Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 789 - 786 - : Majesty_1

"Is the Princess of Zhen saying that she still wants to continue the campaign?!" The Imperial Physician could not believe it and bowed to Bai Qingyan. "Princess of Zhen, forgive my bluntness. If you continue to exhaust yourself this way, don’t say it’s just me. Even if Director Huang from the Imperial Medical Bureau were here, I fear you wouldn’t last a month!"

Liu Hong looked shocked at Bai Qingyan, who knelt with an unperturbed expression in front of the small table.

Wang Xiping and Lin Kangle also widened their eyes.

Liu Hong stood and walked to the Imperial Physician’s side, respectfully saying, "Imperial Physician, I’m not questioning your alarming words, but... is the Princess of Zhen’s body really in such a dire state? Please speak plainly!"

The Imperial Physician packed his medical box as he spoke. "To use an analogy, a person’s body is like a water jar filled with water. Occasionally falling ill is like the jar having a small crack, letting out a bit of water, which is not a big deal. If seriously injured, as long as it is repaired and the jar is not moved lightly, it can still be used! But the Princess of Zhen’s body... it is like a jar full of holes, like a sieve. Even the slightest touch could shatter it! Even resting quietly might not suffice, let alone going to war!"

"Imperial Physician! Is there a mistake in your diagnosis? The Princess of Zhen... she looks..." Lin Kangle glanced at Bai Qingyan, nervously stepping forward to ask.

Zhang Duanning quickly spoke without thinking, "Since the Qingxi Mountain Pass has been taken, why doesn’t the Princess of Zhen return to Dadu City with me, so Director Huang can properly care for her?"

"Eldest Young Lady..." Bai Jinzhi grabbed Bai Qingyan’s wrist. She knew it was a facade but also understood that her Eldest Sister must be extremely uncomfortable from taking the medicine prescribed by Doctor Hong.

"Once Daliang is pacified, I will return to Jin Kingdom! I hope the Imperial Physician and Master Zhang..." Bai Qingyan also looked at the worried Fan Yugan. "Master Fan, do not let the Crown Prince know about my condition, lest he worries about me while managing state affairs! Bai Qingyan begs the three of you."

Liu Hong looked at Bai Qingyan’s bloodless face, his fists tightening by his side, feeling inevitable guilt.

That day, when Bai Qingyan did not allow him to mention the bravery of the Shuoyang soldiers in his memorial, Liu Hong had doubted her intentions. But now, after the Crown Prince’s appointed physician diagnosed Bai Qingyan, seeing her still worry about the Crown Prince’s concern for her, showed her true loyalty.

The Imperial Physician shook his head. "The Crown Prince assigned me to care for the Princess of Zhen. If it is like this... I fear I cannot fulfill my duty!"

Bai Qingyan straightened her back and clasped her fists, saying, "Imperial Physician, do not worry. For this expedition, I brought Doctor Hong, the senior disciple of Director Huang. Doctor Hong will give his all to care for me."

The Imperial Physician frowned even more tightly, shook his head, carried his medical box on his back, and angrily left the tent.

As a doctor, the thing he disliked the most was a disobedient patient who did not care for their life. The Imperial Physician was no exception.

"Princess of Zhen..." Liu Hong wanted to persuade her, but thinking of Bai Qingyan’s resolute attitude, he swallowed his words. From then on, he took extra care to prevent the Princess of Zhen from going to battle, only letting her devise strategies.

From Dadu City, provisions, supplies, and rewards of meat and wine for the soldiers were delivered. By right, the commanders should have been happy, but Lin Kangle and Wang Xiping came out of the command tent with heavy hearts.

Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi remained in Liu Hong’s tent, standing before the hanging map, where Bai Qingyan pointed at three directions, explaining the routes for this campaign to capture the capital of Daliang.

"Daliang’s epidemic is out of control. The people fall ill, making it hard to conscript or mobilize troops. At this time, Jin has ample forces. Hence, we should attack from three sides, forcing Daliang to split its forces, preventing them from forming a strong unified resistance. Thus, taking Daliang will be much easier!"

Bai Qingyan pointed at the direct route from Qingxi Mountain Pass to Daliang’s capital, Hancheng. "General Liu Hong will lead the main force, advancing steadily from Qingxi Mountain Pass to Hancheng. This is one route."

She then pointed at the right side of Liuzhou City in front of the Qingxi Mountain Pass. "Bai Jinzhi will lead the Anping Army through this vast plain to attack Hancheng!"

"I..." Bai Qingyan pointed at the more arduous route on the left side of Liuzhou City. "I will lead 8,000 Shuoyang soldiers and all surrendered Liang soldiers from this side with more cities to attack Hancheng, distracting Liang reinforcements for General Liu and Bai Jinzhi."

"Liang’s surrendered soldiers?" Liu Hong was quite surprised.

"Perhaps, I have already persuaded General Zhao Sheng to serve Jin in the past few days. We will see!" Bai Qingyan smiled and continued, "There will be news shortly."

Liu Hong nodded, not pondering whether Zhao Sheng would defect to Jin, and examined the map. He tightly gripped the sword at his waist, contemplating Bai Qingyan’s offensive strategy.

Bai Qingyan was right. If they only attacked Daliang from one side, Daliang would naturally concentrate its forces to resist. But if attacked from multiple sides, Jin’s superior numbers would be advantageous.

Attacking from three sides, Liang would either have to split its forces into three to block, and if one direction was left undefended, Jin soldiers could take Hancheng.

The method was sound, but Bai Qingyan’s health...

Liu Hong turned to Bai Qingyan. "But the Imperial Physician said that the Princess of Zhen’s health can’t withstand the campaign! If something happens to you on the way... I can’t answer to the Crown Prince!"

"General Liu, rest assured. With Doctor Hong, I can hold on! If I can’t take Hancheng, I will not die." Bai Qingyan’s voice was firm, carrying an air of authority that commanded trust.

Seeing Bai Qingyan’s resolute attitude, and knowing she was one to see things through once decided, Liu Hong no longer persuaded her but said, "In that case, I will have meals sent to the tent, and we can discuss how to split forces, the specific routes, and the assignment of leaders over dinner with the Princess of Zhen and Commandery Princess Gaoyi."

Bai Qingyan nodded.

·

Zhao Ran had been waiting for some time. Seeing Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi come out of Liu Hong’s tent, he quickly approached. "Eldest Young Lady, Fourth Young Lady, Zhao Sheng of the Zhao family army first went to the treatment center to see two commanders of the Zhao family army. Later, he persuaded captured Liang soldiers infected with the plague to drink medicine. Afterward, he saw all the captured commanders of the Liang army and talked for quite a while! Then Zhao Sheng came out wanting to see Eldest Young Lady."

"Where is he?" Bai Qingyan asked.

"Mr. Cai is with him, in the barracks where Zhao Sheng has been held these past few days," Zhao Ran said.

Bai Qingyan nodded. "Let’s go and see!" freёnovelkiss.com