Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

Li Zhen, a county magistrate known for his decisive actions and concern for the people's well-being, did not slacken his efforts in the face of the quietly spreading epidemic; on the contrary, he intensified his epidemic prevention measures. However, even with his meticulous planning and tireless efforts, the city could not escape the insidious invasion of the disease, and a sense of unease quietly spread among the people.

Manager Sun, the tycoon who controlled the city's grain and oil supply, was usually in good spirits, but now he too has been struck down by a merciless illness. He is bedridden, his body burning with a high fever that soars to a terrifying 42 degrees Celsius. He looks as if he has been forged in fire, his face flushed red, like a crimson shrimp that has been forgotten by time and is struggling in the flames, in pain and helplessness.

Upon hearing the news, Li Zhen's worries intensified. He quickly put on a protective mask and stepped firmly into Manager Sun's somewhat deserted residence.

Dr. Guo was also summoned by Li Zhen, who ostensibly said he would personally guide patients through typical cases.

The steward of the Sun family anxiously asked, "Your Excellency, you've finally arrived! Please, please save my master!"

"Don't worry, I've brought some special medicine to treat your master. Let Doctor Guo take a look first."

As he spoke, Doctor Guo walked to Manager Sun's bedside. He saw that Manager Sun's face was pale and his whole body was trembling. When he touched his forehead, it was burning hot, hot enough to cook an egg.

Li Zhen asked, "How is Old Sun's condition, judging from his pulse?"

Doctor Guo frowned, stroking his white beard as he said, "Judging from the symptoms, he is the same as those refugees outside the city. It seems that he has been infected with cold toxins, which is what you called a viral cold, Master. His condition is very bad, and I estimate that he will have a hard time recovering by just taking medicine."

Li Zhen smiled and said, "It's alright! Today, your teacher will show you a skill."

At this moment, Doctor Guo resembled an eager student, clutching his slightly worn notebook tightly, his eyes gleaming with an unprecedented light. He meticulously absorbed every syllable from Li Zhen's mouth, afraid of missing even the slightest spark of wisdom.

Since meeting Li Zhen, it seems that an invisible force has gently pushed open a mysterious door to the unknown realm in Doctor Guo's world. Behind the door is a vast and exquisite medical universe, slowly unfolding its endless mysteries and miracles to him.

Li Zhen's words, like a gentle stream yet also like a raging torrent, constantly eroded the boundaries of Guo Shenyi's preconceived medical knowledge, giving him an unprecedented sense of awe and enlightenment. Every nod, every note-taking, reflected his thirst for new knowledge, his exploration of the unknown, and his courageous pushing of his own limits.

Li Zhen inserted the intravenous syringe into Manager Sun's hand, then released the rubber tube to allow blood to flow normally.

Li Zhen breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the medicine drip into Manager Sun's body.

"Old Guo, this is intravenous injection. This treatment is very suitable for seriously ill patients, but there are still great risks involved. During the injection, the patient cannot come into contact with any external viruses or bacteria. Once they enter the patient's body, it will be fatal. In addition, the same principle applies to blood transfusion, which I mentioned to you a few days ago."

At this moment, Dr. Guo was like a primary school student, carefully taking notes on every word Li Zhen said. Since meeting Li Zhen, Dr. Guo's understanding of medicine seemed to have opened a new door.

Li Zhen ordered someone to fetch masks for the steward, and also arranged for people to spray disinfectant inside and outside Manager Sun's house. Although Li Zhen had a specific medicine to treat this plague, precautions were still necessary.

Li Zhen asked the steward, "Where has your master been today?"

The steward recalled carefully, "He just returned from Anyang City today; he must have been infected there."

Li Zhen immediately ordered Doctor Guo to send two of his apprentices with the medicine he provided to Anyang City as quickly as possible, estimating that a large-scale outbreak had already occurred there.

It should be noted that in this era, once infected with the plague, it was almost incurable. Moreover, the plague spread rapidly, and ancient medical conditions were very poor, with virtually no experience in preventing its spread.

Even after studying under Li Zhen for so long and reading numerous modern medical books, Dr. Guo only then learned that the plague was transmitted through the air. This is why Li Zhen repeatedly emphasized the necessity of wearing masks and disinfecting the environment by spraying disinfectant and using quicklime.

Thanks to the proper resettlement of the refugees outside the city in the early stages, most of them had taken antibiotics and cold medicine, and their bodies had developed antibodies. Therefore, the plague outside the city was basically under control at this time.

During this time, Li Zhen sent a message to the mountain stronghold, saying that he had left a large quantity of medicine there in advance, and believed that Yue Peng would be able to handle the situation easily.

On the fifth day of the fight against the plague in Tangyin County, a large contingent of Jin soldiers arrived outside the south gate. Judging from their dejected appearance, they must have just been defeated on the battlefield.

"Open the city gates quickly so the old men can go in and rest. I'm exhausted after running around for two days."

"Is anyone breathing up there? Open the door!"

Li Zhen had long ago instructed the soldiers guarding the city gates that they could not open the gates even if the emperor himself came, without his orders.

Before long, a head appeared on the city wall; it was none other than County Magistrate Li Zhen.

"My brothers down here have worked hard! I am the magistrate of Tangyin County. It's not that I don't want to open the gate for you, but there is a plague breaking out in Tangyin City. You'd better leave quickly, or you'll be in trouble if you get infected."

Upon hearing Li Zhen's words, the Jin soldiers below the city wall unconsciously retreated. Plague, oh, that's a deadly thing.

A Jin army commander shouted at Li Zhen on the city wall: "Are you just making up lies because you don't want to open the gate?"

Li Zhen: "General, please be careful with your words. Tangyin County is the capital of the Jin Dynasty. If it weren't for the plague, I would have already treated you to fine wine and meat. If you are really not afraid, then please come in."

As he spoke, Li Zhen ordered his men to open the south gate. Looking through the gate, they saw only empty streets, not a soul in sight. The cold wind blowing through the fallen leaves created a particularly desolate scene.

The centurion on horseback cracked his whip with a look of resentment: "Let's go, we'll go to Anyang in the north."

Watching the departing Jurchen troops, Li Zhen said to Wang Changdao, "Go and settle all the refugees outside the west city into the city. This is just the vanguard of the Jurchens. I estimate that there will definitely be more Jurchen soldiers behind them."

Previously, the concern was about the plague brought in by refugees from outside the city. However, the plague situation inside the city is now worse than outside, so there's less to worry about. Li Zhen believes that with the help of his jade pendant space, he will be able to lead everyone through this difficult time.

With the continuous influx of refugees during this period, the number of refugees has reached nearly six thousand. Once the situation stabilizes, these six thousand people will be a great help to Li Zhen. Wang Changdao cleared out a portion of the military camp in Tangyin City to provide these refugees with a place to stay, where the conditions were many times better than the shacks outside the city.

Among these refugees were several spies from the Southern Song army. They had people not only in Tangyin City, but also outside Anyang City to the north. Once the Southern Song army attacked, they would seize the opportunity to sabotage the city, or even have their liaisons directly seize and open the city gates.

Looking at the well-organized military camp, a scout whispered, "Judging from the way this military camp is managed, this county magistrate is quite capable. It's a pity he's willing to be a lackey of the Jurchens; otherwise, he would definitely be highly valued by our Great Song and become a good official of the Song Dynasty."

The scout leader kept observing his surroundings: "Judging from his attitude towards the common people, he shouldn't be a bad person. We'll see if he can be used by us, and if not..."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hand across his neck.

Wang Changdao arrived at the county government office and reported to Li Zhen: "Chief, just as you predicted, we found seven or eight suspicious people in the group of refugees. Judging from their walking posture and movements, they should be scouts from the army."

Li Zhen said expressionlessly, "Send a few good men to keep an eye on them. If they make any unusual moves, take them down immediately. Anyone who dares to resist must be killed!"