#142: A Thunderbolt from a Clear Sky

Yunyi hesitated and said, “Aunt Fang, I wish I could help Brother Fang, but I’m just a lowly dancer. I don’t have the influence to speak on such matters.”

“You’re so close with Second Young Master—you must be able to speak to him! Meixue, I beg you, help me this once. When you were little, you drank my milk. Sometimes when your father went up the mountain, you stayed at our house for days. I always treated you well, just like I did Fang Ge’er. I never slighted you—how can you forget that?”

Yunyi knew Aunt Fang spoke the truth. Wu Laosan had often mentioned how their family had received much kindness from the Fangs next door over the years. The two families had maintained a good relationship ever since. “I remember everything you’ve done for us,” Yunyi replied. “But truly, this is beyond my ability to influence. Even Second Young Master can’t make decisions like this.”

“No, no—it’s not true! Second Young Master is the son of the Taishou. I heard he manages all the affairs of the county. He must have the authority! Meixue, if you help me this time, I’ll remember your kindness for the rest of my life. Please, I beg you!” Desperate and out of options, Aunt Fang had rushed over as soon as she learned Meixue was home.

Wu Laosan sighed. “Sister Fang, it’s not that the girl doesn’t want to help—it’s that she truly can’t.”

“But she can! She absolutely can!” Aunt Fang grabbed Wu Laosan’s arm. “Old San, please convince Meixue to help! Or else… I’ll take Fang Ge’er’s place. I—I can endure hardship. I can do any kind of work, just as well as Fang Ge’er. I bore him late in life—he’s my only son. I can’t let anything happen to him! Meixue, let me go instead. I can handle it—I beg you!”

As they spoke, a man in his fifties rushed in. He pulled Aunt Fang aside. “Enough! Stop troubling Meixue. Let’s go back!” It was Aunt Fang’s husband, Fang Datong.

Aunt Fang struggled free. “I won’t leave unless Meixue promises to plead for Fang Ge’er!”

Fang Datong shook his head. “You foolish woman, how could Meixue possibly intervene in this? You want her to ask Second Young Master for help, but… haven’t you heard what people are saying? This is an imperial decree—even the Taishou can’t overturn it.”

Aunt Fang sobbed. “I don’t care! I absolutely cannot watch Fang Ge’er march off to his death!”

Fang Datong sighed repeatedly, squatting down and clutching his head. “Do you think I want Fang Ge’er to go? But what can we do? If we refuse to send him, our entire family will be executed. I’m already over fifty—if only I were younger, I could take his place.”

Aunt Fang, overcome with bitterness toward the harsh policies of the court, blurted out, “Let them execute us then! They might as well chop off all our heads and be done with it. This endless torment is unbearable. That tyrant emperor…” Before she could finish, Fang Datong clamped his hand over her mouth, panic-stricken. “You madwoman, do you want to die? How dare you say such things?”

Aunt Fang pulled his hand away, tears streaming down her face. “It’s not that I want to die—it’s that tyrant emperor who’s forcing us into a corner. Fang Ge’er is our only child. If he dies, it’s the same as us dying!”

“Don’t think like that,” Fang Datong tried to console her. “Maybe… after the war ends, Fang Ge’er will return safely, and our family will be whole again.”

“Safe?” Aunt Fang sneered. “A few years ago, Old Wang from the east side of the village was conscripted to work on that canal. Did he come back? Last year, Zhao’s brother-in-law from the west side was sent to transport grain. Did he return?” Wiping her tears, she continued, “It’s a one-way trip to the grave. I absolutely cannot let Fang Ge’er go.”

“You yourself said it—an imperial decree. Bothering Meixue won’t help. It’s fate—we were born in these times, and there’s nothing we can do but accept it.”

“I refuse to accept it!” Aunt Fang snapped. “I heard from refugees passing through that rebellions are breaking out everywhere. If I’m pushed too far, I’ll join them. At least then we might have a chance to survive!”

Fang Datong’s face turned pale. “You’re talking nonsense again! Shut your mouth, and never speak such reckless words again.” Turning to Wu Laosan, he pleaded, “Brother San, forget what you heard earlier. Don’t repeat it outside.”

Wu Laosan quickly reassured him. “Don’t worry, Brother Fang. Neither I nor my daughter will breathe a word. But regarding Fang Ge’er’s situation… there’s truly nothing we can do. Please forgive us.”

“I understand.” Fang Datong patted Wu Laosan’s shoulder and dragged Aunt Fang away. Watching them leave, Wu Laosan sighed deeply, muttering to himself, “When will these days end?”

Yunyi remained silent, her heart heavy with sorrow. If only Mother were here—surely, with her intervention, Father would pardon the Fang family.

But… even if the Fangs were spared, what about the thousands of other young men across the country being conscripted for military service, transporting supplies, or building projects? How many could she and Mother save?

Just as both father and daughter sat in gloomy silence over the plight of the Fang family, another knock sounded at the door—this time heavier than before. Wu Laosan, puzzled, went to open it. Outside stood several men resembling constables. The leader held a ledger and, after glancing at Wu Laosan, asked, “Are you Wu Laosan?”

Wu Laosan cautiously replied, “Yes, that’s me. May I ask what business brings officials like yourselves here?”

After jotting down Wu Laosan’s name in the ledger, the constable said, “Three days from now, report to the county office for registration.”

At those words, Wu Laosan’s heart sank. He knew exactly what “registration” meant. But… this shouldn’t be happening!

He forced a smile. “Master, surely there’s been a mistake. I’m already fifty years old and not within the age range for conscription.”

The constable sneered. “I’ve checked the household registry. You’re forty-nine, not yet fifty. Moreover, you hunt regularly—your strength rivals that of young men. The higher-ups found you suitable, so you’ve been specifically selected for conscription. Your exact duties will be revealed in three days.”

These words struck Wu Laosan like a thunderbolt. He had been certain he was over fifty and thus exempt from conscription. To suddenly find himself in this predicament…

Yunyi, overhearing the constable, interjected, “The imperial decree clearly states that only men between twenty and fifty are to be conscripted. My father has already turned fifty. How can you conscript him?”

The constable finally noticed Yunyi, his eyes widening in surprise at her beauty. His tone grew lecherous as he reached out to caress her chin. “What a rare beauty in this humble village!” Swiftly, Yunyi stepped back, avoiding his detestable hand.