Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 103 Malaria Outbreak

Chapter 103 Malaria Outbreak
After twenty-two days of continuous sieges, the corpses outside Shuofeng City had formed a sea.

All the pillar towers were also removed at the cost of heavy casualties by the Qi army. After the Yu army outside the city was cleared out, they were replaced by Qi soldiers, who were able to exchange fire with the defenders on the city walls.

It was impossible to completely fill that huge trench, but in front of the north gate, thousands of sandbags were used to finally create a 'bridge'.

On the twenty-third day, the Qi army launched a second, powerful attack.

Countless shield bearers, carrying a large number of civilians, pushed a massive siege engine. Before crossing the trench, they used their shields as 'paving stones' to lay down on the sandbags. For every shield laid, a dozen or so people died. Finally, through sheer numbers, they forcibly created a road of shields from the uneven sandbag bridge.

The wooden wheels rolled over the iron shields, swaying and rocking, as they passed the shield bridge...

"Hold on! Hold on!"

The soldiers on the city walls frantically fired arrows, threw stones, poured boiling water, doused oil, and set fire to the siege engines that were charging towards them.

And it, propelled by the constant cycle of death and replacement, crashed heavily into the city gate.

There was a boom.

The city gates opened.

Then, countless cavalry and infantry surged in like a tidal wave.

However, the moment they stepped into the barbican, a soldier realized something was wrong: "An ambush! An ambush!"

The ground was covered with reeds and firewood, and there was a slippery, oily feeling underfoot...

But it was no use; those behind just kept pushing forward.

If anyone in front stops, they will be trampled to death, bleeding from all seven orifices.

In an instant, the barbican was filled with nearly a thousand people.

"put!"

At Zhu Qing's command, the ropes of a thick, heavy door hanging behind the carriage door were cut, and it crashed down with a 'boom,' killing more than a dozen people and completely blocking the barbican.

The next moment, thousands of rockets flew across the sky.

The entire fortified city was engulfed in raging flames, resembling a scene from hell on earth...

……

Inside the Qi army's main tent.

"The civilians we brought with us suffered around 20,000 casualties, most of whom were Yu civilians. Our army suffered nearly 15,000 casualties," the military officer in charge of tallying the wounded reported.

The generals under his command were all quite exhausted.

The casualties in this battle against the north wind, which lasted less than a month, were already close to those of the two-month siege of Wuwei.

“The garrison in Shuofeng is large, with ample supplies and laborers, unlike Wuwei, where the situation is less urgent. We can only launch continuous attacks, so the number of casualties is to be expected,” Chen Xing said. “The key issue now is that Xiao Qun has been mobilized.”

He continued, "The pseudo-Yu reinforcements on the east and west sides are just garrison troops for intimidation, and most of them are state soldiers, so they are not very strong. The biggest threat is still Xiao Qun at Jiamen Pass. He also has three thousand Xiao family soldiers under his command, who are brave and loyal."

Unlike before, when we could besiege a point and attack reinforcements.

Now, having just occupied most of the county, they are crossing the river to fight Shuofeng. The battle lines are stretched too long. If they continue to besiege the stronghold and attack the reinforcements, they will only end up with the embarrassing result of failing to defeat the reinforcements and failing to capture the stronghold.

Just as everyone was discussing, Ji Yuan spoke up: "In the east and west, there is a burned-down Wulei and a county town. The laborers have cleared space for each to garrison 1,500 troops. Zhou Mu and Huang Lin, take three months' worth of food and occupy the strongholds. No matter what, do not go out of the city to fight."

Hearing this, Zhou Mu asked with some concern, "Your Majesty, what if the Yu rebels bypass us and attack our army?"

"will not."

After Ji Yuan responded confidently, he added, "Those ten thousand men are a decoy to attract troops. If they dare to bypass you, I only need to take the initiative to attack, and we will be able to form a pincer movement from both sides."

The state troops were too weak in both combat strength and equipment. Although there were 10,000 men on each side, their combat strength was actually less than that of Ji Yuan's 3,000 men.

However, Ji Yuan did not want to send three thousand men from each side to fight.

One thousand five hundred is the limit for deterrence and maintaining balance.

Using 3,000 men to suppress 20,000 Yu troops was a way of minimizing the impact on the war effort in Shuofeng.

"No matter what insults they hurl, what flaws they reveal, or what feigned attempts to bypass us in order to attack us, they must not move before I lead my troops into battle. Anyone who disobeys will be executed," Ji Yuan said emotionlessly.

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

The two accepted the order.

"Your Majesty, in the upper reaches of the Chishui River, the narrowest section has been blocked by driving stakes for half a mile. It will take Luo Ting's navy at least three days to clear the obstruction before they can continue downstream," Chen Xing reported.

“Alright.” Ji Yuan nodded. “The five hundred soldiers and the five thousand laborers under supervision should not move. Continue to keep an eye on the Chishui River. If Luo Ting clears the obstruction, bury another section downstream to prevent the navy from getting close.”

Ji Yuan's current thought is to create opportunities for a one-on-one fight with Song Shi'an.

However, it will definitely be hindered.

For example, Luo Ting would send soldiers and laborers to clear the obstacles, even if he didn't actually take action.

One was driving piles, the other was dismantling them, they were having a great time and would never stop until the war was over, they were ruthlessly provoking the Chishui River.

This achieved the desired effect for both parties.

The online trolls can't be touched.

Ji Yuan wasted over five thousand people here.

But these are all minor incidents.

Jiamen Pass is indefensible, and it is one of the few elite main forces that Yu's army can mobilize.

"Mi Heng".

Ji Yuan looked at a burly and robust general and said, "Xiao Qun has eight thousand men, which are the main force. I will also give you eight thousand men, who are also elite troops under your command. However, the only difference is that he is a famous general."

Mi Heng clenched his fists, his eyes as majestic as a tiger's: "If I defeat him, I will be a renowned general."

“Alright.” Ji Yuan added decisively, “No need to report in any battle; you can make your own decisions.”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

That's how the arrangements for the three reinforcements were made.

Ji Yuan's troop strength to attack Shuofeng increased to 75,000.

The number of available laborers is less than 90,000.

Of course, the north wind also suffered losses.

Just then, a clerk suddenly entered the room, looking somewhat nervous, and said, "Your Majesty... malaria has spread in the army."

Hearing this, everyone felt uneasy.

But I wasn't particularly frightened.

Too normal.

In the sweltering heat of July, nearly 300,000 people gathered in the entire Shuofeng area.

It can be said that it is worth millions.

How could a battle for the fate of the nation be fought in this season without being influenced by external forces?
Malaria has a history of over 10,000 years and claimed half the population in ancient times.

It all depends on the extent of the impact.

"Is it serious?" Ji Yuan asked calmly.

"There are already more than three hundred soldiers in the camp who are shivering, feverish, and sweating profusely, not to mention countless laborers," the clerk said.

"Set up camps in a dispersed manner, do not concentrate, and have the entire army boil water for drinking and not eat raw water or raw meat." Ji Yuan said calmly, "A central camp has been set up in the northwest, with two thousand small tents inside. All soldiers who have contracted malaria have been sent there."

"What about the laborers?"

The clerk inquired.

Among the laborers, although the majority were Yu people, there were also quite a few Qi people.

Everyone looked at Ji Yuan.

Without giving it much thought, he coldly replied, "Bury it."

.........

Inside the fortified city, a wave of Qi soldiers burned nearly a thousand to death. But this tactic could only be used once.

The two doors, one inside and one outside, were thus blocked.

Covering his mouth and nose with burlap, Song Shi'an, who was on the city wall at dusk, shouted loudly: "Bury them with soil, at least two feet above the corpses, and tamp it down. Be careful of mosquitoes when you start working. Be sure to bring torches. If you don't have any mugwort sachets, go and get some. Don't let the mosquitoes bite you!"

Then, Song Shi'an left the city.

On the street, he said to the officials accompanying him, "All those who have contracted malaria should be sent to military camps, county offices, and prisons, and isolated by household, and given a constant supply of water boiled with artemisia. The rest of the people should wipe their bodies with water boiled with mugwort every day, and not expose their wounds or let them bleed."

"Yes, Master!"

"Master, the number of people infected with malaria has approached a thousand..."

"I know, I know, just do it my way! Don't dawdle, don't have your own ideas, just listen to me!" Song Shi'an said impatiently.

"Yes!"

And so he walked briskly along the road, inspecting and giving instructions along the way.

"Cough!" Suddenly, Song Shi'an coughed.

The three dogs standing to the side widened their eyes in surprise: "Master?"

Song Shi'an didn't speak, but continued to cover his mouth and nose, coughing as he arranged various things.

Once back in his main tent, he said, "San Gou, don't let anyone in. Report anything outside!"

.........

"More than 2,100 soldiers were killed or wounded, and 4,700 civilians were killed or wounded... There were also 1,000 people who contracted malaria," Qin Kuo reported.

“We have malaria, and so does Ji Yuan. Don’t panic. Follow Shi An’s instructions and do everything he says,” Wei Wusheng instructed.

"Yes." Then, Qin Kuo left.

Inside the tent, Wei Wusheng, who had lost a lot of weight, looked at Xinyue beside him and said, "Shi An, I haven't seen him in a long time."

“He said that fighting malaria is the top priority and has handed everything over to others. He is now focusing on fighting the epidemic,” Xinyue said.

It was precisely because of this that Wei Wusheng showed a worried expression: "Go and see him."

"Yes."

Xin Yue nodded in agreement.

Then, he left the tent.

Wei Wusheng originally lived in the city tower, but Song Shi'an demanded that he stay in a tent alone at night and fill it with mugwort.

He was also isolated in this way.

The same applies to Xinyue.

According to Song Shi'an, this way you won't get malaria...

Along the way, she carefully avoided other people and finally arrived at Song Shi'an's tent.

Upon seeing her arrive, San Gou, though somewhat shy, managed to speak: "The Master said that no one is allowed to enter the tent. If there is anything, report it outside."

"Except me."

Xin Yue ignored him and lifted the curtain.

The next moment, he was stunned.

Sitting on the bed, completely wrapped in the blanket, with a burning stove in front of him, Song Shi'an shivered and trembled incessantly in the July heat.

She quickly lowered the tent flap and went inside.

It turns out he also had malaria!
Just then, someone outside reported, "Sir, some soldiers are resisting the malaria patients and refusing to help with their transfer..."

Struggling to maintain his composure, Song Shi'an shouted, "Contact will not transmit the virus! Only mosquito bites will! Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with according to military law!"

"Then, should we still deliver food to those sick people?" the man asked cautiously, seeing that Song Shi'an was somewhat angry.

Song Shi'an was even angrier now, and said, "Who said we wouldn't deliver food? If even one person dies of starvation, I'll take your head!"

"Yes, that's what the grain official said," he said tremblingly. "The grain is only enough to last until winter. If we save it... we can hold out for a while longer."

"Who told him to cut back on his own!" Song Shi'an cursed. "Ji Yuan will be kicked out once the snow falls. If he doesn't, I'll give you my head!"

"Yes! No, no! Venerable Master, that's not what I meant..."

"Go down!"

Enraged, he yelled at him and drove him away.

Looking at him, Xinyue asked, "Is malaria just caused by mosquito bites?"

"Otherwise, why would malaria be so prevalent in the summer?" Song Shi'an retorted.

"Will decoction of artemisia annua be effective? How do you know that?" Xinyue asked curiously.

"I just know it."

Xin Yue, who had been rebuffed like this, looked into Song Shi'an's eyes and lowered her voice, which was unusual for her: "Why are you so temperamental?"

Song Shi'an looked at her, paused, and then looked away, saying, "You can go now."

After saying that, he raised his trembling hand to reach for the handle of the kettle on the stove.

A hand appeared in front of him.

He picked up the pot and poured the boiled artemisia soup into the earthenware bowl.

"I don't need you, I can manage on my own..."

Song Shi'an impatiently chased them away.

But Xinyue remained obstinate. After pouring the artemisia soup, she picked up a ceramic spoon, scooped out a spoonful, and presented it to Song Shi'an.

Looking at her, Song Shi'an was filled with confusion.

But her gaze did not wander away because of that aloof expression.

After sighing, Song Shi'an said, "Thank you, but don't stay here."

Xin Yue remained silent, blew on the hot soup in the spoon a few times, and then insisted on bringing it to his lips again.

Song Shi'an was at his wit's end.

He, who was frozen stiff in the sweltering summer heat, opened his mouth.

Xin Yue then fed him the artemisia soup.

"It should be very hot."

Seeing that he was drinking very calmly, Xin Yue reminded him.

"I feel like I'm in an ice cellar right now..." Song Shi'an said, trembling.

"Are you going to die?"

Xin Yue looked into his eyes and asked.