Chapter 146 Chickenpox and Smallpox

Smallpox. One of the most terrifying and virulent infectious diseases in ancient times.

Extremely contagious, it spreads rapidly through droplets and direct contact. Once infected, a person would first suffer high fever and excruciating pain, followed by a body covered in pus-filled pustules. The mortality rate was as high as 20–30%, and even those who miraculously survived were left with permanent facial scars, or could even lose their sight and hearing.

In an era without effective medicine or systematic epidemic prevention, smallpox was like a god of plague. If one person fell ill, it could sweep through the entire village. People would hear of it and be terrified, avoiding it at all costs.

Inside the medical hall, Chu Ningshuang looked at the temporary worker in front of her, whose expression was full of panic. She furrowed her elegant brows and spoke with a grave tone: “Aside from hearing that there are cases near the county, has your county—or any neighboring counties—confirmed any patients at present?”

The temporary worker shook his head quickly, his voice tinged with fear: “Our county is very far from the capital, quite remote. It hasn’t spread here yet.”

Hearing this, Miao Yunyou’s heart, which had been tightly wound, immediately relaxed, and she breathed a secret sigh of relief. She murmured inwardly: It seems that being on this remote mountain under the Emperor’s domain does have some advantage—at least, for now, we can avoid this plague.

But just as she settled her mind, she turned and ran straight into the extremely serious expressions on the faces of Chu Ningshuang and Chu Fuling. Both sisters’ brows were tense, their lips pressed into a hard, straight line. The gravity in their eyes hadn’t lessened at all. Their posture, as if facing a major threat, instantly snapped Miao Yunyou’s nerves taut again. A heavy sense of foreboding welled up in her chest.

“What’s wrong?” Miao Yunyou hurriedly asked.

Chu Ningshuang let out a soft sigh. A complex sorrow flickered across her eyes as she spoke slowly: “Actually, ten years ago, the exact same situation occurred. Back then, smallpox first broke out in the capital, the epidemic raged, and both the court and the country were shaken. But the Emperor at the time didn’t stay in the capital to manage the epidemic. Instead, he used the summer heat as an excuse to go on a retreat, taking with him his concubines, trusted aides, and guards, fleeing the city in haste.”

“A retreat?”

The two words sounded in Miao Yunyou’s ears like alarm bells. Her entire body stiffened, and she hurried forward: “What do you mean? Are you saying he might come hide in Xuanwu Mountain this time?”

Chu Ningshuang gave a blank look: “Impossible. That pampered Emperor would consider this mountain too desolate and shabby. He already has a lavishly constructed royal villa in the neighboring county.”

Miao Yunyou finally exhaled in relief: “Ah, so it won’t be here.”

But Chu Ningshuang shook her head, her tone growing even heavier: “Although the Emperor won’t stay here, when he arrives in the neighboring county, all the local officials will vie to show loyalty and ingratiate themselves, presenting countless rare treasures, gold, and silver.”

“Since these officials are unwilling to pay from their own pockets, they’ll only intensify their exploitation of the common people—levying harsh taxes, plundering wealth, and placing the burden entirely on ordinary citizens. The people will suffer greatly, living in misery.”

“Ten years ago, the Emperor stayed at that villa for more than half a year. Only when the smallpox outbreak in the capital was completely under control did he return to the palace. But wherever the royal entourage passed, the smallpox virus spread along with them. The privileged in the capital could receive careful treatment from imperial doctors, but the common folk at the bottom had no money even to buy medicine—they could only wait to die at home.”

“And the royal entourage, which brought the virus, long departed, showing no concern for the people’s lives.”

Miao Yunyou was stunned, her eyes full of indignation and contempt. She cursed: “That’s despicable beyond words!”

Hearing such words that could call for the extermination of nine generations, the temporary worker next to her almost collapsed. His knees buckled, and he nearly fell to the ground, his face pale as paper, trembling all over.

Fear and respect mixed in his heart. He clicked his tongue silently: Our leader truly is a celestial being descending from heaven—only she could speak such sacrilegious truths without restraint…

“Later, it was my father who led a group of disciples down the mountain—distributing porridge and food, giving out medicine for free, tirelessly treating patients day and night. It took immense effort and countless medicinal supplies, but only then were they able to suppress the smallpox epidemic that had swept through the countryside, saving countless lives,” Chu Ningshuang said, her voice tinged with a sorrow she could hardly hide.

Miao Yunyou listened, her heart pounding and cold sweat breaking out along her back. She hurriedly asked, “So you mean… this smallpox outbreak could be like it was ten years ago?”

Chu Ningshuang shook her head helplessly, a trace of uncertainty in her eyes. “I don’t know. Epidemics are inherently unpredictable; no one can say for sure how this will unfold.”

After saying this, she turned to the temporary worker, her expression instantly serious: “During this period, the thirty temporary workers responsible for odd jobs at the resort are not to return home under any circumstances.

Xuanwu Mountain is a gathering place for tourists. If any of you accidentally contract smallpox and bring the virus up the mountain, the consequences could be unimaginable—the trouble would be enormous.”

Miao Yunyou was still a little puzzled. She instinctively asked, “Why would it be that bad? Everyone here got vaccinated for chickenpox when we were kids. Shouldn’t we be safe?”

Chu Ningshuang immediately corrected her, her tone firm: “Leader, as far as I know, chickenpox and smallpox are completely different diseases. The chickenpox vaccine provides no protection against smallpox.”

Miao Yunyou: “Ah???”

“Chickenpox is a relatively mild common disease—fever is moderate, rashes appear in stages, almost never fatal, and recovery usually leaves no scars. Smallpox, however, is a violent epidemic—high fevers, dense and painful pustules, extremely high mortality. Survivors are often left with facial scars or even disabilities.

Moreover, according to the local medical history here, the smallpox virus has been gone for many years. People no longer receive the smallpox vaccine, so ordinary people today have almost no immunity to it.

If smallpox were suddenly introduced here among people with no immunity, it would spread rapidly, causing a massive public health crisis. The danger would be extreme.”

Miao Yunyou froze in place, only slowly realizing the gravity of it. She silently lamented her own ignorance for a moment, then nodded slowly: “…So that’s how it is? I always thought these two diseases were basically the same…”

She recalled, as a child, reading time-travel novels where the protagonist would swagger through epidemics because they had been vaccinated for chickenpox.

Turns out, that was completely wrong.

As expected, novels are full of lies!

Seeing her belated realization and fear, Chu Ningshuang gently reassured her: “Leader, there’s no need to worry too much.

I’m only describing the worst-case scenario. With our current medical techniques here, even if someone is infected, as long as they get to a hospital in time, recovery will be quick.

As for the situation over there…

Later, Fuling and I will consult books, study methods for vaccination, and attempt to formulate a special medicine to counter smallpox.

When the formula is ready, we’ll give it to Lord Lu and let him handle it himself.”

Miao Yunyou nodded heavily, finally letting most of the anxiety in her heart subside. Looking at the sisters, her eyes were full of trust: “Alright, then I leave everything in your hands.”