"Smallpox?" The crowd turned pale with shock.
Yang Mengchen understood that here, unlike modern times, smallpox was considered an incurable disease. Moreover, it could be transmitted via the respiratory tract and spread extremely quickly. Once a smallpox infection was discovered, the infected had to be immediately incinerated. Burial was not an option; the body had to be burned.
Struggling to stabilize his unsettled mind, Yang Cheng’an said in a deep voice, "Ninth Sister, I’ll go with you."
"I’m going too!" Long Ruoshui, Yao Chuanbai, and others almost chorused in unison.
After thinking it over, Yang Mengchen agreed to have Long Ruoshui accompany her. She then turned to Yao Chuanbai and instructed, "Dan Yang County is not too far from The Capital. If someone infected with smallpox runs to The Capital, the consequences would be unimaginable. Chuanbo, stay to handle emergency tasks."
"Yes, Master!"
Now Yao Chuanbai and Zhang Duheng’s medical skills and reputation far surpassed their time in the Imperial Hospital. Not to mention that common people respectfully referred to them both as Divine Doctors, even the Imperial Physicians acted deferentially in their presence. As long as Yao Chuanbai was in Huimin Hospital, the Imperial Physicians would come to discuss and consult on medical skills with him.
"I will teach you the method of inoculation. After this, you will no longer contract smallpox," Yang Mengchen said. "Once the matter in Dan Yang is resolved, we will proceed to develop vaccines for smallpox, chickenpox, and other diseases, thus reducing mortality."
The crowd nodded in agreement.
Yang Cheng’an knew his sister could understand the language of animals. There were no news in The Capital yet, but his sister had already learned about it in advance, presumably informed by the animals. Yao Chuanbai and the hospital staff had always revered Yang Mengchen like a deity, and Long Ruoshui, having heard a lot from Yang Cheng’an about Yang Mengchen’s deeds, believed she was extraordinary, so no one doubted the veracity of her information.
Before long, Hai Tang and Mo Mei brought the things Yang Mengchen needed.
Yang Mengchen began inoculating her own left arm with cowpox, while she explained the vaccination process and precautions to the others. Over the years, she had continuously kept her body trained. She felt slightly unwell after the inoculation but soon recovered, and the process went very smoothly.
Next were Hai Tang and the other four, followed by Yang Cheng’an and Yao Chuanbai’s group, and last were Sister Jin, Long Ruoshui, and her two maids. Aside from the two maids who initially felt a bit uncomfortable, the rest of the individuals had a relatively smooth experience.
Yang Mengchen explained the reactions to the inoculation and the methods of handling them, before repeatedly entrusting Yao Chuanbai, "Tomorrow, arrange for the hospital staff and their families, as well as a few other households to be inoculated. As for the Imperial Palace, I will speak to the Emperor in advance. You will personally take two assistants with you. Also, notify Duheng and the stewards at each hospital to commence comprehensive preventative measures."
The master was generous in sharing knowledge with them and always considered their employees’ well-being. Yao Chuanbai solemnly agreed, feeling touched in his heart.
In the afternoon, Long Xuanmo hurried back to the Prince Mansion and saw his wife preparing her travel pack, "Has Ah Jiu truly decided to go to Dan Yang County?"
"I cannot turn a blind eye to those in need," Yang Mengchen put down what she was doing and faced Long Xuanmo. "Wende, in fact, if people are treated in time, many won’t die. However, Hu Sheng not only refrains from finding a way to save the people but also intends to slaughter the entire Tieling Village. I cannot tolerate that!"
"This is the token the Emperor gave you, which grants you the authority to act first and report later. Moreover, he has also decreed five thousand soldiers for you to command," Long Xuanmo took out a gold token and passed it to his wife.
Upon receiving the urgent report of smallpox in Dan Yang County, he immediately thought of Ah Jiu, who could understand animal language; she must have already known about the situation. Both he and the Emperor had anticipated that Ah Jiu would not stand idly by, so the Emperor immediately granted her this token.
As he and the Emperor had guessed, Ah Jiu was indeed planning to go to Dan Yang County.
Yang Mengchen accepted the token and placed it in her satchel.
Embracing his wife firmly, his head buried in her neck, Long Xuanmo’s voice was hoarse, "Ah Jiu, you must return safely!"
"I’ve said that I want to grow old with you, so of course, I won’t let anything happen to me. Don’t worry," Yang Mengchen assured, her arms wrapped around Long Xuanmo’s waist.
Long Xuanmo hugged his wife tightly, remaining silent for a long time.
Feeling Long Xuanmo’s body tremble slightly, Yang Mengchen understood his concerns. She gently stroked his sturdy back, "I’ve taught Yao Chuanbai and the others a method to prevent smallpox infection. Tomorrow, he will arrange for everyone here at the mansion to be inoculated; also, tell your father to declare publicly that it’s the Emperor’s directive. Once the issue in Dan Yang County is resolved, I will develop a preventative vaccine, which will then be offered for free to all the citizens of the nation. After that, there will be no more fear of smallpox, chickenpox, or similar diseases."
Long Xuanmo still remained silent.
"Wende, you and the Emperor must take this matter seriously," Yang Mengchen urged. "To my knowledge, smallpox tends to spread faster during seasonal transitions. It’s winter now, not the season when smallpox usually rages. Look into the situation in Dan Yang County discreetly to see if there is anything unusual about the smallpox outbreak there."
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