Chapter 92 - Inadequate tests

 

While Feng Long tries to be a matchmaker in Jiangxi and come back with a fair treaty, the hospital in Zhejiang starts to fill up again. This triggered an alert from the hospital to Zhang Yi, who moved there to investigate.

Such anomaly was also noticed by Zhang Xiaofan in Huangshan. He couldn't get enough information as the test returned the same result, a very dark tone of colour.

Zhang Yi arrived at the hospital and asked the staff about the tests. For safety, he wears a face-covering while inspecting the tests:

-I think my tests are no longer accurate... It is impossible to tell the severity of the disease from this... I have to change it somehow.

He moves back to his lab and sits down at his desk, taking some books with him. He discovered that reducing the sensitivity of the test can be a solution. However, people who got a weaker infection will not show up as infected, which is not good:

-There should be a way to do it more efficiently... Maybe a new test will be necessary... And even new medicines.

Zhang Yi knows the working principles of the reagents he uses very well. Nonetheless, the disease has evolved and become deadlier over time, causing the reagent to turn pitch black. The only redeeming factor is that most of the empire was inoculated, so the new cases tend to be very mild.

After many hours and many calculations, Zhang Yi realized that he could increase the amount of reagent in the solution without compromising the accuracy of the tests. The response curve will be linear, not logarithmic. This will help physicians accurately assess how dangerous and concentrate it is. Of course, he needs to test it out first. He writes a letter to Huangshan, so Zhang Xiaofan can also get in touch and help him by testing the new solution. 

Zhang Xiaofan was also conducting his own research. But he only understood medicine production, not testing, which was a new concept a decade earlier. While he thinks, Ding Qi entered his room, seeing that he was a bit concerned:

-Zhang Xiaofan...

-Majesty...

Zhang Xiaofan gets up and bows. Ding Qi helps him to rise:

-Xiaofan... What is going on? You look concerned with something... May I help you?

-Thanks for your consideration, Your Majesty... I think you can't...

-What exactly is happening? Are we losing control of the epidemic again? Should I close the city?

-Not really that... But the tests from Zhang Yi are not accurate enough. We're having trouble identifying new cases as the colours are coming out too dark, and our hospital is filling up again. I'm not sure if the disease is the real cause or if another disease is spreading around.

-This is very concerning, Zhang Xiaofan... I think we should close our city again, at least until we work out what is hitting us.

-Your majesty is wise, but I fear people might not adhere to the old rules again... It's been only a couple of days since we have opened up again. 

-But... But they must obey me! I am the emperor!

-They might obey you... Never forget that we can't have effective control over everyone. And those few that disrespect the rules will bring the disgrace back again. 

-So... Should we keep everything open?

-Yes, at least for now. Our medicine is working, and we still have plenty of hospital capacity left. We need a couple more days of observation, then I can suggest to your majesty what we should do.

Ding Qi smiles and hugs Zhang Xiaofan:

-Please, Zhang Xiaofan... Do not get overwhelmed again. I am the emperor. I stand for Feng Long's beauty of governance principles. 

-I trust your majesty... -Zhang Xiaofan tightens the hug.

Ding Qi smiles and undoes the hug moments later. He looks at Zhang Xiaofan, who smiles back:

-Xiaofan, let's have some tea later. I want to discuss a few things that are not really related to health, but I want your opinion on them. 

-As your majesty wishes.

Ding Qi nods and moves away. Zhang Xiaofan feels under stress, even though Ding Qi says he should not get too worried, he knows he is "fighting blind." Not being able to determine accurately what the particular disease is and, more importantly, how serious it can be, is a hurdle he wants to overcome.

...

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