Chapter 42 – Wrapping Cloth

Jiang Shi’s face instantly changed.

Xia Youtian quickly grabbed her hand and said, “I’m saying this not because I regret the family division, but because…”

He then recounted everything that had happened that day, from start to finish—even the part about the bearded man. He only urged Jiang Shi not to spread the news, especially not to tell their younger sister, Xia Yujiao.

What mattered most was the notice he had seen at the city gate.

Beiguan Town was recruiting laborers—twice as many as in previous years.

The authorities didn’t explain why the sudden increase. But if the family hadn’t split, even though the Xia clan had many branches, each wouldn’t be required to send many people.

But now that they had divided, Xia Youtian’s branch couldn’t escape the draft. Since Wulang wasn’t yet of age, Xia Youtian himself would have to go. If he didn’t want to, he’d have to pay money instead.

This hit him hard.

He couldn’t help but think—if only he’d been more firm during the family division and convinced the elders not to go through with it.

But Zhou Shi had always tightly controlled the money, and everyone had long been uncomfortable about it.

When the chance to separate came, excitement had taken over. No one had considered conscription at all.

Xia Youtian and Jiang Shi were speechless. They stayed up half the night in frustration before finally falling asleep from exhaustion.

The next morning, after a simple breakfast, the couple discussed it again and quickly passed the news to the old couple and the other family branches.

Then they visited the village chief’s home and Xia Pingkang’s to deliver the message.

When they ran into familiar villagers, they mentioned it as well.

Soon, the news that Beiguan’s government office was conscripting laborers spread like wildfire, plunging every household into worry.

Old Master Xia and Zhou Shi could hardly believe it.

This was spring!

If conscription was necessary, shouldn’t it happen in winter? That way it wouldn’t disrupt the farming season.

But the news Xia Youtian brought was soon confirmed.

Officials and the village chief showed up in Beiguan Village, bringing along several assistants. Beating drums and clanging gongs, they went door to door selecting people.

The rules were simple:

Priority was given to families with multiple sons. Those without sons could be exempted but needed to pay one tael of silver as substitute labor payment. If they couldn’t afford it, they had to find someone else to serve in their place.

Households that had separated had to send one laborer.

Those who hadn’t split were suddenly grateful.

The conscripted laborers had to bring their own baggage, dry rations, and money, and follow the officials immediately.

They weren’t given time to pack properly out of fear they might try to flee.

Being a conscript was grueling, and often involved beatings and mistreatment.

Accidents on the road weren’t rare. People went missing, some never returned—dead or alive.

Even those lucky enough to return whole often fell ill, draining both their strength and savings.

Soon, the officials and village chief reached the Xia family.

Several laborers already stood behind the official, each carrying simple belongings.

The Xia family’s expressions darkened.

The village chief smiled warmly, even a bit obsequiously—quite unlike his usual authoritative demeanor.

The official, on the other hand, maintained a stern expression, chin held high, looking down his nose at everyone. His arrogant manner was infuriating.

But no one dared speak out.

Even Zhou Shi, known for her foul temper and stubbornness, forced herself to hold back.

Since the Xia family had split, they could no longer be counted as one household.

The old couple lived with their daughter, Xia Yujiao. The old man was over age, and Yujiao wasn’t a male, so they were exempt—but they still had to pay 500 coins in substitute money.

At Xia Youcai’s house, the eldest son, Dalang, was a scholar and could be exempted.

However, since he hadn’t yet officially entered an academy, the exemption applied only to himself—not the entire household.

If Xia Youcai didn’t want to go himself, he had to pay.

He could try to pull some strings, but that would only save face while spending even more money.

At Xia Yougui’s home, it was agreed that Erlang would go.

Xia Erlang was nineteen, turning twenty after the New Year. He was young and strong, much to the officials’ satisfaction.

But Old Master Xia and Zhou Shi were furious.

The second son was utterly useless!

As a father, he was unwilling to endure the hardship himself and instead sent his son.

Worse yet, despite having multiple males in the house, Xia Yougui and the newly-of-age Xia Sanlang still had to pay a full tael of silver in substitute money.

At the third house, Xia Youxi had only two daughters—exempted, but also required to pay one tael of silver.

At the fourth house, Xia Youtian refused to part with the money and wanted to serve himself, but Jiang Shi stopped him.

She wept and pleaded, nearly kneeling before the official.

Though the official was arrogant, he looked at the pitiful family—mostly women and only one adult man—and relented slightly.

But the condition was that their house pay two taels of silver.

Xia Youtian had already been heartbroken over paying one tael and deeply regretted the family split. Now faced with two taels, he snapped:

“Why is it more for me?!”

The official rolled his eyes impatiently and raised his chin even higher:

“Stop whining! These rates are set by the county magistrate!

You’re not a scholar, and you have a son almost of age. You’re lucky you’re being offered this deal at all.

If you don’t want to pay, just come with me!”

Xia Youtian nearly agreed just to avoid the money, but his entire family clung to him, refusing to let him go. Jiang Shi hurried to fetch some broken silver and paid.

The official sneered and left.

At the fifth house, Cheng Shi acted decisively—before her husband could mess things up, she had already paid the money in full.

When the official and village chief finally left the Xia residence, they only took Xia Erlang with them.

Xia Erlang said nothing the entire time.

As the group walked away, Xia Daohua couldn’t hold back anymore. She rushed into her room, grabbed a bundle wrapped in cloth, and chased after them, catching up to press it into Xia Erlang’s hands.

A crack finally appeared in his somber expression. He smiled at Xia Daohua, took the bundle, patted her head, and left with the officials.

Xia Daohua watched his back fade into the distance, silently praying for his safe return.

(End of Chapter)