With the successful completion of the water conservancy project in Qingyan Town, the people who had long suffered from floods and droughts finally embraced peace and tranquility. Laughter and joy echoed through the streets and alleys: children played and ran beside the newly built irrigation canals, while adults worked diligently in the fields, their faces brimming with happiness and contentment.
Li Yi and Lin Yue watched the vibrant scene with deep relief. However, before they could fully savor this hard-won peace, new challenges surged in like a turbulent tide.
One day, warm sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice into Li Yi's study, where he was intently reviewing official documents. Suddenly, hurried footsteps shattered the silence. A messenger rushed in, clutching an urgent letter, his face etched with undisguised anxiety. Li Yi took the letter and unfolded it, his brows furrowing instantly. The handwriting was messy, as if scribbled in extreme panic, with every word dripping with anxiety and despair.
It turned out that a neighboring country was plunged into the brutal quagmire of war, where raging fires devoured everything in their path. Villages were wantonly burned, farmland turned to scorched earth, and people fled homelessness amid the flames, their families torn apart. Cries, shouts, and the roar of guns intertwined, turning the entire nation into a living hell. In the letter, the neighboring king earnestly pleaded with the Tang Dynasty to remember the two countries' long-standing friendship and extend a helping hand to rescue them from disaster.
After reading the letter, Li Yi felt a complex mix of emotions, unable to calm down for a long time. He knew that war was a terrible disaster, meaning countless lives would be lost, countless families destroyed, and people plunged into endless pain and despair. As a powerful nation standing tall in the East, the Tang Dynasty, with its strong national strength and formidable army, ought to demonstrate great-power responsibility and dignity in the face of such immense suffering in a neighboring country. But sending troops to aid was no simple matter, involving many complex factors.
Military deployment required meticulous planning: the most elite troops must be selected to ensure they could wield maximum combat effectiveness on the battlefield; material preparation had to be sufficient and timely, as supplies like grain and fodder, weapons, and medicine each determined the war's outcome and soldiers' lives; the formation of a medical team was equally critical, as a large number of casualties were inevitable in war, requiring ample supplies of medicine, advanced medical equipment, and experienced, highly skilled doctors to save lives to the greatest extent possible.
Li Yi paced back and forth in his study, deep in thought, before finally deciding to consult Lin Yue.
Lin Yue was busy in the medical clinic, dressed in plain clothes, focusing intently on treating patients. Her hands were gentle and skilled as she carefully took pulses, asked about symptoms, patiently answered questions, and prescribed medications for each patient. The clinic was filled with the faint scent of herbs, and under her care, the pain on patients' faces gradually eased. Upon hearing Li Yi's purpose, Lin Yue was slightly taken aback, then stopped her work, her expression turning grave. She sighed softly and said, "When our neighbor suffers and its people endure hardship, how can we bear to stand by? But this matter is of great significance, affecting the whole situation—we must consider it thoroughly, without the slightest oversight."
The two sat opposite each other in a quiet room of the clinic, discussing every detail of the rescue mission in depth.
Leaning forward slightly, Li Yi analyzed firmly, "Deploying the army is of utmost importance. We need to select elite soldiers from among many. They must not only possess excellent military skills to charge into battle and fight bravely but also have a strong sense of mission and honor to uphold the Tang Dynasty's dignity at all times. Moreover, logistical support is the lifeline of war—grain, fodder, weapons, and other supplies must be adequately provided, without the slightest mistake. Otherwise, the frontline soldiers will fall into a difficult situation, with unimaginable consequences."
Lin Yue nodded in serious agreement and continued, "Forming the medical team must also be meticulous. In war, casualties will surely pour in like a tide. We need to prepare sufficient medicine and medical equipment to deal with various complex injuries. We must also select experienced and noble-minded doctors who not only have superb medical skills but also a compassionate heart to save lives, standing their ground and doing their utmost to treat every wounded person in harsh conditions."
After reaching a consensus, Li Yi immediately set about preparations without delay.
Dressed in his court robes, he stood solemnly in the imperial court, detailing the neighboring country's grave situation and the Tang Dynasty's necessity to send troops for rescue. His voice was loud and firm, his words sincere, appealing to both emotion and reason, and the ministers in the court were deeply moved by his speech.
After intense discussion, the court quickly approved the dispatch of troops for aid and promised ample material support. Li Yi then hurried to the barracks, where he carefully selected a group of battle-tested and disciplined elite soldiers from among many. These soldiers stood tall, their eyes firm, exuding a fearless aura. Li Yi appointed the prestigious General Wang Meng as the commander of the rescue mission.
Upon receiving the order, Wang Meng wore a solemn expression and immediately assembled the army for pre-war mobilization. Standing on a high platform, he scanned the soldiers below and declared passionately, "In this mission, we bear a great responsibility, representing the Tang Dynasty's honor and dignity as we go to rescue the suffering people in the war. They are in dire straits, waiting for our help. Everyone must do their utmost, fight bravely, and live up to our mission!"
The soldiers were roused to enthusiasm, shouting in unison, their voices resounding through the sky, demonstrating strong fighting spirit and determination.
Meanwhile, Lin Yue was also forming a medical team in an intense and orderly manner. She posted a recruitment notice at the clinic's door, which immediately attracted many doctors' attention. They came to sign up one after another, expressing their determination to contribute to the rescue mission. Lin Yue conducted strict screenings for each applicant, carefully asking about their medical experience, areas of expertise, and administering medical skill assessments.
After layered screenings, she finally selected over a dozen highly skilled and noble-minded doctors to form a professional medical team. Lin Yue personally served as the team leader, detailing common injury types in war and treatment methods to the members, and sharing medical cases from her years of experience. She carefully inspected and prepared medicines and medical equipment to ensure everything was complete and in good condition. She also specially prepared emergency supplies in case of unexpected needs.
Preparations proceeded intensively and orderly, with each link closely connected and allowing no room for error. Finally, the army and medical team set off for the neighboring country amid
everyone's expectations.
That day, sunlight spilled over the land, illuminating their path forward. The army wore neat armor and held sharp weapons, awe-inspiring in appearance; the medical team carried bags filled with medicines and medical equipment, their expressions determined. Li Yi stood at the city gate, watching them depart, his heart filled with concern and anticipation.
Gazing at the departing troops, Li Yi silently prayed they would return safely and successfully complete the rescue mission; Lin Yue, with tears in her eyes, whispered, "I hope everything goes smoothly, and we can save those suffering people soon."
After a long and arduous journey, the army and medical team finally arrived in the neighboring country. The scene before them was shocking, like stepping into a living hell. Once prosperous villages were now burned to ruins by war, leaving only crumbling walls and wisps of smoke; crops in the farmland were trampled beyond recognition, the land pockmarked with bomb craters and stained with blood; the people were ragged, emaciated, their eyes filled with fear and despair as they wandered homeless, their cries and moans intertwining into a heart-wrenching chorus. Wang Meng and Lin Yue, ignoring their journey's fatigue, immediately dived into rescue efforts.
Wang Meng led the army to quickly make contact with local resistance forces and understand the battlefield situation. He went deep into the front line, personally observing the enemy's deployments and movement patterns, and conducted detailed communications with local generals. After careful consideration, he formulated a detailed and thorough combat plan. He organized the army to engage in fierce battles with the enemy. On the battlefield, Tang soldiers charged like tigers descending a mountain, fighting bravely. Their figures were as firm as steel; facing enemy fire and weapons, they fearlessly advanced. Their weapons glinted coldly, each swing carrying endless strength and resolve. Every charge was accompanied by earth-shaking shouts and fearless courage; every battle was fought to safeguard the people's peace and restore tranquility to the land. Through their efforts, the war situation gradually turned around: the enemy's offensive was successfully contained, and the previously retreating resistance forces reignited their fighting spirit.
Lin Yue led the medical team to set up temporary medical stations in the rear to treat wounded civilians and soldiers. In the medical stations, injured people kept arriving, and the narrow space was filled with the thick smell of blood and herbs. Groans and pained expressions tugged at hearts, with every injured person's face reflecting suffering and despair. Lin Yue and her team worked day and night, forgetting time and fatigue, their eyes focused only on the injured's safety.
Once, a critically wounded soldier was carried into the medical station, his abdomen hit by a shell, bleeding profusely and in critical condition. Lin Yue immediately performed surgery on him, facing numerous difficulties during the procedure. Due to limited medical conditions—lacking advanced equipment and sufficient medicine—the surgery's difficulty greatly increased. But Lin Yue, with her superb medical skills and firm belief, calmly addressed each emergency. Her hands were steady and skilled as she carefully treated the wound, her clothes soaked in sweat, but she paid no heed. After hours of effort, she finally successfully saved the soldier's life. When the soldier was out of danger, Lin Yue breathed a long sigh of relief, a relieved smile crossing her face.
During the rescue, challenges and difficulties continued to emerge. After learning that the Tang Dynasty had dispatched an army and medical team, the enemy launched multiple attacks to disrupt the rescue efforts and prevent the Tang forces from aiding the neighboring country. Once, a supply transport team was ambushed by the enemy en route. The enemy hid in the mountains and launched a sudden, fierce attack. The transport team fell into a predicament, and team members picked up weapons to resist, but they gradually could not hold out against the enemy's heavy fire.
Upon learning the news, Wang Meng immediately led an elite force to the rescue. Riding a tall warhorse, he charged forward, soldiers closely following. After a fierce battle, they finally repelled the enemy and protected the supplies' safety. When the transport team members saw the reinforcements led by Wang Meng arrive, their hearts were filled with gratitude and joy—they cheered, tears shining in their eyes.
Lin Yue's medical team also faced a shortage of medicines. As the number of injured people increased, medicines were consumed rapidly, and the originally ample supplies gradually dwindled. Lin Yue organized team members to conserve medicine, strictly controlling usage, while seeking help from medical clinics in neighboring towns. She personally visited medical clinics in nearby towns one by one, recounting the neighboring country's tragic situation and the medical team's plight. Her words were sincere, full of honesty and urgency, and many clinics were moved by her sincerity, extending a helping hand and donating their medicines. Through everyone's joint efforts, a batch of urgently needed medicines was finally raised, alleviating the immediate crisis. Looking at these hard-won medicines, the medical team members were filled with hope and gratitude, strengthening their resolve to treat the injured.
As time passed, through the Tang army's unremitting efforts, the neighboring country's situation gradually stabilized. The smoke of war slowly dissipated, and vitality began to reappear on the land once shrouded in flames. People's lives began to recover: with the Tang army and medical team's help, they rebuilt their homes and reignited hope for life. To help the neighboring country fully recover, the Tang army and medical team joined the reconstruction efforts. They helped people repair burned houses, every brick and tile embodying their sweat and hard work; they reclaimed barren farmland, sowing seeds of hope in anticipation of the next harvest; they rebuilt schools and hospitals, allowing children to return to classrooms and receive education, and enabling the injured to get better treatment.
During this process, the Tang army and medical team formed a deep bond with the neighboring country's people. The people were full of gratitude and respect for them, expressing their thanks in the most simple ways: some brought homemade food, some weaved clothing, and some took the initiative to join the reconstruction work, fighting side by side with them.
Months later, the war finally ended, and the neighboring country ushered in long-awaited peace. Sunshine once again fell on this war-torn land, illuminating every corner. Li Yi received news of the army and medical team's triumphant return, filled with relief and joy.
The emperor personally went to the city gate to welcome them, and people crowded the streets to cheer them on. At the city gate, colorful flags fluttered, drums roared, and people cheered and jumped, their faces beaming with happiness. Wang Meng and Lin Yue led the army and medical team, marching in neat steps through the city gate. Though their faces showed fatigue, their eyes shone with determination and pride. They had completed a daunting task, winning honor for the Tang Dynasty and bringing peace and hope to the people.
Li Yi stepped forward, tightly gripping Wang Meng and Lin Yue's hands, and said emotionally, "You've worked hard! In this rescue mission, you demonstrated the Tang Dynasty's great-power demeanor and brought peace and hope to the people. You are the Tang Dynasty's heroes!" Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the crowd, as people expressed their respect and gratitude in the warmest way. Children held flowers and ran forward to present them to the heroes; elders shed tears, continuously murmuring words of thanks; young people cast admiring glances, their hearts filled with awe for the heroes.
Thereafter, the relationship between the Tang Dynasty and the neighboring country became closer, with increasingly frequent exchanges and cooperation. Li Yi and Lin Yue's deeds spread
throughout the Tang Dynasty, becoming legends in people's hearts. They embodied responsibility and commitment through their actions, composing a magnificent hymn of great-power demeanor.
This rescue mission also became a glorious chapter in Tang history, inspiring future generations to march forward courageously in the face of challenges. Whenever people recall this history, a surge of admiration wells up in their hearts. Their story will forever be engraved in people's memories, serving as an example for future generations to learn from.