Plague

Zi Shou sighed. General Tai was back again. Last time, Yu Yue had rebelled, and Zhang Shan had led the people of Hu Fang to suppress them. This time, the rebellion had probably been crushed. That really was good news.

"Summon him."

A moment later, Tai Luan hurried into the hall and said urgently, "Your Majesty, something has happened! Chief Commander Deng and General Zhang advanced along two routes to encircle Yu Yue. They had barely reached Yue Territory when a severe plague broke out among the troops!"

"A severe plague?"

Zi Shou froze.

The civil and military officials exchanged bewildered looks.

Tai Luan continued, "A plague suddenly broke out in Baiyue, and it is spreading extremely quickly. Our army marched deep into the region and happened to run straight into it. The outbreak is very severe. The soldiers feel cold all over, yet cry out that the burning heat is unbearable. Some have even vomited incessantly and collapsed unconscious on the spot."

"The outbreak is spreading northward. Three Mountains Pass has also been affected, and the people there are all..."

"All what?"

Pressed by King Zhou's urgent questioning, Tai Luan gritted his teeth and said, "Every household says the plague is the work of ghosts and gods. They claim Your Majesty launched an attack on Baiyue and recklessly exhausted the nation in war, bringing down Heaven's punishment. Even in the army..."

Zi Shou fell silent.

Baiyue had suffered repeated wars, and many people had died, making it easy for plague to spread. Deng Jiugong had also led his troops deep into the region, where they could easily fall ill from the unfamiliar climate and conditions. Their resistance would weaken, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

Moreover, the soldiers were crowded together. Once someone was infected, it would spread immediately, and