Read Novel Full Chapter 972 - 73: Have Your ID Card, Health Certificate, and Transit Pass Ready
Chapter 972: Chapter 73: Have Your ID Card, Health Certificate, and Transit Pass Ready
After Zhao Yao arrived at Swamp Prefecture, he sent people to clean the streets of the Swamp Prefecture every day and sprinkle lime in every dark place where bacteria could easily grow. In Zhao Yao’s dream, he came to know that the world called these invisible, disease-causing things bacteria. He also had people regularly burn mugwort to dispel some disease miasma.
Not only that, Zhao Yao also sent people to remind the citizens to ventilate their houses and sun their bedding frequently. They should also often sprinkle lime and burn mugwort at home. They should not drink cold water but drink boiled water. Additionally, they should wash their hands before meals, and wash them very clean. After using the toilet, they should also wash their hands.
Initially, the citizens of Swamp Prefecture didn’t pay much heed to Zhao Yao’s reminders, but later they learned that frequent illnesses and short lifespans were due to their lack of cleanliness. Since then, the citizens obediently followed Zhao Yao’s advice. This spring, there were no widespread illnesses in Swamp Prefecture.
Every spring, Swamp Prefecture, and indeed all of Lingnan, is a season of many diseases. In the warm spring, the people of Lingnan suffer from various illnesses. These illnesses can leave a person bedridden for many days at best, and be fatal at worst. Sometimes, entire villages, or even several villages, would experience deaths due to illnesses.
Plagues occur almost annually in Lingnan, and whenever a plague breaks out, many people die. One reason for Lingnan’s low population is the high number of people who die each year from plagues or various strange diseases.
When spring arrives, the people of Lingnan live in constant fear, dreading another outbreak of plague or strange disease. Despite taking numerous precautions, they still cannot prevent illnesses.
If they could live without illness, the people would prefer not to fall sick. Although living is painful, often without enough food and being forced to do heavy labor, it’s better than dying. If there is a way to avoid illness and live well, naturally, the people would choose to live.
After listening to Zhao Yao, the citizens of Swamp Prefecture discovered that this spring, no one contracted strange diseases, and no plagues broke out, making them thoroughly believe Prince Han’s words.
Now, Zhao Yao’s words are regarded as an imperial decree, no, a divine decree, by the citizens of Swamp Prefecture. An imperial decree does not hold sway in Lingnan, as the people here have never seen the Emperor, not even their ancestors. They don’t know what the Emperor is like. To them, the highest official is the Prefect, but even Prefects are not necessarily trustworthy. However, a divine decree is different. The people of Lingnan deeply believe in gods. A god’s decree they would obediently and willingly follow.
After Zhao Yao arrived at Swamp Prefecture, he did many good deeds for the people. In the people’s hearts, he is no longer just a prince but a living Bodhisattva. It’s unknown when it started, but there’s a rumor in Swamp Prefecture that Prince Han was originally a celestial being in his previous life, sent to the mortal world by the Jade Emperor to alleviate suffering. Nobody knows who created this story, but it is well-crafted, and the people of Swamp Prefecture believe it deeply.
Before the Dragon Boat Festival, news of a smallpox outbreak in the capital reached Swamp Prefecture. Zhao Yao specifically posted notices reminding the citizens of Swamp Prefecture to pay more attention to personal hygiene.
The people were terrified to learn that smallpox had broken out in the capital and many places in the northwest, causing many deaths. Later, they learned that children who had been inoculated with cowpox did not contract smallpox, which made them immensely grateful that they had followed the prince’s advice to inoculate their children.
The guards in front of the notice board told the people that although Swamp Prefecture had not experienced an outbreak of the plague or smallpox, they should not be complacent. They should still wash their hands more often, ventilate more, and drink more boiled water. If experiencing fever symptoms, they should promptly visit a clinic and not hide it or endure it.
After hearing this, the people obediently nodded, expressing that they would certainly comply.
The guards further instructed the people that whatever meat they eat, it must be fully cooked and not eaten raw, especially seafood. Not all fish from the sea can be eaten raw; many fish carry small invisible parasites. If these parasites are ingested, they will grow inside a person’s body, eat their organs, and even reach their brain, consuming their brain matter and turning them into fools.
The people were frightened by the guards’ words, each one turning ashen and expressing that they would no longer eat raw meat or raw fish. They promised to cook fish and meat before eating.