The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1717

Chapter 1717: 840 Taking the Initiative (Part 1)

In the wounded soldiers’ camp of Quyang City, Gu Jiao had just finished distributing anti-inflammatory drugs and wound medicine to the medical officers. From the experience of several battles, the demand for these two types of medicines was huge.

The small first aid kit provided a significant amount, and before coming, the National Master Hall also gifted them a large quantity of homemade pills and ointment, and Gu Jiao had also collected a lot of herbs along the way.

Thirty medical officers were so busy in the wounded soldiers’ camp that their feet didn’t touch the ground. They might not have directly participated in the battle, but they were indeed at the rear of the battlefield, with a constant stream of wounded soldiers being sent over. They, like the cavalry, experienced a very tiring day and night.

Some medical officers really couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep on the ground; others nodded off at the table. Those who could barely endure were working with huge dark circles under their eyes, changing dressings, checking, and performing surgeries for the wounded soldiers.

"Go into the city and hastily get some doctors over."

After leaving the wounded soldiers’ camp, Gu Jiao instructed Master Hu.

Master Hu replied: "Yes."

The military camp is a place with extremely high efficiency; some matters that might take ten days to half a month in local government offices are completed here promptly, as orders are carried out without fail.

The first night, Master Hu went into the city and hurriedly recruited over thirty doctors. Additionally, a new candidate for city lordship was already settled.

The candidate was named Qian Wang, who had previously served as the local prefect. He was considered somewhat upright but was not a trusted confidant of the Nangong Family, so he had not been valued.

The Nangong Family abandoned the city this time without him.

Gu Jiao temporarily appointed him as the new city lord of Quyang City.

At approximately the hour of Hai, Mu Qingchen returned to the camp dragging his weary body.

Originally, he thought that not having to kill people would be very relaxing, but who would have guessed that dealing with a group of street neighbors (mostly women and children) would also be something that consumes a lot of mental energy.

His throat even felt dry.

Gu Jiao leaned against the big tree at the camp gate, arms crossed, watching him: "Well done, Director Mu, continue tomorrow."

"What director?" Mu Qingchen asked in a raspy voice.

"Director." Women’s Federation Director, Gu Jiao supplemented mentally, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, "It’s okay, you go rest."

Your gaze always makes people think there’s nothing good.

But Mu Qingchen was really too tired, he couldn’t be bothered with whatever scheme Gu Jiao was plotting in her heart, as he returned to his barracks covered in dust and immediately fell asleep.

The previous two days, Gu Jiao hadn’t given any orders, only letting the military officers recover and rest fully.

On the night of the second day, she called in the six chief commanders and Mu Qingchen into the barracks to discuss strategies to counter the enemy.

In the center of the barracks’ table, there was a sand table, and on the table were small wooden plaques representing troops and cities.

Gu Jiao pointed to a valley at the border of the two countries: "This is Yanmen Pass. Originally, there was a camp stationed in the valley and checkpoints set up. To facilitate the invasion of Liang Country’s army, the Nangong Family withdrew the checkpoints, and the camp’s defensive measures were wholly destroyed; it is already impossible to defend here. Thus, Quyang City has become the first line of defense against the Liang Country’s army. No matter what, we must hold Quyang."

Everyone agreed with the young commander’s words.

Cheng Fugui’s arm was wrapped with gauze around his neck, and he gritted his teeth: "The Nangong Family, that group of bastards! To actually do this kind of treasonous rubbish! If I catch them again, I’ll certainly slaughter them with a knife!"

Li Jin was the most composed among them, looking at the sand table thoughtfully for a moment before asking, "They will arrive at Yanmen Pass tomorrow."

"Correct," Gu Jiao said, "However, they, like us, are exhausted after a long journey and will not immediately proceed with the city siege plan. At least, they will need a day to rest. This is our chance."

Li Jin asked, "Does the commander mean..."

Gu Jiao said, "We can’t sit and wait to be defeated. The most optimistic scenario is that Chang Wei is willing to lead the tens of thousands of captives in the city to defend with us; the worst result is having to fight at the city gate, with fires breaking out inside."

Cheng Fugui frowned: "Chang Wei might seize the opportunity to rebel?"

Li Jin said, "This possibility can’t be ruled out."

Cheng Fugui hastily said, "Why not just kill him outright?"

Everyone looked at Gu Jiao; they too felt Chang Wei posed a huge risk, better to eliminate this trouble permanently.

Gu Jiao said with a serious expression: "If it truly comes to that point, when we need the whole army to fight, then I will definitely kill him before marching."

Listening to Gu Jiao’s words eased everyone.

The fierce reputation of the young commander on the battlefield was well-known by all; he would never break his word or be swayed by mercy.

Li Jin further asked: "The commander just said we cannot sit and wait to be defeated; do you already have some plan?"

Gu Jiao said: "The imperial army will take more than ten days to arrive, so we must delay Liang Country army’s attack plan."

Deputy leader Zhang Shiyong of the reserve barracks slapped his thigh: "I got it! Burn their grain supplies!"

The right commander Zhou Ren who was also from the reserve barracks glared at him: "Why do you only know about burning grain supplies? Who’s going to burn them? You?"

Zhang Shiyong puffed out his chest: "If it’s up to me, then me! All of you are fighting on the front lines, while I can only guard the captives in the reserve barracks; I’ve longed to fight a big battle with them!"

Gu Jiao picked up a small wooden plaque, placed it north of Quyang City, and said: "This is New City, which recently voluntarily surrendered to the Nangong Family. After the Nangong Family left Quyang City, they should have gone here. There aren’t many troops defending New City. If the Liang Country’s army’s grain supplies are burned, they will certainly go to New City to loot. Whether the Nangong Family cooperates willingly or is forced to tributary doesn’t matter; they will not mobilize military rations."

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