Situ Yan split his forces into several paths.
Some were tasked with flood control, others with disaster relief, and he also contacted the Governor of Huguang to suppress bandits and maintain public order. Coupled with the continuous arrival of grain from various regions, Situ Yan's disaster relief efforts proceeded smoothly.
Just as the heavy rain began to subside and the great task was almost complete, an epidemic broke out in the lower reaches of the Yellow River.
Situ Yan immediately ordered the city to be sealed. Emperor Changwu could no longer sit still; before the Crown Prince could react, he dispatched most of the imperial physicians, even sending Ji Jin to the front lines. Ji Jin was initially reluctant. He worried about Emperor Changwu's health and had intended to recommend Mo Sang to the Emperor.
But then he reconsidered.
Zhanxian City was currently in the throes of an epidemic. Going there might be a death sentence. No matter how incompetent Ji Jin was, he couldn't ask a woman to die in his place.
Cheng Beizheng might even seek revenge on him for it.
However, he still recommended Mo Sang to Emperor Changwu: "Your Majesty, Miss Mo Sang is the inheritor of the Xijiang witchcraft and knows more about various curses than I do. For the past two years, my health has been under your care, and I have discussed any unclear matters with Miss Mo Sang. After I depart, if Your Majesty feels unwell, you can consult Miss Mo Sang."
Emperor Changwu said, "That name sounds familiar."
"When Prince Rui fell off the cliff, it was this Miss Mo Sang who saved him."
"Oh, I remember now."
Thus, after Ji Jin and a group of imperial physicians departed, Emperor Changwu secretly summoned Mo Sang, and also met with Cheng Beizheng.
The epidemic in the Yellow River region continued.
Situ Yan led his men to guard outside the city. If the epidemic within could not be contained, he would order the city to be burned.
Meng Changdong had already been sent away by him; Song Ming remained by his side.
Song Ming's exact words were: "There are mostly martial men around the boss, and the biggest need is for someone who uses their brain. Old Meng, you need to stay alive. It's too dangerous outside Zhanxian City; you should stay further away."
Meng Changdong was displeased: "If the boss can stay, why can't I?"
"I'm going, but can your body compare to the boss? With your weakling frame, a gust of wind might blow you over. I'm different from the boss." Song Ming showed off the muscles on his arm and provocatively raised an eyebrow at him. It was clear that both of them could endure more than Meng Changdong.
This angered Meng Changdong so much that he almost lunged to hit him. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
But in the end, he held back. Controlling the epidemic was not easy, and there were many tasks ahead: buying medicine, finding doctors, negotiating with officials from various regions. These were indeed things Song Ming couldn't do.
By the time Ji Jin and the imperial physicians arrived, half the city's population had contracted the disease. The first batch of infected individuals had developed red pustules that had turned into sores. Some had high fevers, others coughed, and people were dying one after another. Many of the first doctors who entered the city had also contracted the disease, but they had summarized a pattern: the most direct transmission was through the pus from their sores.
Once the pus flowed out, it had to be burned immediately, or contact with it would result in immediate infection.
The disease was transmitted through touch. In other words, as long as there was no physical contact with the patients, one would not get infected.
Since it was not airborne, its danger was much lower. With careful prevention, this wave of epidemic could be controlled. The remaining task was to research an antidote.
Before entering the city, Ji Jin bumped fists with Situ Yan: "A'yan, if I accidentally get infected, help Shenggē find a good match again and make sure she marries well."
"Aren't you afraid of dying of jealousy?"
"We can't possibly delay her for a lifetime."
Situ Yan showed a grim smile: "Don't even think about it. If something happens to you inside, I'll have the Emperor issue a decree for her to become a nun."
"A'yan! Speak properly."
"If you don't want her to remain a widow for a lifetime, then march in and march out straight. Aren't you the one who loves researching all sorts of illnesses? You've even dabbled in witchcraft. If you stumble over this small epidemic, be careful not to be laughed to death by Mo Sang."
The melancholy vanished, and Ji Jin rolled his eyes: "Alright, alright, stop provoking me. Listening to you talk is so annoying."
"You were the one who was reckless first."
"Fine, I'll do my best to stay alive, and we'll return to the capital together then."