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Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: Unable to Return to the Battlefield

"Didn't I already say it? I'm Han Lei, from Huaxia, and I was a military doctor in my hometown!"

Zhao Zun leaned in closer to Han Lei, his sharp, eagle-like gaze seemed as though it was trying to see right through her.

"That's... not enough!"

Hmm?

What does that mean?

Besides time-traveling, Han Lei felt she had nothing more to say.

Yet the idea of time travel was too outlandish; she feared being considered a witch if she mentioned it, but she also didn't want to lie.

Because telling one lie would require countless others to cover it up.

"Uh, there are still many injured soldiers waiting for me to treat them now." Han Lei dodged Zhao Zun's gaze. As she spoke, she stood up and walked out. "I'll tell you everything slowly once this busy period is over!"

Han Lei fled outside as if escaping. Although she was open and forthright with nothing to hide, after all, the person standing before her was a freshly unearthed relic! Before she figured out how to explain, it was better to avoid it.

Besides, she truly was very busy now!

Only when Han Lei's figure disappeared outside the tent did Zhao Zun curl his lips, his sharp gaze gradually became profound, no one could tell what he was thinking.

...... I'm the lazy dividing line......

Wounded Soldier Camp.

The moment Mr. He lifted the curtain and saw Han Lei approaching, he rushed up to greet her.

"Ah! Dr. Han, you're awake? You pulled an all-nighter yesterday, why don't you rest a while longer?"

Mr. He's smile was so big that the wrinkles on his face could trap flies.

Yesterday, he had still questioned Han Lei's medical skills to her face, but now he just felt like he got his face slapped.

In his entire life, there weren't many people he genuinely respected, and now, Han Lei was one of them.

"I couldn't rest easy, and I couldn't sleep." Han Lei smiled and nodded politely at Mr. He, asking, "Old doctor, how are those injured soldiers? Are they getting better?"

"Ah, Dr. Han. You truly are a divine being! Many severely injured soldiers who were on the brink of death have awakened. My surname is He, you can call me Mr. He. In front of a divine doctor like you, I dare not call myself a doctor!"

"Hehehe." Han Lei was amused by his words. "How could I be a divine doctor? I'll still call you Mr. He!"

"Those soldiers had one foot already across the threshold of death's door. You managed to heal them, bringing the dead back to life, and you still say you're not a divine doctor?"

"Hehehe, that's called sewing skill. It's just stitching the wound for better healing, not as miraculous as you say."

As Han Lei spoke, she stepped into the tent, and Mr. He hurriedly followed behind her.

Seeing a woman suddenly enter the tent, the awakened soldiers looked at Han Lei curiously. Some of them bashfully pulled the quilt up higher over themselves.

How did a woman suddenly appear in the military camp?

Han Lei said to the soldier in charge of this tent, "Please light the lamp."

With the lamp lit, the tent suddenly brightened.

Han Lei squatted in front of an injured soldier, reaching out to check his forehead for fever.

That soldier stared in terror at Han Lei's approaching hand, instinctively moving his head backward.

"Why are you backing away?" Han Lei frowned. She hadn't realized the strict gender propriety of ancient times.

Seeing this, Mr. He quickly scolded, "Kid, what are you avoiding for? This is Dr. Han who saved your life. Even though she's a woman, her medical skills are divine. Cooperate a little."

Hearing Mr. He say Han Lei was a doctor, only then did the soldier weakly murmur and stopped moving.

Only then did Han Lei realize, and she smiled wryly. She reached out and probed the soldier's forehead, finding that the fever had indeed subsided.

"How do you feel? Is there anywhere you're uncomfortable?"

Han Lei's gentle tone eased the soldier, who timidly shook his head, "Much better already, it's just that the wound in my shoulder hurts a bit."

"As long as there's no other discomfort, it's normal for the wound to hurt, by tomorrow it won't hurt as much."

Han Lei gently patted the soldier's arm and began to check his wound.

She remembered this soldier, he was the most severely injured among those she treated yesterday, and she had spent the most time on his treatment.

The soldier looked only about seventeen or eighteen, in modern times he would probably still be in high school! So young and already fighting on the battlefield, suffering such severe injuries, almost losing his life. Han Lei wondered if she should tell him about his injury.

After a moment of hesitation, Han Lei decided to speak.

"What's your name?"

"Ah Mao."

"Ah Mao, you've been severely wounded. Your tendon was cut, uh... the muscle was severed. Although you narrowly escaped with your life, because too much time passed and you got infected, you might not be able to fight on the battlefield again."

Han Lei lowered her eyes, afraid to meet Ah Mao's gaze, her voice growing smaller.

To a soldier, not being able to fight was extremely cruel. But as a patient, he had the right to know his condition.

"What?"

Sure enough, tears instantly filled Ah Mao's eyes, and he began to sob.

"Wuwuwu, what can I do now? My family can't even put a meal on the table. I joined the army to reduce the number of mouths to feed, wuwuwu... I was hoping to kill more enemies to earn more awards to take back home... wuwu..."

Listening to him, Han Lei felt a pang of sorrow.

In ancient times, there were too many soldiers like Ah Mao. They didn't understand concepts like defending the country, or national pride. They simply joined the army to fill their stomachs and risked their lives for the pitifully meager salary and rewards.

As Ah Mao sobbed, the other three injured soldiers in the tent started to choke up as well, each trying to sit up and asking Han Lei anxiously.

"Doctor, please tell me, how's my injury? Can I still fight on the battlefield?"

"Doctor, what about me, how am I?"

"Wuwu…"

"You brats, why are you crying? Consider it burning incense to have survived. What's there to cry about?" Mr. He barked impatiently.

"Exactly!" Han Lei quickly reassured them. "You all don't need to worry, besides Ah Mao, your injuries are not serious. The fact that you woke up today shows that your infections are under control."

Only then did the three soldiers finally exhale heavily, sniffling as they lay back down.

Seeing their emotions settle, Han Lei turned to comfort Ah Mao again.

"Ah Mao, you don't need to worry either. You were warriors on the battlefield, now that you're wounded and unable to fight, the Prince will surely arrange proper roles for you. For instance, working in logistics or something like that. Rest assured! You can still contribute in the military camp."

"Sniff, sniff." Ah Mao sniffled, asking uncertainly, "Really?"

Han Lei smiled warmly like a mother, "Yes, definitely."

Although she didn't know this timeline's fate for soldiers unable to return to the battlefield, she believed that Zhao Zun would not abandon them.

After thoroughly checking the soldiers' wounds and advising them to rest, Han Lei prepared to check the next tent but was stopped by Mr. He as she turned.

"Dr. Han, please, wait a moment."

"Hmm?" Han Lei turned back, "Is there anything else, Mr. He?"

"Uh..." Mr. He glanced at Han Lei then quickly lowered his head, rubbing his hands together, looking as though he had something to say but couldn't quite bring himself to speak, hesitating for a long time before finally mumbling.

"Uh... Miss Han..."

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