Chapter 244: Chapter 244: Severe Epidemic Area

The group led by Song Heizi takes money to do business, driven solely by profit. Now they’ve discovered a big problem; how could they keep it a secret?

Shang Jingwang interrogated them casually, and they spilled all the details of how Zhang Jiantang bribed them, leaving nothing out.

Although Song Heizi’s group were not the masterminds, they were still imprisoned. Since Zhang Jiantang hired thugs with the intent to murder, he naturally couldn’t be let off easily and was also thrown into jail.

Even in these critical times of the epidemic, having one more doctor means one more source of strength.

However, nobody trusts Zhang Jiantang’s character, thinking it’s safer to put such a person in the big jail.

The number of doctors is insufficient, but fortunately Kong Tixin, after receiving a beating, dared not disobey Shang Jingwang’s orders. Under threats and intimidation, he commandeered all the doctors and medicines from the county’s medical hall.

Those doctors complained endlessly, but under the County Magistrate’s tyranny, they had no choice but to comply. Kong Tixin didn’t care if the medicines were useful or not; he collected them from various pharmacies, filling two carts.

It’s said that he wrapped himself in four layers despite the intense heat to come and show off. Upon arrival, he didn’t dare go to the quarantine site but headed directly to Wang Bolao’s home.

Shang Jingwang found his flattering yet cowardly, cautious, and scheming behavior both amusing and infuriating, but couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.

Shang Jingwang, having been on site these past two days, discovered the number of patients has exceeded his expectations, and the infection is spreading rapidly.

When Huangfu Jingchen traveled to Huainan Prefecture, there were not many infected, and the situation was quite discreet. Xia Wenjin was initially uncertain. But now, every village has dozens of cases.

Additionally, there are those who might already be infected but haven’t been identified yet.

However, the garrison has been dispatched, the quarantine site is established and immediately put to use; it’s already housing over two hundred people. The entire Wangshan Town is undergoing a thorough inspection, and anyone infected is swiftly sent to the quarantine site.

The quarantine site, where infected individuals congregate, is the most dangerous area. Xia Wenjin organizes daily batches of heat-clearing, detoxifying soup to strengthen the patients’ physiques. Though the medicine can’t completely prevent infection, it helps somewhat. Soldiers conducting inspections or guarding the quarantine site also undergo regular checks.

The quarantine site is fumigated with mugwort twice daily, in the early morning and at dusk.

The scent of dried mugwort fills the quarantine site at dawn and dusk, coinciding with the doctors’ meal times. Their dinner is simple, and after eating, they return immediately to tend to the infected.

Even though the number of doctors has increased significantly, those truly skilled remain few, with many volunteers helping only with preparation and assisting tasks.

Xia Wenjin is incredibly busy, unable to catch her breath.

Huangfu Jingchen has tried to find her several times but to no avail. Though the quarantine site is small, Xia Wenjin resides within; however, whether it’s Huangfu Jingchen, Shang Jingwang, or even the patients’ uneffected family members, they have only one designated time each day to visit and inquire.

This schedule is Shang Jingwang’s decision.

Even for visits, a special badge issued by Shang Jingwang controls access, limited to ten badges per day.

If it’s not the designated time, visits are not permitted. Without a badge, visits are also not permitted.

The soldiers outside are on high alert, refusing any leniency.

Therefore, even for Huangfu Jingchen, seeing Xia Wenjin isn’t easy. Sometimes, they can only meet once every three days.

The severe epidemic area behind closed doors restricts entry even during visiting hours; those not doctors are barred from entering.

Xia Wenjin fully supports this policy. It prevents family members from making repeated visits and risking additional exposure, while those inside aren’t entirely cut off from the world, able to hear some news from outside.

Especially for her, there are matters between her and Huangfu Jingchen.

Like the medications she needs, the progress of obtaining them, Huangfu Jingchen’s efforts to recruit more doctors, the status of the herbal supplies, and whether the villagers are cooperating.

Xia Wenjin is deeply concerned, as is Huangfu Jingchen, saddened by Wangshan Town suffering such a disaster, also hoping the epidemic resolves quickly so Xia Wenjin won’t have to endure such exhaustion.

Above all, he’s worried.

Despite Xia Wenjin’s medical expertise, being surrounded by infected patients at the most dangerous site means knowledge doesn’t guarantee safety.

Huangfu Jingchen, though not having seen Xia Wenjin for three days, visited the quarantine site and found the situation worrisome.

The mild cases are relatively manageable; patients are bedridden and coughing up blood, some still capable of self-care. With doctor supervision and medication, they manage to rest. Though no cure exists, symptoms can be alleviated, mitigating patient suffering.

Others informed Huangfu Jingchen that the severe cases are terrifying.

Patients face imminent death, breathing akin to laboring bellows, coughing blood enough to stain floors, seemingly on the verge of expelling internal organs. Even at a distance, the loud coughing echoes alarmingly and unsettlingly.

Several soldiers station at the door, mouths covered with thick cloth, exposing only their eyes. They vigilantly guard against anyone breaching the barrier, inward or outward.

Xia Wenjin spends most of her time in this area.

These patients exhibit more severe symptoms and clearer post-infection reactions. She strives to develop a remedy while tending to them, aiming to save lives, remaining unyielding at the severe epidemic site.

How could Huangfu Jingchen not be worried?

Offered substantial rewards, a few doctors arrived, and the medicines purchased by Jiang Ning were delivered. These were selected by Xia Wenjin upon initial research. It’s uncertain if they’re enough or what else is needed.

Eager to meet Xia Wenjin, Huangfu Jingchen took advantage of the medicine arrival to secure a badge from Shang Jingwang, then brought the supplies to the quarantine site.

He specifically asked Xia Wenjin to receive them, prompting a doctor to announce this to her at the severe epidemic site.

Huangfu Jingchen waited outside, glancing in periodically.

Had the messenger gone too long—walking or crawling, why so slow?

What is Wenjin doing—caught up treating patients now? It’s fine; he can wait.

No matter her busyness, today Huangfu Jingchen resolves to see Xia Wenjin.

Three days have passed since their last encounter, a brief exchange over distance, eyes meeting, Xia Wenjin signaled her busyness and quickly entered a room.

Initially, Xia Wenjin proposed taking a shortcut through Liangzhou, soon encountering the epidemic. They’ve remained here over ten days.

Yet in those days, none have been idle.

Finally, the door to the severe epidemic site opens.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep