Chapter 40 Competing to Believe

Manager Liu had been watching at the foot of the mountain for a long time until he finally confirmed one thing.

These people really were coming for Miss Jun.

Not long after, he saw the chubby man come back with four children.

They got vaccinated so promptly, without any doubts?

The onlookers eyed the man with complex expressions.

Hard to say whether to call him foolish or admirable.

Manager Liu approached with a smile, blocking his way.

"Neighbor, you should find a place to stay after entering the city. The children who got vaccinated will probably have a fever around midnight," he said. "But don't worry; let them drink more water, and they should be fine after developing a few pustules by tomorrow afternoon."

The chubby man's eyes lit up as he looked at his child nestled in his arms and immediately guessed something.

"Has this child been vaccinated?" he asked.

Manager Liu nodded with a smile and pushed his grandson forward.

"See the pustules on the neck. He's already fine today."

The citizens of the capital also eagerly crowded around, looking at the child with surprise and earnestness until Manager Liu's grandson started to cry from all the attention.

"What's there to look at?" The chubby man didn't mind at all, waving off the onlookers. "Miss Jun mentioned all these reactions already."

He then bowed to Manager Liu.

"Thanks, neighbor, I'll go find a place to stay now."

Manager Liu thought for a moment and then called after him.

"If you don't mind, I can arrange accommodation for you," he said.

The chubby man stared.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm from De Sheng Chang," said Manager Liu with a smile. He was just about to introduce himself again when the chubby man already expressed understanding.

"So you're a member of Miss Jun's family," he said, waving his hand. "You want to do another good deed, no need, no need. Vaccinating everyone is already a tremendously good deed. I, from the Yan Family, have money; you don't need to worry about me."

With that said, he walked away with the children, swaggering off.

Of course, only rich people could afford to bring children all the way to the capital.

But there were also many who weren't rich, especially those from nearby who rushed over after hearing the news on the way.

Manager Liu patted the child in his arms.

"Go and arrange it, our De Sheng Chang will cover all the inns outside the city gate," he told his assistant. "Anyone who has a vaccination slip from Jiuling Hall can stay for free and will be provided three meals a day."

The surrounding onlookers were astounded.

This is someone even wealthier.

Daring to do such a thing, is he trying to bribe people to get vaccinated? Isn't he afraid of accusations of hiring actors?

Manager Liu glanced over the crowd with a smile on his face.

"Such an opportunity to accumulate great merit is rare," he declared. "This is an honor for De Sheng Chang."

After saying that, he turned and left with no further concerns, leaving a crowd of citizens with varied expressions behind.

This incident spread like the wind throughout the entire city. There was no need to look at Manager Liu's grandson anymore; all the people who got vaccinated were staying in the inns outside the city gates, almost a couple of hundred of them. There were countless to look at.

The news spread more and more, and the queue in front of Guanghua Temple never shortened. Soon, the citizens of the capital realized that officials from the dynasty were also lining up. Although the officials didn't go personally, their surreptitious servants tried to cut in with the children, only to be scolded by members of the Five Cities Military Department who didn't recognize them.

The servant, with a red face, whispered his master's title.

That title was very useful in other places and at other times, but regrettably, the Military Department had Duke of Chengguo's heir, Zhu Zan, on the spot.

"No matter if you're a Hanlin Scholar or a Three Department Envoy, go line up."

Hanlin Scholar! Three Department Envoy! Such high-ranking officials' children were coming, and the onlookers were even more stunned.

Then another piece of news came through.

The smallpox vaccine at Guanghua Temple was running out.

Moreover, in addition to those people coming to be vaccinated, many gentry from Yangcheng and Runan had also arrived, simply asking Miss Jun to return to their locals and vaccinate their populace, as only a minority could come to the capital.

"People say that because of Miss Jun deciding to leave first, the folks from Yangcheng and Runan are nearly coming to blows."

The onlooking crowd could no longer sit still and surged towards Guanghua Temple.

Soon, Guanghua Temple announced a limitation on vaccinations. Although the price for vaccination remained unchanged, as had been the case initially with Jiuling Hall, it was now restricted by time, date, and the number of people.

The smallpox vaccine was running out, Miss Jun was leaving, and those unable to catch up or missing their chance felt chagrined that despite being right under their noses, a bunch of outsiders had managed to take advantage and seize the opportunity first.

Various thoughts spread among the people in the capital, setting it abuzz like boiling water.

Fang Jinxiu stood in front of Jiuling Hall, watching the gathered crowds on the street discussing the vaccination at Guanghua Temple—those who had been vaccinated rejoiced, while those who hadn't managed to get a spot were irritated. A smile slowly appeared on her face, which had been somber for over a month. She lifted her gaze, looking at the plaintive cuckoos flying across the sky.

Another winter had passed, and spring had arrived.

The willows on the streets seemed to turn green overnight.

The chill had dissipated significantly, the winds blowing down the streets softened, and people donned their spring clothes. Yet, the streets weren't bustling with increased crowds because in three days, the Ministry of Rites examination would take place. Scholars preparing for the examination were making their final preparations.

However, compared to the usual attention paid by both the public and the dynasty to the imperial examination, it was barely mentioned this time. Now, everyone's focus and thoughts were on Guanghua Temple, just outside the city.

After successive ministers from the court went to Guanghua Temple for vaccinations, the capital's nobles couldn't stay put any longer. Just yesterday, Prince Xian had requested an audience with the emperor to lift the ban on Guanghua Temple, so Miss Jun could vaccinate the children of Prince Xian's Mansion.

After all, it wasn't as if the children from Prince Xian's Mansion could queue up with the common folk.

"So, did the emperor grant permission?"

"No confirmation yet, but an eunuch was sent to Guanghua Temple."

The news spread quickly. Why did the eunuch go to Guanghua Temple? Was it to announce the lifting of the martial law imposed on Guanghua Temple?

"You jest, Eunuch," Miss Jun said.

"Of course, we can't have Prince Xian queue up. And it's not that Guanghua Temple forbids leaving; it's just that we have many patients here with smallpox, and it's inconvenient for us to step away."

The eunuch was pleased to hear this.

Yes, that's exactly it. The emperor's order was not aimed at them but was due to the number of patients and the unique nature of smallpox, to prevent panic.

"Now that we limit the number of people daily, we doctors can manage," Miss Jun said. "Since Prince Xian wants to vaccinate, sending a doctor to Prince Xian's Mansion would suffice."

Again, the eunuch nodded happily.

Everyone said that Miss Jun was difficult to talk to and haughty, but that was clearly just a rumor.

"Also, I'm not sure if there's enough vaccine?" he asked in a lower voice, adding a hint of discretion, "I saw quite a few people coming for the vaccination on my way here."

"The vaccine is sustainable; it grows as it's used and is used as it grows," Miss Jun replied. "Please rest assured, Eunuch."

Though curious about how the vaccine was grown and used, the eunuch knew it was Jiuling Hall's secret technique. Inquiring about a medical family's secret technique was taboo. Besides, having obtained the answer he came for, he was reassured.

Miss Jun arranged for a doctor to go with the eunuch to Prince Xian's Mansion.

"It would be best if Miss Jun paid a visit in person," the eunuch hesitated.

"Actually, these doctors have always performed the vaccinations. They are far more skilled in the technique than I am," Miss Jun replied with a smile. "I merely prepare the vaccine."

The eunuch felt a touch of regret but said nothing more. Indeed, he had seen for himself, and even before his arrival, he had asked those being vaccinated; outside the temple, it was always other doctors performing the procedure, while Miss Jun always remained inside the temple.

Watching a doctor follow the eunuch away, Doctor Feng and the others had complex expressions.

Everyone knew what the arrival of the eunuch signified; it meant the emperor had finally accepted vaccination.

This time, letting the doctor vaccinate the children of Prince Xian's household would be followed by vaccinations for the princes and princesses.

This also meant that vaccination could finally be promoted throughout the land.

And for this nationwide implementation, they would need people to do the work. Miss Jun telling the eunuch upfront that she did not administer the vaccines, instead placing the doctors in charge, clearly indicated that she wanted them to undertake the task.

"Miss Jun, although you rarely administer the vaccines yourself, when it comes to proficiency, there is no one in the world who can surpass you," Doctor Feng said.

Miss Jun laughed.

"I am very proficient," she said.

"Then why do you want us to do it?" a doctor asked.

"Because you are capable of doing it," Miss Jun said, glancing at them. "I told you before, I only treat illnesses you can't, and I only do things you cannot."

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Many thanks to Dream-cloud-boy, Ricardo Ye San Mo, Southern Ice, and 'The Last Bullet?' for their generous support with He's Bi.

Thank you all, and have a delightful weekend.