Clouds and Moon Shadow

After the two were seated in the private room, Mu Yun Chu cut straight to the point: "Does Qing Yue have any plans?"

Gu Qingyue knew this was a question asking if she was willing to become a military doctor. This person was direct, without beating around the bush or being aggressive; he was clearly an upright and honest person.

Gu Qingyue cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Of course, but I'm used to being free and easy and don't want to join the military. I wonder if I could serve as a temporary conscripted doctor to accompany the army?"

Gu Qingyue knew that in the Great Chu, military doctors had official military status, were paid by the state, and were considered regular soldiers.

She certainly didn't want to be a soldier for life, and besides, she was a woman, and there was always the possibility of her being exposed.

Mu Yun Chu felt a little regretful upon hearing this. He still wanted Gu Qing Yue to stay under his command for a long time. However, there was no way around it. He could always try a different approach, and maybe one day she would change her mind.

Thinking of this, Mu Yun Chu didn't make things difficult for her and readily nodded: "Of course, as for the specific arrangements for the temporary military doctor, there are also regulations in the military rules, and you will certainly not be treated unfairly."

Hearing Mu Yun Chu's words, Gu Qing Yue's eyes lit up. There were even rules for temporary workers. It seemed that the ancient system wasn't as crude and careless as she had imagined.

The two agreed to enter the Lizhou camp three days later, and Mu Yun Chu then left Wenxiang Tower.

Watching the man leave, Gu Qingyue felt a great weight lifted from her heart, and her gaze became even more resolute.

After arranging the training for the boys and explaining the matters concerning Wenxianglou, especially Yueyingge, to Liu Feng, Gu Qingyue left the Gu residence with Xiao Nian's pitiful gaze on her face.

The Great Chu had twelve major camps, located in key fortresses in the east, west, south, and north, especially at important transportation hubs on the borders with other countries. The Lizhou camp, as the heavy force guarding the southwest, had 200,000 troops stationed there and commanded countless passes. Gu Qingyue knew of two passes, Liquan Pass and Nanchong Pass, both heavily guarded.

According to information gathered from teahouses and other sources, small-scale battles have already broken out between the Lizhou camp and Nanzhao at many passes. The battle lines are long, and the number of dead and wounded soldiers is enormous. As a result, recruitment offices can be seen everywhere in Lizhou Prefecture, and there are frequent reports of small towns and villages being plundered.

At the border between the two countries, war broke out everywhere, and the people were filled with fear and displaced.

Because Lizhou Prefecture is located inland and far from the border, it was not affected. However, hearing these news every day still made many people uneasy, including Gu Qingyue, who was about to set off to report to the Lizhou camp.

After galloping for a day and a night, Gu Qingyue met with Mu Yun Chu and his guards in a small town at the foot of Meigu Mountain, and together they headed towards the Lizhou camp.

Three days later, a group of people who had worked tirelessly arrived at the Lizhou camp, covered in dust.

As she dismounted, Gu Qingyue's legs felt a little weak. After all, her riding experience was limited, and the lack of sleep over the past few days had made her a bit unaccustomed to it. However, seeing Mu Yun Chu and the guards, who were equally travel-worn but still full of energy, she managed to hold back her tears.

This Mu Xiaoqi really has amazing stamina.

Upon entering the camp, Mu Yun Chu left Mu Nan to take Gu Qing Yue to complete the entry procedures, while she herself headed towards Gu Yuan Ming's tent.

"How is it? Have you found any trace of Pan Shisan?" Gu Yuanming asked as he saw Mu Yun Chu, covered in dust, walk in through the tent.

Mu Yun Chu put down her riding whip and sat down opposite Gu Yuan Ming.

“We’ve made some progress. We’ve gone to all the hideouts mentioned in Yu Ennan’s confession, but we haven’t caught any important figures, just small fry,” Mu Yun Chu said, finishing a cup of tea in one gulp before feeling a little more at ease.

"What about the gold and silver found in the secret passage?" Gu Yuanming asked again.

"They have already been handed over to the prefect of Lizhou, leaving us a small team to assist in escorting them to the capital."

"Yes, you've worked hard. Go and rest first. Arrange a time soon for you to take a hundred men to Nanyun Mountain nearby to find the route that scout took last time, and try to plug this loophole before our next attack." Gu Yuanming stood up and gestured for Mu Yun Chu to go out with him.

The two walked out of the tent and happened to see Gu Qingyue and Mu Nanchao walking towards them.

"Why is he here?" Gu Yuanming asked, turning around.

Mu Yun Chu looked at the young man walking lightly in the distance, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"I found him, the army doctor," Mu Yunchu said.

Gu Yuanming raised an eyebrow: "This kid is a doctor? Can such a young doctor treat external injuries?"

Mu Yun Chu smiled slightly: "His medical skills are quite good. He treated Zhao Yushan when he was seriously injured last time."

Gu Yuanming watched the approaching boy with great interest in his eyes.

"I didn't expect someone to catch your eye. Not bad, this kind of person is more suitable for saving lives in the army. Well done."

As Gu Qingyue approached the two men, she saw them staring intently at her. She felt a moment of unease, but she quickly suppressed it.

"Greetings, General Gu, and Commandant Mu," Gu Qingyue said, raising her hand in greeting.

"No need for formalities, it's nice to meet you again, Young Master Gu," Gu Yuanming said, raising his hand to indicate that Gu Qingyue didn't need to be so polite.

"Go to the military medical office first thing tomorrow morning and have Mu Nan take you to see Dr. Zhao. He will make the arrangements," Mu Yun Chu said, looking at the boy's tired face.

Gu Qingyue was very pleased with Mu Yun Chu's arrangement. She was indeed tired, so she nodded to the two leaders and followed Mu Nan towards the medical tent.

Watching the boy walk away, Gu Yuanming remembered something and asked, "How is Liquan Pass? Have you received any news from Zhao Yushan?"

Zhao Yushan was seriously injured last time but was saved by Gu Qingyue. He has recovered completely and has long since led troops to defend the city and returned to the battlefield.

Mu Yun Chu frowned slightly. "Yue Zhi Qi's troops have withdrawn and haven't appeared again in the past month. However, news has come from nearby Nan Chong Pass that several groups of Nan Zhao troops have harassed the area, but they have all been repelled. So far, we haven't encountered any large-scale military operations from Nan Zhao."

"We must be more cautious at times like these, as we are not far from a formal war with Nanzhao," Gu Yuanming said thoughtfully.

“Yesterday, the governor received a secret order from the court that reinforcements have been dispatched. This battle with Nanzhao is inevitable sooner or later,” Gu Yuanming said, looking at the soldiers coming and going outside the tent.

If possible, the soldiers and generals would most like to resolve the conflict peacefully. No one wants to see their soldiers shed blood and their comrades die. No matter who wins or loses, there will be soldiers who die. They are the ones who least want to face this. However, circumstances are beyond human control. Many times, war is to reduce war, and sacrifice is to reduce sacrifice. It is unavoidable.

"Reinforcements? Is the imperial court going to declare war first?" Upon hearing this, Mu Yun Chu's aura suddenly turned cold.

Thinking of those people in the imperial court, Mu Yun Chu couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

"Calm down. Minister Cui and the others are still mediating. It's not impossible to negotiate directly. Right now, the spies from Nanzhao are colluding with Pan Shisan and his ilk, fearing that the border will be peaceful. We need to remove these cancerous tumors first," Gu Yuanming said, and then walked towards the training ground.

Mu Yun Chu stood outside the tent, her expression unusually cold and stern.

Once Gu Qingyue arrived at the small tent arranged for her, she looked around and touched everything with great curiosity.

She had never stayed in such a tent before. The last time she treated Zhao Yushan's injuries at Liquan Pass, she rested for a while in Mu Nan's tent. But a man's tent, cough cough, really can't be complimented.

The conditions were really rudimentary; I heard it was a temporary structure set up as reinforcements, and it was far worse than the tents we used for camping in my previous life.

However, the small tent that Mu Xiaoqi arranged for her this time was quite nice. The idea of ​​staying alone was suggested by Gu Qingyue, who said she couldn't sleep in a large dormitory with others.

So, they ended up with a small tent containing only a low bed, a small table, and a clothes rack; nothing else.