novelaction Chapter 439 He is coming!
Chapter 439 He is coming!
"Brother Zihe, everything will be alright. Since I'm here now, let's go check on the people's conditions together."
Zhao Zihe felt a headache coming on, but he was too weak to refute anything now. Just as she said, they had come all this way, so what else could they do?
Seeing Mu Xin Nuan's somewhat haggard appearance, Zhao Zi He hardened his heart. "Go and rest first, and go for your appointment tomorrow. It won't make a difference if you wait one more day. If you don't agree, I will immediately write a letter to the Prince and ask him to send someone to take you away."
Mu Xin Nuan was taken aback, but she knew that he was just concerned about her, so she had no choice but to give up. Since she was already here, a little longer wouldn't make a difference.
Two days later, both Mu Xin Nuan and Zhao Zi He had very solemn expressions.
Although the two were very reluctant to admit this fact, they had to acknowledge that Huayang County was indeed beginning to show signs of plague.
Zhao Zihe, having traveled extensively and gained considerable experience, had already drafted several proposals and instructed the local magistrates to implement them. Even so, the results might not necessarily be good.
"Whether they died of disease or not, their bodies must be burned. Also, tell the magistrate that everyone, whether civilians or soldiers, who has any opportunity to come into contact with the refugees must cover their mouths and noses. In addition, Brother Zihe, will burning artemisia have any effect?"
"There should be."
“Then we should uniformly fumigate any place where someone has died or where there are many refugees. Also, I heard that the furnace can also have this effect. Brother Zihe, we can give it a try.”
"This method is just a folk tale, but given our current shortage of medicinal herbs, we might as well give it a try."
Medicinal herbs are hard to find, but every household has furnace ash. In this way, a major problem is solved.
"In addition, it is important to note that whether it is river water or water from your own jar, it must be boiled completely before drinking. This can greatly reduce the number of infected people. Also, try to eat all food hot."
“Alright, I’ll write it down right away and then deliver it to the magistrate.” Zhao Zihe said as he wrote.
Before entering Huayang County, Mu Xin Nuan had already changed into men's clothing, while Rong Yue and Chun Yu were dressed in women's clothing.
Mu Xin Nuan was originally dressed as a man, but since she was served by maids, the magistrate of Huayang County felt somewhat disdainful, thinking she was just a spoiled young master. However, he was surprised to find that she actually had some ability, and in just a few days, the epidemic in Huayang County was brought under control.
“Anuan, we still don’t have enough medicinal herbs. Although you bought a lot of herbs before, there are five counties that need them. Right now, we only have enough herbs to last another four or five days at most. But the epidemic has only just been brought under control. We’ve tried the prescription, and it’s effective for most people. If we run out of medicine in four or five days, I’m afraid…”
Zhao Zihe didn't finish his sentence, but how could Mu Xinnuan not understand this principle?
Once an epidemic breaks out, it is simply impossible to completely control it in less than one or two months!
It's only been a few days. If the medicine runs out, all their previous efforts will have been in vain! The plague will still get out of control and start spreading to other places.
"Has there been any news from my older cousin?"
Rongyue shook her head with some worry, "They said the medicine would be delivered in the next few days, but we haven't heard anything at all. I don't know if the young master didn't gather the necessary ingredients or if there were any delays on the way."
Mu Xin Nuan sighed, "If there are delays on the way, that's a minor matter. I'm just afraid that someone will have their eyes on these medicines from the start, and that would be a real problem."
Zhao Zihe's expression changed; he naturally understood what Mu Xinnuan meant.
The governance of Yan is likely to involve other power struggles.
“Anuan, I wrote to several friends yesterday, hoping they could help raise some medicine. However, the letter was only sent yesterday, and even if they are willing to help, it won't be possible to deliver the medicine in the next few days.”
Mu Xin Nuan paced back and forth in the room, then her eyes lit up. "Let's go up the mountain! Brother Zi He, let's take the soldiers up the mountain to dig up herbs like Artemisia annua and Dichroa febrifuga. In short, we can collect any herbs that have similar effects. That way, we might be able to buy ourselves a few more days."
Zhao Zihe thought about it and agreed. Although the mountains here were mostly rocky, they weren't completely barren. If they searched carefully and put in some effort, they should be able to find some common medicinal herbs.
"Okay, I'll go prepare the manpower immediately and then go up the mountain to collect herbs."
Zhao Zihe had just reached the door when he turned back. "Anuan, just stay here and keep an eye on the medicine shed. Don't wander around. Although the epidemic is under control, we still need to be careful."
This was to prevent Mu Xin Nuan from going up the mountain, and also to keep her from going among the refugees, lest she contract the disease again.
"Okay, don't worry, Brother Zihe. I'll stay here and watch over you."
Although Mu Xin Nuan can be a bit resolute at times, she always keeps her word and is quite trustworthy. Therefore, Zhao Zi He is quite at ease about this.
However, what we imagine is beautiful, but reality is cruel.
Zhao Zihe and his group went up the mountain for two consecutive days, but the results were not satisfactory!
The amount of herbs gathered was pitifully small. It was already winter, so what was there left for people to gather?
Zhao Zihe's anxiety had already caused him a lot of distress.
Although Mu Xin Nuan was anxious, she knew that this couldn't go on. She couldn't contact Li Hao Ran, and the herbs she had were clearly much less readily available. With refugees in all five counties, it was impossible to source herbs from other places. Right now, the only solution she could think of was to rely on Duanmu Chu Ze.
Mu Xin Nuan carefully chose her words, her only intention being to tell him that the epidemic here was urgent and that she hoped he could find the necessary herbs and transport them to Huayang County as soon as possible to alleviate the immediate crisis.
Mu Xin Nuan didn't expect that Duanmu Chu Ze would arrive before the letter was even sent out.
When she learned that Duanmu Chuze had brought a large quantity of herbs with him on this trip, she was so happy that she couldn't speak! But when she met Duanmu Chuze's somewhat gloomy gaze, she realized that she had angered him!
Although Mu Xin Nuan had a gut feeling that she might be in trouble, her legs were weak and powerless. Several days of worry and sleepless nights had left her with no strength to escape. Not only did she fail to escape, but she also stumbled and fell directly into Duanmu Chu Ze's arms.