Chapter 2320: Chapter 2295: Acclimation Issues
Manbao picked out a bracelet entirely made of pink tourmalines and showed it to Bai Shan, "Does it look good?"
Bai Shan glanced at her fair and delicate hand, nodded, "It looks good."
He turned to ask the shopkeeper, "Do you have any in deep red?"
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "If the young master wants it, even if we don’t have it in our store, we will find a way to get it from elsewhere. It’s a coincidence; we do have some red tourmalines here, already polished, but not enough for a whole bracelet."
Saying this, he personally went to the back room and brought out a box, opened it for them to see. Inside were seven bright red tourmalines, with quite similar shades.
Bai Shan picked up one and placed it on Manbao’s wrist. After comparing it, he smiled and said, "The red ones look better."
Manbao was taken aback for a moment and then said, "Not enough for a bracelet."
Bai Shan replied, "Don’t worry, we’ll check other stores, we’re bound to find enough."
Manbao looked at the pink bracelet still on her wrist.
Bai Shan said, "You should buy this one for yourself. Girls should have more jewelry to match their clothes."
Manbao agreed and asked the shopkeeper about the price.
Just as Bai Erlang and Yin Huo had also selected their items and came over, everyone haggled together.
Bai Shan asked, "Since you have red, does your store have blue bracelets?"
Bai Erlang couldn’t help but turn his head, looking incredulous, "You’re giving Manbao so many things?"
Bai Shan glanced at him, "It’s for my mother."
Bai Erlang started thinking, "Should I pick a bracelet for my mother too?"
Bai Shan said, "Then you’d also have to buy some gifts for Uncle."
Manbao thought of Old Master Bai and nodded repeatedly, "Exactly."
Bai Erlang was troubled, "But my dad doesn’t wear bracelets."
Manbao patted his shoulder and said, "How silly you are, your dad may not wear bracelets, but he can wear jade. The jade stones from the Western Regions are also very nice. I plan to pick a few later to give to my dad and brothers."
Bai Shan also planned to give his grandmother jade stones.
Hearing this, the shopkeeper immediately said warmly, "Honored guests, our humble store also has jade stones. What kind of jade do you like?"
Bai Shan looked around at what the store had, and the shopkeeper stepped out from behind the counter and said, "Honored guests, please follow me next door."
Next door was filled with jade and gold and silver jewelry, also the shopkeeper’s business.
Bai Shan and the others were amazed and followed him to the side. Just as they stepped out, two horses galloped past them quickly. Fortunately, they were standing aside and only got startled and stepped to the side. After the horses passed, they were about to follow the shopkeeper into the next store when the horses turned around and galloped back, stopping right in front of them.
Everyone, including Manbao, looked up at the two riders together.
Recognizing Zhou Man’s face, one of the riders confirmed and jumped off the horse to salute, "Lord Zhou!"
Manbao glanced at their armor and was startled, "You’re looking for me because..." Did something happen to General Ashina?
Bai Shan pulled her aside, and she swallowed her words. Right, they were still outside. This was the Western Regions, not the Central Plains. For the sake of public stability, such matters should not be discussed or spread outside.
The soldier knew this as well, so he said seriously, "Lord Zhou, our lord has a message for you."
Manbao quickly went back to the courtyard with them. As they walked, Bai Erlang turned back to the shopkeeper and said, "If you have good jade, save it for us, don’t sell it too soon."
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded. After they left, he pondered while stroking his beard. If something happens to General Ashina, won’t the Turks attack the city again?
Bad luck, the shopkeeper decided not to open the store for the next couple of days.
Back at the courtyard, the soldier took out an urgent document and handed it to Manbao, saying, "My lord, our General Han would like you to visit the frontline."
Bai Shan whispered in Manbao’s ear, "General Han is General Ashina’s vanguard and confidant."
The soldier said, "The chief steward is somewhat unwell but won’t listen to advice. General Han has no choice but to invite Lord Zhou personally."
Manbao asked, "What is wrong with General Ashina?"
"The military doctor said it’s acclimatization issues. He has been fatigued and suffering from diarrhea for two days before I set off from Kucha. It took me two days to return."
So it’s been four days.
Manbao pondered, if Ashina, the commanding general, falls ill, this expedition will be considered a failure and can’t continue.
This battle consumed extensive resources, and if the objectives aren’t achieved, the Western Expedition of the army will be a dire failure. The emperor would undoubtedly be furious.
Manbao did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
Thinking there were many traumatic injuries in the army, she decided to let Zhou Liru gain some practical experience and said, "I’ll bring a few people, we can leave tomorrow."
The soldier asked who she would bring.
Manbao pointed to Bai Shan and Zhou Liru and said, "Besides these two, a few guards."
Assistant General Nie wandered over and said, "My lord, I wish to accompany you."
Manbao said, "That wouldn’t be appropriate. Mr. Zhuang and the others are still in the city, and they need your protection."
Mr. Zhuang said, "We are staying in the city and won’t go out. It’s not very dangerous for us, but you will face the dangers of the frontline, so it’s better to let Assistant General Nie accompany you."
Manbao agreed to it.
The soldier quickly added, "My lord, we must return quickly. If we can’t make it in two days, we must arrive in three. But this Miss Zhou..."
He was a bit worried that Zhou Liru couldn’t ride a horse.
Manbao looked at Zhou Liru.
Zhou Liru immediately said, "Aunt, I can ride a horse."
Manbao didn’t want her to miss out on this practical opportunity, so she said to the soldier, "No problem, she can run, and we’re also bringing a cart. We have to bring some tools and medicines. Since it’s acclimatization issues..."
After a brief thought, she said to Zhou Liru, "Fetch the pills we made earlier; I’ll write a prescription, and you go to the pharmacy to get the medicine."
Zhou Liru nodded quickly, and seeing how useful she would be, the soldier swallowed his words.
The next day, Daji prepared a cart. Zhou Liru sat in the cart while Manbao and the others rode horses,
Bai Erlang and Liu Huan also held horses, standing by, and they both turned their heads to instruct Yin Huo, "Take good care of the teacher, okay?"
Yin Huo waved his hand weakly, "You guys hurry and go."
Bai Erlang and Liu Huan knew they could persuade to go, but Yin Huo knew even if he tried, no one would agree. And he didn’t want to go to the front to add to the chaos, so he didn’t even mention leaving together.
After mounting his horse, Bai Shan told him, "Keep an eye out for us from home. If you see beautiful jade and gemstones, buy them."
Yin Huo agreed, waving again, "You all hurry and go."
Only then did the group set off, rushing out of the city gate, galloping southwards, following two command soldiers.
They aimed to reach their destination within three days and hoped General Ashina’s diarrhea wasn’t too severe.
