When Gu Qingwan arrived, the Divine Physician Chu was just applying medicine to Beichen Yuan’s wounds.

Whether it was intentional or not, the moment Gu Qingwan entered, she caught sight of the ghastly injury — the flesh was torn open, exposing bone, so gruesome it made one’s scalp tingle just to look at it.

“You mustn’t engage in any more combat for now, or this wound will never heal properly,” Chu Fengchun warned repeatedly.

He feared uncooperative patients the most and could only stress the importance of rest over and over.

“Divine Physician Chu, long time no see,” Gu Qingwan greeted him first.

The physician was happy to see her — after all, the kit she’d given him previously was genuinely useful.

“Hmph, so you still remember this old man?” Chu shot her a resentful glare, like a disapproving elder looking at a wayward grandchild.

Gu Qingwan rubbed her nose sheepishly. “I’ve just been busy lately. Once the war ends, I’ll invite you to visit our village.”

Chu Fengchun’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Of course. You can stay as long as you like,” Gu Qingwan replied, unbothered by the idea that he might not want to leave.

“Alright then. You two chat — I’ll go prepare some medicine for this lucky survivor,” Physician Chu said as he exited.

Only then did Gu Qingwan turn to Beichen Yuan. “War Prince, I’m here today to ask something of you.”

Beichen Yuan hadn’t expected her to be so direct.

Zhao Zhuo had already told him about Gu Qingwan recruiting militias and forging weapons.

Though surprised, he hadn’t stopped her — because he knew he could no longer protect the people of the northern lands by himself.

“What is it you want?” he asked.

“I’m producing a batch of repeating crossbows. I need some iron,” she stated plainly.

“Do you know that forging weapons privately is punishable by death?” Beichen Yuan’s sharp gaze locked onto her.

Gu Qingwan responded with a question of her own. “Then let me ask you, when Beirong’s 300,000-strong army invades, can Yanzhou hold?”

Beichen Yuan fell silent.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to answer — it was that he already knew the answer was no.

No matter how valiant he was, he was still just one man.

He might defeat a thousand enemies with a hundred soldiers, but he could never repel 300,000 with only 30,000.

The Zhenbei Army had 100,000 soldiers, but they were scattered across various fortresses in the north. The total forces in Yanzhou city were just over 30,000.

Facing 300,000 enemies, even a slow march would eventually flatten Yanzhou.

Seeing his silence, Gu Qingwan continued, “Since it’s only a matter of time before Yanzhou falls, the Zhenbei Army will inevitably retreat to Suzhou. Shutting the city gates might temporarily protect the civilians inside — but what about those outside?

Are their lives worth less?

If we know we’re going to die, what’s wrong with building our own weapons to fight back?

Or do you think the people should just sit and wait for death?”

Her words left Beichen Yuan speechless.

Gu Qingwan’s actions might be against the law, but they were the only and the necessary choice.

To resist might mean survival.

To not resist was certain death.

The civilians outside Yanzhou were proof of that — watching them be captured while powerless to act left a deep bitterness in his heart.

“The closest iron mine to Yanzhou is in Yandang Mountain. The terrain is complicated. You might not be able to find it yourself. And extracting large quantities of iron won’t be easy — it may alert the Beirong forces. There’s another mine in Pingxi Mountain, but a round trip will take two or three days.”

To avoid discovery, operations at the Yandang mine had already ceased.

But there were still plenty of refined iron blocks stored in the caves.

Whether they could be retrieved depended on Gu Qingwan.

“Then Yandang Mountain it is. I just need someone to lead the way. I’ll handle the rest,” she said confidently.

With her space ability, transporting materials was easy.

Although she hadn’t unlocked the ring she’d gotten from Ye Lingxue, her own storage space was still usable.

Beichen Yuan trusted her ability to transport goods. But since Yandang Mountain was near enemy territory, he had to weigh whether her weapons were worth the risk.

“Can I take a look at the weapons you’re making?”

Gu Qingwan didn’t refuse — she had expected this and brought samples with her.

“They’re in the cart outside.”

When Beichen Yuan had arrived, he’d come with a cart.

The repeating crossbow machine had been loaded on it.

The cart had no enclosure, and the crossbow machine was secured with ropes and covered, making it impossible to see what was being transported.

Beichen Yuan followed her to the courtyard of his residence — not as grand as his estate in the capital, but still quite impressive.

Gu Qingwan’s cart had been led into the courtyard.

Xuantian ordered people to unload it.

Murong Wushuang arrived just as the crossbow was being unloaded. “What kind of weapon is this?”

“Long time no see, Young Master Wushuang,” Gu Qingwan cupped her hands in greeting. Murong Wushuang returned the courtesy.

“Murong Wushuang greets the Princess,” he said.

Now that she was a Princess, even he had to bow.

Gu Qingwan looked a little uncomfortable. “No need to be so formal. Just call me Gu Qingwan.”

Murong Wushuang, still in his elegant white robes, exuded noble refinement.

Yet when he looked at Gu Qingwan, his expression softened with a rare trace of warmth.

Gu Qingwan explained the crossbow machine to them.

Beichen Yuan had already seen the handheld version.

The Second Prince’s men had used something similar, made entirely of iron and extremely costly.

Gu Qingwan’s design, on the other hand, was a simplified version using bamboo and iron components — much more economical in labor and resources.

The Second Prince had claimed the crossbows were gifts from the Bai family.

But now, it seemed Gu Qingwan was involved.

Could she have deep ties with the Bai family?

Gu Qingwan demonstrated the weapon’s power, and when the bolts pierced through a wall, Beichen Yuan’s eyes lit up.

If the Zhenbei Army had such weapons, perhaps there was still hope of holding Yanzhou.

“How many of these crossbow machines can you make per day, assuming enough iron?” Beichen Yuan asked.

He and Murong Wushuang exchanged a glance, seeing hope reflected in each other’s eyes.

Gu Qingwan did a quick estimate and gave a conservative number. “At most, thirty units a day. If we work around the clock, maybe fifty. The handheld crossbows are easier — with enough manpower, we can make over four hundred a day.”

“There’s not much time. In three days at most, Beirong’s army will launch a full assault,” Beichen Yuan said gravely. Their food supplies were limited. With 300,000 troops consuming over half a million jin of grain a day, they couldn’t afford to delay.

Knowing this would be a brutal battle, Beichen Yuan had to be fully prepared.

Gu Qingwan frowned and thought for a moment before replying, “Then we’ll increase manpower. I’ll need more blacksmiths and carpenters. If we have enough hands, we can double the production speed.”

“Murong, you stay in the city. Tonight, I’ll take you to Yandang Mountain,” Beichen Yuan said.

Both Murong Wushuang and Gu Qingwan were stunned.

“You’re injured. It’s not safe for you to travel. Let me go with the Princess instead,” Murong Wushuang urged, genuinely worried for Beichen Yuan’s condition.