The guards queuing behind couldn't stop laughing, lining up one by one for Lu Qingwan to administer injections.
Invisibly, the fear of having to come into close contact with cholera-infected individuals for an extended period seemed to lessen.
When the Prefect of the Capital, the Head of the Imperial Hospital, and Wen Rusong entered the room, they witnessed such a harmonious scene.
Wen Rusong was direct, heading straight for the point upon entering, "Reporting to the Consort, I and the two other officials are here to discuss specific cholera prevention and control measures with you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Qingwan gestured for the guard in front of her to step back temporarily, then waved a new syringe at Wen Rusong, "Have you been vaccinated?"
Wen Rusong, his words interrupted, looked stunned and shook his head, "Not yet."
Lu Qingwan decisively beckoned, "Come here."
Thus, the one-stop service of injections, distribution of medicine, and sending people away commenced.
While Lu Qingwan administered injections expressionlessly, she said, "Just now, we were discussing that the incubation period for cholera is one to three days.
Since the outbreak began yesterday, one day has passed. You, along with the medical staff from the Imperial Hospital and the Charity Hospital, should go door-to-door to find those already exhibiting cholera symptoms.
Regardless of whether the patients and their families are willing, you must bring them here.
To prevent the Imperial Guards and medical personnel from falling ill first, have your people come here immediately for vaccinations.
Act as soon as you are vaccinated, do not delay."
Wen Rusong had long since been assimilated by Tang Xiao and Li Jin, and was completely obedient to Lu Qingwan.
The Prefect of the Capital, however, was frightened, "Consort, wouldn't forcibly taking people for treatment be problematic?
What if it causes unrest? There aren't many troops in the city, I fear it would be difficult to control!"
He watched as the Prefect, over forty years old, was being injected by Lu Qingwan, and overheard Lu Qingwan and Wen Rusong conversing fluently, hurriedly interjecting.
He was afraid that if the Imperial Guards caused trouble, he, the Prefect, would have to bear the blame in the end.
Lu Qingwan cast a cold glance at the Prefect, "If infected with cholera and left uncared for while running around, spreading the disease to more people, and causing deaths, the ensuing chaos would be far greater.
Would your Prefect's office be able to control that?"
The Prefect, rebuked, looked embarrassed. He took the medicine bag but was still unwilling to give up, "Consort, please do not be angry. This official merely feels that having the Imperial Guards and medical staff go door-to-door might be perceived as excessive force, which could be detrimental to the court's reputation!"
Lu Qingwan's hand, administering an injection to the Head of the Imperial Hospital, paused slightly, then she said meaningfully, "Without power, the court has no authority.
It's good for them to experience a bit of the court's strength appropriately."
Having said that, she looked up towards the doorway, "Have two people come in to administer vaccines and distribute medicine to these individuals. Li Su, you come with me."
As soon as the words fell, she was already at the door. The Prefect of the Capital rushed to catch up, intending to speak again, but Lu Qingwan suddenly turned around, startling the Prefect so much that he forgot what he was about to say.
Lu Qingwan stared directly at him, "Minister Chen can disagree with my arrangements, but I will ask you this: if you disagree with my methods, do you have better ones?"
The Prefect of the Capital stared awkwardly. How could he possibly have any methods?
If he had any, he would have rushed to Sifeng Wu to claim credit and rewards long ago. He wouldn't be here, meekly taking orders from Lu Qingwan.
Seeing this, Lu Qingwan decisively stated, "Since there are no better methods, do as I say, follow the plan step by step. Is that difficult?"
Lu Qingwan didn't mind people offering different opinions.
Like Minister Wen, if he could provide accurate and feasible solutions, she would gladly hand over all the work to the ministers and have an easy time as a figurehead.
But in reality, most people were like this: you propose this, and he says it won't work. You suggest that, and he says it's not suitable.
Yet, if you were to give him decision-making power, let him come up with ideas, and listen to him, he wouldn't be able to say anything useful.
Lu Qingwan found such people most annoying, and at this moment, she showed the Prefect of the Capital no mercy.
The Prefect of the Capital was so flustered by her retort that he could only mumble and nod, "It's not, not difficult."
"Since it's not difficult, then get to it quickly and do as I say."
With that, she had already exited the room.
Someone was waiting by the door. Seeing her, they quickly stepped forward, "My lady, the room you requested has been prepared."
"Lead me there."
...
While Su Shang was busy overseeing all matters at the Charity Hospital, Lu Qingwan was not being perfunctory in the least.
Upon entering the room with the female guard, Lu Qingwan knew it was the one that best met her requirements.
It was a mirror room, similar to the control rooms in Bu Ye Zhou.
From the mirrors covering the walls, one could see every ward and the main hall of the Charity Hospital.
Most importantly, the soundproof walls made of special material were quiet. Once the door was closed, the clamor outside was completely shut out.
"This is it. You may go. Tell Su Shang that if she needs me, she can find me here. Apart from her, I will see no one."
The female guard acknowledged the order and left. Lu Qingwan turned to Li Su, "Are you ready?"
Li Su was extremely nervous, pointing to herself and weakly asking, "I, I have to go in too?"
She had always known that Lu Qingwan held a big secret, but she never imagined that one day she, like Si Feng Wu, would be able to witness firsthand everything this secret encompassed.
Lu Qingwan couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth in exasperation, "Nonsense."
With a mere thought, the two of them entered the spatial laboratory.
To facilitate the transfer of patients into the spatial laboratory, Lu Qingwan had activated the panoramic holographic display. Thus, even though Li Su was standing inside the spatial laboratory, she could still see the situation outside.
For a moment, she forgot to admire the novel equipment before her, only exclaiming in surprise, "Consort, will those people outside, like me, see everything here?"
Red-clothed cannons stood outside, and long and short cannons filled an entire wall.
There were also various medicines and equipment that she didn't recognize but could tell at a glance were very powerful.
Li Su was certain that for many people, this place was like Pandora's Box, as Lu Qingwan had told them before.
Once discovered, Lu Qingwan would at least never have a moment's peace.
Lu Qingwan looked at the familiar place and shook her head, "I'm not that bold.
This place has self-defense functions. People from the outside entering will only be treated. Upon leaving this place, the spatial laboratory will automatically alter their memories, making them believe they were rescued at the Charity Hospital."
"That would be for the best."
Li Su was relieved, "Then, what do you need me to do next?"
Lu Qingwan directly opened the pre-prepared pharmacy, "Although the spatial laboratory has self-defense functions, just in case, I don't intend to let anyone else enter this place.
So, during this period, you will be responsible for taking medicines out and moving equipment. Do you think you can manage?"
Lu Qingwan was also afraid of frightening Li Su, then she took her to the adjacent prepared ward area.
"I have prepared all other equipment, but since we don't yet know the exact number of infected individuals, the medicines and syringes are still in the storeroom.
The only things you'll need to move are syringes and regular medicines, it won't be too strenuous."