An hour later.
After resting, Sheng Lengshuang and her group of doctors, having changed into appropriate attire and donned special masks, followed Mo Lingxi to a relatively secluded area of the military camp.
This was where the soldiers and civilians suffering from diarrhea were housed, watched over day and night by two military doctors and their soldiers.
Upon approaching, Sheng Lengshuang and the others were hit by a foul odor that even the masks couldn't completely block.
Entering, they saw countless emaciated soldiers and civilians, some groaning in pain.
Sheng Lengshuang and the doctors immediately began taking pulses and examining patients, while the two military doctors explained the situation in detail.
The doctors who came to the border were all top-notch physicians, including various specialists.
After the collective efforts of observing, listening, inquiring, and palpating, coupled with examinations within the military camp and city, a definitive conclusion was reached.
"The water source!" a doctor with a goatee said grimly. "Some of the water sources have been contaminated with a special powder, leading to an increasing number of people suffering from diarrhea."
"The diarrhea could have been treated, but drinking this water again, or consuming food cooked with it, will worsen the condition."
Mo Lingxi asked, puzzled, "But why are we fine? The military camp uses water from the same well."
Sheng Lengshuang explained, "It could be due to physical constitution, medication, or other factors. For instance, some people are naturally immune to illness throughout their lives."
Several doctors nodded in agreement.
"That's precisely the reason. For example, if the same bowl of clean porridge is consumed, Prince Mingrui might be unaffected, while others might develop diarrhea."
"Yes. Some people are like that; even if poisoned, they remain unharmed. This is why a small portion of people in the military camp have mild symptoms, very light cases, or are completely unaffected."
"It's also possible that some individuals experienced more frequent trips to the latrine, but not diarrhea, and therefore didn't pay much attention."
Mo Lingxi understood. "I had the military doctors prepare medicine to treat diarrhea and administer it to everyone in the camp and city."
Sheng Lengshuang replied, "Now that we've found the source, we need to administer treatment accordingly. Furthermore, the contaminated water sources cannot be used for the time being."
"They can only be used again after the toxins have been completely cleared and we are certain there are no issues."
Mo Lingxi nodded in understanding. "Tell me what you need, and I will immediately lead men to seal those wells."
Sheng Lengshuang handed him some powder. "First, sprinkle this around the water sources. Once we've prepared the corresponding medicinal powder, we will sprinkle it into the wells."
She also gave many other important instructions, such as maintaining cleanliness and ensuring food is cooked thoroughly.
Mo Lingxi noted everything down. He gave Sheng Lengshuang a few parting words and then left quickly.
Sheng Lengshuang and the doctors became engrossed in treating the patients, so busy they didn't even have time to drink water.
Amidst this busyness, Sheng Lengshuang suddenly heard the thunderous sound of war drums, her heart tightening. However, she did not rush out. She understood that treating the sick was the most important task. There was nothing else she could do to help, so she could only pray for Mo Lingxi's victorious return.
"Miss Sheng!" a deputy general hurried towards her, saluting. "The commander has sent me to you to collect some medicinal powder, the kind that can harm people."
"During this period, thanks to Miss Sheng's medicinal powders, we have been able to hold on until now, and our casualties have not been as high."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang took a large handful from her sleeve. "There is a package in my room containing these powders. Go and retrieve it. Once I have some free time here, I will prepare more."
The deputy general thanked her, saluted, and ran off.
Sheng Lengshuang still did not go out to look; she continued treating patients, listening to the discussions of several doctors.
"This is my first time experiencing warfare. My heart is pounding, and I'm truly afraid."
"Yes, yes. Without personally experiencing warfare, one cannot truly understand the hardships and dangers faced by the border soldiers. We must hurry and treat these soldiers as quickly as possible, so we cannot let the dogs of the Southern Jin Dynasty achieve their schemes."
"What are you doing, soldier? What are you touching?" a round-faced doctor slapped away the hand of a soldier lying on the bed who was reaching for Sheng Lengshuang's backside. "Miss Sheng has traveled all the way from Dongdu to treat you tirelessly, and you treat her like this? Is that reasonable?"
Sheng Lengshuang was facing away from the soldier and hadn't noticed his actions.
Upon hearing this, she thanked the doctor and looked coldly at the soldier. "If you want your hand gone, I can help you!"
The soldier, though very weak, was incredibly lewd. "What kind of doctor are you? All women who come to the military camp are prostitutes, meant for all the soldiers to play with. It's your honor that I can touch you!"
Sheng Lengshuang directly kicked him off the bed and then stepped on his face with one foot. "I didn't want to bully you with my status, but you dare to insult your commander's fiancée. How do you want to die?"
Before coming, she had anticipated such an incident, but she hadn't expected the first offender to be a sick soldier.
Based on his words and his restless behavior even while ill, she could tell what kind of person he usually was.
With her words, those who had been looking at Sheng Lengshuang with lewd eyes or harbored ulterior motives no longer dared to act. Even the soldier being stepped on turned pale.
He had never imagined that this woman was the commander's fiancée.
"I, I'm sorry, I won't dare again, please spare me!"
Sheng Lengshuang, being new to the border and unaware of the camp's rules, handed the soldier over to the two soldiers at the door to be dealt with by Mo Lingxi upon his return.
Afterward, she continued with her medical duties.
Following this incident, no soldier or civilian dared to misbehave, and even their groans became much softer.
As Sheng Lengshuang and the doctors were nearing the end of their work, Mo Lingxi returned victorious.
Upon his return, Mo Lingxi learned about the incident with the soldier from the deputy general, his eyes turning cold. "Even if Sheng Lengshuang were not my fiancée, simply because she came to treat and save lives, we should have treated her with utmost respect."
"Summon all the soldiers. I want to see how many of you cannot control your 'third leg'!"
All the soldiers were assembled, including the sick ones who were carried to the training ground, as were Sheng Lengshuang and the doctors.
Sheng Lengshuang gazed at the man clad in armor.
The usually cold and handsome man now exuded a more formidable aura and the presence of a superior, making him even more striking.
"Normally, I wouldn't interfere if you sought women in the pleasure houses within the city," Mo Lingxi's slightly elevated voice carried a hint of menace. "However, if you dare to lay hands on the accompanying military doctors, do you think I won't deal with you?"
The soldiers all turned their gazes towards the soldier lying at the front, spitting in disgust at him, calling him worse than an animal, for he was a military doctor who had come to help them.
"Commander, Commander, I know I was wrong, please spare my life. I didn't know she was your fiancée!" the soldier cried, begging for mercy.