History Park: Starting with the Imjin War

Chapter 67 Borrowing People

Han Shouyi ignored him and turned back to his tent.

Mochin stood there, lost in thought.

Li Rusong entrusted the man to him so that he could learn how to lead people.

This is much more difficult than going to the front lines.

When you're on the first climb, all you need to do is rush upwards.

When you're leading people, you also have to think about how the people behind you will come back alive.

Exhaling a breath of white air, Mo Qin turned and walked towards the broken wall.

Pyongyang has fallen, but there is little sense of relief in the city after the victory.

Everywhere was littered with cigarette ash, bloodstains, broken wood, and tattered armor.

The Ming army was taking inventory of equipment, gathering the wounded, and dragging away the corpses.

Occasionally, Japanese soldiers and players who weren't quite dead would be dragged out of the collapsed houses, but their shouts were quickly drowned out by the wind and snow.

When they returned to the fire, Lin Jun was looking at a broken door panel.

On the door panel, there were several lines she had drawn with charcoal.

Liu Gao sat to one side, holding the repaired lion-head shield, and was stuffing a biscuit into his mouth.

Yan Qi sat against the wall, the bow resting on his lap, slowly adjusting the bowstring in his hands.

Liu Gao raised his head first.

"Brother Qin, what did Li Shuai reward you with?"

Mo Qin said:

"Haha, you've given me a piece of trouble."

Liu Gao was taken aback.

"You can reward me for trouble?"

Lin Jun did not look up.

"Stop joking, let's get down to business."

Mochin looked at her.

How did you know it was important?

Lin Jundao:

"You usually check the pot first thing when you come home. You didn't today."

Well, that makes sense.

He squatted down by the fire.

"Commander Li assigned me to temporarily serve as a junior officer in the vanguard."

Liu Gao's eyes lit up.

"Did he really get promoted?"

"Temporarily"

"That's an official, too!"

Liu Gao sat up straight immediately.

Yan Qi also looked up and glanced at Mo Qin.

Mr. Lin asked:

"How many people will you get?"

"You guys come with me."

Mo Qin paused for a moment.

"Add two more veteran soldiers."

Liu Gao grinned.

"Okay then. From now on, wherever Brother Qin tells us to go, I'll go."

Mo Qin stared straight at him.

Liu Gao felt intimidated by the gaze and his smile slowly faded.

"What's wrong?"

Mo Qin said:

"That's why I find it troublesome."

Liu Gao didn't understand, but Lin Jun did.

She put down the charcoal and looked at Mochin.

"Did Li Shuai say anything about you?"

"I said so."

Mo Qin said:

"He told me to give him a few people, not so I could be a hero, but so I could learn to bring people back."

Liu Gao lowered his head and touched the edge of the shield.

Yan Qi did not speak.

There was a moment of quiet around the fire.

Lin Jundao:

"That statement is correct."

Mo Qin smiled.

"Can't you even say a few words of comfort to me?"

Lin Jundao:

"cannot."

Mo Qin sighed.

"You're really consistent."

Lin Jun pushed the door panel towards Mo Qin.

"Let's get down to business. What's Li Shuai's next move?"

Mo Qin looked down at the door panel.

Lin Jun's drawing wasn't very detailed, but you can tell that it roughly depicts several roads south of Pyongyang.

Mo Qin said:

"In the central command tent, Commander Li was looking at the map."

"The vanguard should not retreat at night, and the horses should not be stopped. The vanguard should rest for half a day, and the army should not disperse because of the victory in Pyongyang."

Lin Jun nodded.

"He will definitely pursue her."

Mo Qin said:

"Yes, he has to pursue it too."

Liu Gao frowned upon hearing this.

"Pyongyang has just been captured, can't we rest for a couple of days?"

Mochin glanced at him.

"The Japanese have only retreated, they haven't disappeared."

Lin Jun continued:

"If Konishi Yukinaga were allowed to retreat smoothly to gather the remaining troops and regroup with the Japanese forces behind him, the momentum of the battle in Pyongyang would be weakened."

Mo Qin said:

"Having just captured Pyongyang, the Ming army's morale is high. Korea is watching, and so is the Ming Dynasty."

"If we don't press forward now, the Japanese will have time to catch their breath."

Liu Gao thought for a moment.

"So, we should take advantage of their confusion and launch another attack?"

"right."

Mo Qin said:

"But that's where the trouble lies."

Liu Gao asked:

"What's the problem?"

Mochin did not speak immediately.

He glanced at Liu Gao and Yan Qi, then said to Lin Jun:

"Come with me for a moment."

Lin Jun glanced at him and stood up.

The two walked behind the broken wall.

They were not far from the fire, but the wind was strong, and Liu Gao and Yan Qi could not hear what they were saying.

Mochin lowered his voice.

"Both sides know that Pyongyang is right behind Byeokjegwan."

Lin Jundao:

"So the Japanese military camp also knew about it."

"Um."

Mo Qin said:

"Pyongyang's loss is not the end for them. They will use the next match as a turning point."

Lin Jun looked at him.

"In the wilderness, on mountain roads, during pursuit, relaying orders, or on horseback, any problem in any of these areas can sway the situation."

Mochin nodded.

"And there's the Qingliu Society."

Lin Jun's eyes flickered slightly.

Mochin continued:

"I didn't see many of their people while I was in Pyongyang!"

"The Japanese players outnumber us by five times! There are even more Japanese soldiers, but the number of Qingliuhui members is abnormally small."

Lin Jundao:

"Their people have definitely arrived."

"Yes."

Mo Qin thought for a moment.

"Back in Liaodong, they dared to touch Marshal Li."

"That time with the gunpowder rope, they dared to bomb the Shenji Battalion."

"They dared to kill Shen Weijing when they tried to rescue him in the mountains."

"It's impossible for someone like this to suddenly become afraid of death once they get to Pyongyang."

Lin Jun continued:

"So it's not that we're afraid to fight, it's that we don't intend to focus our efforts on Pyongyang."

Mochin whispered:

"I saw Yinzhen when I was at Peony Peak."

Lin Jun immediately looked at him.

"You didn't tell me? He made a move?"

"no."

Mochin shook his head.

He just glanced at me.

"His expression didn't look like he wanted to fight."

Mr. Lin asked:

"Like what?"

Mochin paused for a moment.

"It's like he knew I would move on."

Lin Jun also fell silent.

After a while, she said:

"That makes sense."

"Qingliu will preserve its strength, the Japanese camp will look for a chance to turn the tide, and Li Rusong will inevitably pursue them."

"Every player knows about the Byeokjegwan storyline."

"They won't let it go."

Mo Qin looked at the ruined city in the snow in the distance.

"The problem is, General Han isn't a player; he doesn't know about the Qingliu Society or the timeline."

Lin Jundao:

"The park prohibits spoilers, so I can't say that."

"right."

Mo Qin said:

"Tell him you can only talk about military matters."

"The Japanese retreated without causing chaos."

"The Japanese camp has a group of powerful figures of unknown origin who did not defend Pyongyang to the death."

"The tire tracks on the eastern road are suspicious."

"The carriages, guides, flags, and messengers can all be tampered with."

Lin Jun glanced at him.

"You're finally acting like a little flag."

Mo Qin said:

"Don't praise me too soon, I'm prone to getting arrogant."

Lin Jundao:

"Then I take it back."

Mo Qin sighed.

"You packed it up way too fast."

Lin Jun did not laugh.

She glanced back at Liu Gao and Yan Qi by the campfire.

"We need to check the route; you can't just walk around on your own."

"I know."

Mo Qin said:

"There are rules in the military."

"I'll go see Commander Han tomorrow morning."

Mr. Lin asked:

"What are you going to say?"

"Tell the truth first."

Lin Jundao:

"Then you'll get kicked."

Mo Qin thought for a moment.

"Then let him kick me first."

"and then?"

"Then tell him the truth that he can understand."

The group gathered around the fire, exchanged a few more words, and then went to bed early.

Before dawn the next day, the snow in Pyongyang had become even thicker.

When Mo Qin found Han Shouyi, Han Shouyi was watching people change saddles by the horse post.

He looked like he hadn't slept well all night; his complexion was terrible.

As soon as Mo Qin approached, Han Shouyi spoke coldly:

"They just raised their flag and they're already picking people?"

Mo Qin paused for a moment before speaking.

He coughed.

"General Han is incredibly insightful."

Han Shouyi didn't even look at him.

Stop flattering me.

Mo Qin said:

"Should I just say it directly?"

"explain."

"Could we postpone the matter of replacing veterans?"

Han Shouyi finally turned to look at him.

"reason."

Mo Qin said:

"I'd like to check a section of the road first."

Han Shouyi frowned.

"Looking for directions?"

"Yes."

"Who gave you these orders?"

"no."

Han Shouyi's face darkened.

"Moqin, you just received your flag yesterday, and you're already trying to break military regulations today?"

Mochin lowered his head.

"It's not against military regulations, that's why I came to see Commander Han first."

Han Shouyi stared at him.

Explain yourself.

Mo Qin said:

"Pyongyang was captured, but the Japanese retreated too cleanly."

Han Shouyi did not respond.

Mochin continued:

"Many Japanese soldiers died in the city, but there weren't many truly formidable opponents."

"On Peony Peak, there are a few ruthless characters from the Japanese army camp. I've met them."

"One of them recognized me and saw me."

But he didn't move.

Han Shouyi's eyes flickered slightly.

"Didn't it move?"

"Nothing was moved."

Mo Qin said:

"If he had made a move then, he might not have killed me, but he would have definitely caused me a lot of trouble."

"But he only glanced at it and then left."

Han Shouyi said coldly:

"What does this prove?"

"This shows that they did not commit all their main forces to Pyongyang."

Mochin looked up.

"Commander Han, Pyongyang is not easy to defend, and Konishi Yukinaga knows it is too."

"The Japanese retreated from the city, but it wasn't completely chaotic."

"Some stayed behind to cover the retreat, some recruited people, and some took the vehicles with them."

"If it were just a defeated army fleeing for their lives, they wouldn't be so orderly."

Han Shouyi remained silent for a moment.

"continue."

Mo Qin said:

"Li Shuai will definitely pursue him."

Han Shouyi sneered.

"Do you even need to tell me?"

"No, it's not necessary."

Mo Qin said:

"But the Japanese also know this."

"If they want to regain their footing, they won't fight it out in the city."

"They'll make their move on the road."

"Tangma, guide, post road, flag, messenger, defeated soldiers."

"If any one of these things goes wrong, the army will suffer."

Han Shouyi stared at him.

"Do you have evidence?"

Mochin paused for a moment.

"There is no conclusive evidence."

Han Shouyi raised his foot and kicked.

Mo Qin did not dodge.

The kick landed on the shin; it wasn't heavy, but it was solid.

Han Shouyi cursed:

"You're telling me this without any evidence?"

Mo Qin rubbed his calves.

"So I'm not here to request troops."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Please ask Commander Han for permission to take a few men to take a look."

Han Shouyi said coldly:

"Look where?"

"First look at the road to the east."

Mo Qin said:

"The road south is littered with ruts, and there are also ruts on the east side."

"It's normal for the Japanese to retreat south, but it's not normal for them to circle around to the east."

"If it's just about transporting wounded soldiers and dragging supplies, there's no need to go through that abandoned alley."

Han Shouyi's expression finally changed.

"Did Yan Qi see it?"

"Yes."

Who else are you bringing?

"Lin Jun, Liu Gao, Yan Qi."

"Anything else?"

Mo Qin paused for a moment.

"I'd like to borrow two more people."

Han Shouyi narrowed his eyes.

"Who?"

"Instructor, monkey."

Han Shouyi's eyelid twitched.

"That's someone close to Shen Weijing."

"So I have to borrow it."

"Shen Weijing's leg is still not healed."

"I know."

"Someone had just died near him."

"I know that too."

Han Shouyi looked at him coldly.

"You knew that, yet you still spoke up?"

Mo Qin said:

"This might not be suitable for an ordinary veteran."

Han Shouyi's expression grew even colder.

Mochin immediately added:

"Only veterans can fight."

"This matter may not necessarily be a legitimate military formation."

"Those two have fought against the strange people in the Japanese camp and know their methods."

"If they encounter a false flag, a false order, a trap, or an ambush, they will react quickly."

Han Shouyi fell silent.

In the wind and snow, the warhorse beside the stable snorted.

After a long while, Han Shouyi finally spoke:

"Mo Qin".

"exist."

"Remember this."

You are not alone now.

Mochin did not speak.

Han Shouyi lowered his voice.

"You tried to take matters into your own hands before, and you ended up killing yourself."

"Now you just say 'let's go,' and someone will follow."

"Liu Gao, Yan Qi, Lin Jun, and the two you want to borrow."

"They are all living people."

Mo Qin looked at Han Shouyi.

This time, he didn't laugh.

"I know."

Han Shouyi said coldly:

"you do not know."

"Those who know the truth won't easily suggest taking someone to see it."

Mochin remained silent for a moment.

"Then I'll try my best to learn."

Han Shouyi looked at him for a while.

"Go ask Shen Weijing."

Mochin looked up.

Han Shouyi said:

I didn't agree to that.

"But I won't stop you."

"It's your skill that you were able to borrow from others."

If we can't borrow them, we'll come back and get two old soldiers.

Mo Qin clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Thank you, Commander Han."

Don't thank me too soon.

Han Shouyi turned around and continued to look at the saddle.

"If they really find out something's wrong, come back and thank me."

Mo Qin shouldered the white wax spear and walked towards where Shen Weijing was recuperating.

There are not many habitable houses in Pyongyang.

The side room where Shen Weijing was located was probably originally the courtyard of a Korean official's family.

Half of the courtyard wall had collapsed, the roof had been temporarily repaired, and a tattered felt was hanging at the entrance to block the wind.

As Mo Qin stepped outside the courtyard, a man with a cloth wrapped around his shoulder raised his hand to stop him.

He was in his thirties, pale-faced, with a short knife hanging from his waist and freshly bandaged wounds on his body.

Mochin recognized him.

Old Qin.

The person in charge of the Huaxia Alliance on the Liaodong line.

Old Qin glanced at Mo Qin.

"The top-ranked guy."

After he finished speaking, as if remembering something, he changed his words:

"Mo Qitou".

Mo Qin said:

"I'm looking for Lord Shen."

Old Qin looked at him.

"Borrow someone?"

Mochin nodded.

Old Qin's face immediately darkened.

"The instructor and the monkey must not move."

Mo Qin did not rush in.

This surprised Lao Qin for a moment.

Mo Qin said:

"I know it wasn't easy for you to protect Shen Weijing."

Old Qin didn't say anything.

Mochin continued:

"I saw how many people died in the mountains before."

Old Qin's face tightened a bit.

Mochin looked at him.

"But if the road ahead is blocked, it's not safe for Shen Weijing to stay in this house."

Old Qin frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Mochin lowered his voice.

"Pyongyang is not the end."

"Li Shuai will pursue, the Japanese will retreat."

"The Japanese side has already decided that the next stretch of road will be their turning point."

Old Qin's expression changed.

Mochin continued:

"The Qingliu Party in Pyongyang didn't fight."

"It's not that they didn't have the capital; they just saved it for later."

"You can hold this house, but you can't hold the road."

"I borrowed the instructor and the monkey, not to take his protective charm."

"We're going to check ahead to see if anyone has buried a knife under the snow."

Old Qin remained silent for a long time.

Shen Weijing's voice came from inside the room.

"Old Qin, let him in."

Old Qin glanced back into the house.

A moment later, he lowered his hand.

Mochin walked past him.

Old Qin said in a low voice:

"Mo Qitou".

Mo Qin paused for a moment.

Old Qin said:

"Don't let them die in vain."

Mochin turned to look at him.

"I'm not here to borrow a dead person."

Old Qin didn't say anything more.

Mochin lifted the felt blanket and went inside.

It was darker inside than outside.

A small brazier burned in the corner, the smell of medicine mixed with dampness, making one's nose sting.

Shen Weijing sat on the edge of the bed, his legs propped up on a wooden board. His leg injury hadn't healed, but his mouth was still busy, and he was holding half a cake in his hand.

The coach stood by the door, arms crossed, his left arm in a sling, his face expressionless.

The monkey was squatting beside the brazier, poking the fire with firewood.

Xiaoya huddled in the corner of the room.

A six-year-old girl was clutching a faded piece of cloth in her arms. There was a piece of old thread on the corner of the cloth, probably left by her mother.

She didn't cry loudly.

His shoulders twitched, and he suppressed his voice in his throat.

Shen Weijing raised an eyebrow when he saw Mo Qin.

"Young Master Mo, you got promoted?"

Mochin looked at his legs.

"Lord Shen's leg hasn't healed yet, but his news travels fast."

"That's called good communication."

I think it's just being bored.

Shen Weijing chuckled.

"What are you doing here?"

Mo Qin glanced at the coach and the monkey.

The monkey immediately became alert.

Don't look at me like that.

"The moment I saw that look in your eyes, I knew I was going to have a bad day."

Mo Qin said:

"I need you two to do something."

The monkey immediately turned to look at Shen Weijing.

"What did I tell you? He's definitely up to no good."