Thank you to Beverly for the ko-fi~ ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-
“What? There’s a rebellion in Huainan?” Hearing such news suddenly on the front lines, Liu Zhun was also taken aback.
How could there be a rebellion? Huainan is not lacking in food and supplies, and with the large army pressing in, wouldn’t rebellion be seeking death? Although he thought so, this matter could not be taken lightly. After all, the imperial carriage was in Huainan. If the rebel forces rushed into Shou City, it would undoubtedly cause a great disturbance.
However, there is an art to who goes to quell the rebellion and who continues to deal with the traitors. After pondering for a moment, Liu Zhun said, “General Ningshuo commands the troops from Yang County; let him go to suppress the rebellion.”
The Ningshuo General referred to here is Liu Kun. Initially, when the enemy forces were arrayed in Huainan, Liu Zhun was worried about being unable to withstand the enemy. He specifically had the emperor issue a decree to summon troops from Yang County to come to the rescue. However, now that things were going smoothly, Liu Kun’s presence was a bit annoying. Although they shared the surname Liu, Liu Zhun and Liu Kun were not from the same lineage, and Liu Kun’s fame overshadowed the efforts of Liu Zhun. In that case, sending him back to quell the rebellion would be just right.
As for the cities in Yu County, it would be best for him to conquer them.
With the command of the Grand General for the East, the troops that had just crossed the Huai River changed their direction, rushing back to Huainan commandery. This move naturally did not escape the enemy’s scouts.
“Huainan is in turmoil, have the laborers transporting grain rebelled? I thought it would take some more time.” Shi Le smiled coldly.
Previously, he wasn’t just avoiding battle; while retreating, he was also gathering the scattered troops of Wang Mi. Many of the refugees under Wang Mi’s command were without a proper organization, like headless flies. With the pursuing Jin army behind them, as long as some sweet promises were made, they could be recruited. Therefore, the more Shi Le retreated, the more troops he gained. Now, he had an army of nearly sixty thousand. Such a large force was not gathered to sit idly.
“Order the vanguard to press on Ruyin and attack the city while it’s raining!”
The continuous rain did indeed disturb people’s spirits and consume their will. Having fought for a month, how could the Jin army maintain their initial bravery? Taking advantage of this opportunity for a quick attack was more favorable. Whether they could capture the city was secondary; the key was the food and supplies in the hands of the Jin army!
With Shi Le’s command, the retreating Han forces reorganized and rushed toward the complacent enemy. In the blink of an eye, the sounds of battle once again resounded north of the Huai River!
※
A muffled thunderbolt crossed the sky, jolting Sima Tan awake. Drenched in sweat, he sat up abruptly. Although the weather was not yet at its hottest, Shou City was different from Luoyang; it was hot and humid, and even placing an ice basin wasn’t very effective. Moreover, this small commandery didn’t have much stored ice, making the night particularly difficult to endure.
Seeing him wake up, the palace attendants hurried forward, wanting to serve him. However, Sima Tan waved his hand, got up from the pallet, and walked barefoot to the window. The sky was covered in dark clouds, and silver lightning flickered, indicating an impending storm. If a heavy rain came, could it deter the rebelling troops?
The situation, which was initially under control, suddenly became uncontrollable. The laborers tasked with escorting the grain in Huainan unexpectedly rebelled, gathering a force of two to three thousand within a few days. Now, the noble families who had settled in Huainan hadn’t even established their estates yet. With the outbreak of chaos, everyone felt threatened, and even Shou City lost its protective barrier.
Liu Zhun didn’t hesitate at all and ordered the troops from Yang County to come to the emperor’s rescue. Sima Tan initially thought that these bandits could be swiftly eradicated. However, Shi Le seized the opportunity and raised his forces once again. Liu Zhun’s army was firmly stuck on the north bank of the Huai River. Forget about defeating the enemy; if they could hold onto Ruyin and prevent Shi Le from crossing the river, it would be considered fortunate.
The imperial edict sent to Bing County didn’t have much effect either. The Han forces were in the process of relocating their capital, and the situation in Bing County was unstable. Liang Zixi even dispatched troops from Ji County to attack Cao Yi, preventing him from moving south. In this way, Xu County could also send troops for assistance. However, if Liang Feng defeated Cao Yi, would he also have to reward him with control over Qing County?
Why did Liang Feng always manage to turn adversity into victory, while their side repeatedly faced difficulties? Could it be that the gods and Buddhas were truly favoring him?
A chill ran up his spine, and the young emperor shivered. No longer in the mood to continue reading, he turned around and returned to his bed. In this half-awake state, he endured until daybreak.
Although he hadn’t slept well, Sima Tan got up early, dressed neatly, and headed towards the court. There was no court session today, but with the recent frequent military campaigns, he couldn’t rest assured and had to inquire about the situation. After dealing with many affairs and feeling thoroughly exhausted, Sima Tan found himself unable to eat and ordered the palace attendants to summon Lady Xin Shufei.
Lady Xin Shufei, hailing from Yingchuan, was also from a prestigious family. She accompanied the southern migration convoy to Shou City. Shortly after entering the palace, Sima Tan honored her as the ninth concubine and favored her greatly. Apart from their intimate moments, he often summoned her to accompany banquets, making her a cherished companion.
Unexpectedly, not long after, palace attendants brought back troubling news.
“Is Shufei unwell?” Sima Tan furrowed his brows. “Wasn’t she fine just the other day?”
“It seems she caught a chill from the heavy rain last night,” the palace attendant cautiously replied.
If a concubine in the palace fell ill, she couldn’t serve in the imperial presence. Sima Tan sighed, “Order the imperial physician to provide proper treatment. Also, search the imperial stores for some medicinal herbs to grant her for recovery.”
Given the current impoverished state of the imperial treasury, the scarcity of precious medicinal herbs in the palace, and still being able to bestow them upon Shufei, highlighted the extent of his favor. The palace attendant promptly accepted the order and left. Sima Tan, with a preoccupied mind, skipped a more elaborate meal, opting to return for some much-needed rest.
This slumber extended until the evening. Upon awakening, Sima Tan felt aches throughout his body, experiencing a slight chill. Unsure whether he slept too deeply or caught a similar cold, he contemplated summoning the imperial physician for an examination. However, the tranquility was abruptly shattered by urgent footsteps outside the hall.
“Your Majesty! The imperial physician says Shufei has contracted an infectious disease!”
What?! Sima Tan abruptly stood up, his face filled with alarm. “When did this happen?”
“Her family visited the palace the day before yesterday, and it seems she contracted it then. The physician suggests moving her out of the palace as a precaution.”
This was a clear sign of a severe illness. Shou City’s imperial palace was far from the size of Luoyang’s, incapable of accommodating the sick. The only option was to send her out of the palace.
However, Sima Tan’s concern went beyond this. Wasn’t Shufei in his company just the other day?!
His fingers trembled, and he exclaimed, “Quick, summon the imperial physician! Also, what measures are there to prevent the spread of the disease in the palace? Immediately cleanse the chambers; we must not let the disease spread!”
Infectious diseases spared no one, regardless of rank or status. Once it broke out, it left devastation in its wake. Given the current summer season and the recent arrival in the southern region, failure to control the epidemic could be fatal!
His only concern was the small imperial court and his own life. However, at this moment, the epidemic had spread along with the warfare and the continuous rains to both banks of the Huai River.
Just after capturing Ruyin, news of a major epidemic within the army reached them. Shi Le sternly questioned, “How many people are now infected?”
“Probably no less than two thousand…,” the military physician replied, sweating profusely, trembling as he continued, “General, we cannot continue the campaign! The miasma in the south is too heavy; it’s better to withdraw early!”
Yesterday, there were only a few hundred cases, and today it multiplied several times. The terror of the epidemic was enough to make any military leader shudder. This place was indeed no longer suitable for staying!
“Immediately break camp! Leave behind all those infected,” Shi Le paused for a moment, then continued, “No, take those who’ve contracted the disease and deliver them to the front of the Jin army!”
Although the battle couldn’t be fought, this epidemic could still be used. Regardless of the method of attrition, the more deaths in the Jin army, the more advantageous for him. With a widespread epidemic, the entire Huainan might crumble!
However, his own troops also needed to be cautious. Shi Le hesitated for a moment and added, “Haven’t there been reports of preventive measures in Bing County? Do you know about them?”
The military physician hesitated for a moment and asked, “General, are you referring to the Buddhists’ epidemic prevention method?”
This military physician, a Xiongnu, had encountered the epidemic prevention method mentioned in the Diamond Sutra. He straightforwardly inquired about it.
In the past, Shi Le would never acknowledge anything related to Buddhists. However, the current situation is different. He gritted his teeth and nodded, “Exactly! Follow that method to prevent the epidemic and control the spread of the disease!”
The military physician didn’t dare to delay and nodded in agreement. Watching the physician hastily leave, Shi Le sighed. This campaign in Yu County was likely to conclude hastily. The only hope was to see how the situation unfolded upon returning to Yan County. If Qing County’s Cao Yi were annihilated, his territory might be surrounded.
Now, he had no choice but to seek reinforcements from Chang’an. He hoped that Liu Yao would provide additional troops to help him establish a foothold in Yan County.
Meanwhile, the news reached the ears of Sima Rui. He exclaimed, “What? There’s a major epidemic in Huainan?”
This was entirely unexpected. Controlling an epidemic was far more challenging than handling military conflicts!
“Immediately cut off the river route and prevent boats from entering Jianye. Make sure not to let the epidemic spread to Jiangdong!” Sima Rui didn’t have the luxury of considering the aristocratic families in Huainan. The most crucial aspect now was to safeguard his own life.
Controlling the epidemic in one area was manageable, but if it spread to other counties in Yang County, the consequences would be unimaginable! How did it suddenly turn into such a situation?
“Commander, cutting off the river route might be challenging to explain the situation to Shou City. It’s better to send medicine across the river quickly,” Wang Dao suggested promptly.
Although epidemic prevention was necessary, one couldn’t neglect appearances. After all, the emperor was in Shou City, and numerous aristocratic families were crowded on the north bank of the river. If their lifeline was severed, the consequences might be more terrifying than the epidemic.
“But…” Sima Rui stammered, “What if the epidemic spreads…”
“In the early years, Bing County had an epidemic prevention method. Why not try it? A large city like Jinyang managed to stop the epidemic, so Jianye might be able to do the same. Moreover, we need to assess the situation in Shou City. If the emperor in Shou City is afflicted by the epidemic, the commander must plan ahead,” Wang Dao softly sighed, but the underlying meaning in his words was clear. If anything unexpected happened to the emperor in Shou City, the authority to appoint a new ruler must not fall into the hands of others.
The current situation is vastly different from the past. Back then, they had planned to wait until Sima Rui matured and then establish their own thoughts of independence. However, the new capital is now within reach. Regardless of whether the emperor is alive or dead, as long as the court remains intact, ascending to the throne is not something he can achieve at will. The best approach is to use the emperor as leverage to command the various lords. Of course, it’s not the current emperor but a new ruler supported by Sima Rui.
As long as the young emperor in Shou City meets his demise.
Sima Rui’s palms were sweaty as he nervously wiped them on his knees. “Your words make sense… Let’s entrust the matter of epidemic prevention to Maohong. As for Shou City, send medicine there as soon as possible…”
Whether this medicine brings death or salvation, no one dares to speak openly. With the chilling epidemic spreading, various forces are entangled in a struggle in Huainan.
※
“Sannian! Sannian!”
The mournful cries echoed in the rainy gloom. Ignoring the disheveled woman with tears streaming down her face, two men with thick cloth wrapped around their heads rolled up the grass mat on the ground, collecting the lifeless body and tossing it onto a nearby cart.
One after another, on the simple wooden cart, a mountain of corpses had already formed. The epidemic had struck swiftly, and with scholars migrating south, hordes of refugees, rebellions, and military disasters, the pestilence spread like wildfire, covering the fields in an instant.
The rebels collapsed without being attacked, and the official soldiers hunting them were also in a state of panic. Who still had the heart to fight? Evading the great epidemic and preserving their lives became the top priority.
“Clang!” Beside the corpse-carrying cart, a man with a black scarf covering his face struck a copper gong in his hand. Amidst the piercing sound of the gong, the cart creaked forward. Hearing this, people from the houses along the road kept bringing out grass mats. The corpses were successively loaded onto large carts and transported outside the village.
Now everyone knew that these infected bodies had to be dealt with quickly. No lying in state, no mourning; the wealthy had to bury them quickly, sprinkling white ash in the graves. Those without money could only let the corpse collectors take away the remains, dragging them to the outskirts of the village for burial or incineration.
On the ground, traces of scattered white ash could be seen from time to time. The air was filled with the scent of burning mugwort.
No drinking of raw water, no touching the clothes worn by the sick, no going to crowded markets, and even burning the corpses. In the past, such inhumane orders would surely have caused a disturbance. But now, no one dared to object.
Because this was the only way to drive away the plague.
Prince Langya in Jiangdong had already sent people to Huainan to aid in treating the epidemic, using this method of epidemic avoidance. Normally, no matter how effective a method was, if it went against customs, it would be impossible to implement. Not to mention the epidemic prevention methods from Bing County, which were intertwined with foreign teachings – how could they be easily trusted?
However, Huainan was not what it used to be. After the emperor moved the capital, the number of aristocrats near Shou City had surged tenfold or more, occupying all the villages and cities nearby. These people were not shortsighted fools. The control measures for the epidemic in Bing County were known to everyone in the court. For such a major matter concerning life and death, who would dare to be careless?
Therefore, whether one believed in Buddhism or not, these epidemic prevention measures spread rapidly, like a gust of wind through the forest. For the ignorant common folk, they only knew that a Buddhist practitioner had entered the world to dispel disasters. If it could save lives, who cared which deity was involved? Many seemingly unacceptable measures gradually spread, even carrying a touch of devoutness.
However, light rain couldn’t extinguish a mountain fire, and even if someone exerted all their efforts, the epidemic was not something that could be controlled in a short time, especially in the military.
“Have the medical officers from Bing County not arrived yet?” Liu Zhun’s face was full of anxiety; it had been seven days, and he didn’t dare to leave the city gate!
When the epidemic broke out in the army earlier, before he could react, Shi Le’s troops withdrew from Ruyin, leaving behind two thousand remaining soldiers. Liu Zhun could not have anticipated that these two thousand men were not staying behind but were each carrying the disease, becoming carriers of the plague! Unprepared, the epidemic in the army spread like wildfire. Not to mention the laborers below, even his personal guards, more than half of them, had contracted the deadly illness!
Retreat? Return to Shou City as soon as possible? But now, they couldn’t go back.
Huainan also experienced an epidemic; how could they let this infected military force return to cause chaos? As the commander-in-chief, he couldn’t easily escape either! Watching the epidemic in Ruyin worsen day by day, lacking both doctors and medicine, Liu Zhun felt an urgent sense of despair. If he had known, he would rather not have the credit for retaking Yu County. Wouldn’t it have been better to stay in Huainan and pacify the chaos?
At this critical moment, news reached Bing County, and medical officers were dispatched!
It was like a piece of driftwood, the only thing one could grasp in the torrent! Bing County had been free of major epidemics for several years; perhaps their epidemic prevention methods were indeed effective. Now that Liang Zixi had learned of the great epidemic in Shou City, he specially sent medical officers to come to the rescue. As a close confidant of the emperor, he would personally escort the medical officers to Shou City.
Only by doing so could they legitimately avoid the rampant epidemic and escape back to Shangdang!
As for the army, they would stay in Ruyin and gradually control the epidemic. Now that the emperor was unable to attend court due to illness, who would dare to suspect a military commander like him?
Just wait for the medical officers to arrive.
While Liu Zhun was anxious on his side, Shi Le, who was retreating to Yan County, wasn’t feeling much better. His military doctors knew some epidemic prevention methods, but how could those rudimentary medical skills control the epidemic?
Therefore, Shi Le had to resort to the simplest method, abandoning the sick soldiers along the way, like lizards shedding their tails to survive. However, this was not a wise strategy. His army consisted of a diverse mix of soldiers, including those who surrendered, those who joined as powerful warriors, and a considerable number of common people from Jin. These people were already prone to switching sides in the face of battle, like opportunistic grass swaying with the wind. Now, encountering Shi Le’s ruthless approach, the military’s morale instantly wavered.
Originally, the army, with high morale and frequent victories, had fled in just a few days, and even Shi Le found it a bit overwhelming. However, with the epidemic looming, even he couldn’t think of a better solution. Fortunately, Shi Le’s army had a considerable number of diverse ethnicities, and many were followers of Buddhism. The epidemic prevention methods were originally propagated by Buddhist practitioners for the salvation and well-being of all.
To stabilize morale, Shi Le had no choice but to let the name of the Buddhist practitioner spread throughout the army. In no time, the number of Buddhist believers surged, and even makeshift altars were erected. Faced with the imminent epidemic, who wouldn’t want peace and safety, free from illness and disasters?
However, while the army’s morale was stabilized, the label of the Buddhist practitioner was hard to shake off. Shi Le’s territory was closely connected to Si County and Ji County, both known to be under the control of Liang Feng. If they were to engage in future battles, would these diverse ethnic groups under his command still be wholeheartedly loyal?
As a Jie tribesman, Shi Le relied on these diverse ethnic groups. The epidemic threatened his foundation. However, no matter how inappropriate it might be, it couldn’t surpass the fear of death. Shi Le could only grit his teeth and swallow this bitter pill.
As long as they temporarily avoided Bing County, there was still room for maneuvering. The immediate priority was to preserve their lives.
In the territory of Yu County, the flames of war had already been extinguished. However, there was no respite in the Shou City Imperial Palace.
The emperor had contracted the epidemic and had closed the sleeping chambers. This was a serious illness, and even as the supreme ruler, there was no guarantee of coming through unscathed. At this moment, it revealed the loyalty of Prince Langya. Sending medical officers to Shou City was a sincere effort. However, not everyone might welcome these saviors.
“Has the medical officer from Bing County crossed the Huai River?” Prince Jingling, Sima Mao, asked with a furrowed brow.
“At most another day, and they will arrive at the royal capital,” his confidant replied in a hushed tone.
“This Liang Feng is truly troublesome!” Sima Mao cursed.
As a cousin of Sima Tan, Sima Mao held a respectable position within the imperial family and had previously received significant recognition. However, due to conflicts with Sima Yue, he distanced himself from the center of power. After Sima Yue’s death, he did not regain the favor of the young emperor and could only be a nominal prince in a remote commandery.
How could one be content with such a situation? Yet, with the young emperor’s suspicions and his focus on consolidating power, Sima Mao could not find an immediate opportunity to make a comeback. The relocation of the capital to Shou City fueled his resentment further. If Sima Tan, the inexperienced child, could endure for a few more months, perhaps the Xiongnu would have moved their capital first. There was no need to relocate to the wilderness of Shou City.
And now, this. First, a major battle, followed by an epidemic that claimed countless lives, leaving people in fear, and every household shuttered. Sima Mao’s discontent and resentment surged anew. If not for that emperor in the palace, how could things have come to this?
How to handle it, Sima Mao had seen too many precedents. With the young emperor seriously ill and bedridden, he began colluding with the Minister of Justice, aiming to follow the example of several previous regional princes in seizing power.
Because of this, when Prince Langya sent physicians, he was displeased. Fortunately, these physicians seemed mediocre and didn’t prove to be of much use. The young emperor remained unconscious, showing no signs of recovery.
However, the physicians from Jiangdong were incompetent, but those from Bing County were not ordinary. What if they managed to save the emperor, causing another missed opportunity? It seemed that preparations had to be made in advance…
“Instruct them to take action,” Sima Mao finally said after a moment of hesitation.
Unfortunately, with the epidemic in the palace, he couldn’t risk entering, and it was impossible to manipulate Sima Tan into inheriting the throne. Without a legitimate heir, it was indeed troublesome.
However, under the circumstances of a widespread epidemic, others might not be able to contend for power with him. It was still better than usual.
He didn’t want to stay in Shou City any longer. Returning to Luoyang as soon as possible was the best option.
The next day, the emperor’s condition suddenly worsened. Before midnight, the dragon chariot ascended to the heavens.
