Chapter 91: Plague

Chapter 91: Plague

Yu Lanyi waited for Zheng Shanci to approach before handing the lottery stick to the monk.

The monk looked at the stick and said that Yu Lanyi was destined for wealth and nobility. Zheng Shanci didn’t pay much attention to the rest of the monk’s words, as they were the usual platitudes, but the first statement rang true.

Yu Lanyi was destined for wealth and nobility—a thought Zheng Shanci couldn’t shake as they made their way down the mountain.

Climbing the mountain was tough, but coming down was a breeze.

The two of them shared a vegetarian meal at the temple.

Yu Lanyi leaped down two steps, making Zheng Shanci’s heart nearly leap out of his chest. He quickly warned Yu Lanyi, “Don’t jump like that—you could get hurt!”

Yu Lanyi pouted but eventually gave in with a soft nod.

“Hold my hand,” Yu Lanyi said, stretching out his hand and waiting for Zheng Shanci to take it.

Zheng Shanci smiled warmly and reached out to clasp Yu Lanyi’s hand.

“When we’re back in the capital, you’d better spend your days off with me,” Yu Lanyi insisted.

“Of course, that’s only right.”

Yu Lanyi was pleased. He mused that once they were in the capital, with his family around, Zheng Shanci wouldn’t dare refuse him.

As they leisurely made their way down the mountain, Zheng Shanci’s mood lifted considerably. As they walked, their occasional glances at each other were tinged with a shyness that felt almost new.

Even after years of marriage, this lingering shyness surprised them both.

Once they settled into the carriage at the mountain’s base, Zheng Shanci pressed a gentle kiss to Yu Lanyi’s forehead.

When his day off was over, Zheng Shanci dove back into his busy routine at the county office. Lately, with no pressing matters, he’d sneak in a bit of exercise during his downtime at work.

The locusts in Xinfeng County had been cleared out, and the stragglers vanished as the weather cooled. The townsfolk had stored grain and planted vegetables, eagerly awaiting the winter harvest.

The textile and perfume factories kept running, and the people of Xinfeng County wore their factory jobs like badges of honor. The Xu family’s grain store remained open, and that day, the clerk asked a customer for their household registration details.

The man hesitated, his eyes shifting nervously, and stayed silent.

The clerk pressed him again.

The man remained silent, and the growing impatience of those behind him was palpable. His stuttering silence was holding up the line. It was just a matter of household registration—what was there to hide?

The man looked utterly embarrassed, his face pale and gaunt, cheekbones jutting out sharply under sallow skin. He finally stammered, “I’m from Lan County—15 East Street.”

The crowd was stunned. What would bring someone from Lan County all the way to Xinfeng County for grain?

Hearing the man’s identity, the clerk was stumped. He called someone over, “Go ask the proprietor. Sir, please stand aside for now and let the people behind you buy their rice first.”

The man took a deep breath, holding his cloth bag, and stood pitifully to the side, his face flushed. Some of the people in line behind him also began to look uneasy, considering backing out. They were all thin and listless, as if drained of energy, looking utterly dispirited.

The Xu family’s proprietor came out, but he didn’t know what to do either. If they started selling low-priced grain to people from other counties, it was likely that the people of Lan County would flock here. He had heard from some that the people of Lan County were struggling. The price of a pound of grain had risen to 250 wen, making it unaffordable for many.

If it weren’t for Lord Zheng and the owner’s agreement, the price increase at their grain store wouldn’t have been so modest. So, he couldn’t make a decision on this matter. If they opened the floodgates, the people of Lan County would swarm in, and as a major household in Xinfeng County, Zheng Shanci also had to consider the welfare of Xinfeng County’s people.

“Please sit down for now. I’ll go to the master’s residence.”

The proprietor went to seek out the Xu Family Head, but even he was troubled by the situation. Privately, he didn’t want to sell to the people of Lan County, as the grain in the store was barely enough to supply Xinfeng County’s people. Supplying grain to Lan County as well would be impossible to manage.

"I'm heading to Lord Zheng's residence to see him."

Unfortunately, when they arrived at Lord Zheng's residence, only Lin Geer and Duo Duo were at home. Lin Geer was in the courtyard, playing with a rattle to amuse her son.

Deng Xue: "Elder Brother, the Xu Family Head is here to see Lord Zheng."

They didn’t get back until evening. Yu Lanyi had picked up some spicy chicken skewers to snack on. Upon returning, they found that there were still guests at home.

Xu Family Head clasped his hands: "Greetings, Lord Zheng."

"You go ahead and talk; I’ll head to my room first." Yu Lanyi, in a good mood, left.

"No need for formalities, Xu Family Head. What brings you here?" Zheng Shanci noticed the tea on the table in front of Xu Family Head and felt a pang of concern. It seemed Xu Family Head had been waiting a while.

"Lord Zheng, some folks from Lan County have come to our grain shop to buy food. It’s not just us—the Gao, Xia, and Li families have had visitors too. They were waiting at your residence too, but I offered to speak for them, so they left."

Zheng Shanci wasn’t very clear about the situation in Lan County. "Is Lan County really that bad off? It’s only been two weeks—it shouldn’t be this bad."

Xu Family Head said, "The problem in Lan County is that while there’s grain in the shops, the prices are too high for ordinary folks to afford. Moreover, during the autumn harvest, the people have to pay taxes. County Magistrate Fang is demanding money from the people, saying he’ll buy grain to pay the court’s taxes. The people are broke, so County Magistrate Fang has sent Yamen Runners to raid their homes."

Zheng Shanci was shocked. "Magistrate Fang has lost his mind."

Xu Family Head said with difficulty, "I feel for the people of Lan County, but if we let them buy grain, we might run out here."

Hearing this, Zheng Shanci was torn.

"How many people have come to Xin Feng County this time?"

"A total of twenty people."

Zheng Shanci said, "They haven’t eaten, have they?"

Xu Family Head thought to himself, "Who cares if they’ve eaten?"

The twenty folks from Lan County were mostly young, including some students from the county school. Not all students in the county school are from wealthy families.

They were left in an open area, clutching empty cloth bags with not a grain of rice inside.

"What do we do? The people of Xin Feng County won’t sell us grain—we’re from Lan County, after all."

"I’m starving, I’m really starving..."

"They’ve left us here—we can’t even eat dirt. I’m starving, I’m really starving..."

When Archivist Zhu arrived, he felt an air of despair hanging over the group. It was his day off, and Archivist Zhu wasn’t in his official robes. He simply said, "I am the Archivist of Xin Feng County..." Before Archivist Zhu could finish his sentence.

A person in the crowd panicked and said, "We’re not buying grain! Don’t arrest us and throw us in jail!"

"We’re not buying, we’re not buying..."

The others were also frightened and hurriedly echoed. They waved their hands, and their bones were visible.

"What’s all the shouting? Lord Zheng’s invited you to his place for a meal. Quiet down and follow me."

Dealing with a neighboring county’s mess on his day off put Archivist Zhu in a foul mood. But seeing their pitiful state, he couldn’t bear it.

The people of Lan County were thrilled but wary at the news. Archivist Zhu paid them no mind and just walked ahead. The county school students followed, and the rest, seeing them, hurriedly followed as well.

Upon arriving at the Zheng residence, they all felt somewhat reserved. Three tables of dishes were set, and the rice was freshly steamed. A young man clad in a flowing green robe stood nearby. Archivist Zhu stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting, "Lord Zheng, I have brought them."

"Thank you for your efforts."

Archivist Zhu dismissed it with a wave and retreated behind Zheng Shanci.

The people from Lan County intended to bow to Zheng Shanci, but he quickly said, "No need for such formalities. Please, eat first. We’ll discuss the grain purchase later. As for your lodging tonight, rest assured. The county office has spare quarters where you can stay for the night."

"Thank you, Lord Zheng."

They eagerly took their seats and began eating. Some sobbed as they ate, tears streaming down their faces. The kitchen had laid out an abundance of rice, and they ate until they were comfortably full, slowing down only after finishing all the dishes on the table. They hesitated to finish the meal, knowing this might be their last proper meal for a while.

Once they had eaten their fill, Zheng Shanci spoke. "Frankly, I cannot approve your request to buy grain in Xin Feng County. Please understand. If we make an exception, all of Lan County will flock here for grain, and our own people will go hungry. As magistrate, I must put their needs first."

Archivist Zhu felt a pang of emotion. He had assumed Lord Zheng would permit the grain shops to sell to them, as Lord Zheng was always kind-hearted. But now, hearing Lord Zheng’s words, Archivist Zhu’s respect for him deepened.

After the meal, the Lan County folk realized their request was somewhat presumptuous, but it was a matter of survival, so someone still pleaded with Zheng Shanci.

"The four largest grain shops are barred from selling to you, but you can try the smaller grain shops, though the prices will be higher. You might also try purchasing grain directly from Xin Feng County’s residents. Some households buy grain every seven days and may have some left over. It depends on whether they are willing to sell to you."

Hearing that the prices would be higher, their spirits sank. Buying grain from the people of Xin Feng County was another option, but it was still too difficult.

Zheng Shanci said, "At these smaller grain shops, old rice is about fifty wen per jin, and new rice is eighty wen."

Compared to the prices in Lan County, this was already quite cheap. The major households in the city had set such low prices, but the smaller grain shops still wanted to make a profit and stubbornly held on. Zheng Shanci didn't bother to intervene.

"Are the shops still open now?" someone asked.

"Archivist Zhu, take them there and arrange their accommodation. Tomorrow, escort them out of the city."

Archivist Zhu clasped his hands in acknowledgment.

Zheng Shanci returned to his room and rubbed his temples.

"Did you handle it?" Yu Lanyi poured him a cup of fruit tea.

"It's temporarily handled, but the matter with Lan County is likely not over. From what the Xu Family Head described about the situation in Lan County, the two counties are so close—just a day's journey. In the future, the people of Lan County might come here to buy grain."

"Did you sell them grain?"

Zheng Shanci shook his head, "I didn't allow the four major grain shops to sell to them. Otherwise, Xin Feng County might not be able to cope."

Having Archivist Zhu accompany them to buy grain was also to prevent them from being deceived by some grain shops and wasting their money. Archivist Zhu's face was well-known among the people of Xin Feng County.

Zheng Shanci was somewhat worried that a plague might break out in Lan County.

"Don't think about it. Tonight is still your day off. Leave it for tomorrow," Yu Lanyi said, cupping Zheng Shanci's face and kissing his lips.

Zheng Shanci smiled and said, "Alright."

A few days after the people from Lan County came to buy grain, more people arrived. They all went to the smaller grain shops and happily left with their purchases. Some even wanted to change their household registration to Xin Feng County, but the Lan County office wouldn't allow it.

Life gradually returned to normal.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the prefectural government of Qingzhou sent an urgent report to the capital.

A plague had broken out in Qingzhou.

The prefect of Qingzhou was in a panic. In all his years as prefect, he had never expected to face such a situation. If the plague wasn't handled properly, he could lose his official position, and it might even bring disaster to his family.

"Sir, the number of plague cases has risen again!"

Governor of Qingzhou: "Quickly isolate them and summon a physician!"

...

Zheng Shanci was still working in the county office when Scribe Jiang, pale-faced, rushed in, out of breath. "Lord Zheng, a plague has broken out in Lan County, and I heard that Jiang County has also been hit by the plague!"

First the drought, now the plague—it feels like the heavens are conspiring against us.

"How is Xin Feng County?"

"Nothing has been found yet."

Zheng Shanci calmly said, "Issue a public notice to inform the residents about this situation. No one is to leave Xin Feng County, and the city gates must stay shut at all times. If anyone is found with the plague, isolate them immediately and avoid close contact. Burn mugwort, drink boiled water, and maintain hygiene. If you have yellow wine at home, sprinkle it around the house every few days. It's best not to go out unless necessary. Maintain a distance of three zhang (about 10 meters) when speaking to others."

"Yes, Lord Zheng."

The inevitable has arrived.

As soon as the notice from the county office was issued, the entire population of Xin Feng County was gripped by fear. They knew what the plague was—each outbreak claimed many lives, and the disease was persistent and hard to cure. Generally, catching the plague was like receiving a death sentence.

"Here are the methods to deal with it."

Scholars read the notice aloud, while Yamen Runners rode to towns and villages to disseminate the information.

After completing his duties, Zheng Shanci hurried home and saw Yu Lanyi lying on the couch reading a storybook. Zheng Shanci breathed a sigh of relief.

"Zheng Shanci, you..." Yu Lanyi was somewhat surprised to see him, but before he could finish his sentence, Zheng Shanci strode forward and hugged him tightly, his arms holding him firmly.

"Don't go out recently."

"What's wrong?" Yu Lanyi asked.

Zheng Shanci calmed himself down, released Yu Lanyi, and said, "A plague has broken out in Lan County, and it's probably not isolated to them. As of now, Xin Feng County remains plague-free."