Soldiers are human too! And soldiers in this era are not as hardworking, dedicated, disciplined, and responsible as soldiers in modern times.
Some of them came to fill their stomachs, some were following in their fathers' footsteps, and others were serving in the military. There were only about fifty soldiers in the entire county. Some were responsible for guarding the city gates, some for patrolling, and the county government office also needed personnel. These soldiers were already just enough. Sending more people to fight floods and rescue people was really asking too much of them.
Later, it was Master Li who came up with an idea: "The laborers who participate in flood relief and rescue can be exempted from this winter's corvée labor," which led many people to sign up.
Even with a large number of people participating in flood relief efforts, they are powerless in the face of natural disasters and floods. They can only hope that the rain will stop soon and the floodwaters will recede so that they can begin rescue operations.
Rescue efforts are temporarily unavailable, but epidemic prevention work can still be carried out.
Burning Atractylodes lancea for disinfection; urging the public to clean their homes, not to eat the meat of dead animals, and to drink only water with added disinfectant; if a suspected case is found, to immediately isolate the patient, cover their mouth and nose, and avoid direct contact; the clothing of infected family members must be disinfected by boiling at high temperatures…
These epidemic prevention methods couldn't be explained to the people trapped in the mountains near the village. In the end, it was our county magistrate, who was exceptionally skilled in archery, who personally went to the places he could reach and shot the epidemic prevention methods written on paper across the flood with an arrow. As for how much of what those who received the letter could do, or whether they were literate, that was not his concern. Isn't it said that a local official is more powerful than a county magistrate?
At least he did some practical things for the people, which gave him some comfort.
The rain stopped, and Magistrate Tang once again submitted a memorial on the current situation of Caolu County. In fact, he had submitted several memorials during the drought, but Yue Jiuyue's discovery of sweet potatoes was both his strength and his weakness. Because he was eager to achieve his goals, he had excitedly reported Yue Jiuyue's discovery of sweet potatoes to the emperor. Now that a drought had occurred, many ministers in the court were using this as an excuse to withhold disaster relief grain from Caolu County and even Chaoyang Prefecture. He was truly helpless.
Later, a locust plague occurred, and Magistrate Tang also submitted a memorial. As soon as news of the earthquake reached the county government, he had not gone far from the county town when his carriage got stuck in a mud pit and could not get out. He had no choice but to turn back to the county town. On the one hand, he sent people to check the earthquake situation, and on the other hand, he submitted a memorial with the good news of the long-awaited rain.
Fortunately, the earthquake mainly occurred in the neighboring county. In Caolu County, only a small village on the outskirts was affected. Half of the houses collapsed, and some people were injured, but no one died.
Before he could even feel relieved, what everyone thought was good news turned into bad news.
The heavy rains continue, floodwaters are forming, and a major flood disaster is imminent!
This was like a bolt from the blue! It struck Magistrate Tang so hard that his soul left his body and he ascended to heaven!
So his life as a county magistrate was anything but miserable!
"Sir, it's time to take your medicine!"
A servant carried a packet of Laozi's Divine Powder, which the cook had prepared, and gently placed it on the desk in front of Magistrate Tang, whispering a reminder.
"Yes, make sure everyone in the manor drinks a bowl. You go and drink one too!"
Magistrate Tang came to his senses, waved his hand weakly, and dismissed the servant.
He picked up the bowl, gave a silent, bitter laugh, and then tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp.
Sigh! Being a county magistrate is this hard! I can't even imagine how hard it must have been for his father!
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