Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 791 - 788: A Thousand Autumns_1

Zhao Sheng heard Bai Qingyan’s words, and the last trace of worry in his heart disappeared completely. He even felt grateful to Bai Qingyan, his eyes slightly hot. From the bottom of his heart, he thanked Bai Qingyan for speaking to him in the form of an oath, thoroughly dispelling his guilt for the people of Daliang, whom the Zhao family had protected for generations.

He rose and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan again. "On behalf of the people of Daliang, I thank the Princess of Zhen. Please give me some more time. I will surely persuade the other commanders. After all, the families of our commanders are in Hancheng, and we cannot be without concerns."

Bai Qingyan nodded. "General Zhao, do your best without forcing yourself!"

With Zhao Sheng joining the Jin Kingdom’s army, Liu Hong and Bai Qingyan had a clearer understanding of the situation in Liuzhou.

At this moment, Zhao Sheng was sitting in Liu Hong’s command tent, recounting all he knew about the situation ahead in Liuzhou City to the generals of the Jin Kingdom.

The epidemic within Liuzhou City was not particularly severe. The magistrates of Liuzhou had ordered the infected people to be isolated outside the city in a Taoist temple, dispatching officials and Immortal Masters to care for them together.

Naturally... those concerned that their infected family members were not receiving proper care would follow them. Few children followed the elderly to the Taoist temple, but many mothers followed their young children there.

Lin Kangle heard this and sneered. "As they say, ’Better to follow a begging mother than a rich father.’"

Lin Kangle, being of humble birth, had terrible memories of a father who abandoned him and his mother. He utterly despised fathers who ignored their children’s lives and deaths. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Zhao Sheng cupped his hands towards Liu Hong and Bai Qingyan. "In my opinion, the urgent task is to first send soldiers to the Taoist temple and deliver the medicine so that more people can receive timely treatment. This action will let the people and soldiers within Liuzhou City know that the Jin Army will not enter the city to loot and kill but will instead save the people. In this way... I may be able to persuade General Yang Wuce, who guards Liuzhou, to open the gates, allowing us to enter Liuzhou without a fight."

Liu Hong heard Zhao Sheng’s words and turned to look at Bai Qingyan. "Princess of Zhen, what do you think? Can General Zhao’s plan work?"

"Just afraid that delivering the medicine would benefit Daliang. Daliang would then have the capability to gather more soldiers to fight against ours!" Lin Kangle did not quite agree.

"First, let the soldiers escort the officials to the Taoist temple. Treating the civilians is the priority. I will personally write to the Crown Prince, explaining the reasons for our actions." Bai Qingyan looked at Liu Hong. "We are all generals. We know that the purpose of fighting is to protect and ensure the safety of the civilians. The soldiers guarding the city gate do so to ensure the lives of the people within. The general defending Liuzhou City will not want to see the people inside die from the epidemic one by one! To win without fighting is the best strategy. I believe General Zhao’s plan is feasible!"

Zhao Sheng, kneeling behind the table, tightened his hands. He admitted that suggesting this plan was somewhat selfish. He wanted to save as many people in Liuzhou as possible. An epidemic claimed lives... and delaying a day would mean more deaths.

"In that case, let’s proceed as the Princess of Zhen suggested. Then..." Liu Hong’s gaze first fell on Lin Kangle. Seeing Lin Kangle frowning, he looked at Wang Xiping, hoping they would send their subordinates. Yet Wang Xiping lowered his head, seemingly unwilling to send his men, fearing they would contract the epidemic.

"Let Zhao Ran from my side go!" Bai Qingyan spoke up. "Zhao Ran assisted in managing the treatment center in Shuoyang. He knows how to help the officials care for the infected, minimizing the risk of infection for himself and our soldiers."

Zhao Sheng looked at Bai Qingyan again, his hand clenched tighter. Straightening his back, he bowed to Bai Qingyan. "On behalf of the people of Liuzhou City, Zhao Sheng thanks the Princess of Zhen."

The order was passed from Liu Hong’s command tent. Bai Qingyan summoned Zhao Ran, who would escort the medicinal herbs to the Taoist temple, to her side.

Bai Qingyan stood with her hands behind her back, and she and Zhao Ran walked a few steps to a secluded place. She instructed in a low voice, "After arriving at the Taoist temple, establish good relations with the government officials sent to the temple to manage the epidemic victims. Those infected who are treated at the Taoist temple must have been given travel permits by the government when leaving the city, in case they recover and return to the city! This time, you must find a way to obtain the travel permits of the deceased, preferably those who stayed in Liuzhou temporarily and were not well-known by the officials."

"Moreover, for those who have been cured but do not want to return to Liuzhou City due to the impending battle, you can find a way to get their travel permits. Tell them that the Jin Army will properly arrange for them and escort them to the Jin Army camp."

Zhao Ran nodded.

"Take twenty Bai family guards with you. Tell these twenty that their task is to head straight to Hancheng and rescue Zhao Sheng’s entire family! Speed is crucial! Before you leave, see Zhao Sheng and get a token from him." Bai Qingyan instructed, "After rescuing his family, split into two groups... One group will disguise themselves as Zhao Sheng’s family heading south to join the Jin Army. The other will take Zhao Sheng’s family and head north of Hancheng, finding a place to hide! Only return to Hancheng after we have taken it."

"Also, if you can get merchants’ permits, after entering the city, claim that their servants died from the epidemic or fled, and hire Liuzhou citizens to deliver goods to various parts of Daliang. Spread the word that the Jin Army has provided the medicine to treat the epidemic, and that... it is the Jin Army who saved the people left to die in the Taoist temple!"

"There will surely be citizens or merchants thinking of escaping Liuzhou before the battle. Send someone to detour around the city and take other people’s identities on the official routes leading from Liuzhou to various places! Ensure that the information about Daliang obtaining the medicine and the Jin Army saving people travels as fast as possible."

Zhao Ran understood Bai Qingyan’s intent and saluted. "Rest assured, Miss, Zhao Ran will accomplish the task!"

An hour later, Zhao Ran led the group and the medicine to the Taoist temple outside Liuzhou City.

·

Bai Qingyan returned to the main tent and took up her pen to write a letter to the Crown Prince.

In the letter, she first expressed her gratitude to the Crown Prince. She stated that, no matter what, she would hold on until they captured Hancheng, the capital of Daliang. And now, Daliang was short of medicinal supplies, especially Baikal skullcap. If the Crown Prince could send more medicinal supplies, Bai Qingyan would be able to capture more cities in Daliang without bloodshed, alleviating the burden on the Jin Kingdom.

She also truthfully wrote that as long as they captured Daliang... the Jin Kingdom would own the fertile plains of Daliang, which would not only fill their treasury but also provide the benefits of fishing and salt trade, beneficial to the kingdom for generations.