Chapter 353: Veterinarian

The weather gradually warmed up, and a continuous stretch of sunny days completely melted the accumulated Snow. The chill seeping up from the soles of their feet fought against the warmth in the Heaven. The herd of horses had already grown accustomed to being fed by humans; even though there were now grass roots and grass stalks they could graze on, they were still unwilling to stray too far from the humans' houses. Because leaving meant losing a layer of protection, as well as the free, delicious Grass they could eat.

Why say protection? Because after experiencing one attack by a white tiger, they had endured several more raids by wolf packs. However, the wolf packs liked to operate at night, and the Scientific Expedition Team only realized it after hearing the chaos in the herd.

The light at night was too dim, and they had no way to carry out an effective counterattack, only able to drive them away by shouting and lighting Torches. The effect was indeed there, but when the wolf packs left and they took inventory, they still found one horse missing. The bloodstains remaining on the ground also proved that the horse had already become a meal in the bellies of the wolf pack.

Having gained successful experience, the wolf packs would come to test them every few days. Later, the herd also discovered that the closer they were to the humans' houses, the safer they were, so at night they would all gather behind the wooden house to sleep, and the house could also shelter them from the wind.

The people of the Scientific Expedition Team also realized this seemed to be an opportunity, so when the convoy came, they had them take an application over. They requested to bring more tools—saws, axes, Iron shovels, and the like—as they planned to build a high fence behind the wooden house.

Their idea was still to proceed step by step: nail ten boards today, nail ten boards tomorrow, gradually enclosing the place where the herd rested at night to form a Horse Pen. In this way, it could reduce the herd's vigilance and let them gradually adapt to a life of captivity, while also protecting against attacks from wild beasts. Even if a wild beast could jump in, they would be able to shoot at the beasts outside the pen when they attacked, without risking injury to those inside. Moreover, if the horses inside an entire Horse Pen were to panic and become chaotic, a wild beast like a wolf, which is not very large in size, would be very easily trampled to death.

Their application was approved without any surprise, because their work with the herd was indeed very good and the results were obvious. The six foals sent initially had basically adapted to life at the Pasture. Now, they didn't need to be led by reins and could be let go; the herdsmen only needed to follow around to prevent them from running to the edge of the Pasture. When it came time to drink water or sleep at night, they would very consciously return to the Horse Pen.

Those two injured horses had also recovered very well; they could stand and walk, but they could not run, hobbling along. The herd would not accept them, and even if they crowded over, they would be ostracized by the herd. They couldn't eat a single bite of the Grass provided by the Scientific Expedition Team. Of course, it wasn't that they wanted to eat the Grass; the two of them ate better every day than the herd, but they just wanted to reintegrate into the herd.

However, neither the lead horse nor the other horses would accept them, because an injured horse that cannot run is the easiest target for a hunter, which means it would bring danger to the entire herd. The herd doing this was correct; it was for the sake of the entire herd.

After repeatedly hitting a wall, the two injured horses also recognized reality and stopped trying to force their way in. They would just wander around every day far away from the herd, and at the same time, they completely recognized the humans as their own kind, no longer harboring a shred of hostility. They would even take the initiative to approach and interact. The doctor was the one closest to them, and every day he was the one accompanying the two horses as they wandered. He also observed that their injuries were getting better day by day and their speed was increasing day by day. It was not impossible for them to be able to run again, but at that time, would they be accepted by the herd? He dared not guarantee it.

He was also teased by everyone as the "veterinarian," because he was like a herdsman and like a doctor, but the doctor was also very happy to accept this title. He was thinking that the country must also be lacking real veterinarians; otherwise, he might as well apply to be a veterinarian after he went back. In any case, he liked this kind of life himself.

Ever since this thought appeared in his mind, it became stronger and stronger, until he told the captain that the injuries of the two horses were almost healed and they could prepare to be sent to the city.

On this matter, both the captain and the others completely followed the doctor's advice; after all, he had indeed done his work perfectly. The captain agreed, but the doctor requested that when the convoy came next time, they bring another doctor to take over his shift. He wanted to go back with the horses because the horses listened to him the most, and he was afraid of accidents on the road.

The captain could not make the decision on this matter and could only write an application to see what the higher-ups said.

Unexpectedly, when the convoy arrived again, they really brought someone to take over the doctor's shift. It was even a classmate from his same-period medical Division. After the handover of work, the doctor set off with the two horses.

For the sake of safety, they still put a halter and reins on the horses. The two horses didn't have any abnormalities, as if they just regarded this action as moving to a different Pasture like the herd.

Baifeng had already seen this matter many times in reports. He did not have a very deep impression of this doctor named Changzhi, but after all, he was a student from the third medical division he had led, so he certainly knew this person.

Changzhi had made such a great contribution this time, so a commendation was a must. But the medical profession was different from others after all; to be promoted, medical skill was the most important thing, so he could only be given a material reward.

Baifeng did not hold an audience, but took the initiative to see Changzhi. Of course, the focus was still on the horses. Facing the bustling crowd, the two horses were certainly nervous, but they did not exhibit any excessive behavior.

Baifeng observed the wounds at close range; they had healed very well, and the stitches were removed in a timely manner. In the future, these two horses would definitely be able to run, though they would certainly not be as fast as those that had never been injured.

Baifeng looked at Changzhi, who still had some youthful innocence on his face, and patted his shoulder with satisfaction: "Changzhi, well done. You are now the most outstanding one in your third medical division. We will commend you. Of course, besides that, you can also make any requests you have. We will try our best to satisfy you, this meritorious hero."

Changzhi's innocent eyes were full of longing: "Teacher, then can I continue to raise these two horses? Also, I want to be a veterinarian to treat our livestock. Aren't we lacking them too? If that really won't work, I won't be a doctor anymore; I can be a herdsman too."

After Baifeng was stunned for a moment, he laughed out loud and patted Changzhi's shoulder again, expressing his satisfaction: "Does this count as a request? This is also contributing to us. How could I not agree?"