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The two mother wolves confidently took over Da Lang and Er Lang’s den, with the two male wolves not daring to protest, yielding everything to their mates.

Chu Qingzhi observed the litter of wolf pups, initially planning to search for some pups after finishing her urgent tasks. Now, it seemed there was no need.

Sitting on a swing, Chu Qingzhi summoned the four wolves to her side and meticulously explained the rules, “The workshop area is off-limits to strangers, the storeroom must be guarded, no biting allowed. If you spot suspicious individuals, chase them away and report back to me…” After laying out many rules, the four wolves sat obediently in front of her, listening intently.

Chu Qingzhi infused each wolf with some spiritual energy, “Now, go perform your duties. I’ll prepare a feast for you tonight.”

The wolves wagged their tails and scampered off.

Chu Qingzhi watched them leave. Da Lang took his mate to the workshop area, while Er Lang took his to the storeroom before starting their patrol, appearing utterly loyal to their responsibilities.

With this arrangement, the household’s security seemed assured.

In the workshop area.

Chu Haodong hurried into Shen Ruyue’s office, appearing anxious.

Shen Ruyue was holding a meeting with the managers. Seeing Chu Haodong’s worried look, she quickly stepped out, “What’s happened?”

Chu Haodong whispered, “Shopkeeper Zhu wants to raise the price of pork; otherwise, he won’t sell to us anymore.”

Shopkeeper Zhu was a pork merchant collaborating with Chu’s Trade.

Shen Ruyue’s mood soured instantly, her brows furrowing, “Why suddenly raise prices?”

Chu Haodong was equally annoyed, “I don’t know. He wouldn’t give any details, only saying he’d have to raise prices to continue doing business with us.”

Shen Ruyue paused, “Did you manage to buy the pork needed for tomorrow?” Chu Haodong shook his head, “No, he suddenly wanted to raise prices, and since we buy in large quantities, I didn’t dare make a decision on my own.” Shen Ruyue asked, “How much is he raising the price by?”

Chu Haodong replied, “Two hundred copper coins per kilo.”

“That much?” Shen Ruyue’s frown deepened. Normally, if prices were to increase, the supplier would give notice. This sudden price hike indicated a problem, “Arrange some horses. I’ll go talk to Shopkeeper Zhu with you.

“Okay.”

After delegating her tasks, Shen Ruyue mounted a horse, accompanied by Chu Haodong, and left Chu Village.

Nearby was a pig farm that supplied pork to Chu’s Trade.

Shopkeeper Zhu seemed to be expecting them, waiting at the gate. Upon seeing Shen Ruyue and Chu Haodong, he greeted them with a smile, “Madam Chu, Brother Haodong, let’s talk inside.”

“Okay.”

Once inside the guest room, Shen Ruyue got straight to the point, “Shopkeeper Zhu, Haodong has already informed me of your intentions. I’m puzzled why you’re raising prices so suddenly. We’re long-term clients. This treatment seems rather unfair, doesn’t it?”

Shopkeeper Zhu smiled, “Madam Chu, please, I was forced to raise prices.”

Could there be an underlying issue?

Shopkeeper Zhu was no fool. Raising prices like this would cut off his own revenue. Shen Ruyue patiently asked, “Could you explain, Shopkeeper Zhu?” Shopkeeper Zhu’s expression turned bitter, “To speak frankly, Madam Chu, for some reason, pigs in my farm have been dying one after another. I even called in the most experienced pig farmers, but no one could figure out the cause.” Shen Ruyue frowned, “How could that happen?”

Shopkeeper Zhu shook his head helplessly, “Nearly half of the pigs in my farm have died…”

“If that’s the case, I understand your reason for raising prices.” Shen Ruyue then proposed a compromise, “How about this: you continue selling pork to us at the original price, and we’ll work together to solve your farm’s problem. Solving the issue is the priority. What do you think?”

Shopkeeper Zhu couldn’t refuse. He didn’t want to lose Chu’s Trade, a major customer, “Let’s do as Madam Chu suggests.”

After reaching an agreement, Chu Haodong stayed behind to handle the pork issue, while Shen Ruyue returned home alone to consult with Chu Qingzhi.

Upon hearing the news, Chu Qingzhi set aside her work and accompanied Shen Ruyue back to the pig farm.

Chu Qingzhi was straightforward, “I need to see the pig feed, water source, sick pigs, and dead pigs.”

Shopkeeper Zhu immediately complied, “Please, Miss Chu, follow me.” Though aware of Chu Qingzhi’s reputation as a miracle doctor, he hadn’t thought to consult her about treating animals, so he hadn’t sought her out. The pig feed had a clear supply chain, managed by dedicated personnel. After inspecting it and finding no issues, Chu Qingzhi then examined the water source.

The farm backed onto a small river with crystal clear water, safe even for human consumption, used for mixing the pig feed.

Chu Qingzhi fetched a bucket of water from the river, added a drop of medicine from a vial she carried, and observed no change in color, indicating the water source seemed unaffected.

Next, she visited the sick pigs.

The sick pigs were isolated immediately upon detection by Shopkeeper Zhu, kept in a separate pen at the farm’s edge.

After examining the sick pigs and noticing fever symptoms, Chu Qingzhi questioned, “What does he do on the farm?”

A young man replied, “He’s responsible for removing pig manure.”

Chu Qingzhi realized… smallpox!

Her expression grew serious as she inquired, “Does anyone else on the farm have similar symptoms?”

The farmhands gathered around, all replying in the negative.

If the pigs showed symptoms before the boy, it suggested that the pigs transmitted smallpox to humans!

“Everyone, step back and don’t come near him. He has smallpox!”

The word “smallpox” caused everyone to retreat in panic, their faces filled with fear.

Shopkeeper Zhu was in turmoil but managed to compose himself, asking with dread, “Madam, smallpox is fatal and highly contagious, leading to many deaths. Do you have a cure?”

Treatment for smallpox was typically preventive. Once symptomatic, supportive care was given, such as fever reducers for high fever, antibiotics for bacterial infections, and pain medication for severe discomfort.

“Don’t worry, Shopkeeper Zhu. I have a way, though it will be troublesome. Also, not everyone with smallpox dies; there’s no need to be so scared. Smallpox had a mortality rate of about thirty percent, high but with many survivors able to recover naturally.