Chapter 1305: Chapter 1305: The Great Conscription

The news of Great Chu’s crushing defeat also reached Da Feng Village, and several families felt unbearably sad when they heard it.

"So many youngsters, all the mainstay of their households, just gone like that." Third Grandma wiped her tears, grieved for a while, then said to Mrs. Cui, "Dashan’s wife, let’s prepare a table of offerings, set up an incense case, burn some paper money, and see those children who died in battle off, shall we?"

Dashan’s mother’s family were a military family, several of his uncles had died on the battlefield. When Mrs. Fei was alive, she would burn paper money every Tomb-Sweeping Festival for the Great Chu soldiers who had died, saying it was a rule passed down in military households. Third Grandma got on well with Mrs. Fei; when she heard about Great Chu’s defeat, she wanted to imitate Mrs. Fei and send off those who’d died in battle.

When Mrs. Cui heard that so many soldiers had died, she too shed tears and said, "Ay, I’ll listen to Third Aunt. I’ll go right now and take Old Zhu’s wife and Da Lei’s wife to make preparations."

Gu Jinli said to Third Grandma, "Third Grandma, Grandpa Qin once served as a soldier too, and several uncles of the Qin family all died on the battlefield. He must feel awful hearing this news. Please have Third Grandpa and Grandpa Wu keep him company more and drink a few cups with him."

Third Grandma nodded again and again as she listened. "Yes, yes, yes, Xiao Yu is still the thoughtful one. I’ll go get wine ready for them right away. Just right, they’re roasting a whole lamb, they can have it with wine."

Gu Jinli then took the opportunity to say, "Third Grandma, I’m free now, I’ll take Erqing and Feng Jin and the others to pick up Brother Qin. We’re all good at martial arts, you don’t need to worry, I’ll be back with Brother Qin this afternoon. Please remember to help me tell my parents."

Once she finished speaking she ran off, so fast that Third Grandma didn’t even have time to stop her.

But thinking of Little Xiao Yu’s fierceness, she relaxed, and went to prepare wine for Third Grandpa, Elder Qin, Doctor Wu and the others.

...

At the Military Office, Qin San Lang personally wrote a memorial text and had Section Leader Jiang prepare the incense table. He led the soldiers left to guard the Military Office to kneel together and pay homage to the soldiers who had died in battle.

They were all soldiers themselves; although they didn’t know the dead by name, their hearts were filled with grief. Solemn and respectful, they followed Qin San Lang, completing each step of the rites one by one.

Afterwards, one soldier asked worriedly, "Lord Company Commander, now that our Great Chu has been defeated, will the Rong people seize the chance to attack our cities again? Will we lose more cities? Will the Emperor dispatch troops against Da Rong again?"

The one who asked was surnamed Jiang, also a clansman of the Jiang Family, who had served at the Military Office for three years. What he asked was exactly what all the soldiers were concerned about, but Section Leader Jiang scolded him: "Shut up, are these matters for you to ask? What should be done, the Emperor will decide. Don’t talk nonsense now and cause trouble for the Company Commander!"

Couldn’t he see Company Commander Qin had kept a grim face all along? With Company Commander Qin like this, he was either too grief‑stricken or too furious; better swallow any questions for now.

Qin San Lang looked at Section Leader Jiang and said, "No need to curse at Jiang Feng. What he asked is also what everyone wants to know."

He was silent for a while, then looked at all the soldiers and said, "Given the Rong people’s nature, now that they’ve won a great victory, they will definitely keep attacking Great Chu, seizing more cities. Even if they don’t want those cities in the end, they’ll surely make Great Chu ransom them back with large amounts of gold and silver, salt and tea, grain and horses, and women."

So the Rong people attacking the cities again was already something that could be foreseen.

"As for whether the Emperor will continue to send troops to attack Da Rong, that we don’t yet know. We’ll just have to wait."

Emperor Jingyuan had a kind of mad obsession with attacking Da Rong and placed great hope on this Fa Rong campaign. He was also someone who cared immensely about face. Having suffered a crushing defeat, even just for the sake of face, he would gather a large army again to attack Da Rong.

So the next step should be Emperor Jingyuan launching a large-scale conscription to attack Da Rong once more, but the time was not yet ripe, and Qin San Lang could not say that aloud.

"Section Leader Jiang, today is Dongzhi. The brothers have worked hard standing guard. Cook the game we hunted these past few days, and let the brothers have a good meal." As Qin San Lang spoke, his gaze sharpened as he looked at the assembled soldiers. "Everyone, return to your posts. If there is any mistake, military law will be enforced!"

"Yes!" The soldiers immediately straightened and answered, then quickly dispersed and returned to their posts to stand guard.

Section Leader Jiang led a few soldiers off to slaughter the game and prepare the Dongzhi dinner.

Qin San Lang returned to his own courtyard, took a piece of white cloth, tore it into a strip, and tied it around his left wrist. It counted as wearing mourning white for those soldiers who had died.

...He didn’t know how long it had been when Si’an entered Qin San Lang’s courtyard.

Although Qin San Lang was grieving, he was still extremely alert. Before Si’an even stepped into the yard, he had already come out. Seeing Si’an, his sword‑like brows furrowed as he asked, "Has something happened at home?"

He had already sent a message home saying he would only return in the afternoon, so why had Si’an suddenly run over?

Si’an saluted and said, "Master, the Young Master has come."

"Xiao Yu is here!" Qin San Lang’s eyes lit with surprise, then he asked worriedly, "Why did Xiao Yu suddenly come over? Did something happen?"

Si’an shook his head. "Master, don’t worry. The Young Master is fine. She came especially to pick you up and bring you home for Dongzhi."

The Young Master was really too fierce. Wasn’t it always the man’s job to go and bring someone home? Yet the Young Master did the opposite. No wonder Third Grandma always said the Young Master had been born into the wrong body and should have been a boy.

He added, "The Young Master said she’s not suited to go into the Military Office, so she’s waiting for you in the mule cart outside. Master, no need to rush out. After you’ve finished everything at the Military Office, just go back home with her."

How could Qin San Lang rest easy with her alone outside? He immediately had someone call Section Leader Jiang over, then took out paper and brush, wrote down all the things that needed arranging, and handed the sheet to Section Leader Jiang. "I’m entrusting the affairs of the Military Office to you. Guard it well; don’t let any mistakes happen."

"Yes!" Section Leader Jiang took the paper, gave his word, and escorted Qin San Lang out the main gate.

Gu Jinli’s mule cart was parked by a small bamboo grove some distance from the Military Office. She was sitting in the cart, lifting the curtain to look in the direction of the Military Office. When she saw Qin San Lang riding over, she happily got off the cart and ran towards him.

Seeing her running towards him, the heart that had been weighed down and chilled for most of the day seemed to be suddenly pierced by sunlight and warmed at once. "Xiao Yu."

Qin San Lang slowed his horse, dismounted before she reached him, and walked quickly towards her. He naturally took her hand and smiled at her. "Why did you suddenly come?"

Gu Jinli looked at him and laughed. "I was afraid you’d be so sad you’d be crying your nose off, so I rushed over to check on you. Am I not wonderful?"

If, when he had first seen her just now, his heart had only felt warmed as if lit by the sun, then at this moment his heart was wholly set ablaze by her warmth and concern.

"Mm, Xiao Yu treats me the best." Qin San Lang said, holding her hand as he walked to the mule cart and stepped inside. As soon as she got in after him, he pulled her into his arms, his voice low as he said, "Xiao Yu, I’m very happy."

Very happy that you came.

He was indeed very heartsore today. Though he could endure it, this feeling of being cared for and valued by her made him truly joyful.