The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2097 - 2072: Gathering of Heroes

When Zhou SiLang received the message and rushed over, Zhou Lichong was almost dragged to the County Governmental Office. Upon seeing Fourth Uncle, he immediately waved excitedly at him, shouting, "Fourth Uncle, Fourth Uncle, our grain is still at the city gates..."

The officials pulling Zhou Lichong saw Zhou SiLang and immediately let go of Zhou Lichong’s hand, their faces filled with regret.

Why was it this stingy ruffian nephew?

Zhou SiLang rushed forward to pull Zhou Lichong back, bowed repeatedly to everyone, and smiled, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, you want to buy grain, a fateful coincidence, a fateful coincidence indeed, Lichong, quickly come and greet everyone, this is the steward of Chen’s Grain Shop..."

As the saying goes, one does not punch a smiling face, so even if Zhou SiLang was tough in business dealings and demanded high prices, facing his smiling visage, everyone forced a smile in response, and then with regret, arranged another time to inspect the grain.

They had received news early this morning that people from the capital would arrive, not only bringing relief supplies but also followed by grain merchants.

Although they also had grain in storage, this year was special, and they wouldn’t mind having more grain.

So, they waited early at the city gates, and as soon as the grain owner’s identity was confirmed, they pulled them into the city, initially intending to have a meal at a restaurant and discuss business.

Who would have thought that the County Governmental Office also had designs on the grain, so they could only follow along to the office.

They were initially puzzled as to why this grain owner was so young, appearing only just of age.

For such a young lad to dare transport grain to Xiazhou City at this time, he may not be cunning, but he certainly has courage. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Who knew he was actually Zhou SiLang’s nephew?

After the group walked away, they shook their heads, knowing it was impossible to take advantage of Zhou Lichong.

When Zhou SiLang saw everyone had left, he dragged Zhou Lichong towards the city gate, asking, "Who’s watching over the grain?"

"The tenant farmers from Pu Village. I just distributed grain to them and hadn’t had time to let them depart. Fourth Uncle, there are many sick people in the city. I told them not to enter the city. We need to get people to bring the grain in."

Zhou SiLang said, "Lijun and Xiang Mingxue took Sanzi and the others. I heard on the way that you were taken away, so I rushed to rescue you. You’re so bold. Do you know who they are that you’d go with them?"

He said, "Aren’t you afraid they’d force you to drink and make you put your handprint on the documents?"

They had experienced such scams while traveling before, even having knives held to their throats.

Zhou Lichong said, "The leader was an official from the County Governmental Office. I couldn’t ignore them, especially since this is under Lord Yang."

He had no confidence in others, but he trusted Yang Heshu, not believing his officials would dare to strong-arm in buying and selling.

Zhou SiLang then asked, "Did you come alone? Why didn’t Liwei come along?"

Zhou Lichong chuckled awkwardly, "Someone at home needs to know the accounts."

He paused and said, "My wife and Third Sister also came."

Zhou SiLang’s eyes widened, "Why did they come? It’s dangerous here. We don’t even dare go out casually, they..."

Zhou SiLang suddenly remembered, the eldest niece-in-law and Liru are doctors...

Zhou Lichong then nodded at Zhou SiLang, "The court issued a recruitment order, and they all signed up."

He said, "Many people came; there are nine folk doctors alone. Doctor Tao from Jishi Hall also came. Initially, Doctor Ding was also coming, but since people contracted smallpox in the capital, the court retained several doctors there..."

Zheng Gu was also reporting to Manbao, "Smallpox has also been found in the capital. Just after you all left, someone came secretly to Jishi Hall for diagnosis. The pustules on their body had burst, and they had a high fever. Doctor Ding only needed one glance to see they couldn’t be saved. With pustules all over their body, it wasn’t certain if it was smallpox or chickenpox, but hearing them speak, they didn’t seem like people from the capital, more like they were from the north, so he reported it to the County Governmental Office."

"County Magistrate Tang followed the trail and found out they had snuck out of Xiazhou seeking treatment. There are many more like them. Fortunately, they were discovered early. Now there are thirty-eight smallpox patients in the capital, thirty-two of whom are newly infected."

In other words, six people infected thirty-two others.

Manbao rubbed her forehead and asked, "With so many people in the capital, since smallpox is also there, why did you come here?"

"County Magistrate Tang said, although the capital has a large population, they discovered it early, and as long as it’s controlled properly, there won’t be a significant problem. Moreover, the best doctors in Great Jin are in the capital, and the best and most comprehensive medicines are also in the capital. By comparison, Xiazhou is currently at a critical juncture of life and death," he said. "County Magistrate Tang said, currently, only Xiazhou City is sealed, but the villages and towns outside are still open. If all the sick in Xiazhou can’t be contained and cured, once chaos erupts, refugees moving south or dispersing will cause unimaginable consequences."

It’s precisely because they knew this that the court spent a considerable amount to recruit doctors to Xiazhou and will not withhold relief funds destined for Xiazhou.

Since Imperial Doctor Zheng is in Xiazhou, as is Zhou Man, the Zheng Family pays close attention to court movements. He said, "My father found out that the funds allocated by the court this time are jointly overseen by Lord Wei and the Ministry of Revenue. All medicines purchased are delivered by the imperial guards, and besides Xiazhou, Yanzhou and Qingzhou also have relief funds, which will all be converted into medicines and delivered."

This is to prevent local officials from embezzling relief funds without doing their jobs.

Manbao breathed a sigh of relief, "So more medicines will come later?"

Zheng Gu nodded, "The Ministry of Revenue connected with our family and several medicine merchants. My father estimated that after we left, we might get another batch of medicines in eight or nine days, and once distributed, another batch should arrive in about eleven or twelve days."

"Great, Xiazhou City is currently in dire need of medicine," Manbao said. "Since you all are here, rest first. When Imperial Doctor Lu has time, he will certainly gather everyone for a meeting and assign tasks. This outbreak is different from before, and I fear I won’t be able to take care of you all, but I’ll have Imperial Doctor Lu try to place us nearby. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come to me."

The four nodded together.

Manbao then asked, "Alright, let’s discuss this. Besides you, who else that I know came this time?"

Zheng Gu and Zheng Shao looked at Liu Sanniang, who then looked at Zhou Liru.

The closest to Manbao, Zhou Liru, had to say, "Aunt, this time, there are only twenty-eight doctors, but besides the doctors, there are also students from the Imperial Academy and Chongwen Pavilion who were ordered to come to help."

Manbao’s eyebrows twitched.

Zhou Liru then said, "Young Master Bai came, and Young Master Yin too..."

Only four people came from Chongwen Pavilion: Yin Huo, Liu Huan, Feng Zongping, and Yi Ziyang.

Many came from the Imperial Academy, including Bai Zhi, totaling thirty-eight people, making forty-two in all.