Hu San carefully stored the rice seeds he had saved from last year in a ceramic jar. Nanze was damp, so to prevent the rice seeds from getting moldy, he prepared some dry charcoal and sealed it in the jar before putting it in the cellar.

After the harsh winter, the warm spring arrived as scheduled. As in previous years, Hu San got busy, taking out the earthenware pots one after another and starting to cultivate seedlings. With the experience passed down from generations and decades of personal practice, Hu San had already ingrained the knowledge of what to do in the fields into his very bones.

Hu San had walked this small piece of land countless times. Apart from sleeping at home at night, this was the place where he spent the most time.

Even the time spent with family is far less than the time spent on this land.

Just like the old ox at home, it also spends a lot of time in the fields. Although it doesn't come to this field every time, neighbors will come to borrow it during the busy farming season, and it also has to work in other fields.

It was alright before, but in the last two years, seeing the neighbor bring the old ox back, Hu San felt even more sorry for it looking at its panting appearance.

It's already over ten years old; it's quite old.

Old Zhao's old ox at the east end of the house lived for fifteen years without illness or disaster before dying. Hu San felt that his own ox probably wouldn't live for another two years either.

It might collapse one day while plowing the field, but at least it wasn't the day before yesterday. Hu San looked at it while turning the soil the day before yesterday and thought it seemed to be in pretty good shape. If it was taken good care of, maybe in a few years his naughty son would be able to plow the field with it.

In that case, dying in the army doesn't seem so painful anymore.

As for whether he would die on the battlefield if he went to join the army, Hu San thought he would most likely die, and it was even very likely that he would die like the woman who suddenly died while eating under the willow tree the summer before last.

But everyone dies eventually, and that's something we can't help. Besides, it's not just me; there are many others like me who will also be called up to the battlefield.

So, dying with others seems much better than dying silently.

At least, it's not too deserted.

Even though they're dead, the land has already been tilled, the water has been drawn in, and the seedlings have sprouted. There's no reason not to plant them!

Isn't this how it has always been?!

Let me join the army. Even if I get beheaded and die on the ground tomorrow, it will only be a moment.

But once the seedlings are planted, they won't die in an instant.

Even without any care, it will do its best to draw nutrients from the soil, relying solely on the weather.

Like countless weeds, it grows wildly and unrestrainedly, with great difficulty.

I can give my life to you, but my land, the seedlings that should have been planted, must continue to exist and be passed down to my sons and grandsons.

This land is the lifeblood of the entire Hu family. How dare you so easily take it away from us now?!

Hu San had only one thought in his mind.

The gleaming blade flashed in Hu San's bloodshot eyes. Hu San was panting heavily, like a bull that had suddenly gone mad. The knife was already in his palm. He gritted his teeth and looked at the squad leader.

Suddenly, Hu San pulled the knife out from behind him. The squad leader was first surprised, then filled with boundless rage.

How dare this skinny, short country bumpkin steal a knife?! Who gave him the guts?!

So he glared at Hu San, tilted his head, and shouted angrily at Hu San, who was standing on the ground, looking fierce but with a ridiculous posture:

"You stole my knife?!"

He took a step forward, showing no fear whatsoever towards the country bumpkin with the knife, after all, the way the country bumpkin held the knife was truly laughable—he didn't even know how to hold a knife.

"You dare to steal my knife?! What do you want to do?!" The squad leader shouted again.

The two roars startled Hu San, who took a half-step back.

Compared to the tall and strong squad leader, Hu San was thin and small. He wore a faded coarse cloth shirt with a wide, deformed waistline and even a hole in it, letting the wind in. But this did not make Hu San look strong; it only made him look even thinner.

Actually, he wasn't like this two years ago. But his wife died, and the family lost a laborer, so Hu San had to take on his wife's chores as well—he spent even more time in the fields.

Staying in the fields longer isn't a big deal; it just means drinking more water and sweating more, but it can be a bit lonely.

Aside from his son, who occasionally brought him to work in the fields, the only companion he had was his old ox.

"Whoosh—whoosh."

Just like an old ox plowing the field, it always pants heavily in the latter half, making loud snorting noises. Hu San was like that at this moment.

He was breathing heavily through his mouth and nose, his heart pounding faster and faster.

He held the knife tightly in his palm, but he was now bewildered as to why he had drawn it in the first place.

"You country bumpkin! Give me back my knife right now!" Just then, another angry shout came, making Hu San jump.

The squad leader took another step forward, his face contorted with rage, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Hu San shuddered again and took another step back.

This action further enraged the squad leader, who yelled, "You stole my knife and won't give it back? Are you trying to kill me?!"

"Huh? Who do you want to kill? You don't mean to kill me, do you?!"

Murder? Upon hearing these two words, Hu San's hair stood on end, and he was filled with dread.

Why would I want to kill someone? I've never thought about killing anyone!

All I want is to go home and plant some rice seedlings. I just need half a day. Can't you just give me a little more time?

So he spoke up: "No...no...I won't kill anyone."

"Sir, I just want to go back..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by an angry shout: "Bullshit!"

"You stole my knife! You're pointing a knife at me?!"

"You want to fight me?!"

Enraged, the squad leader rushed forward, reaching out to grab Hu San's knife-wielding hand. He had decided to teach this country bumpkin a lesson once he had captured him.

And the next moment.

With a "whoosh," a sharp and chilling glint of light flashed, and the knife suddenly slashed towards his outstretched hand!

The squad leader's pupils constricted, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

With a "clang," the tip of the knife fell to the ground, making a crisp sound.

"You...!" The squad leader took a step back, looking at Hu San with a mixture of shock and anger.

Hu San was both shocked and frightened. In fact, he didn't understand why he had made that cut, but he still did it.

You're finished!!!

The next instant, the squad leader roared and leaped forward, heading straight for Hu San.

"Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer, I don't want to hurt anyone!"

"Don't force me! Don't force me!"

"I just want to go home and farm!"

Hu San screamed loudly, brandishing his knife in terror to keep the squad leader at bay.