Chapter 1402: Extra 28: Plague
After the dyke in Wei Zhou broke, it took another half a month for the floodwaters to gradually recede. Just as hundreds of thousands of disaster-affected people were getting ready to rebuild their homes with the relief grain provided by the Court, a calamitous crisis quietly descended upon them.
The flood had drowned a large number of animals that failed to escape in time. These animal carcasses, under the effects of high temperatures, slowly rotted away, producing a putrid liquid that seeped into the grass, mud, and rivers... Gradually, some amongst the disaster-affected people began to develop symptoms like fever and coughing.
"You want to go to Weicheng? No, I won’t allow it!" In the bedroom, as soon as Xiao Ruiyuan heard his wife’s intentions of going to the perilous prefect city of Wei Zhou, Weicheng, he refused without a second thought.
Although the floodwaters in Wei Zhou had already receded, who could say what other dangers might be lurking there? In preparation against epidemics that might follow such a great disaster, the Court had already dispatched two Imperial Physicians there a few days ago. Even though there was no news of an epidemic yet, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t want his wife to take even the slightest risk.
Seeing his wife with her head lowered, saying nothing, Xiao Ruiyuan realized his tone was wrong. He softened his expression and gently asked, "Why on earth do you want to go to Weicheng? If you feel cooped up and want to get out for a bit, I can accompany you somewhere else for a change of scenery. Once there’s no danger in Weicheng, I’ll accompany you there. How does that sound?"
Mo Yan had anticipated her husband’s disapproval, but with Wei Zhou not yet hit by the epidemic, she couldn’t give a compelling reason that would necessitate her going. She had to come up with an excuse, "It’s not for leisure. I heard that many people in Wei Zhou have fallen sick due to damp and cold. I just wanted to bring a batch of medical supplies and offer free consultations for a month. Please, let me go. Consider it as accumulating virtues for our family."
If nothing unexpected happened, an epidemic would break out in Wei Zhou in at most ten days. Wei Zhou was so vast, and the epidemic would not be limited to a single location. She was no deity capable of eradicating the disease at its source. She could only come up with remedies to contain the epidemic and treat the patients once it erupted based on the symptoms.
Hearing this, Xiao Ruiyuan was even less inclined to agree. Holding his wife, he tried to persuade her, "Over the years, you’ve donated rice and grain to the poor, and you’ve arranged for free consultations on the streets at the beginning of every month. You’ve accumulated enough good deeds for our family already. You’ve also donated food and medical supplies to the people of Wei Zhou. What can be done has been done; you don’t necessarily have to go in person. Our Fifth Small just turned one month old; can you really bear to leave him behind?"
Mentioning their youngest son, a look of reluctance passed over Mo Yan’s face. With a heavy heart, she said, "I can’t bear to leave Fifth Small behind, but I fear the situation in Wei Zhou might change, so I need to go there myself to be assured."
Unable to change his wife’s mind with their youngest son, Xiao Ruiyuan was at his wit’s end. With a shake of his head, he had no choice but to compromise, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll make a written request to the Court and accompany you to Wei Zhou."