The God of War Who Protects the Nation: Starting with Saving a Mother and Daughter in Distress

Qin An was stunned; he hadn't expected Yang Yuyan to say such a thing.

So that's why she was acting so strangely today.

She went to such lengths for him.

Qin An felt a pang of sorrow in his heart and held his wife tightly in his arms: "Silly wife, don't talk nonsense. I'll be fine. We will definitely have our own children. Even if we don't, Yan'er and Zhen'er are still my good daughters."

Yang Yuyan leaned against him, tears streaming silently down her face: "I know, but I'm just afraid... Husband, I'm really afraid of losing you."

After so much time and effort spent together, she had long since truly accepted her husband.

But the more this happens, the more anxious and uncertain I become.

She was forced into marriage with Qin An, and had been married before and had children, which made her always lack confidence.

More importantly, there is an age gap between the two.

Even if Qin An treats her well now, what about ten years from now? By then, she will be old and faded, while Qin An will be in his prime. Will he still be so infatuated with her?

Therefore, she was eager to have a child, hoping to solidify their relationship.

But now it seems that even that hope has been dashed.

She had already witnessed Qin An's abilities; if he could survive on the battlefield, becoming a marquis or general would be just around the corner.

If he is unable to have children by then, he will eventually have to carry on the family line.

Since this glory is destined to be shared by other women, why not let Yan'er and Zhen'er have it?

Even if the meat rots in the pot, Qin An won't be stolen.

As for ethics, what sordid things hadn't Yang Yuyan, who came from a noble family, seen?

The current emperor, Yang Ming, once said, "Apart from those who gave me life and those I gave life, there is nothing that is not allowed." So what is her little thought?

It was with this in mind that she so boldly indulged her two daughters.

Although Qin An did not know what she was thinking, he could feel her deep love.

No amount of promises could dispel her fear; only tangible love could put her at ease.

"Don't cry." He wiped away her tears. "It's just a child. Let's keep trying."

He then picked her up and threw her onto the bed. Yang Yuyan didn't resist; instead, she became exceptionally wild.

The two sisters next door, however, just grimaced at what they heard.

"Again? This is never going to end." Cai Zhen muttered under her breath. "No wonder Mother had that idea. It seems she really needs our help."

Cai Yan spat lightly, "What nonsense are you spouting? Have you no shame?"

"Mother has made it perfectly clear. You still don't want to? Fine, then all the benefits in the future will be mine."

Cai Yan immediately became anxious: "Who said I didn't want to...?"

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Cai Zhen's mocking face and realized he had been tricked.

"You little brat, Cai Zhen, you're getting more and more disrespectful!" She lunged at her in a fit of rage. Cai Zhen didn't fight back, only dodged, and finally rushed into the main room, burying her face in Yang Yuyan's arms: "Mother, my sister bullied me again!"

Yang Yuyan didn't mind her daughter's impulsiveness. Instead, she waved to Cai Yan, who was standing shyly at the door, and pulled her into her arms as well: "You sisters must love and cherish each other from now on."

……

After an unknown amount of time, the two sisters had already moved to the side and were fast asleep, completely undisturbed.

Exhausted, Yang Yuyan nestled in Qin An's arms and fell into a deep sleep, her fingers still tightly gripping his clothes, as if she would disappear if she let go.

Qin An, however, found it difficult to fall asleep for a long time.

He looked out at the dark night and at his wife and daughter sleeping soundly, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

As the shadow of war loomed ever closer, he wondered if he could escape the battlefield unscathed, and where this chaotic world would lead them.

But he knew he had to be strong, for his wife and daughters, and to take control of his own destiny.

He clenched his fist, a determined look in his eyes: Then let's carve out a future on the battlefield.

The days that followed were calm yet tense.

Qin An continues to rigorously train the militia every day.

Under his supervision, the men's steps became more synchronized, their eyes sharper, and they wielded their weapons with increasing skill.

Yang Yuyan quietly took care of everything at home, making sure his food, clothing, and shelter were all taken care of perfectly. However, her gaze towards him grew increasingly tender and reluctant to part.

Cai Yan and Cai Zhen seem to have grown up quite a bit. They no longer see themselves as children and, like their mother, offer Qin An a cup of hot water when he returns from training, wipe his sweat, and help him wash up.

Qin An knew that they were all preparing for the upcoming farewell in their own ways.

On this day, Qin An was leading the militia in a live-fire exercise when he suddenly saw several mounted officials arriving at the village entrance. The leader of them was a minor official from the county government.

His heart skipped a beat: what was bound to happen had finally happened.

"Instructor Qin!" The clerk dismounted and handed over a document. "By order of the county magistrate, you are ordered to immediately lead your militia to the county seat to assemble and await further instructions."

The document clearly states that these border militiamen will be added to the Eastern Expeditionary Army and sent to the front lines.

Qin An took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart: "Please report back to the magistrate, I will pack my things and set off with my brothers."

The minor official nodded and led his men to wait at the village entrance. Qin An turned around and looked at the fifty militiamen before him. Their faces showed fear and unease, but not one of them flinched.

"Brothers, the order has arrived," Qin An said calmly. "We're going to the front lines."

After a moment of silence, a man stepped forward: "Instructor, we'll go with you!"

"Yes, we'll go with you!" the crowd echoed.

A warm feeling welled up in Qin An's heart: "Alright, go back and pack your things. Meet here in half an hour, and we'll set off!"

Everyone responded in unison and turned to run back into the village.

Qin An also hurried home.

When he pushed open the courtyard gate, Yang Yuyan was sitting in the yard mending clothes. Seeing him return, she paused in her needlework, then stood up and forced a smile: "Husband, are you done training?"

Qin An looked at her red and swollen eyes and knew that she had already guessed it.

"My wife, I'm leaving now."

Yang Yuyan nodded, fighting back tears: "I know, I've packed everything for you."

She turned and went inside, taking out a heavy bundle. "A few changes of clothes, dry food, and medicine for wounds. Wear the leather armor close to your skin, and wear several layers. Be sure to eat on time while you're out, and be careful..."

She kept talking, and finally tears fell down her cheeks.

Cai Yan and Cai Zhen also came out of the house, their eyes red and unable to say a word.

Qin An stepped forward, patted Cai Yan's head, and then hugged Cai Zhen: "Yan'er, take good care of your mother and sister."

Cai Yan nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Cai Zhen hugged his neck tightly, choking back sobs, "Father, you must come back..."

"Father will definitely come back." Qin An suppressed his sorrow, released his daughter, and looked at his wife. "Wife, I'm leaving the house to you. If you encounter any danger, just do as I tell you and run into the mountains."

Yang Yuyan stepped forward, straightened his clothes, stood on tiptoe and kissed him deeply until she was breathless before reluctantly letting go: "Husband, I'll wait for you to come back."

"Okay, wait for me."

Without further hesitation, Qin An picked up his bundle, turned, and went out. Reaching the courtyard gate, he stopped and looked back.

Yang Yuyan stood in the courtyard with her two daughters, looking at him, tears blurring their vision.

He silently vowed to himself, "Wait for me, I will definitely come back."

Then he turned and strode towards the village entrance. The sunlight shone on him, carrying a touch of tragic grandeur.

……

When Qin An arrived in the county town, the town gate was already bustling with people.

Militiamen from various villages gathered here, crowding half the street. A rough count revealed ten teams and over four hundred people.

The men were mostly dressed in patched coarse cloth clothes, their faces showing fear or bewilderment, and their whispers were filled with barely suppressed tension.

Qin An's group stood out even among the others. Their ranks were orderly, and although their eyes showed tension, they were not flustered, clearly indicating that they had undergone rigorous training.

"Brother Qin!" Han Quan walked through the crowd, his face filled with worry.

"Brother Han, how's the situation?"

Han Quan pulled him to a secluded spot and sighed, "It's not looking good. This time, the imperial court is conscripting a lot of men. Not only your militia, but even half of the county government's yamen runners have been conscripted."

He lowered his voice, "If I hadn't pulled some strings and scraped together the money, I probably would have had to go with them this time."

Qin An's heart sank slightly: "They even whip the yamen runners?"

"Who says otherwise?" Han Quan frowned. "This is just the beginning. I heard that if the war doesn't go well, there will be even more conscriptions. At that time, those without connections or backgrounds will not be able to escape."

He looked at Qin An earnestly: "Brother Qin, listen to my advice, this battle is extremely dangerous. If you want to stay, I'll think of another way to scrape together some money..."

"Brother Han, thank you for your kindness." Qin An interrupted him, his eyes firm. "My mind is made up. There's no way to avoid it. Rather than waiting to die, I might as well go to the battlefield and fight. Maybe I can find a way out."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Han Quan knew he couldn't persuade him and shook his head helplessly: "Fine, you're too stubborn, I won't try to persuade you anymore. Be careful in everything you do in the army, and remember, survival is the most important thing."

"I understand," Qin An nodded.

In chaotic times, it is rare to find someone like Han Quan who genuinely cares about one's own interests.

After exchanging a few more words, Han Quan hurriedly left to attend to official business.

Qin An returned to the group and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, pay attention. From now on, we are soldiers. In the army, you must obey orders and not act without authorization. Understand?"

"Understood!" the group responded in unison. Though not loud, their voices were perfectly synchronized, drawing the attention of other militia groups around them. They were surprised to find that this militia group was so disciplined.

About an hour later, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the county government office.

The county magistrate came out with several county officials, followed by several soldiers in military uniform.

He stood on the high platform and, as usual, uttered some platitudes about "serving the country" and "making achievements." After boosting morale with a few words, he turned to a burly, resolute-faced officer beside him with a broad smile.

"Next, Commander Luo will give a speech. From now on, you must obey Commander Luo's orders without fail!"

The officer stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the audience like lightning, and his voice booming: "My name is Luo Kai, and I am your temporary commander. From this moment on, you are all part of the Daxing Army. After changing into your uniforms, you will march with me to the front lines!"

His words were concise and to the point, yet carried a subtle air of authority.

No one dared to delay and hurriedly went to collect their military supplies.

The things we received were really shabby.

Each person received a thin bamboo armor, a crudely made wooden spear, and not even a decent knife.

Qin An frowned slightly as he looked at the bamboo armor and wooden spear in his hand.

This thing probably can't even stop ordinary swords, let alone arrows on the battlefield.

But he also knew that having any equipment at all was good enough at the moment, and he had no right to be picky.

He carefully put on the bamboo armor, checked the spearhead, and confirmed that it was still sharp enough. He then ordered the team to wait in place, while he took the opportunity to immerse himself in the system.

Although he had not been on the battlefield during this period, Qin An never slacked off.

In addition to training the militia daily, they went into the mountains to hunt and practice diligently, steadily improving their strength.

[Host: Qin An]

Age: 17

【Strength: 25】

[Agility: 22]

[Physical Fitness: 21]

[Endurance: 24]

【Spirit: 16】

Commander-in-Chief: 30

Skills: Basic Archery, Intermediate Hunting, Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Horsemanship, Basic Marksmanship

Overall combat strength: 22

In just a few months, the overall combat capability has increased by six points.

He also diligently practiced the marksmanship he learned from Cai Zhen, which added a basic marksmanship skill to his skill panel.

In particular, the fact that the command value reached 30 is clearly the result of training the militia.

But Qin An was not satisfied.

This level of strength is far from sufficient on a real battlefield. The army is full of fierce generals and experts; with his limited combat power, he would probably be barely able to protect himself, let alone achieve great deeds.

We must improve our strength on the battlefield as quickly as possible.

He clenched his fists silently.

The system gave him the potential for rapid growth, but this required sufficient battle merits, and... killing!