novelAbuy Chapter 222 Strange Events in Miao Territory
Chapter 222 Strange Events in Miao Territory
Preparations for the final assault on Caishiji were in full swing. The Feihu Pass camp was like a huge and intricate war hive, brimming with tension at every moment. However, at this crucial moment that would determine the fate of the eastern front in Jiangnan, an urgent military report from the southwest, like a rock thrown into a turbulent current, suddenly disrupted the original rhythm, bringing an unusual ripple, tinged with mystery and danger.
The military report came from a detachment ordered to conduct strategic reconnaissance to the southwest and attempt to open a passage connecting the rear of Lingnan. This force, led by the experienced Imperial Guard general Yang Zheng, numbered about 5,000 men, supplemented by some surrendered Hu soldiers familiar with the mountainous terrain. Their original mission was to deter any allied forces that might reinforce from Lingnan and to scout the terrain in preparation for a possible future southward advance.
However, the military reports were filled with confusion, fear, and loss.
"...My troops, following orders, ventured deep into the mountainous region of southern Jiangxi. Initially, things went smoothly, with the fortified villages along the way surrendering or fleeing at the mere sight of us. However, three days later, after reaching a treacherous area called 'Cloud and Mist Ridge,' the situation suddenly changed." Yang Zheng's handwriting on the military report appeared somewhat messy, reflecting his state of mind at the time of writing. "The area is characterized by high mountains, dense forests, and year-round fog. The roads are extremely narrow, and poisonous insects abound. More than ten of our scouts entered the forest to explore, but only three escaped with injuries. They all reported that there were no ordinary enemy troops in the forest, yet they inexplicably experienced dizziness and vomiting, and their bodies were covered in strange red rashes. Their wounds festered and oozed pus, unlike ordinary knife or arrow wounds. The medical officers were helpless, and several had already died. It is suspected to be malaria."
"At first, I thought it was a morbid disease in the mountains and forests, so I strictly ordered the soldiers to wear face coverings, drink boiled water, and burn mugwort to repel insects. However, the day before yesterday afternoon, a thick fog suddenly rose, enveloping the valleys and reducing visibility to less than twenty paces. Strange whistles and women's singing could be faintly heard in the fog, ethereal and unpredictable. Immediately afterward, chaos broke out in the vanguard camp. Many soldiers collapsed for no apparent reason, convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and rolling their eyes upward, as if possessed. The warhorses in the camp also became terrified and restless. The physician examined them and found no obvious external injuries, nor was it a very common poisoning."
"I sensed something amiss and immediately ordered the troops to form a defensive formation, launch rockets into the fog, and sound gongs as a warning. The whistles and songs in the fog abruptly ceased. When the fog cleared slightly, we searched the camp and found that more than twenty soldiers were unconscious, with the same symptoms as before. Even more strangely, some of the food and supplies in the camp had been quietly destroyed, ropes had been cut, and water bags had been punctured, yet no trace of the enemy was found! It was as if some invisible ghost was at work."
"Yesterday, I dispatched an elite detachment, guided by a local guide, to attempt to bypass Yunwu Ridge and find another route. The detachment was ambushed at a pass on the side of the ridge. The number of ambushers is unknown; they were hidden in the dense forest and on the cliffs. They did not use bows and crossbows, but rather bamboo tubes that shot out tiny poisonous stingers. Anyone struck by them would be paralyzed, and the wound would quickly turn black and swell, leading to death within a few breaths! They also harassed the enemy with poisonous bees and snakes. Although our troops fought back fiercely and killed several enemy soldiers, the terrain was unfavorable, and our casualties were quite heavy, forcing us to retreat."
"My troops are currently trapped in the valley before Cloud Mist Ridge, unable to advance, and constantly harassed by unseen forces while defending. The soldiers are terrified, and morale is low. This is no ordinary banditry or routed troops; it seems to be the work of a local tribe skilled in the mysteries of the mountains and forests, and harboring strong hostility towards our army. This place is far from the main battlefield of the allied forces, but if this threat is not resolved, our rear will be insecure, and we will be unable to fulfill our mission of flanking maneuvering. I earnestly request Your Majesty to quickly dispatch capable individuals skilled in such strange practices or familiar with the customs of the southwestern barbarians to assist us and to provide strategic guidance..."
The military report concluded with a sketch depicting enemy patterns, as well as actual "poison stings" found on several seriously wounded soldiers.
When this military report was delivered to Feihu Pass by express horse, Chen Xing was finalizing the artillery coordination and infantry assault sequence for the general offensive on Caishiji with Jia Wen and Chen Wei. Upon hearing the report, he immediately summoned everyone to review it together.
After reading the military report, silence fell over the camp. Miasma, poisonous insects, invisible invasions, eerie whistles, poisonous stings, insect and snake control... these descriptions were completely different from the experience of regular troops fighting in the Central Plains, and were full of mystery and unknown dangers.
"Miao territory..." Jia Wen stroked his beard, his brow furrowed. "The southwestern Baiyue region is mountainous and forested, with numerous tribes and a long history of strange customs and practices, including witchcraft and sorcery. Even at the height of the previous dynasty, it could only be controlled by appeasement, not completely assimilated. This tribe that attacked Yang Zheng's forces is probably a barbarian tribe that is isolated from the world and extremely resistant to our army's incursion into its 'territory.' Judging from their patterns and methods, they may be related to the rumored 'Baiyue Religion.'"
"The Baiyue Cult?" Chen Wei frowned deeply. "I've heard of them as well. They supposedly worship evil mountain gods, are skilled in using insects, snakes, and miasma, and act mysteriously. They often attack passing merchants and even government troops in deep mountains and dangerous passes. However, they have always kept to themselves and the outside world. Why did they take the initiative to attack our army this time? Could it be... that they have colluded with the Southern Dynasty or the forces in Lingnan?"
Lin Wan'er, who had been listening quietly, spoke softly, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Jia, Lord Chen, when I was in Jiangnan, I also heard about the Miao region in the southwest. The people there are fierce and believe in witchcraft and ghosts, and are extremely wary of outsiders. Their attack on our army may not have been instigated by the Southern Dynasty, but rather they may have viewed our army's incursion into their territory and beliefs as an invasion. As for the 'Baiyue Religion,' it is said that they have a 'Holy Maiden' with a high status, who can communicate with the gods and control hundreds of insects, and has considerable influence among the tribes. If this matter is truly related to the Baiyue Religion, I'm afraid ordinary military means will be ineffective. Even if we win by force, we will suffer heavy casualties and create deep hatred, which will be very detrimental to governing the southwest in the future."
Chen Xing picked up the poisonous stinger, wrapped in oiled paper, as thin as a cow's hair, with a bluish luster at its tip, and examined it carefully. He then looked at the sketch of the pattern; the lines were twisted, resembling insects and snakes, carrying a primal and ferocious feel.
"The setback suffered by Yang Zheng's troops was not due to a lack of skill, but rather because the timing, terrain, and even the 'human element' were all against us," Chen Xing said slowly. "The southwestern mountains are their home ground; the miasma and venomous insects are their weapons; and their mysterious witchcraft and sorcery are their primary means of attacking the mind. Our army's tactics for fighting in the north and the Central Plains are indeed difficult to implement here."
He put down the poisoned thorn and glanced at everyone: "However, the great cause of the southern expedition cannot be lost. Although the southwest flank is not the main direction of attack, it cannot be allowed to deteriorate and tie down our forces, and may even become a hidden danger. Yang Zheng's troops must be relieved, and this route must be opened up. At the very least, we cannot allow the Baiyue Sect to become a potential ally of the Southern Dynasty."
"What is Your Majesty's intention?" Jia Wen asked.
"A two-pronged approach," Chen Xing decided. "Militarily, order Yang Zheng's troops to immediately establish a strong defensive posture, stockpile fire-prevention, insect-repellent, and water-purifying supplies, and strengthen nighttime vigilance, using fire and sound to dispel any potential psychological attacks. At the same time, transfer two thousand soldiers from the rear who are skilled in mountain warfare and have experience dealing with poisonous insects, carrying more medicine, lime, sulfur, and other supplies, to provide rapid reinforcement and enhance their troop strength and defensive capabilities."
"On the other hand," he paused, "we need to send a capable person to Miao territory to make contact with the Baiyue sect. We must ascertain the true reason for their attack on our army and attempt to communicate. If they are merely guarding their territory, we can declare that our dynasty has no intention of encroaching on their ancestral lands, only requesting passage or non-aggression. If they have been misled by the Southern Dynasty, we must find a way to sow discord, or demonstrate our dynasty's greater strength and sincerity. These tribes value practical interests, but also mysterious powers and promises. We need to send someone bold, meticulous, knowledgeable in such matters, or at least unafraid of supernatural forces."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a sense of unease. Dealing with such mysterious and unpredictable barbarian tribes was extremely risky, and who in the court was an expert in this field? Ordinary civil and military officials probably wouldn't even understand what they were saying, let alone deal with their unpredictable and bizarre methods.
Lin Wan'er hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Your Majesty, I... may give it a try. Although I am not familiar with the witchcraft of the Miao region, I have some understanding of human nature, and perhaps I can approach it from a rational and emotional perspective. Moreover, as a woman, I may be able to communicate with them more easily than men in certain aspects..."
Chen Xing glanced at her and shook his head: "Minister Lin has made meritorious contributions in pacifying Jiangnan, but Miao territory is not Jiangnan. The customs and traditions are very different, and the risks are unknown. You are a scholar, unfamiliar with martial arts, and even less familiar with poisonous insects and miasma. I cannot let you take on such a dangerous mission."
He pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to Chen Wei: "Minister Chen, are there any generals or officers in the army who are familiar with the situation of the southwestern barbarians, or who possess extraordinary courage and are not afraid of strange and supernatural phenomena?"
Chen Wei racked his brains, but couldn't find a suitable candidate. He had fierce generals like Dian Xiong, invincible in battle, but sending him to negotiate with barbarian tribes who believed in witchcraft? He feared that if they disagreed, they would draw their axes. The other generals were also mostly unfamiliar with this kind of thing.
Just then, a young eunuch who had been standing by the side, responsible for organizing documents, seemed to remember something and timidly spoke up: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, this servant... this servant once heard an old eunuch in the palace mention that in the early years when the northern frontier was pacified, there seemed to be a strange person in the army who was good at identifying herbs, could drive away snakes and insects, and also knew some foreign witchcraft. It seemed... it seemed his surname was Lan? Later, his whereabouts were unknown..."
Blue? Chen Xing's heart skipped a beat, and fragments of memory about early talents in the system panel were triggered. It seems... there was indeed such a person who followed him very early on, but because of his unorthodox methods, he did not hold an important position in the core military order. Later, it seems he was assigned to be in charge of some special logistics or exploration tasks?
"Investigate immediately! Report to me his life story, current situation, and whereabouts!" Chen Xing ordered immediately.
Regardless, the sudden unrest in Miao territory cast a mysterious shadow over the seemingly unstoppable southern expedition. With the final assault on Caishiji imminent, another change had occurred on the southwestern flank. Chen Xing knew he had to find a solution as soon as possible; otherwise, being attacked from two sides, while not necessarily affecting the overall situation, would certainly add many uncertainties.