Chapter 126: Collective Acting (Part Two)
others... those who dared to follow me out that night to kill wolves, dare they come with me again tomorrow to fight bandits"His sudden shout echoed with a certain boldness.After a moment of stunned s...As dawn broke, it was usually the time when villagers would start cooking. But today, there was no smoke rising from chimneys. Instead, a heart-wrenching cry suddenly pierced the air, "Sān'er, Sān'er, wake up! Please don't scare mother..."
The woman's voice was incredibly piercing, instantly waking everyone within a few miles. One by one, they looked around in confusion, asking, "What happened What's going on"
The person being asked shook their head, "I don't know, it sounded like those villagers."
"The people of Xujia Village What could they possibly get up to They're said to even kill wolf packs and fight bandits to the death. They have no worries about food or drink, so what else could possibly trouble them"
"Who knows Anyway, the cries came from over there. Why don't we go take a look"
"Just a little longer."
They are all refugees living in precarious circumstances, unable to withstand any turbulence. Even if they were curious, they wouldn't dare go and join the commotion for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
That's too bad.
As things turned out, they were all thankful for their caution at that moment. Who knows what terrible disease they might have contracted if they hadn't been so careful
Yes, after that cry rang out from Xujia Village, there were several more cries, both male and female, all heart-wrenching and filled with pain and despair. They repeatedly called out the names of their loved ones, as if by doing so, they could wake them up from their coma.
Hearing this, everyone felt a pang of sadness.
However, they soon stopped feeling sympathy.
"What Are those villagers' illnesses contagious"
"Well, I heard there's a doctor in their village. He took a look at him and shook his head. He even covered half of his face with a cloth and said it was very likely to have been transmitted through the mouth or nose. Oh, and he kept washing his hands, saying that any part he'd touched could also become infected..."
"Oh my God, what's wrong with me Why did this happen suddenly"
"It's not sudden. I heard that those in a coma are all those who were injured fighting wolves in the mountains before. They were treated at the time, but I didn't expect that after so many days, they would get sick again."
“Oh, I seem to have heard that someone in our village was bitten by a wild dog before. The wound healed in a few days, but who knows, after a while, the person went mad, afraid of the light and water, biting anyone they saw. Those who were bitten by him also went mad afterwards…”
"Really My goodness, that's terrifying! What about the people in Xujiacun Aren't they doomed They live together, who knows if anyone has been bitten or touched"
"No more talking, let's get out of here quickly."
"Yes, yes, you can't follow them anymore..."
Soon, the news spread like wildfire. The refugees dispersed in a panic, avoiding the people of Xujiacun as if they were ferocious beasts.
For a time, Xujia Village became an island that no one dared to approach.
Except for Old Master Liao.
When it was his turn to enter the field, he did so without hesitation. He covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve, but it couldn't stop his furious curses. "You have truly cheated me! Along the way, I ask myself, haven't I been kind to you all But what about you When someone in the village was bitten by a wolf, you didn't even utter a word, hiding it as if it were nothing. What are your intentions Do you want to drive me crazy and unconscious like a fool so that you can seize my Liao family's property Your hearts are truly despicable!"
Xu Huaiyi stood up and retorted with righteous indignation, "You are slandering people! Who cares about your family's property We villagers were bitten by wolves, did we willingly choose that Wasn't it a helpless act If anyone could avoid it, who would want to fight wolves to the death Who would want to be injured and become this inhuman, ghost-like figure You don't offer sympathy or comfort, instead you add insult to injury, you are simply ungrateful!"
Old Master Liao jumped up and yelled back, "Who is ungrateful When we fought the bandits, did the Liao family not contribute Perhaps it was the other way around - someone profited at someone else's expense!"
Xu Huaiyi pointed at the official road, "You leave, you immediately take your Liao family people away, from now on, let's not interfere with each other. I'll just pretend that I saved a pack of white-eyed wolves before!"
However, Mr. Liao suddenly patted his thigh and burst into tears, "Leave I would like to leave, but can my family leave What if someone gets sick on the road Oh my god, wouldn't that doom my entire Liao family What about your doctors Aren't you supposed to be divine physicians You must treat us all, take full responsibility!"
"Are you still being unreasonable"
"When you're about to die, what's the point of arguing"
"...
" Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
Gu Huanxi sat in the carriage, listening to the lively performance outside. Everyone seemed possessed by the actors, performing with great enthusiasm and constantly adding their own flair to the act.
Especially this Liao old master, he can single-handedly support half the stage. Could it be that he runs a troupe of opera performers under his name Only through constant exposure and learning could he have achieved such skill
Even Hsu Hwai-yi, who was acting alongside him, was outshone.
"Mother, is this your idea" Gu Xiaoyu opened a window a little and glanced outside from time to time.
Gu Huanxi nodded. "The best defense is a good offense. No matter what tricks the other side has, if we put on this show, they should be scared away."
In ancient times, diseases that were classified as contagious were a source of terror and dread. Even if there was a hint of suspicion, people would not dare to risk testing it out.
After all, what if it's true They can't afford to gamble.
Moreover, the villagers performed so earnestly that they even fooled her. Dealing with those ill-intentioned people wouldn't be a problem at all.
Gu Xiaoyu felt downcast. "Mother," she asked worriedly, "do you think they'll really come looking for trouble"
Gu Huanxi said, "Mother can't be sure either. Let's wait and see."
The two of them didn't wait long before they had an answer.
A group of yamen officers, about a dozen or so, walked toward them. The one at the front yelled as he went, saying that someone had broken into the city last night and stolen from many homes. They suspected the disaster refugees were involved, so everyone staying near the county town was being searched.
To hear his cold laughter, it was indeed this tactic he used. But I have to say, this tactic is crude, yet surprisingly effective. If they were truly allowed to use this excuse to barge in and search, just by slapping a charge on anyone at random, who knows how many people would be taken away. In order to protect the villagers, their families would have no choice but to pay up and redeem them.
Take a few more, their trip's worth will be enough.
Besides, there's also Lord Liao, who's the big fish. The constables say they suspect him of being involved and want to bring him in for questioning. What can Lord Liao do but bribe his way out of trouble
So, even if they don't enter the city, the calamity that is coming will still befall them.
Thankfully, they had made arrangements in advance.
Seeing the guards arrive, the villagers began a new round of weeping, their cries genuine and heartfelt, shaking the very heavens. There was no hint of insincerity in their pleas.
Moreover, the refugees also testified. Watching the play wasn't for nothing just now.
So, when the officials inquired, the refugees tearfully recounted their tale. They described being attacked by wolves, driven mad, biting anyone in sight. Even their accompanying physician was helpless. Some were severely injured, falling into a coma, while others who remained conscious were knocked unconscious to prevent further outbreaks. The conflict between the Liao family and the villagers also escalated. In short, Xujiacun is now a dangerous source of infection, best avoided as much as possible.that person”Xu Huaiyi said, "Whether you believe it or not, you'll only know after getting to know each other.""The other party might not be willing." Gu Huanxi didn't doubt the other party's scholars...