Just as she wished.
News of Su Ning's arrival in the Northeast spread like wildfire through every street and alley, but the effect was not what she had imagined.
"Did you hear? She's here."
"She actually came despite the danger... Could the rumors be true?"
"Ha, unless there's some enormous profit at stake, did she really get struck by Buddha's enlightenment overnight and change her ways, becoming all charitable? Everyone best be careful. They say those who used the penicillin died horribly. Who knows how many people will have to die before they can fix its flaws."
At the mention of this, worry clouded everyone's faces, especially in the military camps, where gloom hung thick. If they truly needed human test subjects for the penicillin, they would be the first in line.
Someone gritted their teeth and slammed the table:
"If they'd flat-out said they wanted to buy lives with money, there'd be nothing to argue about. At least the penicillin is a miracle drug that saves lives."
"But what is this now?"
"Tricking people into dying, and making them weep with gratitude thinking she's some kind of saint."
"We're all born of flesh and blood. What right does she have to treat people like they're nothing!"
Hearing this, the crowd's resentment flared up, and they vented in a chorus, feeling that they'd been taken advantage of while outsiders thought they'd gotten a bargain. It was infuriating.
Then someone said they had an idea.
"What idea?"
"Yeah, spit it out."
"Hold on, hear me out. The higher-ups are short on supplies and provisions. They won't refuse Su Ning just to protect us. We have to save ourselves. Now that she's here, there are things we can do."
Seeing the hesitation on everyone's faces, the speaker sneered inwardly—cowards.
But outwardly, their expression remained unchanged as they added:
"Of course, we can't lay a hand on Su Ning herself, or there'd be no turning back. We're just fighting for fairness. If they want to buy our lives, fine, but don't keep us in the dark, and the payment had better be worth it."
At this, many nodded in agreement.
Clearly, it hit the mark—they were willing to sell their lives, but not for nothing.
Someone asked again:
"So what do we do?"
"Well, you know Su Ning has people here too—the ones scouting for oil. Some are educated, some are seasoned veterans. There's even one who shares her surname. They must matter enough to her. We can grab them, stir up some trouble, and that gives us leverage to negotiate..."
The speaker laid it out smoothly, and the proposal was tempting.
The crowd was swayed.
"Not a bad idea."
"Right, we're not really trying to fight her. This place really is short on food and supplies. My family's big and we're almost out—we've been living on watered-down meals and walking around dizzy. If it means getting food, I'll gamble my life on it. The penicillin doesn't kill everyone, right? I think my luck's decent."
"My luck's not bad either."
"When the time comes, we'll talk nicely first. Better if we don't hurt her people..."
That won't happen.
The one who'd made the suggestion thought to themselves—you won't make a move, but there are plenty who will...
As luck would have it.
Similar scenes played out in many places.
The Wu family estate.
"Dismissed."
Wu Yi waved a hand, then turned to Huo Xiang with a smile:
"I hear you've taken a liking to one of Su Ning's female subordinates. Want to pull her out now? Blades and bullets don't discriminate. When the time comes, you won't be able to save her life even if you want to."
In their plan, all those people were meant to die—and die horribly—to blow things up and leave no room for reconciliation between the Northeast and Su Ning.
If they were lucky.
Perhaps the Northeast would even kill Su Ning themselves to eliminate the threat.
Huo Xiang was tempted.
After a moment's thought, he shook his head regretfully:
"Forget it. The greater plan comes first. Personal feelings can wait."
"Mm."
Wu Yi nodded and chuckled:
"There are plenty of fish in the sea. Once the big deed is done, you'll have no shortage of fine women. I know a few who are elegant and wise—I'll introduce them to you then. It'd even be a proper hero-rescues-damsel story."
He was referring to daughters and nieces of certain uncles he knew.
But none of them carried destiny's blessing.
What a waste, Huo Xiang thought wistfully.
Just then, they heard a faint rustling sound. Both men snapped their heads toward it and barked:
"Who's there?"
"It's me."
The door opened, revealing Xing Qiu, holding a woolen blanket, looking a bit uneasy: "The weather turned cold all of a sudden. I was worried about your leg hurting..."
Wu Yi's heart melted.
No wonder no one had stopped her.
It was little Qiu...
Ever since her father had cruelly broken her leg back then, even now that it had healed, the pain would creep into her bones whenever it turned damp or cold.
"You should have just sent a servant for this. No need to come all the way yourself."
"I'm already here. Here, take it."
Xing Qiu tossed the blanket at him.
As if embarrassed, she turned and left, leaving Wu Yi shaking his head with a smile. Huo Xiang teased him: "I hear you two have been together a long time, and your feelings are still this strong. Makes people jealous."
"Xiao Qiu and I were apart for many years. Being together again now wasn't easy. In my heart, no matter what, she's the one I love most."
Wu Yi said.
But inside, he felt a twinge of melancholy.
For the future, he might have to take a Japanese wife. That would mean letting Xiao Qiu down again. Fortunately, their son Xue Wen was already grown, and with his own affection to back her up, Xiao Qiu wouldn't be looked down upon.
............
The negotiations went smoothly.
More smoothly than the Northeast had ever dared to hope. They'd suspected Su Ning might have ulterior motives, and they'd been prepared to agree to anything as long as it didn't cross their bottom line—anything!
Hell, when you're at the brink of life and death, why be coy about it?
And she did have a purpose.
But it was completely unexpected—
Oil.
"What?! We actually have oil fields here?" Someone couldn't help blurting out, only to be glared at by the others, especially the Young Marshal. Though they were just as stunned themselves... but shouting it out was another matter entirely.
"That's right."
Su Ning gave a slight nod and said coolly:
"Not only do we have them, the reserves are extremely high. According to my earlier agreement with you, this oil field belongs to me. By all rights, extraction should have already begun. But then war broke out unexpectedly..."
So she'd had no choice but to hire them for protection.
Someone nearly choked holding back a cheer, but plenty of faces lit up with joy nonetheless.
And why not?
First, they could accept Su Ning's aid with confidence now—likely a steady, unceasing stream at that.
Second, the military's demand for oil was enormous, especially in wartime. They'd been hoping to beg some from Su Ning anyway. Now to find out there was an oil field right on their doorstep—first come, first served. How could that not be great news!
Both sides reached an agreement of intent without trouble.
From there, the specific terms were just details.
The Young Marshal, in high spirits, invited Su Ning to dinner.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but I have other matters to attend to," Su Ning said. She mentioned that a clansman of hers had been seriously wounded and was in the hospital. She'd promised to visit.
"...The scissors went in at a bad angle—too deep—and there was a lot of blood. Lucky for him, I happened to have penicillin sent over just in time. It was put to use, no infection, and he's already out of danger."
Su Ning's smile was knowing.
Penicillin?
Wasn't that stuff supposed to kill people? Why were they using it without a care in the world?
Some people were puzzled.
Others, recalling something, furrowed their brows, suspecting she was hinting at something. Fortunately, Su Ning didn't go on, so the tension eased.
He thought about dealing with the rumors.
Otherwise, if Su Ning found out, she might feel hurt.
Under these circumstances, the Young Marshal proposed that everyone go visit Su Ning's clan members, and no one really objected—just to show some respect.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they found chaos.
A heavy thud struck in the hearts of those in the northeast. Glancing at Su Ning, whose face was cold as frost, he quickly stopped someone and asked:
"What's going on?"
"Some—some soldiers barged in suddenly, looking ferocious, saying they wanted Su Ning's younger brother. They even fired shots. No one dared to stop them. There were many gunshots, and it seems someone died..."
It was over!
