"I disagree with going to negotiate. It's their territory, and it would be too dangerous if we went,"
"If we don't go to negotiate, doesn't that prove their rumors are true!"
"But it's truly too dangerous!"
The arguments had been ceaseless for the past day.
Lin Yan, carrying her medicine box, waited at the door to take the pulse of these leaders.
This negotiation was bound to happen. Under the public eye, they wouldn't dare do anything. However, this was something known to those who understood history. The people inside, having not experienced it, would naturally be worried.
But they would go. After all, peace was something everyone yearned for, and they wouldn't abandon any opportunity to achieve it.
Once their discussion wound down, Lin Yan entered to take the pulse of each leader.
These leaders were already quite familiar with Lin Yan, yet they were still amazed by her abilities.
"All the leaders' health is quite good. However, with the weather being so unpredictable lately, you must continue to use the medicated packs, otherwise your legs will surely ache."
Everyone who had endured the Long March suffered from such ailments; their knees would ache particularly when the weather changed. It wasn't too severe yet, as these leaders were still young.
As they grew older, their leg pain would likely worsen.
"This is your medicine for this period. You must continue taking it. One pill a day is not much trouble."
Lin Yan took out the medicine packs from her box and placed them on the table, then began to tidy up what she had taken out.
"Xiao Lin, you're married to Comrade Ye now. When are you planning to have children? You're a doctor, so it should be convenient for you." The leaders were quite gossipy.
"Leaders, doctors cannot heal themselves. And I'm so busy. If I get pregnant now, who will do my work!" She knew they were concerned about her, but there was also an element of teasing, so she didn't feel embarrassed.
"That's true. Xiao Lin, your position is irreplaceable!"
"So, leaders, please don't worry about my affairs. When I feel the time is right, it will happen naturally. You must take your medicine on time. I will check with your guards one by one."
"Xiao Lin! We will certainly follow your medical advice, but your Traditional Chinese Medicine skills are truly remarkable!"
One leader said. His knee had started to ache the past couple of days. His bodyguard had gotten a medicated pack from Lin Yan and applied it to him for two days. He felt much better today.
"As long as you follow the advice, it's good. I'll be making a batch of topical plasters these few days. Many soldiers suffer from leg pain. They can use them to relieve the discomfort."
"You're the doctor, you know best. By the way, Xiao Lin, how is the military factory progressing?" another leader asked.
"Everything is normal. Production capacity hasn't increased for now, as raw material transportation is rather troublesome. However, things have stabilized recently, and some materials can be transported now. In a while, it should double."
Lin Yan honestly explained the situation at the military factory. Everyone present were leaders and were quite concerned about such matters.
"Xiao Lin, please pay extra attention to that. This peace is unlikely to last long!" The leader sitting in the center took a deep drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"Alright, I'll keep a close watch on it. I definitely won't let our soldiers be without weapons!" Lin Yan promised.
The negotiation time was finally set. The leaders departed for Chongqing as scheduled for the talks. Lin Yan and the others watched them leave.
Lin Yan had prepared a lot of emergency medicine for them the day before, and also some self-defense items. She hoped they wouldn't need to use any of them.
Amidst the anxious waiting, the results of the negotiation came out. Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief. This feeling of knowing history but worrying that things might not unfold as history dictated was truly terrible.
Now that everything was progressing according to history, Lin Yan could finally relax a little. However, upon thinking about a warlord she had helped create, Lin Yan felt a bit uneasy.
But Mr. Du did possess a sense of national righteousness. At the very least, his subordinates had protected many civilians. For this alone, he was worthy of respect.
The brief peace brought about by this negotiation did not last long. War was once again imminent.
Lin Yan remained stationed in the rear. The war seemed to have nothing to do with her, yet it felt of utmost importance. Batches of medicine and weapons were transported to the front lines, followed by trucks of supplies.
Lin Yan and Ye Xiuyuan became busy again. So busy that they only saw each other every night before sleeping.
"Yanyan, why are they still fighting amongst themselves when the invaders have already been driven out?" Ye Xiuyuan held Lin Yan close, stroking her hair with concern.
It was one thing for him, a grown man, to endure it, but for Lin Yan to be so exhausted truly pained him.
"Because, how can one sleep soundly with neighbors tossing and turning? Our strength has grown, and they feel threatened by us, so they certainly cannot tolerate us.
They couldn't tolerate us when we were weak, and now that we are strong, they can't tolerate us even more. Don't you know the situation on their side? I'm not surprised at all that they would tear up agreements so casually."
Even if Lin Yan didn't know history, she could tell the outcome from the high-ranking officials she had interacted with.
After all, their internal factional struggles were severe, let alone with an external enemy.
"However, they are unpopular. This war will end quickly. We must have faith in ourselves."
Lin Yan comforted Ye Xiuyuan. Ye Xiuyuan was a very idealistic person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have abandoned his job in Beijing just to find Qiming, nor would he have rushed over here for a single letter from her.
He wanted to save this country, even if his strength was meager. He held great passion for this country, and he tried his best to save the souls of even those indifferent people.
Therefore, he couldn't understand why their own people would fight after driving out the invaders.
"Yes, I should have faith in our own people. They have gone too far. No one will support such a regime to power!" Ye Xiuyuan's tone was full of affirmation.
"Mm, we just need to do what we can. I believe we will liberate all areas very soon.
Then, our children can live in a peaceful and serene era, never having to experience such war and displacement again."
"Mm, we'll work together!" Ye Xiuyuan hugged Lin Yan tightly.
How fortunate he was to be Lin Yan's partner, to truly stand shoulder to shoulder with her.
Before he knew Lin Yan, he was blind and aimless. But since he met Lin Yan, he finally realized his true value.