Chapter 965 Westward Exit from Yumen?
Li San Niang possessed exceptional senses, and she initially failed to notice the man's unusual behavior.
However, as her eyes swept over the caravan of foreign merchants, she noticed that this man was different from the others; he had pulled the scarf he used to shield his head from the sun and sand up to his neck.
This reveals the person's face!
Even though most of the foreign man's face was covered by his beard, his flushed face and slightly scarlet eyes still made Li San Niang stop and take a second look.
The more Li Sanniang looked at it, the more she felt something was wrong.
She couldn't help but put on her scarf and walk closer to take a look. When she looked from a distance of about ten feet, Li San Niang's heart became heavy.
When Brother Shaoyang saw that Li Sanniang did not reply to him, he looked up and went to look for her.
Seeing that Li San Niang was heading towards the caravan, he followed her to take a look.
"What's wrong? What did you see?"
Walking up to Li Sanniang and following her gaze, Senior Brother Shaoyang also saw the strange-looking foreign man.
Qiu Xiang has been by Li San Niang's side for more than ten years. Although she is not very good at treating patients, she still knows a little about the ins and outs.
Therefore, at this moment, she could naturally tell that this foreigner was sick, and most likely it was a plague!
Why do I say that?
Because when Li San Niang paused, many people in the caravan turned to look at her. Anyone who saw her bloodshot, scarlet eyes would think something was wrong!
Only epidemic diseases are contagious!
"Senior brother!"
"That's right, that's the time!"
Li San Niang saw a man with a Han Chinese hairstyle walking towards her, who looked like the manager of the caravan. She quickly tied her scarf tighter and covered her mouth and nose.
"Qiu Xiang, take my fish-shaped tally and go to the front to find the local garrison and the general who can make decisions. Tell them to lock the pass immediately!"
Li San Niang took off the fish-shaped tally from her waist and handed it to Qiu Xiang, saying, "If the garrison doesn't agree, don't bother them. Go find the local ruffians and let them take action directly!"
Li San Niang looked at the man who had already walked three steps away from her and who could clearly understand Mandarin, but she still spoke to Qiu Xiang.
"Who would have thought that we would encounter someone who is clearly infected with the plague right outside the Yumen Pass!"
This is urgent, we need to act quickly!
We must lock the gate immediately!
The population inside the pass is huge. If they were all allowed to go there, the spread of the epidemic would be unimaginable!
Qiu Xiang, however, dared not leave, holding Li San Niang's fish-shaped tally. She drew her Emei sword from her sleeve and looked at the man with a foreign face but a Han Chinese hairstyle and clothes.
At the same time, Lao Shi also placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, stepped forward, and stood in front of Li San Niang and Senior Brother Shao Yang.
"Madam, it's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!"
The man stopped in his tracks the moment Qiu Xiang brandished her weapon and offered this explanation.
“My name is An Yan, and I am the manager of this caravan.”
I noticed that this woman had been staring at Kang Ada for a long time, so I thought I'd come over and ask if she had something to say.
Or perhaps the lady has taken a fancy to our caravan's goods? Wants to discuss a deal?
Li San Niang was certain that this person had overheard her conversation with Qiu Xiang, but at this moment, the caravan manager named An Yan didn't say anything, only asking other questions, which showed that he was indeed quite cunning.
"Don't worry, I am an official of the Tang Dynasty, and I am here at this pass. There are also Tang troops stationed here. They dare not do anything to me."
Go quickly!
I wonder if any sick caravans crossed the border before we arrived!
Urged on by Li San Niang, Qiu Xiang had no choice but to say, "Then San Niangzi must stay behind Lao Shi! Don't go forward anymore!"
I've called for help, and I'll be right back!
Li San Niang nodded and agreed to Qiu Xiang's request.
Qiu Xiang then took Li San Niang's fish tally, mounted her horse, turned it around, and galloped towards the pass they had just come from.
"My lady, what's wrong...?"
Seeing that Qiu Xiang had left, Li San Niang then told Lao Shi, who was standing in front of her and her senior brother Shao Yang, to step back and move away from An Yan.
After the three of them had retreated five or six steps and were a sufficient distance from An Yan, Li San Niang loudly addressed An Yan: "I am a physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Great Tang Dynasty, and my name is Li Mingfang!"
I noticed that the man in your caravan, whom you call Kang Ada, looked unusual; upon closer inspection, it seemed to be a sign of an epidemic!
I order you to line up and stop for inspection by me and my colleagues. If there is nothing wrong, you will be allowed to enter the country to do business!
If anything happens, you'll have to follow my instructions!
Now, step back and return to the caravan to inform the leader!
After saying this, under An Yan's conflicted gaze, Li San Niang took out her official travel document from her chest, raised it high and shouted at An Yan: "This is my official travel document. You just saw with your own eyes that my fish tally was taken by my subordinates to find the garrison. This document can also prove my identity!"
I'll say it one last time: step back. Go back and tell the caravan leader to bring the entire caravan to a halt and await my inspection!
In these last few words, Li San Niang's voice had taken on an official air, no longer the peaceful tone it had before.
The man stood there stunned for a few moments. Under Li Sanniang's cold gaze, before Yu Laoshi's already drawn long sword, he finally bowed and saluted, replying, "Yes!"
Li San Niang and the other two went to stand by the roadside and wait.
Li San Niang believed that the local garrison would not ignore her fish-shaped tally!
It should be noted that during the great war with the Western Turks, any soldier who was wounded on the battlefield had to be treated by physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau.
Therefore, the soldiers and officers here must know about the Imperial Medical Bureau and understand the importance of the physicians!
If the garrison here had ever been to Chang'an or had any acquaintance with the local medical officers, they would surely know the name of Li Mingfang!
That's just how confident Li San Niang is!
In that case, someone will surely come to ask her about it. As long as she explains the situation, she will definitely be able to persuade the garrison commander to block Yumen Pass!
What is an epidemic?
It is a general term for infectious diseases that occur in humans and animals!
The terrifying aspect of various epidemics lies in their prevalence and transmissibility!
As the Tang Dynasty flourished, the Silk Road, which led to the Western Regions, became extremely prosperous, boosting commerce along the route.
This is a good thing!
However, there are two sides to every story. With thriving commerce, there is a large flow of people. If an epidemic breaks out here, just a few people could infect thousands or tens of thousands of people along the way!
At that time, this thriving trade route will probably be filled with bones everywhere!
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