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

Upon seeing that he had only been taken to the logistics department, Qin An, who was usually taciturn, couldn't help but ask Luo Kai, "Commander, aren't we... going to the front lines to fight the enemy?"

Luo Kai sighed: "The imperial court doesn't value you militiamen much. They think you're not good at fighting. They sent you to the front lines mainly to be responsible for transporting supplies and guarding the camps."

Qin An felt a pang of disappointment.

He came to the battlefield to kill the enemy, earn merit, and improve his strength, not to be a logistics soldier.

But he also knew that he was of low status and could not change anything, so he could only nod helplessly: "Your subordinate understands."

"Don't be discouraged." Luo Kai patted him on the shoulder. "Logistics is also very important, and who says logistics is always safe? The Baekje people often raid supply lines. There are plenty of battles for you to fight."

Qin An's heart skipped a beat. Yes, supply lines are often the enemy's main targets for surprise attacks. Guarding supply lines is equally dangerous, but it can also lead to killing enemies and making meritorious contributions.

"Thank you for your guidance, Commander," Qin An said.

"Do a good job!" Luo Kai said. "I will report your abilities to the logistics commander. You just need to focus on leading and training the troops. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Qin An nodded and said no more.

With Luo Kai's help, his days at the logistics camp went relatively smoothly.

His main task was to lead his one hundred men to guard and transport a section of the grain route.

Although he did not directly participate in the major battles on the front lines, Qin An did not relax.

Besides arranging guard and transport tasks every day, he also made the most of his time to train his men and improve their combat effectiveness.

He also used his spare time to learn from veterans about battlefield experience and skills, striving to improve himself.

Although Luo Kai was busy, he would occasionally give him some pointers on how to lead troops into battle, which greatly benefited him.

During this period, although there were no large-scale battles, small-scale sneak attacks occurred from time to time.

Every time Qin An encountered a sneak attack by the Baekje people, he was able to calmly deal with it and lead his brothers to repel them. After several such attacks, his brothers became more and more convinced of his abilities, and his name gradually gained some fame in the logistics camp.

……

While Qin An was living a peaceful life on the front lines, Yang Yuyan was squatting in front of the stove adding firewood in Baishantun when she suddenly heard dragging footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.

She straightened up, dusted off her apron, and lifted the curtain to see Old Zhang from the village entrance supporting a lame man standing at the door.

The man's trousers were hanging loosely, and he still had unhealed scars on his face. He was one of the militiamen Qin An had taken out. Yang Yuyan remembered that his name was Li Shuan.

"Madam Qin, this is... sent back from the county. They said Instructor Qin asked me to bring something." Old Zhang wiped his sweat and helped Li Shuan to the bench under the porch.

Yang Yuyan's heart clenched, her fingertips turned cold, but she forced herself to remain calm and poured Li Shuan a bowl of water: "Brother Li, what's wrong...?"

Li Shuan's hands trembled uncontrollably as he took the bowl. His Adam's apple bobbed for a long time before he finally said in a hoarse voice, "Madam Qin, don't be afraid. The instructor... he's alright. It's just that we encountered a small group of Baekje stragglers a few days ago. I wasn't careful and was shot in the leg by a stray arrow. I couldn't stay any longer and was sent back."

He pulled out a wooden box wrapped tightly in oilcloth from his pocket. "This is a letter from the instructor to you, along with some of his savings."

When Yang Yuyan's fingers touched the wooden box, the coolness from her fingertips crept up her arm and into her heart, and her hands trembled as she unwrapped the oilcloth.

Hearing the commotion, Cai Yan and Cai Zhen ran out from the inner room. When they saw Li Shuan's appearance, the two sisters looked at each other and held their breath.

The letter was on rough paper, but the handwriting on it was strong and vigorous, and Qin An's voice seemed to be ringing in my ears:

"My lady, it is as if you are seeing me in person upon reading this letter: It has been more than a month since I left home. There are many things to do in the army, but I often think of home. I have now been promoted to centurion, with a hundred men under my command. My pay is sufficient, so please do not worry."

"A few days ago, we encountered some scattered Baekje soldiers causing trouble. I led my troops to repel them and was unharmed. However, my brother Li Shuan was unfortunately crippled and sent back to his hometown. I hope you can take care of him."

"Yan'er and Zhen'er are growing up. Tell them not to worry. When I have achieved great things, I will return home and reunite with you. The army is dangerous, but I am capable of protecting myself, so do not worry. Winter clothes have been prepared, so you should also wear more clothes to avoid catching a cold."

The letter ended without a signature, only with a crooked arrow drawn on it, a mark he had made when teaching the two sisters how to shoot arrows.

Yang Yuyan's hand trembled as she held the letter, tears unexpectedly falling onto the paper and blurring the ink. Cai Yan leaned closer and read it aloud, her nose stinging, and tears streamed down her face: "Mother, Father became a centurion, he's alright..."

Cai Zhen stared at Li Shuan's empty trouser legs, her small hands clenched tightly: "Uncle Li, isn't it very dangerous for Father to fight? Look at you..."

Li Shuan avoided her gaze, lowered his head to take a sip of water, and said, "The instructor is incredibly skilled. Last time we were attacked, he pierced the throat of a Baekje leader with a single spear thrust. Those ragtag soldiers couldn't even get close to him. If it weren't for my own stupidity..."

Yang Yuyan quickly interrupted him: "Brother Li, don't blame yourself. It's a blessing to be back alive. There's still some coarse grain at home. I'll pack some for you to take with you. Take good care of yourself when you get back to the village."

As she turned to go into the kitchen, she stumbled and had to hold onto the door frame to steady herself.

She was pleased with the position of centurion.

But Li Shuan's mutilated body shattered that joy into thorny fragments, causing a sharp pain in his heart.

At night, Cai Yan and Cai Zhen huddled together next to Yang Yuyan, reading the wrinkled letter soaked with tears by the light of an oil lamp.

"The arrow my father drew is crooked." Cai Zhen poked at the letter with her fingertip. "When he taught me archery, he always said that the arrowhead had to be straight to shoot accurately."

Cai Yan sighed: "Perhaps he's too busy in the army to draw in detail. Look at him writing 'Don't worry,' he must have been afraid we'd be concerned."

Yang Yuyan touched the edge of the letter and suddenly hugged the two sisters: "From now on, if you hear any noise at night, don't open the door no matter who it is. The cellar in the kitchen is ready. If anything happens, hide in there."

She dared not say that she was afraid Qin An would not come back, so she could only hide her worries in her trivial instructions.

The two sisters nodded as if they understood, but Cai Zhen suddenly looked up and asked, "Mother, will Father end up like Uncle Li...?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Yang Yuyan covered her mouth, her voice trembling. "Your father is very capable; he will definitely come back safely."

Although she said that, Yang Yuyan couldn't help but feel a little worried.

She kept praying that Qin An could stay in the relatively safe logistics department.

In this way, although there will be fewer opportunities to make great achievements, at least one can protect oneself.

Having experienced great wealth and prosperity, what she desires most now is not riches and glory, but simply a stable home.

"My husband, you must return safely!"

The more Yang Yuyan thought about it, the more anxious she became. She clutched Qin An's letter to her chest and didn't sleep all night!