BC, 247. summertime

Under the favorable measures of the regent, the epidemic in Macedonia has been effectively controlled, and it has not spread to other cities at present.

Podarerios received an order from the king to return to Rome to take up important positions in the army in response to the threat of war from the Julius family. Before leaving, he went to say goodbye to Uncle Wang, and the two sat down for a long talk.

"Virtuous nephew, you have been by my side for many days, and the two of us have a deep relationship. You are smart and capable, and you always do a good job of completing the tasks I have given you, and share my worries with me. Uncle is very reluctant to let you go. Since it is official business, it is inconvenient to keep it.

The king has ordered you to travel directly from the port of Thessaloniki to Tarentum by water. I have sent the main forces of the Aegean Fleet to Rome, and they will escort you to Rome. You can rest assured. ”

"These days, thanks to Uncle Wang's care. My nephew has had a lot of opportunities to practice and learn a lot of experience and knowledge from it. I would like to thank Uncle Abrias for his cultivation and love.

I went to Campania to serve as a military officer and crossed the sea to travel far away, and I don't know when we will meet again. Second uncle, take care. ”

"Alas~ A manly husband should focus on his career, and it is normal for the world to be his home. Ah, don't worry, but write to me often. The sky is high, and I look forward to seeing you do more in the future. ”

"I will.

After I left, my uncle's burden was heavy again. I can't bear to see you busy. I have some suggestions that might help you. Working together, you can get good results. Uncle Wang can delegate some powers to loyal and good courtiers. For example, Anthony, who was the chief of ordnance and a veteran of the two dynasties. For the military affairs that are responsible for the logistical support of the army, you can ask him to help. The interior affairs turned to Callas Jr., whose father had been the Secretary of State for the Interior and had a wide range of connections. He was also a man of good personal talent and loyal to Macedonia. They can all ease the burden on you, as long as they have their respective terms of reference and let them check each other and not usurp their powers. ”

"Well, I'll think about it.

Now the Macedonian plague is prevalent, and the road to the front line is restricted. In some areas, supplies had to be detoured, which increased the delivery of supplies. But without a detour, they were worried that they would bring the plague to the army, where people had close contact with each other, and infectious diseases spread quickly. If a soldier in the army is infected, it will be bad.

The domestic plague had significantly slowed down the progress of the Gallic-Germanic war, and the various legions had become disconnected from each other. It was originally planned to launch a full-scale counteroffensive this spring, but because the front-line troops could not get enough supplies and reinforcements, everyone chose to dig trenches and hold on to it in order to retain their strength. Only the king's troops were at their strongest, and they were able to march north. ”

"It is right to retain strength, last year, our army made breakthroughs in Gaul, Goth, Norikum outside the mountains. Fight the enemy-for-tat and burn the war to their territory. Now everyone stops to preserve their strength and stabilize their positions, which is also a necessary procedure for the next move.

Of course, when the Macedonian army stopped attacking, it left the barbarians a respite, and they would organize a new barbarian army to counterattack. At that time, as long as our army maintains the defensive line, the barbarian tribes will not achieve anything.

The drawbacks of this disaster are indeed obvious. It does not only affect military operations. Since the epidemic plague in Macedonia, it has caused a lot of damage in the country. Especially those cities that have been infected, the economy is withering, development is regressing, and the population is declining. The surrounding villages and towns have also suffered from the effects of disease and economic decline. When there is a famine in a place where the agricultural harvest fails, it is necessary to open warehouses and release grain to give relief to the people.

The Kingdom of Macedonia has already experienced negative tax growth in the first half of this year. Fortunately, the Macedonian kingdom has accumulated strong strength over the years, and the land is vast and rich. But it is still necessary to remain sober, and Macedonia is in a difficult situation now, because it has endured the attrition of the war while enduring the ravages of disease, and its economy has suffered some damage in the process. ”

"Well, natural and man-made disasters. Let the economy return to growth and the army return to combat effectiveness, it is necessary to wait for the plague to disappear. The current medical techniques have no choice but to alleviate this plague, and even the medicine of prevention has little effect. I watched these things happen, but there was no cure. ”

"The plague is not completely uncontrollable, it's just ......

Don't do it until you have to. It is important to note that there is a characteristic feature of infectious disease transmission, which is recurrence. Plagues can return, sometimes as a result of negligent prevention and control, and letting down their vigilance; Some are new changes in the epidemic. (Genetic mutations in the virus, the emergence of drug resistance or new pathogenicity.) ）

Therefore, in order to avoid a larger outbreak of the plague, no more than six provinces should be infected. Remnants of the plague still exist in the three affected provinces, and sporadic cases of infection have been reported in the marginal towns of Epirus. It was transmitted from the neighboring province of Thessaly. Therefore, the prevention and control work must not be relaxed. As soon as the plague spreads again, a policy of total lockdown is implemented. ”

"Totally lockdown? I don't understand what you mean. ”

"Completely blockade the city or village, and let the army surround the city on the periphery. Anyone who attempts to leave the city without permission will be executed. At the same time, the bodies of the sick and dead are often disposed of, and must be burned with fire, not simply buried.

It's like medical treatments that require amputation or removal of carrion, sacrificing the part for the sake of the whole. In this way, although some residents are sacrificed, more citizens are saved. This policy is really difficult to enforce, so I say don't use it until you have to. However, the epidemic cannot exceed six cities. ”

"It's too cruel for me to do that. Don't you care if the rest of the city lives or dies? No, it's inhumane. ”

"I hope that this kind of strategy will not be used, and when the situation is urgent, there is no need to hesitate. Oh, by the way, I've heard that Arabia in the East is a magical country, and there are many strange people and strangers who know magic and medicine. There is also Jerusalem, which is revered as the holy city, and it is said that there are mysterious powers beyond the reach of human beings. But it's all Egyptian territory, and we don't trust each other. Besides, we don't have an eastern ally, Seleucus, to see if they can help us.

I'll just say all this, it's all personal considerations, I hope it will help you. ”

"Okay, I'm glad you gave me so much advice. I'll try. Have a nice trip! ”

Podare Rios returned to Rome with his wife Athena, where there was no plague and no war. The Roman king Aloyos was already planning a new move.