Episode 190
The Mongol army’s smallpox bomb drop, codenamed the Fifth Plague, can be summarized as follows:
The concept of vaccination or immunity, as advocated by Apostle Edward Marshall, is so novel that people need time to grasp it.
If the Mongols realize smallpox is spreading, they’ll likely take countermeasures. Therefore, we must infect as many of them as possible before they catch on.
Once smallpox begins to spread, we should circulate rumors that, unlike the Mongols, our allied forces are divinely protected and unaffected by the disease. We will then relentlessly pursue and annihilate the retreating enemy.
If executed well, this could lead to the complete destruction of the enemy, though unfortunately, we don’t have enough soldiers to form a large pursuit force.
The issue wasn’t with the vaccination method itself.
The power of religion was so immense that, despite the method involving cowpox, there were more volunteers than the staff could handle.
This unexpected success was partly due to King Philip II framing it as a form of baptism, which resonated with the people.
Until now, the idea of pricking the body with something sharp to transfer a virus and gain immunity was unheard of.
People seemed to accept it as a form of divine wisdom.
“No one could have imagined such a method before. It’s one thing to cure a disease, but to prevent it entirely from the start?”
“The emergence of such a new concept is further proof that the Apostle has been granted wisdom by God! Oh, Almighty God!”
With everyone so astounded, the unexpected happened: they began to see vaccination as a divine blessing.
Even the small scars left by the vaccination were called sacred marks, believed to be a sign of divine grace.
“So, you’re saying that if you have this scar, you won’t get smallpox?”
“Really? I heard that too, but is it that effective?”
“Absolutely. I heard that Muslims who completed the trials before us even wore clothes from smallpox patients and ate their leftover bread without getting sick. Isn’t that proof enough?”
“Amazing. Truly amazing. My grandfather succumbed to smallpox, but at least now our family is safe from that cursed disease.”
“Exactly. I’m just relieved my child won’t have to suffer those horrible pockmarks. We owe it all to the Prophet.”
The vaccinated soldiers proudly showed off their scars, and those who saw them were envious, eager to gain immunity themselves.
Calling these scars sacred marks and displaying them like medals was unexpected, but in hindsight, it made sense.
Why do modern people obsess over luxury brands?
There are many reasons, but fundamentally, it’s about a sense of superiority.
The feeling of being distinctly different from others.
Those who received the vaccination believed that divine wisdom had descended upon them, leaving a scar as proof.
It’s a high that no luxury item could match.
As a result, there are now so many volunteers that the vaccination process can’t keep up, and there’s a call for additional personnel.
“Unfortunately, those who are vaccinated won’t immediately reach full immunity, so they can’t participate in upcoming battles. We’ll form the pursuit force with soldiers who were vaccinated at least a month ago.”
“It’s unfortunate, but necessary. Some of those vaccinated experience fevers and aren’t in perfect condition. It’s ironic that we now have to restrain soldiers eager to fight.”
“Even after this war ends, everyone will need to be vaccinated. In that sense, the enthusiasm is a good thing.”
With the Mongol-induced catastrophe averted, the goal is to handle smallpox now and the plague next, ensuring this world isn’t ravaged by epidemics.
As long as those with knowledge lead society, a brighter future should be possible.
Of course, considering that, we should also prepare for the chaos Europe might cause in the future, but that’s a matter for after the war.
A month after Nasr first made contact with Genghis Khan and began supplying food diligently.
The Mongol army, steadily advancing southward, had faced no significant obstacles and was progressing smoothly toward their goal.
“From now on, we must be fully prepared and move swiftly. If we delay, Marshall might foresee an attack on Medina.”
“We’re ready. Just give the order, and we’ll head to Medina.”
“Good. Nasr is bringing a large supply this time, so make sure the soldiers are well-provisioned. Nasr, when will the promised goods arrive?”
Nasr, attending the meeting for the first time, bowed deeply and replied.
“By tonight! I’ve gathered everything possible, so it should be a great help!”
“Excellent. Then let’s prepare and move the army in two days.”
“Yes! I’ll go check on the arrival of the goods!”
“Understood. If things go well, I’ll appoint one of you as the local overseer, so keep up the good work.”
“Thank you! We won’t disappoint you!”
As Nasr left the tent, tears of joy in his eyes, Genghis Khan’s confidants each shared their thoughts.
“If only all Muslims were as compliant as him, things would be much easier.”
“Great Khan, do you really intend to favor them?”
“They’ve provided us with quality goods so far, so I see no reason to doubt them. But we should remain cautious.”
“Of course. I share your thoughts, so don’t worry too much. If they continue to support us until the end of this war, they’ll be rewarded, but only if we win.”
Though Nasr was being secretly monitored, no suspicious activities had been detected from the Shia Liberation Front.
The food they provided had been safe so far.
After all, they randomly selected items for them to eat first, so there was no chance of issues arising.
“Ensure that the large shipment arriving today is consumed first by the Liberation Front. If there are no issues, distribute it to our soldiers tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
Despite being near the end, no one suggested letting their guard down.
It’s never too late to relax until the enemy is completely defeated.
After sending Nasr away, Genghis Khan meticulously reviewed the plan to invade Medina, which Nasr was not privy to.
He had promised not to destroy the holy site, but that was contingent on them not resisting excessively.
If they resisted like Baghdad, he would destroy everything, holy or not.
While Genghis Khan and his confidants discussed their bloody plans, Nasr was busy moving supplies with a trembling heart, finalizing his own plans.
“Nasr, everything is in place as you ordered.”
“Good. Then let’s enjoy what they offer us today, as the Great Khan wishes.”
“Of course.”
His subordinates nodded with a subtle, knowing smile.
To outsiders, it might seem like they were reluctantly complying, but the reality was different.
The supplies they had delivered so far were safe for the Mongols to consume.
There weren’t many, and without assurance that they would reach the Mongol soldiers, they couldn’t execute their plan immediately.
The Apostle’s command was to spread smallpox throughout the Mongol army before they realized it.
To achieve this, they had to wait for the perfect moment, which was now.
The large shipment that had just entered the Mongol camp was all contaminated by smallpox patients.
The Apostle had used terms like virus and pathogen, which Nasr didn’t fully understand, but he accepted them.
‘Once these supplies are distributed tomorrow, the entire Mongol army will be affected. It will be quite a spectacle.’
Considering the contagious nature of smallpox, by the time the Mongol commanders realized something was amiss, it would be too late.
For that to happen, nothing could go wrong today.
“Let’s give thanks to God for our daily bread and eat.”
“Yes!”
“The food seems especially delicious today. Haha!”
Though the food could potentially infect them with smallpox, the Assassins ate without hesitation.
The Mongol observers, watching from a distance, yawned and left, as usual, uninterested.
The next day.
The large shipment Nasr brought was moved to the heart of the Mongol camp, and soon, food and weapons were distributed widely.
The soldiers, eagerly anticipating the upcoming plunder of Medina, laughed and chatted with murderous intent.
That was the last scene Nasr witnessed and heard among the Mongol army.
Just a few days after Nasr left, promising to bring back additional supplies.
Signs of trouble began to emerge within the Mongol army, which was ready to set out for Medina.
It started with a few soldiers complaining of high fevers and collapsing.
It was common for soldiers to fall ill with minor ailments during campaigns, so no one thought much of it.
The only action taken was to have the severely ill soldiers rest in the rear.
However…
“Great Khan! Great Khan! Th-this is a disaster!”
“What is it? Why the commotion? Surely, our plans haven’t been leaked to the allied forces?”
“That’s not the issue! It’s a disaster! I don’t know what to do…”
Chinggis Khan frowned at Tiraun’s unusually frantic demeanor.
He hadn’t seen him this unsettled since he returned from meeting with Marshal.
“What on earth has happened to make you so flustered? Take a breath and explain clearly.”
“Some soldiers are experiencing severe fevers and skin abnormalities. But it’s not confined to one unit; it’s happening everywhere…”
“Is it some kind of endemic disease? Then we need to identify the symptoms first.”
“The symptoms… have already been identified. The problem is… it seems to be a disease we’re all too familiar with.”
Severe fever accompanied by skin abnormalities.
Dreading the worst, Chinggis Khan’s hands trembled as he asked reflexively.
“A disease we’re familiar with? You don’t mean…”
“Yes. We’ve confirmed that the soldiers suffering are covered in countless red spots on their faces.”
Tiraun, his face ashen, reluctantly uttered the name of the dreaded plague.
“There’s no doubt. It’s the plague.”
Oh… Tengri.
Chinggis Khan involuntarily closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands.
His anguish was brief. He quickly issued urgent orders to respond, but it was already too late.
The plague, moving far faster than any human, was steadily spreading throughout the entire Mongol army.