The villagers, seeing Ye Tiancheng's firm attitude, naturally did not dare to resist further.
However, this only made them respect Ye Tiancheng even more. After all, Ye Tiancheng was a doctor, and at first glance, it was clear he was no ordinary person. Yet, he still cared so much about the affairs of them, the common folk.
Such benevolent magnates were truly rare.
After convincing the few villagers, Ye Tiancheng immediately packed his belongings. His luggage contained medical books, patient records, and some medicinal herbs that could be used immediately.
Once prepared, he left with these villagers.
He followed the villagers, taking turns visiting each household to examine the condition of those who had fallen ill.
One point could be basically confirmed.
The individuals who were most numerous, most widespread, and most likely to show symptoms first were those with weaker resistance: the elderly, children, and some women.
Moreover, the situation was indeed more serious than Ye Tiancheng had imagined.
There were also some who had already developed symptoms, but because the symptoms were mild and not taken seriously by the villagers themselves, some people who had symptoms were not among those they mentioned to Ye Tiancheng.
In other words, besides the known patients, there were many newly discovered cases with mild symptoms.
Some families, although they might have noticed that some family members had developed symptoms, might have thought it was just a minor ailment and did not pay too much attention to it. In fact, they could not be blamed for not having this awareness of protection.
It was because people like them had no money and were relatively poor.
Therefore, even if they knew they were sick, they had no good way to deal with it. They might not have the money to treat themselves, and would generally choose to delay, letting the illness heal on its own. Only when the situation became increasingly severe, and it was clear that they could not recover on their own and it would affect their daily lives, would they reluctantly seek a doctor for consultation.
After examining them, Ye Tiancheng could only feel helpless about the current situation in the village.
He could only try to persuade the villagers to see a doctor and take medicine.
Fortunately, these villagers were relatively receptive to advice. Moreover, Ye Tiancheng did his best not to prescribe expensive medicines, and tried his best to use cheaper medicinal materials. Some of the medicinal materials could even be found by the villagers in the nearby mountains.
This way, it could save a considerable amount of money on medicine for these villagers.
The villagers were extremely grateful to Ye Tiancheng.
However, at this moment, these villagers had not yet realized how severe the situation had become.
After Ye Tiancheng treated the villagers, he actually uncovered more patients. Because they learned of Ye Tiancheng's presence, more and more villagers began to seek him out for treatment. There were also some who had been ill for some time but had not publicized it, and had been observing the situation.
As Ye Tiancheng's reputation grew in the village, they all emerged.
They all went to Ye Tiancheng for treatment.
Ye Tiancheng was busy for several days, treating the villagers. He could truly confirm that even with all his effort, he could only prescribe medicine that treated the symptoms but not the root cause.
Although Ye Tiancheng did not dare to speak of the true nature of the illness, he honestly stated that he did not have full confidence in curing the disease and could only help the villagers alleviate their symptoms.
However, even so, perhaps because several doctors had been consulted before with no success, Ye Tiancheng, who prescribed medicine that was effective and not too expensive, was already considered very capable in the eyes of these villagers.
However, Ye Tiancheng did not dare to delay this situation any further.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng felt that he needed to think of other ways.
So, Ye Tiancheng found an opportunity and asked Li Dazhuang for help, saying that he wanted to be led to a nearby town. He wanted to visit some medical clinics and other places in the vicinity to find other ways to better treat the villagers.
Moreover, when Ye Tiancheng said he was going to the town, coupled with his previous kindness in treating the villagers without charging high consultation fees, the villagers trusted Ye Tiancheng very much and did not think that Ye Tiancheng was trying to run away.
Although Ye Tiancheng indeed had no such intention.
When the villagers learned of Ye Tiancheng's request, they even offered to help Ye Tiancheng, providing him with transportation and offering to lead the way.
However, Ye Tiancheng did not need such a grand gesture for a trip.
So, in the end, he only borrowed a carriage and horse, and then, accompanied by Li Dazhuang, who was most familiar with Ye Tiancheng, they set off for the nearby town.
Ye Tiancheng's psychological pressure this time was indeed very great.
After much hesitation, on the way to the town, he finally, to a certain extent, told Li Dazhuang, who was traveling with him, the truth.
Ye Tiancheng said to Li Dazhuang, "Previously, I treated your son and daughter, Brother Li. Regarding this matter, we were supposed to discuss it further, but an accident suddenly occurred, and I haven't had the time to properly discuss it with you, Brother Li."
Li Dazhuang also remembered this matter.
He nodded and said, "That's right, but the villagers' illness is indeed more urgent. However, I remember that you, Doctor Ye, mentioned in passing that I should pay more attention to the two children and keep them away from other children to avoid spreading the contagion."
"I still remember this and have already done so."
Hearing Li Dazhuang mention this, Ye Tiancheng couldn't help but sigh.
After thinking for a moment, he said to Li Dazhuang, "Brother Li, there is something I am telling you now for the first time, and please do not blame me."
Li Dazhuang looked somewhat puzzled. He didn't understand why Ye Tiancheng would say that.
"Doctor Ye, what do you mean by that?"
Ye Tiancheng sighed and said, "Originally, when I was diagnosing your wife, there were some things I was not entirely sure about. It wasn't until later, when I observed the symptoms that appeared in your two children, Brother Li, and even many people in your village, that I was able to confirm it."
"After diagnosis, although I was very reluctant, I had to accept this result."
"However, this matter is of great importance, and at that time, I was really worried that if I spoke about it, it would easily cause panic in the village, so I did not dare to speak rashly. However, at this moment, it is only you and I together, and I cannot keep it from you any longer, so I can only tell you about this matter, Brother Li."
Ye Tiancheng had already said so much.
Even though Ye Tiancheng had not directly revealed what the situation was, Li Dazhuang already had a bad premonition.
He pondered for a moment, and finally, with some trepidation, said to Ye Tiancheng, "Doctor Ye, what exactly is this matter? Why don't you just say it directly? This in-between state is making me anxious and uneasy."
It was precisely because of this concern.
Ye Tiancheng knew it very well.
Once he said this today, he was afraid that Li Dazhuang would be even more uneasy.
However, even knowing this, Ye Tiancheng had to reveal the situation.
Ye Tiancheng said helplessly to Li Dazhuang, "What I am about to say may also make it difficult for you to be at ease, Brother Li, but please hold on for a moment and listen carefully. Otherwise, it will not be of much help in solving the problem."
Li Dazhuang was truly made anxious.
He patiently listened to Ye Tiancheng continue.
Ye Tiancheng said, "Originally, I observed that your wife's illness was indeed unprecedented. It's not that the symptoms were never seen before, but that the entire illness was clearly different from ordinary illnesses. Otherwise, it would not be the case that many doctors had seen it and could not give a diagnosis."
"So, I could only rely on my experience to prescribe some medicine that could alleviate her symptoms. I have already mentioned this."
Li Dazhuang nodded.
He knew this.
Ye Tiancheng had always emphasized this point when treating the villagers. Because the illness that the villagers had recently contracted did not seem to be an ordinary illness, he could not prescribe specific medicine, only medicine to alleviate the symptoms. Other treatments would require further research.
Ye Tiancheng continued, "Later, after observing the symptoms of your two children, Brother Li, and other people in the village, I gradually confirmed one point: it is likely that the people in your village have contracted this disease, which is difficult to cure and seems to be highly contagious, especially among the elderly and children with weak resistance, as well as some women."
"Although I am extremely reluctant to accept this result, I must say that the epidemic that is currently spreading in the village is likely an epidemic!"
Upon hearing this, Li Dazhuang's body suddenly felt a chill.
As a poor farmer, Li Dazhuang might not understand much else, but he certainly understood the harm of epidemics.
He suddenly looked at Ye Tiancheng in astonishment.
Li Dazhuang seemed incredulous and somewhat hesitant, "Then, Doctor Ye, you..."
Ye Tiancheng sighed and said, "Out of a doctor's compassion, I cannot stand by and do nothing about the situation in the village. However, with my own strength, it is absolutely impossible to solve this matter. Therefore, I had to speak out to find a solution."
"Moreover, to be frank, since this is an epidemic that can spread, the village needs to be sealed off to prevent the disease from spreading further to a larger area."
"I dared not mention this matter in the village because I was afraid that rashly mentioning it would cause panic among the villagers. However, even if this matter can be hidden for a while, how can it be hidden forever?"
"I chose to tell you this matter, Brother Li, because I feel that you are a sensible person, and you indeed have the right to know about this matter. Therefore, I chose to tell you about it in private."
"I know the seriousness of this matter, but I, alone, truly cannot do much. How to make a decision can only be placed in your hands. All I can do is to use all my lifelong knowledge and do my utmost to save the villagers. As for anything more, I am afraid I cannot guarantee it with absolute certainty."
Li Dazhuang's mood, upon suddenly receiving this news, could not be described as anything but heavy. If anyone else heard such a thing, could they remain indifferent?