Chapter 1460
Siege, Heroes
Chapter 1460 Siege, Heroes
However, the enemy's poison positions weren't moving that fast. After a lot of effort, the first wave of poison attacks hadn't even started yet.
"Old Xun, you stayed up most of the night last night, and you're getting on in years. Why don't you go get some sleep first? I'll send troops to call you when there's a major breakthrough at the enemy's position," General Chu advised Old Xun.
The old man was so old that he was afraid he would faint and die while trying to stay awake.
Old Xun shook his head, his face looking rather grim: "The enemy is very clever... On the fifth day after the enemy contracted the disease, when they showed severe symptoms, they separated the seriously ill... We lost the crucial link of observation from severe illness to death, and we lost the reference for the lethality of this epidemic."
All they have now is pathogenicity.
But how lethal?
The enemy didn't let them see it.
To find out the lethality and the earliest and latest days before death, they could only obtain the information from Wei Min.
But that's too late.
"Report! Report! It seems there are several deaths from the disease in the enemy's poisonous camp!" A sharp-eyed sentry noticed the new situation and hurriedly reported it.
"Report the location, and have the other sentry tower soldiers keep an eye on it!" General Chu shouted, but this was bad news, so many people present looked grim.
“Death occurs five days after the onset of illness, and with the three days of contact, death can occur in eight days at most, or even sooner.” These were the words of Qi Tianshi, who also revealed an even more terrifying fact: “Those infected were enemy soldiers, soldiers who had undergone years of training and were in excellent physical condition. Even those with such physiques could only last eight days.”
If this plague spreads within the city, how many days can the old, weak, and sick Wei people, as well as the strong Wei people who can carry a load of up to 200 jin, resist this plague?
It is likely that within two or three days, a large number of Wei people will die.
"You assassin eunuchs, it's your turn." At Qi Tianshi's command, a row of assassin eunuchs, dressed in plain clothes and of small stature, stepped forward in unison.
"We will obey the Emperor's decree!" said the twenty-two eunuchs.
Qi Tianshi looked at this group of eunuchs, some of whom had trained with him and others whom he had personally trained, and dared not show any emotion in his eyes. He only said, "Your names and deeds will be recorded in the history books of the Great Wei Dynasty for future generations to admire."
"Even if the Great Wei Dynasty falls, the next dynasty will still leave behind its history books, so you can go in peace and need not worry about your posthumous reputation."
This was the promise the Wei royal family made to them when they were selected.
"We obey the orders of the Great Wei Emperor!" The assassins and eunuchs repeated the same words.
General Chu was taken aback, but quickly said, "Twenty-two people is too few. No matter how skilled they are, they'll just be easy prey."
Da Gan almost lost his life at the hands of the enemy, how could you possibly have twenty-two Da Gans?
But Qi Tianshi said, "The difference between them and the Imperial Guard and the Great Gan Commander is that they can die."
The Imperial Guards are a powerful tool to serve His Majesty, and Commander Gan is a meritorious hero; both should be put to good use. However, the sole purpose of the Death Squad eunuchs' survival is to die for the Wei imperial family.
"Wait a moment, the old man has already sent someone to Mushan to get you the latest weapons," said Old Man Xun. He also called to the assassins and medics, "Quickly take out those strange poisons that the old man made and distribute them to them so they can take them to kill the enemy."
How effective is the medicine?
I don't know.
But there's no harm in bringing it along.
"Hey." The assassin medics hurriedly opened their medical kits and took out the poisons that terrified them.
"Don't move. We'll tie it to your waist pouches and take it out to use when you die... If you need to use it before you die, remember to wear leather gloves."
Is it that dangerous?
Is there an antidote?
Not for now, because this extremely poisonous substance was made specifically to kill enemy soldiers.
Da da da!
The sound of horses' hooves echoed again on the city wall's ramparts, this time accompanied by the clanging of a galloping carriage.
Jiang Dalang and Qin Xiaomi arrived, each followed by their own teams and the small cannons they had made together—the kind that could be carried on their shoulders.
"Brave warriors, this is the latest weapon made by Master Qin, a small cannon. Please come over, and we will teach you how to use it," Jiang Dalang said to the assassin eunuchs.
Jiang Dalang attributed all the credit for the firearms to Qin Xiaomi.
As for him...
He had no regrets as long as he could stay with Su Su and make firearms.
Moreover, the firearms were originally made by Master Su Su.
"Please instruct us." The leader of the assassin eunuchs finally spoke, gathering around Qin Jiang and waiting for the two to teach him.
"Ye Xifen, Chief Shanshan, Aunt Wen, bring the guns down!" Qin Xiaomi shouted.
"Hey, you're here." Aunt Wen responded, her voice filled with joy... Yamauchi really hadn't misplaced his trust in Master Qin; Master Qin would always include a portion of Yamauchi's equipment in his creations.
With a series of bangs, Ye Xifen and the others placed three small cannons—each about the length of an arm, the size of a bowl, with small copper or iron handles on the sides and a base the size of a small basin at the back—onto the ground.
"Brave warriors, this is a small cannon. A person can carry it and run. After entering battle, put the specially made gunpowder bag into the cannon, pull the handle on the side of the cannon to stuff the gunpowder bag tightly, and then ignite it... It doesn't have to be ignited, though. The craftsmen have made a new friction-igniting ball in the flint..."
Ye Xifen and the others explained in detail to the assassins and eunuchs the principles of the small cannon and how to use it.
"Be careful, when firing, the explosive force will rush towards the gun base, it will be like it explodes... Time is tight, so this is the first batch, there may be various risks such as duds, barrel explosions, and the base exploding."
The eunuchs, who were not the leaders, were excited to hear this. One of them, who was not a leader, spoke up: "Don't worry. As long as one shot is effective, it can destroy a poisoning site of the enemy, and the city will be less harmed."
We can't just stand by and watch the enemy poison the capital right under our noses, can we?
The Wei army and the Imperial Guards are precious, so they were sent to bombard the enemy's poisonous troops!
With this strangely named cannon, their chances of success increased significantly.
"Come, eat and learn at the same time. This is a special meat and rice dish for you." Commander Gan, along with a group of his personal guards, brought them bowls of hot meat and rice.
"It was all chicken legs, plus two fresh eggs, a few bites of cabbage, and some soup."
In short, they need to be treated to a good meal.
However, this was the worst meal the selected assassin eunuchs had ever eaten, but it tasted just like home.
They came from a poor background; back in their hometown, even eating an egg was a luxury.
"Thank you." The assassin eunuchs were not allowed to have too many emotions, and this was the only time they said thank you after being selected and trained.
Boom boom boom!
"Wei troops, assemble! Help the brave warriors advance and break through enemy lines!" Jiang Dalang shouted as he went to General Chu to request orders.
"No, it's too dangerous. Besides, you've already given enough. Take good care of yourself. You'll have your chance to contribute in the final battle... Da Feng, you go. Don't embarrass me!" General Chu appointed Commander Da Feng.
"Yes!" Commander Feng's eyes lit up; it was finally his and his soldiers' turn to go into battle.
"How about we launch a surprise attack at night?" Doctor Feng said. "If we go to fight the enemy in broad daylight, we'll be discovered before we even get close. Wouldn't that be a free kill?"
Qi Tianshi said, "We can't wait any longer. If we wait another hour or two, the enemy might poison us... Their supply train has already moved."
They were slave soldiers; the enemy had no supply troops.
But these slave soldiers moved extremely quickly. In less than a quarter of an hour, the sentry reported: "Report! The enemy's catapults have been moved!"