On the same day, Qiu Dayu drove a horse-drawn carriage, carrying Zhao Yuanyuan back to the village.
As for why I returned to the village today, it was because I learned about the conscription.
Zhao Yuanyuan was restless the whole way.
The imperial court's conscription this time was a major undertaking, and his father, as the village chief, had a heavy responsibility.
Just as she had feared, her father had just returned from Qiu Dayong's house, and his face looked rather grim.
Because when Zhao Shan arrived at Qiu Dayong's house, the door was locked, and Qiu Dayong was nowhere to be seen.
Qiu Dayong lost his wife and daughter, and had no money, so he simply took his son and ran away.
If he doesn't leave now, he'll miss his chance.
Today, Qiu Dayong and his family of four have all disappeared.
However, this is not the worst of all.
Not only did Qiu Dayong suddenly disappear, but two or three other households in the village also left overnight, taking their families with them.
Most of these people were from poor families or were widows in the village, such as Widow Lian.
Once these people leave, their household registration will be blacklisted, and they will never have the chance to come back.
Because once they return, they will be convicted.
The village chief is still short three heads.
If someone doesn't want to go, you can't force them.
Just when he was at his wit's end, his daughter and prospective son-in-law returned together.
Zhao Yuanyuan: "Dad, I heard the village is recruiting soldiers, is that true?"
"Alas!" Zhao Shan sighed deeply, his face filled with sorrow.
"It's an order from the imperial court, there's no doubt about it. Your brother is leaving tomorrow, go and say goodbye to him."
"Is my brother going too?" Zhao Yuanyuan's heart sank. Being sent to the army was fraught with danger.
She didn't want her brother to join the army, and of course, she had her own selfish reasons.
She knocked on the door and entered her brother and sister-in-law's room.
Inside the room, her sister-in-law was carefully packing her brother's things, tears streaming down her face.
Meanwhile, her mother, Wang, was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), chatting incessantly with her brother.
Similarly, Wang's tears fell like beads from a broken string.
Because of this parting tomorrow, they don't know when they will be able to meet again.
"Jun'er, you must be careful on your way to the military camp. Never act recklessly, and if you encounter danger, stay away immediately..."
In the courtyard, Qiu Dayu noticed Zhao Shan's somber expression and, thinking he was upset because of Zhao Jun's departure for the battlefield, went over to comfort him.
"Uncle Village Chief, don't worry. It will take at least three to five months, or at most a year and a half, for Brother Zhao Jun to return safely."
"Yes, I believe he will come back safely." Zhao Shan said, still sighing repeatedly.
Seeing that his words of comfort had no effect, Qiu Dayu changed the subject.
"Have all the required soldiers been recruited?"
"Sigh!" The village chief sighed again at the mention of this.
"We still need three more people. The younger ones won't do, and the older ones won't do either. We've recruited some, but most of them are from families with several sons."
The rest are either only children or the breadwinners of their families.
If they leave, life at home will be difficult.
The village chief lit a pipe and began to puff away, exhaling clouds of smoke.
Qiu Dayu also felt troubled for the village chief in this matter.
He sat down next to the village chief. "Ask around some more; perhaps there are still people willing to join the army."
"That's all. Many villagers are the same. They paid the money and left." The village chief knew that these people were afraid he would force them to join the army.
“Our family…” Qiu Dayu fell into deep thought as he looked at the village chief’s troubled expression.
He had finally managed to get two days off, hoping to relax, but instead, he was constantly plagued by worries.
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