Watching Chen Xiaobei and his men leave, Liu Rumei still felt a sense of loss in her heart.
Xiao Qing, standing beside her, couldn't help but say, "Miss, since Zhao Guangzong volunteered, why didn't you..."
Before she could finish, Liu Rumei turned to look at her.
"Alright, don't say anymore. Go and issue my military order. Tonight, all soldiers will keep their armor on and their swords at hand, prepared for another enemy sneak attack."
In reality, Liu Rumei's worries were unnecessary. The enemy did not launch a sneak attack. It wasn't until dawn that she finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
At the same time, sharing the same sigh of relief was Qiaopusen of Qingguang City.
Early that morning, Qiaopusen received a carrier pigeon from Qiao Na. Qiao Na had already retreated under the cover of night, leaving only Zhu Meng with less than ten thousand surrendered soldiers from Da Cangguo to surround Wannian City as a diversion.
To put it bluntly, Qiaona had abandoned Zhu Meng and the surrendered troops he led.
Meanwhile, in Wannian City, everyone was still in the dark.
After all, the enemy camp of Da Tuo Kingdom was still outside; no one could have imagined that they had retreated.
But it was at this very moment that Emperor Xiao An received some good news.
Early that morning, Bai Han, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, rushed in. "Your Majesty, there's good news. Xue Tao, the Chief Editor of Shanhai Prefecture, personally led five thousand troops to escort two divine physicians here, saying they can cure all strange poisons in the world."
Hearing this, Xiao An was overjoyed.
"Good, excellent! Quickly, have Xue Tao come in."
Soon, Xue Tao, the General of Shanhai Prefecture, strode in and knelt before Xiao An.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble servant has found these two divine physicians who specialize in curing all sorts of strange poisons. I have brought them here today to diagnose the Crown Prince."
Xiao An nodded. "Good. Take them down to rest first. Once I have made arrangements, I will escort you into the city."
Xiao An then ordered Xiao Shunzi to fetch some silver and jewelry to reward the two renowned physicians with Xue Tao. Afterward, he summoned Bai Han, and the two discussed a plan of action.
After a while, Bai Han bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's health is paramount. Tonight, I will lead my men to carve a bloody path and escort the two divine physicians into the city."
Xiao An nodded. He greatly admired Bai Han's courage, and at the same time, he deeply wished to enter the city as soon as possible.
They decided to leave immediately. After all, they were still a hundred li away. Departing now meant they would arrive almost at night.
Everything went smoothly. By the time Bai Han and his men arrived hastily outside Wannian City, it was already pitch black.
Looking at the enemy camp brightly lit in the distance, Bai Han gathered his two hundred men and issued a strict order: "Even if we fight to the last man, we must escort the two divine physicians into the city."
Everyone responded in unison. Surrounding the two divine physicians, the two hundred men silently charged towards the enemy camp.
In the Da Tuo Kingdom army camp, sentries spotted them charging and rained arrows down, felling over a dozen. But Bai Han and his men soon broke into the enemy camp.
Upon entering the camp, Bai Han brandished his long spear and began to slaughter, charging over half a li in one go. Soon, he felt something was wrong.
Because after being attacked, the enemy forces quickly retreated, and as they moved further inward, large sections of tents were completely empty, with no one coming out to stop them.
In fact, it made sense. Crown Prince Qiao Na had only left ten thousand men for Zhu Meng. Divided among the four gates, each gate had only a little over two thousand men.
These two thousand men also had to be divided into two parts. A large portion remained at the gates of Wannian City, putting on a pretense to deceive the city's defenders.
Another portion guarded the outer perimeter of the camp. Thus, the large area in the middle, visible only by firelight, was uninhabited.
Bai Han galloped his horse for two li before encountering any resistance. However, for these Imperial Guards, breaking through the resistance of ordinary soldiers was not too difficult.
In less than half an hour, Bai Han reached the foot of the city gate.
By this time, Zhu Meng, having received the news, had also led his troops in pursuit. Just as they were about to catch up, Bai Han arrived at the city gate. Bai Han shouted loudly towards the top of the wall, "I am Bai Han, Commander of the Imperial Guard. Open the city gates quickly."
The guards on the city wall recognized Bai Han and, without a word, lowered the drawbridge and opened the city gates wide to welcome Bai Han in.
By the time Zhu Meng arrived, Bai Han had just entered the city. Then, a volley of arrows rained down from the city walls, blocking Zhu Meng's advance.
Seeing this, Zhu Meng suddenly became alert, turned his horse, and retreated.
If he could stop these people, his secret might remain safe. But once someone entered the city, his pretense would be exposed.
How could ten thousand men possibly contend with the hundreds of thousands of troops inside the city? Therefore, after returning to the camp, Zhu Meng immediately ordered the entire army to assemble and retreat.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiangnan, who had also received the news, came out to meet them. Upon meeting, Bai Han cupped his fist in greeting. "Greetings, Old Marquis."
Seeing Bai Han arrive, Liu Xiangnan was also very excited. "Bai Han, how did you get into the city through such danger? Is there something urgent?"
"Marquis, I am here on the Emperor's orders to escort two divine physicians to treat the Crown Prince. Furthermore, I have something important to discuss with you."
Bai Han then recounted his experience of "trampling the enemy camp." After listening to his account, Liu Xiangnan's brow furrowed.
"If that is the case, the majority of the enemy forces outside have already retreated, leaving only a small number to feign strength. Alas, we have been deceived!"
At this thought, Liu Xiangnan turned to look at Du Shun, who was beside him.
"Du Shun, quickly assemble the troops and break out from the four gates." (From Sudan Novel Network)
Du Shun bowed and took his orders.
Liu Ce and Liu Tie, who were accompanying Liu Xiangnan, bowed and said, "Marquis, may we also go?"
Liu Xiangnan pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.
Soon, Wannian City became bustling with activity as troops assembled, preparing to march out.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiangnan and Bai Han accompanied the divine physicians to treat Xiao Jingyun.
Upon seeing Xiao Jingyun, whose complexion was ashen and grey, on the sickbed, the two divine physicians felt a pang of concern. After taking his pulse, they looked at each other in silence.
After a long pause, one of them finally approached Liu Xiangnan and bowed. "Marquis, this poison is from the Heavenly Mountain Cold Toad. To cure it, one must find the cold toad and boil and eat it. I know no other methods."
Hearing this, Liu Xiangnan's eyebrows shot up. The person who administered the poison had already been killed by Zhou Quan. Where was he to find this cold toad?
Looking at the two divine physicians, who were at a loss, Liu Xiangnan sighed inwardly. At least these two divine physicians could identify the poison, which was much better than the physicians in the city. However, whether the Crown Prince lived or died now depended on his own fate.
Meanwhile, outside Wannian City, when Du Shun led his men in pursuit, Zhu Meng had already fled. Seeing the empty tents, Du Shun could not let it go. He led his men in hot pursuit while sending someone back to report to Liu Xiangnan.
Upon hearing that Zhu Meng had led his troops northward, Liu Xiangnan immediately sent a message via carrier pigeon to Emperor Xiao Jingyun.