Chapter 6 The Plague [Revised]
From the time the rebels entered the city in March until early June, official documents piled up like mountains.
In the beginning, Magistrate Su was able to handle some of it, but the more time passed, the more it piled up.
After he was executed by the rebels, these documents showed no signs of being touched.
However, the number of official documents decreased as time went on.
The news spread throughout the county.
External communication was also largely cut off.
Su Qing could only learn about the situation outside from scattered official documents and letters.
The Guangle Prefecture, where Nanjiang County is located, was basically in the hands of the rebels.
If it weren't for the timely arrival of the general dispatched by the imperial court, the local people would have suffered even greater calamities.
However, as of now, the areas south of Guangyue Prefecture have been basically recovered.
Beijiang County, located across the river from Nanjiang County, deals with matters on the brink of war.
In other words...
War is actually very close to them.
This is precisely why the position of prefect of Guangyue Prefecture has remained vacant for so long.
A colleague wrote to Magistrate Su, saying that the position was a hot potato.
Once they took over, they had to manage the economy, people's livelihoods, and even the logistics of the imperial army.
Such a thankless and arduous task was simply not something anyone would do.
Therefore, the position is left vacant.
This letter was sent a month ago.
The situation remains the same.
No wonder Guangyue Prefecture has been slow to send a new magistrate.
It's likely that the situation in other counties is even worse than in Nanjiang County, as they are too busy to manage them.
Su cleared her mind.
If nothing unexpected happens, she will be in charge for a long time.
Let's talk about it when the war is over and the imperial court has the capacity to govern the local areas.
The rebel army was quite powerful.
When the late emperor was alive, he was given the title of Prince of Martial Valor, which shows his abilities.
Later, the late emperor intended to strip Prince Wuyong of his military power, but before he could do so, he died and the crown prince ascended the throne.
Sure enough, as soon as the crown prince ascended the throne, the prince rebelled.
Su Qing couldn't help but sigh deeply.
What business is it of us common people if your royal family fights?
You don't share your power with us.
I heard that the general sent this time is also a member of the royal family.
"Go ahead and fight, just don't let it get to us." Su Qing pushed open the window.
The nights in July are not yet cool.
Looking at the starry sky reminded Su Qing of her childhood.
In her previous life, Su Qing was abandoned on the roadside when she was still an infant.
A passing barefoot doctor took pity on her and took her home to raise her; she was her only relative, her maternal grandmother.
When she was little, she listened to her grandmother tell many stories under a sky full of stars.
My maternal grandmother was born during the war years. She experienced battlefields and famines, learned to write at night school, and became a barefoot doctor after the war.
Just from my grandmother's description, I knew how terrifying war was.
Not to mention, she also had memories of war.
"Grandma, I will live well."
"Just like you were back then."
It's late at night.
Su Qing returned to her room, where a pair of new shoes were placed on the table.
Judging from the fine stitches, it must be Mei Niang's handiwork.
The next morning, Su Qing got up early.
Reports on the damage to houses and fields in various locations are needed today; she wants to see how to handle it.
The rebels knew they couldn't hold the city.
Before leaving, they would plunder valuables and food, and then burn down fields and houses.
If it weren't for the desperate efforts of the people to save the land, many families would have certainly suffered a complete crop failure.
Based on this alone, Su Qing wholeheartedly supported the imperial army.
At least they didn't burn, kill, or loot; in fact, they collected the corpses together for easier disposal.
That's right.
The corpse.
The imperial troops arrived in haste and left in a hurry.
Neither the bodies of the rebels nor those of our soldiers were buried.
It was only when the nearby villagers couldn't stand it anymore that they helped to calm things down.
Now that the government office has been formed, it naturally falls to them.
Su Qing looked at the list of damaged houses and fields.
Then there's the matter of cleaning up the bodies, and I'm having a headache, unsure which is more important.
After much deliberation, we decided to deal with the body first.
Although most of the bodies had been buried, some were buried too shallow and were soon abandoned by wild dogs.
Some rebel corpses were left to rot in the wilderness or thrown into the river.
Their Nanjiang County is right next to the river and they make a living from the docks. It's not a good thing that the body is in this area.
Su Qing arranged for people to bury those who needed burial and to relocate those who needed to be relocated.
After receiving the order, Officer Wu added, "Remember to clean up the rotting parts of the corpse thoroughly and disinfect them with strong liquor."
Having a barefoot doctor as her maternal grandmother, she was still somewhat wary.
Although using strong liquor is rather extravagant, disinfection is something that cannot be taken lightly, and there is enough food available now.
After arranging this matter, there was basically no one left in the government office.
Even Gu Congsi went out on business.
Strictly speaking, Gu Congsi, the scholar, was not an official of the government; he was just there to help out.
But since she was already there, Su Qing certainly wouldn't be polite.
Use it when you need to!
At a time like this, anyone who can do something is a good person.
Su Qing was unrestricted in his use of people, but Mei Niang muttered a few words: "Isn't it good to build relationships when we work together on errands?"
“When your father was studying, I was doing needlework by his side.”
Since we've come this far, Su Qing said, "The engagement with the Gu family probably won't happen."
Mei Niang immediately looked over.
Su Qing explained, "When my father was alive, the Gu family agreed, but Gu Congsi himself was unwilling."
"Now that Father is not here, I'm afraid he won't agree to either."
Gu Congsi passed the imperial examination at the age of sixteen and is now only twenty years old.
Passing the imperial examination and becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination) was practically a foregone conclusion.
They've found a better job elsewhere.
Mei Niang muttered a few words, but insisted that the marriage between the two would go through.
"Scholar Gu has agreed."
Mei Niang was very stubborn about this matter.
Su Qing understood what was going on.
With her father gone, finding a better marriage partner is extremely difficult.
Why not just marry Gu Congsi? It can't get any worse. Mei Niang couldn't wait to get married this year.
Su Qing shook her head firmly.
She's only sixteen in her life, okay?!
That's illegal!
In order to prevent Mei Niang from playing matchmaker again, Su Qing became even more businesslike when dealing with Gu Congsi.
Gu Congsi was puzzled. After reporting his mission, he prepared to ask what was going on.
As I walked over, I was drawn to Su Qing's calligraphy.
Gu Congsi rubbed his temples and said, "Magistrate Su has a few good calligraphy models that you can practice with."
Su Qing glanced at the characters, then at Scholar Gu.
I have to say, she has absolutely no foundation, and she hasn't inherited Su Xiaoqing's muscle memory, so self-study probably won't work.
Su Qing said, "I have no foundation, so I can't learn by copying."
Her muscle memory for writing is completely different from that for calligraphy.
They are completely different things.
Gu Congsi stared at him for a while, seemingly considering something important, before finally saying, "I'll teach you."
"Teach from the very basics."
Gu Congsi was a man of his word; he stepped forward to demonstrate how to exert force and how to write characters.
Su Qing nodded repeatedly and immediately began to follow along.
Half an hour later, Su Qing finally mastered how to write a few radicals.
Mei Niang, who came to deliver tea and snacks, covered her mouth and chuckled.
Now it was Su Qing who was rubbing her forehead.
After considering for a moment, Su Qing said nothing more and continued practicing calligraphy.
As dusk fell, a familiar young man appeared at the entrance of the yamen. His steps were unsteady, and he looked even more unsteady than Su Qing, who was in poor health.
Su Qing recognized him. The boy's name was Yunxi. He was twelve years old and had no parents. Magistrate Su took pity on him and made him work as a gatekeeper between the second hall and the main hall of the yamen.
When the war began, he disappeared without a trace, clearly sensing that things were not going well, and ran away on his own.
There are many such people, they are nothing special, and Su Qing doesn't care.
But when he came over with a pale face, she knew something was wrong.
"Big sister, please, please save me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yunxi collapsed to the ground. Gu Congsi tried to help him up, but Su Qing pulled him away.
Fortunately, Yunxi still had some strength and managed to fall down without getting injured.
Gu Congsi stared at Su Qing tugging at his sleeve, startled by Su Qing's cold tone: "Don't help him up."
Su Qing emphasized again: "He has contracted the plague, do not help him."
Plague?!
Gu Congsi couldn't believe it.
Su Qing pulled a handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose, and then found a spare one and handed it to Gu Congsi.
"Someone come here!"
"Go find a doctor!"
"Make room available, immediately!"
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