Chapter 116 Corpse Worms and Plague God Descend to Earth
Suzhou in the northern border region, Dingbei City.
Chen Liangyu rode his horse north along the main street until he reached the arrow tower of the city wall. The city wall had been in place for many years, and the crenellations were full of potholes.
Taking advantage of the widespread epidemic in China and Russia, Zhai Ji stationed 400,000 troops at the border between the two countries.
The situation changed drastically.
The weather was dry and cold, with the north wind blowing like shards of ice. The soldiers guarding the city wall had numb fingers, their knuckles unable to bend.
Chen Liangyu took out his telescope, raised it to eyebrow level, and gazed out over the open fields beyond the city. The boundless grasslands stretched to the desert, connecting to a stretch of sandy land, and further north lay the territory of Beiyong. Beiyong's southern border bordered a vast expanse of lakes and marshes; Jingzhe Lake was the largest inland lake, and the mountains and natural grasslands along its shores were suitable for garrisoning troops and raising warhorses.
There are battles in both the southern border and the western ridge. If the northern border falls into chaos again, Zhai Ji may seize the opportunity to launch an invasion, making the war very difficult. Fortunately, Dai Qing has married into the Ximano missionary tribe, who are engaged in animal husbandry and farming, ensuring the stability of the grasslands. There is no need to worry about being attacked from both sides by Bei Yong and the Dao Ma bandits.
The most pressing issue right now is the peach blossom epidemic.
The spread of the plague must be contained as soon as possible, otherwise the people's hearts will be scattered and the country will collapse without a fight.
Jingming climbed the city wall, exhaling white mist from his mouth, "Miss, a letter from the Marquis."
He handed Chen Liangyu a letter.
After removing the wax seal, Chen Liangyu read the few lines of writing on the letter, folded it up, and handed it to Lin Yin to put away.
Chen Luan asked Lady Chengyang to act as matchmaker to propose marriage to Heng Yang from the Heng family in the southern border. The wedding date was set for the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, which was very rushed. It was already the winter month, so even if they started preparing the betrothal gifts now, it would still be very hurried. Yan Nian rushed back to Yongdu to help Chen Luan with the preparations.
Jingming said, "Madam Fei Meng sent a message that she is coming to Dingbei City from the Shuofang trade route and has already set off."
Having not seen her loved ones for a long time, Chen Liangyu's brows relaxed slightly upon learning that Yan Nian was coming.
With the construction of the Zhuodong waterway underway, Yan Nian finally managed to take a long trip, hoping to see as many relatives as possible. He planned to first detour through the Shuofang trade route to the northern border to visit Chen Liangyu, and then return to Yongdu.
Chen Liangyu knew it would be difficult to return in time, so she quickly prepared a generous gift to give to her sister-in-law to take back with her.
"I'm so sorry for being so rude this time. I hope my second sister-in-law won't take offense."
Jingming said, "The Heng family is also a military family, and they know what is important and what is not. Miss, the governors of Wuzhou and Youzhou have already entered the city."
"knew."
The Suzhou government office is located in the center of Dingbei City. The main street stretches straight like an ink line, passing through the government office and running north to south.
Chen Liangyu was summoned to the government office to meet with the governors of the three northern prefectures.
When the great plague broke out in Xiling, Chen Liangyu used military orders to seal off the passes of the garrison in the three prefectures and sixteen cities in the north, cutting off the roads to the prefectures and counties of Xiling. He set up checkpoints to strictly check the travelers and guard against the plague. However, several cases of the plague still inevitably appeared in Suzhou.
Doctors are scarce in all regions. Not long ago, various prefectures and counties in Xiling sent urgent letters with official seals to the northern border, and a group of doctors were quickly dispatched to the epidemic area. At present, only one or two doctors are left in a city in the northern border.
The prefectural government set up "epidemic prevention stations" in the city to isolate the sick.
The northern border is often windy, making it unsuitable to build yurts in the open fields. A strong wind can even uproot the wooden stakes of a yurt, so it is necessary to requisition houses and caves in remote areas.
The governors of each prefecture were tasked with their duties, but their subordinates were not handling the tasks properly, and the number of people infected with the disease was increasing daily. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that those afflicted with the plague preferred to hide and wait to die rather than go to the plague clinics for medical treatment.
The officials searched the city and arrested a few people. While they were still relatively conscious, they asked them why they hadn't gone to see a doctor.
"The government is lying. If you go there, you'll be pushed into a pit and burned alive, then buried."
Upon hearing this from the messenger, Du Peisun, the prefect of Wuzhou, slammed his fist on the table and exclaimed, "This is alarmist talk!"
Chen Liangyu sat in the head armchair with a charcoal brazier underneath and said, "These rumors circulating in the city are probably not entirely unfounded."
Du Peisun said, "If any official in Xiling dares to commit such a crime, they will be digging their own grave. This is a serious crime that will result in the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire clan."
Judging from his reaction, he probably didn't recall the plague in the south.
Just as the major epidemics in Linxia and Li'an were beginning to emerge, Du Peisun was exiled by Xie Wenjun to the dusty deserts of Wuzhou. He was still unaware of the connection between the two epidemics.
The Prefect of Suzhou said, "The Imperial Censor from Yongdu is focusing on inspecting the western mountains and the northern border. If there is such a great injustice, the Imperial Censor will surely report it to the emperor."
Du Peisun asked, "When will the imperial censor who is inspecting the northern border arrive?"
The dispatch of imperial inspectors to various regions was the most frequent in the court. To prevent abuses from arising due to familiarity, their terms were usually only one year, and it was not yet time for a change. This group of imperial inspectors was temporarily dispatched and was conducting their visits incognito.
Chen Liangyu said, "The censors are traveling in plain clothes, so their arrival will not disturb you."
Du Peisun said, "So, the Imperial Censor has already reached the northern border?"
Chen Liangyu remained noncommittal and took a sip of tea.
Not only did he arrive, but it was also an old acquaintance from his school days who came. Military checkpoints were set up at the entrances and exits of the northern border. As soon as Zhao Xingli stepped across the boundary stone of Suzhou, he was spotted by spies, and soon after, his portrait appeared in Chen Liangyu's hands.
Presumably, Zhao Xingli should be patrolling the vicinity of the plague-stricken area by now. The rumors circulating among the people about burning those suffering from the plague must have reached his ears as well. He is willing to reopen old cases, and he is also a stubborn and meticulous person. He will investigate any injustice, whether it is true or not.
Chen Liangyu removed all the spies from Zhao Xingli's side.
"His Majesty has closed his doors and fasted, taking the plague very seriously. I have already sent military letters to the camps in each prefecture. If you gentlemen do not have enough manpower, you can write a document and affix the seal of the prefecture to order the three prefecture commanders to mobilize troops to assist. Even if you have to check every household every day, you must isolate and treat patients with fever and skin ulcers as soon as possible."
"The sale of all medicinal herbs in the city's pharmacies is prohibited. Notices have been posted that anyone who falls ill should seek medical treatment voluntarily. The government will provide free medicine to treat the illness, without charging a penny. We hope that all officials will do their utmost."
After bidding farewell to the governors of the three prefectures, Chen Liangyu rode back to the residence of the Marquis of Xuanping in Suzhou.
Bu Ping'er stayed in the villa to recuperate, with her two older sisters taking care of her. After more than a month of quiet rest in the northern border, she was able to move around freely. The imperial physician Liu, who had accompanied her, also advised her to walk around more to stretch her muscles and bones. However, as soon as she went outside, she would stomp her feet and rub her hands in the cold, and even her padded jacket could not keep out the biting chill. Zhao Panzhi rarely let her leave the house, only allowing her to walk around inside.
Zhao Guzhi was making a new jacket under the lamp, holding a sewing basket.
With insufficient silkworm cocoons, Zhao Guzhi wanted to make the jacket thicker, so he took apart Bu Ping'er's old jacket and mixed the new and old silk floss to fill the lining.
She buried herself in sewing for a while, then had to straighten up and rest.
The two sisters were sent to work as slaves in the salt fields to the east years ago. They did hard labor for several years, and their hands and feet were frostbitten from washing clothes in the winter, which left them with chronic illnesses. Whenever the weather turned cold and damp, their lower back and knees would ache, and their hands and feet would swell and crack. They have endured it all these years and have gotten used to it.
Bu Ping'er walked behind her and said, "Second sister, the Northern Border is different from Cangnan. Here, most winter clothes are made of fur, and the silk-cotton jackets made from silkworm cocoons are thin and cannot keep out the cold."
Zhao Gu said, "Fur clothing hardens in the cold and doesn't fit well, so I'm afraid you won't be used to wearing it. I'll make the coat thicker."
She stitched up a few more stitches, but her body couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and twisted her waist. "I remember when my older sister and I were at the salt field, we would go to pick the cotton-like fibers from the split fruit on the trees in summer and autumn to use in winter. The old people at the salt field said that there was a kind of tree in Dongyin that produced cotton-like fibers. Many families planted it. It was planted in spring and harvested in autumn. The cotton bolls would ripen and become cotton that could be used to make winter clothes. It was neither as stiff and heavy as animal hides, but very warm."
Zhao Panzhi brought in a basket of charcoal and added a few pieces to the charcoal brazier. "Don't lie to her. It's just hearsay. We're not even sure if there are any cotton trees like that."
"Just in case."
"If you have it, you have it. How many padded jackets can you make? Is it worth planting a whole cotton plantation?"
Zhao Guzhi walked to the window, opened it, and a strong wind rushed in. It was cold, colder than the snowy days in Cangnan. Years had passed in a daze, the past had become history, and few people remembered the frozen bones by the roadside during the Cangnan famine of the sixteenth year of Xuanyuan.
She gazed out the window at the biting north wind, her eyes like sparks.
"With cotton, countless people can be spared the suffering of the cold."
Out of the corner of her eye, Zhao Panzhi caught a glimpse of a figure dressed in black cloth at the corner of the courtyard wall. She turned her head to look and saw that Doctor Liu was squatting under the old poplar tree at the corner of the wall, burying something.
After burying it, kick a few clumps of dead leaves onto it.
Still not reassured, he squatted down again, dug the thing out, and held it in his hand, unsure of what to do.
Bu Ping'er saw it too.
The rustling sound of withered leaves breaking on the soles of boots stopped behind Physician Liu, and two shadows landed on his left and right sides.
Physician Liu turned around stiffly and chuckled.
Bu Ping'er asked, "Doctor Liu, what good things are you hiding?"
Physician Liu, with his hands behind his back, said, "General Bu, it's nothing. Just some dregs of the medicine."
Bu Ping'er stretched out her hand, "Let me see."
Physician Liu hid his hands behind his back again, "General Bu is still recovering from a serious illness, it's best not to see him."
Zhao Gu said, "She's sick, I'm not. I'm here to see her."
"Don't bother looking at it, what's so interesting about corpse worms?"
Bu Ping'er and Zhao Guzhi took a step back in unison, their steps perfectly synchronized, not even a fraction off.
"How could there be corpse worms in the Marquis's residence? Where did these corpse worms come from?"
"I caught it."
Physician Liu held up a square medicine bottle with a stopper cap in front of Zhao Guzhi and shook it, saying, "Look."
Zhao Guzhi pinched her nose and quickly dodged away, saying, "I don't want to see it, take it away." Upon hearing that the medicine bottle contained corpse worms, Zhao Guzhi's face scrunched up. She was pretty, and even with her face scrunched up, she didn't look ferocious.
"Didn't you say you wanted to see it?"
Physician Liu then held up the bottle and handed it to Bu Ping'er, saying, "Come and see."
Bu Ping'er remained calm, tilting her head back and saying with a mixture of composure and disdain, "I'm still recovering from a serious illness, I won't see you."
Physician Liu stiffened his neck and snorted, "You have no guts." Then he was about to bury it again.
Why are you burying it?
"If you die, won't you be buried so I can make medicine for you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guzhi stepped in front of Bu Ping'er and said, "You're supposed to be a royal physician, how disgusting."
Physician Liu said, "Everything can be used as medicine; this thing might just cure the plague."
"You imperial physician, you're full of empty talk."
"Typhoid fever and miscellaneous diseases, as well as Shennong's herbal remedies, are all recorded in medical books. But there is no cure for plague. Wherever a plague breaks out, the people there can only endure it."
Zhao Guzhi said, "Then why not compile prescriptions for treating the plague?"
"Even a common cold is a disease that was only discovered after many people died from it long ago, and only then were prescriptions made. How could prescriptions be made without surviving dozens of plagues? Who can live a few decades and encounter dozens of plagues? If so, then it is truly a plague god descending to earth."
They exchanged a few words, unaware that someone was standing behind them.
As soon as Chen Liangyu entered the villa, she heard them talking about the plague and the plague god. She also saw Physician Liu digging in the soil under a tree with his butt sticking out. She said, "What plague god? What are you doing standing in the yard in this cold weather?"
Bu Ping'er bowed respectfully, "General."
Zhao Guzhi curtsied, and Physician Liu tried to hide his hands behind his back again, this time really trying, but it was too late.
Chen Liangyu glanced at them.
Bu Ping'er said, "General, it's a corpse worm."
Physician Liu had no choice but to take out the square medicine bottle. Chen Liangyu reached out to take it, but Physician Liu dodged, looking very troubled. "General, it's better not to look at it. Be careful not to catch the plague."
"Epidemic".
"It's the same as the peach blossom epidemic in Linxia a few years ago, and the one in Xiling now."
Chen Liangyu uncorked the medicine bottle and looked at the bottom. Inside were two black worm corpses, already stiff, rolling around at the bottom of the bottle as Chen Liangyu shook his wrist.
"Doctor Liu mean that these insects are related to the peach blossom plague?"
"This humble official dares not speak presumptuously. During the great plague in Linxia, these black insects were found next to the corpses of the dead. There are many strange insects in the south, and this humble official did not pay much attention to them. Who would have thought that this sudden plague in Xiling would also bring these carrion-eating black insects? The climates of Linxia and Xiling are quite different, yet the same plague has occurred and the same insects have appeared. This humble official dares to speculate that the Peach Blossom Plague might be related to these insects?"
Chen Liangyu said, "Since you have already investigated, why not report it to me earlier?"
"I asked other imperial physicians, and they all said they had never seen anything like it. At first, I thought it was maggots growing on a rotting corpse. But after more than a month in Suzhou, I realized that perhaps these maggots came first, followed by the plague? But if that's the case, where did these maggots come from? And how did they get from Linxia to Xiling? It's impossible that someone is raising these corpse maggots, is it?"
Chen Liangyu put the stopper back in, took out a handkerchief and wrapped it tightly, then beckoned to a personal guard, "Go quickly to the barracks of Yue Dun, the Earl of Yang in Xiling City, and have him check for these corpse worms. Make sure you are well covered up."
"yes."
Author's note: Thank you for reading this far!
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