Chapter 2682: The Cause

Chapter 2682: Chapter 2616: The Cause

I will strike from the north to the south, and you two countries can collaborate to strike from the south to the north, encircling Goguryeo from both directions.

The two countries readily agreed, and thus quietly signed an agreement, and the three parties began to take action together.

Initially, everything was going well. Goguryeo stationed a large number of troops at the border of Great Jin, leaving the south unstable. Silla and Baekje, tired of being bullied for years, thus advanced north rapidly.

However, a rebellion broke out within Baekje, forcing them to withdraw their troops to defend, and Silla, fiercely engaged with Goguryeo, unexpectedly stopped advancing, turning back to seize the territory that Baekje had taken, directly killing Baekje’s people to seize the land.

Due to Silla’s unexpected betrayal, the two countries originally allies were now fighting each other, and Baekje switched allegiance to Goguryeo, thoroughly betraying Great Jin and Silla.

The prefect of Yingzhou, wholeheartedly intent on eliminating Goguryeo, was at a loss…

Upon hearing this news, he was so furious that he almost spit blood, and ultimately could only request aid from the capital city, informing the capital that Goguryeo was infringing on the border again, and asking whether they could dispatch reinforcements to help. If possible, also send someone to visit Baekje and Silla to formally request their cooperation again in the name of the imperial court.

Originally aiming for some credit, the prefect of Yingzhou ended up working hard for nothing, leading him to become particularly eager to speak ill of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje recently.

He also knew that Goguryeo was seeking peace, but his stance was against negotiating; based on his years of contention with Goguryeo in Yingzhou, peace lasts for merely two years, so it would be better to fight directly, which was infuriating to him.

The relationships among these countries are too complex; today they are as close as wearing the same pants, and tomorrow they are adversaries pointing weapons at each other, so she directly asked, “How confident is the court in persuading Silla and Baekje?”

State Duke Zhao confidently replied, “Eighty percent.”

Manbao was surprised, “So high?”

State Duke Zhao said, “Otherwise why would His Majesty personally lead the expedition?”

Manbao thought it made sense; the emperor leading the expedition personally could not only boost morale but also send a signal to the surrounding vassal states that Great Jin is not a place you can invade or retreat from at will.

This expedition was the first large-scale war accompanied by many Imperial Hospital students, a precedent, and with the emperor present, State Duke Zhao and Minister Liu paid even more attention, so they asked Zhou Man, “Can your students handle blood?”

Manbao replied, “I can’t guarantee for the other medical branches, but the surgery doctors should have no problem.”

Only then did State Duke Zhao breathe a sigh of relief.

“However, you also need to protect them,” Manbao said, “We have spent considerable effort training these students, the minimum study period in the Imperial Hospital is four years, losing even one would be a huge loss, so you have to protect them well.”

State Duke Zhao affirmed it wouldn’t be a problem.

Manbao continued, “By the way, among the students this time, there are twenty female students, Minister Zhao, you must restrain your soldiers well. If they dare to commit wrongs they shouldn’t, my knife won’t just cut legs and arms, but might remove some other things.”

State Duke Zhao: “…”

Director Xiao coughed violently, giving Zhou Man a glare and whispered, “Lord Zhou, speak prudently, can you be a bit more ladylike?”

Manbao straightened her back, gracefully nodded to Director Xiao, “I am very ladylike, this is laying the groundwork for future relations between the Imperial Hospital and the Ministry of War, to prevent enmity between the two departments if such a situation truly occurs in the future.”

Director Xiao also looked over at State Duke Zhao, silently urging him for a response.

State Duke Zhao: “…Rest assured, Lord Zhou and Lord Xiao, I will restrain them properly. The soldiers of Great Jin are well-disciplined, you need not worry.”

Manbao made a sound of acknowledgment.

Minister Liu watched the negotiations with schadenfreude and then said, “Alright, I have nothing left to say to you, goodbye.”

State Duke Zhao immediately caught up, walking side-by-side with Minister Liu like brothers, “Don’t go, old Liu, I still have things to discuss with you…”

Old Liu had been annoyed by people from the Ministry of War these past few days, especially the Minister of Ministry of War.

Director Xiao didn’t join the uproar, instead pulling Zhou Man aside to whisper, “How much funding is needed?”

“You’ll be scared to death when I say it, over 860 million.”

Director Xiao: “…”

He looked at Zhou Man with suspicious eyes, “How did you calculate it?”

“I already said it was calculated based on the data of the last emperor of the previous dynasty, but the troops signed by His Majesty are less than one-fifth of the previous dynasty’s, and the probability of casualties might not be that high, so it doesn’t need this much budget.”

“Then why calculate based on the previous dynasty?”

“Isn’t this to leave room for bargaining?” Manbao sighed, “Unfortunately, Minister Liu is too seasoned and cunning; he didn’t even wait for me to report the numbers, directly limiting it to five million, I didn’t even get a chance to speak, this budget was done for nothing.”

Bai Shan even stayed up late helping her with the calculations.

Director Xiao was at a loss for words.

Manbao remembered something, turned her head to ask, “Director, isn’t the Empress collecting donations? This money should be all allocated to our Imperial Hospital, right?”

Director Xiao: “Is that so? Who told you that? I heard it’s military funds.”

After all, the emperor personally leading the expedition incurs significantly more expenses, and the national treasury is not very wealthy.

Manbao frowned, “It seems I heard someone mention it casually, regardless, you go directly to find the Empress, have the Empress allocate this money to the Imperial Hospital.”

Director Xiao nodded, “That’s a good idea, I’ll leave this to you.”

Manbao stared.

Director Xiao said, “Lord Zhou, you are a lady, it’ll be easier for you to meet the Empress at the palace banquet, and there are also two princesses to assist you, I look forward to your good news.”

Manbao quietly looked at him.

Director Xiao then patted her shoulder earnestly, “Let’s take this as doing more for the capable, for the future of the Imperial Hospital. As you said, if done well this time, the Imperial Hospital can stand firm in the court in the future.”

Thinking he couldn’t just let her do all the work, he added, “Haven’t you always wanted to meet Imperial Doctor Ji? I’ll write a letter inviting him back.”

Imperial Doctor Ji was not in the capital city, Manbao had tried to meet him twice and was told he was out visiting friends, and she had always been unable to meet him.

Upon hearing Director Xiao’s words, Manbao’s eyes lit up, “If you invite him, will he come back?”

Director Xiao, stroking his beard confidently, replied, “Rest assured, if I invite him, he will return.”

Imperial Doctor Ji’s eldest grandson is also due to enter the Imperial Hospital for study, and he wouldn’t believe the doctor doesn’t want to send his grandson in.

Exams will be held after the year, now should be the time for preparation.

Director Xiao decided to contact Imperial Doctor Ji.

Manbao considered it, then agreed, she needed to ask the Empress about the expedition this time, as she was surely the chief of Imperial Hospital, it would be safer to prepare more medicinal supplies.

Manbao looked around, not spotting Bai Shan and the others, but she wasn’t in a hurry, she simply headed to the garden to look for Princess Changyu.

If she couldn’t find her, she’d have to find another chance to get close to the Empress.