Bright Sword: This unit is really ruthless

Chapter 263 Xiuqin's Hand

Zhang Lingyun took a step forward and tried to hold Xiuqin's hand, but she subconsciously took a step back, as if unwilling to accept his comfort.

"Xiuqin, I promise you that I will never put Mom in danger." Zhang Lingyun's voice was low and firm, "I will arrange the safest place for her to rest and will never let her come into contact with any danger on the battlefield. You trust me."

Xiuqin raised her head, her eyes full of tears, but she still shook her head stubbornly, "Zhang Lingyun, it's easy for you to say, but how many things on the battlefield can you control? You are the commander, you have to command the battle, protect the soldiers, and protect this camp. Can you always be by Mom's side? Can you guarantee that she will never be hurt?"

Zhang Lingyun was speechless. He knew that what Xiuqin said was true. The battlefield was unpredictable and no one could predict what would happen in the next second. He could not give an absolute guarantee, but he still believed in his decision.

"Xiuqin, I can't guarantee everything, but I can try my best." Zhang Lingyun said in a deep voice, his tone revealing his unquestionable determination, "If I leave Mom at home, I will never forgive myself if something happens. At least I am here to protect her."

Xiuqin looked at Zhang Lingyun's eyes and finally saw a hint of fragility and uneasiness in his determination. She knew that Zhang Lingyun's decision was out of filial piety, and she also knew the contradictions and struggles in his heart at the moment.

"Zhang Lingyun, I don't want to fight with you anymore." Xiuqin's voice gradually calmed down, with a hint of fatigue, "I just hope you can think clearly. Mom's safety is more important than anything else. If you really care about her, you shouldn't let her get involved in this war."

Zhang Lingyun felt even more guilty when he saw Xiuqin's exhausted appearance. He sighed softly and reached out to wipe away the tears on her face. "Xiuqin, I'm sorry, I made you worry. I will think about it again. Maybe I can arrange for her to go to a nearby safe area. Although the conditions there are not good, it is at least safer than here."

Xiuqin was silent for a moment, and finally nodded, "Okay, if you can do this, I will feel relieved. Zhang Lingyun, I know you are filial, but sometimes filial piety also needs to be done in a proper way. Mom's safety is the most important thing, and we can't take risks with her life."

Zhang Lingyun nodded in agreement. Although he was still reluctant, he knew that Xiuqin's concerns were justified.

"I understand, Xiuqin." Zhang Lingyun's tone was filled with deep apology, "I will arrange for Mom to go to the safe zone as soon as possible. Don't worry, I will never let her be in danger."

Xiuqin finally smiled. Although she still had some tears in her eyes, there was a sense of relief in her eyes. "Thank you, Zhang Lingyun. I know it's not easy for you either. I just want our family to get through this peacefully."

Zhang Lingyun nodded, gently hugged Xiuqin in his arms, feeling her warmth and fragility. He knew that this decision was not easy, but it was a choice they had to make.

As the night deepened, the wind gently blew through the camp, bringing a hint of coolness. Zhang Lingyun looked up at the sky and prayed silently in his heart: I hope this will end as soon as possible, and I hope that their family can be reunited in peace.

He lowered his head and looked at Xiuqin's tired face, and his heart became more resolute in his decision. No matter what, he would protect this family and the people he loved, even if it meant sacrificing everything.

Zhang Ling came across a watermelon field and asked a fellow villager to buy a wheelbarrow full of watermelons for his men to eat.

Zhang Lingyun led several elite soldiers in the army to patrol along a rugged mountain road. They had walked this road countless times, and they could tell the location of almost every stone with their eyes closed. Despite this, Zhang Lingyun still did not dare to be careless. The battlefield changes rapidly, and any negligence may bring irreversible consequences.

"Captain, it's so hot today. It's really torturous." Li Yunlong complained as he walked, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "It would be a great pleasure if I could drink a sip of cold well water."

Zhang Lingyun smiled and turned to look at him: "You only know how to enjoy yourself. How can there be so many good things on the front line? But to be honest, this damn weather is really unbearable."

"Yes, Captain." Zhang Dabiao also interrupted, his voice revealing helplessness, "The sun makes our scalps numb. If we weren't in good health, I'm afraid some of us wouldn't be able to stand it."

Zhang Lingyun nodded, thinking secretly about how to let the soldiers relax a little. They had been in high-intensity combat and training for a while, and even he, the regiment commander, felt exhausted, not to mention the soldiers.

As he was walking, Zhang Lingyun suddenly found a green watermelon field at the foot of the hill not far ahead. The watermelon field looked particularly tempting under the sunshine, especially in this hot weather, watermelon is undoubtedly the best thing to quench thirst.

"Hey, everyone, look over there." Zhang Lingyun suddenly stopped and pointed at the watermelon field, with a hint of excitement in his eyes, "Isn't that a watermelon field?"

Li Yunlong looked in the direction Zhang Lingyun pointed, and his eyes immediately lit up: "Captain, you have a good eye! That is indeed a watermelon field. Hehe, it looks like we are in for a treat today!"

Zhang Dabiao also laughed, with a long-lost relaxed expression on his face: "Captain, should we go say hello to the fellow villagers and buy some watermelons to quench our thirst?"

Zhang Lingyun pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Let's go and take a look. But we have to be careful not to let the villagers think we are here to rob. We in the Eighth Route Army cannot do such a thing."

After that, Zhang Lingyun took the lead and walked towards the watermelon field, followed closely by several soldiers behind him. They were in high spirits along the way, as if they had forgotten their fatigue.

After arriving at the watermelon field, Zhang Lingyun saw a fellow villager bending over and working in the field. The fellow villager was about 40 or 50 years old, with dark skin, and he looked like he had been working in the fields for many years. He looked up and saw Zhang Lingyun and his friends coming over. He was slightly startled, and then he showed a simple smile.

"Comrades, what are you doing..." The fellow villager straightened up, leaned on his hoe, and looked at Zhang Lingyun and the others with some confusion.

Zhang Lingyun walked up and said with a smile: "Uncle, hello! We are soldiers of the Eighth Route Army passing by. We saw your watermelon field, which is really big and round. The weather is too hot, so we were thinking about whether we could buy some watermelons from you to quench our thirst."

When the fellow heard this, he waved his hands and smiled even more brightly, "Oh, comrades, you are being polite! How can we ask you to spend money? If you like these watermelons, just pick a few and eat them to quench your thirst. You are defending our country, how can we ordinary people take money from you?"

Zhang Lingyun felt warm at the time, and deeply felt the people's support and love for the Eighth Route Army. He smiled and said, "Uncle, we feel bad about what you said. We also know that the villagers are having a hard time. You worked hard to grow these watermelons, so we can't just take them for free. We must pay you, so don't refuse."

Seeing Zhang Lingyun's firm attitude, the fellow villager thought for a moment before nodding in agreement, "Okay, then it's up to you. These watermelons are not worth much anyway, so you can pick as many as you want."

Zhang Lingyun turned to the soldiers behind him and said, "Li Yunlong, go pick a few good melons and pay me later."

Li Yunlong walked forward with a smile and began to carefully select the watermelons. Several soldiers also gathered in the watermelon field to help with the selection. Before long, they had picked a dozen large and round watermelons and put them aside.

The fellow villager looked at the watermelons and couldn't help laughing: "Comrades, you have a good eye. These are the best watermelons in my field. How about I help you move them?"

Zhang Lingyun waved his hand quickly, "No need, uncle, we can do it ourselves. You do your thing, we won't disturb you."

The fellow nodded, showing his understanding. Zhang Lingyun asked Zhang Dabiao to find a wheelbarrow not far away, load the watermelons one by one, and then took out a few silver dollars from his pocket and handed them to the fellow.

"Uncle, this is your money, you must accept it. Without the support of you fellow villagers, our soldiers on the front line can't hold on." Zhang Lingyun said sincerely, and the fellow villager finally did not refuse anymore. He took the silver dollar with a grateful smile on his face.

"Thank you, comrades. If you hadn't fought so hard on the front lines, how could we ordinary people live in peace today?" The villagers' voices were full of simple emotions. "If you pass by again, please come over anytime. The watermelons are always available."

Zhang Lingyun smiled and nodded, "I will, uncle. We are leaving now, take care."

After that, Zhang Lingyun led the soldiers to push the wheelbarrows loaded with watermelons and headed towards the camp. Along the way, everyone was in a very happy mood, and it seemed that their fatigue had been swept away.

After returning to the camp, Zhang Lingyun immediately called everyone together and distributed the watermelons one by one. When the soldiers saw these fresh watermelons, their eyes lit up immediately and they gathered around.

"Captain, where did these watermelons come from? They're so good!" a soldier asked excitedly, staring at the watermelons.

Zhang Lingyun explained with a smile: "We met a kind fellow villager on the way. He had a lot of watermelons planted in his field, so we bought some. We have all worked hard, so let's eat some watermelons to quench our thirst."

Li Yunlong couldn't wait to cut a big watermelon with a dagger, and the red flesh immediately appeared in front of everyone, full of juice and fragrance. He grabbed a piece and handed it to Zhang Lingyun, "Captain, you go first!"

Zhang Lingyun took the watermelon and took a big bite. The sweet juice burst in his mouth, instantly dispelling his fatigue of the whole day. He nodded and exclaimed: "It's so sweet. My fellow villager has grown this watermelon really well!"

The other soldiers also cut the watermelons and ate them happily. The whole camp was filled with laughter and joy, and everyone was greatly relaxed.