State Duke Zhao first captured Gaimu City, quicker than the emperor had expected, taking only five days.
Morale was high, and even the common people and tribes of Liaodong gathered in groups, kneeling to beg the emperor to recruit them into the army to attack Goguryeo together.
The emperor, though touched, declined their request and, after comforting them, sent them back home.
However, this further boosted morale, which is a mysterious thing; when one aspect improves, it tends to positively affect others.
Conversely, morale on the Goguryeo side was somewhat low.
Once Gaimu City was taken, reinforcements for Liaodong City were cut off, and over twenty thousand were captured, along with more than a hundred thousand units of grain, directly easing the pressure on the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.
The emperor, pleased, sent more troops to surround Liaodong City.
The other students of the Imperial Medical Bureau also followed the main army up.
