"How long will you be gone?"
Song Qingchao hadn't considered this question herself.
She might need to walk for a considerable time.
Originally, she had planned to wait for the outbreak of war and then seize an opportunity.
But having traveled this path, she had witnessed too much and understood the preciousness of life.
If there were no war, that would surely be the best outcome.
Now that she had the ability to prevent the war from starting, she could not stand idly by.
When the people prosper, the people suffer; when the state perishes, the people suffer.
War consumed not only manpower, material resources, and finances, but it also harmed countless families.
"I may need to walk for quite some time, but the matters here at Sifangtai cannot be neglected."
The military reserves of Sifangtai, the weapon factory of Qingfengzhai, and the commercial base of Feng County – the network she had painstakingly connected must not be abandoned because of her departure.
"Master, I will go with you."
Zhou Yi was very sincere.
This was the first time Song Qingchao had seen him like this.
But this time, Song Qingchao refused him.
"No, if you leave, who will be in charge of Sifangtai?"
"I..." Zhou Yi hesitated as expected.
It wasn't that the other brothers of the Zhou family were incapable, but rather that each person had their own area of expertise.
Zhou Yi could perform very well at Sifangtai.
"Listen to me, you stay here."
Zhou Yi could only nod. He understood that the overall situation was more important.
"But Master, if you leave, what about the laborers? If we don't go, they'll be struck off the roster."
"It's alright, I have a plan."
The so-called plan was, of course, to get paid without having to go to work.
The next day, the sun was bright and the weather was pleasant.
But Song Qingchao looked utterly dejected.
Today, she was being supported as she walked.
She had already arranged things with Song Qingmu last night.
Her younger brother naturally understood her best, so Song Qingmu didn't fuss over her like others.
He simply said coldly, "Eldest Sister, please be extremely careful."
And that was all.
But his eyes did not lie; he was still concerned about his elder sister.
Song Qingmu supported her, and as they walked, he "pretended" to be concerned.
She also played along.
Even as they reached the work site, she still muttered, "I cannot delay everyone's work; this minor illness is nothing."
The guards on duty were old acquaintances.
But upon seeing Song Qingchao's condition, they couldn't help but ask.
Song Qingchao assured them she was fine and to not worry, so they didn't ask further.
After all, as long as she didn't die, it was fine.
If she died...
It wouldn't matter much to others, but it would be problematic for Song Qingchao.
For reasons unknown, her status was quite significant, and the Left General had given explicit instructions.
Therefore, for the sake of the silver, they had always treated Song Qingchao with great consideration.
They even turned a blind eye to Song Qingchao privately setting up a shed and adding a brazier.
They also benefited, so they naturally had no reason to object.
After all, the winters in Mobei were harsh, and even they couldn't endure standing outside for several hours.
Thus, a peaceful morning passed.
However, after a short while, Song Qingchao began to act strangely.
Song Qingchao had deliberately chosen this time.
There were fewer people around at this hour, so not many would notice her.
A few soldiers, to avoid responsibility, would let her leave, and since she was ill, they naturally wouldn't let her continue working.
As for her job?
The instructors who worked in the morning and afternoon shifts were already her people from Sifangtai.
They could simply take over.
She would not give up this task.
This was because it recorded the output of the mines.
With the account books, she could estimate how much iron Dayuan produced annually.
Therefore, even if she stepped down, she would ensure her people filled the position.
She coughed, "Gack!" and spat out a mouthful of blood.
The blood was spat out cleverly, completely avoiding the account books she was recording, and instead splattered all over two soldiers.
The soldiers who were splattered were bewildered.
They had always heard that Miss Song's health was poor. Now, without doing any heavy labor, merely recording accounts in a shed every day, how could she spit blood with such little exertion?
They immediately panicked.
Song Qingchao, however, remained calmer. "My brother has medicine."
Upon hearing this, the soldiers immediately went to the adjacent shed to find Song Qingmu.
A short while later, the two of them hurried back.
Song Qingmu, looking flustered, almost stumbled upon seeing her covered in blood.
"Oh dear, young master Song, please be careful. Miss Song has had an accident; if you have an accident too, will our heads still be on our shoulders?"
Song Qingmu nodded, then ran to Song Qingchao's side with a pale face.
Song Qingchao cooperatively ate the "sugar ball" that Song Qingmu fed her.
Then, she "fainted" into Song Qingmu's arms.
Song Qingmu's acting was very convincing.
The tears on the verge of falling, and his repeated calls of "Eldest Sister,"
Almost made Song Qingchao herself wonder if she had truly passed away.
Song Qingmu's actions made the two soldiers even more bewildered.
They tentatively asked, "Perhaps you could take Miss Song home to recuperate. We will make our own arrangements here."
Song Qingmu bit his lip. "But if Eldest Sister collapses, who will take over this position?"
The matter was settled with a few back-and-forth exchanges.
The result was exactly as she had expected.
These two soldiers intended to "exploit" the instructor who worked in the afternoon.
In the end, Song Qingchao and her companion were escorted away by the two soldiers.
Song Qingchao could imagine what those two were thinking.
Just don't die here!
If you're going to die, go die at home!
If you die here, our heads will be forfeit!
Thus, Song Qingchao was sent away.
Song Qingmu was also very cooperative, scooping her up in his arms and leaving.
Song Qingchao, in Song Qingmu's arms, was not still. First, she coughed and spat out blood, then she slid the hand resting on Song Qingmu's shoulder down, feigning death to scare the two soldiers.
The two soldiers' faces turned white.
Upon returning to Sifangtai, Song Qingchao immediately recovered.
She wanted to get down from Song Qingmu's arms.
But Song Qingmu wouldn't allow it.
"You little rascal, what are you trying to do?"
Song Qingmu's expression was largely unchanged, but the corners of his eyes were reddened.
"Eldest Sister, let your younger brother hold you a little longer."
"What's wrong?"
Song Qingchao teased him, not wanting to create too somber an atmosphere for their farewell.
"Nothing."
"Alright," Song Qingchao rested her face on his shoulder. "When Elder Sister returns, Mu Mu will have grown up."
"I have already grown up."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Before the warmth could last long, the two began bickering with each other again.
In the end, they looked at each other and smiled.
"Eldest Sister, I will wait for your return."