“Princess Zhenguo means she still intends to continue campaigning?!” The Imperial Physician couldn’t believe it, bowing his hands toward Bai Qingyan. “Princess Zhenguo, forgive this old minister’s frankness, but if Princess Zhenguo’s body continues to be exhausted like this, let alone this humble minister… even if Imperial Physician Huang from the Imperial Medical Academy were here, I’m afraid she wouldn’t last more than a month!”
Liu Hong looked in shock toward Bai Qingyan, whose expression remained unperturbed as she knelt, sitting before the low table.
Wang Xiping and Lin Kangle also widened their eyes.
Liu Hong rose and walked to the Imperial Physician’s side, respectfully saying: “Imperial Physician, I’m not doubting that you’re being alarmist, it’s just… now that Princess Zhenguo’s body has deteriorated to such a state, please speak plainly!”
The Imperial Physician packed his medicine box while saying, “To put it simply, a person’s body is like a water jar filled with water. Occasionally, having some illness or pain is like the water jar cracking a small opening and leaking a bit of water – it’s not serious. Even with heavy injuries, as long as they’re properly treated and carefully nursed without careless movement, the jar can still be used! But Princess Zhenguo’s body… is like that water jar being full of holes, like a sieve. The slightest touch might cause it to shatter! Even quiet rest might be hard to endure, let alone marching and fighting!”
“Imperial Physician! Are you certain your diagnosis is correct? Princess Zhenguo… appears…” Lin Kangle glanced at Bai Qingyan and nervously stepped forward to ask.
Zhang Duanning immediately said, “Since Princess Zhenguo has already taken the Qingxi Mountain pass, why doesn’t Princess Zhenguo return to the capital with this humble minister, so that Imperial Physician Huang can properly treat Princess Zhenguo?”
“Elder Sister…” Bai Jinzhi grasped Bai Qingyan’s wrist. She knew this was pretense, but she also knew her elder sister had taken the medicine Physician Hong gave her, and her body must be extremely uncomfortable right now.
“When Great Liang is pacified, I will return to Jin!” Bai Qingyan looked again at Fan Yugan, whose face was full of worry, “Young Master Fan, please don’t inform the Crown Prince about my physical condition, lest the Crown Prince be distracted with worry for me while attending to state affairs! Bai Qingyan humbly entreats all three of you.”
Liu Hong gazed at Bai Qingyan’s pale, bloodless features, quietly clenching his fists at his sides, inevitably feeling guilty…
That day, when Bai Qingyan didn’t let him write about the Shuoyang soldiers’ bravery in the memorial, Liu Hong had slightly doubted Bai Qingyan’s intentions. But today, after this Imperial Physician sent by the Crown Prince examined Bai Qingyan and reached such a conclusion, Bai Qingyan was still worried about the Crown Prince being concerned for her, showing her genuine loyalty to the Crown Prince.
The Imperial Physician shook his head repeatedly: “The Crown Prince sent this humble minister to care for Princess Zhenguo’s health. If Princess Zhenguo continues like this… this humble minister fears I cannot fulfill this command!”
Bai Qingyan straightened her spine and cupped her hands: “Imperial Physician, please don’t worry. For this campaign, Bai Qingyan brought Physician Hong, the senior disciple of Imperial Physician Huang. Physician Hong will surely do his utmost for Bai Qingyan’s health.”
The Imperial Physician frowned even more deeply, shaking his head as he shouldered his medicine box and left the tent in a huff.
As a physician, what he disliked most were disobedient patients who didn’t value their own lives. The Imperial Physician was no exception.
“Princess Zhenguo…” Liu Hong wanted to persuade her, but thinking of Bai Qingyan’s resolute attitude, he swallowed his words. He would take extra care afterward to ensure Princess Zhenguo didn’t personally fight, only providing strategic counsel.
Supplies and provisions were sent from the capital direction, along with wine and meat to reward the soldiers. By all rights, the generals should be happy, but as Lin Kangle and Wang Xiping emerged from the commander’s tent, both were in heavy spirits.
Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi remained in Liu Hong’s tent. The three stood before the map hanging in the commander’s tent as Bai Qingyan pointed to three directions, detailing the routes for advancing on Great Liang’s capital.
“Great Liang’s epidemic is now beyond effective control, with common people falling ill one after another. Even if they wanted to conscript soldiers and deploy forces, they’re powerless. At this time, Jin’s military strength is sufficient, so the strategy against Great Liang should be a three-pronged attack, forcing Great Liang to divide their forces… thereby preventing them from forming a unified, powerful resistance force. This way… taking Great Liang will be much easier!”
Bai Qingyan pointed to the direct route from Qingxi Mountain pass to Great Liang’s capital, Han City: “General Liu Hong will lead heavy forces, advancing steadily from Qingxi Mountain pass toward Han City. This is one route.”
She pointed to the right side of Liuzhou City ahead of Qingxi Mountain pass: “Bai Jinzhi will lead the Anping army, circling through this vast plain to attack Han City!”
“I…” Bai Qingyan pointed to the more difficult path on the left side of Liuzhou City, “will take Shuoyang’s eight thousand soldiers and all the surrendered Liang troops, attacking Han City from the left side where there are more cities, to disperse Great Liang’s reinforcements for General Liu and Bai Jinzhi.”
“Surrendered Liang troops?” Liu Hong was quite surprised.
“Perhaps I’ve already persuaded General Zhao Sheng these past few days, and he’s willing to serve Jin – who knows!” Bai Qingyan smiled and added, “There will be news shortly.”
Liu Hong nodded, not dwelling on whether Zhao Sheng would defect to Jin. He studied the map, gripping his sword hilt tightly as he pondered Bai Qingyan’s attack strategy.
Bai Qingyan spoke reasonably. If they only attacked Great Liang from one direction, Great Liang would naturally unite their forces in resistance. But if they divided and struck, Jin would have the advantage in military strength.
With three simultaneous strikes, Liang would either have to divide their forces three ways to block them, or if Liang neglected any direction, that route of Jin soldiers would take Great Liang’s capital, Han City.
The method was sound, but Bai Qingyan’s body…
Liu Hong turned to look at Bai Qingyan: “But the Imperial Physician said Princess Zhenguo’s body can’t withstand campaigning! What if Princess Zhenguo should collapse on the road… I couldn’t explain it to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
“General Liu, rest assured. With Physician Hong present, Bai Qingyan can still hold on! If I don’t take Han City, Bai Qingyan absolutely will not die.” Bai Qingyan’s voice was steady, carrying an authoritative presence that made others instinctively trust her.
Seeing Bai Qingyan’s extremely firm attitude, and understanding that she was someone who would definitely see through any decision she made, Liu Hong didn’t persuade further. He only said: “Since that’s the case, I’ll have food brought to the tent so we can eat while discussing in detail – how to divide the forces, what specific routes to take, and how to allocate the three route commanders.”
Bai Qingyan nodded.
Zhao Ran had been waiting for quite some time. Seeing Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi emerge from Liu Hong’s tent, he hurried forward: “Eldest Miss, Fourth Miss, that Zhao Sheng from the Zhao Family Army first went to the medical station to see two Zhao Family Army generals, then persuaded the Liang army prisoners who had contracted the epidemic to take medicine. After that, he met with all the surrendered Liang army officers and spoke for quite a while! Then Zhao Sheng came out wanting to see Eldest Miss.”
“Where is he?” Bai Qingyan asked.
“Master Cai is accompanying him, in the barracks where Zhao Sheng has been confined these past few days,” Zhao Ran said.
Bai Qingyan nodded: “Let’s go see!”