After working with everyone for a few days, Qi Zihao not only did not feel tired, but actually slept more soundly every night.
During dinner the next morning, Yan Laosan announced excitedly: "There have been no new patients in the city for five days."
"Very good!"
"Are we in sight of victory?"
"Yes, that's right." Shen Tianshu said with a smile, "But we still can't let down our guard. There are still a dozen patients in the west of the city who have not recovered, so we still have to continue to be careful."
Qi Zihao ate breakfast a little absent-mindedly today, so he left by himself after the meal.
Shen Tianshu turned his questioning eyes to Yan Laosan.
Yan Laosan spread his hands and said that he didn't know what was going on.
After Qi Zihao went out, he went straight to the west of the city and found the magistrate Feng Xuekun who was leading people to count the number of deaths and their names.
"Master Feng, can you lend me a moment to speak?"
This was the first time Feng Xuekun saw Qi Zihao up close. Before, he had only seen him from a distance when he was carried into the county government office.
He did not answer Qi Zihao's question, but asked: "Is General Qi's injury healed?"
Qi Zihao reached out and pulled open his clothes, revealing the still terrible wound on his waist and said, "It's almost better. It won't delay things."
Seeing Qi Zihao's hideous wound, Feng Xuekun's expression softened slightly and he said, "I wonder why General Qi came to my office?"
“I think that this epidemic killed many people in the city, and in order to prevent the epidemic from spreading, all the bodies had to be cremated.
“It must be very difficult for the families and friends of these people.
“In the past few days I have been in the city and many people I have seen are depressed, their eyes are red and swollen, and they must be still immersed in grief.
"I wonder, now that the epidemic has been basically controlled, can we hold a large-scale sacrifice in the city to redeem the souls of the dead and also provide comfort to the living.
“After the epidemic in the city is completely over, a memorial tomb will be built for these people so that their families can have a place to pay their respects in the future.
"I know that the city's treasury is in urgent need, and all expenses must be paid by the army. However, I have no experience in this. I still need Sir Feng to take care of me and give me some advice."
Feng Xuekun nodded and said: "Actually, if General Qi doesn't come to me, I would almost like to mention this matter to you.
"Anyway, I'm very happy that you took the initiative to bring it up. I believe the people in the city will also feel relieved."
Qi Zihao's face became hot when he said these words. If Shen Tianshu's words hadn't awakened him, Feng Xuekun might have seen him drunk.
Feng Xuekun pointed at the county magistrate who was following behind him and was taking notes: "Jia County Magistrate knows best what to do with this sacrifice. If you have any questions, just go to him directly."
"Okay, then let's trouble Mr. Feng and Jia County Cheng."
Two days later, a tall altar was erected in an open space in the city. Sutras, Buddha worship and repentance were chanted and repented all day long in the water and land ashram.
All those who lost their loved ones during this epidemic gathered here, and there were cries and cries everywhere.
Many soldiers also came to the altar to mourn their comrades who were left in the mountains of Juzhou forever this time.
After the emotions were vented, people's emotions gradually calmed down.
It was not until this time that the people and soldiers in the city finally merged together and were no longer in an antagonistic relationship.
They support each other, understand each other, and comfort each other.
Cry for the dead and feel grateful to be alive.
Qi Zihao did not step forward to join in the fun, but chose to stand in the distance and silently watch everything.
He saw many people thanking Shen Tianshu and stuffing her arms with various gifts.
These things may not be valuable, but both the sender and the receiver are very happy to smile.
"What are you looking at?" Yan Laosan came to look for him.
"Look where you are so far behind!" Qi Zihao smiled bitterly, "It seems like you are really far behind!"
Yan Laosan patted him on the shoulder and said: "Actually, I wanted to say it before, but I just saw that you were still immersed in emotions, so I didn't want to irritate you.
"The person in your heart has always been the little girl back then, not Shen Tianshu now. This is just an obsession in your heart.
"What you are worried about may not be her at all, but the memory of a time when your parents were still alive and the family was harmonious."
"Maybe you're right." Qi Zihao looked at Shen Tianshu walking among the crowd, and the sincere smile on her face, and his heartbeat still skipped a beat involuntarily.
It's a pity that when I really started to understand her now, she was already so far away from me.
"General, this is for you!" A childish voice suddenly sounded. Qi Zihao looked down and saw a seven or eight-year-old girl running in front of him, holding a small bamboo basket with several small eggs in it.
"These are pigeon eggs. My mother said that pigeon eggs are the best way to replenish the body. The general is injured and should replenish the body more."
Qi Zihao's expression suddenly softened. He squatted down, took the bamboo basket from the girl's hand, accepted it happily, then took off the jade pendant from his waist, stuffed it into the girl's hand and said: "The jade pendant can keep you safe. When you go back, let your mother Good luck wearing it for you!"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, the little girl's eyes turned red and she said, "My mother is gone, but I have just paid homage to her with my father.
"Dad said that we can worship my mother because the general set up this altar. With so many masters chanting sutras, my mother will definitely go to the West and enjoy happiness!"
"Yes, your mother must be watching you in heaven now and bless you!"
Hearing this, the little girl burst into tears and laughed, waved her hand at Qi Zihao, and then ran away.
Looking at the little girl's retreating figure, Qi Zihao felt that something in his heart was gradually letting go.
After this worship activity, the atmosphere in the city gradually became lighter.
Life must go on, the dead are in the past, and the living must continue to live.
The soldiers who had been recuperating in the city had basically recovered and joined the team helping Fuping County rebuild.
Until there were no new patients in the city for ten consecutive days, and the only dozen or so patients in the west of the city had recovered, Feng Xuekun stood at the gate of the county government office and shouted with tears streaming down his face: "The city gate is open!"
The people who gathered in the streets waiting for the city gate to open also shouted together: "The city gate is opening!"
The sound in the city was loud, and there were many choked sobs that were filled with joy.
Li Zian stood outside, also anxiously waiting for the moment when the city gate opened.
Although he knew it was unlikely, he still hoped that when the city gate was opened, Shen Tianshu could see him immediately, and he could also see Shen Tianshu immediately.
