NOVPUB
Chapter 904: Chapter 907: Blockade
"Some villages have already contracted the plague, and during this time, let no one go out carelessly, lest they bring calamity upon our own village..."
Before Tie Niu could finish, the people below exploded into an uproar.
"How could it be the plague? There hasn’t been any news of natural disasters anywhere."
"Right, the weather has been good these past few years. Village head, haven’t you scared yourself in a dream?"
As soon as this was said, many couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
If there truly had been a plague, surely it would have caused a huge commotion by now. How could it be that no one knew about it until now?
Tie Niu gestured for everyone to quiet down and said solemnly, "Do I look like someone who would joke about such matters? There are already many dead in other villages, and I’ll immediately arrange to lock down our village. Those who don’t believe can go out and see for themselves, but once you leave, don’t come back, lest you risk harming others."
Seeing that many were still jesting, he immediately resolved to lock the village down.
Human life is of utmost importance; this time it was about the survival of the entire village. He could not afford to be careless.
Tie Niu had always been impartial in his official duties, so when he spoke like this, those who had been joking quickly quieted down.
"But if we need to buy something, what will we do?"
A woman immediately voiced her discontent; locking down the village meant that they could only go around within Big Willow Village, right?
Someone next to her said irritably, "If you’re afraid of dying, then go out. No one is stopping you."
"Exactly. But when the time comes, don’t cry and shout to come back in, it will be considered saving grace for the village."
"There have been constant death reports recently, but I haven’t seen as many lately. I thought everything was fine."
"I guess the officials are about to start killing and setting fires again; otherwise, the other villages wouldn’t keep it a secret continuously."
"But we aren’t infected, so why do we also have to die?"
"With the plague, it’s only a matter of time before death comes. Those officials only care about their own leisure and comfort, what do they care about us? If you ask me, we also need to be cautious—if we get sick, we need to hide it well."
"If so many people really died, how could it be kept secret?"
"It’s over, we’re definitely doomed now."
...
Soon, everyone was once again enveloped in a veil of sadness.
In their minds, plague equated to death.
Tie Niu hurriedly tried to reassure them, "This time is different from before, the Daxing Dynasty is at its peak of prosperity, and the lord of White Stone Town is not a fool, we will surely be rescued. However, the prerequisite is that we are not claimed by the plague."
To be alive is to have hope, hence the saying "it’s better to live poorly than to die well."
"Then let’s stop talking nonsense and quickly barricade the village!"
"Right! Surviving one more day is a gain."
Tie Niu swiftly arranged everything, selecting several strong men to take turns guarding the village entrance.
The others all went back to their homes, trying to reduce the number of times they went out.
In this way, most of the channels for the plague spread were cut off.
As long as the plague didn’t spread, it wasn’t as frightening.
At this time, Tan Zhenghong, wearing protective clothing, had already reached the Government Office.
The protective gear was made according to Duo’er’s specifications; a layer of beeswax was dripped onto the clothing, covered with a mask, and hands and feet were wrapped in fur, so the plague had no opportunities to take hold.
Sitting in the Government Office, Qin Longyun had a deep frown. Seeing Tan Zhenghong, he mustered some energy.
"Are you here about the plague?"
Tan Zhenghong nodded, "I heard villagers are trying to cover it up, so I came to talk to you."
"I’ve just received the news myself; doctors from Deji Hall have just examined it and have yet to find a cure," Qin Longyun massaged his temples.
