The next morning, the prisoners, under the arrangement of the engineering team, began to build a series of camps and cut down trees to construct various siege weapons.

Ma Teng also sent several archers to the city walls, where they shot several arrows with strips of cloth tied to them into the city.

Soon, the arrows were delivered to the Left Prime Minister.

"You bastard, where would I get that much money?"

Upon seeing the contents of the cloth strip, Zuo Xiang immediately threw it to the ground in a fit of rage.

He was asking for 30,000 for each prisoner, so 50,000 prisoners would be 1.5 billion. It wasn't that he couldn't afford it, but in his opinion, those prisoners weren't worth that much at all.

A nobleman said, "Prime Minister, there are only 50,000 troops left to defend the city. If the Han army attacks, our army will be in grave danger!"

The Left Prime Minister nodded: "The capital must not be lost. Immediately send someone to Buyeo to request aid from the King, and order the leaders of all tribes to lead their troops to defend the capital."

"But Prime Minister, if all the soldiers come to the capital, what will happen to the other cities and passes?" a clerk asked hesitantly.

The Left Prime Minister glared and roared, "Is the capital more important than those city gates? Why aren't you going?"

"yes!"

No one dared to linger, and they all dispersed in their respective groups.

Soon, a dozen or so messengers dispatched by Goguryeo rode swift horses away from the capital and sped off to various destinations.

Upon learning the news, Xu Rong immediately ordered Ma Teng, Gongsun Du, and Gongsun Zan to each lead 6,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry to ambush from the east, north, and west.

At the same time, Xu Rong also sent someone to inform the group of prisoners that Goguryeo had refused to ransom them.

The prisoners in the camp had already given up hope of Goguryeo when they were imprisoned outside the city. Now that they learned that they had been completely abandoned, they felt much relieved.

After the wounded Han soldiers had been treated, the medical team entered the prisoner-of-war camp and treated the wounded prisoners.

Seeing how well the Han army treated them, the prisoners' approval of the Han army increased even more.

At noon, the prisoners gathered around the instructors once again, eating their meal while attentively listening to their lectures.

Today, the instructors were talking about the various reward systems of the Han army. When they learned that as long as they joined the Han army, they could obtain titles, money, and land based on their military achievements, many prisoners of war asked to join the Han army with shining eyes.

The prisoners' requests were rejected by the instructors. In their words, you had been enemies of the Han army, and if you wanted to join the Han army, you had to undergo labor reform and learn to speak Chinese. Only those who performed well were qualified to join.

The prisoners agreed with the instructors' requests, after all, the Han army offered such good treatment that it wasn't easy to join.

As the instructors left after speaking, the prisoners rubbed their round bellies with happy expressions. In their memories, they hadn't had such a hearty meal in many years.

After resting for a while, without being urged by the Han army, the prisoners got up on their own and began to build camps and manufacture siege weapons. Everyone hoped to gain the recognition of the Han army through their performance and join them.

On the other side, Gao Shun led 15,000 soldiers of the Yuyang Camp, and after a long march, they arrived at a crossroads 15 miles east of the Goguryeo camp in the afternoon.

Liu Hong and Zhu Jun also led 5,000 soldiers, as well as transport, medical and engineering teams, out of the valley and headed towards Muzha City.

Upon learning the news, Li Xiao was also quite frightened. While sending people to investigate the strength of the Han army, he also hurriedly ordered the entire army to prepare for battle, intending to intercept and kill Liu Hong's entourage entering the city.

Faced with Li Xiao's orders, the Goguryeo soldiers who had just withdrawn from the ambush site and had not yet had a proper rest were also full of resentment, lying in their tents and unwilling to move.

After confirming that Gao Shun's army only numbered 15,000, Li Xiao had no choice but to order the entire army to be on alert, and then watched helplessly as Liu Hong successfully approached Muzha City.

Upon learning of the arrival of the Han reinforcements, King Wei Qiutai of Buyeo was overjoyed and led a group of Buyeo nobles and officials out of the city to welcome them.

Upon seeing the bright yellow and magnificent carriage in front of the army, Wei Qiutai hurriedly stepped forward and bowed in salute.

"Your subject, Wei Choutai, pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han Dynasty. May His Majesty live ten thousand years, and may the Great Han Dynasty live ten thousand years!"

"No need for formalities!!"

A majestic voice entered Wei Choutai's ears, causing him to shudder.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

After exchanging greetings, Wei Choutai and the others stood to one side with their heads down, not daring to look directly at each other.

Seeing this, Zhang Rang stepped forward and shouted, "Enter the city!!"

Immediately, surrounded by his soldiers, Liu Hong's carriage headed into the city, with Wei Qiutai and others following respectfully behind.

At this time, the streets inside the city were also filled with people who had come to watch. When they saw the Han army, the Fuyu people couldn't help but show a look of shock.

The Han soldiers' robust physiques, gleaming armor, and gleaming spears reminded them that this was a well-equipped and exceptionally brave army.

Upon seeing the large amount of supplies being transported at the rear of the column, a glint of greed flashed in the eyes of the Fuyu people, who had been starving for a long time.

But when the Buyeo man saw the equally robust physique of the laborers, their leather armor, and the long swords at their waists, a flash of greed crossed his eyes.

It's important to understand that while these laborers and able-bodied men transporting supplies couldn't compare to the regular Han army, they were still capable of taking up arms and going to the battlefield in critical moments. They were far superior to the poorly equipped Buyeo army.

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