We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Li Che only felt his nose sore and his eyes instantly became hot.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and turned to look at the old military doctor: "This leg... is it really impossible to save it? It needs to be amputated?"

The old military doctor obviously recognized Li Che. He put down the small saw and bowed deeply to Li Che, his bloodshot eyes full of helplessness.

"Your Highness, I have been practicing medicine for over thirty years. Injuries like these... are definitely not worth saving."

"The wound has decayed deep into the bone and cannot be sutured or treated with medicine. If the arm is not amputated in time, the evil poison will attack the heart and I am afraid I will not survive this night."

"If the limb is amputated, there is still a glimmer of hope."

When the young soldier heard the old military doctor's words, his body suddenly stiffened and the light in his eyes dimmed instantly.

He stopped struggling and just stared blankly at his rotting leg, tears streaming down his face silently.

Seeing the young soldier like this, Li Che's heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and it hurt so much that he could hardly breathe.

He couldn't help but plead in a low voice: "Think of a solution, think of another solution?"

The old military doctor slowly shook his head: "Your Highness, he is very lucky."

"Before you and Dr. Hua developed military medicine, we could only watch from the sidelines with injuries like this, with no chance of survival."

"Even now, the chance of survival after amputation is only 40%, but at least there is a glimmer of hope."

"Being alive is better than anything else."

Military medicine is a new discipline established at Fengguo University two years ago.

In fact, its essence is the integration of battlefield medicine and modern surgical medicine.

Military doctors have been different from ordinary doctors since ancient times. Ordinary doctors treat diseases, while military doctors save lives.

The same is true in modern times. Military doctors put their hands into the cavity to help the heart beat and seal the wound with 502 glue. As long as the person survives, any operation is allowed.

Of course, Fengguo’s development in medicine is not limited to this.

The scholars ground rice into juice, added juice ground from sweet potatoes, and mixed them to use as a culture medium solution.

After a series of fermentation, extraction, concentration, purification and other operations, the first experimental antibiotic of this era - penicillin - was cultivated.

Although the traditional method of extracting penicillin is simple, it cannot be compared with industrially produced penicillin in terms of purity, stability and safety.

But it is always better to have something than nothing. In this era, antibiotics are the panacea that saves countless lives.

Just as Li Che was about to fight for it again, an old hand gently rested on his slightly trembling arm.

It is Wen Zai Yin.

The old minister didn't say anything, but just shook his head slowly at Li Che.

Li Che understood the meaning of that look.

As a king, he can be angry and heartbroken, but he cannot act on impulse and make a more wrong decision because of momentary impatience.

The military doctor's judgment was based on experience gained through countless blood and tears, and was the only way to save the soldier's life at this moment.

Li Che's lips trembled violently for a few times. He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

Perhaps he knew his situation, the young man had calmed down at this moment, looking at Li Che with red eyes:

"Your Highness, I just saw you on the battlefield. You are so amazing! You are not afraid of so many Japanese pirates in front of you. You just keep charging forward."

Li Che rubbed his head: "You are also very brave, the king has been watching you..."

"That's good. I didn't bring shame to my father." The soldier laughed. "My father and brother both served under you. They often told me that Your Highness loves brave soldiers the most..."

Perhaps the Ma Fei San gradually took effect, the soldier's voice became softer and softer, and then he gradually fell asleep.

The old military doctor immediately stepped forward and squeezed out of Li Che's seat: "Your Highness, please leave first. I have to perform surgery."

Li Che retreated to the side in a daze, watching the military doctors surround the soldier, and muttered:

"What's his name? Where does he live? Does he have any relatives?"

A medical battalion clerk who was in charge of recording the incident quickly replied:

"Your Highness, his name is Wang Ergou. He is from Chaoyang City and has a widowed mother."

Li Che frowned: "Where's his father? Where's his brother?"

The clerk hesitated for a moment and whispered, "There's no record in the military register..."

Li Che didn't say anything else.

If there is no record, it means that the person has passed away. Only living family members will be recorded in the military register.

At this time, the old military doctor had already picked up the saw and stepped forward.

Li Che couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he turned around and avoided her. Wen Zaiyin and others also looked at him sideways.

Crunch... Crunch...

The teeth-grinding sound of sawing bones reached everyone's ears clearly.

This sound frightened Li Che more than the most intense fighting on the battlefield.

Li Che clenched his fists tightly, turned his back to the old military doctor and the young soldier, and his body trembled slightly.

The bruises on his body no longer hurt at this moment, only the heavy weight in his heart made it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Li Che was silent for a long time, then turned and walked away.

He did not ask anyone to give the young sergeant special care. The Fengtian Army had a complete system for supporting wounded soldiers, and the Fengtian Army would take care of such a lifelong disabled person for the rest of his life.

If only he is given special care, it will be unfair to other wounded soldiers.

After walking out of the wounded soldiers' camp, the smell of blood and the wailing still seemed to linger around my nose and ears, and could not be shaken off.

Li Che did not go to the king's tent, but walked silently to the edge of the camp, turned his back to everyone, and slowly squatted down.

He lowered his head, the hem of his dark robe dragging casually on the muddy ground. He seemed to have been drained of all his strength, leaving only a tired shell.

The sun shone brightly, casting a shadow on him, but it could not dispel the gloom that permeated him.

Wen Zaiyin, Wang Sanchun and other civil and military officials stood silently a few steps behind Li Che. No one dared to disturb them, and they even deliberately breathed lightly.

The scorching sun shone on everyone's armor and official robes, steaming up a hint of summer heat.

But no one felt the heat, only a chill in their hearts.

Wang Sanchun wanted to say something to ease the atmosphere several times, but looking at Li Che's back, he finally just scratched his hair in annoyance and swallowed his words.

The others held their breath, not even daring to breathe, for fear of disturbing His Highness.

Wen Zaiyin sighed silently in his heart. He knew that he was the only one who could comfort His Highness at this moment.

Hearing the familiar footsteps behind him, Li Che did not look back.

After a long time, he slowly spoke, as if talking to himself, or to the old minister behind him:

"You know, Mr. Wen..."

He paused, his voice dry.

"Back then... when I first came out of seclusion, I fought battles ten times more brutal than this."

"After every battle, no matter how exhausted I was or how badly wounded I was, I would visit each tent to check on the wounded."

"The soldiers at that time also knew that their Highness might not share their joys and sorrows, but he would definitely... live and die with them."

His tone gradually became erratic.

"But I don't know when it started, probably since I became the King of Feng, after the war I rarely went to the wounded camp anymore."

"Those soldiers who fought and shed blood for me on the battlefield have gradually become, in my memory, a series of cold numbers on the battle reports...how many were killed, how many were seriously injured..."

Li Che's shoulders twitched slightly, and his voice trembled:

"It's not that I don't want to go... It's not that I'm lazy and forgetful..."

He slowly raised his head and looked at the sea in the distance, his voice choked:

"I don't dare to go!"

"Old Wen..." Li Che's voice was a little dazed, "If I hadn't started this war and crossed the sea to fight Japan..."

Wen Zaiyin's heart tightened, and he immediately stepped forward, interrupting Li Che's self-blame:

"Your Highness! You must not even entertain such thoughts!"

"I've said this before: Soldiers go into battle and kill the enemy, and die wrapped in their horsehide. This is their duty and their destiny!"

"As the King of Feng, you choose the path for Feng's future: war or peace, offense or defense? Plan strategies and win victories from afar—this is your duty, your destiny!"

"How can the two be confused? And how can we shake the foundation of our country because of a moment of kindness?!"

Wen Zaiyin's tone slowed down, but he spoke more earnestly:

"Your Highness, although I don't know why, I know that you hate Japan with all your heart. When you sent troops across the sea, vowing to destroy Japan, I, too, felt puzzled."

He looked straight into Li Che's eyes frankly:

"My country is in ruins, yet we are sending our elite troops on a sea expedition. The risks are enormous. Is it worth devoting all our national strength just for this tiny island nation?"

Wen Zaiyin changed the subject, his voice becoming unusually solemn:

"However, as the war progressed and my understanding of the Japanese deepened, I, this old minister, increasingly understood Your Highness's good intentions."

"The Japanese are wickedly ambitious, etched deep in their bones! For thousands of years, their emperor has sat aloft, revered as a deity, and reigned supreme for eternity. The common people live in unbearable hardship, yet their resentment dares not ignite towards the deified emperor, and instead turns to a perverse form of worship."

"This kind of people's mentality is bound to go to extremes. If someone misleads them, their resentment will be unleashed. If we don't eliminate them today, once they grow stronger, they will become a grave threat to our Feng State, and even to the entire Daqing, causing endless disasters!"

"Your Highness!"

"Your dispatch of troops to Japan is not out of bellicosity, but rather a precautionary measure to prevent disasters before they occur."

"I, this old minister, now firmly believe that Your Highness's battle has not only done no harm to the people of this time, but has also benefited generations to come."

"Your Highness is wise and enlightened, and your decision is wise and there is nothing wrong with it!"

Wen Zaiyin's gaze fell on Li Che again, and he said like an elder:

"As for those soldiers who died in battle... they died loyally for their country. Their death was a worthy one, and it is more important than Mount Tai."

"Your Highness is kind to his family and orphans, ensuring that the elderly have a place to live and the young have someone to rely on. This is a clear example of benevolence and virtue that benefits all people."

He bowed deeply, his voice filled with hope: "Your Highness, please do not let a moment of compassion lead you to belittle yourself and waver in your integrity!"

Wen Zaiyin's words were like a revelation, washing away Li Che's self-blame and confusion.

He raised his head, and the confusion in his eyes gradually faded away.

Yes...I am no longer the young man who struggled to survive on the snowy plains with a thousand criminals.

He is the King of Daqing! Every decision he makes affects the life and death of millions of people and the future of a new dynasty!

Kindness is the virtue of a king.

But indecision is a deadly poison.

If Japan is not eliminated, there will be endless troubles!

This blood must be shed; this price must be paid by someone!

"This king... understands."

Li Che looked towards the distant Shimonoseki Castle, where the Japanese flag was still flying, his eyes cold and sharp:

"The blood of our soldiers will not be shed in vain. This Japanese nation... must be destroyed!"

"Pass the order down, the entire army will rest for seven days! After seven days, the troops will march down to the city gate!"