The Eastern Han Dynasty scholar Wang Chong recorded in his book, "When a plague strikes, a thousand households are wiped out," illustrating the extreme transmissibility, infectivity, and lethality of epidemics, which could easily lead to the extinction of entire families, even entire cities.
This demonstrates that the people of the Han Dynasty clearly recognized the contagiousness of "epidemics," although the concept was still somewhat vague, it was a relatively clearer definition compared to the pre-Qin period.
However, epidemics in the Han Dynasty did not only include infectious diseases. The Eastern Han Dynasty text *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) refers to cold damage as a type of epidemic, encompassing a general term for febrile diseases, including various illnesses.
Therefore, epidemics in the Han Dynasty differed somewhat from modern infectious diseases.
They encompassed a wide variety of diseases, referring both to highly contagious infectious diseases that caused severe casualties and to some non-infectious epidemics.
Given the prevalence of superstition and belief in ghosts and spirits, attempting to quell a plague was nothing short of wishful thinking.
Just like saying in this era that humans can go to the moon would be scoffed at; it's better to believe he's Qin Shi Huang!
V him 50, and after restoring the Qin Dynasty, I'll make you a great general!
The vast majority of people still believed that the "plague" was a calamity sent down by the gods.
In ancient times, with its poor medical and sanitary conditions, ordinary patients simply couldn't face the threat of disease with equanimity.
While sacrificial rituals had no effect on disease prevention, they could soothe people's grief over the loss of loved ones and their fear of contracting the disease.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, warlords carved up the land, and war raged. People were displaced by war and lost their homes and families due to plague.
The *Book of Han* only mentions, "In the twenty-second year of Jian'an (218 AD), Emperor Xian suffered a great plague." Little did people know that behind this lay a catastrophic disaster for the country.
From 25 AD to 220 AD, nearly two hundred years were a period of frequent plagues in ancient my country.
The plague was prolonged, widespread, and had severe consequences.
In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 AD), Cao Cao launched a campaign against Eastern Wu, initiating the Battle of Red Cliffs.
The Cao army's defeat was due not only to flawed military strategy and command within Cao Cao's camp but also to a severe plague outbreak. The sudden deaths of a large number of soldiers forced Cao Cao to retreat.
As for the cause of the plague, some believed it was a contagious disease caused by blood-sucking parasites from the Jiangnan region, while others attributed it to typhoid fever and bubonic plague.
In any case, Cao Cao's army suffered heavy losses, almost total annihilation.
Coincidentally, in the twenty-second year of Jian'an (208 AD), the plague intensified, an unprecedented epidemic engulfing the collapsing empire.
According to statistics, at least ten million people died from the Jian'an plague, while the total population of Wu and Shu at that time was only twenty-three million.
The plague of the twenty-second year of Jian'an effectively ended the literary career of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an," with none surviving.
The Seven Scholars of Jian'an were all literary giants of the upper class, enjoying superior food and hygiene compared to ordinary people.
The fact that all seven died of plague indicates that the disease was out of control and had spread to the upper classes, meaning that the lower classes would likely be infected as well.
After understanding the devastation of the plague, Lu Ming realized that his position as Governor of Liangzhou was not a favor, but rather a living hell!
However, he happened to possess medical skills and understand modern medical concepts, so this hell became a heater for him.
The plague was a natural disaster, yet one that could be controlled by human effort!
Initially, no one believed it; everyone thought the plague was uncontrollable.
They even worried about being infected themselves. If it weren't for Lu Ming's army approaching, they would probably all have fled.
But as orders were issued and the Mohist disciples cooperated, negligent officials were arrested and publicly beheaded by Lu Ming. He then appointed Mohist disciples to serve as grassroots officials, separating the displaced people.
Meanwhile, in Luoyang, at the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Ling's health was deteriorating, yet he continued his nightly revelry. When he couldn't achieve an erection, he would have palace maids perform oral sex on him until he ejaculated. Even when he was unable to, he would force himself on.
Zhang Rang entered with a gleeful expression. Seeing Emperor Ling asleep in the pavilion by the pond in the West Garden, he quietly approached and stood by his side to attend to him.
Even the most important matters would have to wait until Emperor Ling woke up!
After an unknown amount of time, Emperor Ling groggily opened his eyes. Lately, he had been increasingly tired and weak.
He somewhat missed the time when Lu Ming was around; he could help his body recover.
However, sending Lu Ming away was a reluctant decision. The power of the aristocratic families was too immense, and Lu Ming had little room for advancement here. As the Empress Dowager had suggested, it would be better for Lu Ming to return to Liangzhou and take control of it.
With Princess Wannian around, there was no need to worry about the prince consort harboring any rebellious intentions.
At that time, whatever Emperor Ling did, he would have a solid foundation!
Emperor Ling was unaware that this was a statement made after Empress Dowager Dong had been violated. Even before that, he had already made his decision; now it was merely a further strengthening of his resolve.
The appointment of the provincial governor was inevitable, a reshuffling and change of power—how could he not know this?
Of the thirteen provinces of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he only needed to conquer one.
With three of them controlled by members of the Han imperial family, the rest were not a concern. The Yuan family wouldn't dare risk defying the world and opposing imperial power.
"Your Majesty, good news! Governor Lu has sent word of victory. Half a month ago, he decisively defeated the rebellious forces of Ma Teng and Han Sui. Eight thousand were killed, and over forty-three thousand were captured. He is currently stationed in Anding County, quelling the plague and screening displaced people; everything is proceeding smoothly. This is all thanks to Your Majesty's protection! Your Majesty has such discerning eyes; it is thanks to Your Majesty, this discerning patron, that the Governor of Liang Province has emerged as a worthy steed." Zhang Rang's face showed a hint of excitement; clearly, the more successful Lu Ming was, the greater his own benefits would be.
The threads were intricately intertwined, impossible to unravel.
"Oh? How did he do it?" Emperor Ling was also intrigued; his initial confusion after waking up vanished instantly.
Zhang Rang simply explained that it was nothing more than an ambush, a trap, and then a beheading.
Unfortunately, Han Sui and Ma Teng were not killed, but eight or nine out of ten of Han Sui's men were already dead.
Ma Teng, having lost two sons and a prisoner, had no reason to worry that Lu Ming would collude with them. Even if Han Sui agreed, Ma Teng would never allow it!
The hatred for the murder of his sons was irreconcilable!
Emperor Ling's small eyes gleamed. He understood the conflict Lu Ming had experienced in Chang'an.
Jia She of the Jia family openly provoked and acted disgustingly; there must have been someone instigating him behind the scenes. Who that was was easy to guess.
"Good, well done. Tell Anmin that after taking Liangzhou, I will bestow a title upon him!"