On his way to Wuchuan, Lü Tu saw a large number of people fleeing from the area, their eyes filled with confusion and panic.
Even when they saw Lü Tu, they no longer had the same longing as before, and they lowered their heads and ran away as fast as they could.
Lu Tu glanced at the group and noticed that a few of the fleeing people had contracted smallpox and were being helped away or carried away on oxcarts.
However, judging from their poor condition, they seemed to be on the verge of death, and Lu Tu was powerless to save them.
He couldn't save so many people. If Yun Tian had listened to him back then and contained smallpox, at most a few people would have died, and this tragic situation would never have occurred.
Man-made disasters are often more terrifying than natural disasters.
It was impossible for Lü Tu to accept so many sources of plague, especially since smallpox had a 7-day incubation period. No one could say for sure whether any of these seemingly normal people were carrying the smallpox virus. This was why Lü Tu left the refugees who came to seek refuge outside the village for 10 days.
Without lingering, they rode swiftly to the south gate of Wuchuan, where Jia Dazhuang was nowhere to be seen.
Lu Tu called over a familiar-looking soldier: "Where is your Captain Jia?"
The soldier said in a panic, "Team Leader Jia has contracted smallpox and is at home."
Lu Tu's heart skipped a beat. Jia Dazhuang was a decent guy. Since he was going to take Wang Miaoling for treatment anyway, he might as well bring him along.
"Where does your Captain Jia live?"
"It's the fourth house in the east alley of the market. You mustn't go there, sir. It's almost full of smallpox patients."
Lu Tu nodded: "After you go back, use wood ash water to wash your face and hands."
"Thank you for your concern, sir. I understand."
The city was in complete chaos, with patients lying on the streets everywhere. Most of them had been abandoned by their families, and they were groaning in pain on the ground, scratching themselves incessantly. It was heartbreaking to see Lu Tu like this.
A large number of officers and soldiers were running quickly, seemingly carrying out some orders.
Lu Tu didn't bother with their affairs. In the current situation, as long as he could protect his own people and get through the plague smoothly, he would be fortunate enough to survive.
When he arrived at the Wang family mansion, there wasn't even a servant guarding the gate. Lu Tu pounded on the door for a long time before an old man shakily poked his head out.
Upon recognizing the visitor as Lü Tu, the old man was so moved that tears streamed down his face: "Lord Lü, you've come! Miss has been talking about you all this time; she knew you would come."
Upon hearing this, Lü Tu's mood worsened. Could it be that Wang Miaoling had fallen for him?
Too lazy to waste words with him, he led the horse through the gate and waved his hand: "Lead the way!"
After passing through three courtyards, this was Lu Tu's first time entering the Wang family's deep mansion. He was impressed by how grand and imposing the mansion truly was, befitting a wealthy family.
Upon arriving at Wang Miaoling's boudoir, the old man knocked on the door and respectfully said, "Young Miss... Young Miss, Lord Lü has arrived!"
The door was suddenly pulled open, and Cuiguo, her eyes red, ran out and knelt down in front of Lü Tu with a thud: "My lord, Cuiguo begs you, please save my young lady!"
Lu Tu nodded: "Prepare to pack Huanxi's clothes and money, and take your young lady away!"
"Where are you going, sir?"
"Come to my village, there's medicine there!"
Upon hearing the word "medicine," Cuiguo and the old butler, Uncle Fu, were overjoyed. They quickly responded with a "yes" and went to pack their things.
Meanwhile, Wang Miaoling, who was lying on the bed inside the room, also heard Lü Tu's words, and she tried with difficulty to sit up.
She met Lü Tu's gaze, tears streaming down her face: "Lord Lü..."
Seeing that smallpox had already spread to her neck, Lü Tu quickly stepped forward to support her: "Stop arguing, let's go."
"Sir, it's contagious."
Lu Tu was too lazy to explain to her. Before he came, he had already put on winter deerskin gloves for hunting, wore a mask, and covered himself with quicklime and wood ash. As long as he didn't have skin contact with Wang Miaoling, it would be fine.
Seeing her weak state, he dared not delay any longer. Lü Tu said in a deep voice, "I apologize for offending Miss Wang." He then picked her up and walked quickly outside.
He called out to Cuiguo, who was still busy, "Just take some changes of clothes, the most important thing is to take money with you!"
"Oh, sir, I'm here."
Cuiguo struggled to walk out carrying a bundle that was even bigger than herself, which was even tied together with three bed sheets.
On the other hand, Uncle Fu went even further, summoning 10 servants who carried five large boxes out with great effort.
He also apologized to Lü Tu, saying, "Sir, please take this with you for now. We really don't have enough manpower."
Lu Tu's eyelids twitched; the Wang family was far too wealthy.
Upon exiting the gate, they saw that Uncle Fu had already arranged for three carriages to be prepared. Lu Tu placed Wang Miaoling in the first carriage and instructed Uncle Fu, "You drive the carriages to Kuishan Village first. Cuiguo knows the way. I will go pick someone up and meet you soon."
Uncle Fu said solemnly, "I understand, sir."
Lu Tu still had to pick up Jia Dazhuang, so he led Xiao Hei and ran towards the market.
They quickly found him at Jia Dazhuang's house, and once inside, it was a completely different world from the Wang family's.
In the dimly lit room, Jia Dazhuang was lying on a wooden bed that was only wide enough for one person. Beside him were two children, a boy and a girl, who were squatting there carefully feeding him water with a spoon.
Upon seeing the stranger Lü Tu barge in, the boy laboriously raised Jia Dazhuang's sword and timidly warned, "You're not allowed to bully my father anymore!"
Jia Dazhuang's condition was very bad, even worse than Wang Miaoling's, and he had already fallen into a deep sleep.
Lu Tu waved to the two children: "I am Lu Tu, have you heard my name before?"
The two children exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up: "Are you really Lord Lü? My father has mentioned you before."
Lu Tu laughed and said, "Since you know me, that's good. Now I'm taking your father to get treatment. You should come with my uncle and not stay here."
The girl, clearly the older sister, stepped forward and said, "Even the second aunt next door died from this illness. Sir, can you save my father?"
Lu Tu nodded. Jia Dazhuang's son and daughter were brave and resourceful, unlike ordinary children.
"I can even kill the Wuhuan cavalry, let alone save your father? Don't you believe me?"
"I beg you, sir, to save my father!"
"You two climb onto the horse's back, I'll carry your dad."
As he spoke, Lü Tu picked up Jia Dazhuang and put him on the horse's back. There was nowhere for him to sit, so he could only lead the horse and run towards the south gate.
Upon arriving at the South Gate, the soldier who had been there earlier immediately stopped Lü Tu and then brought out a horse from somewhere, saying, "Lord Lü, please ride this horse."
Lu Tu looked at him with some emotion. There are many people who add flowers to brocade, but few who offer charcoal in the snow. Looking at the still somewhat inexperienced young soldier, Lu Tu asked, "Do you still have any relatives at home?"
"No!"
"Then what kind of job are you doing here? Ride your horse and come with me!"
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