A Top Scholar From A Humble Background.

Summary

' At the end of September, the rampant plague gradually eased. In Lingnan, Fujian, and Zhejiang, outbreaks caused heavy casualties, alarming the court and Emperor Hongzhi. Xie Duo, the Grand Scholar, was ordered to investigate and report back. Upon visiting affected areas by October, he reported that about 40-50% of the population in Guangdong was affected, except in Tingzhou Prefecture where inoculation methods resulted in fewer cases. The court then sent officials to Tingzhou to learn the inoculation method and provide disaster relief. By mid-October, the plague had mostly passed in Ninghua County due to government intervention and Huiniang's inoculations. Nobles from surrounding areas visited Huiniang's pharmacy to get inoculated, bringing generous gifts. By November, other counties had learned the inoculation method, and life in Ninghua returned to normal, with the townspeople expressing gratitude to Huiniang. '

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