The six of them finally t with Yang Heshu at sunset, so the group gathered for a al and took the opportunity to discuss the situation in Xiazhou.
The situation in Xiazhou has improved a lot. Before Yang Heshu returned to Xiazhou with governntal aid, the Niu Jia had to leave due to various rumors.
Previously, the resentnt from the smallpox epidemic was mainly directed at the Niu Jia and Yang Heshu.
The reasons for the Niu Jia were self-explanatory, and for Yang Heshu, the locals of Xiazhou believed, due to instigation by so, that if Yang Heshu hadn’t sealed the city, not so many people would have died.
If they had been able to go south or east to seek dical help, at least half of them could have survived.
Even though it was understood that sealing the city was the most effective way to prevent the spread of smallpox, when it ca to one’s own and one’s family’s lives, how many could truly and unreservedly agree with the city being sealed?
Yang Heshu knew this was indisputable, and he didn’t argue. However, after he left Xiazhou with officials from the Ministry of Justice and Punishnts, the rumors in the city began to slowly change direction.
Ms. Cui moved to the manor outside the city, but she didn’t do nothing. Yang Heshu only took Wantian to the capital, leaving other personnel, including his steward, with her.
The people of Xiazhou started to rember that Yang Heshu had been on the front line to save people; smallpox patients were isolated, and even family mbers had abandoned their own, unwilling to care for them in quarantine areas.
Yet, Lord Yang visited the dical tents almost every day, sotis personally comforting patients, showing little regard for his own safety.
Moreover, Madam Yang also contracted smallpox and was not sent out of the city. Although so thought Yang Heshu’s actions too ruthless, the majority were moved by his selflessness.
At the very least, Madam Yang stayed in the city like everyone else and was not given special treatnt despite being the wife of the county magistrate.
Furthermore, it was consistently Lord Yang striving to obtain aid in the form of food, dicine, and money from the court. This led many affluent individuals, and certainly the majority of ordinary families, to receive dical care led by Lord Yang and the governntal office.
People could leave once cured without paying a penny.
Of course, if they weren’t cured, they were directly taken away for cremation, without leaving even bones behind.
Because of these discussions, Yang Heshu’s image finally began to improve, reducing much of the resentnt from the city’s residents.
Especially among the common folk, it wasn’t long before their resentnt shifted towards the Niu Jia, leaving mostly gratitude and sympathy for Yang Heshu.
As for the local gentry and wealthy rchants, Ms. Cui and the steward considered for several days and finally heeded Yang Heshu’s advice, releasing information that Yang Heshu was going to be recalled to the capital, and Governor Niu might be demoted to a county magistrate of Shuofang County to atone for his cris.
Once this news was released, not only did it stir ordinary citizens, but even the gentry, who single-mindedly resented Yang Heshu, couldn’t help but be infuriated.
It’s impossible to say they didn’t resent the Niu Jia, as if it weren’t for Niu Kang, they wouldn’t have contracted this cursed disease.
It’s just that when the disease broke out, Yang Heshu stood at the forefront, blocking most people’s path to survival, hence the deep-seated hatred.
But now...
The Niu Jia was still staying in Xiazhou City.
Ordinary citizens didn’t think much, just that Governor Niu was unworthy of holding office; they couldn’t think much more deeply.
However, the gentry and wealthy rchants thought that as long as the Niu Jia stayed in Xiazhou City, who knows how much more trouble they would cause in the future.
Moreover, this ti it wasn’t just hatred for Yang Heshu they held, but for the Niu Jia too. After the epidemic broke out, they also intercepted doctors, dicine, and food intended for the Niu Jia.
One landowner, unable to bear it after losing his only son, even had soone pour sewage over the Niu Jia’s door, thoroughly offending them.
If the Niu Jia continued to serve in Xiazhou City, how could they continue to live?
So, even before a trial was held in the capital, Xiazhou erupted in turmoil.
Later, Governor Niu was exiled, and his family had much of their assets confiscated, partly due to the public’s outrage.
Otherwise, Governor Niu would have at most been dismissed from office for negligence, as the Jin Law usually holds a more lenient stance toward officials.
Yang Heshu intentionally stayed in the capital for a while, not only to request aid from the court but also to allow the people of Xiazhou to calm down and to complete the aftermath.
When he was in Xiazhou, conflict concentrated on him.
In his absence, with Ms. Cui moving to the manor outside the city to present a weakened image, even if no one manipulated the situation, society’s tendency to sympathize with the weak would eventually divert resentnt away from them.
Yang Heshu only returned after the Ministry of Justice and Punishnts made a decision, waiting until Niu Kang had set out from the capital back to Xiazhou, and estimated when he would arrive before returning.
Indeed, upon returning to Xiazhou, he heard that soon after Niu Kang arrived, he was beaten up, having been trapped and assaulted with a sack over his head, leading to the Niu Jia moving out of Xiazhou City within three days.
After moving out of the governor’s residence, they stayed at one of their own suburban villas but faced constant harassnt.
Not only did people throw filth and dirty things on the walls, but they also threw old clothes stained with so yellow liquid into the yard, which the Niu Jia feared was smallpox pus and were terrified.
However, after investigation by the county governntal office, it was not smallpox pus; during the smallpox period, clothes and bedding were thoroughly cleaned or burned. Besides Manbao, who collected a lot, others stayed as far away as possible; who would keep such deadly things?
In any case, by the ti Yang Heshu returned to Xiazhou, the most intense emotions among the locals had subsided. Not only the common folk, but even the gentry felt that handing Xiazhou City over to Governor Niu was less preferable than retaining Yang Heshu.
At least Yang Heshu wouldn’t settle scores for personal vendettas, and with him managing Xiazhou, Xiazhou City could gradually improve over the next two years.
However, with everything in need of rebuilding, Yang Heshu was very busy.
"No matter how they feel, we maintain cordial relations, and my words still carry weight," Yang Heshu said to Manbao and Bai Shan, "However, when it cos to interests, emotions won’t account for much, so if you’re heading to the grasslands, try to avoid any incidents. Otherwise, General Gong is the only one I can turn to."
Manbao replied, "General Gong will suffice. With military power in hand, it’s as if the whole of Xiazhou is under your control. What’s there to fear?"
This child is as direct as always.
Yang Heshu smiled and asked, "Which patients do you plan to examine?"
"Three groups: those with my scholarly sister-in-law, ordinary folk who didn’t have access to the best treatnts, and people in the military camp. I’d like to diagnose them."
For Ms. Cui and others, it’s just a matter of sending out a few posts; patients Manbao treated at the villa earlier would co on their own. As for the ordinary group...
After a brief thought, Yang Heshu suggested, "I’ll arrange a list from the county governntal office, and let the Land Officer notify people to go there for consultation. Otherwise, if it gets out, too many might swarm in."
Manbao nodded, "Three groups: a third with slightly better economic conditions, a third ordinary, and a third impoverished."
Yang Heshu understood.
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