Chapter 1, The Current of History
If it weren't for the nylon armor blocking the way, I would have long been turned into a porcupine by those erratic arrows flying at my back. I had considered surrendering, but the problem was that the bloodthirsty pursuers seemed to have no intention of taking prisoners. When they saw someone raise their hands to stop, they instead drew their bows and unsheathed their knives, accelerating towards me. To make matters worse, I realized something was very wrong with my body; I felt a tingling sensation as if the aftereffects of an electric shock were still coursing through me, even affecting my movements. Then, the oncoming assailants seemed to be possessed, falling off their horses, and getting dragged away for a long distance by the struggles of those who were caught.
The enemy general He Yanbonian is not a rough and careless person. Back in the day, when they fought against the Khitan, it was the great King An, the commander of the expedition, who suffered a crushing defeat and fled. Fortunately, their guard unit fought valiantly to cover the retreat amidst thousands of Khitan cavalry, leaving only him and a few brothers to protect the bloodied General Cui as they fought their way back. After years of battles along the border, he has finally achieved his current status, having undergone considerable experience. "This time, as the king raises his army, he is unstoppable, and the future and fortunes of my subordinates will also be greatly enhanced. As long as..."
It was a rare moment of respite, and I couldn't help but take a few deep breaths, disregarding the strange and varied gazes around me. Just as I was about to tear off this cursed outfit, someone came running up from behind, shouting loudly, "Not good, the bandits are coming again!" The cries of alarm erupted once more, and the entire scene was thrown into chaos. Most of the angry glances converged on him, and it seemed I could even hear the sound of gritted teeth. Could it be that the pursuers had followed me because of this outfit? I silently lamented, but from the corner of my eye, I noticed that some people had already begun searching for hiding places, while others were smearing blood on their faces and piling dirt on themselves in preparation to play dead.
Only after delving deeper did I find only scattered carriages, the evening birds chirping, yet not a single figure in sight. Realizing the situation was dire, I gave the order to charge outward with the troops. Then, the scent of smoke wafted through the air, flames erupted from all sides, and the cries of battle shook the heavens. It was the height of July, with the autumn sun blazing, several days of scorching heat had left the earth parched, and countless fallen leaves and withered branches lay piled up. In the blink of an eye, thick smoke and fire filled the forest. Despite the bravery of the rebel soldiers, they found themselves at a disadvantage, and in no time were they left dazed and confused by the smoke, turning to flee. Unfortunately, the horses were also disoriented by the smoke, refusing to cooperate, and even the best horsemanship could not be executed in the forest, leading to a chaotic scene of pushing and trampling. At this moment, hidden troops outside the forest suddenly sprang up, their mouths covered with wet cloths, lightly armored and armed, ten men in a group launched a surprise attack, surrounding and killing anyone they encountered. As a result, the battle was almost one-sided. In the chaos, the rebel soldiers could not distinguish friend from foe, completely unaware of how many there were or where was safe. Moreover, in the thick smoke, horses were easily startled, often throwing their riders against the trees before the Tang army could strike. Consequently, the number of those dragged to death or trampled by their own was even greater than those cut down by the Tang army amidst the chaos.
In a moment of triumph, a cold wind swept through, bringing with it a stench and the smell of burning, as well as intermittent screams of agony. I suddenly noticed the ground littered with corpses, and the moans of the wounded echoed everywhere. The soldiers cleaning the battlefield simply added another stab to the fallen, their expression devoid of emotion, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I couldn't help but shiver, feeling the brutal reality of war directly. So many lives were extinguished by my own hands, and it felt strange. Earlier, when I fought alongside the fleeing soldiers against the pursuing enemy, killing was an act of survival. Now, deliberately taking so many lives, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt and lament how cheap human life was in ancient times, lost in thought.
In a state of helplessness, for the sake of my own safety, I had no choice but to find a way to reorganize this group of scattered soldiers using the little common knowledge I had acquired as a modern person through reading. I distributed weapons and armor, and even established a small team for the rescue and transport of the wounded, which at least could prevent the enemy from catching up too quickly and allow us some time to escape. Everyone's morale was still good, though they were quite hungry. I also had new plans; if we were to encounter future authorities, this force could potentially be exchanged for a respectable identity.
This is my first time formally commanding an army in battle. I lack the ability to lead by example and have never experienced the chaos of the battlefield. All I have left is a mind filled with knowledge that surpasses that of ancient people. Fortunately, I still have some subordinates with considerable experience to carry out the plans, and surprisingly, we managed to achieve a victory in battle
As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Along the way, there were constantly people coming to seek refuge, gathering to about one thousand individuals, among whom were those carrying stretchers and assisting the wounded soldiers. My initial plan to slip away became increasingly impossible, as those few I encountered earlier regarded themselves as my personal guards, never leaving my side. Moreover, I could not encounter anyone with a higher rank than mine (it is said that most of the higher-ranking officers have nearly all perished, as their heads could fetch a greater reward). I could easily dismiss them, while those with insufficient status who sought to seize power were swiftly suppressed by my advantageous followers.
Currently engaged in cleanup efforts
However, the officer in charge did not care and merely remarked, "Oh, is this a former subordinate of General Ge Shu?" I repeatedly affirmed this, accepting the mistake, but I took note of it, and from then on, I could consider myself a former subordinate of General Ge Shu. This renowned general, who was praised in poetry with the lines, "The Big Dipper is high, Ge Shu carries a sword at night. Tonight, peering at the Hu horses, they do not dare approach Lin Yao," is indeed a great figure, a solid background.
After spending half a day of effort, under the guidance and assistance of others, we have finally enabled some individuals to at least be aware of some emergency bandaging and treatment methods, as well as the most basic techniques and precautions for hemostasis and disinfection. If all goes well, this may spare many people from the misfortune of future amputations and disabilities. (The highest cause of death from cold injuries is surgical infection, and in ancient times, the lack of antibiotics meant that one could only rely on their own immune capacity.)
However, I soon discovered that the medical conditions in ancient times were truly abysmal. The haphazard bandaging, the unclean medicines, and the arbitrary treatments compelled me to take matters into my own hands
Upon first stepping out of the forest, I was met with the sight of fallen soldiers strewn across the ground, the thick and fresh scent of blood permeating the air, nearly causing me to faint. I had yet to recover from the shock of the ancient battlefield filled with cold weapons when the sight of a broken flag beneath my feet struck me again, emblazoned with a large traditional character for "Tang." So, I have ended up in ancient times; at the very least, I wish I could have brought something with me, like a solar-powered computer or a metallurgy and chemical engineering manual. If nothing else, I could have taken a military knife to have some means of survival. I was quite dazed for a while.
Then the commander was promoted to the rank of Left General of the Guard, a fifth-grade position, and was tasked with leading the original troops while supplementing them with additional soldiers to form a total of three thousand men, serving as the rear guard. Additionally, a new deputy commander named Wei Tao was appointed. This newcomer, Wei Tao, was about my age and unaware of my background, yet he was very obedient and cooperative. Therefore, I decided to delegate all the troublesome matters regarding the preparation of supplies and equipment, which he knew nothing about, to Wei Tao, after all, he was the deputy commander!
When I awoke, I found myself in the high altitude where the fierce winds howled. As I regained my senses, the cotton fields and small hills beneath me became vaguely visible, and I nearly fainted from the shock. As I drew closer, in a daze, I finally managed to deploy the parachute. The immense air currents thrust me upward once more. The sky was clear and pristine, showing no signs of the storm that had occurred. I had a faint sense that something extraordinary was happening, yet I could not grasp it.
I had to silently curse the person who gave this order while being helplessly pushed by the troops onto the pitifully thin and sole horse. Naturally, covering the rear would involve engaging the pursuing enemy, and the enemy was not as easy to deal with as the troops that hunted down fleeing soldiers for bounties; they had sent elite cavalry to pursue the imperial carriage. Fortunately, after several encounters in recent days, the soldiers had already recovered from the panic of their defeat and flight. Additionally, I was able to apply some modern common knowledge to these ancient soldiers with ease, successfully defeating several small groups of pursuing cavalry, which gradually restored some morale and confidence.
My hands and feet are still numb, and I cannot afford to worry about bad luck. I check a robe that looks to be of good quality and is in perfect condition. That unfortunate fellow had his head cleanly severed by someone, and fortunately, the robe did not get splattered with blood. I hastily put it on, but before I know it, I have unwittingly become the target of a pursuit.
One could have discovered the clues with just a little attention and taken precautions. However, due to the hasty actions of the newly formed army, there were inevitably some oversights. Unfortunately, it seems that fate was on their side; by the time they arrived, dusk had fallen, making it difficult to discern. Moreover, in the past few days, the Tang army had been retreating and fleeing without encountering any formidable opponents, which led to a significant underestimation of the situation
A sergeant reported that an unexpected grain convoy had been intercepted. Upon interrogation of the captives, it was revealed that several factions of rebel troops entering the pass had sent pursuers to capture Tang Xuanzong and his entourage. He Yanbai Nian, eager to claim credit, pursued too hastily and did not bring sufficient provisions. Cui Qianyou in Chang'an, concerned about the inadequacy of supplies, specifically ordered the mobilization of thousands of cattle and horses to transport several thousand shi of rice urgently. The Tang army had been defeated too quickly earlier, so the rebel troops responsible for the transport did not anticipate that He Yanbai Nian would lose his entire army, and only sent a hundred cavalry to deal with the local chaos and bandits along the way, which ultimately worked to our advantage. Ridiculously, due to some of our troops lacking armor, they disregarded the warmth and blood of the recently deceased and stripped off their clothing to wear. As a result, those escorting the supplies, upon seeing this, not only did not express suspicion but instead warmly delivered them to our gates.
Therefore, with no other choice, I gathered my spirits and brought along my set of motivational speeches, which were a mix of coaxing the soldiers and boosting my own morale. "Do not be afraid, we are many; even ants can bring down an elephant," and "On the plains, if we run, we will die even faster." The soldiers had no choice but to believe, even if they were skeptical.
In the army, there were only two physicians, who were said to be assigned from the imperial medical department, specializing in internal medicine with herbal remedies. Seeing them in a state of utter confusion, I gathered over one hundred soldiers, reputed to be relatively clever, and personally taught them hands-on the use of catgut and curved needles, how to tear cloth into strips to make bandages, sterilize with boiling water, create splints, cut and extract sharp instruments, and utilize various readily available materials for stopping bleeding and treating wounds, among other battlefield first aid techniques
Seeing others return with abundant wealth, the brothers felt a surge of frustration for not having seized anything. After much difficulty, they had finally obtained the task from General Cui to pursue the Han Emperor. Finding the emperor's whereabouts seemed too easy, and just as they were hesitating, a subordinate reported the discovery of women's clothing. This reminded them that the emperor was said to have fled with many women, all of whom were rare beauties seldom seen in daily life. Their hearts began to stir with excitement; although the women of the Hu tribe were bold and flirtatious, the delicate and gentle charm of Han women was something they had long anticipated.
The reason I decided to head west is that historically, emperors also ran westward
In just a short period, thousands of lives can be easily lost, yet it is better to say that my luck is good rather than my command is skillful. With a newly assembled force of 3,000 soldiers confronting a similarly numbered cavalry, if it were not for the enemy's greed for achievement leading them to recklessly charge into the woods, it is uncertain who would ultimately prevail.
Suddenly inspired, I turned around and grabbed a dirty flag that had been trampled by who knows how many feet, rushing out while shouting, "Brothers, follow me! They don't have many left!" Instantly, there was a moment of silence, followed by a loud roar as the soldiers surged forward. I wiped the cold sweat from my brow; it really worked. These ancient soldiers were surprisingly foolish, and in their desperation, a few idiots actually followed me into the fray. With someone leading, others naturally followed, and soon there was a large group. I let the soldiers who were charging ahead pass by, running slower and slower as I watched the chaotic melee ahead, ready to flee at the first sign of trouble. However, I found the escape route blocked by a mass of bodies. To my surprise, the pursuing enemy soldiers were indeed few, and in the blink of an eye, they were pulled down and dealt with by the Tang soldiers who surged forward. Just as I thought to slip past them, I found myself surrounded by a group of unfriendly faces. As I was pleading for mercy, saying, "I didn't mean to..." I heard, "Captain, how should we proceed?"
It is indeed a matter of helplessness that I, as a member of this archaeological team, am also serving as the team doctor. Although I received a letter of recommendation from my father's old friend, the archaeological team no longer has formal positions available, and I had no choice but to take on the role of team doctor. However, I suspect that what they value more is my culinary skills.
What a stroke of bad luck, I was unexpectedly assigned to this cargo plane to transport this item back to the country, and coincidentally encountered this stormy weather. Feeling utterly frustrated, I touched the parachute on my body. The other members of the archaeological team should be enjoying themselves in a luxurious hotel at some scenic spot, while I had to endure the turbulence of this damned weather at high altitude, clutching this significant find—the remnants of an ancient bronze instrument discovered in Central Asia—the armillary sphere, which was also tormenting my already queasy stomach. Had I known that the team leader, in his eagerness to save costs, had found this ancient, seemingly ageless cargo plane, I would have resolutely resisted the temptation of the captain's promise of a year-end bonus and not boarded this cursed aircraft. Not to mention that the two pilots looked suspiciously like friends of Bin Laden, their faces quite dubious. The takeoff was reminiscent of a broody hen, slow and hesitant, with the aircraft's parts creaking and groaning, making one suspect it could fall apart at any moment and return to the earth in a heart-stopping manner. Now, as if that weren't enough, we had crashed into a rare thunderstorm. Could it be true what that boring blind man said this year—that the West is in great trouble? My thoughts were interrupted by increasingly violent tremors, and suddenly the plane shook violently, throwing me hard against the cabin wall. Outside the window, massive bolts of lightning quickly gathered around the aircraft, and before I could regain my senses, countless lightning strikes hit the fuselage. ... The blinding light swallowed everything ...
After much difficulty, I managed to learn from a soldier with a bit of a Shaanxi accent that the current era is the thirteenth year of the Tianbao reign. My heart screamed for help, wondering how I ended up in this unfortunate time, right at the onset of the Anshi Rebellion. It seems to be the very moment when the emperor has abandoned the capital and fled.
The battlefield cleanup yielded abundant spoils, and at the time of our hasty retreat from Chang'an, we were not fully equipped, losing helmets and armor along the way. This is a perfect opportunity to replenish our supplies, especially since there are over a thousand usable warhorses remaining, aside from those injured or dead. Even if one cannot ride, they can still serve as pack horses.
As early as my childhood, I had heard reports from the media about individuals who experienced unusual phenomena, such as electromagnetic effects, after being struck by lightning. I never expected it to happen to me. Not only did I find myself gripping swords and iron weapons in a moment of panic, but I could also faintly sense the thoughts of people nearby. With swords in hand, I naturally attracted more pursuers who turned around to chase after me. In this state of confusion, during several critical moments, I inexplicably shouted "demon" at my pursuers and fled for my life. I could even faintly sense the thoughts of people nearby, and with swords in hand, I naturally drew more pursuers who turned around to chase after me. In this state of confusion, during several critical moments, I inexplicably shouted "demon" at my pursuers and fled for my life. It was as if I suddenly became aware of the danger nearby, allowing me to dodge just in time. Then I discovered something: the cavalry of this era surprisingly did not have horseshoes.
Like countless mysterious disappearance cases, there has been no trace of this aircraft in the world since then
This ambush lasted for a good hour, the weather was hot, and the soldiers had long been drenched in sweat. He had little confidence in his heart, waiting until the sky gradually darkened, and finally, someone was coming in pursuit, with dust rolling and extending far away, numbering at least two to three thousand cavalry.
He Yanbenian is not an incompetent person. After a sudden ambush, he immediately engaged in battle while organizing a retreat. Unfortunately, the chaos unfolded too quickly, and his subordinates scattered in a bid for glory and women. Military orders could not be transmitted far, leading to a situation where everyone fought independently, unable to distinguish friend from foe. Exhausted from shouting, he managed to gather a few loyal soldiers around him, but the situation was unclear. They cautiously charged through the gaps in the fire, heading towards the wind, only to find themselves surrounded by a large number of Tang soldiers, who had their heads adorned with grass and dry leaves. The Tang army, hiding behind their shields and spears, desperately shot arrows into the air without engaging in direct combat. The arrows fell like rain, decimating the remaining troops. Only a few of He Yanbenian's personal guards remained, using their horses as shields and fighting desperately to break through a corner. However, after the archers retreated, more spearmen closed in, and amidst the chaotic thrusts of spears, no one could escape.
And those experimental subjects that I fortuitously selected for demonstration, witnessing me, their commander, humbly attending to my duties, performing tasks that are typically repugnant to ordinary people, such as lancing abscesses and squeezing out pus, though it inevitably caused me great pain, I was nonetheless profoundly moved, experiencing a happiness that left me utterly disoriented.
Unfortunately, I did not dream for long. At this moment, I learned from the fleeing citizens that the rebel general Cui Qianyou has taken control of Chang'an and is pursuing us. The vanguard has already crossed Jincheng and Ganlu, and the so-called rear guard will soon be put to use, tasked with holding the rear for vigilance and intercepting the pursuing troops. There is no other way.
Historical records state: Enemies were present in all directions, yet the Duke chose to avoid them, earning the respect of the people
At this moment, I commanded someone to find and discard items such as the imperial carriage and umbrella cover, scattering them along the way. I also obtained some women's garments and accessories, tearing them apart and carelessly hanging and throwing them into the nearby woods. Then, I piled up a large amount of collected dead branches and fallen leaves around, and the entire army concealed themselves with branches and grass, lying in wait for the unsuspecting.
Clean up the battlefield, gather everything that can be used, and then distribute it according to the reported military ranks. Even a few warhorses were loaded with some lightly wounded at my suggestion. Then, relying on the tactic of human waves, my group dealt with several small batches of pursuers, and by using camouflage and feigned death techniques, we were fortunate enough to avoid some large groups of troops. As a result, the soldiers collectively pushed forward a true leader, and wherever I went, I was followed by a large crowd, which I could not shake off, because my rank was the highest at that moment. In the ancient cold weapon era, the role of a commander in terms of morale and command was far more significant than in modern times.
A trap was set to capture several scouts, and through special means, the captives were quickly made to divulge the news that a large cavalry unit was on its way, causing quite a stir within the ranks of the New Cheng army. I too silently lamented my plight, realizing that escape was not feasible at that moment. If this unit were to disperse, I feared that my own demise would come even sooner.
At this moment, I was unaware that from the instant I set foot on this land, the wheels of the Tang Dynasty's fate had begun to veer off the course of history, heading towards an unpredictable future. Many years later, I learned that it was due to the rebel general Cui Youqian, who was the first to enter Chang'an and was astonished to see a fireball falling in the west, interpreting it as an ominous sign. In a hurry, he sought someone to divine the meaning, and that scoundrel of a sorcerer, in pursuit of profit, claimed that there was great fortune in the west. This led Cui Youqian, disregarding his unstable position, to eliminate the remnants of soldiers around the four cities and decide to send swift riders to urgently pursue the imperial carriage. Subsequently, other rebel forces that arrived later, eager to claim the credit, naturally followed suit. Little did I expect that this would leave me exhausted from fending off the pursuing soldiers.
Previously, after entering the borders, I thought there would be a fierce battle. Little did I know that the renowned Han emperor abandoned the capital and his subjects, fleeing faster than a rabbit. Upon entering Chang'an, we were a step behind the other troops, and before we could seize anything, news arrived that General Cui had heard of the surrender and ordered the closure of the treasury and the city gates, claiming it was to await the military orders for the Prince of An to come and take inventory.
It is said: In the West, great misfortune prevails, and in chaotic times, one encounters the calamities of war
However, one must still escape from fate. The murderous enemy troops are pursuing closely, and as they flee like headless flies, they once again find themselves at a dead end in a hollow in the mountains, only to discover that there are already hundreds of defeated soldiers trapped inside. Clearly, they too are at their wits' end.
They did not want to wander aimlessly to the west for half a day; apart from growing hungrier, they encountered not a single enemy soldier. However, while foraging for food in Jincheng County, they unexpectedly ran into the rear guard of the Imperial Guard of Emperor Xuanzong, who was fleeing west. Naturally, an imperial edict was issued to protect the emperor, and there was no way to evade it. I was appointed as the Right Yu Ling Wei, stationed in the Jingji Road, Huazhou, Xinping, as a sixth-rank subordinate officer (this was reported by a subordinate; in fact, I did not even know where Xinping was located)
A long time later, when I asked why they chose to follow me amidst the chaotic army back then, the answer I received left me both amused and speechless: "Because, Boss, you were truly wise and formidable. In a sea of desolate and defeated soldiers, you stood out too much. While the brothers were all despondent, feeling hopeless about their survival, you seemed the least tense, even somewhat relaxed." Hearing this, I was at a loss for words for a while; I hadn't even grasped the situation at that time
According to the report submitted by the new deputy general in charge of the aftermath, our side suffered hundreds of casualties and injuries, while the enemy lost over 2,500 cavalry, with almost none escaping. The lingering smoke, amidst the soldiers' awed gazes as they inspected the battle results, momentarily filled me with a sense of pride and increased confidence, evoking a feeling akin to dreaming, leading me to exclaim thoughts like "being a soldier indeed has a promising future"
Yet, unbeknownst to me, there were continuous gasps of astonishment from the areas I passed over - images and books were called out, and then there was a fervent worship within. Suddenly, a burning airplane emerged from nowhere, roaring past and crashing violently into a small hill, erupting into a rain of fire and countless fragments. Then I noticed that the parachute was also on fire. Fortunately, I was only a few dozen meters above the ground at that moment, and after a dizzying descent directly into the small hill, I crashed through the dense forest with a thunderous crash before finally landing safely, having salvaged my life. However, apart from an aviation wool vest, my clothes and pants were tattered, and in this state, I bore little difference from the Peking Man in the prehistoric museum.
To this end, I had to undergo a six-month intensive medical training, primarily focused on emergency treatment in the field. Among the topics covered was battlefield first aid, as some of the countries we are going to have areas that are not very stable, with risks from roaming tribal militias and bandits. This knowledge will be more than sufficient for treating the injured, although I am unsure how much progress has been made in this area, given that cold weapon warfare mainly involves injuries from knives, arrows, and fractures.
When I found myself in the ancient Tang Dynasty, I was dressed in the uniform of a Tang army Qian Niu (a centurion-level officer) and fleeing for my life up the mountains with a large group of panicked Tang soldiers, resembling a flock of frightened ducks, being pursued by enemy cavalry. At that moment, I truly experienced what it meant to have "one misstep leads to eternal regret"
Thus, according to the local county annals: In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era during the Tang dynasty, amidst the chaos of war, there appeared celestial beings traversing the sky, their wings spread like snow. They were struck by falling meteors and vanished without a trace. After their descent, a red light surged into the sky, coinciding with a great battle, resulting in countless soldiers falling in combat, leading to a mass rout. At that time, many people in the entire region witnessed this event. The ancient military leaders were quite superstitious, and the general of the rebel forces regarded it as an ominous sign, ordering a halt to the pursuit, which allowed many Tang soldiers to escape with their lives.
In order to save my life, I had no choice but to think of a way. Fortunately, I had read a lot of books in the past, and in a moment of urgency, I recalled some examples of rapid electric warfare. It was still possible to devise measures to hinder the enemy by following the established patterns. However, I had never possessed the martial skills to engage in battle nor the bravery to lead the charge, and I was unsure how these individuals would trust me. (In fact, I later learned that during the Tang Dynasty, there was no clear distinction between military generals and civil officials. Many positions in the troops near the capital were granted as rewards by the emperor, often held by civil officials or the sons of ministers. Even Du Fu had once held a military position as a deputy in the left guard with a rank of the eighth grade, so it was not surprising that one could lack military strategy and martial prowess.)
Thus, he dispelled his last trace of doubt. At this moment, the soldiers below, upon realizing there were women present, became agitated, disregarding military orders, shouting as they rushed in. It was evident that they could not be stopped, and with the temptation of capturing the emperor, he made a decision he would forever regret. He shouted loudly, "Those near the emperor are not to be touched; the king wants to keep them. Whoever finds them can take them back." With wild laughter, he urged his horse forward, casting aside the military wisdom of caution in the face of danger, and galloped inside. He made a decision he would forever regret. He shouted loudly, "Those near the emperor are not to be touched; the king wants to keep them. Whoever finds them can take them back." With wild laughter, he urged his horse forward, casting aside the military wisdom of caution in the face of danger, and galloped inside.
The scattered soldiers who had previously parted ways and returned brought back bad news; traces of rebel forces were found in all directions. Those heading north reached the Weishui River, only to discover that the boats at the Weishui ferry had been burned by the rebel cavalry. Those fleeing south encountered a large force of the An army, while the fools who attempted to return east did not come back at all. This further strengthened everyone's resolve to follow me.
To speak frankly, seeing them apply a mixture of plant ash to a wound as the most primitive method of stopping bleeding is truly horrifying. This substance is indeed effective for coagulation, but the risk of infection and tetanus is equally high.
At this moment, I changed my mind again, because I learned from soldiers arriving from other places that the areas to the east of the capital, namely Jingzhao Prefecture's Xinfeng and Weinan, the southern Qizhou's Yong County, and the northern Huazhou's Zheng County, were either already fallen or had rebel activities. In short, they were no longer accessible. It is no wonder that everyone is fleeing this way; now, the only option is to follow the emperor's large entourage west to Han Zhong. Moreover, I currently have no money and no food, making it impossible to go anywhere. It would be better to wait until I reach Sichuan, use this title to earn some money, and then make further plans. If I could stay in the so-called Land of Abundance, Shu, and take on a leisurely job, that would be quite good until the war ends. With my skills, I could open a restaurant specializing in rare and exotic dishes, ensuring a steady flow of income, and I could also take the opportunity to explore ancient Sichuan.