Don't disturb me, I won't be a concubine

The plague spread rapidly, especially among the victims gathered outside the city, and the number of people infected increased day by day.

Of course, ordinary people did not know this. In order to avoid causing panic, the news of the plague was strictly blocked, and only some officials in the court knew about it.

That day, Imperial Physician Zhang called Tan Hao and other doctors who came to provide free medical consultation to the dilapidated temple, and bowed to them before he even opened his mouth.

Several people were surprised and bowed quickly in return.

"Doctor Zhang's generosity is really embarrassing for us," said the oldest doctor among them.

Doctor Zhang stood up, his eyes filled with grief. "You are all kind-hearted doctors. Now the plague is raging outside the city, and nearly a thousand victims are in dire straits. To be honest, the situation outside the city is not optimistic. The number of people infected with the plague is increasing day by day. It is far from enough for us, the envoy of the hospital and a few colleagues of the Imperial Hospital to be there."

"Today, the emperor issued an edict, calling on those who are skilled in medicine to volunteer to go out of the city to help the victims. Those who are willing to go will be given three taels of silver every day, and there will be additional rewards after the plague is under control." Doctor Zhang paused for a moment, "If someone unfortunately contracts the plague and dies, the court will also give a pension to his family. I wonder if anyone is willing to go?"

Several people looked at each other with hesitant expressions, and no one responded.

Doctor Zhang waited for a while, and when no one spoke, he could not hide his disappointment on his face. "It's okay, we are all human beings, and we can understand. The plague is highly contagious and can easily lead to death after infection. We are doctors, and we understand this even better. But I still want to say that it is precisely because we understand that at this time, no one should stand up more than us. If even we doctors retreat, then the people outside can only leave it to fate."

"The plague is only separated from us by a wall. If we can't control it, it will probably spread here, and then our parents, wives and children will be in danger."

Doctor Zhang turned around and told Doctor Xiao Ye, "Come with me to prepare some things. We will leave the city tomorrow morning."

As the two of them walked out, Tan Hao made up his mind and said resolutely: "Doctor Zhang, I will go with you."

Doctor Zhang turned around in surprise and said, "Are you really willing to go? You should think it through carefully."

"I've thought it through very clearly. I'm going to go. Just as you said, if we don't step forward at this time, wouldn't it be a waste of all the years of studying medicine?"

Dong Jiafu admired Tan Hao's courage and purity. She struggled internally. She knew that the victims outside the city urgently needed people to rescue them, but she was afraid. It was a plague. In this era of underdeveloped medical conditions, she was afraid that if she was unfortunately infected, her life would be in danger.

She really couldn't bear to die again in this life, as she still had parents, brothers, friends, and many things she hadn't done.

After Tan Hao, someone else spoke up: "Doctor Zhang, I am willing to go too, but I have to go back and discuss it with my family. After all, I may never come back after this departure."

The oldest doctor also said, "Let me go back and take care of my funeral arrangements."

Their words moved Doctor Zhang and made him think of his family.

"As I should. The road ahead is uncertain, so I should say goodbye to my family. How about this, those who are willing to go, come to the city gate at noon tomorrow, and we will leave the city together."

After leaving the ruined temple, Tan Hao said to Dong Jiafu in a relaxed manner: "Miss Dong, can you accompany me back to the clinic? If my father disagrees, please help me persuade him. My father likes you as his disciple the most, and he will listen to what you say."

Dong Jiafu smiled awkwardly, "My words don't seem to be very convincing in this matter. I don't even have the courage to go."

Tan Hao took it for granted that she shouldn't go, "Of course you can't go. You are a woman. If we let you go, how can we men still have face?"

"At the moment of life and death, who is the difference between men and women? I am also a female doctor in the clinic, and I am just timid." Dong Jiafu said with her head down.

"Don't think like that," Tan Hao said quickly, seeing that she was in a bad mood. "This is completely voluntary. Those who go are not necessarily great, and those who don't go have no right to be blamed. It's just that everyone has different choices."

"Then why did you choose to go, senior brother? Aren't you afraid?" Dong Jiafu asked, looking up.

"Of course I am afraid. I only have one life. But if I can help a few people infected with the plague recover, or prevent more people from being infected, it's worth it to exchange me for so many people."

Tan Hao smiled and said, "Even if I unfortunately get infected with the plague, I won't necessarily die. I can be cured after being infected. If that time comes, I will never give up easily."

Dong Jiafu was shocked when she saw his smiling face.

People in the city dared not go out casually, and the clinic could only accept a few patients a day. No one was willing to go to the clinic unless they were really sick. However, when the news of the plague first came out, Doctor Tan’s self-made incense to prevent the plague sold a lot.

When Dong Jiafu followed Tan Hao back to Hui'an Hall, Doctor Tan and Tan Kai were flipping through medical books in the clinic.

Tan Hao looked at the medical books spread out on the table and asked in confusion, "Dad, big brother, what are you looking for?"

Doctor Tan said without even raising his head, "Since I have nothing to do, I might as well look through these old books to see if there is any good prescription for curing the plague..."

As he was talking, he suddenly remembered something and stopped to look at the two of them. "Why did you come back so early today? Is there nothing going on over there?"

Tan Hao walked over and said, "Dad, big brother, I have something to tell you."

Hearing this, Tan Kai also put down the book in his hand.

"Tell me what's the matter." Doctor Tan stood up and stretched his stiff waist.

"The plague outside the city is getting worse. The emperor has called on doctors to go out of the city to treat the victims. I have already told Doctor Zhang that I will go out of the city with them tomorrow." Tan Hao did not discuss it, but told them his thoughts.

What was unexpected was that the first person to disagree was Tan Kai.

"Now is not the time to show off. Don't think that you can avoid the plague just because you know medical skills. We are all mortal, and you will be infected if you go there."

"Brother, I never thought I could escape the plague. I have already prepared for the worst." Tan Hao lifted up his robe and knelt on his knees. "Dad, if I can't come back, please forgive me for being unfilial. Brother, I will ask you to take care of Dad and Mom in the future."

"Get up," Tan Kai pulled him up forcefully, "You are also the son of your parents, don't even think about being lazy, you have to live well and provide for your parents in their old age. If someone from our family must go, that person must be me."

"Big brother-"

"Listen to me," Tan Kai looked at Tan Hao steadily, "You haven't gotten married yet, so you can't take risks. It's different for me. I already have Cong'er, so I have no regrets even if something happens to me. I'll entrust your sister-in-law and Cong'er to you."

"Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? It's precisely because you have sister-in-law and Cong'er that you can't go. If something happens to you, how will you let them live? Cong'er is still so young, he can't live without a father." Tan Hao refused to let him go.