"We can only rely on you now,仵作 Murong."
Actually, Lin Qingge wanted to say it was a shot in the dark, but thinking that the other party would have to screen the refugees with her later, she held back.
After all, the risk of plague transmission was extremely high. A single mistake could lead to minor harm or even death.
Since the other party was willing to stay without a word of complaint, even if she were to scold her, she couldn't retort.
However—
If Leng Ningyue knew she was trapped in an epidemic area, she would probably criticize her again…
The village chief of Jiugou Village was ordered to guard the entrance of Zhu Zi's tent.
Lin Qingge and the other person checked everyone without stopping.
Those with symptoms such as a low fever and joint pain were isolated separately in an open space at the foot of the mountain.
Then, they divided into two groups to start cooking.
After finishing these tasks, Lin Qingge, utterly exhausted, leaned her back against a large rock and sat cross-legged on the ground without any regard for her appearance.
Murong Bai, who had been busy for half a day, walked over with a bamboo tube. "Have some water."
"Thank you."
Lin Qingge took off her homemade gloves and mask. Having not had a drop to drink all afternoon, she subconsciously licked her chapped lips, then took the bamboo tube and drank several large gulps.
After drinking, she belatedly remembered that the other party seemed to have mysophobia and couldn't help but pull at the corners of her mouth apologetically. "Um, have you drunk from it?"
"No need, I have more."
Murong Bai said, taking the bamboo tube back and holding it in his hand, then asked casually:
"Does your Lord seem to have quite a bit of experience in dealing with the plague?"
Not only did she have plenty of experience, but Lin Qingge, who had worn a mask for three years, thought for a moment and casually fabricated a story:
"When I was in my hometown, I once heard a passing wanderer tell stories about the plague.
According to the wanderer, a very serious epidemic once broke out in their hometown.
There was a doctor named Wu Liande in their area. He gathered all the doctors and physicians he could mobilize to the epidemic area.
He joined forces with the government to establish various levels of epidemic prevention organizations, promulgate various epidemic prevention regulations, and implemented specific measures such as cutting off transportation, isolating patients and suspected patients, cremating corpses, and strictly disinfecting the epidemic area.
Ultimately, after their tireless efforts day and night, they finally conquered the epidemic."
Wu Liande was not someone Lin Qingge made up; he was a real person.
In 1910, a plague epidemic broke out in Northeast China.
The Qing government appointed Wu Liande as the Chief Medical Officer for plague prevention in the three northeastern provinces, and he successfully controlled the spread of the plague in the Northeast.
At the same time, it was the first large-scale epidemic in Chinese history to be effectively controlled through the combination of scientific epidemic prevention experts and government actions.
He personally performed the first pathological dissection in the history of Chinese medicine and became the first person in the world to propose the concept of "pneumonic plague."
He designed the "Wu Mask," allowing Chinese people to prevent infectious diseases with masks for the first time, and advocated for separate meals.
Furthermore, he was also the first Nobel Prize candidate in the Chinese world.
What Lin Qingge didn't mention was that although Wu Liande's medical team eliminated the plague, they also paid an extremely heavy price.
But here, not only were there few medical staff, but there weren't even many people who could be of use.
The difficulty was imaginable.
The only solace was that the plague was discovered relatively early this time. As long as they could get through this wave, it should be controllable.
On the other hand, Murong Bai raised his eyebrows upon hearing Lin Qingge's words. "Lord Lin is truly knowledgeable and experienced.
If possible, I would really like to meet that doctor named Wu Liande and exchange medical knowledge."
"Heh, I'm just repeating what I heard."
As if not noticing Lin Qingge's awkward smile, Murong Bai also sat down on the open ground next to her and calmly narrated in a voice that seemed to be talking to himself:
"I learned medicine from my father since childhood. My father always said: A great doctor in treating illness must calm their mind and strengthen their will, without desires or ambitions.
If anyone seeks help due to illness, regardless of their nobility or poverty, age or youth, beauty or ugliness, resentment or goodwill, Chinese or foreign, wise or foolish, they should be treated equally, as one would treat a close relative. One should not hesitate or worry about good or bad fortune, nor should one protect their own life.
Seeing their suffering as one's own, with deep sorrow, one should not avoid dangers, day or night, heat or cold, hunger or thirst, fatigue; but with a single mind, rush to their aid."
It was the first time Murong Bai mentioned his family affairs, and Lin Qingge was stunned for a moment before praising:
"Your father is not only skilled in medicine but also possesses a benevolent heart of a healer."
"Benevolent heart of a healer?"
Murong Bai repeated the phrase in a murmur, then broke into a smile. "Lord Lin is truly learned. This term is indeed used brilliantly.
It's a pity that good people often have bad luck."
"You can't say that. If there were no good people like your father who sacrificed themselves, how could there be the current peaceful and prosperous era?
For example, if it weren't for the soldiers on the border bravely fighting the enemy, who would protect the people from being trampled by foreign cavalry?
If it weren't for doctors who are benevolent and generous, who would save the people from illness and pain?
Even if it weren't for the farmers working diligently in the fields, we might not even have food to eat.
So, there is no such thing as a quiet and peaceful life; it's just that some people are carrying the burden for us."
Although Lin Qingge didn't know what Murong Bai had experienced, she had felt his ideas were somewhat extreme before.
Taking this opportunity, she couldn't help but say a few more words.
"Also, in my eyes, you, Master Murong, like your father, are worthy of the words 'benevolent heart of a healer'."
Murong Bai shook his head upon hearing this. "Lord Lin, you really praise me too much."
"No, this time I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart.
Master Murong, you know better than anyone how dangerous the plague is, yet you still choose to stay here.
Isn't it because you, like your father, are a 'good person'?"
After finishing, Lin Qingge seemed to remember something and quickly added:
"Let me say this in advance, my personal treasury has contributed a large sum to this plague, so there is no extra money to pay your consultation fee!"
With an ungraceful eye roll, Murong Bai said irritably:
"Don't worry, even if I have to beg on the streets, I won't try to earn money from Lord Lin again!
Really, I always lose more than I earn, it's really not worth it.
And, if time could be reversed, I would never have used this rare half-day leisure to collect herbs!"
Lin Qingge automatically ignored the latter half of his sentence and playfully teased:
"It's rare for Master Murong to have such a change of heart.
I happen to know a few rich widows whose husbands have passed away. After this plague is over, I can introduce them to you.
I believe with Master Murong's looks, it will be no problem to win them over.
After the deed is done, Master Murong can give me a three-seven split of the earnings."
"I get three, and Lord Lin gets seven?"
"As expected, you understand me, Master Murong~"
"Heh~
Lord Lin, you might be overworked recently and are experiencing hallucinations.
I have some invigorating and mind-clearing Ku Shen Huang Lian pills here, which I can give to Lord Lin for free."
Murong Bai said, taking out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve.
He pulled out the stopper.
A pungent bitter smell wafted out, making Lin Qingge shake her head repeatedly. "No need!
I appreciate Master Murong's kindness, but I consider myself healthy and strong and can fight for another night."
Just then, Yan Tinghao happened to run over from a distance.
Lin Qingge immediately jumped up from the ground as if seeing a savior.
"Constable Yan, is there something that requires my attention?"
"My Lord—"
"No need to say more, I'll go with you!"
...
Yan Tinghao, not knowing why his Lord was acting so strangely again, bowed to Master Murong, turned around to chase after his Lord who had already run far ahead, and shouted:
"My Lord, you're going the wrong way! It's not that way, it's this way!"
However, when Lin Qingge arrived at the location indicated by Yan Tinghao,
Upon seeing the cold, pure woman with her eyes devoid of emotion, yet radiating intense coldness, wearing a veil on the other side through the gaps in the wooden stakes,
She suddenly felt that those Ku Shen Huang Lian pills weren't so bad after all…