Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

After Zuo Zi died, Zhang Ba dared not return to Liu Bei's army and has been staying in the northern Taihang Mountains for many years.

Zhang Yan focused her attention on the southern Black Mountain and didn't pay much attention to the mountain people in the north. Zhang Ba lived peacefully in the Damao Mountain for several years.

Until last year, the climate was so cold that the Wuhuan invaded from the south, and all the people of the northern Taihang Mountains migrated south. Zhangba moved to Linlu.

Zhang Yan had known Zhang Ba since Xihe Pavilion. Knowing that he was honest and kind, she assigned Zhang Ba to patrol the mountains, responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order. This was something Zhang Ba had done at Xihe Pavilion.

When Zhang Yan was ambushed at the Black Mountain Pass, Zhang Ba was patrolling the mountain. Upon seeing the attack, he rushed down and single-handedly held off more than ten people.

Zhang Ba's martial arts skills were not good, and his reaction was not fast, but he was, after all, a giant who was nearly ten feet tall, and his strength was beyond that of ordinary people.

With a single swing of his large club, he could knock down both men and horses, a truly terrifying sight.

Zhang Yan was also able to take refuge in the mountains.

Two ambushes, both launched from behind by men from Black Mountain, failed to kill Zhang Yan, which surprised Shen Pei and the others.

However, on the surface, this matter seems to have nothing to do with Shen Pei, Ju Shou, and others; in any case, it was Tao Sheng and Yin Kai who did it.

Tao Sheng, a bandit from Neihuang, failed in his attempt to assassinate Zhang Yan. He then defected from Heishan, proclaimed himself "General Pinghan," raised his banner in Neihuang, and took control of Dangyin and other areas.

Yin Kai occupied Wu'an and raised his banner in response, and also began attacking counties and prefectures to plunder wealth.

Song Jian of Longxi also called himself King Pinghan. He was also elected King Pinghan when the kingdom rebelled. This was a popular title for rebels in those days.

Ju Shou and Shen Pei sent many people around to spread the news that Zhuge Xuan's tyrannical behavior had incited a popular uprising, and that he had embezzled grain and refused to give it to Heishan, which led to Tao Sheng and Yin Kai's rebellion. They then "summoned a righteous army" to "suppress the rebellion".

The so-called righteous army refers to the clan soldiers of Shen Pei and Ju Shou, as well as the rabble that Ju Hu had just brought out from Ye County.

The so-called suppression of rebellion, of course, means expanding the territory under actual control.

Taking this opportunity, Shen Pei successively controlled Yin'an, Weixian, Guantao and other counties.

Ju Shou and Ju Hu then returned to Guangping and occupied Handan and Quliang.

This would not only clear Juhu's name but also transform him into a loyal minister who quelled the rebellion.

The actions of the Shen and Ju families were actually almost identical to those of Han Sui and Ma Teng.

but……

Those who seek personal gain during a major epidemic will suffer the consequences.

……

When Ju Hu occupied Handan, Chen Dao and Diao Chan were still in Ju Hu's army.

When Ju Shou went to find Shen Pei, he instructed Ju Hu to thoroughly investigate the army and identify any suspicious or infected individuals.

Diao Chan was naturally the first to be discovered.

When she went out, Diao Chan always wore men's clothing. She was about the same height as most men, but her appearance was impossible to hide.

Chen Dao wanted to immediately protect Diao Chan and escape, but Diao Chan refused, not intending to let Chen Dao die.

Diao Chan, holding Zhuge Xuan's death letter, took the initiative to walk up to Ju Hu and said, "You might as well take a look at this letter."

Zhuge Xuan's letter was very simple, consisting of only a few sentences.

"An epidemic is gradually spreading in Ye County, and I fear that the people will panic and flee, causing the plague to spread in all directions. I have ordered my subordinates to close the gates and issue official documents to contain the plague within."

"However, the people are in a state of uproar, and I fear they will find it difficult to remain at ease. I request that the Prime Minister urgently issue an edict to all prefectures to deploy troops along the tunnels and cut off all transportation."

"The disease is in the skin and flesh; if left untreated, it will spread. Now that the carbuncle has developed, the only way to save my life is to cut off my arm. If I am unfortunate, I beg the Prime Minister to select a righteous official to treat me again, and not to let petty benevolence mislead the people."

"All matters at home are entrusted to the Prime Minister for decision-making."

"Your subject, Zhuge Xuan, has written this final piece."

Ju Hu looked at the letter Zhuge Xuan had given to Liu Bei, then at the two palace maids beside Diao Chan, and asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

Do you know how great the evil you have committed?

Diao Chan did not answer, but asked Ju Hu, "If the plague spreads throughout the world, how will you protect yourself?"

Ju Hu remained silent for a while, then sighed and said, "This is a matter between the emperor and the governor, not my responsibility... I only want to live."

"Commander Zhuge is a friend of the Prime Minister. You killed Commander Zhuge, and you still want to live?"

Diao Chan sneered: "Do you know that back then, the Prime Minister chased after a murderer for a friend for thousands of miles, even burning down cities and bearing the blame, just to bring the murderer to justice... Now the Prime Minister is not the same as he was back then. He will surely use the power of the whole country to bring you down. In addition, with this epidemic spreading, I'm afraid several cities in Wei County will be burned down... I'm afraid your entire clan will not survive!"

Ju Hu glanced at Diao Chan's exquisite face, exhaled, as if to bolster his courage: "It seems you are also a friend of the Prime Minister... Since the Prime Minister values ​​friendship, then I will use you as a hostage. I think the Prime Minister would not be willing to exchange your life for mine."

After saying this, he stepped forward to subdue Diao Chan.

“I am indeed a friend of the Prime Minister, but the people of the world are also friends of the Prime Minister… Your sins are so great that they may cause a great plague in the world, and no one can survive as a hostage.”

Diao Chan continued, "With me, a woman, as your hostage, can you still be considered a man?"

Enraged by the question, Ju Hu drew his sword.

Diao Chan glared at her without flinching.

Ju Hu approached Diao Chan, looking at her exquisite face and tall figure, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He sheathed his sword and grabbed Diao Chan, saying, "Whether I count as a man or not, you'll find out soon enough!"

But at this moment, a small knife appeared in Diao Chan's hand.

This knife is very small, only three inches long, and is used to carve bamboo slips.

Diao Chan was not skilled in martial arts, nor did she intend to use this three-inch dagger to stab Ju Hu. This thing was fine for suicide, but it would be very difficult to stab someone.

Diao Chan brandished the dagger, forcing Ju Hu away, and then held it to her own neck.

"If you want to take me hostage, I'll just die anyway, whether the plague spreads or not."

Diao Chan said, "But if you still have some humanity left and are willing to make amends for your mistakes, I can give you a way out."

Ju Hu saw that Diao Chan's appearance and demeanor were extraordinary, and that Zhuge Xuan's death warrant was in Diao Chan's possession, so he knew that this was not an exaggeration. He took two steps back and stopped pressing her, asking, "Now that things have come to this, is there any way out?"

"To do what Colonel Zhuge did not finish: to seal off the four fields, cut off the roads and passes, kill the plague, and eliminate the miasma."

Diao Chan stepped forward and said, "If you can prevent the spread of the miasma, I can stop the imperial army from coming to punish us, and also prevent the army from being infected by the miasma. You can also live because of this."

Ju Hu was taken aback: "You, a woman, can stop the imperial army?"

"She can!"

Chen Dao stepped forward and showed Ju Hu the Tiger Guard badge representing the Emperor's personal guards: "Sister Jiang is His Majesty's elder sister, you should treat her as a princess!"

Ju Hu glanced at Chen Dao, then at the two palace servants behind Diao Chan, and slowly nodded: "Alright, then so be it..."

In the days that followed, Ju Hu indeed treated Diao Chan with courtesy, still having Chen Dao protect her, and did not force or coerce her.

Those in the army who showed symptoms of the epidemic were all ordered by Ju Hu to be killed and burned.

……

Upon arriving in Handan, Juhu indeed blocked the Handan Pass, sealed off all the passes and important roads, and conducted a massive search of the fields, killing the sick and burning their clothes and houses.

Handan is a key transportation hub, the entrance and exit of the Fukou Pass, the main road of the Taihang Mountains, and a crucial link controlling the north.

Juhu actually knew how to prevent epidemics, as most scholars in those days had studied some medical books.

Diao Chan also wrote a letter as promised, along with Chen Dao's signature, and asked Ju Hu to send people to Liyang, Xiangguo, Qinghe and other surrounding areas to stop the imperial army from launching a campaign.

The letters only stated that there was an epidemic in Wei Commandery, and that Ju Hu of Guangping was leading a righteous army to control the epidemic. They requested that all commanderies and armies strictly control the passes, cut off transportation, and refrain from advancing to prevent the disease from spreading and causing widespread death. This was also the meaning of Zhuge Xuan's last letter.

Diao Chan's letter could indeed absolve Ju Hu of the crime of killing an official.

After receiving the letter, Guan Yu, who was stationed in Liyang, Zhang Liao, who had just returned to Xiangguo, and Guo Yuan, who was stationed in Qinghe to coordinate the supply of grain from Youzhou, did not launch any further attacks.

After all, most generals knew that Diao Chan was a close advisor to the emperor, and Chen Dao was a famous military officer of the Han Dynasty. Their words were credible to the generals of various units.

However... Diao Chan did this not to help Ju Hu.

Chen Dao asked Diao Chan, "Sister Jiang, although we have no choice but to do this to protect ourselves, isn't this just letting Ju Hu escape punishment?"

Diao Chan shook her head and said, "Even the sealing of the city by Commander Zhuge caused unrest in Ye County. How could Ju Hu cutting off transportation not cause unrest? As long as you and I don't die, he can't escape punishment, but before judging his guilt, he must atone for it first..."

Diao Chan appears to be helping Ju Hu escape punishment, but she does this both to protect herself and to actually replace Zhuge Xuan with Ju Hu.

The imperial army did not attack Juhu, but instead enfeoffed Juhu in this place.

Even if the Shen and Ju families reap many benefits in Weijun and Guangping, it will only be temporary, because they control the epidemic area.

Ju Hu and his associates were far more ruthless than Zhuge Xuan in controlling the patients.

Shoot the sick and kill them on sight, burn all their belongings after the killing, and block all roads in the fields to prevent anyone from moving around—this was indeed an effective method of control.

When Ju Shou learned of this, he had no other choice, because this was the best outcome at the moment. At least Ju Hu had become a righteous army that controlled the epidemic and was no longer guilty.

Ju Shou dared not openly oppose the imperial court, knowing that Liu Bei's current strength was beyond his ability to confront directly.

Moreover, Guangping is Ju Shou's hometown, and if the plague in his hometown is not brought under control, the entire Ju family will not survive.

Then we have no choice but to accept Diao Chan's method.

But, but.

Just as Diao Chan had predicted, Zhuge Xuan's announcement of a city lockdown triggered a civil unrest, and Ju Hu's killing of the sick also caused great chaos.

Yin Kai, who occupied Wu'an, sent someone to invite Ju Hu to form an alliance, planning to take advantage of Zhang Yan's injury to attack Heishan.

However, some of the men sent by Yin Kai were sick, so Ju Hu drove them away and blocked the road to Wu'an.

This effectively sealed off Wu'an County, trapping Yin Kai between the Black Mountain Army and Handan.

This enraged Yin Kai, who then led his army to attack Handan in order to clear a way out.

Meanwhile, in order to control the epidemic, Ju Hu killed many patients from powerful clans in Handan, Linshui, Feixiang and other places, which led many powerful clans to raise troops and become enemies of Ju Hu.

Ju Shou tried his best to explain that this was a last resort to avoid infection, but it was hard to explain – Zhuge Xuan had difficulty controlling the situation in Ye County, so Ju Shou and his son were no different.

Ju Hu and his son were indeed very capable. Seeing that they could not explain it, they immediately sent troops to suppress the powerful clans in Handan and defended Handan, inflicting a great defeat on Yin Kai.

While they did achieve successive victories on the battlefield, this chaotic battle led to an epidemic in Ju Hu's army, and many members of the Ju family also fell ill.

This is not fate; it is an inevitable outcome.

The same thing happened to Shen Pei and Tao Sheng.

After returning to Black Mountain, Zhang Yan, disregarding her unhealed injuries, immediately mobilized the main force to attack Tao Sheng, resulting in a major battle at Dangyin.

Tao Sheng had expected Shen Pei to come to his aid, but Shen Pei took advantage of Tao Sheng's confrontation with Zhang Yan to attack Tao Sheng's base in Neihuang County—Shen Pei had originally been calling for an 'righteous uprising against the rebels'.

Tao Sheng was attacked from both sides and was defeated, fleeing to Ye City.

Zhang Yan hated Tao Sheng for his betrayal and led his troops in pursuit, besieging Ye City, determined to kill Tao Sheng.

Shen Pei also changed sides again, joining forces with Zhang Yan to attack Tao Sheng.

Ye City was already a no-man's land, and the corpses inside the city were left unattended. Tao Sheng's troops were trapped in Ye City, and within just a few days, a large number of them were infected with disease.

Meanwhile, the Black Mountain Army, which was besieging Ye City and launching continuous attacks, as well as Shen Pei's troops, also contracted the disease.

Upon discovering the severity of the plague, Zhang Yan decisively abandoned the sick soldiers and withdrew his troops. After returning to the mountains, he immediately closed all roads and began clearing the interior.

As for Shen Pei, since the infected were soldiers of his own clan, he did not take immediate action.

As a result, after only one day of delay, the situation became uncontrollable.

Yin'an, where the Shen family lived, became the place where the plague spread the fastest. In just a few days, thousands of people developed symptoms such as coughing up blood, chest pain, and black spots on their skin.

……

This rebellion, sparked by the plague, started quickly and ended just as quickly.

Within a month, all the rebels fell silent. Under the shadow of the epidemic, everyone was in danger and no one dared to make any further moves.

However, it was no longer possible to escape the epidemic area at this time. Diao Chan's letter made Guan Yu, Zhang Liao and other powerful troops all on high alert.

These imperial troops did not march into the epidemic area, but instead set up defense zones in strategic locations to the north and south, with the river as the boundary.

Juhu blocked the northern roads and was quite ruthless in killing people. With Zhang Liao also blocking the roads, the plague did not spread northward.

At the pass north of Liyang, Guan Yu led his troops to set up a chariot formation, preventing anyone from moving south.

Guo Yuan organized a large number of garrison troops and deployed them along the Qinghe River to prevent anyone from advancing eastward.

After Zhang Yan sealed off Heishan, all routes into the Taihang Mountains were also blocked.

Only the Hanoi direction was not effectively controlled, because Liu Bei's court had no troops in Hanoi, and the Chaoge pass was guarded by Zhao Zi.

To avoid disaster, many people fled from Dangyin and Chaoge to Henan, and then from Henan to Bingzhou.

The plague did spread, but the situation was not particularly serious; at least it did not spread explosively through direct radiation.

Diao Chan's actions bought precious time for the entire Han Dynasty.

Liu Bei also received the news in Chang'an and learned that Diao Chan and Chen Dao were still in Handan.

Diao Chan's decision not to allow all troops to advance into the core epidemic area, but only to request that each unit block the passes, was the right thing to do.

Liu Bei expanded the blockade order, issuing an edict that all counties in the country should strictly guard their passes, and that no one should be allowed to move across counties except for imperial envoys who were confirmed to be healthy, in order to prevent the large-scale spread of the plague as much as possible.

At the same time, Li Zheng was appointed to oversee the Great Han Medical College and issued a mobilization order to all doctors in the country, stating that all doctors who controlled the epidemic could become officials and that their sons could be appointed as officials based on their merits.

This mobilization order was issued at the same time that the previous bidding order received a response.

The bidding order at the time was to gather troops from all over the country to control Guanzhong, and now a large number of troops are arriving in Chang'an.

These were exactly the manpower that was most needed at the moment, so Liu Bei assigned them to guard various passes and kept his promise.

From county magistrate to prefect, from county lieutenant to military commander, as long as one could obey orders, they could get the position on a first-come, first-served basis. All the local official positions in the Three Auxiliary Regions and Three Rivers were sealed off.

Liu Bei knew the consequences of the plague, but he did not know it would break out at this time—there was no way to prevent epidemics in this era. Liu Bei had opened a medical school early on and spared no expense in supporting Xiu Niang to build medical clinics, which was already considered sufficient preparation.

What Liu Bei knew was that, starting from the first year of Jian'an, a great plague swept across the land, taking away two-thirds of the lives in the Central Plains within twenty years.

This is known from the preface of the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases.

However, Liu Bei also knew that the Treatise on Febrile Diseases did not yet exist at this time, and Zhang Zhongjing's medical skills were probably not yet fully mastered.

Locking down the entire country will certainly affect production, development, and everything else.

But it has to be done, and it's the only way. (End of Chapter)