knife

Chapter 790 I've Made Up My Decision
Ten miles outside Liyang County lies Tianshui Town, the location of the Southern Expeditionary Army's central camp. Kang Zhen, Ke Wuji, and a group of frontline generals gathered at the stone arch bridge outside the town.

Jiang Qian went to the front line in person. Accompanying her were Zhang Qingyun, the deputy director of Zhi Qiu Academy, dozens of large vehicles, and about a hundred military doctors wearing white smocks.

The dozens of trucks were naturally loaded with medicines needed on the front lines, but Kang Zhen and the others were somewhat surprised to see so many doctors.

After years of operation, the system of large and small medical clinics outside the Great Wall has fostered a large number of medical personnel, especially military doctors. This is because military doctors basically only need to know how to treat external injuries, and have a basic understanding of other aspects. Now, every battalion in the front-line army has at least one such person.

Therefore, there is no shortage of doctors on the front lines.

However, Gan Zhan, the chief physician who came to greet Jiang Qian, had a slightly changed expression when he saw the person in the lead.

Of course he recognized that person.

Kong Yuan was once the prized student of Fu Qingzhu, the master of Changchun Valley. In fact, he had to call Fu Qingzhu his senior brother.

After leaving Changchun Valley, this person reportedly joined Zhiqiu Academy, and those who followed him were probably Kong Yuan's disciples and grand-disciples.

But what did Kong do originally?
Seeing Gan Zhan staring at him, Kong Yuan smiled and gestured to him.

Gan Zhan turned his head away and looked elsewhere, as the saying goes, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."

A doctor's benevolence should be their duty to heal the sick and save lives, not to devise ways to harm people.

Upon seeing this guy, Gan Zhan instinctively felt that something bad was about to happen.

"Your Majesty, this humble general is truly ashamed!" Kang Zhen clasped his hands and bowed deeply to the ground, his face filled with shame. The Battle of Liyang had turned out so badly, something he had never imagined. He had initially thought the enemy was using only petty tricks, but these unsavory methods, combined with their superior military strength, had rendered him utterly helpless.

The positions that are painstakingly captured during the day will be retaken by the enemy at night.

More importantly, after several such experiences, the soldiers' morale was severely damaged, and they developed a deep fear of snakes, insects, and poisonous ants.

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Besides, we haven't lost yet. Isn't Na Wei still surrounded by us in Liyang City?" Jiang Qian comforted him with a smile.

“Na Wei is trapped in Liyang City, but now the southeast is in turmoil, and we are stuck here unable to get out!” Kang Zhen said, “General Chang Lei, if Zhongli County is lost again, Danyang will surely fall, and half of the southeast will be completely lost!”

"It's not that easy!" Jiang Qian said casually, "You underestimate Generals Fang Xiaomao and Lin Yunqi too much. They are no less capable than Chang Lei."

Kang Zhen took a deep breath, knowing that Jiang Qian was just trying to comfort him.

Chang Lei's influence in the southeast was unstoppable, and his impact extended beyond military matters to include politics as well.

For example, Yuezhou and other places, which had been stable after Xiang Zhuang was captured and killed, are now in turmoil again. Those who were originally hiding deep underwater have started to stir up trouble again. Zhu Chi, who is in charge of domestic security, is now extremely busy.

However, under such circumstances, it's like trying to hold down a gourd only to have another float up – trouble always seems to arise somewhere.

Unless there is a major reversal in the battlefield, this unhealthy trend will not be suppressed. If things continue as they are now, things will likely become more and more serious.

If Jiang Qian hadn't seen this, why would she have come to the front lines herself?

A general of his rank, unable to share the burdens of his lord, instead had to rely on his superiors to solve the problems. This in itself made Kang Zhen feel somewhat ashamed; compared to Chang Lei, he felt he was truly a level below. What Chang Lei was doing now was not only threatening the situation in Chu, but also indirectly influencing the war situation in the north.

At the very least, his victory will boost the morale of Linghu's army in the Northern Expedition.

"Let's talk about it when we get back!" Jiang Qian waved her hand and said.

Once only a few key figures remained in the room, Jiang Qian finally stopped smiling.

Being relaxed is for the subordinates to see; in front of trusted and important officials, there is naturally no need to put on airs anymore.

“The situation in the Southeast is indeed very serious!” Jiang Qian said. “Therefore, the battle of Liyang must be ended quickly in a short period of time. Chang Lei’s idea is to have Na Wei hold us back. Now I can even guess that Chang Lei’s special envoy has probably entered Liyang City to encourage Na Wei and make promises. Na Wei will definitely hold on to the end. He has already lost half of the battle. Only by holding on until Chang Lei wins this round in the Southeast can he save the other half.”

"The Southwest Wolf Soldiers are quite powerful, and with the help of the witch doctors and sorcerers of the Witch Cult!" Kang Zhen said, "If it were winter, it would be easier to deal with, as there are fewer snakes, insects, and poisonous ants. But this season is when these things go wild, and they are impossible to kill or eradicate. The key is that they always launch counterattacks at night, making them even more difficult to deal with!"

"So we have no choice but to resort to some unconventional methods!" Jiang Qian said with a grim expression, "Of the medicines I brought this time, a small portion are for repelling snakes and insects, but the majority are not!"

"What is that?" Ke Wuji asked from the side.

“It’s an epidemic prevention disease!” Jiang Qian’s tone was somewhat sinister as she spoke, enunciating each word clearly.

Upon hearing this, Gan Zhan, who had been huddled in the corner without making a sound, finally confirmed Kong Yuan's purpose here. He stepped forward and said in a trembling voice, "Is the Holy Maiden going to spread the plague in Liyang City?"

"The plague can still be cast?" Ke Wuji looked at everyone in astonishment.

"Of course it's possible!" Gan Zhan swallowed hard. "Holy Maiden, this matter is against the natural order; please reconsider!"

Jiang Qian smiled faintly: "Dr. Gan, I know you have a kind heart as a doctor, but do you think there's a big difference between an epidemic and a sword? It's all about dying, so why not just die?"

“This is not the same!” Gan Zhan shook his head repeatedly and said, “On the battlefield, it’s either you die or I live, and no one has anything to complain about. But when this epidemic breaks out, it becomes a massacre, and a massacre that does not distinguish between good and bad, young and old. As far as I know, in addition to soldiers, there are also many women and children in the city.”

"I'm afraid these women and children now think that death is better than life!" Zhang Qingyun suddenly said, "The spies sent news from the city that those women are truly living in hell now, and the sooner they die, the sooner they will be reborn!"

"But Dean, how can we control the epidemic once it breaks out? If it gets out of control, it will bring disaster to the whole country!" Gan Zhan shouted.

“Junior brother, I have been studying epidemics all these years. This thing can be controlled!” Kong Yuan explained from the side.

"Kong Yuan, if you swear in the name of your master that you can completely control this thing, then I will believe you!" Gan Zhan roared.

Kong Yuan fell silent.

"Alright, I've made up my mind about this!" Jiang Qian waved her hand and said, "I'll take responsibility for any consequences! Kang Zhen, you and Kong Yuan should discuss the next steps carefully. Doctor Gan, I think it would be better if you also got involved. At least with you there, we can be more confident in controlling the spread of this epidemic and confining it to Liyang City. What do you think?"

Gan Zhan's face showed extreme struggle.

(End of this chapter)