Chapter 167 City Streets 67

Chapter 167: Prefectural City Life 67

"It's not uncommon for epidemics to break out after major floods; medical texts contain numerous records of such occurrences."

The speaker was Qin Banban. Though still young, with a delicate and fresh complexion, her face was now set in a serious expression.

In recent years, she had diligently studied medical texts and read extensively, including many accounts of epidemics, all of which described terrifying scenarios.

Her expression was particularly grave, as if she had contemplated a grim possibility. She wasn't even in the mood to drink the sweet water Liu Guyu had poured for her.

She added, "Dysentery and malaria are common after disasters. We truly should take early preventive measures."

Both Cui Lanfang and Qin Banban looked alarmed and worried. Qin Rongshi, too, furrowed his brow. After a moment of silence, he went inside to retrieve paper and a brush, then returned to spread the paper on the table, using an empty bowl as a paperweight.

He stated solemnly, "This is a serious matter; we absolutely cannot take chances. I will write a letter first and return to the academy tomorrow to give it to Dean Zhou Pozhi, then ask him to find a way to convey it to the Prefect."

Though Qin Rongshi was the County First, he was merely a minor scholar and not qualified to submit memorials directly to the Prefect. However, Dean Zhou Pozhi was a retired provincial graduate who had taught in Jiangning Prefecture for many years. He possessed both connections and influence, and even if he couldn’t meet the Prefect in person, he could at least submit the documents.

Qin Rongshi, not being medically trained, wrote a few characters but then hesitated and stopped, asking, "Prevention—how should we prevent it?"

Though Liu Guyu wasn’t a doctor, his mind was filled with modern knowledge. He immediately said, "First, pay attention to hygiene. Garbage, sewage, and feces must be cleaned up promptly. Especially sewage and stagnant water—prevent mosquitoes from breeding."

Qin Banban nodded beside him and added, "Stagnant water easily breeds mosquitoes, and malaria is caused by bites from poisonous mosquitoes. Especially after floods, there’s a lot of stagnant water. This will likely be the most challenging aspect."

Liu Guyu continued, "Diet must also be healthy. Drink boiled water, and absolutely never eat meat from livestock that died of illness."

The Qin family used to often drink cold, unboiled water back in the village, especially in summer. A gulp of cool water from the well felt incredibly refreshing, cooling the whole body. It was only after Liu Guyu arrived that he told them not to drink unboiled water—it had to be boiled first, or it would cause stomach illnesses.

The Qin family changed their habits according to Liu Guyu’s advice, but most people in the village still preferred drinking unboiled water for convenience and coolness.

As for livestock that died of illness, especially larger animals like pigs and sheep, many would be reluctant to discard them, thinking they could still be eaten if cooked thoroughly. That was meat, after all. Families in small villages and towns might not get to eat meat every day—how could they bear to throw it away? There was also the fear that pig farmers might dishonestly sell diseased pork at low prices, harming others.

Qin Banban kept nodding and said, "My teacher also said drinking unboiled water can cause intestinal worms! Furthermore, if the water source is unclean, it can easily lead to dysentery."

As they spoke, they wrote. Even Cui Lanfang couldn’t help but speak up.

"Doctor Fang should be back by now, right? Should we invite her over? She’s been practicing medicine for over ten years and probably knows more about epidemics."

This made sense. Qin Banban immediately got up and ran to the next door to invite Fang Liuyin over.

One drawing from years of medical study, the other from modern societal experience, both had much to say. Qin Rongshi listened quietly and wrote, filling over ten pages.

He bound the pages into a dragon-scale scroll, stating he would return to the academy tomorrow to inform Dean Zhou Pozhi first thing in the morning.

*

The next day, Qin Rongshi left early at daybreak, in a light rain, umbrella in hand.

But he was unlucky. The academy had just begun its break yesterday, and Dean Zhou Pozhi had returned to his hometown yesterday afternoon to pay respects to his ancestors. Apparently, he hadn’t made it in time for the Qingming Festival, so he had to go back now to sweep the graves and offer sacrifices.

"When will the dean return?"

Standing outside Dean Zhou Pozhi’s study, Qin Rongshi looked anxiously at a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old page boy.

The page boy recognized Qin Rongshi, knowing he was a favorite of Dean Zhou Pozhi’s, and bowed politely and respectfully, answering, "I'm not sure. It should take about a month. If there’s heavy rain, it might be delayed further."

Qin Rongshi rarely felt such anxiety and worry. Holding the dragon-scale booklet tightly, he paced in place several times before hurriedly saying, "If the dean returns, please send someone to Fruit Alley to inform me immediately. Thank you."

The page boy nodded, watching Qin Rongshi hurry away.

Lost in thought, Qin Rongshi walked with his head down.

What should he do now? Send a letter to his teacher, asking him to help make connections? But letters were slow. Back and forth, who knows how long it would take.

As he pondered, he suddenly ran into Yang Su coming out of the library, carrying a stack of books. Clearly, he had borrowed quite a few, the thick pile blocking half his view.

"Hey, Qin Tongxue?"

Seeing Qin Rongshi, Yang Su stopped with a foolish smile.

Yang Su wasn’t one to socialize, was timid, and often kept to himself at the academy. He could only have a few words with Qin Rongshi.

Yang Su stopped, looking concernedly at Qin Rongshi, and asked, "Didn’t the break start yesterday? Why are you back at the academy? Also here to borrow books from the library?"

Qin Rongshi shook his head, smiling faintly as he replied, "I came to see Dean Zhou Pozhi, but the dean returned to his hometown yesterday. It was a wasted trip."

Yang Su nodded, letting out a long "Oh," then said:

"Yeah, the dean went back yesterday. I even saw him leave by carriage."

Qin Rongshi casually asked, "The academy is on break, why hasn’t Yang Tongxue gone home?"

Yang Su paused, his expression strange, but soon he smiled awkwardly, with self-mocking frustration, saying, "My family is strict. It’s more comfortable at the academy. See, I borrowed lots of books, enough to keep me busy for a long time! If I didn’t have to go out to eat, I’d want to stay in the dormitory all day and not have to see anyone."

His dormmates had also gone home, so he had the room to himself. For someone socially anxious like Yang Su, it was perfect!

After saying this, Yang Su looked at the dragon-scale scroll in Qin Rongshi’s hand and asked curiously, "What’s this? Something specifically for the dean?"

He asked first but didn’t wait for Qin Rongshi to answer before guessing himself.

"Is it an essay?!"

Yang Su’s eyes shone with excitement. Though he was solitary and quiet, he was a book lover, becoming entranced by good writing.

He immediately asked, "Can I take a look?!"

Qin Rongshi was this year’s County First; his essays were well worth reading!

Qin Rongshi: "Uh... this..."

The dragon-scale scroll wasn’t an essay but a booklet on epidemic prevention, completely different from what Yang Su had imagined. But then Qin Rongshi thought, if Yang Su wanted to see it, it wouldn't hurt to show him—it could serve as a reminder to take precautions early.

Qin Rongshi sighed inwardly, still worried that this dragon-scale booklet couldn’t be delivered to the dean, unsure what to do.

Yang Su was thrilled. He looked around, found a small pavilion, and led Qin Rongshi there to talk, placing his stack of books on the stone table inside.

After doing this, Yang Su excitedly looked at the dragon-scale scroll in Qin Rongshi’s hand but didn’t immediately take it. Instead, he quickly wiped his hands on his clothes, brushing away imaginary dust, then reached out to take it, as solemnly as if it were a rare treasure.

He carefully opened it, his eyes bright as he began to read.

After one line.

Huh?

Yang Su was first stunned, then quickly flipped through a few pages, even more surprised.

But his surprise soon turned into gravity and solemnity. His back straightened unconsciously, and he seemed like a different person.

"This... this is what you... you wanted to show the dean?"

Yang Su asked in shock, stammering again when nervous.

Qin Rongshi nodded.

He asked again, "Are you concerned that this year's excessive rainfall might lead to floods? And that an epidemic might break out after the disaster?"

Qin Rongshi nodded again.

Yang Su also wore a serious expression as he flipped the pages back to the first sheet, carefully reviewing it from the beginning.

He read meticulously and slowly, while Qin Rongshi waited patiently beside him. With nothing else to do, Qin Rongshi picked up one of the books on the stone table and flipped through a few pages.

After what seemed like a long time, Yang Su finally nodded and muttered, "It truly is necessary to take preventive measures."

With that, he rolled up the dragon-scale scroll again, held it in his hand, and started pacing around the pavilion. His face was full of worry, so much so that he was sweating.

Qin Rongshi found it strange—why was Yang Su even more anxious than he was?

Just as he was thinking this, Yang Su seemed to make some kind of decision and sighed, "Well, this matter is more important after all."

Qin Rongshi: "?"

"What do you mean, Classmate Yang?"

Hearing Qin Rongshi's question, Yang Su thought it over carefully before saying, "Some of my family elders have connections. If you trust me, Classmate Qin, why not lend me this scroll for now? I can help you pull some strings?"

Qin Rongshi: "?"

Qin Rongshi was even more astonished.

It was no wonder he was surprised. Yang Su usually kept a low profile, with no attendant accompanying him. His clothing and accessories were simple and plain. Although he didn’t like socializing, he had an easygoing demeanor and never put on airs.

He seemed like an ordinary scholar from a modest background, even somewhat meek—the type who had been bullied in the past.

Someone like this hardly seemed like he came from a family with connections.

Qin Rongshi: "This…"

He was still hesitant. Yang Su could see his reluctance and sighed again, scrubbing his head hard before saying, "Fine, fine! You come with me then!"

Qin Rongshi had no choice, so he followed Yang Su.

First, they helped him carry the books back to the dormitory to put them away, then they took the mountain path down, entered the city, and went to the bustling East Market.

Yang Su, walking ahead, occasionally glanced back at Qin Rongshi and sighed, "Ah, my father didn’t allow me to use my family connections to get into the academy, so I entered as a commoner student. I rarely go home, staying at the academy during both short and long holidays."

Then, he looked at Qin Rongshi with an apologetic expression and continued, "I’m worried about being spotted by acquaintances from the academy, so I can’t take you through the main gate. We’ll have to use the side entrance. I’m really sorry! So sorry!"

Qin Rongshi: "…"

Qin Rongshi’s face was a picture of unspoken thoughts.

If their statuses were equal, honored guests are received through the main gate. Entering through the side entrance meant you were looked down upon.

But Qin Rongshi didn’t feel insulted, because even Yang Su, the young master himself, was using the side entrance.

He was at a loss for words. He had never seen a young master returning home like a thief, sneaking in through the side entrance. To conceal his identity, Yang Su had been made to feel like he couldn’t return home—his father was being overly strict.

As he was thinking this, Yang Su in front of him whispered, "We’re here."

Though it was called a side gate, the vermillion-painted door was exceptionally imposing, even wider and taller than the main gate of Qin Rongshi's own residence.

Although it wasn’t the main entrance, this mansion was quite famous in Jiangning Prefecture.

It was the residence of Education Commissioner Yang, who had taken office the previous year.

Qin Rongshi: "?"

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Author's Note: Hmm... I'd actually included some subtle foreshadowing in chapters 129-131, which was meant to be revealed gradually. For example, at the Double Ninth Festival poetry competition, when that minor character tried to pass off a poem from the Education Commissioner—Yang Su recognized that obscure poem because, no matter how obscure, it was his father’s work. Also, at the poetry gathering, while Qin Rongshi and other students referred to themselves as 'this student,' Yang Su used 'I'... Well.