Lin Qi nodded his chin slightly, then squeezed out a sentence:
"How did you know they were killing civilians to claim military credit?"
Qin Sang answered frankly:
"My son, Heizi, overheard it when he went to fetch water."
Lin Qi's eyes darkened slightly:
"Why do you dare tell us this? Aren't you afraid we're in league with them?"
The corners of Qin Sang's lips curled up slightly:
"Naturally, it's because I am confident. If you were bad people, I could kill you all."
Such a blunt threat caused Lin Qi and the other men to show looks of surprise.
"You've killed someone?"
Lin Qi found it somewhat hard to believe, as did the others.
Qin Sang cleaned her hands and said:
"When the rioters were slaughtering my village, if I didn't kill others, the one dead would be me. Is that so surprising?"
Lin Qi lowered his eyelids:
"Indeed, you cannot be blamed. It seems then, that in your heart, we are not bad people."
Qin Sang nodded:
"To me, you are indeed not bad people, because you cannot threaten me. Therefore, I will help you."
Lin Qi asked in confusion:
"How will you help?"
Qin Sang said confidently:
"I can help you steal weapons, steal food, and I can also heal you."
Lin Qi looked at Qin Sang's back and pressed further:
"Stealing things is very dangerous. Since you are helping us so gratuitously, what are your conditions? Do you want us to send you out?"
Qin Sang shook her head:
"No. I am a doctor. How many people can I save alone?"
"I hope you can stop this practice of killing civilians for credit and ensure these soldiers who slaughter commoners receive their due punishment."
"Only then will no more innocent people be killed."
"Only then can more people be saved."
As for making her go against the government, Qin Sang didn't think she currently had the ability. Even if she led the villagers to kill all the Government Soldiers in Songbai Town, would the matter end there?
The Southern Army would simply send others. At that time, they might even level the entire Songbai Town, leaving no one alive.
Qin Sang would not impulsively do something that would bring such endless trouble.
But this Young General was different. He had a position, a background, and enough status. Even if he killed everyone on this side, he could do so with a legitimate reason.
With the Zhenbei Army as his backing, even if the Emperor wanted to use a blunt knife to slowly carve them up, he would have to do it one stroke at a time. Others would be even less daring to strike a fatal blow directly.
This was also the main reason why the Southern Army didn't dare to finish him off despite his heavy injuries, instead leaving him here to fend for himself.
Qin Sang hadn't expected that after she made such a request, Lin Qi would hold her in even higher regard.
A woman who could brave danger and pressure to save herself was destined not to be an ordinary woman.
From 'saving her alone saves few' to 'abandoning her alone can save many,' Lin Qi's heart was greatly shaken. He clenched his hands at his sides into fists and replied with utmost solemnity:
"Fine, I promise you. As long as there is a chance, I will definitely make them get what they deserve."
The others also nodded one after another, but the reality of their predicament remained. Someone reminded her:
"But the military camp is heavily guarded. How can you, a woman, steal? If you are discovered, only death awaits you. Sister-in-law, you must consider this carefully."
"Yes, it doesn't matter if we starve to death. Sister-in-law, you are a good person; do not be implicated by us."
"Indeed, it's too risky."
Qin Sang curled her lip and smiled:
"The so-called 'heavily guarded' military camp probably refers to your Zhenbei Army. From my observations these past few days, this entire Steward Huang's Residence is full of holes."
Lin Qi said coldly:
"That is because a military camp should never have been established in a private residence. Private residences focus on privacy and comfort, which is not conducive to military mobility at all. It is inevitable there would be holes."
"However, the Southern Army has always been greedy for pleasure. Since they are also killing civilians for credit, it is only natural they would settle here."
The others nodded in agreement:
"Indeed. How could they be like our Zhenbei Army? We thought too highly of them."
Qin Sang also nodded:
"In any case, you just continue to pretend you're on the verge of death. As for food and supplies, I will find a way."
Naturally, Qin Sang couldn't say that she didn't need to take risks at all and could take out whatever she wanted to eat at any time.
Unaware of this, they were all worried that Qin Sang might not return or would be in danger. Seeing her calm and composed attitude, their admiration for her deepened significantly. Each one secretly resolved that they must not fail Qin Sang's trust and must find a way for her to leave this place safely.
Qin Sang didn't know what they were thinking. Late at night, she brought back quite a bit of food.
With a creak, she pushed open the door and lit a fire starter. The soldiers, who had been lying down all day, sat up one after another upon hearing the movement.
Seeing Qin Sang setting something out on the table, followed by the rich aroma of meat wafting over, the soldiers got out of bed and walked over. Seeing the dazzling array of dishes spread across the table, they were all stunned:
"Roast chicken? Pork hock? Braised pork? Scallion pancakes? Does this Southern Army eat this well?"
"Si... Sister-in-law, aren't you being too bold? Aren't you afraid of being discovered after stealing so much?"
"With such a feast, I doubt the Young General has ever eaten such good food in his life."
Lin Qi's injuries were the most severe, so his speed in getting up was much slower than the others. He was the last to walk to the table. After seeing the sumptuous dishes before him, he pursed his lips for a moment and then nodded:
"Indeed. The Northwest is cold and bitter. Even in my General of the North Commandery Residence, we cannot gather so many fine dishes of chicken, duck, fish, and meat in a single meal, and prepared so exquisitely. They look delicious at a glance."
Qin Sang nodded inwardly. Of course, the various cuisines of the future could let a person eat something different every day of the year; how could these ancient times compare?
Qin Sang was naturally craving it herself, so she 'stole' quite a bit tonight. Since there was someone to take the blame anyway, she could eat to her heart's content tonight:
"I crouched in the rockery and waited through three waves of patrolling soldiers. I only dared to move out when the dark clouds covered the moonlight."
"I was almost discovered, but fortunately, a stray cat distracted them. Even so, I was so nervous I almost tripped and nearly ruined everything. It scared me half to death."
Qin Sang described her hardships with exaggeration. Everyone's palms sweated with tension as they listened.
"Sister-in-law, it's really been hard on you." Lin Qi felt extremely uncomfortable, wishing he could fully recover right now so that Qin Sang wouldn't have to take such risks.
Qin Sang waved her hand and said:
"Hard or not, there's no other way. They aren't even sending a scrap of food. We can't let you starve to death. Eat quickly; it'll get cold if we delay any longer."
At Qin Sang's invitation, everyone finally began to eat. However, Qin Sang still underestimated the eating capacity of these military men.
A table full of food was gone in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, leaving only empty bowls and plates. Not even the sauce was left.
Fortunately, they had some conscience and served a portion to Qin Sang first before they started devouring it. Otherwise, Qin Sang would likely have gone hungry tonight.
Lin Qi also ate the most delicious meal of his life. After finishing, he said with some shame:
"Please forgive us, Sister-in-law. We should have been more frugal so you wouldn't have to take as many risks, but it was truly too delicious to resist."
The others chimed in one after another:
"Yes, it's the food's fault. It was so good I almost swallowed my tongue."
"We ate so much tonight that we can digest it for two days. Sister-in-law, don't go stealing for the next two days."
"Right, right, right. To avoid being caught by them."