"Don't worry, just isolate the patients and protect yourself. I'll find a cure for the epidemic as soon as it's light tomorrow."

Upon receiving this message, Qin Yue Zhao's anxiety eased somewhat.

She rushed into the bedchamber, opened the chests brought by the wealthy merchant, and threw all the gold, silver, jewels, and jade into the treasure basin.

She picked up her pen and said to Chu Xiao, "Thank you, God, for helping Yue Zhao. This is just a small token of my appreciation; please do not find it offensive."

Just then, Zheng Hu rushed in, his face filled with fear.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! All two thousand or so Northern Barbarian soldiers captured by General Zheng have contracted this strange disease."

Boom!

This news struck Qin Yue Zhao like a bolt of lightning.

It took her a long while to realize what had happened, and she said to Zheng Hu, "Oh no, we've fallen into a trap!"

Zheng Hu was puzzled.

"What does Your Highness mean?"

Qin Yue Zhao explained, "I had anticipated that we would go to rescue people, so I deliberately used General Nan and Ling Tian En as bait to lure us into the military camp full of soldiers suffering from the plague!"

"No wonder, no wonder when we arrived, there were no patrolmen or commanders in the military camp, and even the provisions and warhorses were unguarded."

"Heji is trying to send the soldiers who have contracted the plague into Liangcheng in a convenient way. I'm afraid that all of us who have been in contact with the plague soldiers are in grave danger."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Hu finally realized what was happening.

"Damn it! Hege is trying to infect us with the plague so he can wipe us out while we're weakened!"

Qin Yue Zhao urged, "It's no use saying all this now, hurry! Quickly arrange for people to isolate these Northern Barbarian troops, disinfect them with lime, and then boil the liquor and spray it on the soldiers!"

Zheng Hu was furious.

"Your Highness, Hejigan's heinous act warrants the execution of all the Northern Barbarian soldiers, and their heads should be displayed on the city walls as a warning!"

As soon as he said this, several soldiers from the Southern Family Army rushed in from behind.

"That's right! General Zheng is correct!"

"I am a barbarian, I am a beast, I deserve to die!"

"If Your Highness cannot bear it, we are willing to do it in your stead. We are not afraid of death, nor are we afraid of breaking into the plague-stricken area!"

They were all baring their teeth, wishing they could tear the northern barbarian prisoners to pieces.

Qin Yue Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "They are all abandoned children of the Northern Barbarians. Killing them will only vent our anger and will not affect Heji at all. Do as I say first, and let me think about how to deal with it."

Zheng Hu wanted to persuade him further, but Huo Tingye walked in.

"Obey orders and do not ask any other questions! Remember, have the prisoner-of-war camp surrounded by lime and wooden fences. No one is allowed to enter or leave except for the daily meal delivery!"