Chapter 2673 - 2606: Raising Funds

Manbao said, "The selected students have all studied surgery techniques, which gives them a natural advantage in dealing with trauma. Of course, students from the Physical Therapy and Acupuncture departments are also welcome to go; you have learned some related processing methods, and prescribing to stop bleeding and acupuncture to stop bleeding are very effective methods."

"As for students from other departments," Manbao paused and said, "Once war breaks out, there will be a large influx of wounded soldiers, and many assistants will be needed. Even if you haven’t learned the related skills but are willing to follow the army, you can assist in medicine preparation, decoction, handing out knives or towels, and similar tasks."

So, you want us to go and do chores!

Many students looked at Zhou Man with grievance, as if she were a heartless person.

This sentence made over half of the students who were clamoring to go suddenly fall silent. Those who originally wanted to show off and leave didn’t dare to carelessly show off anymore, fearing Zhou Man would really take them to do chores, so the students dispersed. Before long, only a few people were left.

Manbao snorted twice, then turned and walked back to the office.

The other Imperial Doctors saw this, shook their heads slightly, and followed Zhou Man back. Xiao Tan Taiyi was quite frightened and said to her, "Imperial Doctor Zhou, it’s time to leave the office now, I’ll head out first."

You all continue to make a fuss, just don’t let him know. His heart won’t be able to take it.

Manbao immediately packed up her things, "I’m leaving too."

Zhou Liru and several female students waited outside. Seeing her come out, they went up to her, "Aunt, how did it go?"

Manbao said to her, "Prepare yourself, we will depart with the main army, probably in just a few days."

Manbao nodded at the other students, turned to leave, but then remembered something and turned back to say to them, "The school will be sealed off in the coming days, no entry or exit allowed, so don’t ask for leave."

Zhou Liru was puzzled, "Why?"

Of course, it’s because the Goguryeo envoy is still seeking peace.

The news of the Emperor’s expedition has not been announced, even though many in the court now probably know, it definitely hasn’t spread to the common people, let alone reached the ears of the Goguryeo envoys.

Indeed, after receiving the message, the Honglu Temple immediately restrained the Goguryeo mission from wandering about under the pretense of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet and the chaos in the capital. Also, for their safety, if they go out from now on, they must ride their carriage.

The coachman was, of course, arranged by Honglu Temple.

This limited the scope of activities of the Goguryeo mission. Thus, the Honglu Temple could know who they met and even what they said every day.

Gao You didn’t expect the change to be so rapid within a day. He couldn’t help but close the door and discuss with someone, "Is it that the Jin Dynasty court doesn’t want to accept our peace request?"

"It shouldn’t be. The emperor of the Great Jin is renowned for his benevolence. We’ve already requested peace; it’s impossible for them not to agree."

"Perhaps it’s those cunning ministers who are blocking us. It’s a pity we’re kept outside; even the officials from Honglu Temple won’t see us, and it’s impossible to gather information." The vice envoy looked at Gao You and whispered, "Fifth Prince, you studied at the Imperial Academy. You should have some acquaintances, right? Why not ask them for information..."

Gao You said, "Most of my classmates from that year have already started their careers and are not in the capital anymore."

There are not many students who could stay in the capital immediately after starting their careers. Among them, the students from the Imperial Academy and the Supreme Institute were the most, while his Four Gates Academy students were basically sent out.

Gao You naturally privately sent people to inquire about those few close classmates. Unfortunately, they were all sent out.

"What should we do? Hasn’t the Fifth Prince been in the capital for many years? Don’t you have any connections, or are you just unwilling to contribute to the country?"

Gao You was inwardly angry. How many years had he been in the capital?

Obviously only two years. If it weren’t for the Big King’s urging of our lord to confront the Great Jin, he wouldn’t have been sent back when he was just studying well.

The war was instigated without considering whether he was still in the Great Jin capital as a hostage. Did they even care about him?

But Gao You was only angry in his heart. He maintained a calm expression and said, "It is my incompetence. The remaining matters will be handled by the vice envoy. I will be at the post waiting for your good news."

The vice envoy was also very upset, and he showed his anger on his face. However, he quickly controlled it, lowered his head, and said, "It was my recklessness, but I was only concerned about the kingdom. I hope the Fifth Prince will not hold it against me. The urgent matter is to get the Great Jin to agree to our peace proposal."

Gao You lowered his eyes and, after pondering for a moment, stood up and said, "I’ll think of a way. Get ready, tomorrow we’ll continue to kneel at the palace gate."

"But the Great Jin officials are preparing for the festival tomorrow and won’t hold court."

Tomorrow is the 14th.

Gao You said, "Tomorrow and the day after are the last two days. If we still don’t get an invite to the Great Jin palace banquet before sunset, the peace request will be suspended."

"Therefore, no matter if there are officials attending court tomorrow or not, we must go and kneel."

Gao You turned and left, angrily pushing open another door. Once inside, he turned his head and looked at Lou Mian, who had fallen behind, irritated, "Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and get in!"

Lou Mian could only enter and, after closing the door, stood there with his hands lowered.

Gao You asked, "What does Princess Changyu say?"

Lou Mian said, "Your Highness, I didn’t meet Princess Changyu; the people at the princess’s residence only agreed to take my calling card."

Gao You frowned, "You didn’t have them announce you?"

Lou Mian lowered his eyes, "They went to inform, but they only accepted the calling card."

Meaning Princess Changyu doesn’t want to see them.

They couldn’t even manage to see her!

Gao You was filled with anger, and after clenching his fist, he said, "I heard Princess Changyu is fond of food from outside. Tomorrow is the 14th of August, and the streets will be lively with many good foods. She will definitely come out, so wait for her on the street, you must meet Princess Changyu!"

He sternly instructed him, "Whatever it takes!"

Lou Mian could only agree.

But Gao You didn’t plan to hang everything on one tree, Princess Changyu. With a stern face, he said, "Tomorrow I’ll take people to Chongyuan Courtyard. Bai Shan once gave me a door card. Luckily, I’ve always had someone keep it. Finally, today it has some use."

At this point, Princess Changyu was receiving the internal attendant sent from the palace, surprised to ask, "Father wants to personally lead a military expedition?"

"Yes," the attendant smiled, "Rest assured, princess, our emperor is wise and mighty. Goguryeo is nothing more than a trifling matter."

He said, "However, the emperor, though mighty, faces some difficulties. As you know, the national treasury is somewhat strained. So, the Empress intends to raise some military funds for the emperor. It’s not much, but the Imperial Hospital needs to take a group of people with the army, requiring a lot of silver needles, gauze, burlap, catgut, and some knives, scissors, and so forth. Plus, the expenses of medicinal materials and other things are even greater, so the empress would like to invite the princesses to the palace tomorrow to discuss the fundraising matter."