Chapter 9 Going to the Capital

Zhao Xiaofei's hands were shaking. He'd been busy from morning till night. He couldn't count how many people he'd given injections, and there were still people waiting for injections. But the medicine boxes were almost empty, and a notice had been posted at the yamen gate, asking patients to come back tomorrow. Yamen runners tried to inform the patients, but no one paid any attention, and they didn't even rush to the yamen. Perhaps they had no strength left, so they just stayed at the door and refused to leave. Because they were waiting for the hope of life!

The yamen gates were closed, and Zhao Xiaofei had collapsed from exhaustion. The yamen runners quickly helped him up. Equally exhausted were the forty or so runners who had left. They'd divided into four teams that morning, each patrolling each house to check for patients. They'd then draw a circle around the doors of those with illnesses. They'd also spread the word that a foreign prince had arrived at the county yamen, possessing a miraculous elixir that could cure the epidemic. Coupled with Xiao Si's personal testimony, all the patients' families believed the story.

The second and third teams worked together, depending on the patient's condition. Those with milder conditions were sent to the county government office, while those with more serious conditions were sent directly to the military training ground. Some patients with less serious conditions were taken directly to the county government office.

The fourth team oversaw the cremation of the bodies of those who had died of illness. Some were reluctant to undergo cremation, so Magistrate Hu personally visited them. It's unknown what tactics he employed, but they ultimately cremated the bodies! It's likely a combination of threats and inducements.

For those who missed the injection, Zhao Xiaofei ordered the yamen runners to give each of them a cephalexin and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Then, Xiao Si and Sanbao carried Zhao Xiaofei back home. Xiao Si washed Zhao Xiaofei's feet, and Sanbao changed his clothes. Together, the two men lifted him onto the bed. Before leaving, Zhao Xiaofei instructed Xiao Si, "I won't open the door tomorrow, and no one is allowed to enter the house." Xiao Si nodded in agreement, his expression as if to say, "I understand." He assumed Zhao Xiaofei was inside preparing medicine.

Although Zhao Xiaofei gritted his teeth and traveled back, his shaking hands made it impossible for him to drive to buy more medicine. He could only pray that the antibiotic capsules would work and prevent so many deaths. The world was vast, and right now, sleep and rest were paramount. Zhao Xiaofei didn't wake up in the hotel until noon the next day.

Feeling better, he began calling the veterinary hospitals and asking them to deliver the streptomycin to the hotel. By the afternoon, when the delivery was almost complete, he borrowed a flatbed truck from the hotel and hauled the streptomycin away. While no one was paying attention, he traveled back to the Ming Dynasty.

When he returned to Ming Chao's home, he heard Xiao Si waiting outside as soon as he opened the door. He stepped forward and asked, "Young Prince! Are you done?"

"Well! Take the things to the county government office! Continue giving injections to patients today!" said Zhao Xiaofei.

"Young Prince is so kind! The entire Gongji County will be grateful to you, and they will even set up a longevity tablet for you!" Xiao Si said.

"Bah! Whoever cursed me will die a miserable death! Don't you know how Wei Zhongxian died? Tell me, was there anyone who died in front of the county government office yesterday?" Zhao Xiaofei was really taboo about this thing.

"Yes! Only one died! Although the others are still feeling unwell and have a fever, their condition has not worsened!" Xiao Si said.

"Not bad! Not bad!" Zhao Xiaofei thought the death rate wasn't that high! Little did he know, he was actually quite lucky. When he arrived in Gongji County, the epidemic had just broken out and wasn't too serious. Historically, if Zhao Xiaofei hadn't shown up, Gongji County would have been completely wiped out.

Walking down the county street now, the air was thick with the stench of 84 disinfectant. A wisp of dust rose not far from the town, the smoke from the crematorium. People were afraid to go out, and restaurants, taverns, teahouses, and opera houses were all closed. Even the pharmacies and clinics were deserted; thanks to Xiao Si's propaganda, everyone had gone to the government office. The entire county was bleak!

Zhao Xiaofei spent four days giving injections and directing epidemic prevention efforts. Finally, on the fifth day, no one came for shots. The patrolling yamen runners reported no new cases. It seemed that 21st-century medicines were still quite effective against plague that hadn't developed any resistance.

Seeing nothing to do, Zhao Xiaofei went to the back court, wanting to discuss with Magistrate Hu about trying to declare the epidemic over so that people could go out normally. When he saw Magistrate Hu, before Zhao Xiaofei could say anything, Magistrate Hu said, "Congratulations, Your Highness! My teacher, the Minister of Rites, Mr. Huang, heard about your righteous act and I will immediately send you to the capital. I believe the emperor will also be generous in rewarding you."

"Really?" Zhao Xiaofei was very happy. This time he could enter the Second Ring Road from outside the Fifth Ring Road. He didn't know how many treasures were waiting for him in the capital!

"Of course! The carriage and horses are ready. I wonder if the prince plans to set off now or tomorrow?" asked County Magistrate Hu.

"Let's go now! That's great!" said Zhao Xiaofei.

"Okay! I will send 20 yamen runners to escort the prince. If the prince has no suitable place to live in the capital, he can stay temporarily at my father's house. This time my father and the prince will return to the capital together!" said County Magistrate Hu.

"Won't the Ministry of Rites arrange a place for me to live?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.

"Of course the Ministry of Rites will arrange it, but the court is short of money right now, and the posthouse is in disrepair, so this is where we're staying..." County Magistrate Hu stopped short. In fact, his statement was already a violation of the rules; in the Ming Dynasty, foreign envoys were generally not allowed to stay elsewhere. The Ministry of Rites' Department of Reception and Guests would arrange the envoys' reception and accommodation.

"I understand! Thank you, Lord Hu!" said Zhao Xiaofei.

"This is my letter to Mr. Huang. Give him the letter after we meet. He will take care of you because my father saved him." After saying this, County Magistrate Hu handed the letter to Zhao Xiaofei.

"Thank you, Lord Hu!" Zhao Xiaofei bowed.

Xiao Si and San Bao loaded the tribute onto the carriages, while Zhao Xiaofei and Doctor Hu each took a separate carriage. Together with Doctor Hu's entourage, the group of about 40 people drove towards the capital in a grand procession.

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