Chapter 32: Flu Rage
"The patient first develops a persistent high fever, followed by a persistent cough. Then, the entire body becomes weak and limp, becoming paralyzed and unable to even stand up and walk."
Xu Yichen's face was filled with worry. "I've sought out renowned doctors everywhere, but none of them could help me. I've described my symptoms to everyone, but no one could explain what was happening."
Lin Xiyan listened quietly. When Xu Yichen finished speaking, a hint of certainty flashed in her beautiful eyes, and she said without hesitation:
“It’s the flu!”
Xu Yichen's face was filled with astonishment, as if he had heard something out of the ordinary, and he stared at Lin Xiyan in disbelief.
"You are so smart! How could you know about such a difficult disease with just a few words?"
His voice was full of surprise, and he stared at Lin Xiyan inquiringly, as if he wanted to see through him.
Lin Xiyan ignored his surprise and remained serious.
I knew very well what kind of disaster the flu would cause in ancient times when medical conditions were scarce.
Xu Yichen seemed to have recovered from his shock and coughed lightly:
"I have done a lot of research and found out that there is a key herb to treat this disease, which is Patchouli.
But this patchouli is extremely rare. The place where it grows is very special, in the miasma-filled wild forest of the southern wilderness, surrounded by poisonous gas.
Ordinary people, let alone picking fruits, would be endangered by the miasma even if they approached the forest.
Now, only the indigenous tribe has a small amount of patchouli. I know that you are on good terms with them, so I came to ask you to help me buy some herbs together to relieve the urgent needs of the people in the city."
As he spoke, he clasped his hands together, bent slightly, and his eyes were full of sincerity.
After Xu Yichen finished speaking, Lin Xiyan's heart was filled with waves.
She knew that this matter could not be delayed any longer, so she quickly responded, "There is no time to lose, let's go find the clan leader right away."
The two of them hurried to the tribe. Along the way, Xu Yichen glanced at Lin Xiyan from time to time, his eyes full of curiosity and confusion.
"Ms. Lin, how can you be so sure that this is the flu?
I have consulted many doctors, but they are all baffled. I am truly impressed that a young girl like you has such insight at such a young age."
There was a hint of urgency in his voice, his footsteps were hurried, and his clothes fluttered in the wind.
Lin Xiyan's expression was solemn, her brows slightly furrowed, and she recalled the records of flu symptoms in ancient books in her mind. She explained while walking quickly:
"I've studied medical texts. The symptoms you describe—fever, cough, general fatigue, and high contagion—are consistent with influenza. If it spreads in this remote place, it would be a disaster."
As they spoke, they could already see the smoke rising from the tribe's tents. When the tribe's chief heard about the plague raging in the city, his eyes were filled with fear.
"What should we do? Although our tribe has some supplies, they are not much."
As he spoke, he led everyone into the storeroom, found a small basket of patchouli, and handed it to Xu Yichen, "Master Xu, take these first. I hope they can help you out of your immediate crisis."
Xu Yichen took it and looked at the few medicinal herbs, his brows furrowed and his face full of worry.
"Chief, this amount is far from enough. Please tell us where Patchouli grows. We need to collect more as soon as possible to curb the epidemic."
He clasped his hands together and spoke earnestly.
The patriarch sighed and pointed solemnly at the desolate forest in the distance filled with miasma.
"That forest is very dangerous, and we rarely set foot there. It will take only two quarters of an hour to walk in this direction."
"Okay, thank you, Chief."
Lin Xiyan turned to Xu Yichen and said:
"The two of us are definitely not enough right now. Come back to the camp with me to get some tools and helpers, and then we can explore the wild forest again."
"Okay, thank you Miss Lin over there!"
Lin Xiyan brought Xu Yichen back to the camp.
"Miss Lin is truly amazing! I never thought your Lin family could live such a prosperous life in this southern wilderness. You truly enjoy the joys of the countryside!"
Xu Yichen couldn't help but admire the lively scene of the camp.
I saw that the citrus trees beside the camp had already produced some small orange-yellow fruits, and the vegetables next to them were also green.
Smoke was rising from the campsite; Aunt Zhang was cooking.
"Xier is back! And she brought new friends with her?" Aunt Zhang greeted the handsome Xu Yichen with a smile.
"Aunt Zhang, this is Xu Yichen, the eighteenth generation head of the Xu Clinic in Nanyan City."
Lin Xiyan hurriedly introduced.
"Hello, Aunt Zhang!"
When Aunt Zhang heard his name and looked at this energetic young man, her smile became even wider.
"Okay, let's eat the braised pork rice cooked by Aunt Zhang later!"
Her aunt smiled, thinking secretly in her heart: I must talk to Madam Lin about Xu Yichen later. This young man is really good and a perfect match for our Xier!
"Aunt Zhang, I have something to do and I'll leave first."
She turned around and saw Jiang Moyu and Lin Muyi, and hurriedly took Xu Yichen over:
"Brother, Brother Mo Yu, I need you for something important now."
After they heard the whole story, they pondered for a moment.
Jiang Moyu returned to the house and took some explosive packs. He tightened the sword in his hand and nodded slightly: "There is no time to lose, let's go!"
Lin Muyi also took the crossbow his sister gave him: "Xi'er, don't worry, I'm here to protect you."
He patted his chest, raised his chin, and said confidently: "Let's go!"
Everyone prepared dry food and water and stepped into the wild forest.
As soon as they entered the forest, the pungent miasma hit them in the face. Lin Xiyan coughed lightly a few times and took out a handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose.
He took out three more and handed them to the three of them.
"Everyone, be careful. Remember to cover your mouth and nose. There are many dangers in this forest."
Lin Xiyan reminded in a low voice.
Xu Yichen walked in front, carefully searching for traces of Patchouli based on his understanding of the growth habits of herbs.
Suddenly, he stopped and pointed at a patch of grass and shouted excitedly, "Look, is that Patchouli?"
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly gathered around.
Lin Xiyan squatted down and looked at the green plants. The leaves were oval with serrated edges and emitted a faint fragrance. It was Patchouli.
She looked delighted and reached out to pick them.
At this moment, a hissing sound came from the grass, and a colorful poisonous snake suddenly jumped out, spitting out its tongue, and rushed straight to Lin Xiyan's face.
Jiang Moyu was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He swung the sword in his hand and accurately cut the poisonous snake's seven inches. The snake instantly collapsed to the ground, and its blood dyed the grass red.
"Xier, are you okay?"
He looked at Lin Xiyan with concern.
Lin Xiyan was still frightened and patted her chest: "I'm fine, thank you, Brother Mo Yu."
"I'm afraid this is a snake's den."
She saw the ground covered with snake fruits, which were the favorite food of snakes.
This place is humid and warm, very suitable for snakes and rats to survive.
The other three were also shocked when they heard this. Now that it was spring, snakes were more active.
"What should I do then?"
After he finished speaking, more rustling sounds came from the bushes.
Everyone was nervous and stared at the bushes.
Xu Yichen quickly took out a few packets of medicine powder from his backpack and said solemnly:
"This is insect repellent powder. Sprinkle it around and it should temporarily deter the snakes from approaching!"
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