Chapter 84: Two Things

The entire set of disaster relief and epidemic prevention regulations was concise yet cunning in its design. As Ning Yi went through them one by one, he highlighted the priorities and secondary concerns. Elder Qin and Elder Kang listened quietly, occasionally whispering a few words to each other and nodding. Among the four attendants who had come with Kang Xian, two male servants, like Lu Agu, were also experienced and stood in the back, listening intently and occasionally glancing at Ning Yi.

When it came to matters of hygiene, there was little that could be done beyond providing practical explanations from other perspectives. The best efforts possible were already being made. If there were more time, with Ning Yi’s approach, he could have compiled an exhaustive set of case studies that would have shocked the ancients into understanding the importance of sanitation. Even if he had resorted to fabrications, it’s unlikely anyone would have noticed, but now, with the post-flood disaster looming, there was no time for leisurely explanations.

“Your Excellency, you must understand these matters even more than I do. In the days to come…” If she were to encounter powerful officials or bureaucrats who tried to cause trouble, having a notable background might help her navigate more smoothly. Of course, it’s only business—I can assure you she would never use Elder Qin’s name for deception or to act arrogantly. It might not be appropriate for Elder Qin to adopt her as a goddaughter directly, but perhaps Madam Yun could take her in, recognizing her virtue and propriety, and adopt her as a goddaughter instead.

These words could be taken lightly or seriously, but it was clear the elderly men meant no harm; they were merely making reasonable conjectures. Ning Yi shook his head. “Truly, I dislike scheming and intrigue. I… prefer leisure, and resent bowing and scraping to superiors or plotting with colleagues.” He gestured to the booklet. “Having shared all this, surely you two won’t refuse me this small request?”

Elder Kang pondered for a moment, then looked at Ning Yi and asked softly, “Li Heng, have you truly lost heart about worldly affairs and officialdom? Are you dissatisfied?”

Unable to explain things in terms of bacteria, he could only vaguely describe the concept of external evils invading the body and how infection could be traced to the presence of harmful substances among dead things—like how filthy rats could bring plague.

Kang Xian, watching from the side, spoke up, “Hearing you speak so, Li Heng, I too am moved. Such a noble and diligent woman deserves a proper status. Why don’t I adopt her as my goddaughter? I would certainly treat her well. Moreover, as you mentioned her business, if she recognizes me as her godfather, I can assure you no one in Jiangning would dare trouble her. Wouldn’t that be even better?” Ning Yi smiled, bowed, and replied, “Your Excellency, your kindness is appreciated, but if she were to become your goddaughter, wouldn’t that make her a Lady of the County? That status might actually cause you trouble…”

“Poor hygiene can lead to illness—any physician knows that, though we can leave aside for now exactly how much is attributable to this. Still, it is a factor. We bring lime for them to spread around; it gives them something tangible to do. Reiterate again and again, ‘Unsanitary conditions will make you sick…’ The issue of medicines may not be resolved immediately, but hygiene is something that can be addressed right away. The demonstration must be convincing, as if telling them directly, ‘If you do this, you won’t get sick.’ The more forceful the message, the more confident and reassured they’ll be once they act on it. In fact, a cheerful and untroubled mindset may also reduce the likelihood of illness.”

When Ning Yi finished, Elder Kang sighed and tossed the disaster relief regulations of the Wu Dynasty to Lu Agu. “With Li Heng’s booklet, the rest can be discarded. Each clause is linked to the next—just the section on latrines manages to address morale, management, hygiene, and discipline… Judging by the handwriting, did you really put this together just last night?”

“These past days, you’ve both often talked about these matters. In the academy, I’ve discussed some of this with the students, and occasionally with others. So last night, I summarized my thoughts, thinking they might prove useful.”

“Agu, what do you think of this booklet and of Ning Li Heng?”

After a pause, Ning Yi replied, “A daughter.”

Elder Qin and Elder Kang exchanged glances. “And what is the second item?”

“For instance, if we find a dead rat in our midst and our awareness campaign is weak, people will simply ignore it, feeling nothing. But if the campaign is strong, someone will immediately report it, a physician will remove it, and it will be burned or buried. Taking action instills confidence. At the very least, we know that dead rats, snakes, insects, and even humans—once dead and decaying—are all sources of disease. On another front, isolating patients prevents widespread panic. Physicians must be diligent so people can see what’s being done, keeping their minds at ease. Even if a few worry about their loved ones being isolated, it’s nothing compared to the terror of unchecked contagion. Isolation must therefore be enforced rigorously…”

Qin Shiyuan shook his head. “I’ve heard you speak of Nie Yunzhu before, Li Heng. I always thought her remarkable, and now I see she is truly a woman of virtue and noble character, with nothing base about her. For you to speak on her behalf and ask Madam Yun to adopt her as a goddaughter would be too slighting; I should do so myself and treat her as my own daughter. You need not worry I would mistreat her—her two elder brothers would also be delighted to gain such a sister.”

As dusk approached, Elder Kang left the Qinhuai River bend in his sedan chair. That afternoon, the matter of taking Nie Yunzhu as a goddaughter had been discussed at length. Then Lu Agu was summoned to copy the disaster relief booklet, and there was further discussion before they finally parted ways.

When they finished, Elder Qin and Elder Kang asked about certain unclear points, most of which pertained to hygiene. In these times, hygiene was not a common concern, and traditional medicine rarely emphasized it. Though there were theories of external evils, the main focus was always on the five elements and nurturing one’s energy, so little practical argument could be made. People might have some understanding that filth bred illness, but in the context of disaster relief, few cared about hygiene at all.

“My suggestion is only an idea for now—I haven’t spoken to her about it yet, and if you, Elder Qin, refuse, that’s perfectly reasonable. Both of you have actually met this young woman before—she’s the one who sold pine-flower eggs in the market. It may be disrespectful to say, but she once worked in a pleasure house. I met her one morning while she was slaughtering a chicken for practice; Elder Qin, you know about this…”

“One’s status is not always a matter of choice, but the judgment of the world is something one must often take into account.”

“She was born into an official’s family, so her manners…”

He spoke these words with care, but before he finished, Elder Qin laughed and waved him off. “Li Heng, you’re being far too cautious. We’ve known each other for over a year—do you take me for one of those worldly, calculating men?”

There was a long silence before anyone spoke.

The last time Ning Yi had spoken in this way, it was to show his determination not to serve in officialdom. But this time, the context was entirely different. When he finished, Elder Qin and Elder Kang became truly solemn. After a thoughtful pause, Elder Qin asked, “Why is that? Such an important matter, and you would stay on the sidelines?”

“More than merely useful,” Kang Xian shook his head. “Just the way you propose recording and auditing statistics—if this method is implemented, the loss in disaster relief could be cut by at least thirty percent. Li Heng, this is a boon for the people; once published, you will be famous throughout the land.”

“That is exactly what concerns me,” Ning Yi smiled. “If it proves useful, Elder Qin, you may send it to Brother Shaohe, or Your Excellency, distribute it to anyone who can make use of it. I have only one request: do not reveal that I wrote it. This is not modesty—I mean it most sincerely.”

“After she left the brothel, she cut off contact with her former acquaintances. She didn’t know how to make a living, so she learned, even taught herself to kill chickens at the market, biting her lip until she mastered the skill. Later, to prove she could support herself like any ordinary person, she was even prepared to sell pancakes. These are the qualities I admire. That’s why I taught her how to make pine-flower eggs and offered some advice. But now, as her business grows, she’s encountering things on a different level, and there’s only so much I can help with directly…”

Kang Xian and Elder Qin may have had more to say, but these words left them speechless. Elder Qin sighed. “Li Heng, oh Li Heng, you really are a complex man. In the past, I thought nothing of it, but to produce a booklet like this and yet refuse to step forward yourself—I don’t know whether to be grateful or to lament…”

“I’m just an ordinary person, with the occasional wild idea. If it’s useful, I’ll share it—think of me as a paper general like Zhao Kuo, skilled in theory but clumsy in practice. I can offer strategies for others to implement, but if I were to do it myself, it might not turn out well. Holding back here is an act of self-awareness… Oh, and it’s not without personal motive. I did mention yesterday, if this proves valuable, consider it my gift to you, Elder Qin—this is the first one.”

“Oh?”

To rely on powerful figures and adopt a goddaughter—this seemed a sensitive matter, but not a major one. What weighed on Kang Xian’s mind was the contents of the booklet. In his sedan chair, he read it again and summoned Lu Agu.

Qin Shiyuan was a great scholar of his time and had once served as Minister of Rites. For him to adopt a former courtesan as his goddaughter would surely be controversial, and Ning Yi understood this well. Yet he continued, speaking at length about Nie Yunzhu.

“…In other respects, when disaster strikes, the whole region easily falls into disorder. Without rules, things become unmanageable. By selecting managers from among the people, standardizing accommodations, meals, and latrines, you give them a sense of discipline and belonging, letting them feel someone is looking out for them, and so their hearts are settled. In reality, the effort required to select grassroots managers from among them is far less than what would be needed if chaos broke out. And as long as there is food, people will be calm. Neat shelters, tidy pathways, clean surroundings—all these provide subtle guidance and reassurance.

“Discipline cannot rely solely on harsh measures; it is best to guide according to circumstances. Besides, they have time now—the more idle they are, the more likely they are to create trouble out of restlessness. Assign tasks step by step: level the ground, build standardized shelters and latrines. Only by standardizing everything will there be no fighting. Otherwise, even if each person gets two bowls of porridge a day, they’ll still try to snatch from others. Those who stir up trouble or break the rules should be punished without hesitation.”

—End—