Chapter 146 Everyone Comes to Join the Army
"Are you still afraid of bandit attacks? You've probably forgotten who the biggest bandit leader in this city is right now?"
Someone immediately hurriedly tried to stop them: "Be careful with your words! Be careful with your words! At least this king doesn't kill people indiscriminately or steal from the people. Our lives are pretty much the same as before. If it were any other mountain king, I'm afraid there would be rivers of blood!"
"That's right. You might not know, but Ye County next door was occupied by a bandit. There was a river of blood, and the people in the city either fled early or were killed. Now I'm afraid it's an empty city! At least our king is reasonable. He said he was conscripting soldiers, but at least he gave them food and land. It's better than kidnapping people on the street!"
"Yes, yes, yes. It also says here that land will be distributed to the refugees before spring. Soldiers can have priority in choosing the five acres of land!"
"Where can we find so much arable land near Lan County?"
"Are they going to take our land?"
"No, it's written here. The land of the original residents of Lan County will not be occupied. We can all rest assured."
"After all, he's a bandit leader. Who knows if he keeps his word?"
"Who cares? I have a son at home anyway. There are so many people in this city, it's not our turn. Oh, what is that old man Liu crying about?"
"You forgot, he only has one daughter, and now she has to join the army. Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, what do you think? Will joining the army be a lie, and the real thing is to bring all these girls into the king's room? Look at the requirements, they must be over thirteen years old, it's almost like the emperor choosing a concubine. Bandits are bandits, and now they can't hide their tails anymore!"
"Bullshit!" The old man snorted coldly, "If the city lord really wanted to choose a concubine, why didn't he snatch the pretty girls from the street when he entered the city? You don't have eyes, it's clearly written here, the girls will train in the north, the men will train in the south, and the men and women will be completely separated. Three meals a day, a monthly salary, and five acres of land after a year. Isn't this better than being a maid or a slave in someone else's house? Besides, what's wrong with women joining the army? There are even female generals in the storybook! Even if my daughter is useless and can't become a female general, she can still practice martial arts to strengthen her body -"
Some people laughed at Old Man Zhang, "Oh, Old Man Zhang has three daughters. There's no escape now. We have to send one of them to the army. It's a rare sight for a woman to serve in the army. We're just waiting for your daughter to become a general and bring honor to the family—"
Old man Zhang ignored them, turned around and walked home.
When they returned home, Zhang's eldest and second daughters had packed their things, dressed themselves neatly, and sat upright in the house with their long hair neatly tied up. The youngest daughter, with a panicked look on her face, pulled at the sleeves of her two sisters.
As soon as Old Man Zhang entered the room, he was stunned. "What... are you doing?"
The eldest, Zhang Wanjun, smiled and helped Old Man Zhang sit down. She glanced at her second sister, Zhang Qiuchan, and said, "Father, my second sister and I are going to join the army."
Old Man Zhang was horrified. "This is something that's still uncertain, how come you guys are so quick to..."
"The city lord's men have just arrived. Every household is mobilizing and promoting this matter. Everyone in Lan County knows about this matter. My second sister and I have also discussed it. Instead of pushing it back and forth and having someone reluctantly send someone out, why don't my second sister and I volunteer to join the army?"
Old Man Zhang uttered an "Ah!" and was about to retort, but Zhang Wanjun stopped him. "Father, please listen to me first. The City Lord is a good man. If it weren't for the food he distributed a few days ago, we would have starved to death in Hulu Alley. He is our benefactor, and now that he has called upon me, I cannot refuse. Besides, my mother died young, and my father has raised the three of us sisters for so many years. He's only forty years old, and his hair is already gray. Our family is so poor, so poor that even matchmakers wouldn't set foot in. All these years, you had to raise the three of us sisters all by yourself."
When she said this, Zhang Wanjun's eyes turned red and her voice was choked.
"I, your daughter, also want you to hold your head high and enjoy the joys of family life. So, my second sister and I discussed this and also asked the counselor who came to our house earlier. The city lord said that each girl would be given five acres of land. My second sister and I have ten acres between us. With these ten acres, our family won't have to live under someone else's roof and endure all the bullying!"
When Old Man Zhang heard this, he burst into tears and held his two daughters' hands tightly. "My sons, it would be better if one of you could go. The training is very hard, and it's like a man's fighting. If you go, what will happen to your future marriages?"
The second daughter, Zhang Qiuchan, smiled and said, "Dad, the city lord said he'll provide three meals a day. My sister and I will be in the army, and our meals will be provided. This way, we can save a lot of food at home. If you and my younger sister eat sparingly, we can at least have enough for a few months. We just told my younger sister to take good care of you and the family. The north city gate is only two or three miles away from Hulu Lane. If anything happens at home, just go there and let us know."
Old Man Zhang shook his head. "Son, it's certainly good for you to join the army, but throughout history, no woman has ever joined the military. Although we have no choice but to do it because of poverty, your future marriage will be completely delayed!"
"Dad! If we didn't have these ten acres of land, it would really delay our marriage! Think about it, my sister is almost sixteen, and the matchmaker has only come three or four times to propose marriage, and the ones she mentioned are either idiots or cripples! Besides, we don't have any sons. Even if my sister gets lucky enough to get married, even if she gets bullied to death in her husband's family, there will be no one to support her!"
Zhang Qiuchan was a little angry when she said this. She had a face as white as a silver plate, but when she was angry, she looked naive. "Instead of marrying a fool or a cripple, it's better to earn a few acres of land. Then you can stand up straight in the future. At worst, you can find a son-in-law to marry into your family! With these ten acres of land, we have the capital. Let's see who dares to bully our Zhang family in the future!"
"Dad, please stop trying to persuade me. My sister and I have made up our minds."
Old Man Zhang lowered his hands dejectedly and expressed another worry. "Son, logically speaking, the City Lord saved our family, so I shouldn't be saying this. But the land distribution the City Lord mentioned won't be until a year later. Who knows if the City Lord will still be around in a year? Don't forget, the City Lord is a bandit leader. If the government troops come in the future, will they still recognize our ten acres of land?"
These words silenced everyone in the room.
Zhang Wanjun said, "Dad, we can't predict the future, but the city lord's recruitment is imminent, and we can't avoid it. One of our family members has to join the army no matter what. So, why not take a gamble? Even if we don't get the ten acres of land, at least the city lord promised to provide three meals a day, so we won't lose out."
Old Man Zhang looked at the two girls who had made up their minds, tears streaming down his face. After much thought, he felt there was no other way, so he waved his hand helplessly: "Go, go, just consider it your way of repaying the city lord for saving your life. Go and do your best, and let others see that even if our Zhang family doesn't have sons, those girls are all excellent!"
At the same time, some are happy and some are sad.
Those who had sons in Lan County were naturally happy. Not only would they have a stable supply of food in the future, they might even get five acres of land. Therefore, they happily sent their sons to the army registration office.
Those who only have daughters at home don't have to sigh or complain. After all, apart from the bad reputation, they won't lose anything else.
Besides, what's the reputation? Their girl was captured by the mountain king, not by her own will.
The three families that complained the most were Wang, Liu and Gu.
After donating food and supplies, these three families kept their heads down and behaved themselves, thinking that the king would let them go. However, when the conscription notice came out today, it was like a wake-up call for several families.
The three families must send a woman who is over thirteen years old and unmarried to the military camp.
On the Wang family's side, there is only the third child, who just turned fifteen this year and has not yet been engaged, so he just meets the requirements.
Wang Sanniang naturally cried and was unwilling to do so. She had been pampered since childhood and could not bear the hardships in the military camp.
Her mother hugged her daughter and scolded herself for being so picky. If she had known this would happen, she should have settled the marriage earlier. Now her daughter was going to the military camp. Although boys and girls trained separately, it was not a good reputation after all. Which good family would be willing to marry into the Wang family in the future?
Wang Yin was so upset by the two women's crying that he could only shout, "What's the point of crying? The bandits have already said that if you don't go, you will be beheaded. Have you forgotten what happened to the Chen family? Do you want to lose your heads too?!"
A loud roar stopped everyone in the room from crying.
The concubine of the Wang family had tears in her eyes, but she was actually hiding a smile on her lips with a handkerchief. She had a daughter who was only ten years old and had just escaped this disaster. Seeing her mistress crying, her heart was filled with joy.
She suppressed her pride and persuaded, "Third Miss, this is the king's wish, we can't disobey. It's a pity that Fourth Lady is so young, otherwise I really wish she could take Third Miss's place. But think about the bright side, at least there are still five acres of land!"
Wang Sanniang angrily said, "Does my Wang family need these five acres of land? This hairpin on my head costs more than ten ounces of silver. Who needs five acres of land? I don't care. I won't go anyway. If you want to go, go ahead!"
"How can you run wild?!" Wang Yin shouted, his face pale, but his tone was unquestionable, "You have to go, whether you want to or not, this matter is not up to you!"
Wang Sanniang burst into tears, tears streaming down her face. "Oh my God, why don't you send down a thunderbolt to kill that bandit leader? He asked for food, and our Wang family gave it to him! He asked for money, and our Wang family gave it to him too! Why won't you let me go——"
"That's enough." Wang Yin was upset by her crying, but he still helped Wang Sanniang up. "Daddy knows that you have been wronged this time. If Daddy had any way, he would definitely not let you go. Don't be upset. Not only our Wang family, but the Liu family and the Gu family will also have to send people. Then you may even be able to see your close friends. Just think of it as a trip to eat, drink, and get together with your sisters. If you believe Daddy, that gang leader will not be able to occupy our Lan County for long. You can endure the injustice for ten days or half a month. After he is brought to justice by the court, Daddy will definitely compensate you!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Sanniang wiped her tears, her eyes rolling around, "Daddy, are you saying that Liu Pan'er and Gu Guihua are going too?"
Without waiting for Wang Yin to reply, Wang Sanniang answered immediately, "Yes, they are over thirteen years old and not promised to anyone else. They are the only two."
Wang Yin saw that Wang Sanniang didn't seem so sad anymore, so he sighed and patted her head. "Be obedient when you get to the military camp. Don't try to be the first in everything. It's not like home there. Those bandits don't act according to common sense. If anything happens, even your father can't protect you."
Wang Sanniang wiped away her tears and stood up from the ground. "Don't worry, Daddy. Since Liu Pan'er and Gu Guihua are going, Sanniang will go too. Sanniang won't cause any trouble, let alone bring any trouble to Daddy."
Wang Yin was a little surprised by Wang Sanniang's sudden change of attitude, but he also smiled and said, "Sanniang is really sensible now..."
The concubine on the side almost rolled her eyes, thinking that the head of the family really had no idea about the little tricks of the women in the family.
What close friends? Every time these three get together they either compete or quarrel. Just a few days ago at the Gu family's banquet, because Gu Guihua wore the same bracelet as Wang Sanniang, Wang Sanniang insisted that Gu Guihua deliberately wore the same jewelry as hers. Gu Guihua kept complaining that she was wronged, and the two almost fought in front of the guests.
As soon as Wang Sanniang came back, she was scolded by the lady. However, Wang Sanniang refused to accept it and kept scolding Gu Guihua for being two-faced. She had been waiting for an opportunity to get back at her these days.
Well, several noisy girls gathered in the military camp.
These girls are all more spoiled and have worse tempers than the other. If they all get together, won’t they turn the military camp upside down?
The news of Xu Zhenying's conscription had been announced at the gate of the county government office. She also temporarily set up a publicity group and organized several women to publicize the benefits of conscription to every household.
Sometime in the afternoon, I heard a commotion outside.
Xu Zhenying led Qian Zhenniang and Xu Yinxi, quietly hiding in the crowd, and followed the people who signed up to join the army.
The registration offices for men and women are separate. Perhaps because of the five acres of land and the policy of providing three meals a day, the enthusiasm of the people of Lan County to join the army is unprecedentedly high. There are long queues on the male soldiers' side, and the process is in full swing.
Although there is no quota for male soldiers, Mo Jinchun and Ming Xiaoshuang still felt that there should be some restrictions after discussion, so they set standards for height, weight, strength, etc.
She got closer to the queue and heard some people complaining about the harsh conditions, some repeatedly asking whether three meals a day were really included, and more people just coming to join in the fun.
Qian Zhenniang was also shocked by the enthusiasm of the crowd queuing and couldn't help muttering, "So many people!"
Xu Yinxi smiled at Xu Zhenying: "The city lord is right, it turns out that bribery is the most effective. The male soldiers are not a big problem, we have to see what happens with the female soldiers——"
Several people went to the female soldier registration office again.
As expected, compared to the bustling registration office for male soldiers, this place seemed much quieter. Some girls came to register crying, while others were reluctant but did not dare to show it.
Feng'er was sitting in the middle of the table. Seeing these scattered people and the gloomy faces of most of the girls who came to sign up, she couldn't help but smile and said, "Sisters and sisters, why are you so sad? We will train separately from the male soldiers. We will have three meals a day and we can also get five acres of land. The city lord said that if bandits really attack the city, we don't need to charge into battle. We just need to protect ourselves and the women in the city. This is a great thing! Look at the male soldiers over there, they are all trying their best to take advantage of this-"
"Isn't this a great thing!" Two beautiful girls strode over. They were tall and slender, but their faces were full of energy, and they smiled at everyone they saw. The girls made way for them. The two girls walked quickly to the registration office and said to the other girls, "We don't have a son, so the village didn't give my father any land. Now, thanks to my sisters, we have earned ten acres of land. I am no less than anyone else! Besides, learning martial arts can strengthen your body, and you can also meet so many friends. Who knows, you can even become a famous female general in the future. What's not to like? Quickly write down our names, Zhang Wanjun! Zhang Qiuchan!"
Zhang Qiuchan also said, "Sisters, are you worried that the training is too strenuous? It's okay. I've seen the male soldiers train. It's just running around the city walls to build up their strength. Which of the girls here hasn't done farm work at home? In my opinion, training is much easier than farm work! After all, there's no pay for farm work, but training not only pays monthly wages, but also provides food!"
This was the first time Feng'er saw a girl willingly sign up. She was surprised and happy and praised her several times.
Especially these two girls, although they were wearing old clothes that were washed white, and it was obvious at a glance that they were girls from poor families, but they had clear eyes and spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, and with just a few words they cheered up the girls in the queue.
Feng'er immediately felt like she had found a treasure!
Those girls were crying before, but after hearing what the two sisters of the Zhang family said, they stopped crying.
Someone also took the risk and shouted, "Who cares? We're already here, what's there to be afraid of?"
"That's right, I still need to earn five acres of land for my brother!"
"That's right, I earned this land myself, so I can hold my head high!"
"It's just exercise. Who hasn't done hard labor at home? I don't have any other strengths, I just have a lot of strength!"
The girls encouraged each other, wiped away their tears, and began to register in an orderly manner.
Seeing this, Xu Zhenying couldn't help but sigh to the two people beside him: "See, as long as we give girls a chance, they can also do something that is no less than men's!"
Xu Yinxi was thinking about something, and she was quite emotional. But her words were full of confidence and heroism. "That's right. Don't give us any chance, otherwise women will be like weeds pressed under a big rock. As long as there is a drop of rain or a ray of sunshine, we will dare to break through the rock!"
Qian Zhenniang looked at these girls and felt a lot in her heart.
Just then, three carriages came towards us.
Three girls came out of the carriage. They were all dressed in silk and satin, and were adorned with jewels. They looked at each other, then snorted coldly, as if none of them would submit to the other.
Xu Zhenying was just wondering when Xu Yinxi reminded him, "These three girls are from the Wang, Liu, and Gu families."
Wang Sanniang jumped off the carriage first, her voice sweet and crisp: "Gu Guihua, why did you come here to join in the fun? Being a soldier is not like playing house. I see that you have a big head and small limbs. I'm afraid that a gust of wind will blow you away. You'd better go back quickly——"
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