Needless to say, after Huo Jun explained the arrangements of the army, he traveled west to Tushan alone to meet Liu Bei.

Huaibei, Wei military camp.

Inside the tent, the officials reported to Cao Cao the number of sick people who had gradually increased due to the plague.

"My lord, the plague is raging in the army today, and there are no less than three or four thousand people who suffer from the plague. Although some doctors came to the camp for treatment, many of them were helpless, and some people talked about typhoid fever or malaria. There are many prescriptions, but there are no effective prescriptions. ”

Sun Quan looked sad and said, "Even if the sick soldiers are placed in the camp, there are still sergeants in the camp who are constantly sick. Today, not only Chen's subordinates are infected with the epidemic, but Xu Xianjiu is also seriously ill, with chills and fever, and the doctors are helpless. ”

Cao Cao leaned on the table and asked, "Has Kong Zhang's condition changed?" ”

"Chen Menxia's condition has worsened, alternating between cold and heat, and he has been in a coma for several days. According to the doctor, if there is no cure for it, it will die soon! Sima Yi said.

Cao Cao's expression was melancholy, and he sighed slightly and said: "Kong Zhang and Wei Chang are outstanding in literature, and they are infected with epidemics today, and there are many injustices in the sky!" ”

Although Chen Lin wrote an article insulting him, Cao Cao didn't care, but cherished Chen Lin's talent. Now hearing the news that Chen Lin is about to die, this makes Cao Cao feel very heartbroken.

Listening to Cao Cao's sigh, everyone felt a lot of sadness in their hearts, or they were worried about the plague virus that existed around them.

Cao Cao looked at the people under the tent, tapped his fingers on the armrests of the tent, and secretly said: "Now the malaria is terrible, from the close ministers to the civil and military, and the ordinary soldiers are worried, and they need to order people to enter the camp for treatment." Even if malaria cannot be cured, it is necessary to reassure the morale of the army so that it does not become discouraged. ”

After a half-silence, Cao Cao opened his mouth and asked, "Yanzhou Assassin Shi Ke?" ”

Those who are dressed simply and have an elegant temperament tend to march out of the army, and arch their hands: "The minister Sima Lang is here!" ”

"Boda is carrying doctors and a large number of herbs to the camp, and it is a lot of fatigue!" Cao Cao said.

"Serving the country, Chen An dares to say that he is tired." Sima Lang said: "Only the ministers are ashamed, the epidemic is raging, and most of the medicinal materials brought by the ministers are useless. ”

Cao Cao, who had suffered from epidemic disease in the military camp and rushed to the south, lacked herbs in the army, so he ordered Sima Lang, the assassin of Yanzhou, to collect herbs and go south.

Cao Cao said: "There is a lot of turmoil in the hearts of the army today due to the epidemic, and it is necessary to calm the hearts of the army, and it is the best policy to cure the epidemic." However, the army has not yet presided over the treatment of the epidemic, and Qing has brought Yanzhou doctors and medicinal materials into the camp, I wonder if he is willing to preside over the treatment of the epidemic? ”

"I am willing to accept this important task!"

Hearing this, Sima Lang did not hesitate and gave up.

In the crowd, Sima Yi saw Sima Lang being ordered, and couldn't help frowning and sighing deeply, presiding over the epidemic control was not a good deal.

Seeing this, Cao Cao couldn't help but remind a few words and said: "The epidemic is raging in the army, the king is the secretary of the country, you should be more careful, and you can't enter the camp lightly." ”

"Thank you for your concern!"

"Liu Bei is stationed in Huainan, dare to ask the king, there are many epidemics in the army today, I don't know how to deal with it?" Jia Xu asked.

Tightening his eyebrows, Cao Cao said: "There are many epidemics in the army today, so I temporarily order all armies to hold on, and not to fight easily." Our army will not fight, and after a long time, Liu Bei will lead his troops to retreat. ”

"No!"

This battle is not only unwilling, but even Cao Cao is unconvinced. was first outplayed by Huo Jun's face, and now the soldiers are tortured by the epidemic, which makes his plan to take advantage of the situation to fight back completely ruined.

In order not to be taken advantage of by Liu and Huo, Cao Cao had no choice but to adopt the strategy of holding on without fighting, so as not to repeat the mistakes of the Battle of Chrysostom.

Then, Cao Cao chatted with everyone about other topics before letting everyone in the tent retreat.

After Sima Yi came out of the account, he found his brother Sima Lang and said worriedly: "The epidemic is raging in the army, and the doctors have nothing to do, and there is no medicine to treat. Could it be that the elder brother doesn't know how to lead the epidemic treatment, and the danger is far worse than the battlefield fighting? ”

"How can a brother not know the harm of the plague?"

Sima Lang sighed slightly, and said, "Only because of what the king commanded, how can my brother refuse?" And if he refuses to resign, he will displease the king. ”

"The gentleman does not stand under the dangerous wall, and since the elder brother knows the harm of the epidemic, he should seek an opportunity to resign from his post after calling himself sick, and let the king choose another person to preside over the treatment of the epidemic." Sima Yi suggested.

Sima Lang waved his hand and said, "Since you are a gentleman, how can you accept the king's order and be afraid of the epidemic." Now that the lord is responsible for curing the epidemic, my brother should do his best to live up to the king's weight! ”

Sima Lang's personality is different from Sima Yi's, if it is said that Sima Yi is scheming, he knows the way to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Then Sima Lang is loyal, diligent in official affairs, diligent and thrifty, and is mostly respected by the Central Plains scholars. Even Cui Yan is mostly friendly with Sima Lang, which shows that his character and ability are really outstanding.

"Brother, think deeply!"

Sima Yi looked worried and said: "If there is a medicine to cure it, with the ability of my brother, I should not worry about the epidemic. However, there is no medicine to be applied now, and those who suffer from the epidemic are all killed, and such a disease may not be cured by manpower. ”

Sima Lang disagreed, and said: "Although the disease of malaria is terrifying, everything in the world has two sides, yin and yang, how can there be no cure for this malaria?" ”

Saying that, Sima Lang added: "Even if there is no medicine to cure in the short term, if you are kind to the sergeant and do not let the army's heart be disturbed, you can also say good deeds." ”

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Sima Lang, Sima Yi could only sigh and said: "Having said that, but the epidemic is not trivial, my brother should be cautious and cautious, and dare not be careless." ”

"Good!"

With Cao Cao's edict, Sima Lang must bow down to everything and vigorously rectify the chaotic isolation camp. According to the condition, it is divided into light, medium and severe camps, and the internal and external sanitation is cleaned up to improve the appearance of the isolated camps.

At the same time, in order not to panic the soldiers, Sima Lang shook the morale of the army. He spread the news to the people that the sergeant had recovered, saying that the epidemic was not incurable, so that everyone should not be overly worried. Then, Sima Lang ordered someone to cook medicine and let the sick sergeant take it, trying to stabilize the morale of the army.

After Sima Lang's several operations, even though the number of sick people was increasing in the short term, the Wei army's morale was temporarily stabilized.

When Sima Lang was curing the epidemic, after a few days of traveling, Huo Jun finally arrived at the Tushan camp to see Liu Bei. Liu Bei was very surprised that Huo Jun was alone, and personally went out of the big tent to greet Huo Jun.

"Chen Jun greets the king!"

"Zhong Miao doesn't need to be polite!"

Liu Bei saw Huo Jun at the mouth of the tent, stepped forward to help him up, and said with a smile: "When I heard that Zhong Miao was cut off, I was anxious and wanted to send troops to help. Unexpectedly, Jun Surabaya crossed three times, which was exquisite, which amazed Lonely. ”

Saying that, Liu Bei patted Huo Jun on the shoulder and sighed: "I see you safe today, and you are alone." ”

Huo Jun's expression was calm, and he said: "King Yi led the army to move east, so that Cao Cao could be fooled, and Jun was able to withdraw and turn back." ”

"Haha!"

Liu Bei took Huo Jun's arm and said with a smile: "Jun San crossed Surabaya, killed Sun Guan, and moved thousands of households south. When Cao Cao learned that Zhong Miao had crossed the three crossings, he was probably annoyed again. ”

"That's how an old thief should be!" Huo Jun said with a smile.

The two walked into the account, and Liu Bei stretched out his hand to signal Huo Jun to take a seat. The attendant looked for an opportunity to enter the account and served tea to the two.

Sitting on the couch, Liu Bei asked, "Zhong Miao came from the Surabaya camp, I don't know what happened?" ”

Huo Jun put the teacup on the case and said, "Jun heard that the king couldn't advance or retreat, so he went west to ask to see His Highness." ”

"Huh?"

Liu Bei looked happy and said, "Could it be that Zhong Miao thinks that he can still go on a northern expedition now?" ”

Huo Jun shook his head and said, "If that's not the case, Jun went west to ask to see the king, but he really wanted to persuade the king to withdraw his army!" ”

"Withdrawal?"

Liu Bei's face was slightly straight, and he asked, "Zhong Miao thinks that he can't fight now?" ”

"It's not that you can't fight, but you can't fight!" Huo Jun corrected Liu Bei's mistake and said emphatically.

"Please speak carefully!"

Huo Jun pondered for a while and said: "King Qiyu, judging from the situation of confrontation with Cao Cao, there may be no need to withdraw the army now, and Cao Cao still has the strength to fight." However, under external factors, Jun thought that our army should be withdrawn! ”

"External causes?"

Liu Bei frowned and asked, "Does Zhong Miao mean malaria?" ”

"Exactly!"

Huo Jun nodded, and said worriedly: "Malaria is really a plague, if you don't withdraw now, malaria will definitely spread in the army, not only will there be many casualties among the soldiers at that time, but I am also afraid that Cao Cao will take the opportunity to break it." Therefore, judging from the current situation, why should the king lead his army to withdraw. ”

After a pause, Huo Jun emphatically said: "According to the king's ministers, there are few medicines to cure the harm of malaria, and there is no hope of recovery for many people suffering from the epidemic. The reason why malaria can spread is that mosquitoes hurt people and inject evil qi into the human body. This spring and summer, the weather is hot and mosquitoes are abundant, and the root cause of this malaria epidemic is rampant! ”

"Mosquitoes hurt people?"

Hearing this, Liu Bei's expression changed a lot, and he said: "Zhong Miao is saying that the reason why malaria is raging in the army is that mosquitoes hurt people, and they can invade the human body. If mosquitoes are endless, malaria will spread, and the officers and men in the army will not be at peace? ”

"Exactly!"

Huo Jun's face was serious, and he said: "Mosquitoes feed on the blood of humans and beasts, and the blood of humans and beasts cannot be blended. After the evil qi is born, the mosquitoes hurt people and suck blood, and the evil qi invades the human body, and the cause of malaria is born, and it is scattered. ”

"Mosquitoes hurt people endlessly, if the king does not withdraw the army, there is no need for Cao Cao to cross the river to attack at that time, 100,000 soldiers are killed and injured due to malaria, and they will be defeated if they do not attack!"

"The harm of malaria should be far better than Cao Cao's soldiers. Today, malaria is scattered, not only Lu Zijing, Xi Wenxiang and other civil and military personnel are infected, but there are also thousands of sergeants in the army who are infected. In the middle of summer, mosquitoes are abundant, and malaria will be a serious problem in the army. ”

"And the evil spirit enters the body, and malaria has a latent time. The short is ten days, and the long is more than a month. Thousands of people may have been infected in the army today, but the number of sick people is far greater than the number today. ”

The incubation period of the malaria virus is as long as half a month, and the symptoms only appear after half a month. Regardless of the fact that only a few thousand people have malaria at the moment, it may actually be much more than that.

Saying that, Huo Jun bowed his hand to Liu Bei and said: "The world only knows the harm of malaria, but it does not know the source of malaria. Jun was taught by my teacher, and he knew the harm of malaria, and now he has the courage to admonish the king, and the harm of malaria must be prepared. ”

Being popularized by Huo Jun, Liu Bei had long lost the idea of the Northern Expedition, first carefully recalled whether he had been bitten by mosquitoes, and then felt worried about the sick Lu Su and thousands of soldiers.

Seeing that Liu Bei's face was not good, Huo Jun said: "King, not all mosquitoes hurt people, they are all injected with evil energy. Although mosquitoes with evil spirits are no different from ordinary mosquitoes, there are very few mosquitoes with malaria. ”

"However, if a soldier is sick with malaria, and the mosquito sucks his blood, he becomes a mosquito with the evil spirit of malaria...... Therefore, Jun thought that the king should lead the army to retreat and stay away from the land of malaria, so that he could be safe! ”

Liu Bei's face was solemn, and he said: "Zijing and thousands of soldiers have suffered from malaria, I don't know if Zhong Miao can cure it?" ”

The words spoken by people of different identities have different gold content and credibility. Huo Jun's ancient and modern words lack basis and argumentation, if ordinary people say this, Liu Bei will probably be suspicious.

However, Huo Jun's identity is different, his status is noble, and he rarely makes a lot of nonsense. Now that he is going west alone, his speech logic is self-consistent, which is enough to make Liu Bei believe his words.

Huo Jun shook his head and sighed, and said: "There is no accurate cure for malaria, and it is not easy to prevent malaria from raging now." ”

Liu Bei looked sad and said, "I hope that the son will be blessed by the gods and will be spared this difficulty." ”

Then, Liu Bei sighed and said, "If it weren't for Zhong Miao's westward advance, the harm of malaria would have become a big mistake. Now that the situation is at this point, there can be no more fighting. He ordered all units to withdraw their troops in order to find an opportunity for the Northern Expedition in the coming year. ”

"The king is wise!" Huo Jun praised.

"Zhong Miao knows about malaria, but I don't know if there is a way to arrange it after the withdrawal of the army?" Liu Bei asked.

"The 30,000 soldiers in Huaidong have no malaria, and they can stay on the border today."

Huo Jun thought for a little and said: "The king can lead the soldiers to withdraw to Hefei, isolate the soldiers under his tent for forty-five days, and then observe the condition of the disease, and allow the disease-free soldiers to return to China." If the soldiers are allowed to return to Wuchu, the malaria will be scattered, and the people will not be spared, and many will be slaughtered by the plague! ”

Although agrarian societies lacked modern medical technology, plague was not easily spread due to poor means of transportation, especially the blood-borne malaria virus.

Therefore, it is not easy to cure malaria, but there is a feasible way to prevent malaria from spreading. For example, future generations have repeatedly used unpleasant isolation and measures such as culling mosquitoes, optimizing hygiene, and close contact separation, which will help Huo Jun eliminate patients.

"Zhong Miao can have such words, but there is a way to deal with it in his heart?" Liu Bei asked.

Huo Jun straightened his back, arched his hand and said: "Jun Bucai, although there is no cure for malaria today, there is a way to deal with malaria. If the king does not give up, he is willing to take charge of malaria, cut off malaria in Jiangbei, and try not to hurt the bones of the army. ”

Liu Bei stayed to help Huo Jun and said: "Zhong Miao has a strategy to deal with it, and he should withdraw the army from the king, personally lead the army to Hefei, and stay at the border of the Huaidong army. When the isolation is arranged, the tired Zhong Miao will be arranged and dispatched. ”

"No!"

Liu Bei held Huo Jun's hand and said worriedly: "The harm of malaria is terrifying, you know it well, and you should pay attention to it now!" ”

"Please rest assured, Jun has a way to deal with it." Huo Jun said: "From now on, the king and the generals should wear more long clothes, and order the soldiers of all departments not to bare their skin easily, so as not to be injured by mosquitoes and infected with malaria. ”

"Good!"

(End of chapter)