Chapter 797

Episode 797: Bloody Battle in the Jungle (3)

“Are you sure it’s really smallpox? “Isn’t this another disease similar to smallpox?”

Lee Jing-ok, who still had an expression of disbelief, asked the question again.

The commander answered Lee Jing-ok’s question right away.

“Most of the symptoms the chieftain described were similar to those of smallpox.”

“How can you...”

Lee Jing-ok, who was about to ask why he was so sure, looked at the commander’s face and immediately closed his mouth. The commander’s face was slightly confused.

‘Hmm, Kwon Jo is a little over fifty now, right? If you think about the time when smallpox vaccination began...’

It was only after major incidents such as ‘Hyang’s self-harm incident’ and ‘Ryu Jeong-hyeon’s death in prison’ that cowpox vaccination was implemented nationwide. However, due to problems with the supply and demand of trained doctors to secure cows infected with cowpox, it took a considerable amount of time to complete nationwide vaccination.

Therefore, there were quite a few unfortunate people who contracted smallpox during that time, and Kwon Gwan, who is reporting now, was one of those unfortunate people.

I don’t know if it was heaven’s blessing or his parents’ sincerity, but Kwon Gwan’s face showed signs of slight tangles.

‘I guess I can trust it because it’s confirmed by someone who has already suffered from smallpox. The problem is...’

“Then how did the smallpox spread to them? “Did you find out the reason?”

In response to Lee Jing-ok’s question, Kwon looked back at Seong Cho-gwan standing next to him. Seok stepped forward and responded to the unspoken command.

“It is said that the tribal chief and the shaman also heard the rumor, but it is said that the Mesika nobles and warriors first got it.”

Gwon Kwon added to Seung’s words.

“It seems like the European ship I saw on the way was the source of the problem.”

“europe? ah! “You mean that ship that ran aground?”

“That’s right. Shit Chogwan. “Explain to the general what you heard.”

“yes. “It is a rumor that has been heard through various tribes... but the place where the story first came from is said to be Tlaxcaltec.”

Starting with the mention of the city where the rumor first began, Seung talked about the rumors he had heard from the tribal chief and the shaman.

* * *

Captain Thomas and a small crew of men who barely survived the stranding of the Golden Mary were attacked by Aztec warriors.

In the battle with the Aztec warriors, most of the survivors, including Captain Thomas, lost their lives, and five were taken prisoner.

After taking the prisoners, the Aztec warriors searched the interior of the stranded Golden Mary and took various metal utensils and swords. And lastly, we packed all the clothes and bedding worn by the sailors.

The fabrics used for clothing and bedding were softer and better than anything they had ever encountered, so the warriors rummaged through everything they could.

Even those of those who suffered from smallpox.

* * *

The Aztec warriors immediately returned to Tenochtlan, taking prisoners and loot.

The Aztec warriors, who thought they had avenged the humiliation suffered by the imperialists in the previous battle, walked as quickly as possible and hastened their return.

It was a forced march that covered a distance that would normally take about 20 days in 15 days.

In that forced march, two of the five prisoners who were seriously injured lost their lives and were abandoned in the jungle.

The warriors who arrived in Tenochtlan presented the surviving prisoners and loot to Montezuma I.

“This is truly magnificent!”

Montezuma I, who praised the warriors, distributed the loot he had received to the nobles.

Among the trophies distributed to nobles, the most popular were iron swords, followed by bedding.

After the distribution of the spoils was completed, Montezuma I held a memorial service by sacrificing the captives.

“If those guys from last time come back, I hope they become sacrifices like they did this time!”

And then the nightmare began.

* * *

Eventually, as time passed, both sides became seriously ill with smallpox. The battle naturally came to a ceasefire and the warriors on both sides retreated.

Soon, smallpox began to spread to Tlaxcaltec.

And as time passed, smallpox began to spread to other cities and tribes through traders traveling in and out of Tenochtitlan or Tlaxcaltec.

* * *

“This whole process happened while the empire was preparing for conquest.”

“Huh...”

Lee Jing-ok made a strange expression after hearing Seung’s report.

‘Cheonwoo Creed? Or how about a fisherman? It seems like everything is beneficial to us... but it’s a bit hard to like it out loud. is not it?’

Lee Jing-ok asked Seong, hiding his complicated feelings about whether he should like it or not.

“Is your tribe okay?”

“yes. “They said they had already moved their home after hearing the news I brought to Shinji, and as soon as they heard the rumor about the curse spreading, they immediately blocked access from other tribes.”

“The chieftain was wise.”

“So the curse has been avoided, but food is running low. That’s why we need more logging roads.”

As soon as Seung finished speaking, the commander added.

“Before returning, we distributed some of the extra dry goods the soldiers were carrying. “I think it would be better if we supplied dry matter along with logging.”

“Let me consider it. Is there anything else to report?”

“doesn’t exist.”

“Then write it down and submit it right away.”

“...yes.”

“And damn Chogwan. When it comes to logging and supplies, priority will be paid according to the number of people who came with us. “That would be fine.”

“thank you!”

“Then let’s do that. “Don’t forget to write a report and submit it, too.”

“...yes. “But because I have such bad handwriting.”

“Don’t you have a typewriter? “I hope to receive it by tomorrow morning.”

At Lee Jing-ok’s words, Seok responded with tears in his eyes.

“I will fill it out and submit it right away.”

“Then let’s go back.”

Lee Jing-ok, who sent the people out, stroked his chin and muttered.

“Hmm... I guess I’ll have to tell your majesty that I need some beef. By the way, gunpowder is important in this war, but medicine is also important. If you take the right medicine, you can win more easily. By the way...”

Lee Jing-ok paused for a moment and looked at the map with a serious face.

“We still only have half of our troops. Should we move right away? Should I wait?”

* * *

That evening. Lee Jing-ok, who summoned the commanders, explained the situation and asked questions.

“...The situation is like this. How do the officers think it is best for us to move? Is it better to move right away? Would it be better to wait for all troops to arrive?”

In response to Lee Jing-ok’s question, the opinions of the commanders were divided into two.

“We have to move right away. Why is there such a thing as a water-saving device? They are weakened by smallpox! “The more time we give them, the more time they have to perk up!”

“The opposite is true! You have to wait! There is a long way to go to the enemy’s capital. We need to think about distribution! The pox has not only weakened our enemies, it has also weakened our would-be helpers! That means we have to take care of all the maintenance of the supply route! “We must secure enough troops and minimize power loss!”

Since both sides had a point, it was not easy to reach a conclusion. As the tense war of words continued for a long time, one of those who chose to wait pointed out the most important issue.

“It is true that smallpox is a serious disease. And it is certain that the smallpox spread and caused losses. But no one here knows how much the loss is. It could be a situation where the country is truly about to fall, but on the other hand, it could also be a situation where the country is on its feet by now. “Unless we have certain information, we must move as cautiously as possible.”

Lee Jing-ok nodded at those words.

“That makes the most sense.”