Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 797

“Are you really sure it’s smallpox? Could it be another disease that just resembles smallpox?”

Lee Jingook, still looking doubtful, pressed the question.

The commander answered without hesitation.

“The symptoms the chieftain described align very closely with smallpox.”

“How can you be so…”

Lee Jingook started to ask for the basis of his certainty but stopped when he noticed the commander’s face. It was lightly scarred.

‘Hmm, isn’t Commander Jo [權管, a military title] a little over fifty? Considering when smallpox vaccinations started…’

Cowpox vaccinations only became widespread after major incidents like the ‘Hyang’s Suicide’ and ‘Ryu Jeonghyun’s Imprisonment.’ However, securing cows infected with cowpox and training enough doctors took considerable time before nationwide vaccination was complete.

Therefore, many people unfortunately contracted smallpox in the interim, and the commander was one of them.

Fortunately, whether by divine grace or parental care, the commander’s face only bore slight scarring.

‘Since someone who has already had smallpox is so sure, I can trust his assessment. The problem is…’

“Then how did smallpox spread to them? Have you discovered the source?”

At Lee Jingook’s question, the commander glanced at Ssang, the squad leader, standing beside him. Understanding the unspoken cue, Ssang stepped forward to answer.

“The chieftain and shaman have heard rumors that it originated with the nobles and warriors of the Meshica people [commonly known as the Aztecs].”

The commander elaborated on Ssang’s statement.

“It appears the European ship we encountered is the source of the outbreak.”

“Europe? Ah! The shipwrecked vessel?”

“Yes. Squad Leader Ssang, please relay what you’ve learned to the general.”

“Yes, sir. The rumor, passed through several tribes, supposedly began in Tlaxcala [an independent city-state and enemy of the Aztecs].”

Starting with the city where the rumor originated, Ssang recounted the story the chieftain and shaman had pieced together.

* * *

Captain Thomas and a handful of survivors from the wrecked Golden Merry were attacked by Aztec warriors.

In the ensuing battle, Captain Thomas and most of the survivors perished, while five were taken prisoner.

The Aztec warriors searched the wreckage of the Golden Merry, seizing metal utensils and swords. Finally, they gathered all the sailors’ clothing and bedding.

The fabrics were softer and of higher quality than anything they had encountered, so the warriors meticulously collected everything they could find.

This included the belongings of those who had been infected with smallpox.

* * *

The Aztec warriors, with their prisoners and spoils, returned directly to Tenochtitlan [the Aztec capital].

Believing they had avenged the humiliation suffered at the hands of the empire in the previous battle, the Aztec warriors hastened back.

It was a forced march, covering a distance that usually took twenty days in just fifteen.

During this grueling journey, two of the five severely injured prisoners died and were left behind in the jungle.

The warriors who arrived in Tenochtitlan presented the surviving prisoners and spoils to Montezuma I [the Aztec ruler].

“Truly commendable!”

Montezuma I praised the warriors and distributed the spoils among the nobles.

Among the distributed items, the iron swords were the most coveted, followed by the bedding.

After the distribution, Montezuma I sacrificed the prisoners as offerings in a ceremony.

“If these invaders return, may they become sacrifices as these have!”

And so, the nightmare began.

* * *

The first to fall ill were the warriors who had participated in the battle.

The returning warriors suddenly developed high fevers and soon collapsed from exhaustion.

Shortly after, red spots erupted on their bodies, accompanied by muscle pain and extreme fatigue.

Alarmed, their families sought treatment from priests and healers.

However, even experienced priests and healers were unfamiliar with smallpox.

Ultimately, they could only prescribe treatments based on similar ailments.

“It seems he touched a poisonous plant. He will recover soon with proper care.”

Reassured by the priests and healers, the families stayed close to the patients, tending to them with utmost care.

In the process, smallpox spread rapidly.

Following the warriors, nobles and slaves began to contract the disease.

A significant portion of the distributed bedding was contaminated with seawater and pus from smallpox victims.

In a situation where even drinking water was scarce, washing the bedding was impossible. Captain Thomas had packed these contaminated beddings in large, sealed boxes and stored them in the deepest part of the ship. The tightly sealed boxes survived the shipwreck.

The nobles who received and unfolded these beddings had their slaves wash them.

In the process, smallpox spread to the nobles and slaves.

As this unknown disease spread among the nobles and warriors, Tenochtitlan descended into chaos.

“This is a curse! Our enemies have cursed our home, Mexico Tenochtitlan!”

As the situation deteriorated, Montezuma I declared that smallpox was a curse from their enemies.

“To lift the curse, more sacrifices are needed!”

By order of Montezuma I, countless slaves were sacrificed.

It wasn’t just slaves.

Even small neighboring tribes were attacked by Aztec warriors, and their people were dragged away as sacrifices.

To escape the clutches of the Aztecs, the survivors fled deeper into the jungle.

* * *

Despite the increasing number of sacrifices, the situation in Tenochtitlan worsened.

Eventually, Montezuma I gathered his army.

“There are still not enough sacrifices to lift the curse! More are needed!”

Shouting this, Montezuma I ordered the warriors to war.

Following Montezuma I’s orders, the Aztec warriors began attacking enemy cities, starting with Tlaxcala.

This was Montezuma I’s strategy.

-No one knows the true cause of this situation or if it is a genuine curse.

-It is undoubtedly a critical crisis.

-There is a possibility that troops not stationed in the capital will use this as an excuse to overthrow him.

-External enemies will certainly see this as an opportunity.

-Therefore, let them fight each other.

With these calculations, Montezuma I initiated the war.

* * *

The war waged by Montezuma I’s order was fierce.

To lift the curse on their people and avoid becoming sacrifices, the Aztec and Tlaxcalan warriors fought with unmatched ferocity.

In the process, smallpox spread among both sides.

Among the Aztec warriors mobilized for the war were not only those stationed on the outskirts but also those from Tenochtitlan.

Warriors who had already developed smallpox were excluded, but those in the incubation period were unknowingly sent into battle.

Through them, smallpox spread among the warriors of both the Aztecs and Tlaxcala.

Eventually, as time passed, both sides were severely weakened by smallpox. The battle naturally ceased, and the warriors retreated.

Soon, smallpox began to ravage Tlaxcala as well.

As time passed, smallpox spread to other cities and tribes through traders traveling in and out of Tenochtitlan and Tlaxcala.

* * *

“All of this happened while the Empire was preparing for conquest.”

“Huh….”

Lee Jingook wore a strange expression after hearing Ssang’s report.

‘Divine intervention? Or a stroke of luck? Whatever it is, it seems beneficial to us… but it feels wrong to be openly happy about it. Or does it?’

Hiding his conflicted feelings, Lee Jingook asked Ssang.

“Is your tribe alright?”

“Yes. After receiving the news I sent from Shinji, they relocated their base. As soon as they heard the rumor about the curse, they blocked all access from other tribes.”

“The chieftain was wise.”

“So, they avoided the curse, but they are short on food. That’s why they need more logging axes.”

As Ssang finished, the commander added.

“Before returning, we distributed some of the soldiers’ surplus emergency rations. It would be even better if we could supply the logging axes along with the emergency rations.”

“I’ll consider it. Anything else to report?”

“No, sir.”

“Then write it all down in a document and submit it immediately.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“And, Squad Leader Ssang, I will prioritize the supply of logging axes based on the number of people who came with you. Is that acceptable?”

“Thank you!”

“Then, see to it. And don’t forget to write and submit your report as well.”

“…Yes, sir. But my handwriting is terrible.”

“Isn’t there a typewriter? I’d like to receive it by tomorrow morning.”

At Lee Jingook’s words, Ssang replied with a tearful face.

“I will write and submit it immediately.”

“Then go back.”

Lee Jingook, having dismissed them, stroked his chin and muttered.

“Hmm… I need to inform His Majesty that cowpox is essential. In this war, gunpowder is crucial, but medicine is equally important. If we manage the medicine effectively, we can win more easily. Anyway…”

Lee Jingook paused, looking at the map with a serious expression.

“I only have half the troops. Should I advance immediately? Or should I wait?”

* * *

That evening, Lee Jingook summoned the commanders, explained the situation, and posed a question.

“…The situation is as described. What do you generals believe is the best course of action? Should we advance immediately, or wait for the rest of the troops to arrive?”

The commanders’ opinions were divided.

“We must advance immediately! Why else do they say, ‘Don’t miss an opportunity’? They are weakened by smallpox! The more time we give them, the more time they have to recover!”

“I disagree! We must wait! The enemy’s capital is a long journey. We need to consider supplies! Smallpox has weakened not only our enemies but also potential allies! That means we have to manage the supply route as well! We must secure enough troops to minimize losses!”

Both sides presented valid points, making it difficult to reach a consensus. As the tense debate continued, one of those advocating for waiting raised the most critical issue.

“It is true that smallpox is a virulent disease, and its spread has undoubtedly caused losses. However, none of us know the extent of those losses. It could be a situation on the verge of national collapse, or they might be recovering. Without definite information, we must proceed with utmost caution.”

At those words, Lee Jingook nodded.

“That is the most reasonable approach.”