Chapter 34: Hear not of the near yet knowledgeable of the distant

Miss Jun had no intention of joking as she waved the children over.

"You just need to do what you can, pass out medicines and help distribute the meals," she said while walking towards a room.

A doctor, hesitantly holding a medicine chest, couldn't bring himself to give it to the children.

Fear still lingered on the faces of the children as they stood frozen in place, clutching their hands.

"What's there to be afraid of?" Zhou Jing suddenly said in a low voice. "Could it be worse than death row?"

After he spoke, he took a deep breath and reached out to take the medicine chest from the doctor's hands, following Miss Jun into the room.

The other children, despite their fears, didn't hesitate to follow.

"I want to carry it too, I want to carry it too," Zhou Maomao said as he ran to catch up, reaching out with his hands.

There was even a baby among them, making the expressions of those in the yard even more complicated.

What in the world were they doing?

"Miss Jun seemed to have said before that those who successfully received the pustule vaccine would never fear pox nor contract it for life." Someone suddenly spoke up. "Could that be true?"

...............….

"What's true and what's false?"

Imperial Physician Jiang frowned as he looked at the group of imperial physicians whispering among themselves.

The physicians hurried over to him.

"Imperial Physician Jiang, have you heard?"

"There's been something new happening at Guanghua Temple."

"They say they've found a way to prevent people from getting pox," the physicians said in hushed tones.

"There is no such thing as preventing diseases in this world," Imperial Physician Jiang said with a frown. "Don't listen to their nonsense."

Indeed, it sounded utterly unthinkable.

"It's said that those doctors have even tried it themselves."

"And the Duke of Chengguo's heir has received an imperial mandate to take several children from the Zhou Family, convicted of treason, out of prison to test the medicine," the doctors continued.

Imperial Physician Jiang had of course heard about it and chuckled.

"It seems they really can't cure the pox," he said. "They've started to think up these odd methods. Do they think by doing this they can show their dedication towards combating the pox? Can they thus be exonerated?"

He spoke while twirling his beard.

"As for the Zhou Family children, Zhou Bentang conspired, and the loss of Zhending Prefecture created a breach in the Duke of Chengguo's northern defenses, causing a great loss of face, and he was even reprimanded by the emperor. A new general was appointed, and the Duke of Chengguo has lost a piece of the pie in the northern lands. To let the Zhou Bentang's family members beheaded peacefully would not be satisfying enough for his anger."

This rationale made sense, and the doctors all nodded in agreement.

"To not contract pox after taking a medicine is a joke," they laughed. "There has never been a medicine that can prevent a disease just by ingestion."

Suddenly, a doctor made a sound of realization.

"You can't say there isn't such a thing," he said, his expression serious.

Everyone turned to look at him, and a flash of displeasure crossed Imperial Physician Jiang's eyes.

"Like the high monks in the temple, the recluses from beyond the world, or like the abbess from Puning Temple, they all have medicines that prevent diseases once ingested," the doctor stated earnestly.

The imperial physicians were taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Imperial Physician Jiang did not laugh, his expression indifferent.

"As this Miss Jun claims to be a divine doctor, it's not surprising she can make such a medicine," he said casually. "But let's not treat all the people in the world as fools."

Although the area around Guanghua Temple was tightly surrounded by soldiers and Jinyiwei, in the capital, there were few secrets that could be kept. Whether the news came from the Imperial Hospital, De Sheng Chang, the soldiers setting up checkpoints, the prison guards in the Heavenly Prison, or the Duke of Chengguo's heir leading prisoners through the city, various snippets of information had spread.

The news that Miss Jun and other doctors were failing to treat the pox and death tolls were piling up had terrified the entire city. Many families had started to pack up their belongings to leave the capital for other places to take refuge. However, following this, news that Miss Jun had found a method to prevent the pox also spread.

"They must be lying?"

"Definitely lying, just like she said she could cure the pox but failed. They're deceiving us."

"How can there be such a method?"

"What method can prevent people from getting pox?"

Various discussions and conjectures spread like the wind.

What method? Manager Liu twirled his mustache, thinking no one would believe it was all thanks to a bunch of cows.

To be honest, he didn't believe it himself when he first heard the news.

Cows, of all things? Could cows truly prevent the dreaded and helpless pox that people have feared since ancient times?

Who could have imagined such a thing? How did Miss Jun come up with this?

"It seems she really did come up with something," he said to Fang Jinxiu.

"If she dares to do this, she must be confident in it," Fang Jinxiu replied. "Someone like her wouldn't let herself be at a disadvantage."

Manager Liu's heart, which had been in his throat, finally eased somewhat at that moment, and he took a sip of tea.

"If this really works out, Jiuling Hall will have made an immense contribution and become famous throughout the land," he said.

Fang Jinxiu smiled and set down the counting chips in her hand.

"Manager Liu, you should hurry and find more cows to send over," she said. "I'm afraid a lot of people will be looking for her to vaccinate them soon."

Manager Liu laughed.

"Becoming famous throughout the land isn't going to happen so quickly," he said. "People of this world won't be so easily convinced."

"I'm not sure about the people of the world," Fang Jinxiu said with a smile, "but the people of Yangcheng will certainly believe."

.......................

In mid-February, Yangcheng was still chilly, but this didn't affect the bustling streets. However, compared to the streets, the restaurants and teahouses seemed somewhat subdued.

There hadn't been anything new in the last half a year.

"It's almost the third day of the third month," someone said. "Jin Yun Hall must really be missing Miss Jun."

"Why?"

"Because last year on the third day of the third month, Miss Jun won a lot of money playing pitch-pot at Jin Yun Hall. They made a fortune."

This comment sparked discussions among the teahouse patrons about last year's events, but interest always waned when old news was rehashed too much.

"Something big has happened!"

Someone suddenly ran in from outside, shouting.

The announcement sent a jolt through everyone in the teahouse.

"What happened?" they excitedly asked.

The newcomer, flushed and gasping for breath, raised both hands, eyes shining.

"Miss Jun in the capital has created a medicine that can prevent pox!" he exclaimed.

Pox?

Pox!

The teahouse fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a commotion.

.............................

In the peaceful and serene early spring courtyard, a few little maids crouched on the ground, looking for green grass peeking through the brick crevices, giggling and laughing softly.

The sound of urgent footsteps came from outside, as if someone were running.

The noble son would soon take his grand examination, and Eldest Madam Ning had already started her religious fast, praying daily for the young master. Who would dare to run so wildly in Eldest Madam Ning's courtyard?

The little maids looked up to see one of Eldest Madam Ning's personal maids. She appeared somewhat panicked as she ran straight into Eldest Madam Ning's room.

What had happened? What could make this old woman so agitated?

The little maids exchanged glances.

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Thank you to dream_chaser_boy, _momo_lina, ice_of_the_south, ?The_Last_Shot?, Jing_Sanshao, and md12 for rewarding He's Bi.

Thank you, everyone. The book club will soon be holding a semi-annual celebration event, for those interested please check the book review posts.