Zhejiang, Chun'an County.

"Let's see, what new notices have been posted by the government, won't there be another tax increase?"

After the official in charge of posting the notice left, the people gathered together and discussed it in a few words.

"Wang Xiucai, you can read and write, you read it to everyone!" In the crowd, a gray-haired old man was elected, without him, he was the highest level of knowledge here.

"Ahem, get out of the way, get out of the way! Let me see, what is written on this. After Wang Xiucai coughed twice, he pushed the person in front of him away and stood still in front of the notice.

"From now on, residents of Chun'an and Jiande counties are not allowed to leave their localities! Violators will be punished with 20 canes and imprisoned for one month. In addition, the sick must not live with healthy people, they must be isolated from each other, sprinkled with quicklime, and if there is a body in the home, the family must not stop the mortuary, but must bury it immediately! Anyone who violates the order shall be given 30 rods and shall be imprisoned for three months. ”

"In addition, the government has built a special camp outside the city for the sick to live in, try not to drink raw water, the water should be boiled thoroughly before drinking, the porridge shack is still open as usual, and the decoction for healing is distributed."

After Wang Xiucai finished reading the contents of the notice, everyone surrounded him and asked: "Is this dysentery really so serious?" Why can't there be a mortuary at home? Traditionally, shouldn't a person be left at home for seven days after death for relatives and children to come and say goodbye? If it is buried in such a hasty manner, wouldn't it be a violation of etiquette and a great crime of unfilial piety? ”

"That's right, it's unfilial piety to do this!"

Wang Xiucai was very irritated by this series of questions, and said impatiently: "What's the use of telling me, do you have the courage to tell the magistrate?" See if he cures your sins! ”

"Forget it, why don't you just ask? This Wang Xiucai is really ......"

"This Wang Xiucai is too arrogant."

"That's it."

The crowd quickly dispersed, and Wang Xiucai shook his head helplessly, and then returned to his home.

……

"Have you put up all the notices?" In the county office of Chun'an County, Hai Rui asked the officers who had just returned.

"Gift...... Well, Lord Magistrate, we have plastered the notices of the government all over the streets and alleys. The officers gasped and responded.

"Well, well done, you guys go down and rest first!" Hai Rui waved his hand and spoke.

"Thank you, Lord Zhixian!"

After the errand left, Hai Rui called the master book again and asked, "How is the camp outside the city, has the number of sick people been counted?" ”

Seeing Hai Rui's question, the chief bookkeeper hurriedly responded: "Lord Yuzhi County, the camp outside the city has already housed some patients, and at the same time, according to your previous instructions, in the county seat, Baicaotang, Kangjitang, etc., have sent doctors to diagnose and treat, and at the same time, the wealthy families in the county have also donated generously and paid for the corresponding medicinal materials, but it is just ......"

"Just what?" When Hai Rui heard what the master said, he couldn't help frowning and asked.

"It's just that the number of people who died is still high, and the families of those people are not willing to bury the bodies, but want to park them at home for seven days before burying them, so the number of people who are infected is increasing, and now it is a little uncontrollable." The master bookkeeper hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"What? Alas, what a fool! After listening to this, Hai Rui sighed helplessly, and also felt a little helpless about it.

Nearly 1,000 years of etiquette inheritance, as well as in the subtle evolution of Confucianism, the word loyalty and filial piety have been firmly integrated into the blood of the people! At present, allowing family members to bury the bodies of the deceased without stopping them is a violation of traditional etiquette and the word filial piety in the word loyalty and filial piety.

"No, we can't hesitate any longer, there are so many people suffering from dysentery right now, this is no longer an ordinary epidemic, and extraordinary measures must be taken!"

After thinking for a moment, Hai Rui slammed the table and cut the railroad to the point.

"Lord Magistrate, why don't you report this matter to the Governor's Mansion first, and let those high-ranking officials come up with ideas?" Seeing that Hai Rui was so entangled, the master bookkeeper came up with an idea.

"You go and report this now! Also, give me the list of those who are reluctant to bury the body. Hai Rui commanded in a deep voice.

"Lord Zhixian, who are you?" Seeing Hai Rui like this, the master couldn't help but be surprised.

"There is no way, I go to persuade one by one, just hoping that fewer people will be infected." Hai Rui said as he called the officials.

"Lord Zhixian, there is a way that a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, why should you be like this? You are now the pillar of our Chun'an County, you only need to sit in the county government command, and leave the rest to us. Seeing that Hai Rui wanted to be in danger, the master couldn't help but open his mouth to persuade.

"Give me the list, and you should report the matter quickly and leave it to those adults to decide, there is no time to waste, go quickly!"

"Yes."

……

Soon, Hai Rui took the servants to a family on the list, the Zhao family.

The Zhao family is a well-known big family in Chun'an County, and the ancestors have raised people's masters, so they can barely be counted as half of the official family, with tens of thousands of family wealth, and the relationship with the government is also very close, so it is quite famous in Chun'an County.

Before entering the house, he saw a white lantern hanging in front of Zhao's house, and a cry came from inside.

"Dad, why are you leaving so early! The child has not served you properly. ”

"Grandpa, cough cough, grandpa, cough cough."

"Old man, why are you so ...... Ahem, ahem. ”

Seeing that the county lord came with the officials, the housekeeper of the Zhao family did not dare to delay, and hurriedly welcomed the people into it.

"The grass people have seen the magistrate! Dare to ask the magistrate if the county lord is here to get people? Seeing Hai Rui come in with the officials, the relatives of the Zhao family, who had just cried bitterly, stopped crying and turned to salute Hai Rui.

"Get up, this official is not here to get people, but wants to ask you, why don't you bury the body according to the rules of the government?" Hai Rui waved his hand, motioned for everyone to get up, and then asked in a deep voice.

"Lord Yuzhi County, according to the etiquette law, the body should be parked in the mourning hall for seven days before it can be buried, cough cough cough." The eldest son of the Zhao family's generation stood up and answered Hai Rui's question.

"Look at the current appearance of your family, Mrs. Zhao died of dysentery, and now that the flood has just passed, don't you understand that there must be a great epidemic after the disaster? Or do you want to get sick together? ”

"You don't care, the key is the child? You see he's sick now, most likely he's sick! Hai Rui said, stretching out his index finger to point at the youngest son of the Zhao family, and said bitterly.

"Dad, I'm a little uncomfortable." The child who was pointed out by Hai Rui pulled the corner of his father's clothes and said timidly.

"Huh? How can it be so hot! Send him to the doctor. Someone on the side touched the child's forehead and quickly exclaimed.

Soon, the child was rushed to treatment.

"That's it, do you want to continue?" Hai Rui looked at the rest of the others and said coldly.

"The law of etiquette cannot be violated, and the ancestral system cannot be violated! Lord Zhixian, please go back, please forgive the grass people for their disobedience, if you want to take someone, please wait for your father to be buried before taking it. This time, it was the eldest son of the Zhao family who stood up, saluted respectfully to Hai Rui, and spoke.

(End of chapter)