plague
...
Doctor Wang slowly woke up, his cloudy eyes looking around blankly before finally settling on Xu Qingyao.
He struggled to sit up, but Xu Qingyao gently pressed him down.
"Sir, please don't move. Your heart condition just flared up, so you need to rest."
"Miss...who are you?"
Doctor Wang's voice was weak, tinged with surprise and doubt. In his decades of medical practice, he had never seen such a rapid and effective treatment; the potency of the medicine was unheard of.
"A passerby with some medical knowledge."
Xu Qingyao avoided the main point and instead asked, "Old man, when did this epidemic begin? What were the initial symptoms?"
Doctor Wang composed himself and replied, panting:
"About half a month ago, several people who fled from the north began to have fevers and rashes. At first, I thought it was just common smallpox, but who knew... who knew it would spread so quickly and be so virulent? Within three to five days, some people died... We have already run out of medicine, and I... I am powerless..."
As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
[Pathogen analysis complete. Confirmed to be a smallpox variant, transmissible through droplets and contact, with a short incubation period and enhanced virulence. Targeted inhibitor formulation and preventative measures have been generated.] The system notification sounded in Xu Qingyao's mind.
Xu Qingyao felt somewhat relieved; it was good that there was a solution. She looked at Xiao Zhouyan and whispered quickly, "The epidemic is fierce and must be controlled immediately, otherwise Yunzhou will be in danger, and the army will not be spared either. I need manpower, medicine, and a relatively isolated place."
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Zhouyan immediately ordered his personal guards: "Send a team to assist the Lady in isolating the patients and maintaining order. Take my token and immediately enter the city to see the Prefect of Yunzhou, explain the epidemic situation, and order him to immediately send the necessary medicines, lime, and cloth here! Any delay will be punished according to military law!"
"Yes!" The guard accepted the order, mounted his horse, and galloped toward the gates of Yunzhou.
Xiao Zhouyan then looked at Xu Qingyao, his gaze grave:
"you……"
"I know what I'm doing."
Xu Qingyao knew what he was going to say and interrupted, "I won't easily get sick. The most urgent thing is to control the epidemic, otherwise none of us will be able to enter Yunzhou, let alone rush to the aid of the northern frontier."
She turned to face the anxious refugees and raised her voice: "Fellow villagers! I am a doctor! This epidemic is preventable and curable! We need everyone's help to divide the patients into groups according to their severity, and the healthy should assist in burning the belongings of the dead and cleaning and disinfecting. Everyone should keep their distance from others and wash their hands with boiling water! As long as we work together, we will surely overcome this calamity!"
Her composure and the methods she used to treat Doctor Wang were like a shot in the arm for the panicked crowd.
With the guards brought by Xiao Zhouyan beginning to maintain order and divide areas in an orderly manner, the refugee camp gradually shifted from chaos to a tense but orderly state.
Based on the formula provided by the system, Xu Qingyao directed those who were still able to move to set up large pots, burn lime water for disinfection, and then centrally manage patients with mild symptoms, personally preparing and distributing preliminary inhibitory drugs.
She moved swiftly and gave clear instructions, as if she were used to this kind of epidemic.
Xiao Zhouyan stood aside, watching her move among the patients. Her plain dress stood out against the gloomy camp.
She would sometimes bend down to examine the patients' conditions, and sometimes whisper to comfort the panicked people. Her composure and confidence were unlike any other doctor he knew.
The question about her "secret" resurfaced in his mind, but this time, it was more of an indescribable trust and... pride.
Upon receiving the news, the prefect of Yunzhou dared not delay and quickly dispatched people to deliver the first batch of urgently needed medicines and supplies.
Upon seeing Xiao Zhouyan's token and the severe epidemic situation outside the city, the prefect broke out in a cold sweat and personally went outside the city to coordinate the situation.
With the intervention of the government and sufficient supplies, the epidemic prevention work was able to proceed rapidly.
Xu Qingyao handed over the more comprehensive epidemic prevention procedures and drug formulas provided by the system to Dr. Wang and several local medical officers for their implementation.
She focused on treating critically ill patients and handling complex cases.
As night fell, bonfires were lit in the refugee camp, and the air was filled with the smells of medicine and lime water.
Although painful groans could still be heard, the desperate panic had lessened considerably.
Xu Qingyao rubbed her temples wearily. The continuous high-intensity use of the system's abilities had left her feeling somewhat exhausted.
A warm cloak was draped over her shoulders. Xiao Zhouyan appeared beside her at some point and handed her a water pouch: "Drink some water and rest for a bit."
Xu Qingyao took the water pouch, took a sip, and the warm water soothed her dry throat.
She looked up at Xiao Zhouyan, whose dark robes appeared even more somber in the firelight, and a hint of worry lingered between his brows.
"The epidemic has been initially brought under control, but it needs time to be observed. We're afraid we'll have to stay here for a few more days," Xu Qingyao said.
“It’s alright.” Xiao Zhouyan looked at the well-organized quarantine zone in the distance. “You’ve done an excellent job. After this incident, the Yunzhou government no longer dares to be perfunctory, and the displaced people’s emotions have stabilized. This is more effective than us forcibly entering the city.”
He paused, then said in a low voice, "But thank you for your hard work."
Xu Qingyao shook her head slightly: "It's all I can do." She looked up at the northern night sky, the direction where the Black Stone Tribe and the Li Kingdom were eyeing her covetously. "I just hope that the northern frontier... can buy us some more time."
Just then, a guard who had been sent to gather information hurriedly returned, reporting with a grave expression:
"General, Madam! We have just received news that the imperial envoy dispatched by the court has crossed the Longshan Mountains and is expected to arrive in Yunzhou in five days at the earliest! Moreover... the chief envoy is Li Ming, the Vice Minister of Revenue, a confidant of the Fifth Prince! The deputy envoy is... the same official from the Ministry of Justice who caused trouble in Liangzhou before!"
Xu Qingyao and Xiao Zhouyan exchanged a glance.
The imperial envoy arrived sooner than expected! And it was none other than our mortal enemy!
The original plan to stabilize Yunzhou and secretly contact the old troops in the northern frontier was disrupted by the epidemic and the upcoming imperial envoy.
They must adjust their strategy immediately. Their time is truly running out.
...
The campfires in the refugee camp flickered in the night, illuminating the solemn faces of Xiao Zhouyan and Xu Qingyao.
The arrival of the imperial envoy was like a sword hanging over their heads, shattering their original plan to stabilize Yunzhou and secretly lay the groundwork for their cause under the guise of the pandemic.
"Five days later..."
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes were deep and dark. "Li Ming is a man who is good at changing his tune and guessing the emperor's intentions. He must have received a death order from the Fifth Prince to solidify my crimes and take control of the military affairs in the Northern Frontier."
Xu Qingyao frowned: "We are now trapped in the epidemic area outside the city. If the imperial envoy arrives and uses the epidemic as an excuse to block the roads, or even accuses us of spreading the plague or plotting something under the guise of the epidemic, we will have no way to defend ourselves."
“That’s right.” Xiao Zhouyan nodded. “Therefore, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our doom.”
His sharp gaze swept across the camp. "The epidemic must be brought under control as soon as possible. We must also enter Yunzhou City before the imperial envoy arrives and seize the initiative."
He pondered for a moment, then said to Xu Qingyao, "Qingyao, we still need you to stay here to oversee the epidemic prevention and control efforts. At the very least, you must stabilize the situation and prevent the epidemic from spreading into the city. I will have most of my personal guards remain to be at your command and protect your safety."
"And what about you?" Xu Qingyao asked.
"I'll take a few men and enter the city tonight."
Xiao Zhouyan's tone was resolute, "The Prefect of Yunzhou's attitude is ambiguous. I must go to see him in person and explain the situation. If we can win him over, we will have a foothold in Yunzhou. If not..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "but we must at least make him dare not easily side with the Imperial Envoy."
This is going to be a risky move.
With the situation inside Yunzhou City unclear and the governor's stance undecided, Xiao Zhouyan's entry into the city at this moment would be tantamount to venturing into a tiger's den alone.
"It's too dangerous."
Xu Qingyao instinctively grabbed his sleeve.
Xiao Zhouyan grasped her slightly cool fingers in his hand, his grip steady: "Don't worry, there are still some of my old troops in the Yunzhou garrison, it's not a den of dragons or tigers. Besides..."
He lowered his voice, "Only in this way can we place our pieces before the imperial envoy."
Xu Qingyao knew he was right.
Hesitation now would mean total defeat. She took a deep breath, released her grip, and her eyes regained their composure: "Okay. Be careful. Leave the pandemic situation to me."
Xiao Zhouyan gave her a deep look, said nothing more, turned around and selected four of his best guards, led the horses, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night leading to the gates of Yunzhou City.
Xu Qingyao gazed in the direction he had left, composed herself, and refocused all her energy on epidemic prevention and control.
The better he does on his side, the less pressure Xiao Zhouyan will face in the city.
She continuously optimized the drug formula and epidemic prevention procedures based on the system, personally supervised the preparation and distribution of the medicine, and focused on taking care of critically ill patients.
Seeing her superb medical skills and fair dealings, Dr. Wang and several local medical officials gradually followed her lead. The refugees were also filled with gratitude and trust for this "female bodhisattva" who suddenly appeared and saved their lives.
The camp is becoming increasingly orderly, and the spread of the epidemic has been effectively contained.
*
Meanwhile, in the study of the Prefect's residence in Yunzhou City.
As Zhao Rucheng, the prefect of Yunzhou, looked at Xiao Zhouyan, who had come uninvited and broken into the government office at night, fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
He forced a smile: "General Xiao... General Xiao, what brings you here so late at night?"
Xiao Zhouyan didn't mince words and went straight to the point: "Prefect Zhao, you must already know about the epidemic outside the city. I was passing through this area and did my best to bring it under control. However, the imperial envoy is coming soon. If the epidemic is not over by then, or even spreads into the city, I'm afraid you will lose your position as prefect."
Zhao Rucheng's face turned pale.
How could he not know the stakes involved? It's just...
"The general is absolutely right. I have fully cooperated in allocating supplies..."
"not enough."
Xiao Zhouyan interrupted him, his gaze sharp, "Prefect Zhao knows perfectly well what Imperial Envoy Li Ming's intentions are. If he arrives in Yunzhou and finds the epidemic raging and public resentment boiling over, the first person he will hold accountable is you, the local official!"
At that point, will he listen to your explanation? Or will he seize the opportunity to shift the blame onto both of us, confirming my guilt of "delaying military operations" and your guilt of "mismanagement"?
Zhao Rucheng broke out in a cold sweat.
Xiao Zhouyan's words hit the nail on the head.
He didn't want to get involved in the conflict between the Fifth Prince and Xiao Zhouyan, but the current situation is pressing. If he doesn't handle the epidemic well, he will be the first to suffer.
"Then... in the General's opinion, what should be done?"
Zhao Rucheng's tone softened.
Xiao Zhouyan knew the time was right and said in a deep voice:
"The most urgent task is to completely eradicate the epidemic and stabilize public morale. My wife is skilled in medicine and can oversee epidemic prevention, but I need your full support, Prefect, to stabilize the city, strictly prevent the importation of the epidemic, and provide everything necessary."
Once the epidemic subsides and public morale stabilizes, when the imperial envoy arrives, there will be no grounds for accusation. At that time, you will be seen as a meritorious official who assisted me in stabilizing the region, not a guilty and derelict official awaiting punishment.
He paused, his tone softening, yet carrying a deeper strength: "As for the Fifth Prince... His Majesty sent the imperial envoy to reward the troops and stabilize the border, not to incite internal strife. If the arrival of the imperial envoy leads to instability on the border, or even allows the Li Kingdom to take advantage of the situation, can Li Ming bear that responsibility? And what will His Majesty think?"
Zhao Rucheng was shocked and finally understood Xiao Zhouyan's meaning.
This was meant to get him to side with Xiao Zhouyan, using the credit for eradicating the epidemic to offset potential criticism from the imperial envoy, while also implying that His Majesty might not fully support the Fifth Prince's suppression of Xiao Zhouyan, and that border stability was the top priority.
After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Rucheng quickly made his choice.
He bowed and said, "This humble official understands! Everything will be done according to the general's orders! I will immediately take care of the epidemic prevention and the allocation of supplies within the city, and I will not dare to make any mistakes! Please rest assured, General and Madam, Yunzhou City will not be in chaos!"
Xiao Zhouyan nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Prefect Zhao."
**
Over the next three days, Yunzhou City coordinated efforts both inside and outside the city, and the epidemic prevention work was carried out efficiently.
With the full cooperation of Prefect Zhao Rucheng, medicinal materials were continuously sent out of the city, and strict controls were implemented within the city to prevent the importation of the epidemic.
Thanks to Xu Qingyao's accurate judgment and effective prescriptions, the spread of the epidemic was successfully contained. The condition of critically ill patients stabilized, mild cases recovered one after another, and there were no new deaths.
The refugee camps even began organizing those who had recovered physically to do simple work to restore order.
On the evening of the fourth day, the last batch of close contacts were released from observation, and the epidemic was declared over. The displaced people were moved to tears and kowtowed repeatedly in the direction where Xu Qingyao was.
On that very day, Xiao Zhouyan received a secret report that Imperial Envoy Li Ming's entourage had arrived thirty miles outside Yunzhou City and would be able to enter the city the next day.
The timing was perfect.
Xiao Zhouyan and Xu Qingyao reunited by the dying campfire. In just a few days, both of them had shown signs of hardship, but also a deeper understanding and unwavering resolve.
"Are you ready?" Xiao Zhouyan asked.
Xu Qingyao looked at the majestic outline of Yunzhou City in the distance and nodded: "Ready."
...
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