First, the whereabouts of the other party were unknown, so the spirit ginseng could not be moved.
Second, the reason for the other party's desire to see him was unclear. If they were to ask him to betray his trust and violate his principles, he could simply return the item and refuse.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Prince Qi approaching with a retinue.
Xue Zhen quickly retreated. Prince Qi had requested a portrait, but Xue Zhen had been using illness as an excuse to decline for several days.
It wasn't that he couldn't paint it, but that he dared not. The expert guarding the young lady could destroy a significant portion of his cultivation with a single thought.
The previous incident had merely been a lesson from that senior, not a severe injury.
Seeing Prince Qi flicking his wide sleeves, his left hand resting on the saber at his waist, he berated Zhao Zhong, who was beside him:
"Meng Hua City can be abandoned for now. Why waste our forces? Why not learn from Prince Nan Ming and employ a stratagem of an empty city to lure the enemy into a trap? I refuse to believe they can survive half a month in an empty city."
"Your Highness speaks wisely," Zhao Zhong replied, cupping his hands.
Soon, Prince Qi's forces mobilized overnight, intending to surround Meng Hua City and kill any who emerged.
Regardless, the city lacked provisions. This strategy was essentially a copy of Prince Nan Ming's move.
Tuoba Yan, stationed in Meng Hua City, heard that overnight, Prince Qi's soldiers had encamped a hundred miles away, effectively surrounding the city.
"General, they are trying to trap us. Should we deploy troops?" Zhao Kun asked, cupping his hands.
Ma He, a surrendered deputy general of Prince Qi's forces, cupped his hands and said, "This subordinate suggests we hold our positions. The city's provisions can last another seven days, and our troops will be fine within that period. However, Prince Qi has eighty thousand men, and I have something I'm unsure whether to say or not."
Tuoba Ling's expression was calm, smiling as if playing a game.
"Speak."
Ma He cupped his hands. "Of the five hundred and eighty prisoners of war captured last time, we could try to persuade them to surrender, thereby strengthening our forces. With eight hundred soldiers defending Meng Hua City, and no worries from the rear, we can advance with peace of mind."
"Who will go and persuade these prisoners?" As Tuoba spoke,
a person stepped forward. "This subordinate is willing."
Tuoba Yan and Zhao Kun couldn't help but look at the person who stepped forward. They were small and not tall.
Zhao Kun looked at the general.
Tuoba Yan raised his hand, signaling her to rise.
A face etched with hardship covered her emaciated features. Zhao Kun's brows immediately furrowed.
"Weren't you assigned to take care of Miss Jiu'er?"
The young lady, disguised as a man, cupped her hands. "General, this subordinate is willing to fight, willing to follow you back to our homeland. I do not wish to be a maid serving others. I implore the General to grant my request."
The young lady's eyes were filled with determination.
Zhao Kun looked helplessly at Tuoba Yan. This was an arrangement made under orders, yet she still wanted to join the army.
Tuoba Yan had a sudden thought: "How do you know Miss Jiu'er doesn't understand military strategy?"
Tuoba Yan was currently praising Jiu'er. She appeared carefree about food and drink, indifferent to warmth or cold, but in reality, her talent for leadership far surpassed his.
The young lady suddenly looked up. Her home was gone; she only wanted to fight back.
"If I can persuade them, I wish to be appointed captain of a unit. I will surely lead them and do not wish to be a slave."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kun asked, "Are you confident?"
"Yes. They were all soldiers of Prince Qi who served with me before. We served together, and more than half of them are from my hometown."
The young lady's gaze was resolute, as if her going would surely result in their surrender.
"Good," Tuoba Yan finally said.
"However, General, I have a request."
As these words fell, the others' gazes turned sharp, looking at the slender girl in armor with vigilance.
"State your request to this general," Tuoba Yan said sternly, his eyes fixed on the young girl like blades.
"I hope..." Zhuo Mengyan took a deep breath. "I hope that after we win, the bodies of the citizens of Meng Hua City who died unjustly will be returned to their hometowns and properly buried."
At these words, Zhao Kun's pupils constricted.
The other soldiers, hearing this, felt a silent sorrow and collectively cupped their hands, "We implore the General to grant this request."
Except for the fifty men from the Heavenly Sky Legion, the rest had been forcibly conscripted into Prince Qi Ming's army.
"Good."
Tuoba Yan readily agreed.
Meanwhile, inside the room in the back garden, Ah Jiu was preparing to sleep.
Someone had entered the room.
Ah Jiu was startled. A person with white hair, dressed in white, about 1.8 meters tall, clad in simple attire. Their cheeks were thin, but their spirit was undiminished.
"Who are you..." Ah Jiu sat up abruptly. "Do you know where you are?"