Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 294 Shameless

“Even if they are all barbarians, they have lived on the grasslands for so many years and still have basic life experience. It is not advisable to send troops out in winter, especially a winter like this year, which is rare in a century. In the dead of winter, water freezes instantly, and neither side will suffer if they fight. Moreover, the grasslands do not have a solid food base and cannot fight a protracted war. Why would Sachi choose to send troops out at this time? Don’t you all find it strange?”

Lin Chongshan's voice was slightly low and hoarse, and the previously lively camp quieted down after her words. Everyone knew what kind of person Lin Chongshan was; she wouldn't speak unless absolutely necessary. Hearing her words now, everyone was somewhat puzzled.

"What other special reason could there be? Maybe that old man hasn't fought a war in almost twenty years and wants to have some fun. After all, those people on the grasslands have too much energy; they seem restless if they don't cause some kind of war every year."

"That's possible. On the grasslands, the strong are always respected. Although Sachi is the Khan, he hasn't led troops into battle for many years, so his prestige must have gradually declined."

"Or perhaps that old man wants to make a big move before he dies. If he can defeat us, he will surely go down in history. Even if he can't defeat us, he can wear down our soldiers, and next spring, his successor can come and plunder again."

Everyone had their own opinion, and they all seemed to make sense, but Lin Chongshan's focus wasn't on that. She suddenly pointed to a place in the camp that had been specially set aside for soldiers who were showing signs of illness.

"What I mean is, don't you all think this epidemic came at too much of a coincidence? The weather is already getting cold and it's only going to get colder. This is the season when an epidemic shouldn't happen, and the grasslands shouldn't be launching an attack either. But both of these things happened at the same time. Isn't there a connection between the two?"

"This one……"

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized what was going on.

"You mean this epidemic is related to the grasslands?"

“I have no evidence, this is just my guess, but I think it’s very likely. After all, Sachi isn’t stupid. If he were to go to war with us properly, the outcome would be 50/50. But if we’re busy dealing with the epidemic and our food and supplies are running out, and if other problems arise, the people will be too busy to take care of themselves, and then the whole of Dajing will be in danger.”

"That guy is so heartless! How could he do something so harmful to others and himself?"

"This disease knows no borders. If he spreads smallpox in our country, wouldn't the people on the grasslands get infected?" "You know what, when the vanguard of the grassland troops attacked, I actually saw some soldiers with red rashes on their faces!"

"hiss--"

Everyone couldn't help but gasp. The more they thought about it, the more they felt that this guess was the most correct. However, none of them expected that Sachi could be so shameless. In the ensuing battle, Sachi ordered his men to shout in broken Chinese that their grasslands had been maliciously infected with smallpox by Da Jing, causing countless deaths and injuries to their cattle, sheep, and herders. Sachi's reason for going to war was to avenge the people in his territory!
Upon hearing this shout, General Yuchi was furious, and the generals behind him felt the same way.

"That old bastard deserves to be torn to pieces! He speaks so righteously, yet he's here seeking revenge! Whoever started this smallpox, he's now portraying himself as the victim. Honestly, I've never seen such a shameless person!"

General Yuchi then unleashed a string of profanities. His voice was naturally loud, and his position atop the city gate gave him an advantage. The north wind carried his voice easily to the enemy camp. Having spent so many years on the frontier, he was still somewhat rude in his normal speech, let alone in this standard exchange of insults between two armies—he was bound to use the most vulgar and offensive language imaginable.

Even someone as composed and shrewd as Sachi was starting to feel the pressure. But the more the other party cursed him, the happier he became. Didn't this just prove how weak and vulnerable the Great Jing was internally? Smallpox was always fair; it didn't discriminate based on nationality or gender. Anyone who contracted it would die. Countless of his cattle, sheep, and herders had died, and there was simply no way to save them all. Even with the shamans praying tirelessly through the night, less than a tenth of them could be saved.

"Warriors, it is indeed cold, but the people of Dajing are even less adapted to the cold than we are! If we can break through their defenses, capture the city, and march south, not only will it become increasingly warmer, but the gold and silver treasures, beautiful women, and docile slaves of Dajing will all be ours. Warriors, smallpox is indeed terrible; I know everyone here has loved ones who have quietly died. Yet, the land of Dajing remains peaceful. Why are they so lucky? Perhaps they don't even have smallpox, or perhaps they possess a special cure. If we can conquer Dajing, our suffering loved ones on the grasslands can be healed! Warriors, what are you waiting for? Charge! Slaughter those foolish Central Plains people—"

The steppe soldiers, already impatient, charged forward fearlessly after receiving permission, using their own bodies and those of their fallen comrades as ladders to scramble up the city walls. Smallpox was truly terrifying; they had heard it was free within the Great Jing territory, and that if they could get inside, they could survive. Almost all their cattle and sheep had died from the disease, and the remaining horses were nearly slaughtered for food. In such a time of obvious food and drink shortages, who wouldn't be envious of their neighbor's comfortable life? Especially since this neighbor was so frail, had only recently recovered, and still had silver and food at home—who could resist taking advantage of the situation?
However, the northern frontier warriors were no pushovers. They had been stationed here for many years and had clashed with the steppe armies more than once. They were confident they could stop this attack, but the key issue now was not whether they could stop it, but whether the rampant smallpox could be contained. Otherwise, if the entire camp of soldiers contracted smallpox, they would truly be defeated without a fight.

Moreover, Sachi was so shameless that he specifically sent soldiers who had already contracted smallpox to charge into battle. How could there be no physical contact in a battle? Under such close physical contact, even the healthy soldiers on their side would contract the disease! On the other side of the grasslands, although they would suffer some losses, those who had contracted smallpox did not live long anyway, so it was truly making the best use of them.

"That son of a bitch Sachi! How could he be so shameless?!"

Seeing his soldiers somewhat hesitant and timid, General Yuchi was furious. It wasn't that his soldiers weren't brave, or afraid to fight the enemy; their very act of resistance was already remarkable. But faced with smallpox, a disease for which there was no historical cure, even the bravest among them felt fear…

(End of this chapter)