"Alright, let's stay at this inn for now, and then send someone to inquire where the master and young master are staying." The old lady looked worried.
She came from Nanyang Prefecture. The head of the household was surnamed Zhong. Master Zhong was over fifty years old, and the old lady was his first wife. Master Zhong had a very large business and was in good health, so he often traveled with merchant ships.
There had never been any mishaps before, but this time when he went to the north to do business, he suddenly fell seriously ill. He originally wanted to rush back to the prefectural city to find Dr. Lang for treatment, but for some reason he was stopped in Shanshui Town and could not return. Hearing that Master Zhong was very ill and even his son had been infected, Madam Zhong could not sit still at home and came to Shanshui Town to pick him up.
Unfortunately, the situation was worse than she had imagined. The servants had not yet found out any news about Master Zhong and his son, and did not know where they were staying.
Merchant ships heading north to transport goods all know that there is a disaster in the north. Even though Master Zhong did not go to the disaster-stricken prefecture, he was still besieged by refugees, and the cargo on the ship was almost looted.
According to the old lady, losing the goods would mean losing money, but saving her life would be enough.
Madam Zhong was destined to have a sleepless night. Fortunately, at the crack of dawn, the people she sent out brought news. The guard said, "Madam, the master and young master have not gone ashore. They have been on the boat. I heard that the government officials are not allowing them to go ashore."
"This is outrageous! Why can't people disembark and why are merchant ships kept so far away?" Old Madam Zhong slammed her fist on the table in anger.
The guard opened his mouth, then lowered his voice with difficulty and said, "Madam, the people who came to gather information said that the master and young master have both contracted the plague."
"What? Is this true?" The old lady's face turned pale, and she felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, almost fainting.
"Madam, are you alright? Don't frighten me!" the maid exclaimed, supporting her.
The old lady didn't dare to faint at this moment. She forced herself to look at the guard and signaled him to explain himself.
"The dock is guarded day and night, for fear that people infected with the disease will sneak ashore and infect the villagers in the town. Everyone who comes ashore is strictly checked, and there are doctors to take their pulses and make diagnoses. The master and young master have been stuck on the boat. The magistrate has ordered that they are not allowed to return to the prefectural city. They can only go back after the epidemic is cured," the guard said.
"Will the disease be cured if we stay on the ship? Isn't that going to kill people?" The old lady clutched her chest, looking as if she might collapse at any moment.
"Some time ago, the government ordered that all villagers in the south should go into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs. These herbs are for treating epidemic diseases, so there is no shortage of medicine. Every day, someone delivers medicine to the master and young master on time."
Even so, the old lady was still very worried, but with the government blocking her way, she was helpless and couldn't think of a way to bring her husband and son back.
Zhou and his group also learned of the news, and they were surprised that so much had happened in just two days since they left.
“I heard that those boats have been docked for many days, and many people on board have contracted the disease. We only found out late. I’m worried that those people who have contracted the disease might be living on the boats and dumping unclean things into the river, and that the villagers might get infected through the river water.” Chen Shunping said with a solemn expression.
"I think we should close the tavern for now and reopen it after the epidemic is over, so we don't have to live in constant fear," Zhao Guihua said to Zhou Laoda.
Boss Zhou nodded in agreement, "Staying alive is the most important thing. We can always earn less money."
"No, really no, other shops haven't closed yet. There are officials guarding the dock every day, nothing will happen." Zhao Guizhi disagreed with closing the tavern. The business had just gotten on track, how could it be closed so easily?
After some debate, Zhou Laoda and Zhao Guihua finally gave in to Zhao Guizhi and Chen Shunping and agreed to continue operating the tavern.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
