The bundle contained a pouch, about the size of an adult man's palm. Upon opening it, three small porcelain bottles were found inside. The bottles were of different colors: one was entirely snow-white, another a sky-blue, and the last looked as if it had been burnt, with black spots all over its white ceramic surface, making it as unsightly as a face covered in moles.
"The white one is an antidote pill. When the barbarians attacked the city before, they used poison, so I suspect there are skilled poison users among them. Just in case, everyone should take this antidote pill when the time comes, to avoid being poisoned by the barbarians. That would be too unjust."
Li Man'er picked up the sky-blue bottle and said, "This one contains a superior medicine for刀伤 (dao shang - sword wounds). The powder is pale yellow. If you get injured, apply this medicine, and it will stop the bleeding in no time. What we are doing is a matter of life and death, so this wound medicine is essential."
Holding these two bottles of medicine, everyone felt a bit more confident. One brave soul, holding the speckled porcelain bottle, asked, "General, what is this bottle for?"
"This is poison," Li Man'er replied. "Everyone take one bottle and be careful not to mix them up. The powder in this bottle is white. Add it to food or water, and it will be colorless and tasteless. Remember this: if you find the barbarians' dwellings, or their stables, put this medicine in their food and water. Whether it's people or horses that eat it, even the Great Immortals cannot save them. The barbarians' horses are as precious as their lives. If we cannot have them, we must at least prevent them from harming us."
Upon hearing this, a glint of eagerness appeared in everyone's eyes. If they could just get near the barbarians' water barrels, it would be so much easier. A bottle of medicine poured in, and all of them poisoned – that would be truly satisfying.
"Everyone, put these three porcelain bottles away carefully and be sure not to mix them up."
"The white bottle is for detoxification pills, the blue bottle is for pale yellow powdered wound medicine, and the speckled bottle is for white poison. Do you all remember?" Ah Si, fearing they might confuse them, made a simple summary.
"We remember."
"Rest assured, General, we have all noted it down."
Everyone solemnly tucked the porcelain bottles into their chests. Li Man'er observed them and nodded inwardly.
Zhang Jingfeng, though sometimes appearing frivolous, was truly capable in his work. The people he chose were all reliable.
As for Lu Liang, his naturally steady personality meant that anyone he selected could not be bad.
"I've asked someone to make dumplings. Everyone will have a large bowl shortly. After eating, rest here. When night falls, we will leave the city together to kill the barbarians."
Li Man'er's gaze swept over everyone, a hint of sadness in her voice. "The road ahead is perilous. I hope everyone will take care of yourselves. I have already sent someone to record everyone's name, origin, and home address clearly. I, Li Man'er, swear here today: if any of you perish for the country, I will personally care for and see your parents off in their old age. If you have a wife and children, I will also support them until your youngest son marries and can manage the household. If I, Li Man'er, unfortunately fall in battle, I will entrust someone to look after your families, and I will never go back on my word."
Everyone present was deeply moved by Li Man'er's words. Even Lu Fang felt that Li Man'er's method of winning hearts was incredibly potent. Soldiers from the lower ranks most feared that after their deaths, the compensation would not be enough for their families to live well. If parents could be cared for in their old age, wives and children looked after, and young sons able to marry, who would then hesitate to fight with all their might?
Before long, someone delivered dumplings. Each person received a large, steaming bowl of fresh dumplings, served with vinegar and chili. It was incredibly comforting to eat.
"Everyone, take this time to rest. With sufficient strength, we will have a greater chance of success when we move tonight."
"Yes, General."
"Yes, General."
Li Man'er nodded with satisfaction and then instructed Lu Fang and Zhang Jingfeng, "Please look after them and ensure no trouble arises."
Both men bowed and accepted the orders, appearing to be completely convinced.
After speaking, Li Man'er turned and left the room, taking Ah Si to a quiet spot. She asked, "What is it? Is something wrong?"
"Miss, didn't you ask me to keep an eye on Gao Yujuan before?"
"Yes, what happened? Is she making a move?"
Ah Si's eyes turned red with anger. "Sister Wu Ying is friendly with me and is a trustworthy person. I entrusted this matter to her. Sister Wu Ying hates barbarians and those with loose morals the most. After hearing the General's suspicions, she paid close attention to that woman surnamed Gao."
Her voice lowered as she continued, "Originally, our plan was kept completely secret, even Sister Wu Ying didn't know. But that woman surnamed Gao tampered with the food."
"Are you sure?" Li Man'er's face darkened.
Ah Si nodded. "The dumpling filling prepared earlier was drugged by that Gao Yujuan. Sister Wu Ying said it was likely rhubarb seeds."
Rhubarb seeds?
Li Man'er let out a cold snort. "A truly remarkable tactic." A troop of soldiers, having eaten rhubarb seeds, storming the barbarian barracks. The outcome could be imagined even with one's feet.
"Miss, what do we do now?"
"Let's go and meet this Gao Yujuan, who is so good at hiding her capabilities."
"Yes!"
Ah Si accompanied Li Man'er down from the city tower and walked towards the logistics encampment, where they soon found Wu Ying.
"General," Wu Ying said, quickly performing a deep bow upon seeing Li Man'er. Her attitude towards Li Man'er was even more respectful than before.
"Where is she?" Li Man'er appeared calm at this moment, but inwardly, she was seething with anger.
"Oh, please come this way, General." Wu Ying understood and immediately led Li Man'er to Gao Yujuan.
Gao Yujuan was tied up tightly in the wood shed, with a large basket placed over her. Something had been stuffed into her mouth, gagging her completely.
Wu Ying removed the basket and then dragged Gao Yujuan out. The women working in logistics had strong hands. Gao Yujuan's hair was disheveled, and she was dragged like a dead dog before Li Man'er.
"General, here she is."
The moment Gao Yujuan saw Li Man'er, intense hatred blazed in her eyes. She mumbled incessantly, as if cursing.
"Remove what's in her mouth."
Wu Ying stepped forward and yanked the gag out of Gao Yujuan's mouth. Gao Yujuan began to shriek like a madwoman, her curses foul and relentless.
Li Man'er, however, was unfazed. Even as Ah Si's eyes turned red with anger, Li Man'er's expression remained composed.
"Who told you to put poison in the food?"
Gao Yujuan spat a mouthful of thick phlegm and then burst into hysterical laughter.
Ah Si, infuriated, brought her long staff down, striking Gao Yujuan on the shoulder. She let out a muffled groan of pain.
"Traitor!"