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This time, the draft didn’t allow for replacements, so someone directly from Jiang Wu’s family had to leave for the battlefield.

In the end, the conscription notice bearing Jiang Quan’s name was delivered by a government official, ordering him to report to the post station within five days.

Jiang Quan was at home at the time and didn’t say anything upon receiving the notice, only revealing the location of his hidden money to his mother.

“Mom, I buried a box under my bed with 2500 taels of silver in it. There are another 500 plus taels buried in my house in the county town. Have father retrieve it when he has time.”

Upon hearing her son inform her of the amount of silver, as if he was making his last arrangements, Zhou Family’s mother was terrified and held him closely as she sobbed.

“Son, I will find a bride for you today. You should get married soon and have a child. That would be good.”

Jiang Quan shook his head: “Mother, what are you saying? One shouldn’t rush into a marriage.”

Actually, he had previously fancied a girl from the county, but because her brother was nasty, he gave up on the idea.

This delay had dragged on until he was nineteen.

As for the young women in the village, to be honest, Jiang Quan didn’t find them appealing.

One reason was that most of the village girls were illiterate; the second was that they truly were not as beautiful as the girls in the county town.

In terms of family background, it would naturally be best to have a fine one, but Jiang Quan valued the conduct of the other family’s members more.

“What’s with you being picky at a time like this?” Zhou Family’s mother punched him lightly. “I’m going to find a matchmaker now,” and she went out.

“Mother,” Jiang Quan stopped her: “Why are you worrying about this now? You should stop, I have work to do, so I won’t talk more.”

Jiang Quan rushed out of the door to find his younger cousin.

Yingbao was preparing supplies for her second cousin, including quite a lot of medicine for wounds and illnesses.

Aside from that, she had commissioned a leatherworker from the marketplace to make a set of cowhide armor for her cousin – something that would protect his neck and all sides – along with a pair of wrist guards.

Once on the battlefield, swords would know no master. With these items, he could be protected from immediately getting killed with one stroke.

She also had a pair of thick-bottomed cowhide boots made, which would prevent his feet from getting cold even in icy snow.

Jiang Quan felt the items his little cousin prepared for him, and his nose twitched on the edge of tears.

Yingbao placed the items into a large backpack and said, “There’s also a side bag and a waist bag in the backpack. You can keep your valuable items on you. I’ve heard that there are thieves within the troops who specifically target newbies, so please be careful.”

“Mmm.” Jiang Quan pulled out the side bag and waist bag to try them on his body.

The waist bag was palm-sized, quite practical, and could easily be tied around the waist.

Yingbao also took out a machete and two sheathed daggers from a large box, “Take these too; I had someone make a spear for you which I’ll give you later.”

Although the military also provided weapons, the new recruits wouldn’t get their hands on good blades, bows, or arrows, so they encouraged the soldiers to bring their own weaponry.

Jiang Quan: —

When he first received the conscription order, he was completely at a loss, having no idea what to prepare. Seeing his little cousin consider so much for him now, he was very touched.

Of course, Yingbao was familiar with what could be of advantage to a soldier since she previously lived in the commander’s government office in her past life.

Those who came and went there were all military officers of various ranks and their personal soldiers.

Moreover, they often discussed military matters, including weapons, horses, and armor.

No one knew better than them what could protect a soldier’s life on the battlefield.

“Second Brother, I’m also going to gift you my Red Date Horse and some loose silver, both will be of great use in the future.” The Red Date Horse was in its prime and under Yingbao’s care, it had grown bigger than most military horses.

“Alright.” Jiang Quan did not decline whatsoever; after all, he still wanted to come back unscathed.

Three days later, Jiang Quan rode the Red Date Horse carrying a lance with red tassels, a bulging large backpack on his back with a large machete slung atop the bag, and headed out of the village.

The people from his village that were also conscripted included Li Dao, Wang Dashan, and two boys of similar age.

However, they were already married and had children.

Only Jiang Quan was unmarried, with no wife to speak of.

Zhou family’s mother watched her son leave with tears streaming down her face, supported by Chunniang and Yanru.

Both Jiang Liu’s family and the old Jiang were heartbroken, praying ceaselessly for their grandson’s safe return.

This conscription was unlike any they had experienced before; their children were about to go into battle against the barbarian bandits.

They all understood the dangers involved.

Jiang Sanlang sighed, too.

Generally, his son’s scholarly honor could excuse one man from military service, but he and his elder brother had separated households with separate County Government registrations; they were two different families now, and his elder brother’s family could not escape conscription.

Yingbao and Dani stood on the high wall, their faces filled with gloom as they watched Jiang Quan recede into the distance.

Huzi suddenly said, “If only I were a few years older, I could go with Second Brother.”

Jiang Wu nodded, “I want to go too.”

Yingbao tapped his head, chiding, “Do you think your Second Brother’s going for fun? War is very dangerous.”

Even if you’re well armed, if you encounter inept teammates, you’re still likely to…

Get out, out! A child’s words are nothing to consider! May all go well!

Yingbao muttered to herself as she took Jiang Wu’s hand and hopped off the wall.

Dani and Huzi followed them, heading to the orchard to pick fruits.

With Jiang Quan conscripted, the task of picking fruits fell upon the siblings; Uncle Er would deliver them to the county town.

Of course, Uncle Er would share in the shop’s profits in the future.

Yingbao tucked up her skirt around her waist and swiftly climbed the fruit tree, listlessly picking fruits.

If she saw a particularly fine one, she would break into it while still up in the tree.

“Hey, are you here to pick or eat?” Dani complained.

“To eat,” Yingbao replied, legs swinging from the branch she was sitting on.

Dani:….

She also hoisted her skirt around her waist and climbed another tree.

Jiang Wu and Huzi followed suit, each selecting a tree to climb.

So, all four occupied a tree each and munched on fruits.

Since the trees were exceptionally tall and leafy, the four were perfectly concealed in the branches; anyone below would be none the wiser.

After a while, Yingbao noticed a figure entering the orchard. It was Li Xu.

Seemingly out for a leisurely stroll, one hand held a book while the other was behind his back. He walked slowly, finally settling down in a pavilion near a pond.

Huzi and Jiang Wu dared not breathe, their crunching sounds even softened.

Both of them were studying under Li Xu, so they were quite afraid of him.

Not long after, a slender figure entered the orchard and slowly approached Li Xu, greeting him with a curtsy.

Li Xu hastily returned the courtesy, and both appeared to exchange pleasantries with smiles on their faces.

Yingbao, from her perch in the tree, peeked through the leaves at the bashful woman, deep in thought.

So, Sister Wen has a liking for someone like Li Xu.

Did Madame Wen know about these secret rendezvous?

Hmph, no wonder Sister Wen rarely sought Yingbao’s company lately. She had been deeply engrossed in conversation with Li Xu.