Chapter 10

Chapter 7: Conscription

Spring had arrived, and all living things were rejuvenating. As the saying goes, the year's plan starts in spring, and this was the busiest time for farmers. In previous years, this was the time for spring planting, the busiest time for farming households.

But this year was different. A heavy snowfall not only delayed the spring plowing but also made the situation in the northern region suddenly tense. To the north of Western Qin was the Western Xia regime established by the Tangut people. After its peak, Western Xia began to decline. The Renzong Emperor had been on the throne for thirty-one years. His mother was Cao, a Han woman, and under her influence, Renzong respected Confucianism and Buddhism, and could be considered a wise ruler. However, Western Xia was founded on military might, and its army was once one of the most elite in the world. During Renzong's reign, the martial spirit gradually weakened. Although the territory expanded, the trend of valuing literature over military affairs began to affect the army, leading to a decline in combat effectiveness. The country had become defensive, losing the aggressive spirit of its founder, Emperor Yuanhao.

During Renzong's reign, there were rebellions, such as the revolt of Xia Prefecture's commander Xiao Hedada, which was later suppressed by Ren Dejing. This was followed by famine, earthquakes, and soaring grain prices, causing great suffering to the people. The tribes of Weizhou, Jingzhou, and Dingzhou, including the Binfu, Maqing, and Fuer, rebelled, capturing cities and causing widespread turmoil. Although they were eventually suppressed by Ren Dejing, the rebellion severely weakened Western Xia and elevated Ren Dejing to a powerful position. When Ren Dejing demanded to divide the country, he was eventually defeated with the help of the Jin Dynasty, but the damage to Western Xia was significant.

Now, Renzong focused on internal affairs and no longer initiated military campaigns, allowing the country to gradually recover. However, after the heavy snowfall, the northern region was filled with starving people. Even if Renzong was benevolent, he could not ignore the situation and had to launch a military campaign to the south to obtain population and food to compensate for the losses.

The Jin Dynasty to the west was even more aggressive, viewing the southeast as its pasture. With the spring still cold, they had already mobilized over ten thousand troops to attack the strategic Tongguan Pass.

Western Qin, located in a region of constant warfare, had once given birth to the most fierce and brave armies in history. Now, surrounded by enemies on all sides, Western Qin could not afford to be complacent. After years of warfare, it had developed one of the strongest armies among the Han people. It was not a force to be underestimated. With the entire country mobilized to defend against the invaders, the northern land, which had been peaceful for five years, was once again engulfed in war.

......

If Zhao Shi had known these details, he would have been very surprised. Even though he knew little about history, he was aware that the Jin and Western Xia were states that emerged during the Northern and Southern Song periods. However, history had played a trick, and there was no Northern or Southern Song at this time. Yet, the nomadic tribes of the north still rose to power as they did in history. Although history had deviated from its original course, there were still benefits. While the Jin and Western Xia controlled vast territories in the north, the Han people were not entirely powerless. For example, Western Qin, which defended against Western Xia to the north and the Jurchens to the east, firmly held the Guanzhong region. After years of warfare, it had not only avoided national decline but had become stronger, showing signs of a potential counterattack.

These events were still distant for Zhao Shi, but the war had already affected the peaceful lives of the villagers in Zhao Village. One day, just as dawn broke, the village was already bustling with activity. A military inspector had arrived from the county, who, despite being just a minor military officer under the command of the Qin-Feng Western Route Militia, was accompanied by the county magistrate. For the villagers, who rarely saw officials, this minor officer was enough to make them feel the authority of the government.

The county clerk stood in an open space in the village and loudly read to the gathered villagers: "By order of the Fengxiang Eastern Route Militia Office, the foreign invaders have attacked our borders, killed our soldiers, abducted our people, and destroyed our homes. Wherever they go, they leave scorched earth. All citizens of Western Qin are filled with righteous indignation... In such extraordinary times, all citizens of Western Qin should serve the country. Therefore, we are conscripting all adult males from Zhao Village into the grain protection army. When the war ends and the northern invaders retreat, the court will not be stingy with rewards..."

Zhao Shi, standing in the crowd, understood the implications. The peaceful life seemed to be coming to an end. All adult males from Zhao Village? That meant every man, except the elderly, women, and children, was to be conscripted. Zhao Village was a remote mountain village with a population of less than two hundred. The mobilization of such a small village indicated that Western Qin was almost fully mobilized. Zhao Shi did not know if ancient wars always reached this level, but in modern times, a war of this scale would mean the country was on the brink of collapse.

However, Zhao Shi still did not understand where he was—ancient China, a parallel universe, or a distant planet? But these uncertainties did not prevent him from making basic judgments. After a year of living in peace, Zhao Shi suddenly realized that this world was not much more peaceful than the Middle East in modern times.

Before Zhao Shi could think further, the county magistrate called the village head, Old Zhao, to the side and whispered to him. Old Zhao, a man in his fifties, bent his back like a dried-up eggplant and nodded obsequiously, smiling and agreeing to something. Later, Old Zhao looked around, his gaze stopping on Zhao Shi, and his face showed a look of difficulty. When he turned back, he had a smile on his face and leaned in to explain something in a low voice. The county magistrate, who had been smiling, suddenly looked displeased, but more out of disbelief.

A boy named Shuanzi ran up to Zhao Shi. He was three years older than Zhao Shi but called him "Brother Shi" urgently. This was not surprising. Since Zhao Shi had returned from the mountains with a bear, the young boys in the village had found a leader. They would call him "Brother Shi" whenever they saw him. Even the adults in the village had changed their view of him, referring to him as "Little Hunter Zhao" instead of "the crazy second son of the Wanshan family." The villagers were simple people who believed that a man who could support his family was a strong and capable person. Moreover, Zhao Shi was seen as a man of conscience, as evidenced by the twenty pounds of bear meat he had shared with the village. After the winter, the twelve-year-old Zhao Shi was no longer seen as a naive youth but as a man of his word.

To the young and passionate boys, Zhao Shi was even more impressive. Heroes of the past were said to have tamed dragons and tigers from a young age, but those were just legends. Zhao Shi was a living example, and the boys revered him like a god. Within days, the village was filled with young boys who imitated Zhao Shi's demeanor, much to the amusement and frustration of the adults.

Shuanzi, one of the most enthusiastic, had overheard the conversation between the county magistrate and the village head. He did not understand the implications of conscription, but he understood that the village head was trying to avoid it. Since the village head, Old Zhao, was one of the most respected people in the village, his reluctance to let Zhao Shi go was a good sign. Shuanzi immediately ran to Zhao Shi to tell him to run away.

When Zhao Shi heard about conscription, his instinctive aversion made him turn and walk away. The definition of an adult male was sixteen years old, and he had no reason to be conscripted. Zhao Shi thought about this as he walked home.

"County Magistrate heard about a bear-hunting hero in the village. The rumors were a bit exaggerated, and he didn't check the household registration carefully, so he reported it to the militia office... Now they specifically want you. The conscription order has been issued, and you will be a squad leader..." Old Zhao, who had arrived later, hesitated before telling Zhao Shi this.

"My son is not going anywhere. Uncle Zhao, don't talk nonsense in front of us orphans and widows. My son is only twelve. Are all the men in the county dead? If you want my son to go, why don't you send your grandson? Do you think we are easy to bully? If my husband were here, would you dare to bully us?" Wang Shi, who had finally understood the situation, immediately became angry. After the difficult winter, she had placed all her hopes for the future on her son. The idea of sending her young son to war was unbearable. The villagers, though simple, could be fierce when provoked. She scolded Old Zhao, who turned red and stammered, "No, no, Auntie, listen to me. This isn't my idea. It's from the county..."

"I won't listen. Whoever came up with this idea can come talk to me. I don't believe there's no justice in this world. My husband just died, and now they want my son. If they dare to come, I'll fight them..."

Maternal love is always selfless and great, regardless of time, place, or external factors. Zhao Shi firmly believed that there were no heartless parents, only ungrateful children. This belief was deeply rooted in his past experiences. In this moment, he felt a surge of emotion.

He grabbed Wang Shi, who was agitated. "When are they leaving? Are they leaving immediately? Where are the enemies? How close are they? What will we be doing? Just transporting grain, or fighting on the battlefield?"

A series of questions left Old Zhao speechless. He was just a village head chosen by the villagers, with no real power. He had no idea about the details. He thought to himself, "This boy is not simple. He's only twelve, but he's already a bear hunter and speaks and acts with clarity. Zhao Village is truly going to produce a great person."

Seeing Old Zhao's expression, Zhao Shi realized he had asked some foolish questions. "So... do you know if we will return after the war is over?"

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