Chapter 570 Ding Haisheng
(Thanks to Li Chenxiang for casting 6 monthly tickets.)
Gao Dani reached out and touched Ding Haisheng's cheek with her rough palm. She then touched Ding Fusheng's eager face. Finally, she nodded to the two of them: "Good, good...you are both good children."
If you want to go, then go.
If they don't want you, just come back; you'll at least have something to eat.
Gao Dani finally looked at Ding Haisheng and said this.
"Yes!" Ding Haisheng replied heavily.
Ding Fusheng excitedly pumped his fist: "I must kill more Japanese pirates and make a name for myself!"
Only Ding Chaosheng's face turned pale then red. Finally, he lowered his head and stammered, "Then...then I'll stay home and take good care of Mother. No matter which of you joins the army, I can work in the supply depot and earn money to support Mother..."
Ding Chaosheng seemed to have found a reason to stay in the rear, but he felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his heart.
There are millions of different kinds of people, and therefore millions of different ways of living.
Some people think joining the army is a good way to live, while others just want a peaceful life, which is another way of life.
There's no right or wrong way of living; it's just a matter of different choices people make.
But sometimes, there are things that do need to be done by someone.
Before dawn the next day, Ding Haisheng, along with his younger brother Ding Fusheng, carrying a few dry rations and biscuits, set off for the prefectural city.
Ding Chaosheng stood at the village entrance, watching Ding Haisheng and Ding Fusheng's resolute figures disappear into the morning mist. His lips moved, but in the end, he didn't utter a sound. He just clenched his fists tightly.
The recruitment point in front of the government office was still packed with people.
Strong, muscular men lined up to be registered by the clerk and undergo a simple physical examination.
The shouts, chatter, and scribbling sounds of registering mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Instead of taking a ride, Ding Haisheng and Ding Fusheng walked all the way from Baisha Bay to the prefectural city, finally arriving at the prefectural government office before noon.
Ding Haisheng had his younger brother join the queue, while he took a deep breath and walked straight to the Xuanjia soldier responsible for maintaining order.
“Sir,” Ding Haisheng’s voice was clear and bright, “I want to sign up.”
The black-armored soldier, sweating profusely from his work, replied without even looking up, "Get in line! Can't you see everyone's in line? Wait at the back!"
“My brother is in line.” Ding Haisheng didn’t move, looked at the Xuanjia Army and continued to ask, “I’m here to ask, Mother, will you confess?”
"What?"
The military leader paused for a moment, then finally looked up and saw a woman in front of him wearing patched old clothes, with slightly dark skin, but whose appearance could be discerned from her eyebrows, eyes, and stature.
The Xuanjia soldier frowned, somewhat amused and exasperated. He wondered why the person who asked the question had such a high-pitched voice; it turned out to be a woman!
"Young lady, don't cause trouble!"
This is about recruiting soldiers to fight Japanese pirates, not embroidering and spinning thread!
How can a woman serve in the army?
"Go, go, over there, do you see that?"
The black-armored soldier led Ding Haisheng a couple of steps to the side, pointed to the area on the other side of the government office entrance, and said, "That's where the supply depot and medical clinic are recruiting. Young ladies can sign up there; the work is easy and you get paid!"
Ding Haisheng's question to the Xuanjia Army caused the men waiting in line around him to burst into laughter.
Those who were quick to speak started shouting and yelling back and forth.
"Hahaha, young lady, swords and spears have no eyes, they're no joke!"
"Go home and marry into a good family!"
"Exactly, you're just a woman, can you really wield a knife and withstand the storms at sea?"
Ding Haisheng ignored the laughter around him, staring intently at the black-armored soldiers, and repeated, "I'm not going to the supply depot, nor to any medical clinic."
"I want to join the army, just like any other man, get paid, get on a ship, and kill the Japanese pirates!"
The Xuanjia soldier grew impatient with Ding Haisheng's stubbornness. His expression changed, and he shouted at Ding Haisheng with a hint of reprimand: "Nonsense!"
What kind of logic is there in sending women to the battlefield?
Do you have the energy?
"Get out of the way, don't delay our business!"
"Why can't I?"
Ding Haisheng's voice suddenly rose, drowning out the surrounding noise, and she abruptly pulled out the wood-chopping knife that she had been carrying behind her waist.
The machete was gleaming, its blade flashing with a cold light.
She brandished a machete with one hand, making a chopping motion, her movements surprisingly ruthless and practiced.
Ding Haisheng's eyes were sharp as knives as they swept over the men standing in line who had just been laughing at her.
"I've killed Japanese pirates before!"
She spoke sharply, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, yet carrying an undeniable power.
"This year, the general issued the 'order to kill the pirates,' and I used this woodcutter's knife to kill five Japanese pirates!"
I've seen blood!
I didn't back down!
"I'm strong enough to chop wood and carry loads, why can't I wield a sword and kill the enemy!"
Ding Haisheng's words not only stunned the Xuanjia soldier in front of her, but also silenced the men who had just mocked her.
Ding Haisheng suddenly pointed to the top of the government office gate. Although no one could see it, everyone knew who she was referring to.
"The general is also a woman!"
She could be a general, leading thousands of troops, killing corrupt officials and Japanese pirates!
Did she set a rule that she would only recruit males?
Does this recruitment order specify that women are not welcome?
If there isn't one, why can't I sign up?
"I, Ding Haisheng, want to be like General Li, fighting on the battlefield to protect our territory and its people!"
Ding Haisheng's words were powerful and resounding, completely silencing the surrounding laughter and murmurs.
Everyone stared blankly at the fisherwoman holding a wood-chopping knife, her eyes burning with intensity, her whole body seemingly ablaze with flames. For a moment, the recruitment site was completely silent.
Everyone, including the Xuanjia soldiers who had just spoken to Ding Haisheng, was stunned by her sudden aura and rapid-fire questioning.
The Xuanjia soldier stared at Ding Haisheng, who was holding a woodcutter's knife, with his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
He hadn't received any orders not to accept female soldiers, but... there's never been such a precedent before!
"Well said!"
Just then, a voice came from the side.
Chang Hai walked over at the sound of the voice, looking Ding Haisheng up and down with surprise and a hint of admiration in his eyes.
He happened to be patrolling this area just now and overheard Ding Haisheng's entire conversation.
"Young lady, what's your name? You said you killed Japanese pirates?" Chang Hai asked in a deep voice.
"My name is Ding Haisheng!"
My brother's name is Ding Fusheng, and he's in line over there!
Ding Haisheng saw the official in his robes, whose identity he didn't know, but he wasn't intimidated at all and answered Chang Hai loudly.
She also turned to the side, stretched out her hand, and pointed in the direction where Ding Fusheng was queuing, for Chang Hai to see.
"I didn't lie to the soldier!"
When I came to claim my reward, the general even met with me in person!
I'm the first one to claim the reward!
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