Chapter 226: Chapter 226: This Is for You

Mayor Wang never expected that although he had five people on his side, facing only a frail young boy, all of his men ended up on the ground, unable to even stand. Meanwhile, the young boy stood firmly.

Is… is he even human?

Could he be a notorious bandit?

Xia Wenjin took a step forward, causing Mayor Wang to step back again in fright.

However, earlier, he was confident and stood in the main hall. Now he couldn’t retreat, and after a few steps, he was blocked by a chair.

He slumped into the chair, his body trembling, and stammered, “What… what are you doing?”

“Perhaps Mayor should first explain why you want to arrest me!”

Sweat poured down Mayor Wang’s forehead. His plump body appeared particularly clumsy. Wiping his sweat, he seemed both angry and breathless, a mix of indignation and timidity: “Zhang Jiantang said you were spreading rumors and causing trouble, got exposed by the villagers, and ran away in fear of being beaten. How dare you spread rumors in the town, causing panic among the people. Shouldn’t I, as the mayor, arrest you?”

Xia Wenjin laughed angrily, knowing it was Zhang Jiantang causing trouble again.

She looked at the mayor’s sweat-covered face and said coldly, “If I had run away, what would I be doing here now?”

The mayor tried to maintain his composure, acting authoritative, but failed. Fear made his voice tremble, betraying his inner cowardice. He weakly said, “If you didn’t run, doesn’t that precisely prove the problem? If it really is an epidemic, who wouldn’t leave immediately, unless they were foolish?”

Xia Wenjin examined Mayor Wang with a dangerous gaze and squinted her eyes, “Mayor, if it really is an epidemic, would you run?”

“That… that’s different,” Mayor Wang said. “I’m the mayor; even if the monk runs, the temple can’t escape. You’re an outsider, just passing by.”

In truth, even if the monk runs, the temple can’t escape is just a saying. If he truly wanted to flee with his family, he could indeed escape. But if this matter was true, even if he saved his own life, he would have to live like a stray dog, far away from home.

Xia Wenjin nodded, “The fact that you think that way shows you’re still a good mayor. And I am a doctor. Hasn’t Mayor Wang heard the saying, ’A doctor’s heart is like a parent’s’?”

Mayor Wang had heard, but he hadn’t seen it.

Xia Wenjin said, “Not all doctors are like Zhang Jiantang.”

Mayor Wang wanted to refute but, looking at his five fallen men, he remained silent.

Xia Wenjin looked at him and said, “Shall we talk?”

Seeing her relatively polite manner, despite her having knocked down his men without laying a finger on him, Mayor Wang said, “What do you want to talk about?”

Xia Wenjin said, “Zhang Jiantang must have told you that those sick people are poisoned by miasma, which happens every year in your town, so there’s no need to worry. He assures he can cure them, correct?”

Mayor Wang nodded.

In fact, as the mayor, he never bothered with the town’s sick; the cycle of life includes sickness and death, and when townsfolk fall ill, they seek out the doctor themselves. If they can’t get cured or afford treatment, it’s none of his concern.

If it weren’t for Xia Wenjin and Huangfu Jingchen approaching him saying there’s an epidemic, he still wouldn’t be concerned.

Xia Wenjin said, “Do you believe him?”

Mayor Wang nodded again, but then, feeling something was amiss, he added, “He’s been practicing medicine for many years; his medical skills are excellent. Besides, hasn’t it always been like this every year?”

Xia Wenjin sneered, “It seems you haven’t seriously considered this matter. While it’s true that due to geographical reasons, the mountains are too close and there’s miasma every year, miasma poisoning is not absolute! You don’t believe me because I’m an outsider, and you think an outsider wouldn’t be concerned with your matters? Have you not considered what would happen if what I said is true?”

Mayor Wang was left speechless.

Xia Wenjin sighed, “I understand why you think that way. But I can responsibly tell you, the epidemic has started, some families are already infected. If you don’t believe me, send someone to the village to investigate! Now, as the mayor, if an epidemic arises, shouldn’t you do something?”

“What should I do?”

Xia Wenjin said, “At the very least, you should gather the village chiefs and have them check all the villages. Then set up a special medical point in each village.”

“But we don’t have enough doctors! Just Zhang Jiantang, and we’ve got eight villages!”

Xia Wenjin replied, “Do as much as you can for now. There must be an established medical point, and each village must track the number of infections and immediately isolate them at the medical point.”

The mayor grimaced, “Where will we find enough places to use as isolation points?”

Xia Wenjin patiently guided, “The quarantine doesn’t need much, even a tent would do. The main goal is to gather all infected with the epidemic in isolation to prevent further spread and protect the healthy. Even if it’s a temporary setup, isn’t there a suitable place in each village?”

Mayor Wang hesitantly said, “This is a serious matter…”

Xia Wenjin gritted her teeth but understood his concerns.

She sat down leisurely, “It seems I’ve said so much, but Mayor Wang hasn’t realized who’s really affected by my words!”

“Who?” Mayor Wang was puzzled.

“Of course, it’s for you!” Xia Wenjin no longer tried persuading him with words. Instead, she changed her approach.

Mayor Wang let out a hearty laugh, then serious, cold-faced, “It seems you’re treating me like a child to be pacified. For me? We are strangers, would you really be concerned about me?”

Xia Wenjin spoke slowly, “Mayor Wang, have you forgotten there’s someone who came with me? Do you know who he is?”

“Who is he?” Mayor Wang felt uneasy; these two young people seemed extraordinary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed them to speak so much this morning, and would have had them sent away.

Xia Wenjin smiled, her gaze filled with pride, mystery, showmanship, and even a bit of condescension. She glanced sidelong at Mayor Wang, “His surname is Huang, and his family is in the Capital City! Do you understand?”

Mayor Wang was stunned, “Huang… Capital City… could he be a high official from the Capital City?”

Given his position, it was impossible for him to know all the officials in the Capital City, but just hearing the words Capital City sounded so grand and lofty.

After all, as a local official dealing with seven village chiefs, Mayor Wang had seen more than the average villager. His eyes subtly shifted as he asked, “Hasn’t he left? Besides, what does who he is have to do with this?”

“Of course it matters!” Xia Wenjin said, “He’s gone to the county seat. This matter, of course, needs to be reported to the county magistrate!”

“What?” Mayor Wang almost jumped up, “Nonsense! The situation isn’t clear; how can you report it to the county magistrate?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep