By the time the blood had been transferred into the wounded soldiers’ bodies, the sky had completely darkened.

Manbao felt the patient’s pulse, and after a sigh, said, "The pulse is somewhat better; let’s see if he can wake up tomorrow."

She stepped out of the medical tent. Outside, many tents had been erected, encircling their own tents as well as the medical one.

All the wounded soldiers had been carried off to rest in their respective tents, and the air was filled with a fragrant aroma.

Manbao couldn’t help but take a deep breath, finally realizing she hadn’t eaten lunch, and only managed a cold bun and two candies when hunger struck in the afternoon, leaving her quite famished now.

Bai Shan obviously knew this and said to Manbao, "I’ve had someone bring hot water to you, so you and Liru can freshen up first."

Manbao exhaled a breath of relief, nodded repeatedly, then pulled Zhou Liru back with her.

Several buckets of hot water were placed in the tent. Manbao found some clothes and went to wash first, while Zhou Liru also found her clothes and sat outside the screen, chatting with her.

Her excitement picked up again; just thinking she independently handled thirty-five and a half patients today made her quite happy, especially doing a blood transfusion. "Aunt, there are even more patients falling sick in the military camp. It seems to be a great place to hone medical skills."

Manbao said, "They’re all external injuries, something that’s rare outside of battle; ordinarily injuries are more about bruising and falls."

Zhou Liru pondered, "Aunt, what do you think about us staying at the military camp for some time to practice handling external injuries?"

Manbao thought for a moment and said, "That’s indeed a good idea. A doctor’s skills are built upon patient experience; perhaps during our travels, we can visit various military camps."

Zhou Liru immediately nodded, "That’s a great idea."

While freshening up, Manbao said, "Once we’re back, I’ll have Director Xiao discuss with the Ministry of War about letting students of the Imperial Medical Office practice at the camps. However, the regions involved in wars are often border areas, quite far from the capital."

Having already reached Liangzhou, Zhou Liru naturally wasn’t afraid of long distances, "It’s like our current educational trip."

She added, "After graduating from the Imperial Medical Office, we have to travel to various medical offices, right?"

Manbao nodded, "Right, I will mention it to Director Xiao when we’re back."

The sound of water splashing came from behind the screen as Manbao dressed in her undergarments and dried her hair, allowing Zhou Liru to bathe.

Manbao suddenly tilted her head in thought, "If I suddenly bring so many things up with Director Xiao, will he refuse?"

Zhou Liru’s muffled voice came, "He probably won’t; Director Xiao is quite reasonable."

Manbao pondered, "Director Xiao is indeed reasonable, and I think I am too. But I still feel that bringing up too many suggestions at once may make him unreasonable. So I should start preparing him from now." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Thus, Manbao decided to write a letter to Director Xiao later, or perhaps a formal document, to also prepare the students at the Imperial Medical Office.

While planning, she dried her hair. When Zhou Liru finished and came out, they simply tied their hair with hairbands and then went out.

The Liangzhou army had prepared a hearty dinner, with plenty of buns, large pots of meat, and even a whole lamb roasting over the bonfire, nearly done.

Bai Shan, Bai Erlang, and Liu Huan had also washed up, tying their half-dry hair with hairbands.

Mr. Zhuang saw them and shook his head, saying, "Be careful not to catch a cold."

Manbao cozied up closer to the fire, "We’ll be careful, and have some ginger soup later."

Governor Duan immediately said, "I’ll have someone prepare it."

Famished, they began to eat ravenously once the dishes were served, while Governor Duan and Mr. Zhuang sat nearby watching them.

Gradually, Governor Duan’s smile struggled to hold.

There weren’t many dishes, only two trays, but in large quantities — two trays full, plus a basket of buns.

Yet the five of them ate with graceful movements, though quite fast, as the bun basket slowly emptied...

Governor Duan looked at their stomachs, then at the trays in front of them, and after a while, sighed, "Young people sure have an impressive appetite."

Mr. Zhuang, quite proud, stroked his beard and laughed, "They’re still growing."

Governor Duan then ordered more buns to be brought to them.

Manbao and the others exhaled, finally feeling their stomachs were somewhat full. They weren’t too concerned about the buns running out, focusing their gaze on the roast lamb.

Governor Duan laughingly pulled out a knife and offered to carve the meat for them, "Come, come, let’s eat some meat first."

Taking their time, the speed of eating slowed, but their appetites remained good; Bai Shan finally had the leisure to inquire about the interrogation situation.

"No confession yet, but Assistant General Nie captured the second-in-command too. All three leaders of the bandits are caught, along with all key members. Given enough time, I don’t believe they won’t confess,"

Manbao said, "We don’t have that much time here, so tomorrow should I go up the mountain with you all?"

Governor Duan was taken aback, asking, "Doctor Zhou, you mean..."

Manbao earnestly spoke nonsense, "Lord Duan may not know, but I’m exceptionally skilled at treasure hunting."

Bai Shan followed suit with earnest nonsense, nodding, "Indeed, that’s why I said if we find the treasure, let’s split it seventy-thirty."

Governor Duan’s eyes brightened slightly but didn’t agree right away.

Bai Shan continued, "Lord Duan, they certainly won’t confess anytime soon. Are you going to wait a year and a half for them to confess before retrieving the treasure? The grasslands here with many people around, there’s bound to be some clever ones trying their luck. You can’t always deploy troops to guard this area. If the treasure remains unfound, the cost of troops stationed here..."

That would definitely be a painful loss.

Governor Duan asked, "How confident are you?"

"Such matters depend on luck," Bai Shan didn’t give a definite answer, only stating, "Still better than pinning all hope on those bandit leaders."

Governor Duan thus said, "Alright, tomorrow you’ll join the troops in searching the mountain."

Bai Shan and Manbao exchanged a glance and smiled delightedly.

Mr. Zhuang reminded them, "Don’t forget the patients in the medical tent."

Manbao said, "Before going up the mountain, I’ll check the few severe cases; the rest can be left to Liru and the military doctors."

Zhou Liru was surprised, "Aunt, I’m not going up the mountain?"

Manbao, surprised, said, "Why would you go up the mountain?"

Zhou Liru realized this too and nodded, "Right, I’ll stay then."

Manbao then asked the others.

Having been tired all day, Liu Huan never felt so exhausted; his legs still trembled at the thought of climbing, "I’m not going."

Though treasure hunting sounded nice, Governor Duan couldn’t find it in two searches, how could they easily find it?

Though Bai Erlang was tired, he had great confidence in Zhou Man and Bai Shan, and enthusiastically said, "I’ll go!"

Yin Huo hesitated for a moment and decided, "I won’t go; I’ll stay at the camp to help.

The Yin family’s retainer Dason secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Climbing a mountain was exhausting; if the young master went, they would likely have to carry him."