History Park: Starting with the Imjin War

Chapter 6 The Smiling Tiger

Mochin led the way, and the four of them passed through two gates before the front camp truly unfolded before them.

In terms of environment, it's a completely different world compared to the mountain valley of yesterday.

The tents were arranged in neat rows.

Each tent entrance also had a wooden sign indicating its affiliation (hunting unit).

The further in you go, the more frequent the clanging of the armor plates becomes.

The air was filled with the stench of leather, horse sweat, and livestock dung, showcasing the raw, untamed nature of the military camp.

Speaking of the old soldiers patrolling the camp, their steps are neither hurried nor slow, but their eyes are deadly.

In front of the military tent, Commander Han reined in his horse and shouted loudly inside, "Wang De, come out and greet the man."

The tent flap was lifted, and a squad leader in his thirties stepped out.

He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and his cotton armor had long since turned white, yet his back remained ramrod straight.

He glanced at the four people, his gaze lingering on Mo Qin for a moment.

"Master Han, what's this?"

"The four newly recruited soldiers are assigned to the front camp and will be at the command of the household guards."

Han Shouyi said, "You take him along and teach him the rules clearly first, so that he doesn't die at the feet of his own people before he even sets off."

Wang De nodded: "Understood."

After giving a few instructions, Han Shouyi said no more, lightly flicked the reins, and left.

Wang De turned around and looked coldly at the crowd.

"Listen to me, all of you. Listening to me doesn't mean you're being promoted."

He said, "In the outer camp, you can barely catch your breath. But in the front camp, you won't even have the freedom to breathe. Come with me, first get to know the place, then learn the rules."

After saying that, he started walking on his own, and the four of them quickly followed.

Stove opening, water inlet, shed, horse post, armor rack, medicine shed, firearms shed...

Without saying a word, Wang De pointed to each place and explained succinctly: "Where can you stand, where can't you lean against, where there's no food if it gets late, and where you have to get out when you hear a command at night."

"The sleeping quarters are under that old shed on the east side."

Wang De pointed and said, "The four of you squeeze together. Don't lose the wooden sign; if you do, go get a stick yourself. Also, don't wander around at night. If you hear the drum or a command, even if you're half-buried in the ground, you have to crawl out."

"Did you remember?"

"I've got it."

Mochin was the first to answer.

"If you can't remember, you'll die."

Wang De coldly added, "The vanguard doesn't teach useless people a second time."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a soft laugh came from behind him.

"Master Han has a really sharp eye."

Upon hearing who it was, Wang De frowned slightly.

Mo Qin immediately turned around and saw three people walking towards the stable.

The leader was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a slightly worn blue cloth robe, a leather belt around his waist, and a pair of decent-looking thick-soled boots.

It wasn't imposing, but compared to his tattered clothes, it was clearly a cut above the rest.

More importantly, the man's gaze fell on Lin Jun, and it was clearly different from the gaze of the locals.

The identity of the newcomer became immediately obvious.

Players, and players with a higher starting point.

In the apocalypse, Mochin had seen this cannibalistic gaze countless times.

The young man first approached, bowed to Wang De, and then looked directly at Lin Jun.

"Hey, these new guys seem alright."

He said, "Especially this one, handsome and with a good physique. The situation at the front is complicated, and I'm in need of a quick-witted person. Why don't you come with me for now?"

If these words were heard by the locals, it would seem like they just wanted to pick a new person who looked good.

But to Mochin, it carried a different meaning.

Lin Jun looked up at him and smiled knowingly.

"I've heard that kind of talk so many times, I'm sick of it."

She said in a calm and unhurried tone, "It seems you're someone who likes to make decisions for others too."

The young man was taken aback, realizing that the other party was not a virgin.

"I appreciate your kind offer, but it's a pity."

She said, "I have five."

Liu Gao, who was standing next to him, was stunned for a moment and almost burst out laughing.

Although the young man lost face, he was not angry.

Popping bubbles is also one of Mochin's hobbies.

He followed up at the opportune moment, adding, "The front camp is so big, yet you insist on playing the role of someone else's father."

The two people who came with him changed their expressions and unconsciously took a step forward.

The young man raised his hand to stop him, managing only a weak smile.

"These guys have quite the tempers."

He said, "That's good. You can't stand firm in a place like Qianying without some backbone."

Mo Qin was too lazy to reply. In his usual temperament, it would have been a matter of whipping someone.

Lin Jun also turned her gaze away and directly stated her attitude.

Gritting his teeth, the young man nodded reluctantly and said, "Alright, there's plenty of time in the future."

After saying this, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Wang De, then turned and left with his entourage.

After taking a few steps, the young man said, partly casually and partly deliberately, "This outfit I bought at a high price isn't meant to be used to slap a few commoners in the face."

Mo Qin heard it clearly and thought to himself: Is this bastard just lucky, or did he use some kind of prop?

Starting at a higher level than yourself?

It's okay, if you annoy me, I'll kill you sooner or later!

After the three had walked away, Wang Decai coldly uttered, "Xu Qing."

"Hmm, this name isn't very good."

In terms of speed of responding to conversations, Mo Qin is not much worse than Lin Jun.

Wang De continued, "He arrived a few days earlier than you, he's sweet-talking and clever, but his intentions are not pure."

Lin Jun smiled gently: "I can tell."

Wang De glanced at her: "If you can tell, stay away. In the front lines of battle, people are the least valuable and the most troublesome thing."

After saying that, he pointed to the east and said, "Go set up the shed first, drop off your things, and then come back to get work."

The four entered the old shed, where a damp, grassy smell hit them.

The ground was covered with dry grass and tattered felt, as hard as a piece of earth.

Liu Gao frowned, but seeing that Mo Qin didn't speak, he swallowed his words and whispered, "Fine, better than a doghouse."

Yan Qi glanced around: "It's better than the mountain valley. At least the wind won't blow on the back of my head."

Liu Gao nodded earnestly: "That's true."

Lin Jun tossed her bag into the corner and turned to look at Mo Qin: "I just realized you can be quite sarcastic."

Mo Qin said, "This is a virtue. If telling the truth is a sin, then I am unforgivably guilty."

"I've discovered another good quality of yours: you're shameless."

"Therefore, men are more resistant to aging than women. At all ages, men's stratum corneum and dermis are thicker than women's."

These words infuriated Lin Jun. She was about to speak when someone outside shouted, "New guy! Get out here and get some work!"

After leaving the shed, Wang De stood outside, with several bundles of old rope, two bags of hay, and a stack of quivers piled up at his feet.

"Move these to the west side, next to the horse post and arrow rack. Remember, put the quiver on the rack, put the hay in the shed, and put the rope in the rope basket. Don't stretch out your hands or wander off. Anyone who touches something they shouldn't will be kneeling outside in the wind tonight."

As everyone began to act, Xu Qing sauntered over again.

"Wang Tou, you go about your business."

He said, "I'll keep an eye on these little things for you."

Wang De gave him a deep look, then turned to respond to another old soldier's call.

After Wang De left, Xu Qing walked to the front.

"The front camp has many rules."

He lowered his voice, as if to kindly remind you, "Especially since you've just arrived, don't just focus on moving what's in front of you. You also need to fill that water vat behind the west shed first. The cooks will need it at night, so whoever is new goes there; that's the old rule."

That bastard is clearly up to no good.

Mo Qin didn't move. Anyone who has completed nine years of compulsory education is unlikely to be fooled.

Lin Jun ignored him, but began to observe the area over there.

There is indeed a large vat behind the west shed.

She looked at the wooden sign first.

She couldn't recognize all the characters on it, but judging from the sign, it was clearly not a temporary placement.

There were five or six footprints on the muddy ground, some new and some old, but the top few were very deep.

It looks like someone deliberately stepped on it to make it solid, and then smoothed the edges with the sole of their shoe.

Numerous signs indicate that this was not a routine water draw.

It was more like someone had just come and gone in a hurry.

According to Lin Jun's hometown, this is a typical example of making a cage.

She didn't expose him, she just smiled.

Thank you.

She said, "You're actually a pretty nice person."

Upon seeing the beauty's smiling face, Xu Qing also became obsequious: "It's only right."

After he had walked a distance, Liu Gao whispered, "Are you going or not?"

"I must be out of my mind to believe him!"

As he spoke, Mochin rubbed his temples with his index finger.

Why?

"His eyes look strange."

With the rope slung over his shoulder, Mo Qin said, "If it's really a case of the newcomer flooding the market, Wang De won't keep quiet about it."

Yan Qi spoke up: "The sign is standing very upright, it doesn't look like something you can just touch."

Liu Gao grinned: "I always thought this kid was like a weasel; he was definitely up to no good."

The four men followed Wang De's instructions and began moving things.

Mo Qin carried the most, Liu Gao followed behind to fill in the gaps, and Yan Qi's hands were very steady when he put the quiver on the shelf, even arranging the quiver openings neatly.

Lin Jun stood in the middle, looking around to see where something was missing or out of order, and casually offering a word of advice to someone.

As expected, Xu Qing turned back twice after moving halfway through the move.

"Oh dear, you guys didn't go to fill the water vat?"

Mo Qin straightened up, stretched, and glanced at him sideways.

"Still trying to talk nonsense with Grandpa?!"

As soon as the harsh words were spoken, Xu Qing's smile vanished. Just as he was about to speak, Wang De turned back from the front.

"What do you mean by 'filling the vat'?"

Xu Qing reacted quickly, immediately smiling apologetically: "I just mentioned it casually because they're new here."

Wang De coldly retorted, "The water vats behind the weapons shed are for the firefighters and guards. Who gave you permission to try and fool people with half-truths?"

Xu Qing's expression finally changed: "Boss Wang, I didn't..."

"Nothing?"

Wang De strode forward, startling him so much that he took a half-step back: "Are you really unable to remember, or are you pretending? When the front camp is about to go into battle, what we fear most is not the stupidity of the newcomers, but that someone will break the rules for personal gain."

Seeing that the other party was truly angry, Xu Qing didn't dare to reply.

Just then, Han Shouyi rode by on horseback.

He didn't stop; he tightened the reins slightly, and the horse's hooves slowed down a couple of beats.

Just enough for him to hear the words "filling the vat".

"What happened?"

Wang De clasped his hands in a fist salute and gave a brief explanation.

After listening, Han Shouyi glanced at Xu Qing.

"The front camp isn't a place for you to do favors or argue. Get out of here!"

After a brief interlude, the four of them worked until dark before finally finishing their chores.

Dinner was still multigrain porridge, plus a piece of salty, bitter pickled vegetable.

Liu Gao picked up the bowl and gulped it down in two mouthfuls, then stared longingly at the little bit of food left in the pot, like a dog that hadn't been fed.

"That's about it for the forward camp."

He was somewhat disappointed.

Lin Jun broke off half a piece of pickled vegetable and put it into the porridge: "Yesterday you were fighting with the mountain wind for warmth, but today you're complaining."

"I was just saying."

Liu Gao clicked his tongue. "Yesterday he was alive, today he's acting like a human being."

"Your requirements are quite low."

"It's already a great achievement to be alive."

After finishing the bowl in his hand, Mo Qin got up and walked to the pot.

"Another bowl, please."

The cook glanced at him and then gave it to him.

He brought it back and finished it off in a few bites.

Liu Gao blinked: "You're really hungry."

Mo Qin didn't say anything, and turned away again.

The third bowl.

The fourth bowl.

By the fifth bowl, the old soldiers next to him had stopped eating and turned to look at him.

The cook's hand, when handing over the ladle, lingered a few beats, as if he were weighing whether there was enough space in the pot.

Mo Qin took the fifth bowl and drank it all down.

This time, he finally didn't get up.

It's been three years, and today is the first time I've ever eaten only half a full meal.

Wang De had appeared beside him at some point, staring at him for a few moments before finally uttering, "Are you a human being or an animal?"

Mo Qin wiped his mouth: "Wanting to eat your fill isn't a sin."

Liu Gao's mouth gaped open.

"Brother Qin,"

He lowered his voice, "You're not eating, you're just stirring up the bottom of the pot."

"If you can eat, you can fight! From now on, if a fight breaks out, I'll stand to your right. If anyone charges from your left, I'll take a hit for you first."

Mo Qin glanced at him: "Drink your porridge, you big man, stop nagging."

Lin Jun also looked at Mo Qin and made a judgment.

"I thought you used 90% of your strength during the day."

She said, "Looking at it now, 70% is an overestimation."

He extended his index finger and shook it.

Mo Qin said, "You're mistaken. It's only 10%."

Lin Jun rolled her eyes at him: "Will you die if you don't brag? Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?"

"Hey, don't be so alarmist at such a young age."

Even though she knew it was a joke, Lin Jun still laughed.

Yan Qi, who had been drinking her porridge with her head down, raised her eyes at this moment.

Being able to eat is a good thing.

He said, "If you really go to North Korea, the number of people who starve to death on the way is probably more than the number who are killed by chopping."

This remark was at least a five-star spoiler, and everyone fell silent for a moment.

After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, Liu Gao sighed.

"Alright."

He said, "At least if I follow Brother Qin from now on, I won't be afraid that he won't have the strength to compete for a position."

"Think about yourself first."

Lin Jundao said, "If we really start practicing tomorrow, you'll probably be the first one to complain about being tired."

Liu Gao retorted, "Me? I can carry armor for half a day."

Yan Qi added casually, "Yes. And then he was panting like a bull."

Liu Gao's eyes widened: "You either stay silent, or say something that's going to get you killed?"

Yan Qi ignored him and just lowered her head to lick the bottom of the bowl.

As night deepened, the forward camp gradually quieted down.

The watchman's drum sounded from afar, and the sound of horses' hooves returning to camp at night came and went, sometimes near, sometimes far.

Mochin lay on the hay, his eyes fixed on the small print.

[Channel Message (Anonymous): The guards' camp will begin training tomorrow at 5 AM. The four newly recruited members, assemble outside the training ground. No one will wait for you if you're late.]

Beside her, Lin Jun, who was sleeping fully clothed, turned over.

"Did you see the message?"

"Um."

"Is it that smiling tiger?"

"A leopard can't change its spots, it's definitely him."

Lin Jun sneered, "This dog is quite enthusiastic."

Just as Mo Qin was about to close his eyes, footsteps came from outside the tent.

The steps weren't heavy, but they were deliberately slowed down.

He lifted his eyelids and reached for the practice pole beside him.

A moment later, the footsteps faded into the distance.

Lin Jun was also awake, his gaze following the figure as it moved outside the tent.

"Are they from Xu Qing's side?"

"God knows, never mind, going to sleep!"