Chapter 2731: Progress

The Emperor first made a round on the city tower, then extended his condolences to the participating soldiers before finally going to see the prisoners.

The prisoners were all driven into an alley, and regardless of whether they were injured, they either sat or lay on the ground. Seeing this group of high-ranking individuals at the entrance of the alley, they fearfully knelt down.

Seeing that many of them were still bleeding and looking distressed and anxious, the Emperor sighed and said, “Move the prisoners outside the city and select the wounded. Courtier Zhou, let your medical tent treat them.”

Manbao lowered her gaze after glancing at them and agreed.

Thus, the soldiers escorted the prisoners out of the city, carving out an area at a certain distance from the main tent to settle them.

Manbao continued to follow the Emperor as he inspected Anshi City, which actually had just one main street and four alleyways. The shops on both sides were tightly shut, and there was no sound. Occasionally, a child could be heard quietly crying from the residential area, but upon closer inspection, the sound vanished.

The Emperor stood at the street entrance, not mentioning the matter of accommodating the wounded soldiers in the city, but instead said to the accompanying courtiers, “Issue an edict to reassure the people, instructing them to keep their doors shut and not venture outside in the coming days.”

Everyone bowed their heads in response.

The Emperor instructed Bai Shan and Lord Fang, “You two oversee the drafting of the edict, focusing on reassuring the people.”

Bai Shan and Lord Fang bowed deeply in agreement.

The Emperor wandered around for a while before leaving the city, contemplating what to do with Anshi City or even all of Goguryeo.

After leaving the city, Manbao greeted everyone and turned to attend to her medical tasks, busier than anyone else at the moment.

The others didn’t mind, and after watching her leave, they gathered in small groups to chat.

An official glanced at the bandage on Bai Shan’s hand and jokingly asked, “How did Lord Bai get injured?”

Bai Shan smiled slightly and replied, “I’m not strong enough, just scraped my skin, nothing serious.”

State Duke Zhao glanced over and said, “Lord Bai’s hand is meant for drafting edicts, make sure to protect it well.”

Bai Shan bowed in agreement, saying, “Yes.”

The Emperor’s attitude directly calmed the prisoners’ hearts, and the edict was issued quickly. Although no one would come out to see it, Bai Shan summoned soldiers, made them memorize the edict, and then took a gong to announce it along the alleyways, accompanied by officials from Honglu Temple familiar with the Goguryeo language, alternating between two languages.

The already quiet Anshi City became even quieter as the citizens shut their doors, deciding to wait until the outcome was resolved.

It didn’t matter to them who was in power; it all seemed the same.

The Wang Ting of Goguryeo wasn’t good enough for them to fight for, and Great Jin wasn’t cruel enough for them to fight against.

Moreover, the Emperor only wanted this posture, not expecting them to rally against the Goguryeo army for Great Jin.

The rest was for them to handle.

State Duke Zhao took over General Ashina, starting to organize the orderly advancement of soldiers.

Manbao divided her students into two groups, letting one half rest while she led the remaining group to the prisoners’ camp to check on the surrendered soldiers.

Here, the situation was different from before, and thus the Emperor wouldn’t let them go.

Releasing prisoners now meant providing soldiers to the enemy, so all prisoners were guarded in the prisoners’ camp.

They didn’t run because running now would mean being captured on the battlefield by the enemy and even possibly being driven to the front line to block arrows. It was better to stay as prisoners with the Jin army, where food was scarce but survival was guaranteed.

Unexpectedly, there were military doctors and medicine available, a reason to be happy.

Manbao was exhausted, her eyes reddened, and only returned to the medical tent by dusk. Seeing her fatigue, Xi Bing immediately went to prepare hot water, and by the time she returned with a basin of hot water, Manbao was already dozing off in a chair.

Xi Bing could only set down the wooden basin and use a cloth to wipe her face and hands.

While hesitating about what to do next, Bai Shan returned.

He looked at Manbao and said to Xi Bing, “Go find her a clean set of clothes.”

Xi Bing nodded and turned to search through a box.

Bai Shan removed Manbao’s outer garment, then carried her to the bed for Xi Bing to change her clothes.

Xi Bing couldn’t help but glance at Bai Shan’s wrist.

Bai Shan was unconcerned, rising to say, “Dress her, then go to the kitchen and fetch a piece of meat, mince it and prepare porridge for her.”

Xi Bing said, “The meat… might be hard to get.”

Bai Shan replied, “Just say it’s for Lord Zhou from the medical tent, they won’t dare refuse. She naturally has a ration; it’s merely unused until now.”

Xi Bing finally agreed.

Bai Shan sat briefly, but was soon summoned, “Court Attendant Bai, His Majesty calls.”

Bai Shan could only get up and leave.

Anshi City was nearing capture, and he too was busy.

State Duke Zhao, holding back a breath, moved aggressively when advancing, capturing half the city within half an hour, directly severing the enemy’s route to the north gate.

Of course, this was partly due to Yuan Yi’s hasty retreat and ineffective defense.

This army led by State Duke Zhao consisted entirely of elite imperial guards under Yin Li.

Yin Li was known for his strict discipline, forbidding soldiers from harassing citizens. Furthermore, with the Emperor present, no one dared to harm the city’s people. They quietly cleared the streets, ensuring no Goguryeo soldiers hid in the alleyways.

Then Yin Li led troops from inside the city to blockade the north gate’s guards, cutting off their retreat.

Outside, Heli received news and rallied the soldiers, with the imperial guards inside responding echoingly.

General Gao was attacked front and back, his morale severely hit, ultimately unable to withstand the pressure and forced to open the gate and surrender.

Heli led troops into the city, merging forces with Yin Li to seize the north gate.

Manbao awoke, and most of Anshi City was already under Jin control.

Xi Bing brought in a basin, using a cloth to wipe her face.

Manbao asked, “How is the frontline?”

Xi Bing replied, “Still fighting, apparently in the streets and alleys. Young Master Wen decided to split the medical tent, taking people into the city, so the wounded can be treated without being sent out.”

Manbao nodded, clearly pleased with this decision.

Xi Bing brought out the meat porridge prepared this morning, “Lord, this is what you ordered me to prepare.”

Manbao took it, eating while asking, “Has his wound been treated?”

Xi Bing shook her head, “He didn’t return last night.”

Realizing they must be busy, Manbao stopped asking, finished her breakfast, and headed to the medical tent.

She looked up at the city tower and saw the Emperor and General Ashina standing above, so she ascended the tower too.

The guards on the tower saw her, blocked her briefly, then reported to the Emperor, and only let her up after receiving approval.

The Emperor turned to her with a smile, “Courtier Zhou, you’ve worked hard.”

Manbao bowed and said, “This is my duty; it doesn’t deserve the word hardship.”

She looked towards the inner city, curiously asking, “Haven’t they surrendered yet?”

The Emperor didn’t answer, but General Ashina said, “They won’t surrender. If Anshi City falls, the Jin army can advance deeply, and as long as there’s a glimmer of hope, they won’t give up.”