Chapter 63

Lao Langzhong turned to Gu Xixi, "Xixi, stay with Madam Zhao here."

Having said that, he didn't take his medicine box and walked straight in.

Gu Xixi saw Madam Zhao looked worried and comforted, "We've come this far, just listen to him."

The coughing sounds from inside the house were heart-wrenching; the family supported each other as they stood outside, their eyes filled with panic and unease.

Lao Langzhong came out quickly, saying he needed a basin of clean water to wash his hands.

Gu Xixi had never seen Lao Langzhong's expression so grave; her heart sank suddenly.

This time, I fear we won't be as lucky as just now.

The water was brought quickly, but Lao Langzhong didn't put his hands in the basin; instead, he had Gu Xixi hold the basin and pour slowly.

Lao Langzhong rubbed the medicinal soap he carried, washing his hands under the flowing water.

While he washed his hands, no one in the courtyard spoke; only the sound of water and the coughing from inside the house could be heard.

Until the basin of water was used up, Lao Langzhong straightened his back, his sunken, hollow eyes filling with worry.

"The pulse certainly indicates a plague; combined with the symptoms, it is an infection from the filth of wild rats."

The family hadn't yet understood when Madam Zhao cried out, "So you're diagnosing it as the plague?"

Lao Langzhong nodded.

Upon hearing their son had contracted the plague, the elderly couple's legs went weak and they could barely stand.

The eldest daughter-in-law supported the grandparents, sobbing, "Father, Mother, you must hold on!"

"Now that we have a doctor, the second son is young and strong; he'll surely be fine."

Although Gu Xixi is not a doctor, she knows some basic knowledge of modern infectious disease prevention and control.

She whispered to Lao Langzhong, "Since it's confirmed as a plague, not just this courtyard but the entire village must use the medicine you prepare, either smoked or sprayed."

"Also, the families of the patients should be temporarily separated and isolated from the patients."

Lao Langzhong agreed, "You've considered everything thoroughly."

"The plague progresses extremely fast; I'll stay to tend the patients. For other matters, you and Madam Zhao go find the Village Chief and have him arrange things as soon as possible."

"Especially the preparation and distribution of the medicine—you must oversee it personally; do not be careless."

When he came, Lao Langzhong brought many herbs to dispel plague and impurity, just in case.

After being burned and smoked, or boiled and sprayed, they are equivalent to modern disinfectants.

Such a major matter, requiring the whole village to be medicated, cannot naturally be concealed.

Village Chief Zhao simply summoned the villagers and announced that someone in Shitou Village had contracted the plague.

The crowd erupted in shock, fear, and disbelief.

Local records show the last outbreak of plague occurred fifty-two years ago.

Thus most people here have never experienced it; only a few have heard elders mention it.

It is said that at first, plague victims suffer incessant coughing, their bodies burning hot, then they cough up blood, writhing in pain on the ground, and some even develop blood blisters on their skin...

Someone clutched their head and shouted, "Such a terrifying disease—once infected, isn't it a death sentence?"

"I don't want to get sick, I don't want to die!"

"Moreover, this disease is infectious; surely it will wipe out entire families and cut off their lineage?"

Village Chief Zhao took a deep breath and roared loudly, "Stop shouting!!!"

The entire place fell silent.

Village Chief Zhao looked around at everyone, "Who wants to get sick? Who wants to die? Nobody does!"

"So in such a time, if we want to preserve our lives, we must unite; no one can panic!"

Death approached suddenly without warning; a few words of encouragement obviously had little practical effect.

Village Chief Zhao then pointed at Gu Xixi and said, "This is Miss Gu from Flower Pool Ford Village."

"She comes fearlessly to help us, but what about us? Are we just going to cry and wait for death?"

Gu Xixi suddenly found herself stared at by a crowd, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Fortunately, the villagers were finally moved, saying, "Village Chief, now that it's come to this, what can we still do?"

Village Chief Zhao said, "We have many things to do; I'll arrange them shortly."

He paused, then gave everyone encouragement again, "Miss Gu's great-uncle is an old divine doctor, and he is right here in our village."

A youth said, "You mean the old blind man who lives under the elm tree on the hillside of our village? I saw him walking with this young lady."

Who in the village doesn't know that crazy old blind man who always insists on treating people?

Those who had just seen hope felt their hearts sink again to the bottom of the valley.

What illness can a blind man treat?

In the past, no one had ever heard him called a divine doctor.

It seems the Village Chief just wants to calm everyone; his words can't be fully trusted—many people think that.

That night, a strong medicinal aroma drifted through Shitou Village.

Under the night's cover, aside from a few quiet spots, there were surging undercurrents.

Gu Xixi watched as the medicine was sprayed once, then returned to the Village Chief's home; it was already midnight.

Village Chief Zhao hadn't returned yet; he was leading people to clear out the two large rooms of the village school to serve as isolation quarters for the sick villagers.

He sent word that he would likely be busy until dawn, so Madam Zhao need not keep watch and should let Gu Xixi rest early.

Madam Zhao prepared hot water for Gu Xixi to wash up, then she herself stood in the courtyard, listening attentively for a while.

As she turned to go inside, her face showed worry; "I just heard the sound of rummaging through cabinets next door."

"They wouldn't be trying to flee in the night, would they?"

Gu Xixi wiped the water droplets from her feet dry and said, "Seeking survival is human nature."

They're afraid of death and want to flee to a safe place—nothing could be more normal.

Mrs. Zhao sat down, her mind in turmoil, 'That... our village really has no hope left?'

Although Gu Xixi really wanted to say a few kind words to comfort her, the fact is......

She calmly said, 'I don't know either.'

'There's still a lot to do tomorrow, so we might as well go to sleep early.'

Gu Xixi only knew that if Shitou Village fell, she and Lao Langzhong might not be able to return.

The bedding was all newly changed by Old Mrs. Zhao; Gu Xixi is not picky about beds—whether in the mountains or on a luxurious soft bed, she falls asleep as soon as she lies down.

Not knowing how long she had slept, Gu Xixi was suddenly shoved awake.

Old Mrs. Zhao's voice trembled as she urged anxiously, 'Miss, Miss, wake up! Something big has happened!!'

Gu Xixi sat up, grabbed her outer coat and put it on, 'What's wrong?'

'The government troops are coming!' Old Mrs. Zhao already had a sob in her voice, 'I heard the village entrance has been sealed!'

'Just now several families tried to leave the village but were blocked back; now the area outside every door is packed with people—it's chaos!'

Gu Xixi's heart jumped; she got out of bed and hurried outside, 'Let's go take a look.'

Since only two women were at home, Gu Xixi cautiously opened just a crack in the door,

Through the crack she saw swaying torchlight, heard children's crying, adults' desperate shouts and pleas.

'We can't get out! Now none of us can get out!!'

'Could the Government Office be planning to lock us all up in the village?'

'I've heard that in places where plague broke out before, the Government Office, unable to cope, set fire and burned the whole village!'

……

Gu Xixi latched the gate, her chest heaving violently as she leaned against the door panel.

She had indeed considered this consequence before coming, but she hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly!

Now we truly must share life and death, with no way back, right?