Chapter 19 The Tartars are Caught

Lin Changning has a fierce streak, like a wolf cub just released from its den on the grassland.

Fierce and cunning.

The leader sized up the lean but exceptionally fierce border soldier in front of him, and a sense of unease crept into his heart.

He was young and short and thin, but he always managed to find an opportunity to fight back when surrounded by a group of people. His style of using a knife was also unlike that of the Daxingwei of the Great Xuan Dynasty.

The most common tactics used by the Daxing Guards are all desperate, and this young man's swordsmanship is quite good, yet he didn't aim for vital points; rather, it seemed like...

The leader felt a chill run down his spine. Perhaps the news had leaked out, and this was a trap deliberately laid out. They could have killed them, but they had held back, probably waiting to ambush them after they entered the pass!

"Walk!"

The leader waved his hand, and the group of people, on guard, were about to run back.

Lin Changning was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding what was going on.

Just as the carriage rounded the bend, the sound of hooves came from behind. A group of people roared and rushed toward the abandoned fortress, led by Wan Jin, who was carrying a saber.

A group of men, armed with knives, rode their horses across the gap and charged toward the fleeing caravan.

A group of border soldiers roared past Lin Changning and attacked the fleeing spies. Wan Jin turned around on his horse, pulled on the reins, and dismounted as soon as the horse stopped.

"Changping, are you hurt?"

Lin Changning raised his scratched arm: "You hurt your arm, but it's nothing serious, just a superficial wound."

Wan Jin patted his chest: "Luckily you're alright. Go find the army doctor to bandage you up later."

Lin Changning shook his head, looking somewhat tired: "No need, Shilang is a doctor. I'll just get my wound bandaged tonight and have Shilang brew me some medicine."

As the two were talking, the battle ahead had ended, and several burly border soldiers tied up the captured spies tightly and carried them back.

The chest on the horse was also opened and inspected; it contained leather and felt goods, with some gold and silver jewelry pressed at the bottom.

The glittering gold dazzled the border soldiers.

"Commander, you've got something good!!!"

The leader was Zheng Zhong, who was stationed in the camp this time. Wan Jin went back to report the news and happened to run into him preparing to go out, so he quickly gathered a team and rushed over.

Zheng Baihu jumped onto the cart, carefully inspected the goods, and grinned from ear to ear.

This trip was worthwhile; after handing it over, I can even bring some extra money with the brothers.

Thinking of this, Zheng Baihu's gaze softened as he looked at Wan Jin and Lin Changning, and he led the team, escorting the people and goods, to return.

Lin Changning also mounted his horse and followed the group. Zheng Baihu, in a good mood, looked back at Lin Changning:

"You're new here, right? Your skills are pretty good; you've managed to hold them off for so long."

Lin Changning cupped his hands in thanks: "I dare not. It was the centurion who brought his men and arrived just in time. If it had been any later, I fear my life would have been in danger. I thank the centurion for saving my life."

Lin Changning's words sounded nice, and Zheng Baihu was even happier, laughing heartily. "No need for thanks, we're all comrades, it's only right. But you're quite quick-witted, kid. I heard Wan Jin said it was you who recognized that this group was suspicious and sent him back to report?"

"I just found it suspicious, so I asked a few more questions. Later, when I got closer, I realized that the sword was not right, so I sent Wan Jin to report it."

"Not bad, you look so refined, you don't seem like someone who would join the army. Doesn't anyone in your family enlist?"

Wan Jin interjected, "Uncle Zheng, he's the one I told you about, the one with super strength and some martial arts skills. He's not here to serve in the military; he's a military household just like us."

Before Zheng Baihu could answer, the group burst into laughter.

"Him? He's as skinny as a little chick."

"Haha, right? Can you even lift a knife?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Baihu carefully examined Lin Changning: "The Qingshui Xiaoyou that Xiao Wang mentioned? The scholar who avenged his father and brothers?"

Lin Changning had heard these kinds of words so many times in the past few days that he was practically sick of them. "Yes, I am from Qingshui County."

Zheng Baihu glanced thoughtfully at the black horse under Lin Changning's horse. Perhaps this kid really has some skills. This horse has been in the Sima Jian for almost two years, and several commanders have not been able to tame it.

This kid has been at the garrison for over half a month, and the horse seems to have already recognized him as its master. It might just be a horse with real skills.

“My name is Zheng Zhong, a centurion in the left wing. I think it’s a waste of your talents to have you raise horses. One of our brothers just died in the team. Would you like to come work for me?”

Lin Changning's eyes lit up immediately: "Then I thank you for your appreciation, Commander. I've been wanting to kill the enemy and serve my country."

A burly border guard behind Zheng Zhong frowned: "Commander, this skinny, uneducated fellow will probably die on the battlefield. Can he work in our unit?"

Zheng Baihu glanced at the border guard and asked casually, "Sun Zhuang, how long can you hold out against these spies behind you when they're all attacking you?"

The border guard was taken aback: "Just me alone?"

Sun Zhuang, realizing what was happening, turned around and carefully examined Lin Changning's thin arms and legs, hesitating to speak.

Lin Changning certainly saw it, but since no one asked, she didn't need to answer.

The group quickly returned to the clubhouse. It was getting late, and wounded soldiers and warhorses were carried back one after another.

Doctors from the army and the city had gathered at the garrison. Old Liu was treating the warhorses with several other doctors. Some of the wounded soldiers in the camp, some sitting and some lying down, were groaning in pain because no one was treating them.

Lin Changning dismounted, greeted Zheng Baihu, and prepared to go find Old Liu for help.

Commander Zheng glanced around and sighed, "Go on, the commander might question you later, so be quick-witted. I'll transfer you to the guard in the next few days."

Lin Changning's face lit up with joy, and his previously pale complexion flushed red: "Thank you for the promotion, Commander."

Zheng Baihu waved his hand, settled the horses, and then seemed to leave to report back.

Old Liu glanced at Lin Changning who had returned and snorted coldly, his face full of displeasure.

"You brat, you still know to come back! Go and fetch some clean water, the doctor needs to treat the horses."

Lin Changning sighed and prepared to get to work, but as soon as he stepped outside, he heard groans, laughter, and curses from outside and turned back to ask, "Hey, Liu, there are so many wounded soldiers outside. Shouldn't we let the doctor treat the horses first?"

Old Liu looked at Lin Changning with a complicated expression, wondering where this child got his compassion from. In the army, warhorses were naturally more precious than people.

Which border soldier doesn't have some scars on his body?

"Horses are more valuable than people, there's nothing wrong with that. Go fetch water, and tell Wan Jin not to slack off, get to work quickly."

Lin Changning responded and was about to leave when Old Liu suddenly called him back.

Old Liu sniffled and called out to the person, "You're injured? Where are you injured?"

As a veteran, he was very sensitive to the smell of blood. He could smell the blood on Lin Changning as soon as the two got a little closer.

Lin Changning scratched his head: "When I went out with Wan Jin, we ran into a Tartar spy, got into a fight, and I got a cut on my arm."

Old Liu, brandishing his whip, was about to lash the man out: "I told you not to go out, but you insisted on following me, you brat! How many lives do you have to risk? Hmm? There are Tartars scouting outside the city walls every now and then, what are you doing running around like that?!"