Chapter 2697: Requesting a Person

The Emperor let out a cold snort, “The soldiers are fighting bravely at the frontline, and they dare to change life-saving medicines at the rear…”

The Emperor closed his eyes, and upon reopening them, he seemed much calmer. He said, “Send a message to the capital, have the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War pay more attention to the conditions of the relay stations along the way. No one is allowed to touch the provisions, military supplies, and medicines anymore, or I’ll chop off their paws.”

State Duke Zhao quickly agreed.

The Emperor said, “Prepare, we need to take Liaodong City.”

State Duke Zhao, filled with excitement, responded, “Yes.”

The Emperor thought, by now Feng Liang and the others should have reached Pisha City, right?

I wonder if they have taken it.

Feng Liang was currently attacking Pisha City. Catching them off guard, they had seized several places upon landing, advancing the battle line to the foot of Pisha City, and then began besieging the city.

Minister Feng stared at the map and said to his subordinates, “We must take Pisha City in ten days; otherwise, we’ll run out of provisions, and their reinforcements are likely to arrive, making it harder to fight later.”

Once Pisha City is captured, they can move towards Liaodong City, allowing the Emperor’s and State Duke Zhao’s forces to attack Goguryeo from both the north and south.

One person asked, “I wonder how Baekje and Silla are preparing. Our envoy departed long before us, so they should have persuaded Silla and Baekje by now, right?”

“Who knows, forget about them. Even without Baekje and Silla, we can still take Goguryeo. Our casualties this time aren’t significant.”

“Yes, I just visited the medical tent. The skills of the imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital are different from the military medics. Imperial Doctor Zheng’s medical skills are excellent; I saw that out of two severely wounded, one could be saved. As for the lightly injured, almost all survived.”

Minister Feng collected the document expressionlessly, thinking coldly to himself: It’s because you haven’t seen Zhou Man; now that’s medical skill. If something as serious as a burst belly can be sutured, now that’s impressive.

Minister Feng said, “Pass the word around, telling those seasoned veterans to be polite. The ones following Imperial Doctor Zheng are still students, with tender faces. Don’t provoke them, as we’ll need them to save our lives later.”

“Yes.”

Manbao and Bai Shan were dining together. During this ceasefire, she could enjoy hot dishes and steamed buns.

Bai Shan wasn’t staying outside the city but with the Emperor within the city. Although it wasn’t far, he was too lazy to return for meals.

Manbao shared two steamed buns with him, and they ate together.

“Where are Bai Erlang and Liu Huan?”

“They’re busy,” Bai Shan replied. “Both of them are now responsible for logistics, and there’s no shortage of things to do.”

Manbao, who was still contemplating having Bai Erlang handle logistics for her: …

Bai Shan seemed to know what she was thinking and said, “You could request Bai Er from His Majesty. With him around, you’ll have an easier time dealing with the military. As for the local relay stations and officials, it’s said that he’s managing those, so they’ll have to show some consideration.”

“Will His Majesty agree?”

Bai Shan: “Give it a try.”

So, the next day, Manbao went into the city to find the Emperor. As the chief officer of the Imperial Medical Office for this expedition, she held a high position and had plenty of reasons to meet the Emperor, so she did.

The Emperor was just about to go out with State Duke Zhao and others to survey the terrain. Upon meeting her, he asked, “Have all the wounded been treated?”

Manbao nodded, “Only one person died yesterday.”

The wound had deteriorated, causing a high fever that couldn’t be controlled. Suye, who was responsible, cried so much that his eyes were swollen.

Following him outward, Manbao saw the guards leading horses over. She couldn’t help but ask, “Your Majesty, where are you headed?”

The Emperor mounted his horse and pointed to Bai Shan, who was behind him, “I am going to survey the terrain. If there’s anything, talk to Bai Shan.”

“I’m here to see you,” Manbao was direct: “I have a request.”

The Emperor looked down at her from his mount and asked, “Who?”

Without waiting for Zhou Man to speak, he said, “Not Bai Shan. I have lots of tasks for him, and he can’t be away for now.”

Manbao, of course, knew Bai Shan was unavailable. The military reports and requests all needed his processing before being presented to the Emperor. She said, “I’d like the Prince Consort to manage logistics for me.”

The Emperor was slightly taken aback and asked, “Bai Cheng?”

Manbao nodded.

The Emperor frowned, “Your Imperial Medical Office should be familiar with medicinal logistics, right? Can he handle it?”

Manbao promptly replied, “He can handle it, Your Majesty. Rest assured, he is my Junior Brother. When I started learning medicine, he was also involved with medicinal herbs, often helping me gather them, so he recognizes most of them. Moreover, he won’t be working alone. I’ll have my student, Wen Tiandong, as his assistant.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and nodded, “Alright, fine. You can take him.”

Manbao couldn’t help but smile with joy, paid her respects to the Emperor, and stepped aside to let him pass.

The Emperor rode away. State Duke Zhao and a few others smiled at Zhou Man and then left as well.

Manbao winked at Bai Shan on horseback. Bai Shan returned her smile and then rode off to catch up with the Emperor.

They were going to survey the terrain.

Manbao turned and ran to find Bai Erlang.

Bai Erlang was miserably counting arms in the warehouse. Many of these provisions had issues; the problem was he was unfamiliar with them. Even when there were problems, he couldn’t identify them. For the past few days, he had been pulling his hair out in frustration, feeling that the other soldiers were looking at him strangely.

He felt as if he were a freeloader.

Alright, he was indeed a freeloader, but he wasn’t completely useless, was he? It’s just, how was he to know that this spearhead, looking robust, had no visible damage but was not up to standard?

“Bai Er!”

Bai Erlang turned around with his notebook, answering listlessly, “You’ve come to see me?”

Manbao entered the warehouse, looked around, and waved her hand in front of her nose. “What smells so bad?”

“The smell of iron.”

Manbao: “…”

She glanced at the booklet in his hand, which had barely any words written on it, and simply yanked it away. “Stop writing; come on, you’re mine now.”

Bai Erlang snatched the booklet back, “How am I yours? I don’t have time to help. The stuff in the arms depot is enough for me to worry about, unless I can figure out these knives, swords, halberds, and bows, there’s no way I can help you.”

Manbao gave him a sidelong glance, “Who said you’d be helping for nothing? I requested you from His Majesty, and he’s already agreed. You no longer need to worry about the arms depot; you’re to manage my Imperial Medical Office’s logistics.”

Bai Erlang was momentarily stunned, then asked in surprise, “Really?”

Manbao nodded.

Bai Erlang burst into laughter, “Indeed, Heaven hasn’t forsaken me.”

He turned and ran out, stuffing the booklet and pen into a Colonel’s hands with a grin, “Returning these to you, I’m no longer in charge of the arms depot, till next time.”

Following him out, Manbao smiled at the bewildered Colonel and said, “Please excuse my lively Junior Brother, General.”

Then she told Bai Er, “Shall we go, Prince Consort?”