Chapter 14 Bi Ma Wen
It was already dark when I finished cleaning and tidying up the room.
Seeing that the two men were young and had a refined appearance, Sister-in-law Hu brought her young son and daughter to bring them some food during dinner. The group sat down and chatted for a while.
Upon learning that Rokuro had been a scholar and that Shiro's family had a physician, he became even more eager and told them about the situation there.
Seeing that it was getting late, he asked his two young children if they could come and learn a few words from Lin Changning when they had some free time. Lin Changning agreed and then left with a smile.
These days, scholars are definitely a cut above soldiers.
The next day, Lin Changning got up before dawn. Wang Xiaoqi had told her a few days earlier to report to the garrison at 5 a.m. and then be assigned to a team for training.
Yesterday, I heard from Aunt Hu that her husband was in the garrison, where he usually did long-distance raids and weight training, and occasionally sparring.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated. After walking along the official road for a while, Lin Changning felt as if his body was covered with a layer of dampness. His dark red padded jacket felt as if it had not been dried.
As we passed the Drum Tower, a group of soldiers in armor rode up on horseback at breakneck speed.
The young man leading the group was not old. He was wearing silver armor and riding a handsome black horse. As he passed her, the scabbard at his waist jingled against his armor.
Lin Changning stepped aside to make way, but unexpectedly the young man suddenly reined in his horse and turned around, cracking his whip and making a whooshing sound in Lin Changning's ear.
"Who are you? Why are you loitering around the garrison?"
The young man's voice was deep and magnetic, carrying the faint chill of early spring that seeped into Lin Changning's heart.
Lin Changning looked up and glanced at him briefly. It was still dark, and the young man's face was not clear, but a quick glance was enough to tell that he was good-looking.
Lin Changning lowered his head and held up his waist tag with both hands: "The person under the tag is surnamed Lin, named Changping, from Qingshui County, Kyoto Prefecture. He just registered at the garrison yesterday and has been assigned accommodation. He will join the team for training today."
"Someone like you? Joining the army? You must be some kind of spy!" The young man's tone was practically dripping with disdain.
The young man glanced at the soldier beside him, who, with a keen eye, dismounted and took Lin Changping's waist token to examine it.
After looking it over several times to confirm it was a garrison badge, the soldier looked up and replied, "Commander, it is indeed a garrison badge, and it belongs to our garrison."
"They must be starving to take anyone in. Someone who looks like a young girl, are they going to be sent out to seduce the Tartars during the war? Who took her in? Go back and accept your punishment!"
The young man's casual words drifted into Lin Changning's ears.
Lin Changning looked up, his gaze fixed intently on the young man at the head of the group: "My lord, my father and elder brother both died for their country. I am but a humble servant."
Although he studied from a young age and was not skilled in martial arts, he was still a man of iron will, with a loyal heart devoted to serving his country.
Not to mention that my father and elder brother were both brutally killed by the Tartars. It would be a disgrace not to avenge this!
Therefore, you may doubt my abilities, but you will not doubt my patriotism!
The young man turned his horse around and stopped firmly beside Lin Changning.
"A scholar?"
"Indeed!"
"To kill the Tartars and avenge my father and brothers?"
"A fight to the death!"
"A heart full of loyalty to serve the country?"
"I only wish to defend our land with swords and horses!!!"
"Swords and spears protecting the land? The poem is good, but you are the kind of person who..."
The young man paused, then patted Lin Changning on the shoulder on horseback, and felt that the man was even thinner. After thinking for a moment, he spoke again.
“The idea is good, and the poem is good too, but killing Tartars is all that matters. The stable is short of a horse feeder, so you can go there.”
Lin Changning was furious, his head practically steaming: "No, sir, I want to kill the Tartars! I have..."
The young man interrupted again: "I know, killing Tartars to serve the country, right? Feeding the horses well is also serving the country. Let's go back to camp!!!"
A group of soldiers burst into laughter and followed one by one, with a few leaving behind a few words.
"It's good that you have the intention; the little kid even wants to kill Tartars, hahaha."
"He doesn't even look as robust as my wife."
As the last soldier passed by, he laughed heartily at Lin Changning's ashamed and indignant expression:
“Little one, don’t be angry. He’s the best at commanding people. He’s afraid you’ll go to the front lines and die for nothing. The stable is fine, at least your life is guaranteed. I’m sure your father and brothers don’t want you to die for nothing either.”
Lin Changning: "..."
The wicked commander became a stable boy before even entering the barracks.
No wonder Wukong was so angry back then. She was also very angry. How could she make achievements and join the King of Chu's camp if she went to raise horses? It was simply terrible.
As she approached the gate of the garrison and presented her identification and information, she was about to enter when the sentry on duty suddenly called out to her.
"Lin, Lin Changping, right? Don't go over there yet. The commander just said someone will take you to the stables. You don't need to go to the guard post."
Lin Changning: "Yes"
Despite being under orders from the plague-ridden guards, she thought she could infiltrate the guards first and then, by exerting a little effort, avoid feeding the horses. She even gave some instructions to the sentries at the gate.
Are officials in the Xuantong government really that idle these days?
Lin Changning was overwhelmed with tears, but on the surface she remained obedient, waiting for someone to take her to the stable.
After a short while, an old man arrived. He had white hair, a hunched back, and a horizontal scar across his face.
The old man sized up Lin Changning and waved his hand: "New here? Come with me."
Lin Changning sighed and followed the old man toward the stables of the garrison.
The old man slowed his pace, so Lin Changning also slowed down to follow.
"Little boy, how old are you this year? You don't look like someone who's in the military."
"It will be the fifteenth of May soon, and I just joined the military household this year."
"No wonder he looks so young, how did he end up in a military household?"
“My father and elder brother were killed by the Tartars while serving in the military last year, and I want to take revenge.”
“Foolish boy, these days there are constant natural and man-made disasters. A little kid like you would be sent to your death if you went to the front line. Fortunately, the commander is good and has assigned you to my horse-raising job.”
Just mentioning that commander makes Lin Changning's teeth ache.
"Grandpa, don't let my thin appearance fool you. I'm actually quite capable in a fight, though I'm not exactly a tough guy."
The old man scoffed, "Little brat, you've got quite the nerve. I could take on ten of you by myself."
As the two talked, they arrived at the stable. The stable was very large, and at a glance, it looked like it housed several thousand horses.
Lin Changning was somewhat unconvinced. After the old man stopped, he looked at him intently and said, "Grandpa, how about we have a spar? Of course, I won't take advantage of your age. How about I take one hand?"
The old man chuckled and shook his head: "I don't need you to give way to me. If you can beat me down, I'll personally escort you to the camp."
Lin Changning's eyes lit up instantly: "Really?"
"really."
After saying that, the old man swept his leg over, and Lin Changning was caught off guard and almost got hit. After regaining his footing, he quickly retaliated.
The two exchanged a few blows. Lin Changning, fearing that his strength might hurt the old man, refrained from using his full strength and instead attacked the old man with his own boxing techniques.
After exchanging a few blows, the old man was inwardly grimacing, but outwardly remained calm and composed. This kid was incredibly strong, but his moves lacked any killing intent; they were all just fancy footwork.
After testing the waters, the old man deliberately left an opening, and when Lin Changning attacked, he struck Lin Changning with a powerful elbow strike.
Lin Changning's heart tightened, and he was unable to dodge the blow, taking the hit and being pinned to the ground.
This old man was very bloodthirsty, and all his moves were deadly, each aimed at a person's life.
Lin Changning, whose whole body went numb after being elbowed in the acupoint, was slammed to the ground.
The old man chuckled and pressed the boy down onto the yellow earth: "Little kid, you're still too green. You'll get better with some practice from me."
Although the old man said that, he was also a little suspicious. This kid's every move was like that of a professional, and he was also very strong.
His arm went numb after a few blows. If this kid's moves hadn't been devoid of any killing intent, he might have actually lost.
Why did the commander send this guy over? Could it be that he's here to give this kid some training?
Let's deflate this kid's arrogance.
The veteran, who thought he had figured it out, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and felt he had grasped the meaning of the command...
Lin Changning quickly got up and looked at the old man with some surprise.
She!!! The senior disciple of the martial arts school!!!
My parents are both experts!
He trained rigorously from a young age!
A martial arts champion who's won so many awards he can't count them all!
A person now possessing immense strength!!!
He was pinned down by an old man!
What a disgrace!!!
"Hey, it's getting late, little one. Come feed the horses with me. Even I can't beat them, so don't even think about going to the battlefield as cannon fodder..."
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