Simultaneous travel: City, infinite evolution

Chapter 228 Curing the Plague and Building Reputation (Bonus Chapter for Donations)

Since Lü Su had said so, Lü Gong couldn't refute her, but he didn't want his daughter to take the risk.

Chen Hong looked at Lü Su with admiration, and then gave Lü Zhi a definitive look.

This secretly pleased the two women.

"Well then, since you want to do your part for the villagers, then do some logistical work."

As for patients infected with the plague, try to avoid contact with them.

I will give you specific work instructions later.

"Thank you, sir."

The two women bowed to Chen Hong.

Chen Hong soon arrived at the county government office and met the county magistrate, the county assistant magistrate, and the county constable.

These people had all heard of Chen Hong's great name.

During this year, with the strong recommendation and affirmation of Lu Gong, coupled with Chen Hong's outstanding abilities, he won over many scholars, and Chen Hong's knowledge has been widely recognized in the academic circle of Shanfu County.

The county magistrate, the county assistant magistrate, and the county constable were all very pleased with Chen Hong's arrival.

After all, with the guidance of a renowned scholar, the epidemic was successfully controlled, and they naturally deserve some credit.

If it fails, Chen Hong can take the blame.

Of course, they still hoped for success, as it concerned their official positions and even their lives.

The Qin laws are strict; even if Chen Hong takes the blame, they cannot escape punishment.

However, they were still slightly worried about whether Chen Hong really had the ability to cure the epidemic.

After all, there are specialties in the art industry.

Chen Hong didn't waste any time and first inquired about the disaster situation.

How many people in the county are currently sick? What is the situation of the epidemic outside?

The county magistrate replied, "Sixty-six people in the county have been infected. I have already sent people to arrest and isolate them, and they have been placed in the 'Epidemic Relocation Center'."

The only question is how many more undiagnosed cases exist in the general population.

"As for outside, I heard that nearly half of the people in Dang County have fallen ill, and the entire city is under martial law."

Below Dang County, there is one county-level city severely affected by the epidemic and two county-level cities with milder outbreaks, and the epidemic is still spreading rapidly.

Our Shanfu County has only recently seen cases of infection.

The county constable interjected, "Once there's one, there will be a second, a third, a third hundred. It'll spread from person to person. How will we manage?"

If you ask me, all the streets infected with the plague should be moved to quarantine zones and left to fend for themselves.

To prevent them from causing harm to others.

The magistrate glared at him in displeasure: "How can you be so brutal?"
What should we do if this causes panic?
Besides, why would those who haven't yet contracted the disease agree to be quarantined outside the city? What if it incites a popular uprising?

“In that case, spread lime on the streets where the disease has occurred to disinfect and kill the pests. Spread lime on every household.”

Chen Hong began to explain his treatment plan for the epidemic.

"The Clean Water Order was promulgated, requiring people to use earthenware pots to boil drinking water."

From today onwards, only boiled water is permitted for drinking; cold water is strictly prohibited. Violators will have their livestock confiscated.

Wastewater is prohibited from being consumed. A three-layer filtration method is being promoted: water must pass through coarse sand, charcoal, and fine linen cloth for filtration, combined with disinfection using willow bark (containing salicin).

"Collect human and animal excrement, mix it with wood ash, compost it, kill parasite eggs, and then use it in farmland."

Every sanitation worker must undergo regular checkups and take detoxifying medication.

"Set up a tent area downwind of the river, away from the city, and bring the 66 patients there."

I will personally prepare the medicine and try my best to cure them.

Medical personnel approaching them must wear protective suits made of linen soaked in tung oil.

"Get all the clinics and pharmacies in the city up and running, and equip them with standardized medicine kits."

For fever, use gypsum + isatis root; for diarrhea, use coptis + purslane; for hemoptysis, use agrimony + bletilla. These fast-acting formulas can effectively alleviate symptoms.

They would be very happy to do it if there was money to be made.

The county government, on the contrary, should be wary of unscrupulous merchants who inflate prices, hoard goods, and deliberately hoard medicinal herbs and grains.

"They dare?" The county constable's eyes widened in anger, his thick beard trembling wildly.

"Mere merchants, of lowly status, dare to defy the heavens?"

Chen Hong nodded: "In that case, everyone should do their job and start assigning tasks."

Soon, under the magistrate's direction, tasks were assigned to his subordinates.

Chen Hong went to the quarantine area to observe the symptoms of people infected with the plague and to take samples to study the virus.

Then, using the supernatural powers of medicine and stone boiling, along with abundant modern medical knowledge, they investigated the common and inexpensive herbs of this era.

They pioneered a highly effective drug to suppress and eradicate plagues.

Using Artemisia argyi as the main ingredient, combined with other common heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs, it transforms the rotten into the miraculous through alchemy.

Artemisia annua extract, rich in artemisinin and other medicinal ingredients, is produced to kill malaria parasites, viruses, and bacteria.

Artemisia annua extract is a concentrated essence with significant medicinal effects, and the raw materials are common and inexpensive.

The drawback is that only Chen Hong can refine it, making it impossible to popularize and promote.

Therefore, Chen Hong deduced the "Artemisia annua decoction" prepared with a special medicinal formula.

While its efficacy is somewhat weaker, the advantage is that it can be mass-produced and effectively treat diseases, thus suppressing the spread of epidemics.

Chen Hong used the freshly made Artemisia annua pills to immediately cure the 66 people who had contracted the plague.

The effects were immediate, and Chen Hong's reputation as a miracle doctor quickly spread.

Chen Hong also made the prescription for Artemisia annua decoction public, instantly gaining immense prestige.

"Thanks to Dr. Chen!"

"If it weren't for him, my whole family would have been wiped out."

"Yes, yes, Doctor Chen is truly a savior sent by Heaven to relieve suffering!"

"They didn't even seek personal gain, and they even made such a precious prescription public."

"I knew it! Doctor Chen must be a hermit, a remarkable person."

I recognized it the moment I saw it at the city gate back then.

"You're just bragging. Back then, you were the one who spoke ill of others at the city gate."

"If you ask me, it must be Master Lü who had the discerning eye to recognize this as a hidden gem."

"Our Shanfu County has Dr. Chen, it's all thanks to the good deeds of our ancestors."

"We no longer need to fear the plague, all thanks to Doctor Chen."

"Dr. Chen!"

"Dr. Chen!"

"Dr. Chen!" The people sang praises to Chen Hong, and some even erected a statue of him to worship, saying that he could cure all diseases and protect them from disasters and illnesses throughout their lives.

Chen Hong's reputation soared, and his fame spread far and wide, even reaching the surrounding counties.

Whether among ordinary people or scholars, Chen Hong was well-regarded.

As soon as the medicine Artemisia annua decoction was introduced, people rushed to buy Artemisia argyi and other herbs.

Weeds that usually seem useless can be turned into treasures in an instant.

The epidemic in Shanfu County was not severe to begin with, and with the implementation of a series of measures, there have been very few new cases.

Chen Hong's reputation spread, even alarming the governor of Dang County.

They immediately sent someone to Shanfu County to invite Chen Hong.

"Report!"

"Master, the Prefect has sent a messenger to invite Young Master Chen."

"Quick! Quick!"

"Quickly, invite him in."

Lu Gong was overjoyed, clapping his hands and muttering, "I knew I wasn't wrong, I knew I wasn't wrong about him."

"He's about to rise to prominence so quickly; he's truly a man of few words, but when he does speak, he'll amaze everyone."

"Pheasant, pheasant!"

"Father, I'm here." Lü Zhi was also very happy, with a smile on her face, and held Lü Gong's hand.

"Where is Hong'er?" Lu Gong composed himself and looked into Lu Zhi's eyes.

"Father, Young Master Chen is patrolling East Street to see if the people are spreading lime and drinking boiled water as he requested."

"Oh, by the way, Young Master Chen said that we also need to ensure the supply of lime and medicinal herbs, and be wary of anyone trying to drive up prices."

"Good! Good!" Lord Lü patted Lü Zhi's hand repeatedly, saying with satisfaction, "Hong'er has indeed thought things through."

"Zhi'er, you also need to work hard and help Hong'er more, so that he can feel that you are a virtuous wife."

Don't miss out on a good person, or you'll regret it.

"Daddy...you're so annoying!"

Lü Zhi turned her head away shyly, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom, with a smile on her face.

But in his heart he thought, "I should do more, so that my sister won't fall behind."

Thinking of her silly younger sister who only knew how to bury herself in her work, Lü Zhi felt both heartache and some wariness.

Because she keenly noticed that Chen Hong always treated Lü Su more gently than he treated her.

Although Chen Hong was very gentle with her, comparisons are inevitable.

"The messenger has arrived!"

"Greetings, Lord Lü!"

A courier, looking travel-worn but quick and efficient, walked in and handed over an envelope.

"Lord Lü, I am a courier at the Dangjun post station. The situation is urgent."

The Prefect ordered me to hasten to bring Lord Chen Hong to the city and appoint him as Chief Physician to assist the Prefect in controlling the plague and quelling the disaster.

This is a letter from the Prefect; please take a look, Lord Lü.

"Good! Good!" Lu Gong took the letter and nodded repeatedly. "Thank you for your hard work, young man."

Lu Gong took out a few gold coins from his sleeve and stuffed them into the postman's hand, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, young brother. I hope you will take good care of my nephew on the road."

"This..." The courier hesitated for a moment, but seeing that no one was around, he gritted his teeth and accepted it.

Earning some extra money is nothing to be ashamed of; it's hard-earned money.

"Young man, please wait a moment. My nephew will be here shortly, very shortly."

"Steward, quickly send someone to invite Young Master Chen back to the manor."

Lu Gong called out to the courtyard.

"Yes! Master."

The housekeeper immediately went to do it.

Lu Gong opened the envelope; it contained a letter from the prefect.

As a large family, the Lü family had some connections with the prefect, though not many.

Aside from some congratulatory words, the message above urged Chen Hong to hurry up and set off for the county town to help him.

The prefect was also caught off guard by the sudden outbreak of the plague. If he doesn't handle it well, he will inevitably be criticized and may even be punished or demoted.

So he was very anxious and urgently needed a capable assistant to help him stabilize the situation.

"A godsend, truly a godsend!" Lu Gong thought to himself with secret joy.

"As expected, I have a discerning eye. Hong'er is a dragon hidden in the abyss, and sooner or later he will soar to the heavens."

I didn't expect this day to come so early.

Looks like I'll have to bet more.

Soon, Chen Hong returned and learned everything.

“Hong’er, there’s no time to lose. Pack your things immediately and head to the county town with this young man.”

"Treating the epidemic properly and curing it will be a great achievement, leading to a bright future."

"Zhi'er, Susu, you two go with Hong'er and help him with everything."

"Yes, I will follow Father's teachings."

Empress Lü and Lü Su, who had just been summoned from the backyard, bowed to Lord Lü.

Chen Hong curled his lip. This Master Lü, as expected of a Legalist student, is all about pragmatism.

Seeing that he had become successful, he became much more eager and even willing to send his two daughters on adventures.

Chen Hong was a decisive person. He didn't have much money, so he quickly packed up and took the two women to the county town.

He rode his horse alone, with the postman.

While riding his horse, he inquired about news from the courier in the city.

Soon, they arrived at the county town.

The prefectural city was indeed more impressive than the county town.

The city wall is about 5 meters high and is quite long, about a kilometer long.

However, it was still a rammed earth wall, not as sturdy as a brick or stone wall.

After passing through numerous inspection procedures, we entered the martial law-bound city.

Chen Hong arrived at the county government office and met the county governor.

"Oh, Young Master Chen, you've finally arrived."

(End of this chapter)