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

The journey back to the logistics base was calm and uneventful. As the setting sun pierced through the gaps in the trees, the grain wagons finally drove into the wooden fence of the camp.

When the soldiers guarding the camp saw that it was Qin An and his group, their faces showed respect.

They haven't returned yet, but the news has already spread.

Everyone knew that this grain transport team had encountered the most ferocious attack by the Baekje people, and those who returned alive were all ruthless characters who had been through bloodshed.

After resting at the camp for three days, Luo Kai summoned all officers of captain rank to the central command tent for a meeting.

The candlelight flickered inside the tent, illuminating the tired yet excited faces of everyone, except for Qin An, who stood in the corner, his expression as calm as a deep pool.

"Gentlemen!" Luo Kai sat in the main seat, tapping his fingers on the table. "In the battle at the mountain pass a few days ago, although our troops suffered considerable losses, we preserved our supplies and defeated more than three thousand Baekje soldiers. Our merits outweigh our demerits. The reason I have gathered you all here today is to discuss and reward our contributions."

The tent fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned to Qin An.

Everyone knows that the victory in this battle was entirely due to his killing of the Baekje commander, which turned the tide of the war.

Luo Kai's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, finally landing on Qin An: "Qin An, you have made great contributions by killing the enemy leader and breaking the enemy formation. It would not be an exaggeration to promote you to platoon leader."

Upon hearing this, a low gasp immediately filled the tent.

The platoon leader was second only to Luo Kai, commanding five hundred men. Many veterans would spend their lives working their hair out without ever reaching that position.

Luo Kai then changed the subject: "But you've only been in the army for two months, and your foundation is too shallow. A sudden promotion might not be convincing to the public."

He paused, his voice deepening, "However, those who perform meritorious service will be rewarded; military law, though ruthless, is not without compassion."

He clapped his hands, and two guards carried in a wooden box. They opened the box and found several suits of armor, two jeweled scimitars, and ten heavy silver ingots that gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

"These are your deserved spoils of war," Luo Kai said, pointing to the wooden crates. "Furthermore, after submitting a petition, I have decided to form a hundred-man cavalry squad, specifically tasked with raiding and protecting supply lines. I intend to appoint Qin An as the captain. Does anyone have any objections?"

The tent was silent for a moment, then a chorus of voices echoed in agreement.

"The centurion is brilliant! Captain Qin's horsemanship is superb, and his marksmanship is unparalleled. He is the only one fit to be the cavalry captain!"

The speaker was Wei Bo, the captain of the second team. His arm was still wrapped in bandages, but he patted his chest and loudly agreed.

If Qin An hadn't come to his rescue that day, he probably wouldn't have been able to save his arm.

Team leader Sun Qiang also laughed and said, "Brother Qin is so young yet already possesses such skills. We're too busy benefiting from his talent to have any objections."

He was a seasoned veteran who understood the principle that "the more you do, the more mistakes you make."

Cavalry may seem glamorous, but in reality, they face the most dangerous surprise attacks, so he was happy to pass this task on to Qin An.

The other team leaders nodded in agreement.

After that life-or-death struggle, they were completely convinced of Qin An's abilities.

In this chaotic battlefield, strength is the ultimate principle.

Qin An was able to fight his way through enemy lines to rescue Luo Sheng and kill a commander with a single arrow. Such a person sitting in the position of cavalry captain would only make them feel safer.

Qin An stepped forward and quickly bowed, saying, "Your subordinate thanks the commander for his promotion! I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

His voice was calm and steady, without the slightest excitement, only a heavy sense of responsibility.

Luo Kai nodded in satisfaction: "Get up. You can choose the members of the cavalry squad yourself. The squad should be assembled within three days. The necessary warhorses and armor can be collected directly from the logistics department."

"yes!"

Stepping out of the central command tent, the sunlight was somewhat dazzling. Qin An gazed at the soldiers training in the distance, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips.

cavalry!

This means greater mobility, the ability to break through enemy lines more quickly on the battlefield, and... a higher survival rate.

"Captain Qin, congratulations!" Wei Bo put his arm around his shoulder and laughed heartily. "Now you're a star in our logistics battalion. It wouldn't be right not to treat us, would it?"

"Exactly!" Sun Qiang leaned closer, his eyes narrowed into slits. "I heard Captain Qin intercepted a lot of silver from a Baekje gang leader last time; it's time to show it off!"

Qin An laughed loudly, "Of course! Tonight I'll treat everyone. I'll have someone buy some meat later, and we'll have the feast right outside my tent!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Drinking alcohol was forbidden in the military camp, so Qin An had a large pot of strong tea brewed.

As evening fell, several wooden tables were set up outside his tent, with large chunks of braised pork steaming and piles of brown rice like small mountains.

Wei Bo, Sun Qiang, and several other captains, along with Wang Hu and other bodyguards, sat together, their noise attracting many soldiers to stop and watch.

"I am new here and I am grateful for the care I have received from you all. This first bowl of tea is a toast to you all!" Qin An picked up the rough porcelain bowl, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

"Captain Qin, you're too kind!" Wei Bo wiped his greasy mouth. "If it weren't for you that day, I would have lost my life in the ravine. I should be the one thanking you!"

Everyone raised their glasses, and for a moment the aroma of tea mingled with the smell of meat, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a banquet.

As the atmosphere grew more intense, Luo Kai also strolled over and sat down next to Qin An.

He picked up a piece of meat, chewed it slowly, and suddenly spoke: "Qin An, do you know why I made you this cavalry captain?"

Qin An put down his bowl and said solemnly, "I am foolish, but I know that the commander is here to enable me to serve better."

Luo Kai chuckled: "You've got a way with words, kid. But you need to understand, this position is both an opportunity and a risk."

He lowered his voice, "Cavalry is the sharpest weapon in the army, and it is the easiest to attract attention. The better you perform, the more likely you are to be transferred to the front line. It is a hundred times more dangerous than the supply route. Arrows have no eyes. Even if you have extraordinary abilities, you may still die on the battlefield."

The noise outside the tent seemed to fade into the distance all at once.

Looking into Luo Kai's deep eyes, Qin An knew that the other party was genuinely giving him advice.

"Chieftain," Qin An said slowly after a moment of silence, "from the day I joined the army, I never thought of leaving unscathed. If I can kill the enemy and make meritorious contributions on the front lines, even if I die in battle, I will have no regrets."

Upon hearing this, Wei Bo and the others put down their chopsticks. Sun Qiang sighed, "Brother Qin, you have too much of a temper. The front lines are no joke. I spent half a year on the front lines back then, amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood. It was a miracle I came back alive."

Wei Bo slammed his fist on the table and exclaimed, "What a brilliant 'No Regrets'! I, Wei Bo, was right about you! We soldiers are here to make a name for ourselves, aren't we? What kind of skill is it to just stay in the logistics battalion!"

Luo Kai didn't speak, but gave Qin An a deep look, picked up his teacup, and said, "Good, if you have this spirit, then it's worth the gamble. Come, have some tea."

After the banquet, Qin An was directing his guards to clear away the dishes when Luo Kai called out to him, "Qin An, come with me to the drill ground."

Qin An's heart stirred, and he followed.

It was nearly dusk, and many soldiers were still drilling on the drill ground.

Luo Kai stood in the open space, mounted his horse, drew his long spear, the tip of which gleamed coldly in the setting sun: "You said earlier that you were not afraid of the front line, I want to see just how capable you really are."