By the time they returned to camp, it was already the Hour of the Hai. Fortunately, they had sent Tian Yougen back early to deliver the message; otherwise, the family would have been worried sick waiting.
After a quick meal, Qin Sang went to the old village chief's house. The captured rebel soldier was tied to the large tree at the entrance. There wasn't a sliver of moonlight in the sky tonight. Qin Sang arrived carrying a lantern, and the village chief and others were already waiting there.
The old village chief, leaning on his cane, said:
"Da Zhuang's Mother, everyone's been waiting for you to question him."
Qin Sang nodded, walked over with the lantern, and stood before the man. Probably no one in the village wanted him to live, as he was now as pale as paper, clinging to his last breath.
"Do you want to live?"
The man nodded with difficulty, too weak to speak.
Qin Sang handed the lantern to the old village chief and said:
"Paternal uncle, fetch me a bamboo cup."
Once she had the bamboo cup, Qin Sang took a water skin from her waist, poured a mouthful of water into the cup, and held it to the man's lips:
"Do you want a drink? If you do, tell me, why did you all come into the mountains?"
Under the faint candlelight, the man stared fixedly at the bamboo cup in Qin Sang's hand, as if bewitched by a demon, and began to answer:
"The Government Soldiers came. We couldn't fight them off."
Hearing this news, the villagers behind them were first shocked, then overjoyed:
"The Government officials have finally sent troops! Does that mean the chaos will end?"
"Can we return to our village now?"
"What's the point of going back? Will there be water to drink back in the village?"
"Oh, right. Still, without the Rebel Soldiers, it should be safer than before. That's good news."
The villagers chattered away, but Qin Sang showed no joy. After giving him a sip of water from the cup, she continued questioning:
"How many of you came into the mountains in this group?"
After tasting the clear, sweet water, the man's Adam's apple bobbed incessantly, his eyes filled with uncontrollable desire:
"Many. They said many displaced people were hiding in the mountains. Robbing them could keep us going for a while. They planned to wait for rain, then either go home or... just become Bandits in the mountains, living the high life."
Seeing Qin Sang unmoved, the man said urgently:
"I told the truth. Give me water, quick."
But Qin Sang's hand holding the cup drew back slightly:
"I want a specific number."
"Hundreds, several hundred. At least six or seven hundred."
As soon as this number was spoken, a collective gasp rose from behind Qin Sang.
Everyone knew Qin Sang's group had encountered Rebel Soldiers today, but there were only fifty. Even so, four or five people suffered minor injuries.
If six or seven hundred came together... they...
The villagers, who hadn't understood earlier why Qin Sang kept a captive alive, now realized the importance of this prisoner.
Qin Sang wasn't surprised. These people were all displaced people who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Knowing the Government Soldiers had arrived, their first thought would be to flee.
Six or seven hundred was just this group entering the mountains. Who knew how many more had entered from other directions.
Qin Sang gave him another sip of water:
"Then why were there only fifty of you?"
The man wanted more water but couldn't get it, so he obediently answered:
"No food. Had to split up to search."
Qin Sang asked again:
"Will you regroup?"
The man's gaze remained fixed on the cup:
"That's another question. Give me water first."
Qin Sang kicked his leg, where a wooden spear had pierced a hole. The pain nearly made him pass out:
"Will you talk or not?"
"I'll talk, I'll talk! We didn't set a time to regroup. Only said whoever found food first would go notify the others."
Qin Sang pondered. This verbal agreement was likely just lip service. Would these opportunistic people, if they really found food or treasure, share it with others?
Impossible.
But now that she had killed dozens of them, the remaining ones would surely go looking for help.
Qin Sang didn't dwell on this question:
"How far have the Government Soldiers advanced? Have they reached Songbai Town?"
The man hung his head and nodded:
"Yes. We were originally in the county town. Many Government Soldiers came. Seeing the situation was bad, we fled all the way here. They pursued us until we entered the mountains, then stopped."
Having obtained the information she wanted, Qin Sang turned to look at everyone:
"I'm finished questioning. You've all heard. There's a lot of news. Everyone, go back tonight and think about what to do. We'll discuss it together tomorrow morning."
Everyone nodded. Seeing Qin Sang about to leave, they asked:
"What about this man...?"
Qin Sang glanced at him:
"Keep him for now. Don't let him die. He might still be useful."
Returning home, Qin Sang heard Heizi's voice:
"Er Fu, Auntie has worked hard all day. I really don't want to trouble her. Could you help me stitch this up?"
Er Fu's voice softly refused:
"N-no... I can't. I... I've never stitched a real person before. I'm... afraid I'll mess up..."
Heizi tried to persuade her:
"What's the big deal? It's not like I'll die. I'm not even scared of knives, a little needle is nothing. I'm not afraid of pain."
Er Fu still wouldn't agree:
"My mother should be back soon. It's better... better to let her stitch it for you. My mother has experience."
Undaunted, Heizi continued:
"Er Fu, if I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of..." Before he could finish, seeing Qin Sang appear with a lantern, Heizi suddenly stammered:
"A-Auntie? Auntie, you're back."
Qin Sang looked at him holding out his injured arm towards Er Fu and asked:
"I heard you wanted Er Fu to stitch your wound?"
Heizi scratched his head with his other hand, smiling guiltily as he explained:
"Well, I saw you weren't home, Auntie. Besides, you've been busy all day. For a small injury like this, I felt bad troubling you."
Watching him desperately trying to justify himself, Qin Sang secretly laughed but kept a straight face, turning to Er Fu:
"Er Fu, do you dare to try?"
Tian Erfu looked at Qin Sang in surprise:
"Mother, you want me to stitch Heizi-ge's wound?"
Qin Sang walked over and nodded:
"Yes. Mother knows you've been practicing on pigskin, and your technique is quite skilled. The only thing lacking is practical experience on a real person.
Now Heizi is injured, and the wound isn't deep. Stitching will just help it heal better. Even if it's not stitched perfectly, it won't be fatal. Heizi is willing, so Mother thinks this is a good opportunity for you to try."
Seeing Tian Erfu still hesitant, Qin Sang said:
"In the eyes of a healer, there is no distinction between men and women. Don't let that hold you back.
Moreover, I'm worried there might be a big battle soon. Many villagers could get injured. How could I treat everyone by myself?
Not just Heizi, I'll have the other injured villagers come tomorrow. Let the girls studying medicine handle their dressing and bandaging, to prepare."
Hearing her mother say many might be injured, Tian Erfu's gaze grew resolute:
"Alright. I'll do it."
Qin Sang nodded approvingly:
"Mother will light a few more candles to make it brighter."
Hearing that Er Fu had really agreed to stitch him up, Heizi's eyes instantly shone brighter than the candlelight.
Er Fu's heart still fluttered with anxiety:
"Later... if it hurts, you... you can cry out... I'll try... to be gentle~"