After Yang Changbo learned about it, he did not imdiately cause a commotion but first sought an audience with Governor Niu. Naturally, Governor Niu denied the matter, and Yang Heshu did not press too hard. Instead, he sensibly withdrew to give him ti and space to handle it.
Whether it was sending people to the villa or isolating them at ho, Yang Changbo could accept both. If Governor Niu wanted to protect his reputation, Yang was willing to allow that, and if he didn’t want to take the responsibility, Yang could also take a step back.
As long as he was willing to cooperate and control the people infected with smallpox. Therefore, after leaving the restaurant, Yang Heshu did not spread the word but only had people keep an eye on the Governor’s residence.
Who would have thought that after two quiet days at the Governor’s residence, with many doctors being invited, the birthday banquet for Niu Old Madam on October 3rd had not yet been canceled?
So Yang Heshu stood in opposition to the Niu family. As long as Governor Niu stayed in power, he called the shots in Xiazhou City.
Suzhou County is different from other counties; it’s in Guo County. While other counties can feel isolated and out of reach of the governor, Suzhou County’s governntal office is just half a street away from the Governor’s residence, so if he ate an extra bun in the governnt office in the morning, the other party would know.
Therefore, if Governor Niu didn’t align with him, Yang Heshu couldn’t accomplish anything—after all, Niu was his superior.
Thus, Yang Heshu decided to be bold, though it was unclear how he negotiated with General Gong, but Gong willingly fell ill and handed the army over to Junior General Gong.
Then Yang Heshu borrowed troops from him and directly surrounded the Governor’s residence.
Yang Heshu said, "There are quite a few people with smallpox in the Governor’s residence. Governor Niu has lost a son, two grandsons, and two granddaughters."
Manbao couldn’t help but ask, "Niu Kang..."
"He’s still alive," Yang Heshu replied, "it was his older brother who died."
Manbao was truly at a loss for words.
Bai Shan also said, "The enmity has grown very deep. When I arrived, the Governor’s residence was still considering leaving the city to seek dical treatnt. Don’t you rember that among those stewards who went to invite you for a consultation, so were from the Niu family? You didn’t go, and Imperial Doctor Lu and Imperial Doctor Zheng didn’t either. Eventually, the Niu family relented and sent people to the other courtyard, but before they were sent away, people had already started dying at their residence."
"Those who understand propriety will trace their own mistakes. To put it bluntly, this whole thing started because of Niu Kang. However, Governor Niu’s previous actions were clearly improper, and the guilt on him won’t wash off. Those with nothing to lose are not afraid, and if he really goes all-out to sue, Scholarly Senior Brother Yang won’t be able to extricate himself easily. Moreover, this smallpox epidemic might fizzle out without a proper ending."
Bai Shan said, "Granted, the number of deaths this ti is high, and we are heartbroken when we look back, but this is smallpox. It’s quite an achievent that so many survived. But having been through this, we know firsthand that it could have been handled much better from the start, whether when we first arrived in Xiazhou City or during the final stages. Not just us, other counties and villages could have handled it better too."
He added, "Originally, there should have been fewer deaths."
Ms. Yang said, "Do you want to openly state this for future generations to see?"
"Yes," Bai Shan replied, "Smallpox cannot be contained; no one knows when it might strike again in the future. Moreover, there will be other epidemics besides smallpox, all of which should be docunted so that future local officials can learn from them."
Manbao said, "And also the Imperial Hospital and the dical Bureau, we’ve gained a lot this ti."
If these matters were to be dissected and discussed, then many would be held accountable.
Yang Heshu couldn’t help but squint his eyes in amusent, "You’re really putting at odds with the entire Xiazhou officialdom."
Bai Erlang said, "You’ve already offended them long ago; this just makes it even more thorough."
Yang Heshu then lowered his gaze and thought for a mont. After a long while, he looked at Ms. Cui, who was helping set the table, "You’re right, we’ve already offended each other; now it’s just more thorough."
He then said to Bai Shan, "Draft the morial, and I’ll review it later. Ask Steward Chen if you need clarification; he knows the whole incident inside out, and whatever data you need can be obtained from the County Governntal Office."
Bai Shan was overjoyed and stood up to salute, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your support."
He then turned to invite Yin Huo and Bai Erlang, "Co help ."
Both readily agreed, and Bai Shan said, "Let’s also find Big Cousin. If Feng Zongping and Yi Ziyang are willing to help, it would be even better."
His gaze fell on Manbao.
Manbao waved him off, "Don’t look at , I’m really busy lately, and I have other things to do?"
Even Yang Heshu was curious and looked over, smiling as he asked, "What are you up to?"
Manbao replied earnestly, "Holding etings!"
Indeed holding etings. Following an epidemic, not only did she compile a thick volu of case records and prescriptions, but other doctors and imperial physicians also recorded quite a bit.
It’s just unfortunate that it’s all quite chaotic. After all, facing an epidemic is not like sitting in a clinic where one can leisurely record; they filled in the records whenever they had the chance afterward, and if not, they omitted them.
Even so, the number of case records and prescriptions they’ve docunted is substantial.
A group of doctors had an annex of the other courtyard cleared out to discuss the prescriptions and various treatnt thods and their effects used during this epidemic.
Bai Shan said that officials should summarize lessons learned for the future, and the Imperial Hospital and dical Bureau should especially do the sa because epidemics are inherently related to their field.
An epidemic in one region may not be related to officials in another, but it will definitely be related to the Imperial Hospital and dical Bureau.
Moreover, during this festive season, those with hos in Xiazhou can go ho and reunite with their families, but what about those of us from the capital or other places?
Due to the epidemic, there’s white mourning cloth everywhere outside, and there’s hardly any New Year celebratory atmosphere because the smallpox isn’t entirely eradicated. Naturally, staying ho with doors tightly shut is best.
Therefore, even on the 29th of the lunar month, there weren’t many people outside.
Zhou Silang slaughtered the last cow, and before he could even set up a stall, half of it was claid by households who pre-booked it, and the remaining half was taken to the street where it quickly sold out.
He then slung a money bag over his shoulder and swaggered over to the other courtyard to pick soone up.
Without going too close, he squatted in a spot diagonally across from the other courtyard and waited for about three quarters of an hour until the side gate of the other courtyard finally opened. Manbao ca out with a cloak wrapped around her neck.
He then lifted the money bag and approached, "Manbao."
Manbao bid farewell to the others and walked over, "Fourth Brother, why are you here?"
Zhou Silang reached over to pull the hood of her cloak over her head to block the wind and smiled, "Tomorrow is the 30th. Are you still busy? Let’s go ho for the New Year."
He added, "After the slaughter, I suggested leaving a leg for you to take to Bai Shan and the others to enjoy. There’s still plenty of bones left at ho. Before I left, I already had soone start cooking them. Datou’s wife added so dicinal ingredients to ward off the cold. Drink two bowls later."
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