The entire manuscript of disaster relief and epidemic prevention guidelines was written in concise, clear language. Ning Yi explained each item one by one, pointing out what was most important and what was secondary. Old Qin and Old Kang just listened, occasionally exchanging a few quiet words and nodding. Among the four servants who'd come with Kang Xian, the two male attendants like Lu Agui were knowledgeable men. They stood behind listening, occasionally glancing at Ning Yi.

After he finished explaining, Old Qin and Old Kang began asking about aspects they didn't understand, mainly concerning sanitation. This era had no strong habits of hygiene—traditional Chinese medicine couldn't really tell people to "maintain hygiene" or such things. Though there were concepts like "external pathogens invading," traditional medicine mainly discussed the five elements, cultivating qi, and similar theories that couldn't provide much evidence for these matters. People might have some awareness that overly dirty places could cause illness, but in a disaster relief context, obviously few would care about sanitation.

Unable to explain these issues from a bacterial perspective, he could only broadly discuss theories of external pathogen invasion—how bodily infections proved many dead things carried disease-causing substances, how dirty rats led to plague, and so on.

"...Additionally, once disaster strikes, entire regions can lose all order. Without order, management becomes increasingly difficult. Selecting management personnel from among them, uniformly arranging living spaces, unified eating and drinking, using latrines in unified locations—this easily gives them a simple sense of constraint and belonging, making them feel someone is planning for them, thus settling their minds. But actually, lower-level management is selected from among themselves—the effort spent is definitely less than if real chaos erupted. As long as there's food, this can settle people down. Neat shelters, orderly pathways, clean surroundings—these can provide more such hints and guidance."

"Constraint can't rely only on high pressure—being able to guide according to circumstances is best. Moreover, they have time now—the more idle they are, the more they want to cause trouble, the more panicked they become. Arranging tasks level by level—leveling surrounding ground, building unified shelters, unified latrines—unifying everything prevents them from fighting over resources. Otherwise, even with two bowls of porridge daily, if they're not full they'll think about stealing from others. Kill troublemakers who break rules—no need to be soft."

"Doctors somewhat understand that poor sanitation can lead to illness, though we won't discuss exactly how much is due to this. But it's certainly one factor. We transport quicklime for them to spread around—this also gives them something to do. Repeatedly emphasize: poor sanitation will make you sick... Because medicine might not be immediately available, but sanitation issues can be solved with what's at hand. Make the gesture, directly tell them 'do this and you won't get sick.' The stronger the propaganda, the more they accomplish it, the stronger their confidence. With cheerful moods and less worry, the possibility of illness actually decreases."

"For example, there's a dead rat before us. If our propaganda isn't strong enough, someone sees it and ignores it—perhaps feeling nothing. With strong propaganda, this person sees it and immediately reports to superiors. Doctors come to clean it away, burn it, bury it—once the gesture is made, it easily gives people confidence. At least we know dead and rotting rats, snakes, insects are the same as dead and rotting humans—definitely a factor in causing disease. Additionally, isolating sick people prevents widespread panic. Doctors must also be more responsible, letting people see this, settling their minds. Even if some worry because family members are isolated, once disease spreads, that's most terrifying—unstoppable. Therefore isolation must be forceful..."

Regarding sanitation and such considerations, he could only temporarily use various other reasons to explain. The effort that could be exerted was limited to this much. If there were long-term time, given Ning Yi's style, he could probably create detailed case statistics that would terrify the ancients to prove the importance of hygiene. Even if fabricated, probably no one could discover it. But now, with post-flood disasters already imminent, there was no need to be so methodical.

After he finished speaking, Old Kang sighed and threw the Wu Dynasty's disaster relief regulations to Lu Agui. "With Liheng's booklet, the rest can all be thrown away. Each regulation and method interlocks—just one item about latrines actually considers morale, management, sanitation, and discipline from all aspects... Looking at this handwriting, Liheng actually rushed this out last night?"

"These days you two have often discussed these matters. At the academy, I've also talked about some things with the children, occasionally debating with others. So last night I summarized it, thinking it might be useful."

"More than useful." Kang Xian shook his head. "Not to mention other things, just this method of recording statistics for future auditing in the back—if this can be implemented, disaster relief losses can be reduced by over thirty percent. Liheng, this manuscript is a strategy to benefit millions. Once this strategy emerges, Liheng will truly become famous throughout the realm."

"That's what I'm truly worried about." Ning Yi smiled. "If it really can be useful, Old Qin can send it to Brother Shaohe, or Lord Ming can freely distribute it to those who can use it. I have only one request—don't reveal that I wrote it. This isn't modesty. Please understand, both of you—I'm speaking very seriously."

The last time Ning Yi said such things, he was also showing his determination not to serve in government. However, this time's nature was completely different from last time. Hearing him finish, Old Qin and Old Kang became truly serious. Old Qin pondered for a while: "Why is this? For such a major matter, does Liheng also want to remain uninvolved?"

Old Kang thought for a moment, looking at Ning Yi and speaking quietly: "Could it be that Liheng is truly... disheartened about worldly affairs and the court? Has some dissatisfaction?"

These words could be taken as serious or trivial, but clearly the old man before him had no ill intent—he was just making a possible inference. Ning Yi shook his head: "It's really just that I dislike all that scheming and plotting. I... prefer leisure, don't want to bow and scrape to superiors, or collude and calculate with colleagues..." He pointed at the booklet. "I've already presented this. Can't you two even agree to this request?"

Kang Xian and Old Qin probably had many more arguments prepared, but these words blocked their path. Old Qin sighed: "Liheng, oh Liheng, you truly... make one's feelings complicated. Before it didn't matter much, but presenting this booklet yet refusing to truly come out and serve—this old man doesn't know whether to feel fortunate or beat his chest in frustration..."

"I'm still just an ordinary person with occasional fanciful ideas. When useful, I present them. Why don't you two consider me like that armchair strategist Zhao Kuo¹? High vision but low ability—I make plans, others can execute them. If I did it myself, I might not do well. Concealing inadequacy now shows self-awareness... Oh, actually it's not without selfish desires. I actually have a request. Yesterday I mentioned that if useful, this would count as giving Old Qin two gifts. This is the first."

Old Qin and Old Kang exchanged glances: "What's the second?"

Ning Yi paused: "A daughter."

"Hm?"

"Actually... it's still just my idea right now. I haven't discussed it with her yet. If Old Qin refuses, that's normal too. You two have actually met this woman—she's Nie Yunzhu who sells century eggs. One point might be somewhat inappropriate—she once performed at Golden Wind Tower. I met her because one morning during exercise I encountered her killing a chicken. Old Qin knows about this..."

Qin Siyuan was a great contemporary scholar who'd served as Minister of Rites. Having him adopt someone who'd been a courtesan as an adopted daughter might be quite taboo. Ning Yi wasn't unaware of this, but still continued explaining about Nie Yunzhu.

"...After leaving the brothel, she no longer associates with former acquaintances. Not knowing how to live, she went to learn. Not knowing how to kill chickens, she could still grit her teeth and learn at the market. Later, to prove she could support herself like ordinary people, she even prepared to sell pancakes. These are aspects I greatly admire. That's why I taught her the century egg method, and later offered some strategies. But now having reached a certain scale, the level of matters she'll encounter differs from before. What I can directly help with might not be much..."

"Lord Ming should understand these matters better. In the future... if some important figures or officials try to make things difficult, having some background might help her progress better. Of course, it's just business—I can guarantee she won't use Old Qin's name to deceive people or act tyrannically. It wouldn't be appropriate for Old Qin to personally adopt her as a daughter. I was thinking whether Aunt Yun could step forward—seeing her maintain her integrity, thus acknowledging her as an adopted daughter. She herself is from an official family, so regarding etiquette..."

He spoke these latter words cautiously. Before finishing, Old Qin smiled and waved his hand: "Liheng is being overly cautious. You and I have known each other over a year—am I, Qin Siyuan, such a worldly, snobbish person in your eyes?"

"Status isn't always something one chooses, but worldly perspectives often must be considered."

Qin Siyuan shook his head: "I've heard Liheng mention this Nie Yunzhu several times before. Previously I thought her extraordinary—now knowing she's such a woman of integrity and noble character, there's nothing lowly about her. For Liheng to speak up for a good friend, having Yun'niang adopt her as a daughter would be too neglectful. I shall personally adopt her as my daughter, treating her like my own flesh and blood. Liheng needn't worry I'll mistreat her. Her two elder brothers will surely be happy to have such an adopted sister."

Kang Xian watched from the side: "Hearing Liheng speak thus, this old man is moved too. Such a noble, hardworking woman should have good status. Why not let this old man adopt her as a daughter instead? This old man will certainly not mistreat her. Moreover, Liheng just mentioned business—as long as she acknowledges me, Kang Xian, as her adopted father, I guarantee no one in Jiangning city will dare bother her. Wouldn't that be better?"

Ning Yi smiled and bowed to him: "I appreciate Lord Ming's kind intentions, but if Lord Ming adopts her as a daughter, wouldn't she become a commandery princess²? This status might truly cause trouble for Lord Ming..."

As dusk approached, Old Kang left that bend of the Qinhuai River by sedan chair. In the afternoon, the group had discussed adopting Nie Yunzhu as an adopted daughter for a while, then had Lu Agui bring writing materials to copy the disaster relief booklet, discussing further before finally parting.

Being a patron, adopting a daughter—this matter seemed sensitive but wasn't terribly significant. What pressed on Kang Xian's mind now were all matters related to this booklet. He read it again in the sedan chair, then called Lu Agui over.

"Agui, what do you think now of this booklet, this Ning Liheng... how is he?"

The other pondered for a long while before finally speaking.