RWNEFE -Chapter 147 Joining the Army

Centurion Cao Lianwang personally led the troops and took away all registered soldiers of Hongliu Village—except Zhang Liao himself.

It all happened in a hurry, without even a formal document.

Zhang Liao frowned as he watched the families of the conscripted men crying, shouting, and cursing at the gate.

Cao Lianwang was clearly abusing his authority to make things difficult for him. Who in their right mind would recruit soldiers in the middle of winter? And now, all the military households over fifteen years old in Hongliu Village had been taken. Damn it! Where was he supposed to find replacements?

When the dog of a general took people away, he had given a strict order: if soldiers couldn’t be recruited, Zhang Liao and his family would be exiled to the northwest. Everyone knew that region was at war—Cao Lianwang wanted to risk the lives of his entire family!

No, he had to find out what had actually happened.

…

In the council hall, everyone’s eyes were strange as they looked at Shen Lanxi.

Did she know something? Was she using the funeral as an excuse to conscript the men in the garrison?

Typically, when military households were drafted, it meant a war somewhere—they would be sent to the front.

“Today I called you here to discuss troop recruitment!”

Liu Yanhui said, “Master, should I rush to the county now to buy some grain?”

Suddenly, everyone felt uneasy. In times of recruitment panic, holding money and grain was the only comfort.

Shen Lanxi said calmly, “No rush. Even if you go to the county now, there’s nothing left to buy.”

Wei Dongzhu added, “The local barracks must have already bought up the supplies. Even if there’s grain, it won’t be available for days.”

Cheng Zheng wrote, “Maybe it has something to do with the Empress Dowager.”

Sang Guo: “Or maybe it’s related to the Northwestern King.”

The other scholars agreed—someone was rebelling!

Wei Dongzhu also agreed, “It can’t be the northwest; the Conquering Northern Army is stationed there. Even if troops are being mobilized, they wouldn’t take men from Dongchuan.”

Liu Yanhui pondered for a moment: “I think we still need to prepare in advance, make sure winter supplies are ready.”

Shen Lanxi said, “You all make good points, but none of you have hit the core issue.”

Everyone: “…”

“I’m going to join the army. What do you all think?”

Shock ran through the room.

“Master, are you sure?” Liu Yanhui swallowed hard.

Shen Lanxi looked at him. “I’m sure.”

“But… you’re a woman!” Everyone in the room thought the same thing.

Seeing their shock, Shen Lanxi said indifferently, “In previous conscriptions, no one under fifteen or over fifty was drafted.”

Everyone paused.

Cao Lianwang’s recruitment order had been clear: exceptions could be made. Exiles joining the army could deregister their families, criminals joining could be converted into military households, commoners would receive twenty taels as settlement money. No matter their background, anyone willing to serve could enjoy the treatment of an ordinary soldier, earn merit, and even be rewarded with noble titles or ministerial positions.

“Why is the court so urgent about recruiting soldiers?” Liu Yanhui muttered, a growing sense of foreboding in his heart.

Shen Lanxi’s eagle-like eyes swept the room. “I intend to join the army. Are you willing to follow?”

Everyone hurriedly stood and bowed. “We are willing to follow!”

Shen Lanxi looked at Shen Yuanjing at the back. “And you?”

Shen Yuanjing was so stunned he couldn’t think. Seeing everyone’s response, he quickly stood and said, “I’m willing to join too!”

Shen Lanxi: “Go home and discuss it with your family. We’ll wait for only half an hour!”

Upon hearing the time limit, Shen Yuanjing dashed home immediately.

Shen Lanxi lightly tapped the table and continued arranging the next steps.

“Master Hu and his family, Shi Da and his four men—you come with me to enlist.”

“Liu Yanhui, you handle the rear. Once we’ve secured our position, we’ll bring you and Cheng Zheng’s group in.”

Wei Dongzhu: “Xiao Fang and his nephew may also be willing to join us.”

Shen Lanxi: “Ask them. We must finalize the list within an hour.”

“Yes!”

Besides them, Feng Wu and six guards were added to the list.

~

Shen Family

“No! I don’t agree!” Shen Congwen was the first to oppose when he heard his son wanted to join the army.

“Yuanjing, now that there’s a general amnesty, maybe we can return to the capital after spring. Don’t act recklessly!” Shen Conglian also tried to dissuade him.

Shen Yuanjing shook his head. “Father, Uncle, don’t think like that. Even with the amnesty, we can’t return to the capital.”

Shen Yuanzu stood up.

“Father, I think joining the army is a great opportunity for our Shen family!”

Madam Liu didn’t want to hear nonsense from her son. Knowing her son, she understood immediately—he wanted to enlist.

“Yuanzu, the battlefield is no game. You’re not a child playing house—don’t speak lightly!”

Shen Yuanjing and Shen Yuanzu shared the same thought. Having listened to the council discussions, Yuanjing knew more.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, all of you—think about it. The Wei family’s army pay was stolen, our family was sentenced to exile—is that light or heavy?”

Of course it was light. Just the destruction of the Wei army alone could have cost them their heads many times over.

“With the Empress Dowager gone, our Shen family has lost a protector. Although the Conquering Northern Army has gone on campaign, the number of civilian casualties and the resources spent are incalculable. There’s no guarantee someone won’t exploit this and accuse us of stealing supplies again, punishing us harshly.”

The Shen family fell silent.

Shen Yuanjing continued: “In the capital, there were plenty who disliked our family!”

Shen Congwen tried several times to interrupt, but the words died on his lips—because his son was speaking the truth.

“Grandparents, Father, Uncles and Aunts, I want to join the army to secure a lifeline for the Shen family!”

Don’t think that being in Dongchuan makes them safe. As the saying goes: the whole world belongs to the emperor, all under heaven are his subjects. Even if exiled to the ends of the earth, a single order from above could destroy their entire family.

“My grandson, so clever and brave, wise and courageous…” Old Madam Shen covered her face and wept bitterly.

“Isn’t there any other way? Perhaps the authorities have already forgotten us. Doesn’t the Emperor protect us?” Madam Miao murmured in despair.

Shen Yuanjing was anxious—the time given by big sister was running out.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, please make a decision quickly. If we miss the time, I fear the family will be drafted forcibly!”

Hearing the words “forcibly drafted,” the Shen family panicked.

“How could that be? We are commoners!”

Shen Yuanjing shattered their illusion mercilessly.

“Drafts take commoners. While the settlement money is still available, it’s best the family decides early!”

Madam Liu, Madam Miao, and Madam Tian had thought that if Yuanjing wanted to go, they would go too. But now, hearing that the draft could take everyone over fifteen, they were all filled with fear.

“I heard from big sister that the court is in a rush. One family might not lose just one man—they could draft every male over fifteen!”