“Someone come! Hold him down for me! Quickly!” Physician Hong could barely restrain the wounded soldier lying on the bed, covered in blood. The soldier had been injured in his manhood and was in such agony that he preferred death to life. He couldn’t lie still and kept begging Physician Hong to end his life with a single sword strike.

But Physician Hong had already examined the wound. If treated promptly, it might still be saved, but if they delayed any longer, he would likely lose too much blood… and even the greatest immortal physician wouldn’t be able to save him then.

However, at this moment, there was no one available for Physician Hong to command.

Not caring about the impropriety between men and women, Bai Qingyan took three steps in two strides and pressed the soldier down firmly: “Don’t move, endure it. Physician Hong’s medical skills are superb—he might still be able to save it for you. If you keep moving and cause more delay, it might truly be unsalvageable!”

Physician Hong wasn’t surprised at all to see Bai Qingyan. While washing his hands, he said: “Eldest Miss, you must hold him down! Don’t let him move around, I need to clean the wound!”

The soldier raised his head, his vision blurred from pain, but he could still identify Bai Qingyan by her voice: “Princess… Princess Zhenguo… I’m not yet married! I haven’t left any descendants for my parents. You can take my eyes, my arms, my legs—anything! But I can’t lose my manhood!”

“Then endure it!” Bai Qingyan held him down firmly. “Qingxi Mountain Pass is called the world’s greatest stronghold, and you’ve already conquered it. What else in this world could defeat you?! Physician Hong has saved me from the brink of death several times—I trust his medical skills! And I trust your willpower! Endure it!”

The soldier gripped the edge of the bed with both hands and bit down hard on his teeth.

Cai Ziyuan was about to step forward to help when someone pulled him away to assist with other wounded soldiers.

When Bai Qingyan and Cai Ziyuan emerged from the field hospital, it was already late afternoon…

Cai Ziyuan, a frail scholar, was now covered in blood as well. He saw Bai Qingyan crouching by a puddle in front of the field hospital, washing her blood-stained hands. He followed over and crouched down beside her, washing his hands in the same puddle.

He looked up at Bai Qingyan and said: “Princess Zhenguo… Ziyuan has a question. Does Princess Zhenguo intend to personally lead troops to Great Liang’s capital, Han City?”

Bai Qingyan didn’t respond, shaking off her hands and standing up. Cai Ziyuan followed suit, offering Bai Qingyan a clean handkerchief from his chest: “Princess Zhenguo must have already planned to separate from Liu Hong and Princess Gaoyi. Firstly, to avoid exposing the true capabilities of the three thousand soldiers led by Lord Zhao Ran, and secondly, to pacify Great Liang with the greatest speed!”

Bai Qingyan smiled, wiped her hands with the handkerchief, and returned it to Cai Ziyuan: “Has Master Cai only thought of this today?”

Cai Ziyuan gripped the handkerchief and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan: “Ziyuan pledges on his life that, besides Princess Gaoyi and General Liu Hong, he will find ways to stabilize the situation toward the capital, ensuring that people in the capital don’t discover Princess Zhenguo’s true intentions too early! This will guarantee Princess Zhenguo sufficient time to pacify Great Liang and return to the Jin Kingdom.”

“I never doubt Master Cai’s abilities. After Great Liang’s next city falls… I entrust Bai Jinzhi to Master Cai’s care.” Bai Qingyan also bowed to Cai Ziyuan.

Lin Kangle, who had awakened from his sleep, finally found Bai Qingyan and Cai Ziyuan at the entrance of the field hospital. He jogged over and, after saluting Bai Qingyan, said: “Princess Zhenguo, I heard you ordered the medicinal herbs brought to treat the plague to be used on Liang soldiers? Isn’t this… wasteful? They’re merely prisoners! Not killing prisoners is already an enormous grace—their deaths from illness have nothing to do with our Jin army!”

Lin Kangle assumed it was Bai Qingyan’s compassionate nature that led her to use the herbs on Liang soldiers.

“Rather than letting these Liang soldiers die of illness, I prefer that they be used by me. After all… each soldier represents a human life, and it takes at least ten years to train one for use.” After saying this, Bai Qingyan asked, “Has General Liu awakened?”

“Yes, he’s currently writing a memorial in his tent, reporting the details of retaking Qingxi Mountain Pass to His Majesty and the Crown Prince, so that those chattering civil officials in the Jin court will have nothing more to criticize!” Lin Kangle had been frustrated for quite some time, especially with the Crown Prince repeatedly sending people to reprimand them. Lin Kangle felt he had nowhere to show his face.

Fortunately, this time Liu Hong had shown remarkable courage and dared to fight desperately. Later, with the assistance of soldiers brought by Princess Zhenguo, they captured Qingxi Mountain Pass in a single night. Compared to the previous two months of unsuccessful attacks on Qingxi Mountain Pass, this was truly vindicating.

Moreover, this battle would certainly be recorded in the annals of history. The world’s greatest stronghold, captured in a single night—what kind of achievement was this!

Bai Qingyan nodded, instructed Cai Ziyuan to go rest, and invited Lin Kangle to accompany her to Liu Hong’s tent.

Liu Hong had sustained minor injuries during the dawn battle, which had been bandaged before he slept. Now he sat fully clothed, wearing a cloak, while writing his report. Wang Xiping also sat in the tent, reporting the Jin army’s casualties to Liu Hong.

Hearing that Princess Zhenguo and General Lin Kangle had arrived, Liu Hong quickly dressed properly before having Bai Qingyan and Lin Kangle invited in.

Wang Xiping quickly stood and saluted Bai Qingyan: “This subordinate Wang Xiping greets Princess Zhenguo!”

Seeing that Bai Qingyan still wore her blood-stained armor, Liu Hong asked: “Has Princess Zhenguo not rested at all?”

Lin Kangle, who had just saluted Liu Hong, said: “This subordinate just encountered Princess Zhenguo at the entrance of the field hospital. Our army suffered considerable casualties last night, so Princess Zhenguo must have been helping at the field hospital.”

“Please sit quickly!” Liu Hong called out loudly. “Serve tea to Princess Zhenguo and General Lin!”

Bai Qingyan knelt on the soft cushion, nodding in thanks to Liu Hong’s personal guard who served her tea, then turned to look at Liu Hong: “Is the General writing a memorial?”

“Indeed. Once this memorial is finished, Princess Zhenguo and General Lin can also review it to see if there are any omissions in my report…” Liu Hong said with a smile. “In this battle, Princess Zhenguo arrived at the crucial moment and should take first merit! I will certainly make this clear to His Majesty in the memorial!”

Having won the battle, Liu Hong was in high spirits and didn’t care whether he could wash away the reputation of being a “ten-thousand-year turtle who only knows how to retreat.”

Bai Qingyan’s clear and tranquil eyes looked at Liu Hong: “This battle… was planned well by General Liu Hong, whose contribution cannot be overlooked. When Bai Qingyan arrived, the battle was already in its final stages—how dare I claim credit! General Liu Hong need not mention me in his memorial.”

Liu Hong was stunned. Thinking of the special troops Bai Qingyan had brought, he considered for a moment and said to Wang Xiping and Lin Kangle: “General Wang, General Lin, I have something to discuss with Princess Zhenguo. You two should go rest!”

Lin Kangle and Wang Xiping glanced in Bai Qingyan’s direction, then stood, saluted, and took their leave.

As soon as they emerged from the command tent, Wang Xiping stroked his chin and asked: “Is Princess Zhenguo afraid that taking too much credit would lead to the same fate as the former Duke Zhenguo?”