Chapter 2733: Scheming

Bai Shan rushed back to find Manbao, telling her that he was going to be a lobbyist on the other side.

Manbao was a bit worried upon hearing this, “They won’t just chop you, will they?”

Bai Shan replied, “I’ll do my best to prevent them from chopping me, but if they really do, do you have anything that can protect me?”

Manbao said, “What if they chop your head off?”

“I won’t just stand there and let them hit me.”

Manbao then asked Keke, “Do you still have those clothes you recommended to me last time?”

Keke replied, “…You ignored me at the time, so I thought the host didn’t want them.”

Without waiting for Manbao to speak, it enthusiastically continued, “But that’s a research product from the encyclopedic library, always on the shelf. How many sets does the host need?”

It said, “The host is also on the battlefield, why not consider getting one for yourself?”

Manbao said, “Why don’t you suggest getting one for the emperor?”

“Can the host explain the origin of the protective gear? It’s different from your textile products.” It still advised against such a dangerous matter.

“So this item can’t be too plentiful,” Manbao said, “one is sufficient.”

Clearly being stingy, Bai Shan already knew that there were unusual entities around her, so buying one for herself wasn’t a big deal.

Keke had already opened the shelf of the encyclopedic library, asking Zhou Man, “Which of the three colors would you like?”

Manbao only glanced and said, “Black.”

Keke unceremoniously deducted a large amount of points and tech tax from her, then took a generous commission to have the library send the clothes over.

Only then did Manbao tell Bai Shan, “I’ll give it to you when we’re back in the tent.”

Bai Shan’s eyes lit up as he lowered his voice, “You really have it.”

Manbao nodded.

Bai Shan grinned brightly, and Manbao, seeing his smile, was momentarily lost in thought. She put down the medicine in her hand, reached out and held his hand, asking, “Does your hand still hurt?”

Bai Shan glanced at the hand being held, paused for a moment before nodding, “It really hurts.”

Manbao gently led him into the medical tent, “I’ll apply medicine for you.”

Daji, who stood behind them like an invisible person: …

He rubbed his nose, stood at the entrance of the tent, and waited, stopping others who wanted to enter the tent.

Bai Shan finally came out of the medical tent with a red face. The wound on his wrist had been re-medicated and bandaged.

Standing at the fork in the road, Daji asked him, “Young Master, where are we going?”

Bai Shan stood at the windward side, allowing his flushed face to return to normal, and after some thought, he said, “Let’s visit Gao You.”

This time during the expedition, Gao You and several of his key emissaries were brought along with the army, constantly guarded in a side tent.

However, they had always been treated as captives, continually seeking audiences with the emperor, who never met them.

During this period, they witnessed Goguryeo’s cities being continually attacked and consolidated, reflecting their inner turmoil.

Gao You regretted deeply, even thinking that the Great Jin Emperor brought him out to humiliate him, mocking his overestimation and his schemes in Chang’an.

This was to tell him that his schemes in Chang’an were insignificant in the emperor’s eyes.

Gao You was in agony, and in his pain, he couldn’t help but torment those around him.

There were always sounds of beating and scolding from his side tent. Yin Li had sent someone to inquire and reprimand him several times, warning that if there’s more commotion in the military, next time he would be directly killed.

Although Gao You felt that Yin Li wouldn’t dare kill him, he didn’t dare to gamble and restrained himself significantly afterward.

When Bai Shan sought out Gao You, his side tent was quiet. There were guards outside, and they didn’t stop him but lifted the curtain to let him in directly.

Upon entering the tent, Bai Shan smelled a strong scent of medicine, hesitating for a moment.

He looked towards where the scent was coming from, where Lou Mian sat on a small stool brewing medicine. He looked up, slightly surprised, immediately stood and saluted, “Lord Bai.”

Bai Shan saw that Lou Mian was on the verge of emaciation, and slightly frowned, returning the salute, “Is Young Master Lou ill?”

Lou Mian gently shook his head, smiling kindly, “No, this is for the prince. The Fifth Prince is ill.”

Behind a curtain, Gao You, who was lying down, heard the conversation and immediately got out of bed, dragging his shoes as he came out. Seeing Bai Shan, his eyes lit up, “Brother Bai, save me.”

He took a few steps forward, bent his knees intending to kneel, Bai Shan hurriedly extended both hands to support him, remembering his right hand was newly bandaged, he withdrew the right hand and supported him with the left.

Fortunately, Bai Shan had been following the troops and practicing martial arts, so his arm strength was still decent, and Gao You wasn’t sincere in kneeling, so he was easily propped up.

Gao You also noticed Bai Shan’s right hand was inconvenient, quickly showed concern and asked, “Brother Bai, how did you get injured?”

Bai Shan smiled, “It’s inevitable to get injured on the battlefield.”

Upon hearing this, Gao You was saddened, “Brother Bai, did you also fight in the battle against my kingdom?”

Bai Shan sighed, “Fifth Prince, has it not become clear to you even after all this time?”

He said bluntly, “Goguryeo harbors disloyal intentions. Since the establishment of the Great Jin, it not only repeatedly refuses to pay tribute, but also obstructs Silla and Baekje from tributing. Recently, it often infringes the borders. Since His Majesty has reached here, do you think the army will return empty-handed?”

Gao You’s face turned pale, and after a long pause, he said, “Brother Bai, have you come to mock me today?”

“No,” Bai Shan said, “After all, we have met before, so I don’t wish to see the prince in such distress, nor do I wish to see the prince walk down this path of ruin.”

He said, “His Majesty has destroyed many kingdoms, both the various Turkic countries and tribes earlier, and the Gaochang royal family later. However, whether it’s the former or the latter, as long as proper arrangements can be made, His Majesty generously offers positions and wealth.”

Bai Shan lowered his voice, full of temptation, “Look at General Ashina, he was once a Turkic prince, and after surrendering to the Great Jin, he is not only a son-in-law but also His Majesty’s trusted general. The Fifth Prince is also a prince, having studied at the Imperial Academy, and his talents are no less than Ashina’s. Who’s to say he couldn’t become the second Ashina?”

Gao You’s eyes lit up as he became conflicted.

Bai Shan lowered his voice and asked, “Is the title of Goguryeo’s prince more honorable than a high official of the Great Jin? Is there any place in the world that compares to Chang’an, compares to the Taiji Palace?”

Gao You’s heart trembled, of course, it’s incomparable. The cities back home don’t even compare to a county in Yongzhou, let alone Chang’an, with its bustling crowds and goods, far surpassing any other country.

Feeling excited, Gao You couldn’t help but tighten his grip on Bai Shan’s left hand, asking, “What should I do?”

Bai Shan said, “Why doesn’t the Fifth Prince surrender to His Majesty?”

Gao You said in shame, “I can’t meet His Majesty.”

Bai Shan smiled, “I could convey it on behalf of the prince, but it requires something from the prince that’s close to him, preferably an item that represents his identity.”