Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

Chapter 1272

"Xiao Wu, as you said, cholera is transmitted through the mouth and nose, but the food and water in the military camp are fine. How do you explain that?"

Wei Wu had already guessed that Mu Ying would ask this question, so he gave an explanation as soon as Mu Ying finished speaking.

"Brother Mu, do you know why the imperial court specially sent someone to deliver the order that all soldiers' drinking water must be boiled?"

"Because most diseases, including cholera, are actually caused by a tiny insect that is invisible to the naked eye."

"These tiny insects don't die in water; on the contrary, they can survive for a long time and reproduce in greater numbers."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ying's eyes lit up, as if she had thought of something, and she immediately asked.

"Xiao Wu, do you mean the soldiers contracted the disease because they were poisoned by the enemy?"

"Um... While it's not entirely accurate, it's certainly one way to understand it."

Wei Wu responded with one sentence, and then continued to explain:

"Most small insects that can cause illness can be eliminated simply by boiling water."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ying immediately had a look of sudden realization on her face.

"No wonder the imperial court suddenly issued such a strange order; it turns out it was all to protect the soldiers from getting sick."

"only……"

Mu Ying originally wanted to ask why the court didn't clearly explain the details so that the soldiers could pay more attention.

The reason was that, although the imperial order was conveyed by high-ranking generals within the military camps, it was not strictly implemented by those below.

The soldiers were used to drinking water directly, so many of them didn't take this troublesome order seriously and continued to drink raw water.

If this had been made public sooner, perhaps the plague outbreak in the military camps over there wouldn't have prevented them from losing their combat capability.

However, he only managed to utter two words before giving up, because he suddenly realized something.

Even if the imperial court were to release the details, few of the soldiers would actually believe it.

People only believe what they see with their own eyes, but Wei Wu said that those tiny insects are invisible to the naked eye.

As long as the water is clear, most soldiers will not think there is anything wrong with it and will continue to drink it.

It was precisely because Mu Ying understood this that she took back what she said later.

Meanwhile, Wei Wu saw that Mu Ying was hesitant to speak, and he roughly guessed what he wanted to say.

However, Wei Wu did not dwell on this issue, but continued to explain the reasons for the outbreak of the plague.

“Brother Mu, although there is no problem with food and water, the real problem is people, those soldiers themselves.”

"The soldiers were all from poor families. Unlike those scholars who were diligent in washing and grooming, they were all rough men."

"We don't usually pay much attention to personal hygiene, and we don't go out of our way to clean ourselves after training and when we get back to the barracks."

"On the way back, you have to walk through a section of sewage, and when you take off your shoes and clothes on the way back, your hands will easily get covered in sewage."

"When people eat and drink, those little insects are eaten, and that's how the plague breaks out!"

Wei Wu was telling the truth. In fact, not only in this era, but even in later generations, soldiers were always covered in dirt every day.

Back in the barracks, as soon as I took off my socks, the whole room felt like a biological laboratory, the kind that could suffocate you at any moment.

However, conditions were better in later generations, and soldiers had basic hygiene knowledge, so they would usually wash themselves after training.

Such treatment doesn't exist in this day and age; at most, officers might receive some attention and have better conditions.

Soldiers at the lower ranks might not be able to take a bath for ten days or half a month, and they wouldn't even think about washing their hands before eating or drinking.

Mu Ying knew what kind of people the lower-ranking soldiers were like, so he thought Wei Wu's guess made sense.

However, the most important issue now is not finding the cause of the plague outbreak, but how to deal with the enemy's attack.

Upon thinking of this, Mu Ying immediately frowned, and a trace of worry gradually appeared on her face.

Seeing his current state, Wei Wu waved for the soldier to leave before speaking:

"Brother Mu, are you worried about the Siamese invasion?"

"Ok!"

Mu Ying nodded in response quite frankly, and then expressed her concerns.

"With my current forces, I can only guard the two routes of Annam and the Tusi, and I cannot send troops to support the battlefield there."

"But now an epidemic has broken out there, and the 20,000 soldiers who were supposed to deal with the Siamese attack are now incapable of fighting."

"Even if I can defeat Annam and the various chieftains, I cannot wipe them out in a short time. Once the Siamese army arrives, I will be attacked from both sides!"

It has to be said that the current situation is indeed very difficult for Mu Ying, and it's no wonder that he looked worried when he spoke.

Annam, Siam, and the chieftains combined to form three elite forces, all of which bordered Yunnan.

Once war breaks out, the enemy will definitely try every means to regroup their forces and create a greater threat.

Unfortunately, the troops defending Siam were struck by a plague. Without them to fight, Siam could have easily marched straight into Mu Ying's territory.

Once attacked from both sides, the three sides will inevitably form an encirclement, and even if the Ming army has more advanced firearms, it will be difficult to win.

"It seems I can't leave today. If I have to leave, I need to help Brother Mu resolve the current crisis first!"

Wei Wu was thinking to himself when he heard Mu Ying speak up.

"Xiao Wu, a great battle is about to break out here, it's very dangerous. You should leave first and bring the news back to the capital to report to the court as soon as possible."

Wei Wu was about to refuse when Mu Ying spoke first:

"I will send someone to the nearest garrison to draw troops in a moment. I think they should be able to arrive in time to provide support!"

Mu Ying's words were simple, but Wei Wu could tell that he didn't have much hope that reinforcements would arrive in time.

So this is the time for him to step forward.

"Brother Mu, you just need to focus on driving back Annam and those chieftains. Leave the Siam situation to me!"

"Xiao Wu, you mustn't! The battlefield is not child's play. If anything happens to you, how can I face you..."

Mu Ying knew how important Wei Wu was to the Ming Dynasty, so he rejected Wei Wu as soon as he opened his mouth.

However, before Mu Ying could finish speaking, Wei Wu waved his hand to interrupt him and said with a smile:

"Brother Mu, I'm not one of those delicate civil officials. In terms of military achievements, no one in the Ming Dynasty is more capable than me!"