Top-notch Little Horseman

The stable was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the smell of mugwort and medicinal dregs.

Ye Chen squatted on the ground, administering medicine to a warhorse, while a horse herder handed him herbs.

The monkey and the smoker stood before several horses that had just recovered from a serious illness, their arms slightly outstretched as if protecting something important.

Ye Chen hadn't left yet; he needed to ensure the warhorses in the stable recovered first.

As for the warhorses in the other stables, he had already taught them the methods, and Uncle Lao Gen personally led people to treat the other warhorses.

"Ye Chen!"

Liang Kun's furious shout echoed through the stable: "Don't push your luck! I order you to bring the horse out right now!"

Liang Kun kicked the monkey blocking his way over and then went to untie its reins himself.

Smoker strode forward and grabbed Liang Kun's wrist: "Chieftain! These warhorses haven't recovered yet, they can't be taken away!"

"The three horses we took away earlier were only mildly ill and could still be used! The other horses need at least a day to rest and can't be ridden!"

"Resting my foot! Bring me the horses right now!" Liang Kun shouted coldly. "The general urgently needs horses; you must bring out ten horses today, no matter what!"

"I'm telling you, no one can bear the responsibility if the general's plans are ruined!"

Ye Chen slowly stood up and looked at Liang Kun, saying, "You can't take these warhorses away!"

"These warhorses are incredibly weak inside. Forget carrying people on missions, even walking ten miles would cause their hearts and lungs to burst!"

"If the warhorse were to suddenly die on the way, injuring the general, no one could bear the responsibility!"

"Bullshit!" Liang Kun shouted angrily at Ye Chen.

His spittle nearly landed on Ye Chen's face. "I think you're deliberately trying to trip me up. Today you must bring out ten warhorses!"

He then called out to the few horse herders beside him, "Go and check the other stables; bring over any horses that are rideable!"

Seeing the horse herders about to leave, Ye Chen hurriedly called out, "No! Although Uncle Lao Gen has started treatment, those sick horses won't recover in just a few hours!"

He then stared at Liang Kundao, saying, "Chief Shepherd, let me make this clear: if you insist on taking the horse away and something goes wrong, don't blame us!"

Liang Kun's face was extremely gloomy. If he didn't bring out 10 horses, he wouldn't be able to get away with this today. The fact that the horse camp was sick would be exposed, and he, as the herdsman, would definitely be held accountable.

No matter what, Chen Baihu must not find out about this; we must gather these 10 horses no matter what.

"Guards!" Liang Kun roared, shouting, "Get them all out of here!"

His loyal lackeys immediately rushed towards Ye Chen.

The monkey and the smoker stepped forward and quickly stopped them.

Just then, a deep voice came from the gate of the stable.

"What's going on!"

Chen Baiquan walked over with his guards, followed by Hong Chengye, who looked helpless.

"General Chen, you...you've come here? It's dirty and messy here, please don't let it offend your eyes..."

His expression changed as he spoke, and he turned to glare at Hong Chengye, shouting, "Hong Chengye, didn't I tell you to accompany General Chen?"

Upon seeing Chen Baiquan arrive, Liang Kun immediately felt a great deal of guilt and glared fiercely at Hong Chengye.

Hong Chengye remained expressionless, only slightly lowering his head as if he hadn't seen or heard anything.

"Liang Kun!" Chen Baiquan's words were unhurried, yet carried a sense of oppression.

"I overheard a few words outside, and this young man said that not allowing the horse to be led was for the horse's sake, and also for my safety."

"And you, of all people, insist on holding on! What, is my life so worthless in your eyes?"

Upon hearing Chen Baiquan's words, Liang Kun's legs went weak.

With a thud, he knelt on the ground, sweat streaming down his forehead.

"General, please calm down. That's not what I meant. I was just worried that I might delay your mission..."

"Worried about my mission?" Chen Baiquan sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife across Liang Kun's face.

"How dare you send this general on a mission on a sick horse? Are you trying to kill me?"

Chen Baiquan was furious. They were risking their lives to do this, and the warhorse was of utmost importance. If something happened to the warhorse, it could very well cost him his life.

"If you had told me beforehand that there was a problem with the warhorse, I could have dealt with it leniently and considered other matters."

"But... now you actually dare to send this general to his death on a sick horse? You don't want to live anymore, do you?!"

Liang Kun was so frightened by Chen Baiquan's words that he almost wet himself.

Now that the warhorse has fallen ill, he tried to use a sick horse as an excuse, but he's been caught red-handed. What is he going to do now...?

Liang Kun lay prostrate on the ground, repeatedly begging for mercy: "This humble official knows his crime! This humble official knows his crime! I beg the general to spare my life!..."

Chen Baiquan snorted coldly, ignored him, and turned to look at Ye Chen.

He looked Ye Chen up and down, then asked softly, "Are you a veterinarian?"

Ye Chen met Chen Baiquan's gaze with neither servility nor arrogance, and cupped his hands, saying, "Reporting to the General, I am a horse herder from the Third Horse Battalion, and I have some knowledge of veterinary medicine. Warhorses are very important to the border, and when I learned that a warhorse had fallen ill, I took it upon myself to treat it."

"Oh?" Chen Baiquan let out a soft exclamation and nodded slightly, his tone softening considerably.

"What disease do these warhorses have, and do you have a way to cure them?"

Ye Chen nodded slightly and said, "Yes. It's fine. These warhorses have been healed. They'll recover completely with proper rest."

"Oh? That's good." Chen Baiquan looked at the warhorses and saw that they were indeed clearly better.

"The Northern Barbarians could attack at any moment. How long will it take to raise these warhorses before they're ready to be ridden?"

Ye Chen thought for a moment and said, "For milder cases, a day of rest is enough. For more severe cases, it will take three to five days to recover the muscles and bones."

Chen Baiquan pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "In that case, you should take good care of the horses. We'll discuss everything when I return from my mission."

He gave Liang Kun a cold glance and snapped, "I hope when I come back, these horses will be lively and energetic!"

After speaking, he waved his hand and left with his guards.

Before leaving, he glanced at Ye Chen one last time, but didn't say anything and left without looking back.

Liang Kun hurriedly followed him out, watching the direction Chen Baiquan had gone. The fawning on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by an indescribable gloom.

He slowly turned around, his gaze like a knife piercing Ye Chen, before settling on the horses that were gradually regaining their vitality.

"You're very good, Ye Chen!" Liang Kun said, each word distinct and deep, as if squeezed from the depths of his throat.

"You lad, you smugly showed off in front of Commander Chen, making me lose face completely. Are you pleased with yourself?"