Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1315: A Solution

"What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty? Has he truly never witnessed silver before? After imposing double taxes and the Kangrong levy, he now seeks an exemption fee too? How do they perceive us? We are not minting silver; where are we expected to procure it for him?!"

"Liu, your words are accurate. His Majesty is truly driven to destitution, extorting silver from us impoverished souls. What unparalleled shamelessness, does he not fear divine retribution!"

Someone promptly concurred, "Indeed, the Emperor is utterly heartless. We have already surrendered so much silver, yet he remains unappeased? Now he demands our very lives?!"

"Zhang Youcai, what utter nonsense are you spewing? Are you courting death?!" Dasheng arrived with officials from the Military Office, gesturing towards the assembled crowd and their slander against the Emperor. "You specters with short lifespans have clearly had enough of living. You dare to gossip about anything; utter one more word, and I shall escort you to the county magistrate and have your heads severed!"

A wave of fear washed over most, yet a few spirited youths responded, "Elder Sheng, it's not that we lack respect for the Emperor, it's simply that life has become unbearable..."

Before Zhang Youcai could utter another syllable, his father, who was peddling agricultural produce at a roadside stall, rushed over, seized his ear, and chastised him while landing blows, "Zhang Youcai, you blithering incompetent, do you not heed Elder Sheng's warning? You presume to speak of His Majesty? If you truly desire to die, I shall be the one to dispatch you, thereby saving our family from ruin at your hands!"

Zhang Youcai dodged, shouting, "Old man, I know you favor the eldest son. Since it's not his turn to join the military, you feel unconcerned, don't you? Let me tell you, I refuse to go! If you expect me to sacrifice myself for this family, I will set the house ablaze first, to demonstrate the seriousness of my intentions!"

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Zhang Youcai's father seized a sturdy pole and began striking Zhang Youcai. "You insolent whelp, you've grown bold, haven't you? You wish to show me sincerity? Very well, I shall let you witness my resolve!"

Zhang Youcai endured a severe beating, and it was only due to Dasheng's timely intervention that he was saved from potential crippling.

Dasheng, gripping the Zhang family's pole, interjected, "Old Zhang, cease your assault. This is your own flesh and blood. Should you cripple him, you will incur expenses for his recovery. Should he perish, you will be short one individual for the army; either your eldest or Old San will have to enlist."

"Elder Sheng speaks with wisdom. In that case, I shall spare his life." Old Zhang panted, his gaze lingering on the splintered pole with evident distress. "You wretched child, causing the destruction of a perfectly good pole! When we return home, you will go chop bamboo to fashion a new one, or face my further wrath!"

Zhang Youcai, on the verge of tears, bellowed, "Waaah! Old Zhang, are you my father or an executioner? You wish to beat me to death, do you not? Let me inform you, this matter is far from over between us!"

He said this, kicking in Old Zhang's direction but refraining from making actual contact, then turned and fled.

Old Zhang bellowed after him, "You rascal, keep your lips sealed! If you dare bring further trouble upon this family, I am not finished with you!"

"Pah! It is I who am not finished with you!" Zhang Youcai retorted, shouting back at Old Zhang, and fearing capture and further thrashing, he made a hasty retreat.

Old Zhang fixed a furious glare upon Lin Xiaoliu, cursing, "It is all your fault, you harbinger of misfortune, spewing venom and leading my Youcai astray!"

Old Zhang frequently brought his son to the town to trade agricultural goods; the townsfolk were largely acquainted with him and aware of his volatile temper. Lin Xiaoliu, wary of incurring Old Zhang's wrath, quickly sought refuge behind Dasheng, saying, "Uncle Zhang, you cannot place the blame upon me. It is His Majesty's decree to conscript soldiers, and your Youcai, being the second son and less favored, naturally assumed he would be the one to go to the army upon hearing this news, thus provoking his anger... You should blame yourself for your unfair favoritism."

Having delivered this statement, he swiftly departed.

"You wretch, don't let me catch you again!" Old Zhang seethed with rage. When had he ever indicated that the second son would be sent to the army? The second son was not yet married; without progeny, how could he be sent to his demise?

However, with His Majesty's conscription order in effect, no one dared to defy it. Old Zhang turned to Dasheng and inquired, "Elder Sheng, if one wishes to avoid military service, must we truly present five taels of silver? Might there be some flexibility? Perhaps two or three taels? Or could we offer a portion now and settle the remainder after the New Year, once household income improves?"

Upon hearing this, the villagers quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes, Dasheng, it’s not that we’re unwilling to pay the five taels of silver, but our families simply lack the spare cash. We still owe money to Dou Ou Bank, and now another five taels means we’d have to find a fortune!"

Furthermore...

"We are farmers, not military families. Why should we be sent to war?"

Dasheng responded, "This is the Emperor’s decree. We must all comply, or risk losing our heads."

One brave villager ventured to ask, "Elder Sheng, why is His Majesty so insistent on fighting Da Rong? We already suffered a defeat, with hundreds of thousands of lives lost. Won’t another war just bring about further devastation?!"

...

In Da Feng Village, He Tianwa’s wife posed a similar question. "If we don’t fight, at least our men can remain to farm the land. If we go to war now, won’t all the men of Great Chu be wiped out?"

Village Chief He gestured towards He Tianwa’s wife. "You women know nothing! Do you truly believe the Rong bandits will let you decide whether to fight or not? It’s not Great Chu initiating this conflict; it’s Da Rong seeking to war against us. If you don’t understand, then remain silent! Moreover, your three sons are all under twelve years old. It’s not yet their turn to serve on the battlefield, so why are you causing such a commotion?"

He then turned his attention to He Tianwa. "Tianwa, control your wife. Are you a man or not? She leads the charge every time. Can’t you ever speak up for yourself?!"

He Tianwa, clad in a worn cotton-padded jacket, hunched his shoulders and offered a placating smile to the village chief. "Yes, yes, yes, Chief. Please don’t be angry. I’ll discipline this woman when we get home and teach her proper conduct."

With that, he cast a glance at his wife. The look was filled with an unwavering protectiveness, leaving Village Chief He speechless with mounting anger.

He Tianwa’s wife was known as a nag among the younger generation in the village. However, ever since Mrs. Niu’s public disturbance and subsequent reprimand, He Tianwa’s wife had adopted a more reserved demeanor. Yet, faced with the potential threat to her son’s life, she could no longer remain passive. "My eldest son is not yet twelve, but if His Majesty continues to blunder through these wars, what if we still haven’t repelled the Rong people by the time he turns fifteen? Then my eldest son will be forced to join the army!"

Village Chief He retorted, "If you are unwilling to part with your eldest, then send your man to the army instead. His Majesty proclaimed that men aged fifteen to fifty are fit for service. Those who are not will pay five taels of silver as an exemption fee."

He Tianwa’s wife was taken aback. Giving up money? That would be her lifeblood!

As for her husband, she was equally reluctant to let him go. Pondering the situation, she realized that with her many sons, she could afford to sacrifice one.

Seeing He Tianwa’s family fall silent, Village Chief He addressed the assembled villagers. "The reason I’ve called you all here today is to reveal a method, an ancient hereditary practice for avoiding military conscription. You must not speak of this to anyone outside; it must be handled with the utmost secrecy."