Episode 192
He would do anything to win.
The idea that there was no need to pursue a noble philosophy or aesthetics in battle, as Genghis Khan believed, resonated sweetly with Muhammad’s advice.
“So, you’re suggesting we send our sick soldiers to the enemy to spread the plague? Did I hear you right?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting. It seems smallpox is rampant within our ranks. I’m sorry to say, but in this state, we can’t engage in a full-scale battle with the enemy.”
So, he had noticed.
Given the chaos, it would be strange not to realize the disease had spread far and wide.
“To be honest, I still have my doubts about you. But since none of you are showing symptoms, I’m willing to set those doubts aside for now.”
“If I may add, considering none of us are sick, it should be possible to trace where the disease originated.”
“That’s true. There aren’t many areas where you’ve been allowed to come and go freely. So, we can assume there were no sources of infection there. But the important thing now is how we handle this situation. If we can spread this cursed plague to them, as you suggest, a turnaround might not be impossible.”
Until now, I had only considered how to minimize our losses and retreat. But now, hope appeared from an unexpected place.
We can’t advance further due to the plague, but if they suffer the same, we might be able to negotiate a balance of power.
We could establish boundaries starting from Baghdad and plan for the future.
We’ll regroup, focus our efforts on Jin and the Southern Song as Subutai suggested, and return to settle this humiliation with interest.
The fact that the Shia proposed such a productive plan was a significant gain.
Honestly, their cooperation and useful suggestions made me feel guilty for doubting them.
Of course, I’m not foolish enough to mistake this for loyalty.
“Whatever it takes, the Great Khan must prevail for us to survive. We’ll provide all the support you need, so just say the word.”
“I will.”
Muhammad’s expression, as he entered the tent, was noticeably more anxious than before.
This wasn’t because he was under suspicion.
If the Mongols were defeated by the plague, their position would plummet.
What fate would await them then?
If word spread that they had aided the enemy and even helped plan an attack on the holy land?
There would be no place left for Shia believers in the Islamic world.
In the end, they must do everything they can to help the Mongols fight, for their own survival.
Their desperation is why they could propose such an inhumane strategy of using infected soldiers as tools to spread the disease.
Seeing Genghis Khan’s positive reaction, Muhammad began to speak eagerly, without being asked.
“As you know, Great Khan, smallpox, like any disease, affects individuals differently. If we select soldiers with mild symptoms, we can have them surrender without the enemy noticing.”
“What about the rashes all over their bodies? They’ll be obvious.”
“If we can just make contact, it won’t matter if they notice later. They’ll be wearing armor, so their bodies won’t be visible, and we can cover their faces with helmets.”
“Even with helmets, there will come a time when they have to take them off. Who would agree to a meeting with someone wearing a helmet?”
We considered covering their faces with hair, but given their hairstyles, it seemed ineffective.
“If helmets and hair won’t work, there’s only one option left. Bandages.”
“Wrap their faces in bandages, you mean?”
“Yes. And to avoid suspicion, we should make it look like they have a serious facial injury. If we show just a bit of the wound, they won’t suspect anything.”
Is this the kind of desperation that comes from betting everything on a gamble, even if you’re not the one at stake?
Looking around, I saw that even Subutai, Tiraun, and Boorchu were taken aback by Muhammad’s plan.
Amidst this, Subutai suddenly pointed out a flaw in the plan.
“Wait. Even if we send defectors, we need to send someone of sufficient rank to meet the enemy leaders, right?”
“That’s true.”
“Then who would…”
As Subutai continued, he realized that a familiar face was missing from the meeting, and his face turned pale.
“Great Khan, surely you don’t mean…”
“No. I didn’t call him here with that in mind. But unfortunately, what you’re thinking is true.”
“No way! My brother…”
Among Genghis Khan’s eight closest aides, the only one not present, aside from Mukali, who was pressuring Jin, was Subutai’s brother, Jelme.
There was no other reason for Jelme, who had achieved numerous feats as Genghis Khan’s sword, to miss such a strategic meeting.
Initially, Subutai had suppressed his anxiety, thinking his brother was just delayed by other matters. But now, he had to face the harsh reality from his lord’s own mouth.
“This morning, Jelme sent word. He has a high fever and red rashes all over his body. He warned that anyone who had contact with him should stay away.”
“Are his symptoms severe?”
“No. Fortunately, they don’t seem too severe. But…”
Even without finishing the sentence, everyone present could guess the rest.
Someone with mild enough symptoms to move around, who could pretend to surrender and meet the enemy leaders.
The conditions perfectly matched Muhammad’s proposed plan, and it was none other than Jelme who fit the bill.
“Great Khan, but my brother…”
“I know. Let me make it clear: I will never force Jelme to take on this plan.”
”…”
No one knew better than his closest aides how much Genghis Khan cared for his men.
Thus, no one doubted the sincerity of the Great Khan’s words.
However, everyone present also knew well.
If it were the Jelme they knew, he would volunteer for this role, even if Genghis Khan told him not to.
Subutai, his brother, was no exception.
And in a way, this was a strategically necessary move for the Mongol army and the Great Khan.
Taking on such a mission was an honor as a king’s vassal.
If Subutai himself had contracted smallpox, he would have volunteered without hesitation.
But even so, the reason emotions welled up was that he couldn’t even have this conversation face-to-face.
Whether mild or severe, having contracted the plague meant he couldn’t see the Great Khan in person, nor could he, who always assisted the Great Khan, see his brother.
The discussion they had during the recent strategy meeting might have been the last time they saw each other.
Even if that were the case, what could he do?
As one of the leaders of the Mongol Empire, he couldn’t let personal feelings interfere with strategy.
“In that case, at least let me handle the detailed planning of the operation.”
“Do so.”
This strategy, which sacrifices an irreplaceable talent, must ensure the enemy bleeds more than the losses we bear.
It must.
A smile crept onto my face, and I found myself humming.
I didn’t expect much, thinking it would be a bonus if it worked even a little. But things couldn’t have gone better.
I never intended to order the entire Mongol army to be infected with smallpox.
I didn’t even think it was possible to turn all the Saqud into smallpox patients.
I thought it would be enough to spread a few dozen smallpox cases within the Mongol ranks.
But what a windfall this is.
I had some hope in Nasr and Muhammad, but I didn’t expect them to execute it so perfectly.
They did so well that I almost feel guilty for having a Plan B in case they failed.
It’s hard to keep a straight face.
“We’ve received word from Muhammad II. It seems we’ll be able to make contact with the Mongol army as you wished. All of them are suspected smallpox patients.”
“Wow, they really took the bait as soon as we suggested it. They must be desperate.”
“Well, it was the best strategy we could offer. The fact that they eagerly accepted the idea of using a plague as a weapon shows that barbarians are indeed barbarians.”
Hey, hey, saying that is like spitting in your own face.
Nasr, are you subtly mocking me?
Before I could say anything, Nasr, sensing the atmosphere, hurriedly bowed his head and added a comment.
“You merely ensured that the invaders paid a fair price, didn’t you? If they had stopped their looting and slaughter, they wouldn’t have fallen into this plan. It’s a completely different situation.”
“They might not see it that way, but if we do, then that’s what matters.”
Even if it was a hasty addition, Nasr’s words were mostly sincere.
The very name of this operation, “The Fifth Plague,” is rooted in the biblical story where God unleashed plagues upon Egypt for refusing Moses’ demands.
To Europe and the Islamic world, the Mongols are sinners for defying the words of God’s representative, and smallpox is the punishment for their disobedience.
But what should be done if they continue to fight despite being punished?
Naturally, they must be crushed so thoroughly that they can never rise again.
“Still, if Muhammad is able to send messages outside, it seems he’s gained quite a bit of freedom.”
“It likely means he’s earned Genghis Khan’s trust.”
“Yes, and thanks to that, we now know who might bring us their ambitious counterattack plans.”
“Jelme… what do you intend to do? Should we expose their feeble schemes on the spot and execute them?”
“No, no. We mustn’t do that. Otherwise, all the effort the Sultan and I put into setting this stage would be for nothing.”
If we execute them right here, the only thing the Mongol army will learn is that their plan has been uncovered.
That won’t do.
We need to instill such overwhelming fear that they wouldn’t dare to challenge us again.
We need a medium to spread that fear far and wide.
“If Jelme surrenders with his soldiers, bring him to me directly. I’ll meet him personally and then let him go.”
So he can spread the word far and wide.
That the disease, smallpox, which nearly brought them to their knees, had no effect whatsoever on their enemy’s apostle, Edward Marshall.