Chapter 1, Conscription (Part 2)

Yi Ye lowered his head, unable to speak, for he truly could not think of any other way. After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his gaze filled with pain and anxiety: "Do you not know that if discovered, you will be executed."

Yi Xi helped him up and said with a bitter smile: "Ye Er, I do not wish for you to go, but at present, our family truly cannot raise the money."

In the evening, the candlelight flickers gently in the hall.

Yi Xi, however, knew that this matter was quite difficult, and spoke slowly, saying: "Please go ahead and tell me."

"This child, Ziqing, is very good. After we leave, I can rest assured knowing she will take care of your mother." Yi Xi paused for a moment, "Your mother and I originally planned to arrange your marriage after living together for a while, but who would have thought..."

After a moment, Yi Ye emerged, quietly closing the door behind him, holding two straw hats in his hands. He first placed a hat on Zi Qing's head and, feigning a casual tone, said: "You always forget to bring a hat; be careful not to catch a headache."

Madam Yi heard Yi Ye's voice, came back to her senses, looked up at her youngest son, and trembled as she stroked his face: "Ye'er, Pan'er is already gone, you cannot go anymore, your father cannot go either, you must not go."

After the reading was completed, the pavilion chief rolled up the bamboo slips, mounted a black donkey, and headed towards the next village. The crowd was still grumbling about their misfortunes, while Yi Ye silently squeezed his way out and slowly walked towards Zi Qing by the corner of the wall. The two exchanged glances, and after a long pause, Zi Qing, with little hope, finally spoke up to confirm: "Sir, this year is ... ... "

In the wind and snow, the footprints of the two individuals gradually recede into the distance

Easy Second Brother

On a cold night, Yi Ye gazed at her intently for a long while before turning over and bowing down.

Yi Ye remained silent, gazing at her for a long time, and suddenly understood what she meant by her method: "You want to disguise yourself as a man to enlist in the army for my father? ... Absolutely not! If discovered, it would be a matter of life and death!"

Yi Xi patted his shoulder, thinking of the years gone by, with no relatives accompanying his wife by her side, his heart felt desolate, speechless and choked with emotion

Ziqing has just thought of a way to raise funds, please grant your approval, sir

Zi Qing had already considered it repeatedly, as there are often people in the city... Zi Qing looked at him calmly and said

My husband is fifty-one years old, and his legs are not in good condition. Isn't sending him to the army just asking for him to die?

Father, it is Ye'er who is useless

Yi Ye scratched his head, realizing that it was originally his parents' idea, and laughed, saying: "Fortunately not, I only regard her as a sister."

"If everyone goes to serve in the military, who will cultivate the land?" someone shouted loudly, "Are we really going to watch the land go to waste?"

Her fingers gently caressed the holes of the bone flute, and she thought, "Mother would say, 'Listen to your father.'"

With gratitude in his heart, Yi Ye shifted his body and also bowed to Yi Ye, saying: "Ye'er thanks you, Father"

Zi Qing found herself at a loss for what to do, deeply respecting Yi Xi's character. She bowed deeply and exited the hall.

Where can I buy it? Is the court not concerned about this matter

Cough, cough. The town chief cleared his throat again, but unfortunately, this time it had little effect, as almost no one paid him any attention. He had no choice but to raise the document, wave his hand vigorously, and loudly declare: "Everyone, please do not make noise, do not make noise. The court has considered this matter very thoroughly. If any household has someone who is unable to enlist, they only need to pay twenty gold coins to be exempted from military service"

The crowd erupted in astonishment once again; such a colossal sum was beyond the reach of the vast majority of them, as even if they were to exhaust their entire fortunes, it would be impossible to produce twenty gold pieces

Hearing the suppressed sob in his voice, Ziqing nodded with her head lowered and reached out to adjust the bamboo hat. Yi Ye put on the hat himself and walked forward with her through the snow. ... When they reached the bend of the hillside, the two of them stopped in unison and turned back to glance at the familiar dark outline of the house ...

Zi Qing stood there in a daze, unable to think of any solution. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure. She turned her head to look—Madam Yi was slumped under an old tree not far away, snowflakes clinging to her temples and brows, exuding a sense of desolation and despair

Twenty gold

Nowadays, it takes less than ten gold pieces to enlist a person... It is better to hire someone than to pay this money to the court, and you can save some money as well...

"No, this absolutely cannot be done," interrupted Yi Xi this time.

Mr.

Without the time to return home first, Ziqing carried the firewood and went directly to the open space beside the well with Yi Ye. Most of the villagers had already arrived, and it was difficult to discern much from the expressionless face of the pavilion chief. The crowd grew increasingly anxious, whispering to one another, their low murmurs blending into a continuous hum.

I saved you not to receive your gratitude, nor to make you a servant or a maid for others. " Yi Xi shook his head and said, " If you do so, that would truly be a betrayal of my good intentions in saving you.

If father were here, what would he say

Mother! Mother! Mother!... Yi Ye also rushed over, joining forces with Zi Qing to lift her off the ground. "Mother, do not worry, I will find a way to raise the money, you need not worry..."

No one knows when they will be able to return again

Yi Ye supported Madam Yi as they slowly made their way back, his mind racing with countless ideas for raising money, yet none could enable him to gather at least ten gold pieces within a mere three days. Zi Qing returned to carry firewood, following behind them, walking with heavy steps, lost in thought, wondering if he were a man, he could enlist in the army on behalf of his master

Greater than 23 and less than 53

The conscription standards differ from previous years, requiring individuals aged between 23 and 53 who have not yet served in the military from each household to report to the local military office and serve for a duration of two years

In the face of this great calamity, what should one do to act appropriately?

Zi Qing was not good at comforting others, nor was she adept at telling lies to provide solace. Upon hearing Yi Ye say this, she could only rack her brains to think of ways to raise the money.

Zi Qing hurriedly rushed over to help her up, but the latter seemed oblivious, her gaze vacant and unresponsive.

No! Yi Ye interrupted her again: "Are you asking us to watch you become a servant for our own sake? And when the master passes away, to watch you go and be buried with them?"

This is a sign that the pavilion chief is about to speak, and the buzzing in the open space immediately quiets down

The fire pit dimmed gradually, and Ziqing entered quietly to add firewood. Once the flames rose again and the warmth increased slightly, she finally sat down at the table

Haha, alright! If you lose, you must come to my house to be my wife

After a brief silence akin to death, the villagers, regaining their senses, erupted in an uproar, as no one had anticipated that the court would expand the scope of conscription to such an extent

Having finished writing and dried the ink, Yi Ye carefully placed the bamboo tablet upright on the desk, gently fiddling with it for a moment as if reluctant to part with it, before finally making a decisive move to stand up abruptly

Yi Ye contemplated for a moment, then nodded sadly and said, "You are right." Looking at the thin bundle she had brought with her, he also began to pack his own belongings. Using the light from the snow, he ground the ink stick and took a bamboo slip, which is usually used for writing prescriptions, to leave a note informing his parents.

Zi Qing was taken aback and hurriedly reached out to support.

Madam

Zi Qing quietly closed the door and turned to blow out the lamp. By the faint light of the snow outside, she stared intently at Yi Ye and softly said: "Second Brother Yi, if I have a way to exempt the gentleman from military service, would you agree or not?"

During this time, Ziqing simply sat quietly beside him, waiting, without looking at what he was writing

The night has grown deep, and Lady Yi is overly worried, causing her both mental and physical distress. Yi Xi urged her to drink a bowl of calming soup and suggested that she go to bed early.

Zi Qing had quietly opened the courtyard door, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Yi Ye bowing in reverence. Instantly, a thin veil of moisture filled her eyes, prompting her to turn her face away, unable to bear the sight any longer. She quickly stepped outside and stood in the corner of the wall, waiting for him.

The Xiongnu defy the natural order, disrupt human relationships, violently oppress the elderly, engage in theft as their primary occupation, deceive the barbarian tribes, conspire to use military force, frequently cause harm at the borders, therefore conscripting soldiers and establishing an army to punish their crimes

My youngest son has not yet married... If he goes like this, what will happen...

This child is truly diligent, but unfortunately, she is a girl

Fifty-two. "Yiye looked up at the sky, snowflakes falling all around him, and murmured: 'I can go, but my father cannot go, he cannot go. I must find a way to raise money, to raise twenty gold, my father cannot go..."

It seemed as if she could see the unknown dangers in the vast road ahead, and her pupils quickly contracted for a moment, yet she calmly said: "I understand, but for the sake of the gentleman and the lady, I would like to give it a try"

Save my parents, and you shall be my benefactor, deserving of my utmost respect and gratitude

Outside, the biting cold wind blew, and the snow continued to fall, accumulating a thin layer in the courtyard. Yi Ye looked at the house where his parents lived, pondering whether this farewell would lead to a future reunion, his heart filled with unbearable sorrow, and he knelt down, properly bowing three times.

The court only cares about your payment of people and money, and has no concern for this matter... I heard it from others as well...

Cough, cough. The pavilion chief cleared his throat

The hour of the ugly has passed, and Zi Qing tosses and turns, finding it difficult to fall asleep. Habitually, her hand touches the bone flute that hangs in front of her chest, an item left behind by her mother. Although she cannot play it, she always keeps it close to her.

The snowflakes tapped gently against the window, and she thought, "My father would say, 'The girls of the Qin family are no less than the boys; whatever a man can do, Qing'er, you can do just the same.'"

Nearby, the villagers were engaged in animated discussions, their voices intermittently reaching my ears

Once again, it is time for conscription! Yi Ye, aged twenty-three, has not yet reached the conscription requirement of twenty-five, so this time it does not concern him. Just as he is secretly relieved, he hears the pavilion chief say:

Zi Qing is willing to sell herself.

"Ziqing's life was saved by you, sir," Ziqing said calmly and resolutely. "Your great kindness, sir, I have no way to repay in this life, and I cannot bear to see you, at the age destined by heaven, still going to the battlefield."

Hahaha, if your San'er loses, you can treat me to a jar of good wine

No, this matter is not acceptable! It sounds too crazy no matter how you hear it, and Yi Ye shook his head in disbelief.

Upon hearing this, Yi Ye's eyes lit up, and he joyfully said: "Do you have a solution? Please tell me!"

The laughter gradually faded away until it disappeared without a trace, and Zi Qing felt a sense of loss. This year she is eighteen, but where is the person who spoke back then...

She turned over and sat up, taking out the men's clothing she usually wore when she ventured into the deep mountains to gather herbs from a bamboo chest. She tightly wrapped her chest and donned her robe, even tying her hair up like a man. Once she was dressed, she packed a few useful items into her bundle and quietly opened the door, crossing the courtyard. She gently knocked twice on Yi Ye's door. Yi Ye, burdened with worries, had just dozed off when he was startled awake by the sound. He threw on his clothes, lit a lamp, and opened the door to let her in.

I originally intended to sell myself, but the gentleman said he would never use this money, not even a penny. I deeply respect the gentleman's character, but... I truly cannot think of any other way. Zi Qing bit her lip and said slowly, "The gentleman and his wife have treated me well; I only wish for them to live well. The gentleman is already of an advanced age and is in poor health. If he were to enlist, how could he endure the hardships of military life? It is feared that he may never see his wife again. Yi Er Ge, do you have any other solutions?" The gentleman is already of an advanced age and is in poor health. If he were to enlist, how could he endure the hardships of military life? It is feared that he may never see his wife again. Yi Er Ge, do you have any other solutions?

Ziqing lowered his eyes and after a moment said in a deep voice: "Sir, if you do not think of yourself, you should at least think of your wife"

I know, I know, I know. Neither my father nor I will go. Mother, you can rest assured, neither my father nor I will go.

Let us go

"My Qin family's daughter is no less capable than the boys." Father laughed, "If you don't believe it, just wait until she turns eighteen and let her compete with your third son."

Qing'er

Yi Xi fell silent for a moment and said: "As husband and wife, we are united in purpose; a gentleman knows what actions to take and what to refrain from. This matter is absolutely not feasible. If you truly intend to sell yourself, I will not use even a fraction of that money." He was aware of Zi Qing's stubborn character, and in order to prevent her from taking unilateral action, he thus stated his position in advance.

If mother were here, what would she say

Zi Qing exerted strength in his hands to help him up and said in a deep voice: "This matter, the gentleman will certainly not agree to, you and I must take the opportunity to leave at night"

As soon as the words were spoken, Yi Ye jumped up and exclaimed, "No! Absolutely not!"

The snow fell increasingly heavier, swirling and fluttering, blurring everything around her, as if she had returned to her childhood.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he saw Ziqing make a gesture for silence, so he had to stop speaking, looking at her attire with surprise

Father's rough hand firmly gripped her arm, stern yet filled with affection: "Qing'er, when practicing archery, you must focus, keep your waist straight, and your hands steady"

Yi Ye squeezed to the front, and Zi Qing found it quite inconvenient to carry the firewood, so she chose a slightly distant and secluded spot, set down the firewood against the wall, and gazed at the bamboo slips held by the pavilion chief, uncertain whether this time there would be an increase in taxes... her mind was filled with confusion...

You and I enlist at the same time, allowing us to look out for each other, and I may not necessarily be discovered

Although Yi Xi himself was not afraid of military service, he was unwilling to let his second son Yi Ye enlist again, especially since his eldest son Yi Pan had already died on the battlefield. He also wanted to raise money. However, after discussing for a long time, they found that all the items in the house that could be sold amounted to only about one hundred, and even the total from selling metal goods was insufficient, leaving them without a solution.