The night was as dark as thick ink, staining the earth black, except for the countless twinkling stars, which, like countless glittering pearls, were scattered across the boundless night sky.
Xu Yuehuai and Bai Yu stood side by side on the towering city wall, their gazes piercing through the darkness, looking towards the distant battlefield where the smoke of war had not yet dissipated.
The air was thick with the stench of scorched earth and blood, and even the wind seemed to carry a chilling cold. Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath of the heavy, bitter air and said in a deep voice, "Although we won this battle, the price of victory was so heavy. Look at the distance, those once vibrant lives can now only lie in pools of blood. Their sacrifice makes each of us feel as if our hearts are being torn apart."
Bai Yu clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming with a resolute light that seemed to pierce through the pitch-black night.
He said, "Yes, their sacrifices are heartbreaking, but we cannot stop moving forward because of this. The enemy is still watching us closely, and we cannot give them an opportunity. We must be strong, for the sake of those fallen heroes, and for the people who are still waiting for us to protect them."
The two looked at each other in silence, their hearts filled with a heavy yet resolute determination. They knew that this war was far from over, and they had to continue forward, fighting to the very end for the peace and tranquility of the court and the people.
Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the silence of the night, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
A scout came galloping in, his face filled with anxiety and exhaustion, panting as he reported: "Your Majesty, a plague has suddenly broken out on the southern border, causing heavy casualties among the people! The epidemic is spreading rapidly, and many villages have already been affected!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai frowned, as if a mountain had suddenly pressed down on her heart. She said in a deep voice, "Plague? This is truly adding insult to injury. We must take immediate action, or the consequences will be unimaginable."
Bai Yu nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right, we must resolve this plague as soon as possible. I suggest we split up. You lead a group of soldiers to the southern border to deal with the plague, while I will stay here to command the battle. We must take a two-pronged approach to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible."
Xu Yuehuai pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement to the plan. She knew that time was of the essence and there was no room for delay. So, she quickly made the arrangements and led an elite force to set off overnight for the southern border.
On their long journey, Xu Yuehuai and her soldiers witnessed heartbreaking scenes. The villagers who had once chatted and laughed with them were now like withered flowers, pale and powerless, struggling painfully under the clutches of the plague.
The enthusiasm and vitality that once filled their eyes have long been replaced by fear and helplessness, leaving only a longing for life and a fear of death.
Xu Yuehuai felt as if she had been struck by a heavy hammer; she could not bear such suffering. She resolutely threw herself into the rescue work, personally examining the condition of each patient, preparing medicines, fighting alongside the soldiers, and setting up temporary medical tents.
However, the plague raged far more fiercely than they had imagined. The number of patients increased like a snowball, while medicine was in short supply, and each treatment seemed like a drop in the ocean.
Just as Xu Yuehuai was feeling utterly overwhelmed, a frail old man entered the medical tent. His eyes were filled with tears, and his voice choked with emotion: "Lady Shen, I am the village head of this village. Our village used to be peaceful and harmonious, but now it has become like this. My children and grandchildren are all sick; I beg you, please save them!"
Looking at the old man, Xu Yuehuai felt a strong sense of responsibility. She knew she bore the heavy responsibility of saving these innocent lives and could not back down. She grasped the village chief's hand and said firmly, "Grandpa, don't worry, I will do my best to treat you. I will find a way to control the epidemic as soon as possible."
Xu Yuehuai immediately summoned military doctors and local pharmacists to discuss countermeasures. The military doctors frowned, while the pharmacists pored over ancient medical books, searching for possible treatment methods.
After a heated discussion, they decided to try using an ancient herbal formula to treat the plague.
Xu Yuehuai personally led his soldiers up the mountain to collect medicinal herbs. The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse, covered with dense thorns, but they were fearless, single-mindedly focused on finding the life-saving herbs. They climbed cliffs and traversed dense forests, enduring countless hardships, and finally found the herbs they needed in a secluded valley.
Back in the village, Xu Yuehuai personally prepared the herbal medicine. She stayed by the stove, stirring the broth again and again until late at night. Her face was weary, but her eyes shone with unwavering determination. She knew that only by preparing the medicine as quickly as possible could the patients receive treatment.
After several days and nights of hard work, the epidemic was finally brought under control. Patients gradually recovered, and the villagers' faces returned to long-lost smiles. They flocked to Xu Yuehuai, expressing their heartfelt gratitude.
"Thank you, Lady Shen!"
"They are the hope of all of us!"
"Thanks to you, everyone survived!"
...
Looking at these faces that had been given a new lease on life, Xu Yuehuai felt a surge of relief and pride.
She knew that her efforts and perseverance had not been in vain, and that she had successfully saved these innocent lives.
Xu Yuehuai stood at the entrance of the village, his gaze sweeping across the land that had just been ravaged by the plague.
The busy figures of the villagers and the joyful laughter of the children were like a spring breeze caressing her heart, bringing endless comfort and pride. She knew that all this peace and harmony was inseparable from the previous efforts of her and Bai Yu and others.
However, the war did not cease. The flames of war still burned fiercely in the distance, and the enemy's iron hooves continued to trample the borders.
Xu Yuehuai took a deep breath, turned around and waved to the villagers. Before he could even utter a word of farewell, his eyes were already filled with determination and reluctance. With weary but resolute steps, he embarked on his journey back to the battlefield.
Bai Yu spotted Xu Yuehuai from afar, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. He quickly stepped forward, patted Xu Yuehuai on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "You're back! Has the plague problem been resolved?"
Xu Yuehua nodded and smiled, "It's resolved. Now we can fully focus on the battle." A long-lost smile appeared on her face, as if all her fatigue had vanished in that moment.
The two exchanged a smile, as if they had returned to the days when they fought side by side. Bai Yu patted Xu Yuehuai on the shoulder and said, "Well done! I knew you could do it. Now, we need to quickly formulate the next battle plan."
Xu Yuehuai nodded in agreement, and the two walked side by side toward the military camp. They knew that as long as they fought side by side, they would surely be able to defeat all enemies and bring true peace and tranquility to the court and the people.
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