. The Snow Mountain Sect and the Su family contributed much this time and are sure to take a significant share, but leaving some broth for others because hoarding all would look unseemly.

The mountain gate headquarters of the Green Blade Sect alone has considerable fixed assets, and many sects want to occupy it as their own mountain gate.

But once occupied, they must bear the future retaliation of the Green Blade Sect, as Shen Yidao and the many from the Green Blade Sect only disappeared without death.

Should they return in the future...

"Master, the Medical Bureau’s Mr. Wen Ruyu seeks an audience!" Pei Jian’s loyal attendant swiftly entered, bowing to report.

"Quickly, invite him in!" Pei Jian exchanged a surprised glance with Zhuo Qingfeng because Wen Ruyu rarely interacted with the Dongshan officialdom. Even for him, the prefect, meeting Wen Ruyu without a reason was rare, making this unexpected visit curious.

The loyal attendant quickly retreated.

"Mr. Dong, could it be about the Imperial Envoy Su’s illness?" Zhuo Qingfeng speculated.

"Mr. Wen, this way, please..."

Pei Jian did not expect Wen Ruyu to arrive so quickly and hadn’t answered Zhuo Qingfeng when his loyal attendant’s voice could be heard outside.

"Your humble servant greets the lord prefect!" As Wen Ruyu entered, he first saluted Pei Jian and then bowed to Zhuo Qingfeng, "Good day, Mr. Zhuo."

Zhuo Qingfeng, merely Pei Jian’s adviser with no official rank, need not be treated with such deference, although Zhuo Qingfeng would still pay his respects to Wen Ruyu.

Because Wen Ruyu was not only an official but also Mr. Fu’s closed-door disciple.

"Mr. Pei, I have pressing matters to report." Wen Ruyu, not mincing words, saw this plague issue as a grave matter. Should a large-scale outbreak occur with fatalities, it would spell great trouble for him as the Director of the Medical Bureau and Pei Jian as the local official.

The triennial performance evaluation by the Ministry of Rites would definitely see a poor rating, and how poor depended on the leniency of the evaluators.

Pei Jian’s face turned solemn: "Mr. Wen, please speak."

"The plague has occurred in Erli Village, outside the city."

Plague?!

The word left both Pei Jian and Zhuo Qingfeng shocked. The plague was terrifying; the fatalities in one outbreak were incalculable.

If it occurred under their governance, it would be a disaster for local officials.

Pei Jian’s mind went blank, almost losing his balance.

"Mr. Dong, stay calm and listen to Mr. Wen," Zhuo Qingfeng, being an adviser, had to consider Pei Jian’s position, quickly reminding him.

"Mr. Wen, where did you get this information, and is it accurate?"

"I have a letter from Mr. Lin delivered by his trusted person. You’ll know once you read it." Wen Ruyu handed over Lin Miao’s handwritten letter.

Pei Jian snatched the letter, unfolding it, scanning it quickly. He recognized Lin Miao’s handwriting.

Indeed.

With a situation as significant as the plague, Lin Miao wouldn’t joke about it; this matter likely was true.

"Qingfeng, issue my orders: Seal the city gates, thoroughly check fever patients, notify all medical establishments in the city. Any patient with fever, headache, back pain, or facial rash must be immediately isolated, and those in contact must also be isolated. Clear the city barracks, requisition Xinglin Garden as a quarantine and treatment area..."

These were all suggestions Lin Miao proposed in the letter, each precisely targeting the current critical points.

"Enforce a curfew; after sunset, no one may be on the streets without government permission. Additionally, requisition Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion as an auxiliary quarantine location for close contacts without symptoms. The Medical Bureau will directly manage Shengyuan Hall as a critical care center; any necessary materials in the Ye family’s warehouse will be urgently allocated for epidemic prevention!"