Under the current communication conditions, it is by no means a simple matter to issue an edict to the whole country, even if it is only issued to the county government level.
The imperial edict was first transferred to each county, then from each county to each prefecture, and then from each prefecture to each county.
It was March 20th, and the imperial edict ordering the country to implement "control" finally reached Lingqing Mansion in Hengshan County.
The distance between here and the capital is only seven hundred miles, but it took half a month to deliver the imperial edict because the current traffic situation was so bad.
"There will be a major epidemic across the country, and it will be caused by meteorites. This is inevitable..."
When Magistrate Li said this, he obviously felt that the content of the imperial edict was absurd, which is also in line with normal people's thinking.
If you want him to truly believe it, you have to rely on other news to corroborate it. Unfortunately, these news are delivered too slowly.
Of course, the imperial edict was an imperial edict after all, and Magistrate Li did not dare to openly disobey it, so he had people convey it to the counties under his rule.
Because Lingqing Prefecture is mountainous, the six counties under its control are extremely isolated, and it takes at least three to five days for news to be transmitted.
Five days passed quickly, and Magistrate Li, who was sitting in his study, was puzzled because none of the messengers he sent came back.
"The area around Guandao has not been peaceful in the past two years. Could it be that something happened?"
"Even if something happens...it shouldn't happen to everything..."
Thinking of this, Magistrate Li felt something was wrong even more.
Of course, due to the limitations of his thinking, he still failed to connect it with the content of the imperial edict.
"Sir, someone from the governor's office is here..."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Li said quickly: "Please come to the second hall to serve tea. I will be here soon!"
However, a voice came from outside: "Master Li, come out quickly, there is something urgent..."
Someone from the governor's Yamen actually broke into the back house. This was too rude.
When he heard that the latter said something was urgent, Magistrate Li had no time to complain and immediately stood up and walked out of the study.
"It turns out to be Mr. Zhang..."
"Master Li, have you passed on all the decrees that were passed down a few days ago?"
"Are you talking about the pandemic?"
"Has it been passed on?" Master Zhang asked hastily.
"Passed!"
"Then why is Lingqing City still so loose?"
Hearing this, Magistrate Li said helplessly: "Master Zhang, do you really believe that there is a pandemic coming from heaven?"
"It's true. An epidemic broke out in Wuliang County three days ago. People infected with the epidemic bite everyone they meet..."
Mr. Zhang spoke so eloquently that Magistrate Li's eyes widened.
"Sir, are these true?"
Seeing his unbelievable look, Mr. Zhang said solemnly: "I'm afraid that the situation in each government is more serious than what I said. Except for Lingqing Mansion... Shanjin Mansion and Lu Xi Mansion in the north are also gone in three days.
News exchange!”
"Ah...this..." Magistrate Li was shocked and almost lost his balance for a moment.
"Sir, to be honest, there has been no news from several counties under my jurisdiction for several days..."
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang couldn't help but be stunned, and then said: "If something has happened, then I am really lucky!"
It is not difficult to understand this. If zombies had broken out in Lingqing Mansion, it would have been extremely dangerous for him to travel there, and he would have been more likely to die if he had not been bitten to death.
Now that the facts are in front of us, even if Magistrate Li still doesn't believe it, we must seriously think about how to prevent the epidemic.
Of course, the imperial decree mentioned epidemic prevention strategies, such as isolation plans and the key to killing zombies.
"To kill these plague-burning monsters, you need to cut off their heads, which ordinary people cannot do..." Magistrate Li frowned.
"Don't worry, the courtiers have given orders to Dusi, and all the troops in the guards will be mobilized!"
After walking into the room, Mr. Zhang drank a bowl of tea and said, "As long as we survive these few days and wait for Dusi's soldiers to block the main roads, we will feel at ease!"
Magistrate Li nodded. He was very confused now, thinking about how to ensure safety.
The first is to seal the city, and no one from outside can be allowed in, and then conduct screenings one by one to ensure that no one in the city is infected with the epidemic.
Magistrate Li issued the order, and the government officials quickly took action.
The gates of the city are closed, which affects all aspects of affairs. Although ordinary people have grievances and can only accept it when facing the government, it is difficult for the dignitaries in the city to handle it.
Closing the city gates greatly affected the business dealings and travel of the powerful.
Half an hour later, there was a commotion at the city gate, and the guards and gatekeepers could no longer hold on.
At this time, Magistrate Li, who received the news, rushed over.
"Everyone...everyone..."
Seeing the magistrate's arrival, the noisy people stopped, but they still gave Magistrate Li some face.
"Futai, it's still early, why do you have to close the city gate?"
"Master Futai, the food shipped by my family is about to enter the city, so you have to make it easier!"
Before Magistrate Li even got close, his ears were almost full, and everyone was making requests to him.
"Everyone, please be quiet..."
After everyone calmed down, Magistrate Li said: "Everyone... there is a serious epidemic now, and I have ordered to seal the city. I hope you will understand!"
"A pandemic? What pandemic?"
"Li Futai, are you kidding?"
Everyone did not believe what Magistrate Li said. After all, even Magistrate Li believed it.
"Everyone, this is true. How dare I make fun of the imperial edict!"
"This is Mr. Zhang from the governor's office. He is here to supervise this matter!"
Seeing Magistrate Li's solemn face, everyone present was confused. Is there really a serious epidemic?
"Everyone, this is definitely not a joke. Several counties in our Hengshan County have been infected by the epidemic, with no less than 100,000 casualties..."
Hearing Master Zhang's words, everyone at the scene was even more surprised.
One hundred thousand people died, but they didn't know such a big thing, which made them suspicious again, and then they started questioning.
"Everyone, this epidemic is extremely violent. Those who are sick are like wild beasts, biting people and animals indiscriminately. Those who are bitten and scratched will also become infected, and the disease will occur very quickly..."
Master Zhang explained a lot. Although he made the epidemic situation clear, everyone was even more surprised.
Is there such a disease in the world?
Just when everyone was about to argue, they saw someone on the wall shouting: "Sir...Sir, Secretary Zhang is back!"
Secretary Zhang was one of the people sent by Magistrate Li to convey the order.
"Open the door quickly, I want to ask him something!"
"yes!"
Okay, you ask us not to come in or out, but we will open the door when we arrive. What kind of logic does this make?
But before anyone could attack, Master Zhang on the side shouted: "Wait a minute!"
"Go up and take a look first!"
Facing Mr. Zhang's gaze, Magistrate Li thought of many things in an instant, and then nodded.
The two officials climbed up the city wall, followed by several dignitaries present.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the city gate, including cart drivers, load bearers, sedans and carriages, and wandering beggars.
As for Secretary Zhang, he looked embarrassed at the moment, huddled together with a group of people.
"Secretary Zhang, why did you come back now?" Magistrate Li asked immediately.
"Sir, you are crazy... you are all crazy. There are biting monsters everywhere. They are dead... many people are dead..."
"Those monsters will arrive in Fucheng soon. Sir, open the door quickly... open the door quickly..."
Seeing this, Secretary Zhang tried his best to escape back to the capital.
Magistrate Li turned around and said to the dignitaries: "Everyone, I did not lie to you. There is really a great epidemic!"
"Please go back quickly and explain the situation to the kings in the city for me. Next... we will overcome this difficulty together!"
Before anyone could respond, a doorman said: "Sir, someone else is coming from a distance..."
Everyone glanced around and saw more people running towards the city gate further away.