Chapter 379 – No Grand Ambitions

Is becoming an official not a good thing? Of course, it is. It’s a rare opportunity. The Heir Apparent is kind and doesn’t wish to claim credit for Xiao’an Village. Otherwise, just a silver reward would be enough.

Having an official position changes one’s life, altering one’s circumstances significantly.

Yan Yu asked herself inwardly, if it were her, would she choose to become a Squad Leader in the army?

Probably.

Unfortunately, the army doesn’t accept women, otherwise she wouldn’t mind going and making a name for herself.

The Northern Rong aren’t as terrifying as they seem. With the right methods, defeating them isn’t too difficult.

But just because she thinks this way doesn’t mean the people of Xiao’an Village do too.

Many fear taking that step outside. Their world is only as big as what they can see.

The men of the village found Yan Lao’er, whose eyes were red and swollen, and told him their decision.

Yan Lao’er racked his brain but couldn’t figure out what they were thinking.

“Tell me, what did everyone discuss at home? Why doesn’t anyone want to go?”

Hu Er said, “Yan Lao’er, being an official is good, but doesn’t it mean leaving home? We’ve just built our houses and cleared the land. Come spring next year, we’ll plant crops, hunt in the mountains during the offseason, gather herbs… We’ll have meat to eat and some income. We fought to protect this village to enjoy a peaceful life. Warm homes, wives and children… You often talked about living comfortably like this.”

Yan Lao’er: Is it all my fault then?

Wang Dalang added, “We seriously discussed it and even consulted the two kids at home. Our thought was that we can’t take on the role of a Squad Leader without responsibility. If we accept the salary, it means working for them, practically selling our lives. Climbing higher and becoming a bigger official… we can’t fathom that. Considering we have elders and children at home who rely on us, who would tend the fields? If the Northern Rong come again, how could those kids manage? Without us supporting them, could they protect our village?”

Yan Lao’er began to understand.

Luo Er, typically a man of few words, also spoke up, “We don’t want to leave the village. Even if we have to risk our lives, it should be for our parents, brothers, and nephews. As for others… we can’t worry about them.”

The eldest son-in-law of the Song family said, “Receiving silver per person isn’t bad. We don’t ask for much, just a stable life. If the Heir Apparent is displeased… well, we’ll accept less. It doesn’t need to be two taels. One tael per head is enough.”

Yan Lao’er: …

That’s not how this should be calculated.

But he understood everyone’s feelings, so he thought he’d ask Qi Da and the others.

Qi Da and Qi Wu were busy making doors for various families. They had overheard the discussion and were preoccupied with their work in their courtyard, working energetically.

When hearing Yan Lao’er’s inquiry, Qi Da gave a simple smile, “I need to stay home and care for mother, earn more to support the family.”

He also had the weddings of his two younger brothers in mind.

Qi Wu was even more straightforward, “Yan Lao’er, I’m not going either. I want to stay with you, making charcoal, hunting pigs, making scented soap to earn money.”

Old Man Kang already told them that taking this position meant never returning home. Who would tend the fields? Who would do the work? Besides, with the silver they received from Yan Lao’er, it was more than what they could earn as officials.

They weren’t foolish, so they opted not to go.

Yan Lao’er went inside to check on Qi Si.

Qi Si shared the same sentiment, “Yan Lao’er, I’m not going.”

He’d already planned with Xiao Er, but it was a secret he couldn’t share. Once he’s better, they’ll go to the Northern Rong to steal cattle and sheep.

When Yan Lao’er left the courtyard, he took a glance at Old Man Kang.

After he left, Kang’s old wife whispered, “That Yan Lao’er just looked at you. He must have noticed something. Why meddle in others’ business? What’s wrong with taking a military post? Those three Qi brothers are honest and easygoing. If one day they rise to be a Platoon Commander, perhaps we could seek their help.”

Old Man Kang shook his head, “I’m just considering our own family’s future.”

“Then tell me your reasoning,” she insisted.

But Old Man Kang wouldn’t say a word.

…

“…That’s everyone’s sentiment. Elder brother, let’s just take the silver. Whoever wants the military merits can claim them. We’re not envious and promise to keep our mouths shut.”

Neither Yan Huaiwen nor Yan Yu expected that the villagers would resist the allure of an official post and salary, with none of them willing to go.

Yan Huaiwen, surprised, said calmly, “Due to the Crouching Tiger City’s heavy losses, if my prediction is correct, there might be a conscription next spring. Being drafted would mean starting as the lowest rank. If we have someone in the army to arrange things, the situation would be different.”

“Conscription?!” Yan Lao’er exclaimed urgently, “Why didn’t you say so earlier? If they knew about this, would they be so reluctant? Whatever it takes, we have to go!”

In the court, having connections makes it easier to become an official. In the army, having connections makes it easier to become a soldier.

The reasoning is the same.

Yan Huaiwen said softly, “It’s just a guess, not a certainty.”

Yan Yu glanced surreptitiously at her uncle and thought, Who are you kidding?

Her uncle was probably worried that the men in the village would all rush to volunteer, so he kept this matter hidden. Who would have thought that her uncles would be so unambitious, only interested in farming, well, also their wives, children, and warm kang beds.

“In that case, I’ll go tell them again.” Yan Lao’er hurried off.

“Xiao Er, are you hiding the matter of the Bamboo Crossbow from the Heir Apparent?” Yan Huaiwen suddenly asked.

Yan Yu was sure to be honest with her uncle.

“Not exactly hiding, just didn’t mention it much. We have quite a few longbows we got from the Northern Rong…” Yan Yu said with a cheeky smile.

Yan Huaiwen smiled faintly, shook his head, and rolled up his sleeve to show her his bandaged right hand.

“Uncle, are you hurt?” she exclaimed, quickly realizing, “Was it from drawing the bow? No wonder I smelled medicine; I thought…”

She thought it was because there were many injured at the Government Office and her uncle had caught the scent while working there.

“Look at my injury. How is it different from the disguise you had Hu Da and Hu Er make?” Yan Huaiwen asked with a smile.

Yan Yu’s eyes widened.

“Uncle, you noticed? When? Is it obvious?” She carefully held her uncle’s hand, examining it closely.

If her uncle hadn’t pointed it out, she wouldn’t have noticed anything was wrong. But now that it was brought up, there was indeed a slight difference.

“The Heir Apparent didn’t see through it, did he…” Yan Yu was a bit hopeful. Nobody else was as clever as her uncle, who was as sharp as a canny old fox, letting nothing slip by him.

“This Heir Apparent has been trained in martial arts since childhood. If I can see it, why wouldn’t he? He just didn’t want to point it out and argue with you.” His gaze fell on the Heir Apparent, who was sitting among the villagers, leisurely enjoying himself.

“Look at his armor,” Yan Huaiwen said slowly, narrowing his eyes slightly. “It’s the heaviest type of iron armor used in the army. The iron isn’t refined, so it must be thickened to resist heavy blows. It weighs a lot. Ordinary soldiers can’t bear it for more than two or three hours, yet he seems to have never taken it off.”

(End of chapter)