xymnovel Chapter 19 The Great Plague
Chapter 19 The Great Plague
In August of the fourteenth year of the Chongzhen reign (1641), the drought had not yet been resolved, and a major epidemic had already arrived.
The first to fall ill were the disaster victims from the surrounding villages.
Fever, cough, swollen lymph nodes, and then black spots appear on the skin—this is plague, the Black Death.
It took away a third of the population in medieval Europe, but found the most fertile soil during the drought and famine at the end of the Ming Dynasty.
When the news reached Majiazhai, three villages had already reported cases.
Aunt Chen led the medical team to see the ailment, and when they returned, their faces were deathly pale: "It's the plague! It's extremely contagious, and nine out of ten people will die from it!"
The atmosphere in the Hall of Gathering Righteousness was solemn.
Everyone knew what this meant: plague was more terrible than war; one could hide from war, but plague was everywhere.
"Immediate lockdown," Ma Changsheng ordered. "All villages with confirmed cases are off-limits to entry but not exit. Keep the village gates tightly shut, and no outsiders are allowed to enter."
"Then...the people in those villages outside..." Ma Sanbao couldn't bear it.
"We can't save them." Ma Changsheng's voice was cold and hard. "We don't have enough medicine or manpower. Forcing a rescue will only bring the plague in. Then the whole village will be doomed."
This is a cruel but necessary choice.
In chaotic times, it is difficult to protect oneself, let alone save others.
But Ma Changsheng still did what he could: he had the medical camp prepare a large number of "epidemic prevention medicine kits", the main ingredients of which were mugwort, atractylodes, and realgar, which were then launched into the blockaded villages using catapults.
An isolation point was set up outside the village to accommodate refugees who were not infected with the disease. They were allowed to enter the village only after being observed for seven days and showing no signs of illness.
The entire village was disinfected by fumigating with mugwort, and all drinking water was boiled.
Even so, fear continues to spread.
People in the village began to show similar symptoms—although they were quickly isolated, people were filled with anxiety.
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th of August.
There was no moon-gazing, no reunion dinner, only the lights on the village walls that burned all night and the bitter smell of mugwort in the air.
Ma Changsheng stood on the stockade wall, gazing at the dark village in the distance.
There used to be smoke from cooking fires and the crowing of roosters there, but now it's completely silent.
"Chang Sheng, go and rest for a while." Tie Zhu walked over and handed him a piece of cake.
Ma Changsheng took it, took a bite, and found it tasteless: "Brother Tiezhu, do you think... we can make it through?"
Tie Zhu was silent for a moment: "I don't know. But I do know that without you, we would have been finished long ago."
This is not flattery.
Everyone in the village knew that it was this twelve-year-old boy who led them to build walls, train soldiers, and store grain, creating this small haven of peace amidst the chaos of war.
Now, he will lead them to fight an even more terrible enemy: the plague.
Grandma Chen's medical camp became the front line.
With twenty apprentices and Chen Da Niang herself, she had to take care of the health of more than 3,000 people in the village, as well as develop medicines and train epidemic prevention personnel.
Ma Changsheng cleared out the courtyard next to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness to expand the medical camp.
Fifty more women were brought in to help: brew medicine, boil cloth, and take care of the patients.
"The most important thing is not treatment, but prevention," Ma Changsheng told Aunt Chen. "Plague is transmitted through fleas, so we need to exterminate rats and fleas and keep the area clean."
Based on information from the consciousness database, he proposed a specific solution:
The entire village was thoroughly cleaned up, garbage was buried deep, and lime was spread.
Each household was given sulfur and realgar to fumigate their houses and kill fleas.
Everyone should shower and change clothes frequently;
Cats are not allowed to kill mice—cats catch mice, reducing the source of infection.
Some of these measures have been emphasized many times, but because they are somewhat ahead of their time, and people's habits cannot be formed in a day or two, they must be repeatedly urged.
Although the villagers did not understand the explanation of "flea transmission," they believed the village chief's words.
By late August, the epidemic was under control in the village.
Although there are still sporadic cases, they have all been isolated in time, and there has been no large-scale outbreak.
But the surrounding villages have become a living hell.
Scouts reported: Of the more than 300 people in Wangjia Village, only a few dozen remain; the entire village of Lijiawa is wiped out, and crows flock there; on the official road leading to the county town, corpses are often seen lying dead, with no one to collect them.
"What a tragedy..." Aunt Chen looked at the horrific description brought back by the scout, tears streaming down her face. "How could such a healthy person..."
Ma Changsheng remained silent.
He knew this was just the beginning.
Historical records show that from the fourteenth to the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, a major plague epidemic swept across North China, killing millions of people. This directly weakened the Ming Dynasty's ruling foundation and created conditions for Li Zicheng to capture Beijing.
All he could do was protect this small area of Majiazhai.
Perhaps, that's enough.
In early September, a group of about a hundred people arrived outside the village. They all wore face masks and strange cloaks.
The leader was an elderly man, over sixty years old, with white hair and beard, but clear eyes.
"I am Yu Zhenzi, and I have come to offer my assistance after hearing that Chief Ma is fighting the epidemic here," the old man said in a loud voice.
Ma Changsheng received him at the village wall, asking warily, "Where do you come from, Taoist priest? Why are you helping me?"
Yu Zhenzi pointed to the people behind him: "I am a Taoist priest from Wudang, with some medical knowledge. These are my disciples. With the plague raging, we monks, being compassionate, should do our best."
Wudang Mountain? Ma Changsheng recalled the wooden plaque given to him by the wandering Taoist priest years ago.
He pulled out the wooden plaque, worn smooth from repeated use, from his pocket: "Does the Taoist priest recognize this?"
Yu Zhenzi took it, examined it carefully, and nodded: "This is a token from my junior brother, Qingxuzi. He traveled far and wide six years ago and has not returned since. How did Chief Ma obtain it?"
Ma Changsheng recounted what happened back then.
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhenzi sighed, "My junior brother once said he had encountered a child 'within a shell,' which must have been Chief Ma. It seems he had good judgment."
With this connection established, Ma Changsheng lowered his guard and opened the village gate to welcome him.
However, the epidemic prevention measures remain unchanged: Yu Zhenzi and others must be observed in the quarantine area for seven days, take a shower and change clothes, and be confirmed to be free of disease before they can enter the village.
Yu Zhenzi was not angry at all; on the contrary, he praised, "Chief Ma is cautious, as he should be."
Seven days later, Yu Zhenzi led his disciples into the village.
They were indeed skilled in medicine, especially in acupuncture and herbal medicine.
What's even more remarkable is that they brought Wudang Mountain's "epidemic prevention secret recipe"—mainly composed of honeysuckle, forsythia, and isatis root, with an exquisite formula.
"Although this prescription cannot cure the plague, it can strengthen the body and prevent infection," Yu Zhenzi said. "I am willing to offer this prescription to the village chief to save the people."
Ma Changsheng solemnly accepted the prescription and bowed deeply: "Daoist Master, your kindness is admirable. On behalf of all the people of the village, I thank you."
With the addition of the Wudang Taoist priests, the medical camp's strength has greatly increased.
Yu Zhenzi not only treated patients, but also trained apprentices and taught them exercises such as "Five Animal Frolics" and "Eight Pieces of Brocade" to strengthen the body.
"A strong body means fewer illnesses," Yu Zhenzi said. "In chaotic times, medicine is limited, so continuous self-improvement is the key."
These words resonated deeply with Ma Changsheng.
He had the entire village practice "Five Animal Frolics" every morning, which not only strengthened their bodies but also boosted their morale.
However, even amidst the plague, some people still harbor ulterior motives.
On September 15th, Tiezhu caught someone trying to poison the well.
Under interrogation, the man confessed that he was sent by Sun Kewang and his mission was to spread plague in Majiazhai.
"Sun Kewang said that since we can't take it down, let them die of illness," the poisoner said in a trembling voice. "I was forced into this; they captured my whole family..."
Ma Changsheng was furious.
Fighting on the battlefield is one thing, but using plague to kill people is an evil act that crosses the line.
"Where is Sun Kewang now?" he asked.
"In...in Huangzhou Prefecture, we are preparing to attack Jiujiang."
Ma Changsheng pondered for a long time in front of the map.
Sun Kewang's use of such despicable means shows that he already sees Majiazhai as a thorn in his side and is determined to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Once the battle of Jiujiang is over, he will definitely turn back to attack.
We must strike first.
But not a direct confrontation—Majiazhai lacked sufficient troops.
We need to use a strategy.
He summoned Yu Zhenzi: "Daoist Master, do you understand... the art of plague and poison?"
Yu Zhenzi's expression changed: "Why is Chief Ma asking this? Monks don't practice evil arts."
"It's not about learning from them, it's about preventing them," Ma Changsheng explained. "Sun Kewang sent people to poison us, so we can fight fire with fire. Of course, we won't actually use the plague, but rather... medicine that produces similar symptoms."
He had a plan: to send someone to infiltrate Sun Kewang's camp and add a drug to their drinking water or food, causing them to exhibit plague-like symptoms—fever and cough—but without death. The aim was to create panic and undermine morale.
Yu Zhenzi pondered, "Such a drug does exist. However, the dosage must be precise; an excessive amount can harm people."
"Please make the arrangements, Taoist priest. I will send someone to carry them out."
Yu Zhenzi finally agreed.
He prepared a medicinal powder that would cause fever for three days and cough for several days after taking it, before the patient would recover on their own.
Its appearance is similar to that of the early stages of the plague, enough to create panic.
Ma Changsheng instructed Tiezhu to select five capable local militiamen to disguise themselves as refugees and infiltrate Sun Kewang's military camp in Huangzhou Prefecture.
The task wasn't to poison anyone, but to spread rumors: "There are divine beings in Ma Family Village who can control plagues; whoever attacks them will get sick."
Meanwhile, a small amount of medicinal powder was placed upstream of the military camp's water source—just enough to cause symptoms in a few dozen people.
A two-pronged approach.
By early October, the plan was showing results.
Scouts report: A "plague" has broken out in Sun Kewang's camp; dozens are suffering from fever and cough. Although no one has died, panic is high. Rumors are flying: some say there's sorcery in Majia Village that can summon a plague god; others say Sun Kewang has offended Heaven and is facing retribution; still others claim to have seen headless ghosts wandering outside the camp at night…
Enraged, Sun Kewang killed several people to calm his nerves, but panic had already spread.
The soldiers deserted, and military discipline deteriorated.
Just then, Zhang Xianzhong issued an order: Sun Kewang was ordered to attack Jiujiang immediately without delay.
Sun Kewang was caught in a dilemma: morale was low and a direct attack on Jiujiang was too risky; but if he disobeyed orders, Zhang Xianzhong would not forgive him.
Ultimately, he decided to leave two thousand men to monitor Majiazhai and lead three thousand men to attack Jiujiang.
This is a major victory for Majiazhai. The pressure has been reduced by half.
But Ma Changsheng knew that the crisis was not over.
The fact that two thousand people were monitoring him shows that Sun Kewang has not given up.
He will come back once the battle of Jiujiang is over.
We must take advantage of this window of opportunity to further expand our strength.
While the plague was terrible, it also brought unexpected opportunities.
In October, a large number of people in the surrounding prefectures and counties died or fled, leaving the land barren and villages vacant.
Ma Changsheng seized the opportunity and began to "expand".
It was not a military conquest, but a "reception": sending out small teams to take over unclaimed villages; relocating the population within the villages to fill vacancies; and cultivating wasteland to establish new settlements.
By the end of October, the area under Majiazhai's control had expanded from thirty villages to fifty villages, the population had increased by five thousand, and the cultivated land area had doubled.
More importantly, Ma Changsheng implemented the "Ma Family Village Model" in these newly controlled villages: establishing local militias, building fortifications, implementing sanitation regulations, and opening night schools.
"This is not occupation, it's reconstruction," he told the newly surrendered villagers. "Let's rebuild our homes together, fight the plague together, and survive together."
With the successful experience of the previous thirty villages, the new village quickly integrated into the system.
The power of Majiazhai has quietly grown.
Looking at all this, Yu Zhenzi exclaimed, "Chief Ma, you've built a paradise in a chaotic world!"
Ma Changsheng smiled bitterly: "Peach Blossom Spring? Far from it. But at least it can save more people's lives."
Expansion brings prosperity, but it also brings problems.
In early November, discordant voices emerged within the village.
Some of the older villagers complained, "We worked so hard to build this village, why should outsiders come in and take away our grain and land?"
Some newly arrived refugees complained, "We also work hard, so why are we treated as inferior?"
Even more seriously, several leaders of the newly incorporated villages secretly conspired to establish "autonomy" and disobeyed the orders of Majiazhai.
Ma Changsheng realized that simple military control and food supply could not maintain long-term stability.
A more comprehensive system needs to be established, and ideological consensus is needed.
He did three things.
The rights and obligations were clearly defined: all villagers were equal, distribution was based on labor, merit was rewarded, and wrongdoing was punished. The covenant was inscribed on a stone tablet and erected in front of the assembly hall, which everyone was required to read and abide by.
An "Elders' Council" was established, composed of representatives elected from each village, to participate in village affairs decision-making. Ma Changsheng remained the village chief, but major matters required the approval of the Elders' Council. This gave newcomers a voice.
The night school not only taught literacy but also the "Village Covenant," and talked about the history and spirit of Majia Village: "Unite to save ourselves and protect our territory and people."
At the same time, he adopted a strategy of division against those leaders who wanted to establish autonomy: those who were willing to cooperate were given positions; the stubborn were marginalized; and those with dissent were eliminated.
In mid-November, a leader surnamed Zhao secretly contacted Sun Kewang, intending to coordinate an attack from within. The operation was discovered by the internal security forces, and Zhao was caught red-handed.
At the public trial, Ma Changsheng publicly announced Zhao's crimes, then asked, "According to the convention, how should someone who colludes with the enemy be dealt with?"
"Kill him!" The crowd below the stage was filled with fervor.
Zhao was beheaded, and his accomplices were exiled.
The swift and decisive action deterred potential troublemakers.
Afterwards, Ma Changsheng told his key personnel, "In chaotic times, harsh measures are sometimes necessary. But killing people alone won't work; we also need to win people's hearts and minds."
He instructed Chen Jiru to organize a "storytelling team" to tour various villages and tell the story of Majiazhai: how it developed from a small village to what it is today, how it protected everyone during the plague, and where it is headed in the future...
As the story spreads, a sense of identification gradually develops.
At the end of November, the first snow fell.
The plague subsided temporarily in the cold, but famine followed.
This year's drought and epidemic have resulted in an autumn harvest of only 30% of what it used to be.
Although Majiazhai had stored grain in advance, the pressure of feeding the additional 5,000 people was enormous.
Ma Changsheng organized another caravan, this time heading to the even more distant Jiangnan region.
They brought mountain products, medicinal herbs, and... specially made "epidemic prevention medicine kits" from Majiazhai to Hubei and Hunan.
This was Yu Zhenzi's idea. He said that Jiangnan was prosperous and feared the plague, so this medicine packet could be sold for a high price.
The caravan was led by Tie Zhu, with a hundred guards and twenty large carts. Before departing, Ma Changsheng instructed: "Grain is the most important thing, everything else is secondary. The price can be negotiated, but you must bring back grain."
He wrote another letter and asked Tiezhu to deliver it to Huang Zongxi.
The letter made no mention of cooperation, only inquired about his well-being, and included a package of "epidemic prevention medicine" and a copy of the "Majiazhai Epidemic Prevention Manual".
"Brother Huang is a wise man. He will understand my intentions once he sees these things," Ma Changsheng said.
After Tie Zhu left, Ma Changsheng began planning for the winter.
First, let's take stock of the grain reserves: the village has 8,000 shi of grain, which is only enough to last until March of next year after the increase in population.
Secondly, calculate the consumption: at the minimum standard, each person needs half a catty of grain per day, and five thousand people need twenty-five shi per day, or seven hundred and fifty shi per month.
Next, we sought to supplement our food supplies: we organized hunting teams to go into the mountains to hunt; we dug cellars in the village to store cabbages and radishes; and we promoted the practice of eating "thin porridge with wild vegetables" to save food.
"We must hold out until next spring's harvest," Ma Changsheng said at the elders' meeting. "During this time, some people may starve to death. But I promise that as few people will die as possible."
These are heavy words, but they are true.
The elders remained silent, then said in unison, "Don't worry, Chief, we're all in this together."
At the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, Yu Zhenzi was leaving.
"I've been away for half a year, and it's time for me to return to the mountain," he said. "Chief Ma, your mountain stronghold is quite impressive. But I have something to tell you."
"Please speak, Taoist priest."
"Your village is like a candle in the dark; if it's too bright, it will attract moths," Yu Zhenzi said. "Zhang Xianzhong, Zuo Liangyu, and even the imperial court will not tolerate the existence of such an unruly force. You should prepare in advance."
Ma Changsheng nodded: "I understand."
"Furthermore," Yu Zhenzi looked at him, his eyes deep, "this humble Taoist has some knowledge of physiognomy. Chief Ma, your destiny is peculiar, as if you have a great background, yet it is shrouded in mystery. Your future... is unpredictable. But in any case, I hope you will stay true to yourself and never forget your original intentions."
These words sent a chill down Ma Changsheng's spine.
Did Yu Zhenzi discover something?
He bowed solemnly and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master. I will never forget the four words 'protect the territory and ensure the safety of the people'."
Yu Zhenzi left, leaving two disciples behind to continue helping out at the medical camp.
He also left behind a handwritten copy of "Wudang Medical Classic," saying it was "to repay Chief Ma for taking him in."
Ma Changsheng flipped through the medical classics and discovered that they contained not only medical skills, but also health preservation, alchemy, and even... some basic chemical knowledge.
This medical classic is a priceless treasure for Majiazhai.
On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Tiezhu's caravan returned.
They brought back both good and bad news.
The good news is that the grain has been purchased, and although it is expensive, there is enough to last until May of next year; the anti-epidemic medicine kits are very popular in Jiangnan and have been exchanged for a large amount of cloth, salt and iron; Huang Zongxi has replied, expressing his "admiration for what Chief Ma has done" and sending several new books.
The bad news is that things are not peaceful in Jiangnan either, with soaring prices and a large number of refugees; Zuo Liangyu and Zhang Xianzhong are engaged in fierce fighting in the Jiujiang area, with no clear winner; the imperial court... seems to have abandoned Huguang, leaving it to fend for itself.
Even worse news was that Sun Kewang had suffered a setback in Jiujiang, losing many troops, and was retreating back to Huangzhou Prefecture. His scouts overheard him saying, "When we get back, we'll wipe out the Ma family stronghold first, to vent our anger!"
A new challenge has arrived.
Inside the Hall of Righteousness, Ma Changsheng looked at the movements of Sun Kewang's troops on the map with a solemn expression.
"How many men does Sun Kewang have left?" he asked.
"About two thousand," the scout replied, "but they are all veterans with strong combat capabilities."
Majiazhai currently has 1,500 soldiers, 500 of whom are new recruits with varying combat abilities. Two thousand against one thousand five hundred—it's going to be a tough battle.
When will he arrive?
"As fast as ten days."
Ma Changsheng pondered for a moment: "Ten days...that should be enough for us to prepare."
He ordered: the entire village to enter a state of war; the elderly and infirm from the surrounding villages to retreat into the mountain stronghold; all local militia to assemble and train; and weapons to be inspected and ammunition to be stockpiled.
"This time, Sun Kewang is here to fight to the death," Ma Changsheng said to the crowd. "We have no way out but to fight to the death."
But privately, he had another plan.
"Master Yuzhenzi is right. Our candles are too bright, attracting too many moths." He said to Tiezhu and Instructor Sun, "Defense alone is not enough; we must deter the moths from coming."
"How can I give it to them?"
"Let's show our strength." A cold glint flashed in Ma Changsheng's eyes. "This time, we won't fight guerrilla warfare. We'll fight a tough battle and let Sun Kewang, and everyone else, know: Ma Family Village is not to be trifled with."
He laid out the map and began deployment.
This time, it's not harassment, it's not an ambush, it's a head-on confrontation.
Despite being outnumbered, he had secret weapons: newly built small cannons, improved muskets, tight formations, and... landmines.
Yes, landmines. This was the latest invention of Song Dynasty craftsmen: gunpowder was placed in earthenware jars, buried underground, and detonated by being stepped on. Though rudimentary, it was enough to create chaos.
"Set up a minefield three miles outside the village," Ma Changsheng said. "Once Sun Kewang's troops enter the minefield, fire cannons to disrupt their formation, then have the cavalry charge and the infantry follow."
"Too risky," Coach Sun worried. "What if the minefield doesn't work, or the enemy splits their forces..."
"So we need contingency plans," Ma Changsheng said. "The minefield is just the first layer; the second layer is trenches and traps; the third layer is stockades and artillery. We'll attack them layer by layer, wearing them down."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Moreover, we have reinforcements."
"Reinforcements? Where are the reinforcements coming from?"
Ma Changsheng smiled: "Each of the fifty newly surrendered villages will send twenty people, which is a thousand people. Although the training is insufficient, it is enough to boost morale."
This is psychological warfare.
This led Sun Kewang to believe that Majiazhai had a strong military force and therefore dared not launch a full-scale attack.
Once the plan is set, it will be implemented immediately.
The entire Majiazhai village was like a precision machine, running at high speed.
On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, Sun Kewang's troops arrived at the border of Qishui County and set up camp 20 miles away.
Outside Majiazhai, the minefield had been set up, disguised as ordinary farmland; three trenches had been dug, one zhang deep and two zhang wide; on the village wall, five small cannons were in place, and musketeers were on high alert.
The "reinforcements" from the newly surrendered village have also arrived. Although their equipment is rudimentary, their numbers are numerous, and from a distance, they appear as a dark mass standing on the village wall.
Sun Kewang sent scouts to investigate, and they reported: "The Ma family stronghold has about three or four thousand troops, and its defenses are very tight."
Sun Kewang didn't believe it: "Three or four thousand? That's bullshit! At most one or two thousand!"
But he didn't dare to be careless.
He learned his lesson after being taken advantage of last time.
He decided to launch a probing attack first to ascertain the situation.
On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, the probing began.
Sun Kewang sent 500 men to attack the east gate of Majiazhai.
The battle soon broke out.
When the bandits entered the minefield, several explosions rang out, and more than a dozen people were blown away.
Then, cannons roared and muskets fired in unison from the stockade walls.
The probing troops suffered more than half their casualties and retreated in panic.
Sun Kewang's face was grim.
He realized that the firepower of Majiazhai was stronger than he had expected.
"Tomorrow, a full-scale attack!" he gritted his teeth. "I refuse to believe that two thousand men can't take down a stronghold defended by just over a thousand!"
The 27th day of the twelfth lunar month is the day of the decisive battle.
The snow stopped in the early morning, and the sky was overcast.
Outside Majiazhai, Sun Kewang's two thousand soldiers stood in formation, a dark mass.
On the stockade wall, Ma Changsheng, clad in armor and wielding a sword, though small in stature, exuded an aura no less imposing than an adult.
He was surrounded by Tie Zhu, Coach Sun, Chen Jiru, Li Wenbin... all the core members were there.
"Brothers!" Ma Changsheng's voice was clear and bright. "This battle concerns the life and death of Ma Family Village! If we win, we can have a peaceful New Year; if we lose, everything is over! But I believe we can win! Because we are not fighting for ourselves, but for our parents, wives, and children, for survival!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The shouts echoed from the stockade walls.
The battle has begun.