“Are you sure it’s really smallpox? Could it be some other disease similar to smallpox?”
Lee Jing-ok, still wearing an expression of disbelief, asked again.
To Lee Jing-ok’s question, the commander immediately replied.
“Most of the symptoms described by the tribal chief were similar to those of smallpox.”
“How could you…”
Lee Jing-ok was about to ask how he could be so certain, but quickly closed his mouth upon seeing the commander’s face. The commander’s face had slight pockmarks.
‘Hmm, Superintendent Jo is a little over fifty now? Considering when the smallpox vaccination began…’
Nationwide smallpox vaccination was implemented only after major incidents like ‘Hyang’s self-harm incident’ and the ‘Liu Jeong-hyeon prison case.’ However, due to issues with securing cows infected with cowpox and supplying trained physicians, it took considerable time for nationwide vaccination to be completed.
As a result, quite a few unfortunate people contracted smallpox during that period, and the superintendent making the report was one of those unfortunate individuals.
Whether it was heaven’s blessing or his parents’ devotion, the superintendent’s face showed only slight traces of pockmarks.
‘I can trust the confirmation of someone who has experienced smallpox. The problem is…’
“Then how did this smallpox spread among them? Did you find out the reason?”
At Lee Jing-ok’s question, the superintendent turned to Lieutenant Ssang standing beside him. At this silent command, Ssang stepped forward to answer.
“The tribal chief and the shaman learned this from rumors as well, but they say it started with the nobles and warriors of the Mexica.”
At Ssang’s words, the superintendent added.
“It seems the European ship we saw on the way here is the source of the problem.”
“Europe? Ah! You mean that stranded ship?”
“Yes, sir. Lieutenant Ssang, explain to the general what you’ve heard.”
“Yes. Although these are rumors that came through several tribes… the place where the rumors first appeared is said to be Tlaxcaltec.”
Starting with the mention of the city where the rumors allegedly began, Ssang recounted what the tribal chief and shaman had heard.
***
Captain Thomas and a few surviving crew members from the stranded Golden Mary were attacked by Aztec warriors.
In the battle with the Aztec warriors, Captain Thomas and most of the survivors lost their lives, and five men were taken prisoner.
The Aztec warriors who captured the prisoners searched the interior of the stranded Golden Mary and collected various metal utensils and swords. And finally, they took all the clothing and bedding worn by the crew.
Since the fabrics used in the clothing and bedding were softer and better than anything they had encountered before, the warriors thoroughly searched and took everything they could.
Including those of people who had suffered from smallpox.
***
The Aztec warriors who secured prisoners and spoils immediately returned to Tenochtitlan.
Thinking they had avenged the humiliation suffered at the hands of the imperial forces in the previous battle, the Aztec warriors hastened their return by quickening their pace.
It was a forced march that covered a distance normally taking about 20 days in just two weeks.
During this forced march, two of the five prisoners who had severe injuries lost their lives and were abandoned in the jungle.
Upon reaching Tenochtitlan, the warriors presented the surviving prisoners and spoils to Montezuma I.
“How splendid!”
Montezuma I, after commending the warriors, distributed the presented spoils among the nobles.
Among the spoils distributed to the nobles, the most popular items were iron swords, followed by bedding.
After the distribution of spoils was complete, Montezuma I sacrificed the prisoners as offerings in a ceremony.
“Even if those bastards from last time come again, may they become sacrifices like this!”
And thus, the nightmare began.
***
It started with the warriors who had participated in the battle and returned.
The returned warriors suddenly began suffering from high fevers, soon became exhausted, and collapsed.
Before long, red spots began to appear on the bodies of warriors who had collapsed from high fever, muscle pain, and exhaustion.
Alarmed by this, their families requested medical attention from priests and healers.
However, even experienced priests and healers were seeing smallpox for the first time.
In the end, they could only prescribe similar treatments.
“It seems you touched poisonous herbs on the way. You will soon recover, so care for them diligently.”
The families who heard the prescriptions of the priests and healers stayed close to the patients and cared for them devotedly.
In this process, smallpox began to spread even more widely.
Following the warriors, the next to contract smallpox were nobles and slaves.
A significant portion of the distributed bedding was soiled with seawater and the pus of smallpox patients.
In a situation where even drinking water was scarce, washing the bedding of smallpox patients was impossible, and the best Captain Thomas could do was to store these beddings in large, sealed boxes in the deepest part of the ship. The tightly sealed boxes survived the shipwreck.
And the nobles who received and spread out this bedding had their slaves wash them.
During this process, smallpox spread to nobles and slaves.
Thus, as an unknown disease began to spread among nobles and warriors, Tenochtitlan fell into chaos.
“This is clearly a curse! Our enemies have placed a curse on our homeland, Mexico Tenochtitlan!”
As the situation worsened, Montezuma I proclaimed that smallpox was a curse from their enemies.
“To lift the curse, more sacrifices are needed!”
By the order of Montezuma I, numerous slaves were sacrificed.
Not just slaves.
Small tribes in the vicinity were also raided by Aztec warriors, and most of the tribal members began to be dragged away as sacrifices.
To escape the Aztec’s claws, the survivors began to hide deeper into the jungle.
***
Despite more and more sacrifices, the situation in Tenochtitlan worsened.
Eventually, Montezuma I began to summon the army.
“The curse still isn’t lifted because there aren’t enough sacrifices! More sacrifices are needed!”
Crying out like this, Montezuma I ordered war to the warriors gathered in Tenochtitlan.
Following Montezuma I’s order, the Aztec warriors began to attack enemy cities of the Aztec, starting with Tlaxcaltec.
This was Montezuma I’s strategy.
-No one knows what caused this situation, whether it’s a real curse. It is only certain that this is a very deadly crisis. -There is a possibility that troops not stationed in the capital might use this as a reason to oust him. -External enemies will certainly see this as an opportunity. -If so, let them destroy each other.
After such calculations, Montezuma I decided on and executed war.
***
The war that broke out by Montezuma I’s order was fierce.
To lift the curse afflicting their comrades, to avoid becoming sacrifices, the Aztec warriors and the warriors of Tlaxcaltec fought fiercely.
And in this process, smallpox began to spread between the Aztec warriors and the warriors of Tlaxcaltec.
The Aztec warriors mobilized for war were not just those stationed in the outskirts. Naturally, warriors stationed in Tenochtitlan also moved together.
Warriors who had already developed smallpox were excluded, but the problem was that warriors in the incubation period were deployed to the battlefield.
And through them, smallpox began to spread among the warriors of the Aztecs and Tlaxcaltec.
Eventually, as time passed, the situation on both sides became serious due to smallpox. The battle naturally turned into a ceasefire, and the warriors on both sides retreated.
Soon, smallpox began to spread in Tlaxcaltec as well.
And as time passed, smallpox began to spread to other cities and tribes through traders who frequented Tenochtitlan or Tlaxcaltec.
***
“All of these events occurred while the Empire was preparing for the expedition.”
“Hmm…”
Lee Jing-ok wore a peculiar expression after hearing Ssang’s report.
‘A heavenly blessing? Or an unexpected windfall? Whatever it is, it seems beneficial to us… But it doesn’t feel right to openly rejoice. Or does it?’
Hiding his complex inner thoughts about whether he should be pleased or not, Lee Jing-ok asked Ssang.
“Is your tribe all right?”
“Yes. Upon hearing the news I sent when I went to New Frontier, they had already relocated their settlement, and as soon as they heard rumors of the curse spreading, they immediately blocked the approach of other tribes.”
“Your tribal chief was wise.”
“So, they could avoid the curse, but they lack food. That’s why they need machetes even more.”
As Ssang finished speaking, the commander added.
“Before returning, we shared some of the surplus rations carried by the soldiers. It would be good to supply rations along with the machetes.”
“I’ll consider it. Is there anything else to report?”
“No, sir.”
“Then prepare a written report and submit it.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“And, Lieutenant Ssang. Regarding the machete supply, we’ll prioritize issuing as many as the number of people who came with you. That should be sufficient, right?”
“Thank you!”
“Well, let’s do that. And don’t forget to write and submit your report too.”
“…Yes. But my handwriting is very poor.”
“Don’t we have typewriters? I’d like to receive it by tomorrow morning.”
At Lee Jing-ok’s words, Ssang replied with a sullen face.
“I will prepare and submit it right away.”
“Then you may go.”
After dismissing everyone, Lee Jing-ok stroked his chin and muttered.
“Hmm… I should report to His Majesty about the need for smallpox vaccines. By the way, in this war, medicine will be as important as gunpowder. If we properly prepare medicine, victory could come more easily. However…”
Lee Jing-ok paused briefly and looked at the map with a serious expression.
“We only have half our forces. Should we move now? Or wait?”
***
That evening, Lee Jing-ok summoned the commanders, explained the situation, and asked a question.
“…This is the situation. In the opinion of the generals, what would be the best course of action? Should we move immediately? Or should we wait until all our forces arrive?”
At Lee Jing-ok’s question, the commanders’ opinions were divided into two.
“We should move immediately. Why do we say ‘don’t miss a golden opportunity’? Their situation is weakened by smallpox! The more time we give them, the more time they have to recover!”
“I disagree! We should wait! The path to the enemy’s capital is long. We must consider supplies! Smallpox has not only weakened the enemy but also those who could become our allies! This means we have to take responsibility for maintaining the supply route entirely! We need to secure sufficient forces to minimize power loss!”
Both sides made valid points, so no easy decision was reached. As the heated debate continued for a long time, one of those who chose to wait pointed out the most important issue.
“Smallpox is indeed a severe disease. And it’s certain that they have suffered losses due to its spread. However, no one here knows the extent of those losses. The situation could be one where national destruction is imminent, or conversely, one where they have already recovered and risen to their feet. Without definite information, we must move as cautiously as possible.”
At those words, Lee Jing-ok nodded.
“That makes the most sense.”