Chapter 322: Plague ( 3 )

Chapter 322: Plague ( 3 )

When Yao Zhi, Ling Shi’er, and Ling Shiqi arrived at Zhu’an town, they went to the warehouses first. After she built the wall, the security of this place was better than before.

While she entered the warehouse, Ling Shi’er and Ling Shiqi guarded the gate.

Yao Zhi filled the warehouses with dried mushrooms, pelts, century eggs, and salted eggs worth 2 months. When she was done, she locked the door and said, "Go to the General’s mansion."

"Understood."

It took them half an hour to reach the General’s mansion. The moment the guards saw the familiar horse carriage, one of them rushed to report while another greeted them.

"Greetings, Young Master Lei."

Yao Zhi returned the greeting and asked, "Sir, is Madam at home?"

"We have informed the Steward. Please wait a moment, Young Master Lei."

Yao Zhi nodded and waited. Less than 10 minutes later, the guard returned with Steward Han.

Seeing her, he cupped his fists and bowed. "Young Master Lei, you are finally here. Madam has been waiting for you."

Noticing his anxiousness, Yao Zhi asked, "Steward Han, did something happen lately?"

"Young Master Lei, please follow me. Madam will explain everything to you personally."

Yao Zhi nodded and followed him. While Ling Shi’er parked the carriage in the side area, Ling Shiqi followed after her.

When they arrived in the main hall, Xue Ya’er was waiting for them. Yao Zhi cupped her fists and bowed. "Greetings, Madam."

Xue Ya’er raised her hand and said, "Young Master Lei, there is no need for formalities. Please have a seat."

The maidservants served the tea and refreshments before they retreated from the hall. Inside the hall, there were only Yao Zhi, Ling Shiqi, Xue Ya’er, Steward Han, and Dong Mei.

Seeing this, Yao Zhi noticed the seriousness of this matter and asked, "Madam, did something happen lately?"

Xue Ya’er thought for a moment before she asked, "I wonder if Young Master Lei has heard about the new rules established by the new Zhu’an Town Magistrate."

"I heard about it. Today, besides informing Madam about the goods, I also want to discuss this matter," Yao Zhi nodded.

"What do you think about the new rules, Young Master Lei?"

"Regarding this matter, my family does not entirely agree and does not object to it either."

"Young Master Lei, what do you mean by that?" Xue Ya’er asked curiously.

"It was a good idea to issue a permit and register our products. This way, it can protect the interest of the person who creates the product and would drive more people to invent new products."

"But asking us to show the process and submit the recipe is out of the question. Most of the products are made using our family’s recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation. It’s impossible to reveal it to outsiders."

"However, it’s indeed important for the government to know the recipe and the process so they could differentiate the products and their originality."

"Young Master Lei, I understand your meaning, but it doesn’t solve the current situation," Xue Ya’er said.

"Madam, we can show the workshop where we produce the products to ensure the hygiene and freshness of the materials we use. But we don’t have to submit the entire recipe. We can submit the main points of the recipe. For example, my salted duck eggs."

"I can tell the government that the recipe uses fresh duck eggs and mostly salt and water. But I don’t have to tell them the secret ingredients or special process needed to get the final product."

"Without the main ingredients and the crucial step of the process, even if people obtain my recipe, they wouldn’t be able to reach the same quality of my products."

"This will provide enough information for the government to issue the permit and give the merchant the patent of the product while, at the same time, avoiding people stealing the family recipe."

Xue Ya’er thought for a while before she nodded. "This is a good idea. But what is a patent?"

"This patent is a certificate issued by the government that proves that the product is owned personally by the creator. If someone sells a fake product, they would be held responsible. The punishment could be imprisonment or compensation to the patent holder for their losses."

After Yao Zhi explained her idea, both Xue Ya’er and Steward Han’s eyes lit up. Although they had never heard about this so-called patent, this was a good idea.

"I will convey your idea to the Magistrate. When this matter is settled, I will send my people to inform you."

Yao Zhi nodded and added, "Madam, I already prepared 2 months’ worth of goods in the warehouse. You can send people to pick it up. Shi’er and Shiqi will be responsible for overseeing the handover."

"Uncle Han, bring our people and get the goods now."

"Yes, Madam," Steward Han nodded and left.

Yao Zhi glanced at Ling Shiqi and nodded.

While they transported the goods, Yao Zhi chatted with Xue Ya’er about the situation in the other provinces and learned that several areas affected by the natural disasters were now facing new disasters. The flooded areas had lost more than 70,000 people due to the plague.

"Madam, do you know the symptoms of the plague?" Yao Zhi asked.

From the historical records she read before, the outbreak of infectious diseases during the Shang Dynasty was mostly parasitic airborne diseases such as smallpox, tuberculosis, and dysentery.

"From the last letter I received, the patients show symptoms of diarrhea, accompanied by mucus and bleeding, intense stomach pain, high fever, nausea, and vomiting. They also feel dizzy and have decreased urination."

Yao Zhi frowned when she heard this. Although she was not a doctor, she learned the symptoms of diseases thanks to her side job as an author.

"This might be dysentery."

Xue Ya’er’s eyes lit up when she heard her words. "Young Master Lei, you know about this plague?"