activa-t Chapter 167 Visiting the Luo Family
Chapter 167 Visiting the Luo Family
After returning home, Zhang Ping'an told Zhang Laoer and Xu about his guess and the current situation.
Zhang Laoer said in a deep voice, "I've noticed recently that there are a lot of people coughing around here, and the medical department can't handle it all. People have to eat, so we can't stop them from going out to make a living. But colds are contagious, so more and more people will get sick."
Xu said anxiously, "That's right, I went out to buy groceries recently and noticed that many people had caught colds and were coughing terribly."
"Mom, please make a few masks with fine cotton cloth and cover your mouth and nose when you go out. This will reduce the possibility of infection. Then go to the rice shop and buy some more rice and vegetables to store at home. From now on, you, Dad and Xiaohu should not go out unless it is necessary," Zhang Pingan said decisively.
After saying that, he thought for a moment and said, "Forget it. I'll go buy some rice. I'll go find Shuisheng at Shengxing Rice Shop and tell him about the situation. I'll ask him to pay attention. I'll also ask their rice shop to send some rice over. I also need to look for Master Luo."
Xu was very quick and skillful. In a short while, she made a mask according to the style Zhang Ping'an said. Zhang Ping'an went out wearing the mask. Shengxing Rice Shop and the Provincial School were both in the east of the city, so it was not far away.
It was already afternoon, and Mihang wasn't very busy. Liu Shuisheng saw Zhang Ping'an coming over with a mask on and laughed so hard he couldn't straighten his back. "Hahahaha, Ping'an, what are you doing? You look like someone with leprosy!"
Zhang Pingan didn't laugh, but said helplessly, "A lot of people have caught colds recently, so I'm just covering my mouth and nose to be safer. Give me five bags of rice and send them home now."
Liu Shuisheng was shocked when he heard this and said, "Five bags of rice! Do you know how much weight each bag holds? There are only four people in your family. How long will it take to eat 600 kilograms of rice? By then, the rice will be stale and prone to rice weeds!"
"I'm not stupid, I can count. Just give me five bags of rice and help me deliver them. I have something to tell you," Zhang Ping'an said after staring at his good brother speechlessly.
"Okay, okay, there's no point in pushing business away," Liu Shuisheng told the doorman to carry the rice onto the donkey cart, and then drove the cart to deliver the rice.
"What happened?" Liu Shuisheng asked with a smile on his face after they walked away.
Zhang Ping'an knew that Liu Shuisheng was just pretending. This kid is smarter than a monkey when it comes to sticking to hair. He has been clever since he was young.
"Half a month ago, when my father went back to the county to do some business, he heard from Doctor Fu of the county medical office that many people in our city and several nearby counties had caught colds. Cinnamon twig and ephedra were in great demand. We ordinary people didn't feel it, but all the medicinal materials sold in the medical clinics had to be approved by the medical office. They knew the situation best. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but in the past half month, many people in our city and the surrounding areas have been coughing, and more and more people have been infected. No matter how I look at it, I feel that the matter is not simple. It's a bit like an epidemic, so I came to tell you that you'd better wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose like me, which will make you feel better. It's best to prepare some rice and medicinal materials. If there is a large-scale epidemic later, medicinal materials will definitely be more difficult to buy," Zhang Pingan said his guess in one breath.
Liu Shuisheng frowned and said, "I've noticed that most of them are old men and women, but you can't spread this around. If you're not careful, you might end up getting sent to the government office and accused of misleading the people."
Zhang Pingan rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "Do you think I'm stupid? I only plan to talk to those close to me so that we can make preparations in advance, and then mention it to Professor Han of our prefectural school. He is a responsible teacher and has a certain status in the prefectural school. It would be best for him to organize the prevention and control of the epidemic."
Liu Shuisheng smiled and said, "As long as you have a plan in mind, it's fine. I'm just afraid that you'll become stupid from studying. You have a passion for serving the country and the people."
"The premise of worrying about the country and the people is to protect myself. Besides, who am I? How much use can I make by worrying? I can only borrow help." Zhang Pingan is clear about his situation and position.
The two chatted and laughed all the way until they arrived at Zhang's house. Zhang Laoer carried the rice home and paid for it. Xu had some leftover meat stewed at noon, so she heated it up and poured out a large bowl of it, insisting that Liu Shuisheng finish it before leaving: "There's nothing oily about the food in the restaurant. Drink the soup before you leave, it will replenish your body."
Liu Shuisheng chuckled and said, "Then I'm in for a treat." He didn't hesitate and finished drinking the soup and eating the meat before saying goodbye and leaving.
Seeing that it was not too late, Zhang Ping'an packed some food and daily necessities from home and went to Luo Mansion. Luo Mansion was also in the east of the city, three or four streets away from the government office, not too far. Mr. Luo said that his two sons both worked in the government office.
After knocking on the door, a middle-aged woman opened it and asked, "Sir, who are you looking for?"
Zhang Ping'an smiled and said, "Hello, I'm looking for Master Luo. My last name is Zhang Ping'an. Please let me know."
The middle-aged aunt was quite amiable. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "That's really unfortunate. Old Master Luo has been away visiting friends these past two days, but my Master Luo is home now. Do I need to inform him?"
Zhang Pingan felt a little regretful, but still smiled and said, "Since we're here, why not pay me a visit? Please let me know."
The middle-aged aunt then went in to report, and after a while came out and said with a smile: "Come in with me!"
The Luo Mansion is a three-story house with a swing in the courtyard. A few kids are playing and fighting nearby. When they see Zhang Pingan coming in, they look over curiously. There is also a pavilion with tables and chairs on the side, and the flowers and plants are well taken care of. It can be seen that they live a good life.
After entering the main hall, there were two young men sitting at the top, about twenty years old, with similar looks. I guess they were Mr. Luo's two sons.
Zhang Pingan saluted and said, "Hello, Brother Luo, Brother Luo, this is my first visit. Please forgive me if I am impolite."
The older-looking one should be Brother Luo. He said, "Please sit down. You're welcome. Aunt Fu said you're here to visit my father."
Zhang Pingan sat down and nodded, "Yes, I'm from Zhangjia Village in Shuanghe Town. I was educated by the late Master Luo for five years in a private school. Later, I passed the entrance exam to study at Qingsong Academy in the county town. This year, I was lucky enough to pass the examination and became a scholar, so I came to the provincial school to continue my studies."
"Oh? You are already a scholar at such a young age. I seem to have heard my father mention it before. My grandfather did have two proud students," said Brother Luo with a smile, and the atmosphere instantly became much better.
"Thanks to the teachers' teachings, both the late Master Luo and Master Luo have helped our family a lot. They didn't come to visit us before we had just arrived in the city and hadn't settled down yet," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.
"It's getting late today. What's the matter that you come here so late?" asked Brother Luo. Generally, if there is no urgent matter, the home visit will be in the morning.
Zhang Pingan said solemnly: "There is indeed something."