Chapter 614 - 480: Street Lockdown and Quarantine Order (Part 3)

Pei Jian is an experienced old official, and his thoughts naturally go a step further than Zhuo Qingfeng. In early spring, just as the first month was coming to an end, an "epidemic" broke out in Dongshan, shortly after the incident involving Marquis Lingyang.

This major epidemic occurred under his governance, and if handled improperly and the court investigated, he, the parent official, would definitely suffer.

However, this "epidemic" has always been considered a natural disaster, not something humans can control, so Pei Jian didn’t think much of it, just considering himself unlucky.

But, yet, he was also aware of some insider information about the "horse plague" encountered by the Su Family’s Horse Field.

The Su Family suspects that the horse plague at their horse field wasn’t a "natural disaster" but man-made, and they’ve even discovered some circumstances.

But there might not be a final result.

If even a "horse plague" can be man-made, might this "epidemic" also be man-made?

But if someone could unleash an epidemic, causing disaster, how terrifying such a person must be...

Pei Jian felt a chill run down his spine.

"Qingfeng, do not recklessly speculate about things without evidence. What you just said, let it be known only to you and me, do not mention it to a third person!" Pei Jian sternly warned Zhuo Qingfeng.

"Rest assured, Mr. Dong, I understand the importance of this matter and won’t mention it to anyone!" Zhuo Qingfeng replied, "What’s important now is, according to Mr. Lin’s strategy, to isolate the already infected patients, stop all activities, enforce home isolation, ban street access for ten days. Those without symptoms are allowed outside, while those with cases continue to be isolated..."

"I’m afraid doing this will face considerable resistance."

"Mr. Dong, in times of chaos, severe measures are needed. Those who refuse to comply, once they get infected, should be immediately apprehended and put into the camps outside the city, let them fend for themselves!"

Zhuo Qingfeng’s words were filled with murderous intent, showing no regard for human life.

Pei Jian’s facial muscles twitched briefly; to issue such an order, he would need the support of the imperial envoy, Su Mobai, who commands two battalions of the Yulin Guard, the elite imperial army.

Without this strong suppressive force, he wouldn’t dare issue such an order; otherwise, if the matter wasn’t handled properly, it could lead to a greater disaster!

"Alright, Qingfeng, come with me to see the imperial envoy." Pei Jian considered for a moment, realizing that he could no longer hesitate and had to make a decision promptly.

Issuing the street closure and home isolation decree earlier could reduce infections and, consequently, reduce deaths.

As the parent official, he must weigh and ensure the safety of the vast majority, also for the sake of his own official hat.

...

"Street closure and isolation?"

"Yes, Imperial Envoy, this street closure means prohibiting the public from going out for ten days, informing everyone to prepare ten days’ worth of living supplies, banning all weddings and funerals, and only allowing outings for medical reasons, with all business and entertainment activities terminated except for medical facilities."

Su Mubai simply nodded. He understood that the purpose of street closure was to prevent the people from moving around, which would stop the transmission. That logic he grasped.

"Isolation is divided into home isolation and centralized isolation. Home isolation is easy to understand; it means those who haven’t had contact with cases should stay home for ten days, after which the order ends. Centralized isolation is twofold: those infected and symptomatic will be arranged in isolation points for concentrated treatment, and those who have had close contact but are not symptomatic will be arranged elsewhere; if they develop symptoms, they will be transferred for treatment."

"This method is quite different from past practices. Is it your idea, Mr. Pei?" Su Mobai, having worked his way up from the grassroots and having encountered epidemics before, naturally saw the benefits of this method.

The previous method during epidemics involved no concept of isolation; patients were grouped and driven to specific areas with some food and herbs, left to fend for themselves.

As long as the sick either died off or survived, the epidemic’s end marked the resolution.

"No, these epidemic prevention methods were devised by Deputy Director Lin Miao of the Dongshan Prefecture Medical Bureau." Pei Jian had no desire to claim credit; during such times, if someone could share the responsibility, he would gladly do so.

And given Lin Miao’s connections with the Crown Prince, Pei Jian dared not claim his achievements.

This young man, despite his age, was astutely scheming, not to be judged by his peers’ standards.

"Lin Miao?" Su Mobai had been in Dongshan for some time, and this name frequently reached his ears.

Young yet skilled in medicine, he passed the "National Examination for Physicians" test and was celebrated by Dongshan’s populace as a "Divine Hand of Herbal Medicine."

Even Mr. Fu’s closed-door disciple, Wen Ruyu, came to serve because of him, and during his visits, highly praised Lin.

"Yes, it was he who discovered the ’epidemic.’ In fact, Mr. Lin first noticed the epidemic outside the city and wrote to Mr. Wen Ruyu to alert our government. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have discovered this epidemic so quickly." Pei Jian explained how the epidemic was discovered.

Su Mobai nodded with realization, understanding that early detection is undoubtedly better than late; assertive measures would save more lives.

Currently, it’s still a small occurrence, not yet widespread. According to this prevention strategy, if infections are blocked and all infected and close contacts are isolated, the remaining population would naturally remain safe.

"Then Mr. Lin is truly meritorious. Mr. Pei, when we later report to the court, we should commend him."

"That is natural, Mr. Su. Regarding the street closure and isolation order, I need your support!" Pei Jian directly stated his purpose for coming.

Su Mobai pondered; supporting Pei Jian now posed no disadvantage to him. However, his authority as an imperial envoy was limited to investigating the "Marquis Lingyang Xue Family Manor" case, not the "epidemic." It’s likely Cui Xiang and Tie Lin wouldn’t heed his commands.

"Mr. Pei, how confident are you in this prevention strategy?"

"I don’t know, but it is the best I can think of. If following past prevention strategies, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be better than this."

"Mr. Pei, how much funding would executing this strategy require?" Su Mobai asked the critical question next.

Prevention requires funding.

Where would this money originate from? Even if the court allocated funds, it would take time and wouldn’t fully satisfy needs.

Indeed, past crude methods during major epidemics were compelled by necessity. If funds were available, wouldn’t better strategies be possible?

"Funds can be figured out; at least now, we have a significant sum at our disposal."

"You plan to divert the confiscated assets of the Ye Family and Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion?" Su Mobai was startled; he should have realized earlier.

Such a detailed prevention strategy would inevitably require considerable funds, and finding the source for such funds was a substantial issue.

"Mr. Su, we can first divert a portion, then appeal to Dongshan’s wealthy for donations. Collecting donations takes time, and we can use them to replenish the diverted confiscated assets!"

"I need to discuss this with Mr. Cui and General Tie!" Su Mobai replied, such a significant matter couldn’t be decided alone.

"Please act swiftly, Mr. Su." Pei Jian bowed deeply.