History Park: Starting with the Imjin War

After their night watch, the four returned to the thatched hut.

Lin Jun squatted by the fire, poking at the smoldering embers with a branch.

The drum outside the shed sounded just after the second watch.

Liu Gao and Yan Qi had already fallen asleep; one was snoring loudly, while the other was breathing so lightly that it was almost inaudible.

Mo Qin leaned against the pillar, feeling the coarse cloth wrapped tightly around his shoulders.

"Wrapped so tightly, are you wrapping a rice dumpling?"

As he muttered to himself, he felt a burning sensation deep within the wound, as if a ball of fire was curled up inside his flesh.

"This is going to be troublesome."

Lin Jun suddenly spoke.

Mo Qin turned his head to look at her.

"I'm talking about the assassin."

Lin Jun tilted his chin, pondering, "The fake messenger appeared first, the archers hid behind the lampstands, and others mingled in the crowd. Whoever showed themselves first, retreated; the timing was impeccable. This isn't a scattered mob; it's become a system with scale."

"There are still their people in the camp. Even if they haven't taken any action, they're at least sending messages."

The fire crackled slightly.

"Those people in the channel, arguing about the capital, Liaodong, and the Ministry of War during the day, are already reaching out to Li Rusong at night. Do you really think they're just chatting idly? Some are keeping watch, some are screening people, and some are recognizing each other's faces. Those who made a move last night might not be the most capable among them."

Everything he said made sense, and Mo Qin didn't interrupt.

Lin Jun is following the arrow's trajectory downwards, dismantling that dark web.

She used a twig to draw a line in the mud.

"As for why it's specifically the aid-to-North Korea route, it's because it's cost-effective."

She drew another sharp cross on the internet.

"If Li Rusong had followed the original plan—reorganizing his army, marching north, and entering the capital—many things could have continued smoothly. But what if he had died in Guangning?"

"With the commander-in-chief dead, Liaodong will be the first to fall into chaos. Once the voices advocating war and peace rise in the court, the supply of troops, provisions, pay, and generals will all have to be postponed. As long as it drags on for even one more day, this storyline can be drastically altered. The more powerful the situation becomes, the more they will profit."

Lin Jun raised her head and looked at him.

"To us, Li Rusong is the commander-in-chief. To them, Li Rusong is a checkpoint."

"People die for wealth, birds die for food," Mo Qin said slowly.

"Yes," Lin Jun nodded, "If the reward is big enough, they'd even sell their parents!"

The shed was quiet for a moment.

A gust of wind blew in from the corner of the shed, and the firelight shifted, casting half of Mo Qin's face into shadow.

Then he spoke.

"I don't care how they calculate this reputation."

Lin Jun looked up at him.

"I've decided to protect this land of China."

"The Japanese pirates cannot gain a foothold in Korea, much less sneak across the Yalu River."

"Anyone who dares to destroy my Han dynasty's land, I will kill him!"

Lin Jun smiled after hearing this.

Do you know what you look like right now?

"What?"

"Like a paranoid person."

"You're half right. Actually, when I was in school, I was more like a radical youth."

"This young man has potential; I like him."

Lin Jun took the twig and drew another horizontal line.

"You protect the aid line to North Korea, I'll help you."

"I'll help you kill those players with crooked backsides."

Lin Jun threw the branch into the fire and patted the ash off his hands.

"However, there's something you need to figure out first."

"explain."

"Having the will is not enough."

Lin Jun looked at him and said, "You made a brilliant tackle last night, but in the end, you're just a rookie who dares to risk his life. If you really have to go up against a group of people, your skills aren't enough."

Mochin looked at his hands.

"I know without you reminding me."

"Good to know."

Lin Jun leaned against a pillar, sizing him up. "There's another question I've wanted to ask for a long time."

"Um?"

"Has your body been enhanced by the amusement park?"

These words made Mo Qin pause slightly.

Lin Jun's words were not aggressive; they seemed to be making a very natural judgment.

"The time Zhao Tou tested you, you suffered the first time, but you were able to penetrate the second time. Tonight's arrow is even more outrageous. The army doctor said the poison takes effect quickly, but you're doing better, your complexion is even better than during the day."

At this point, she suddenly smiled.

"You always say you're big, and I admit it. But this kind of recovery and adaptation can't be explained simply by your size."

Mo Qin touched his nose before finally managing to force a smile.

"Because I used to be a sports athlete."

"Um?"

"I played basketball in college, so my foundation wasn't bad to begin with. I can bench press 140 kg, squat 220 kg, and do three reps without a belt."

When it comes to lying, Mo Qin is second to none. "I was starving for three years during the apocalypse, which is why I was weak before. Now that I can eat, I've recovered. There's nothing strange about it."

Lin Jun stared into his eyes for a long time.

Mo Qin let her look at him, his expression quite calm; one could say he had a thick skin.

A few breaths later, Lin Jun withdrew his gaze.

"Okay. I knew you'd talk nonsense."

She didn't ask any further questions, but simply wrapped her old coat tighter around herself and leaned against the straw mat.

Everyone has their own cards to play. If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask.

After a while, she added another sentence in a fit of pique.

"But I'll find out sooner or later."

Before dawn, bugles sounded in the camp.

When Mo Qin opened his eyes, a line of text popped up in the lower right corner.

[Private message: Drinking from Jiangnan]

Mo Qin clicked on it.

[Drinking Horse in Jiangnan: You're poisoned but still alive?]

He looked at the line of text but didn't reply immediately.

Another car quickly caught up from the opposite side.

[Drinking Horse South of the River: That arrow wasn't something an ordinary person could withstand. Brother, it's a pity you chose the wrong side.]

[Drinking Horse South of the Yangtze River: The Li family's route looks promising, but it might not be feasible. We have more people, a better path, and more rewards. Let's pretend last night's misunderstanding never happened.]

[Drinking Horse in Jiangnan: With your talent, it's a waste to use it as a shield for others.]

Mo Qin's eyes turned cold, and he replied directly.

[Central Nine-Headed Bird: You're on the side of the Japanese pirates, and you still dare to try and pull me in? You bunch of dogs who sell your lives, you don't even deserve to talk about whether it's worth it.]

[The Nine-Headed Bird of Central Taiwan: A disgraceful creature.]

[Central Nine-Headed Bird: If you know what's good for you, shut up! I'll kill you all sooner or later, you ungrateful scum.]

After the message was sent, the other party did not reply.

Lin Jun had already stood up and was straightening her clothes when she noticed his strange expression and casually asked:

"Who are you chatting with privately?"

"Those Japanese pirate dogs are trying to win me over!"

After hearing what was said, Lin Jun raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't scold me enough."

As the two were talking, footsteps could be heard outside the shed.

The person who came was Han Shouyi. He stood outside with a dark face, and his nails were still damp with the morning air.

"Mo Qin, Lin Jun."

"Come with me."

The daytime military command is a different matter from the nighttime command.

The lights at night cast a somber and oppressive glow.

During the day, the wooden fences, barricades, tents, flag racks, horse posts, and messenger paths were all clearly laid out.

The entire central army, on the contrary, displayed a cold order.

There weren't many people coming and going in the camp, but everyone walked quickly and no one wasted words.

Outside the tent, Han Shouyi stopped and bowed inwards.

"Li Shuai, the person has been brought."

"Enter."

The curtain was lifted.

The moment Mo Qin bowed his head and entered the tent, the first thing he saw was the map of Liaodong spread out on the table, and then Li Rusong sitting at the head of the table.

Last night under the lamp, I could only see that Li Shuai looked tired and listless, but today, when I looked at him up close, I could see him much more clearly.

Li Rusong wasn't a tall general, but when he sat there, his back was extremely straight, and his shoulder line was as steady as iron.

At this moment, he looked tired, and there were dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept last night. All these conditions made him look even more haggard.

Li Rubai stood to one side, his hand on the hilt of his knife.

Han Shouyi stepped aside.

Li Rusong first glanced at Lin Jun, then his gaze fell on Mo Qin.

Upon seeing this, a flicker appeared in his eyes.

I saw this man during the chaos last night, and all I knew was that he was tall and fierce.

Looking at it during the day, it feels completely different.

Li Rusong was no stranger to tall and fierce soldiers.

Liaodong is bitterly cold, and the army is not lacking in burly men.

But someone like Mo Qin, who is exceptionally tall, yet whose frame is neither weak nor loose, with his shoulders, back, waist, and hips seemingly connected in one go, looks like a natural-born performer.

It's not just for show.

With that physique, you can tell at a glance that he's got the makings for it.

"come over."

Li Rusong spoke.

Mochin took two steps forward.

Li Rusong actually got up from his seat and walked over to him.

A hand landed on his shoulder and back, pressed down, then kneaded down his upper arm, finally stopping at his waist and hip, and suddenly shook him.

That strike was extremely powerful.

Mochin didn't move an inch.

The strange look in Li Rusong's eyes finally turned into a hint of approval.

"It's good material."

Li Rubai glanced at it from the side and also uttered a remark:

"Not empty."

Mo Qin remained silent, only clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Li Rusong returned to his seat behind the desk and then said:

"Han Shouyi has already reported what happened last night to me."

"It was Lin Jun who saw through the fake message first."

"You blocked that arrow."

"The other two, one tackled the assassin, and the other blocked the retreat. Both deserve credit."

He then pointed to Mo Qin and said loudly.

"Those who have made contributions should be rewarded."

Just as Lin Jun was about to speak, Li Rusong waved his hand first.

"Don't say anything yet."

He looked at Mochin.

"You go first."

Several pairs of eyes in the tent simultaneously fell on Mo Qin.

Even the military doctor who was tidying up his medicine kit in the corner stopped what he was doing.

Mo Qin stood still, only clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Reporting to Commander Li, I seek neither gold nor silver, nor official position."

Li Rusong looked at him: "Then what do you ask for?"

Mochin raised his head.

"I'm full."

There was a moment of silence in the tent.

Li Rubai raised an eyebrow, as if he doubted that he had misheard.

"What did you say?" Li Rusong asked.

"I'm full."

Mochin repeated, "Since entering the camp, we haven't had a single truly filling meal. Porridge can fill our stomachs, but it won't sustain us through a tough battle. A half-full person can't fight to the death."

After he finished speaking, there was a brief silence in the tent.

Li Rusong's lips twitched slightly.

It wasn't laughter, but rather a feeling of being choked by the answer.

He glanced at Li Rubai.

"When others see me, they ask for money, official positions, and preferential treatment. But he's different; he begs me for food first."

Li Rubai twitched the corner of his mouth.

"The military households in Liaodong are terrified of hunger."

Li Rusong nodded, and when he looked at Mo Qin again, the coldness had faded considerably.

"I'm full, that's fine."

"From today onwards, your rations will be increased by one level compared to the previous camp. You will receive extra bread at every meal, and meat every other day. As long as the kitchen doesn't turn off the fire, you can have more rice. If you can really eat it all, just let them serve you more."

Mo Qin's eyelids twitched.

This is practically equivalent to saying, "If you can eat it, you can eat it."

He immediately clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Commander Li."

"Don't thank me yet," Li Rusong said. "Is there anything else you want?"

Mochin had been waiting to hear those words.

"Learn weapons."

"What weapon?"

"Long."

Mo Qin was straightforward: "With my build, I'm not comfortable wielding a short sword, and leaving it empty would be a waste. A spear, a long polearm, or a long-handled sword will do, as long as I can use the strength I have."

Li Rusong glanced at him.

"What?"

"Can't do anything."

"You can't do anything, yet you dare to ask questions."

"It's precisely because I know nothing that I have to learn."

Mo Qin said, "We can't really go into battle and smash the Japanese pirates with our fists."

Li Rubai snorted beside him.

"It's not impossible to kill them with it."

Li Rusong ignored him, pondered for a moment, and then turned to say:

"Han Shouyi".

"exist."

"Call Zhao Tou over and try him again."

Han Shouyi was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "Yes."

Li Rusong continued, "If he's really suited for long weapons, let Zhao Tou train him. Don't start by teaching him fancy moves; first, get his footing, close the distance, and establish a foothold."

"clear."

Mo Qin's heart skipped a beat, but he still simply clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Commander Li."

Li Rusong then turned his gaze to Lin Jun.

"And you?"

Lin Jun cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to Commander Li, I ask for nothing else but to see and remember more."

Explain yourself.

"I noticed something was wrong last night, not because I'm particularly skilled," Lin Jun said, "but simply because I'm observant. The lights were wrong, the signs were wrong, and the way people walked was wrong. If you want me to spot something earlier next time, you need to give me more time to observe the rules of the central command, the people, the objects, and the routes."

She paused for a moment, then continued:

"I don't seek to gain any advantage, nor do I want to touch anything of importance. I only wish to be able to patrol the outer perimeter of the central army, to help Commander Han identify lights, signs, people, and routes. If anything seems amiss, I might be able to spot it sooner."

Li Rusong looked at her for a few moments but did not answer immediately.

He remembered this handsome young man last night.

Looking at him again today during the day, I realize even more how bright and lively his eyes are.

Such a person, if used well, is a beacon of insight; if used poorly, they become a source of trouble.

After a moment, he nodded.

"Can."

"Han Shouyi, give her a temporary token. In the outer circle of the central army, give the order that she can look over the watchtowers, lantern sheds, and guard posts at night. But she is only allowed to look, not touch, and not to wander around."

"Yes."

Li Rusong then asked, "What about the other two?"

Han Shouyi clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Liu Gao and Yan Qi have both rendered meritorious service and have each been awarded a first-class merit. They have been promoted one rank and are temporarily assigned to the front camp as servants. If there is any need later, they can be recalled at any time."

Li Rusong nodded: "Don't skimp on the reward money. Let them know that the Central Army records merits and doesn't take credit for nothing."

"Yes."

That concludes the basic procedures.

Li Rusong picked up his teacup, as if to signal someone to leave.

But just as the rim of the cup touched his lips, he glanced at Mo Qin again.

"Why did that arrow miss last night?"

This problem came out of nowhere.

Mo Qin looked up and met his gaze, his voice steady.

"There was no time to think."

"What if you've thought about it?"

"I'd still throw the bait even if I thought about it."

He paused for a moment.

"You are our Optimus Prime, I would rather die than let you lose a single hair."

Li Rusong didn't ask any more questions, he just waved his hand.

"Alright."

"Go down."

"Once Zhao Tou arrives, Han Shouyi will take you there."

"Yes."

The two withdrew from the tent.

Before the curtain fell, Mo Qin vaguely heard Li Rubai say something inside:

"There's something off about this person."

Immediately afterwards, Li Rusong replied casually.

"Whether it's right or wrong doesn't matter. As long as it works."