Chapter 655: Chapter 224 Su Nan’s Predicament

At the city gates, the desolation from the past several days was partially dispelled by the commotion of wagons and horses.

Medical Officers dressed in cotton robes disembarked one by one, putting on face coverings to protect their mouths and noses. The Imperial Apothecary, the Medical Officer Institute, and the guards escorting the convoy numbered about a hundred people in total.

These hundred odd people had become the hope of Su Nan.

Cai Fang approached excitedly, striking up a conversation with Chang Jin, while Li Wenhu scrutinized the medical officers with a critical eye.

Most of the medical officers were over their forties, generally older, and seemed frail against the wind. Among them, three were particularly conspicuous: two young women and one young man, who all seemed quite young. Li Wenhu slightly frowned.

The doctors at the Su Nan Medical Practice were also nearly in their thirties, but having these kids come over was like playing a joke.

These people led a life of comfort and luxury. Given the current situation in Su Nan, could they really endure for even a few days?

Lost in worry, Li Wenhu caught the eye of the young woman walking behind him.

He thought his impolite gaze would immediately displease her, but to his surprise, she only paused briefly before averting her eyes indifferently.

Li Wenhu was taken aback and scratched his head, then turned to talk to Cai Fang.

Lu Tong withdrew her gaze.

She knew this man.

Once, when she was at the Su Nan Execution Ground examining the body for Lady Yun, she accidentally encountered Li Wenhu. He didn’t see the bloody instruments in her jar and thought she was lost, so he gave her a piece of candy and told her to leave quickly.

She hadn’t expected to meet him again here.

She walked forward with the medical officers, listening as the conversation between Chang Jin and the others drifted to her on the wind.

"Cai County Chief, we were in a rush on the journey and couldn’t receive any letters. What is the current situation of the epidemic in Su Nan?"

The man called Cai Fang replied with a sigh, "Honestly, the situation is quite bad. The epidemic is severe, and in the past two days, nearly a hundred people are dying each day. The staff at the Medical Practice have all fallen ill. Had the Chief Physicians not arrived, Su Nan might truly be left to sit and await death."

"Aren’t there any medicine tents?"

"The city was distributing medicinal soups before, but recently, the herbs have run out, and the medicine tents have been dismantled."

Chang Jin nodded, his expression growing serious, "We have brought a lot of medicinal herbs to Su Nan on this trip, but..." he glanced around at the deserted streets, "...why don’t we see anyone sick with the epidemic?"

The long streets and alleyways were desolate, with only an occasional passer-by, wrapped up tightly, casting a weary glance at the procession before quickly disappearing into a house on the street corner with a "bang" as the door closed.

"The staff at the Medical Practice say that those sick with the epidemic should not move around to avoid infecting others. Therefore, everyone is reluctant to leave their homes," explained Cai Fang. "Those with better circumstances, who live in spacious homes, if they fall ill, they can isolate themselves in a separate room. However, the majority of the poor with cramped homes, fearing to pass the epidemic to their family, will volunteer to leave and go to the Plague Hospital to avoid infection."

Upon reaching this point, Cai Fang hesitated, "If the medical officers do not fear, I can lead you to see the patients at the Plague Hospital..."

"What’s there to be afraid of?" Lin Danqing spoke, "We are here to treat the epidemic. If we don’t see the patients, are we here for enjoyment?"

Cai Fang got choked up at that, and Li Wenhu shot her a glance, saying, "Young lady, don’t speak too soon. We’ll discuss it when we arrive."

Chang Jin asked a few medical officers to go to the County Office first to drop off the supplies and wagons while he led the remaining officers with Cai Fang to where the patients were being treated.

Along the way, the city seemed increasingly desolate. The farther they went, the thicker the smell of scorching, with a distant plume of gray and black smoke like the burning of something, the dust gradually becoming choking.

Lu Tong watched the direction Cai Fang was taking them, a thought stirring in her heart.

Could this be...

Cai Fang stopped in front of a desolate area.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Plague Hospital where the sick are staying," he announced.

The crowd looked up.

It was a dilapidated temple.

The temple was indeed spacious but surrounded by barren land, with no fields or streets nearby, standing isolated in everyone’s sight. The temple gate seemed to have been repaired, and two people dressed like guards, with face coverings, stood in front. Seeing Cai Fang and Li Wenhu, they quickly stepped forward, their eyes sweeping over the group of medical officers, their tone suddenly excited, "County Chief, have the medical officers from Shengjing arrived?"

Cai Fang nodded, then turned to the officers, "The sick patients are all here, and there is usually someone on guard to prevent the spread of the epidemic."

Chang Jin nodded, instructing everyone to don their face coverings, and took the lead walking in.

Everyone followed closely behind.

Upon entering the temple, they were all taken aback.

Row upon row on the ground, were blankets and beddings with people lying on them with blackened faces, some showing pain, others a numb expression. Even as they heard footsteps approaching, those lying on the ground only managed to lift their eyelids slightly, looking on wearily, apathetic.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read