Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 224 Smallpox, the embodiment of God's calamity!

After eliminating the two thousand Mamluks, Guo Kan became even more unscrupulous, harassing the logistics of the Ayyubid dynasty army more frequently.

The Ayyubid dynasty's army was extremely frustrated. If they sent too few troops, they would be no match for Guo Kan. If they sent too many troops, Guo Kan was too cunning to capture them.

Camille had no choice but to quickly reinforce his troops, restricting Guo Kan's operational space, and to use more soldiers to protect the logistics. He also sent envoys to urge other countries to send troops.

As a result, within six months, the main force of the True God Alliance was assembled, and the number of True God regular troops entering Iraq reached 270,000, with more than 400,000 civilians from various countries providing logistical support.

Thankfully, Iraq is bordered by the Persian Gulf to the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, allowing for the transport of supplies via long waterways. Otherwise, with such a massive troop buildup, the countries of the True God sect would not even be able to support their logistics.

Of course, no matter how capable and experienced Guo Kan was in battle, he could no longer hold his ground in Iraq and retreated into Persian territory. Then, he received orders from Zhao He to go to the city of Rai to join Zhao He and the rest of the Mongol army.

Inside the city magistrate's mansion in Lai City.

"Your humble servant Guo Kan has beheaded 4,546 people in Iraq, captured the Ayyubid general Baloos, burned over 93,000 shi of grain and fodder, and seized 16,400 taels of gold and 58,000 taels of silver. I have come to report this!"

Guo Kan bowed deeply to Zhao He.

At this point, there's no need to say things like, "This humble general entered Iraq to fight without orders; I beg Your Highness to punish me."

After Guo Kan sent a messenger to Zhao He, Zhao He replied, instructing him to act expediently in the Iraqi region.

"Very good! My father once told me that you were the rightful minister he had prepared for me, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary! Commander Guo, please sit!"

To be honest, Zhao He had always been somewhat puzzled by Zhao Shuo's statement.

Indeed, when Zhao Shuo left Xiluos, Guo Dehai had already brought his family to Xiluos. But how old was Guo Kan at that time?

How could you be so sure that Guo Kan had outstanding talent?
But now it seems Zhao Shuo was right. Guo Kan, with only a thousand men, achieved such great results in Iraq.

Take, for example, the captured Baloos. According to intelligence from the Black Ice Guard, he was a well-known general in the Ayyubid dynasty. Guo Kan's ability to capture him alive with inferior forces and with relatively small losses of his own was truly remarkable.

"It seems that my father's vision is indeed much more far-sighted than mine. This Guo Kan is indeed a promising general and a valuable assistant to me in the future!"

Zhao He thought to himself.

"Your Majesty even mentioned my name? I am truly unworthy of such praise!"

Guo Kan obeyed and sat down, his heart filled with excitement.

Zhao He wouldn't lie about Zhao Shuo just to win him over. Besides, what could a mere commander like him possibly have that Zhao He would want to win over?
That only shows that Zhao Shuo has always placed high hopes on him.

Of course, Guo Kan was proud and arrogant, and he wouldn't try to take any shortcuts because of this. It was just that this attitude of "treating me as a national hero" made him want to "repay him as a national hero."

As a result, the awkwardness of meeting Zhao He for the first time was greatly reduced.

Zhao He continued, "During this western expedition, you, with a thousand-man unit, caused chaos among the True God Alliance, greatly boosting our morale and making a significant contribution. Here's what we'll do: all the gold and silver we obtained is yours, and I won't take a share."

"Thank you, Your Highness. Uh... there's one more thing: during the campaign in Iraq, I acquired some local vassal troops and recruited some of the bravest among them into my ranks. I didn't have time to ask for permission, so please grant me your permission, Your Highness."

Guo Baoyu was stationed in Xiluos, which was too far from Zhongdu. He certainly had the authority to replace retired veterans with new recruits, but the appointment and removal of officers of the rank of centurion or above required Zhongdu's approval. Guo Kan, however, did not have this authority and needed Zhao He's subsequent ratification.

Zhao He asked, "How many men do you have in total now?"

Guo Kan said, "After the Iraq War, I only had 643 men left. In addition, I have added a total of 364 men, so I now have 1,007 men."

"Since you still have around a thousand men, then there's no problem. Also, you must have lost quite a few warhorses in this Iraq war, right?"

"Yes, when we set off from Xiros, we had one person and five horses. But now, we only have a little over 1,300 warhorses left."

Zhao He looked at Yelü Xuan behind him and said, "Remember to replenish Guo Kan's supplies of one person and three horses, and also replenish the missing standard armor, weapons, and equipment."

"Understood. I will make up for it for Commander Guo after I check." Yelü Xuan nodded solemnly and wrote it down in his notebook.

Zhao He then looked at Guo Kan and said, "This man is Yelü Xuan, son of Yelü Chucai, the Grand Secretary, and my military secretary. You can contact him about replenishing warhorses, armor, and weapons."

On average, Zhao Shuo's army had five horses per soldier. However, to ensure flexibility, each unit marched with three horses per soldier. Any extra horses were given to the central army to drive.

When Guo Kan's troops set out from Xiluos, each man had five horses. However, after joining up with Zhao He, if they still had five horses per man, they would have to hand over any extra horses. This would facilitate both the movement of their own troops and the overall deployment of the army.

Of course, the central army couldn't just give Guo Kan whatever number of warhorses and weapons he demanded; they still had to be verified.

Guo Kan stood up and said, "Thank you, Your Highness! I am grateful for your help, Secretary Yelü!"

"Oh, right..." Zhao He suddenly remembered something and instructed Yelü Xuan, "We must hurry up with the smallpox vaccination. The whole army has been vaccinated almost completely. Have Guo Kan's troops vaccinated as soon as possible."

Yelü Xuan bowed slightly and said, "Yes."

Guo Kan asked in confusion, "Plant beans? What kind of beans?"

Zhao He asked, "Guo Kan, have you ever heard of smallpox?"

"heard about it."

Guo Kan said, “My father said that smallpox is not very common in the Central Plains. I have rarely seen anyone with smallpox in Xiros. However, it is not uncommon for people in Iraq to get smallpox. It is said that there is a 30% chance of death after getting smallpox. Even if you are lucky enough to survive, you may be disfigured and look like a vengeful ghost.”

This is true.

Although smallpox has been recorded in China for a long time, it was not until the Ming and Qing dynasties that it truly became a major disaster.

The prevalence of infectious diseases is closely related to the level of human interaction.

With the successive Crusades, smallpox began to spread across Eurasia. Later estimates suggest that Europe alone lost 10% of its population as a result.

Iraq is close to the Ayyubid dynasty, which was fighting the Crusaders, and smallpox outbreaks have begun in several small-scale outbreaks.

Some of the Mongol soldiers that Guyuk brought back after his conquest of Iraq had contracted smallpox.

When Guo Kan was fighting in Iraq, he avoided smallpox like the plague. Anyone showing symptoms was immediately removed from the army and could only return after recovering.

Zhao He said, "This smallpox treatment is specifically designed for smallpox. Once you've been vaccinated, you'll never get smallpox again."

"There...is that also true?"

"Of course. My father took it very seriously because many of his soldiers contracted smallpox when Güyük went to war in Iraq. He gathered twenty famous doctors and spent three months developing a method for inoculating smallpox."

"So, the initial military order I received was to assemble at the Baluwan Grassland, instead of waiting for the Crown Prince in Baghdad, just for smallpox inoculation? And the armies of all the kings gathered in Lai City, also for the purpose of inoculating the entire army with smallpox?"

"Indeed, that is exactly right." "Your Majesty is truly a wise and insightful ruler, with profound foresight!"

Guo Kan was deeply shocked and sighed sincerely.

Smallpox is just too fair. No matter how skilled you are, or how noble your status, you get what you deserve, and you die what you deserve. It comes and goes without a trace, and no matter how clever your schemes are, you can't use them.

When a large army is assembled, the biggest fear is the spread of plague.

Guo Kan had long been worried about what would happen if a smallpox outbreak occurred if 150,000 troops were assembled in Iraq.
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Shuo resolved the matter with ease!
Since Zhao Shuo dared to have the entire army vaccinated against smallpox, it shows that the technique was very effective and safe.

Although Zhao He told him that this smallpox treatment was supposedly developed by "Zhao Shuo gathering twenty famous doctors over three months," try asking someone else to gather twenty famous doctors and develop it for three months?
Smallpox has existed in China for over a thousand years. If it were that simple, wouldn't it have been invented long ago?
Considering the rumors about Zhao Shuo inventing those military medicines, it goes without saying that this "smallpox inoculation technique" was also invented by Zhao Shuo!

To say that someone is brilliant and insightful, or has profound foresight, would be an understatement.

The most accurate description is probably: He is destined by heaven and will be successful in everything he does!
The next day, all of Guo Kan's troops were vaccinated against smallpox.

Actually, this matter is very simple.

The so-called smallpox vaccination technique, although it uses cowpox, does not require all the vaccine to be taken from cows. Instead, the cowpox vaccine with the lowest toxicity is selected, inoculated into one person, and then some of the pustules that grow from the inoculated area are taken as vaccine to inoculate others.

One person infects ten people, ten people infect a hundred people, a hundred people infect a thousand people... As long as people are gathered together, vaccination is a very quick process.

The Mongolian army is now promoting smallpox vaccination throughout its ranks, and there is a sufficient supply of smallpox vaccines.

Ten days later, the entire army of 150,000 had developed immunity to smallpox.

Batu immediately convened a military meeting with Zhao He and others.

Batu said, "The True God Alliance knows our strength and doesn't dare to confront us head-on in open battle. Their mobilization of heavy troops to besiege Baghdad is simply to take advantage of our eagerness to save people and seize the opportunity to divide and annihilate us."

"Our original plan was to use their own tactics against them, sending 90,000 troops into Baghdad in a grand display to draw the attention of the Allied Forces of Theocracy. Then, we would send 60,000 troops on a rapid march to the rear of the Allied Forces of Theocracy, capture Damascus, and cut off their retreat. After that, we would encircle them from both sides and annihilate the main force of the Allied Forces of Theocracy in one battle."

"However, there are many uncertainties. Will the 90,000 troops suffer heavy casualties facing the superior forces of the True God Cult? Whether the 60,000 troops that raided Damascus can successfully break through the city and return to reinforce it in time is anyone's guess."

"Now, I have a new idea."

Wo'er replied, "What are your thoughts?"

Although he was Batu's elder brother, he considered himself far less capable than Batu and always followed Batu's lead, asking with concern.

Zhao He's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Batu, do you mean to use smallpox?"

"Brother Zhao He and I are thinking the same thing. That's right, it's acne."

Batu said, “Since our army is not afraid of the smallpox infection after vaccination, why not take advantage of it? We can spread rumors that a smallpox outbreak has occurred in our army, and then send several elite cavalry units into Iraq. On the surface, it is to harass the logistics of the True God Coalition, but in reality, it is to spread smallpox.”

After a pause, Batu looked at Mu'atugan, Möngke, and Güyük and asked, "What do you think will happen to the True God Alliance?"

Mu'a Tu said, "Is there even a question? They'll be overjoyed. After all, they've had a smallpox outbreak, and so have we. It's like a major war, with both sides suffering the same casualties."

Mongke said, "In that case, we don't need to split our forces into two groups. Let's just send 150,000 troops straight in. Those True God Alliance forces will think victory is in sight!"

Guiyou clicked his tongue repeatedly and said, "I really want to know what they'll think when they finally find out that smallpox is completely ineffective against our army!"

During Güyük's last invasion of Iraq, smallpox hampered his military operations. This time, however, his own forces were completely immune to smallpox, while the enemy was suffering greatly from it. This stark contrast was a source of great satisfaction for Güyük.

"What else can we think?" Batu chuckled and said, "I'm afraid the title of Uncle Zhao Shuo's 'God's Calamity' is becoming increasingly solidified! Haha!"

The six people agreed, and the matter was settled.

As for the claim that using smallpox is against nature and inhumane?

The five "eldest sons" present, along with Batu, had absolutely no such idea.

Why not use a way that can reduce the casualties of our soldiers?
Besides, the Mongol army had done countless massacres, so why would they care about this?

Zhao He sent Guo Kan again, who was very familiar with Iraq after the last guerrilla war.

Batu Khan, Möngke Khan, Mu'atugan Khan, and Güyük Khan also dispatched their capable subordinates.

After entering Iraq, they did not seek to destroy much of the enemy's supplies, but only to lose the battle and abandon the beautiful silk fabrics used by smallpox patients.

The True God Alliance fell for the trap and seized the silk fabrics. Smallpox quickly spread among the True God Alliance forces.

The True God Alliance also understood that this thing was passed down through generations, and took certain isolation measures.

However, it's difficult to implement.

Firstly, the gathering place of nearly 300,000 troops was a breeding ground for smallpox outbreaks.

Secondly, the True God Cult's allied forces were not very organized. The ability to promptly move infected patients and suspected cases to isolated locations was indeed beyond the capabilities of those junior officers.

Thirdly, and most importantly, many people believe that collective prayer, asking the true God for protection, is the best way to get rid of smallpox.

As a result, the smallpox infection spread rapidly within the True God Alliance.

However, just as Batu and the others had predicted, the nobles of the True God Alliance were in a rather good mood.

"This is the final test that God has given us!"

Camille, speaking passionately in the central command tent, declared: "The Mongol army has long been plagued by a festering sore. Unable to relieve Baghdad, they have sent out more harassing troops. However, these troops also seem to have been affected by the festering sore, becoming utterly vulnerable. If they know what's good for them, they should retreat. If they insist on advancing, we will surely slaughter them."

"Yes, impetigo is fair. But we outnumber them, so the advantage is on our side!"

"The true people of God will prove their piety through their steadfastness!"

"We're not afraid of the Mongol army coming; we're afraid they won't dare to come!"

"Complete the final test of the true God and spread the glory of the true God throughout the Eastern world!"

……

Impetigo was the name for smallpox in the Middle East during that era.

The nobles of the True God Cult began to clamor, as if victory was already in their grasp.

It was at this time that the Mongol army of nearly 160,000 men officially set off from the city of Rai and marched toward Baghdad!
(End of this chapter)