Simultaneous travel: City, infinite evolution

Chapter 229 The First Emperor Receives a Memorial Recommending Him

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

The prefect rushed over and grabbed Chen Hong's hand, saying, "I was so worried!"

"Your Excellency, how is the situation?"

"Oh dear, the number of people infected with the plague in the city has spread rapidly, reaching two-thirds."

"So fast?"

Chen Hong immediately consulted with the prefect to understand the situation. Rescuing people was of utmost importance, and he began making arrangements without delay.

The prefect was very generous. In order to stabilize the situation, he promoted Chen Hong to chief physician, giving him overall command of all epidemic control affairs and the freedom to mobilize all forces except the military to manage the plague.

After all, Chen Hong had already proven his talent in Shanfu County.

In addition to simply copying all of Chen Hong's governance experience from Shanfu County,

Based on the actual situation in the county town, some additional measures were taken.

The epidemic in the county seat and surrounding counties is too severe, and the affected area is very large.

Chen Hong established a three-tiered isolation zone: a core epidemic area (within a radius of 5 li), a buffer zone (10 li), and a safe zone (20 li), which were physically isolated by wooden fences and trenches.

A pass system was also established, using bamboo tokens soaked in vinegar as passes (vinegar can destroy some pathogens).

They also promoted the deep burial method with lime, digging a pit 2 zhang deep outside the city, filling the patient's body with lime in layers, covering it with soil, and then planting castor beans (whose roots inhibit the spread of pathogens).

They also built an incineration plant in the valley, using pine resin to increase the combustion temperature to over 600°C, and cremated the bodies of critically ill patients.

They also built a culvert in the isolation area to discharge sewage using the gravity of the slope, with a septic tank (with lime added for fermentation) at the end.

To boost public morale after the large-scale infection, Chen Hong also organized a children's rhyme team: they wrote epidemic prevention rhymes (such as "Drink boiling water, sprinkle lime, do not burn incense for five days and be cremated") for children to sing.

Nursery rhymes were a very effective method in ancient times.

Chen Hong also encouraged people to eat garlic, spray vinegar mist, wear mugwort sachets, and hang sulfur sachets on the roof beams.

These all help to kill bacteria and disinfect, preventing infection.

To encourage public participation in disinfection efforts, Chen Hong and the prefect discussed and implemented a "tax credit for epidemic prevention."

Participating in pest control labor can offset 20% of the land tax; collecting 100 catties of lime can exempt one from five days of corvée labor; and collecting 100 catties of medicinal herbs can exempt one from seven days of corvée labor.

To encourage the enthusiasm of local officials and medical officers in treating the epidemic, Chen Hong, after discussing with the prefect, promulgated a law for evaluating medical officers.

The mortality rate in the jurisdiction will be included in the performance evaluation of local officials, and those with a mortality rate of less than 5% will be given priority for promotion.

In addition, the spread of the Artemisia annua decoction prescription encouraged the general public, medical clinics, and pharmacies to prepare Artemisia annua decoction.

Chen Hong also worked day and night to refine Artemisia annua pills for critically ill patients.

Soon, this series of measures were implemented.

Not only the prefectural city, but also the surrounding county towns have basically brought the situation under control.

Fewer and fewer people are getting sick.

Lu Zhi and Lu Su, who were busy making Artemisia annua soup, gypsum and Isatis indigotica for fever, Coptis chinensis and Portulaca oleracea for diarrhea, and Agrimonia pilosa and Bletilla striata for hemoptysis in the backyard, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I've been incredibly busy lately.

Controlling the disaster involves many aspects, and there's always something to do.

Fortunately, we've gotten through this period, and things will finally be a bit easier.

Lu Su rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms, as she was decocting medicine and wiping the sweat from her forehead.

"Sister, Young Master Chen is truly amazing. He invented such a miraculous medicine and did so much to save so many people."

Lu Su smiled slightly, her lips curving like a crescent moon, revealing a gentle and graceful temperament.

"If Susu could be as capable as Young Master Chen, she could help even more people."

"Silly little sister, you're quite amazing now too." Lü Zhi looked at her sister with affection.

“We are decocting medicine now, which is also saving lives, helping Young Master Chen, and sharing his burden.”

"Men have their own abilities and their own world, and women have their own abilities and their own world."

"Is that so?" Lu Su asked thoughtfully.

"Silly sister, you haven't fallen for Young Master Chen, have you?" Lü Zhi asked tentatively.

"Sister!" Lu Su turned her head around. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"It wouldn't be good if someone heard that."

Empress Lü Zhi knew her younger sister very well, and judging from this reaction, even if she didn't like her, she certainly had some affection for her.

This gave Lü Zhi a headache.

On one side is her cutest younger sister, and on the other is the ideal husband she desires most.

How am I supposed to choose?

Lü Zhi was quite possessive; she even fantasized about having Chen Hong all to herself.

But she also knew that some of it was unrealistic.

Even his father had more than one woman.

In this era, it was common for aristocratic sons to have one wife and multiple concubines.

Moreover, promising young talents will inevitably attract many beauties who will flock to them like moths to a flame.

Chen Hong quickly brought the plague under control.

If the system and methods left by Chen Hong in managing the plague could be promoted, it would be beneficial.

If the people of the Qin Dynasty were to face another plague, at least the losses could be greatly reduced, and the mortality rate of the plague would not be so high.

Chen Hong, having successfully completed his mission, quietly returned to Shanfu County with Lü Su and Lü Zhi.

Chen Hong's willingness to retire gracefully despite his great achievements earned him a very good impression among all the officials in Dang County, who greatly admired his magnanimous and elegant character.

The governor of Dang Commandery, along with all the officials of Dang Commandery, submitted a memorial to the First Emperor.

He gave a detailed account of the plague incident, praising Chen Hong highly and sparing no words of praise.

He recommended Chen Hong, a talented man living in seclusion, to the First Emperor.

They even exaggeratedly used phrases like "a renowned scholar of a great nation" and "possessing him can bring peace to the world" to describe him.

This undoubtedly piqued Qin Shi Huang's interest.

Xianyang Palace.

Ying Zheng was reviewing memorials at his desk. Looking at the text on the bamboo slips, he grew increasingly curious, as if he were reading a folk tale.

"Who exactly is this Chen Hong?"

"How could he have garnered such high praise from the entire officialdom of Dang County?"

"How strange! How bizarre!"

Ying Zheng, dressed in a black robe and wearing a crown, with a full black beard, marveled at the sight.

"Young Master Fusu has arrived!"

A young man dressed in a scholar's robe, with a gentle and refined demeanor, walked in and bowed respectfully.

"I have met my father."

When Ying Zheng looked up and saw the Confucian robe on Fusu, he was somewhat displeased.

"Fusu, how many times have I told you not to get too close to those Confucian scholars?"

"Confucian scholars ruin the country. My great Qin Dynasty ruled by law, rose to power through agriculture and warfare, and swept across the six states."

Fusu did not want to argue with the First Emperor about this issue; the father and son always had some ideological differences on this matter.

"Father, let's not talk about that today. Are you reviewing memorials?"

"Your Majesty works tirelessly for the country every day; you should take care of your health."

Ying Zheng's gaze softened. "Let's not talk about this anymore."

"Fusu, come and see this memorial from the Prefect of Dang Commandery."

Ying Zheng handed the bamboo slips to Fusu to read.

After reading the entire text, Fusu was greatly surprised.

"Could there really be such a prodigy in the world?"

"In the past, Guan Zhong respected the king, repelled the barbarians, united the feudal lords nine times, and brought order to the world. He assisted Duke Huan of Qi in becoming the first of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period."

Shang Yang presided over the reforms in our Great Qin, establishing a system of meritocracy based on farming and warfare, which greatly increased the national strength of our Great Qin, making it the leader among the seven states.

Then there was the strategist Su Qin, who combined the states into alliances and held the seals of office of six states, enjoying unparalleled prominence for a time.

"Congratulations, Father! It seems Your Majesty has very well gained such a prodigy to assist you in your great undertaking."

Ying Zheng shook his head, "A great nation's renowned scholars are not so easily found."

"Fusu, never blindly follow the crowd. Don't believe everything your subordinates say."

Otherwise, you'll suffer a great loss sooner or later.

Ying Zheng gazed at Fusu with a meaningful look and instructed him in the tone of an elder.

Fusu bowed solemnly to Qin Shi Huang, "Yes, Your Majesty, I have learned your lesson."

Ying Zheng waved his hand, "Don't always care about these empty formalities."

"An emperor is one who governs rites, not one who is governed by rites. Do you understand?"

Fusu frowned, seemingly disagreeing, but due to the First Emperor's authority, he couldn't refute him and simply nodded.

"Never mind, you'll understand later."

“Look at this Chen Hong, he is unanimously praised by the officials in Dang County, so he must be quite capable.”

Then issue an imperial edict to summon him to Xianyang.

Whether someone possesses profound knowledge and wisdom will be revealed in a single test.

"Yes!"

Immediately, an imperial censor with imperial seals arrived to draft an imperial edict.

In Shanfu County, Chen Hong was unaware that Qin Shi Huang had taken notice of him and issued an edict to recruit him.

But Chen Hong was tired of staying in Shanfu, and coincidentally, Lü Gong was also thinking of moving.

Therefore, Chen Hong suggested moving to Xianyang, since Xianyang was the center of the Qin Dynasty, with the best conditions and the most opportunities.

After much deliberation, Lü Gong decided to go along with Chen Hongbo.

The group packed up their belongings, filling one truck after another.

Before leaving, just in case, Chen Hong forged two weapons.

【Liquan Dragon Roar Spear: The spear body is like a frozen spring, and when it is swung, there is a faint sound of a dragon's roar.

The entire spear is engraved with dragon-patterned talismans and is characterized by its "sturdiness," "sharpness," "armor-piercing," and "acceleration."

It can help Chen Hong transform the energy within his body into spear energy, which can be used for both one-on-one combat and group attacks.

[The Heaven-Shaking Bow: Engraved with wind and thunder talismans, it possesses the power of wind and thunder; its arrows are shot without a trace, penetrating seven inches into stone, its power unparalleled.]

After more than a year of adapting to global rules, Chen Hong has gradually localized the sharing capabilities.

However, since it is a world without magic, the suppression of extraordinary powers is relatively strong.

What puzzled Chen Hong was that, as time went by, the world's rejection and suppression of extraordinary powers was slowly loosening.

As if influenced by something, the laws gradually allowed a little bit of extraordinary power to appear.

After forging the weapons, Chen Hong and his men were ready to go.

"set off!"

On the main street in front of the Lü residence, a long convoy of cars set off towards Xianyang.

Empress Lü, Empress Lü, and Lü Gong rode in a carriage, while Chen Hong rode a white horse and strolled outside.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Qin Dynasty along the way.

At that time, the land was not as extensively developed as it would be in later generations. There were still large areas of ancient primeval forests and vast wilderness.

Not only are there many wild animals, but large, piercing insects and wild boars are also frequently seen.

It also harbors many bandits, robbers, and outlaws.

Sure enough, halfway there, a group of thieves suddenly emerged from the jungle.

"kill!"

"Kill!"

"Rob money, rob women!"

(End of this chapter)