Chapter 2718 Numbness

The Emperor was standing on a slope with a group of ministers, looking at the distant city, right next to the entrance of the camp.

Manbao and the others cheerfully emerged from the woods and immediately spotted the Emperor not far away. They turned to avoid the imperial guards and headed back to the camp.

Dispersed imperial guards came face-to-face with Zhou Man and exchanged glances. Zhou Man pulled Bai Erlang and turned to leave, while the guards hesitated before turning to report to Yin Li.

Yin Li glanced back at them, saw their backs as they sneaked back to camp with baskets, and withdrew his gaze, pretending not to have seen them.

The Emperor sighed as he gazed at the distant city, asking everyone, “Does anyone have a good idea?”

State Duke Zhao, with a grim face, said, “The city’s defense is currently under the Second Prince of the Gao Clan, a steady man.”

He’s indeed too steady; every day, they send people to the city gate to engage in verbal warfare, not just personal attacks but even cursing ancestors from eighteen generations back. Yet he endures it exceptionally well, and the commanders inside are just as patient—not engaging in battle.

It’s not impossible to attack the city, but the sacrifice would be enormous. Anshi City is easy to defend and hard to attack, and the number of defending troops inside greatly exceeds theirs, placing them at a disadvantage.

Other methods they considered included, but were not limited to, rear raids, using gold and silver to sow discord, and even digging a tunnel past the city.

But those suggestions were vetoed by themselves after being proposed.

Bai Shan hesitated, “Could refugees enter the city through other gates?”

The Emperor’s eyes flickered as he looked at Yin Li.

Yin Li lowered his gaze in contemplation and then said, “I will make arrangements.”

The Emperor nodded and said to State Duke Zhao, “Tomorrow, a strong assault; attack for two days. If we cannot break through, we will retreat.”

The Emperor gazed deeply at the distant city; they could leave temporarily.

Unaware of this, Manbao and Bai Erlang returned to their tent and took out the ginseng, unable to resist sharing a gleeful smile.

Bai Erlang gazed at it deeply and dreamily for a long time, then handed it to Zhou Man, “I don’t know how to handle this thing; it’s up to you.”

Manbao took it and said to him, “Don’t worry, I will definitely handle it well for you.”

The Emperor, hands behind his back, returned to the camp, only remembering halfway, “Right, where’s the Prince Consort?”

Why didn’t he attend today’s important meeting?

Everyone looked at one another and then turned to Bai Shan.

Bai Shan:…

He bowed his head and replied, “Prince Consort Bai went into the mountains to gather herbs.”

The Emperor asked, “Is the medical camp still short of medicinal herbs?”

State Duke Zhao stiffened, staring at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan laughed, “It’s just being prepared. We’re not busy these days, so Prince Consort Bai and Lord Zhou often go into the mountains to gather herbs. They might be needed later.”

The Emperor did not pursue the matter further but instead turned to State Duke Zhao and asked, “Has the logistics side been investigated?”

He said, “Previously we couldn’t spare the effort, but now that we have to wait, we should check and be informed.”

State Duke Zhao immediately said, “I’ve already detained a few people; I am having them interrogated.”

The Emperor then asked, “Should we have Yin Li assist?”

State Duke Zhao declined, saying this was a matter for the Ministry of War, and he didn’t want Yin Li involved.

Yin Li, too, didn’t want to get involved; he was quite busy protecting the Emperor and selecting spies to send to Anshi City.

To be a spy, loyalty is paramount, followed by matching local facial features, language, and customs; the skill of killing is the least requirement.

Yin Li began selecting within the entire army, while State Duke Zhao was dealing with previous logistics incidents. Liu Huan couldn’t help but come to them to complain, “I can’t even sleep peacefully now, always fearing being dragged out of bed to be accused.”

Bai Shan: “What does this have to do with you? Aren’t you in charge of the military equipment from the Ministry of Public Works?”

“Yes, but the logistic officers live around me. They’ve either gone out and never returned these days or return only when dragged back.”

Manbao frowned slightly upon hearing this, “Accusations now will destabilize the military; why have His Majesty and State Duke Zhao chosen this time to accuse?”

Hasn’t she noted the delay of her medicinal herbs without an immediate outburst?

Bai Shan, however, seemed thoughtful, “Perhaps it’s time to retreat to the capital.”

Manbao was wide-eyed, “So soon? There’s still a final batch of medicinal herbs that haven’t been delivered, why retreat with supplies in hand?”

Bai Erlang and Liu Huan also looked at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan lightly coughed and, indifferently, said, “It’s getting cold, and Anshi City’s prolonged siege demands His Majesty to consider the soldiers.”

Bai Erlang: “But it hasn’t been prolonged; they’ve only been besieging for eight days. In siege warfare, fighting for one or two months is considered normal, right?”

Liu Huan: “Exactly, the Ministry of Public Works sent a communiqué, and the Ministry of Revenue has prepared a batch of new thick clothing, already on the way, along with the spoils of siege. So we’re not short of thick clothing temporarily.”

Bai Shan said, “We just follow His Majesty’s orders.”

And then, two days later, the Emperor did indeed issue an order to retreat.

Manbao was astounded, but she couldn’t muster opposition because the medical camp had too many wounded soldiers.

State Duke Zhao launched a strong assault for two consecutive days, resulting in numerous injuries among the soldiers. She wasn’t yet finished treating the wounded soldiers sent back today.

When she finally finished treating the injured soldiers, the camp was already packing up, preparing to retreat tomorrow.

Manbao was quite perplexed, “You’re really retreating.”

Bai Shan nodded and said to her, “We might retreat to the capital.”

Manbao pursed her lips, “Isn’t this abortive?”

Bai Shan reached out and touched her forehead, laughing softly, “His Majesty has his plans; don’t worry.”

Manbao saw his carefree demeanor and, after a moment, seemed thoughtful.

Their time out this time was brief, and although the weather had turned cold, the sieges along the way had been fairly smooth, and supplies hadn’t been exhausted. The preparations for an imperial expedition were substantial, and for the Emperor to return now, not only would he be dissatisfied, the courtiers wouldn’t be content either, so…

Manbao turned to pack her luggage, “Alright, we’ll return then.”

The soldiers within the camp were also surprised, and then, due to the siege’s lack of success, morale was somewhat low.

State Duke Zhao said nothing, and the next day, using the rear as the front, he left a detachment for rear defense and had the entire army break camp and leave.

The Goguryeo army inside Anshi City saw this and immediately ran to tell the Second Prince Gao.

The Second Prince thought for a moment and said, “It might be the enemy’s tactic to lure us; we’ll continue to defend the city and not go out.”

The Emperor retreated to Liaodong City and began handling follow-up affairs, such as selecting and ordering families from nearby cities to relocate to the interior, either to the Central Plains or Jiangnan, as long as they left the area.

He also issued edicts to reassure citizens of the conquered cities and dispatched leaders to maintain order, setting up the Liaocheng Prefecture Governor’s Mansion in Liaodong City to manage the military and civil affairs of nearby cities.

Edicts were issued one by one, and soldiers began setting up checkpoints and watchtowers on the road to Anshi City, seemingly intending to establish a boundary and govern separately from Goguryeo.

The Second Prince inside Anshi City hesitated, “Could they really be leaving?”