Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 39 Conscription Order

The matter of military service was like a mountain, weighing heavily on the couple, making it hard for them to breathe.

In the past few days, Shen Yuan had been hoping for a divination to provide some guidance. He even considered using up his lifespan to consult the divination and see if there would be any danger for his child after he went to serve in the military.

However, as soon as this thought arose, a scarlet text appeared on the tortoise shell in his mind.

[Deducing this matter will consume 113 years of one's lifespan.]

The terrifying cost forced him to abandon his idea.

A lifespan of over 110 years, that's practically taking his life!

But it was precisely because of this that Shen Yuan had a vague guess in his heart that his son might not die on the battlefield as he had feared during his military service.

After all, if it were just a matter of death, the tortoise shell would probably not have needed such a long lifespan.

Over the years, he has roughly figured out the ins and outs of tortoise shells. The greater the variables and the higher the level involved, the greater the price to be paid.

So, could there be some other reason for sending his son to join the army?
After waiting anxiously for half a month, Yang Changlin, the village head, finally struck the bronze chime.

Upon hearing the sound of the bronze chime, the common people gathered in the square in front of Yang Changlin's gate, their faces full of curiosity.

It's not tax time yet, so why is the bronze chime suddenly being struck?
When Shen Yuan and his son Shen Wenxing arrived, Zhao Shuan was standing on tiptoe, looking up at the front.

"Uncle Zhao," Shen Wenxing called out. Zhao Shuan turned around, chuckled, and punched him in the chest: "You little rascal, you've grown taller again."

"Ah Yuan, what do you think the village head might want to do by summoning everyone here at this time?"

Zhao Shuan, unlike him, was not well-informed and naturally did not know about the "military service" matter.

"I'm afraid the higher-ups have issued some new policy," Shen Yuan said without explicitly stating it.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Changlin struck a gong on the high platform in front of him.

"Quiet down, everyone! The superior has something important to announce!"

As his voice fell, a burly soldier clad in leather armor stepped forward, holding a bright yellow scroll in his hand.

"As Your Majesty commands, recruitment of soldiers shall begin immediately."

"All the common people of my Great Yu shall be conscripted into the military, one out of every three able-bodied men, two out of every five able-bodied men, and all those who are fourteen years of age or older but not yet forty shall be subject to military service!"

"The government office has a register of official records as proof. I advise you not to even think about evading your duties, or you will be severely punished!"

After the soldier finished speaking, the common people below were all stunned!

Aside from some elderly people, many of them had never served in the military or even as a night watchman, let alone in the army. This sudden imperial decree terrified them.

"Military service... I'm afraid the imperial court is going to war again..."

When some elderly villagers heard that it was military service, they immediately shook their heads and sighed.

"Once the war breaks out, who knows how many more young men will be buried on the battlefield. What a pity for these children..."

An elderly man with one arm looked around at the familiar faces.

Decades of peace and good fortune, coupled with bountiful harvests year after year, have led to a significant increase in the population of Jinliu Village.

But after a war, how many of these younger generations could come back alive?

Hearing the villagers' chatter, the soldiers on the high platform shouted impatiently, "Shut the hell up!"

"Those of you who are serving in the military, please report to the county magistrate's office before the beginning of next month. Those who fail to do so will be treated as deserters!"

Several soldiers left, seemingly on their way to the next village to announce the news.

Upon seeing this, the villagers all gathered around the village head, Yang Changlin, and started arguing.

Yang Changlin explained with a wry smile, "This is an imperial decree, and I cannot make the decision myself. Everyone, you should hurry back and prepare."

The villagers had no choice but to slowly disperse.

As evening fell, Zhao Shuan knocked on the gate of Shen Yuan's house.

Upon meeting him, Shen Yuan noticed his worried expression. Zhao Shuan had two sons. The eldest, Zhao Jinhu, was already married and had just had a son. The younger son was just ten years old.

According to the law, he himself was not yet forty, while his eldest son, Zhao Jinhu, was over fourteen, and both of them were required to serve in the military.

One out of every three men was conscripted; a father and son were both required to serve in the military.

"A-Yuan, what should your family do?"

Zhao Shuan asked casually.

Shen Yuan's family consists of four men, but the three brothers are all under fourteen, so he will probably be the only one to go to the military service this time.

The two families had a good relationship, so Zhao Shuan was naturally a little worried. "Uncle Zhao, I'll go serve in the army in my father's place," Shen Wenxing, who was practicing martial arts nearby, said with a smile.

"You?" Zhao Shuan frowned slightly and looked at Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan smiled faintly: "If the brat wants to go out and gain some experience, then let him go."

Now that the conscription order has been issued, there's no time to think about it anymore. He plans to take Shen Wenxing to town this afternoon and ask Huang Yunxiao for help in arranging for his son to be placed with Zhang Bin as soon as possible.

"Too……"

Zhao Shuan said with some envy, "Although Shi Tou is young, he is skilled in martial arts and quite sensible."

"Ugh……"

After chatting for a while, Zhao Shuan got up and left.

That evening, the gate was knocked on again, and this time it was a young man with a burly build.

"Brother Jinhu?" Shen Wenxing opened the door and saw that the person who came in was Zhao Shuan's eldest son, Zhao Jinhu, so he quickly invited him in.

"Uncle Yuan, Auntie."

Zhao Jinhu walked into the courtyard and greeted Shen Yuan and Hu Yufen with a smile.

"I'm here to find stones."

After Zhao Jinhu sat down, he looked at Shen Wenxing.

"Jin Hu, have you eaten?" Hu Yufen asked. "Auntie will get you a bowl of rice."

"You've finished eating, Auntie, you don't need to bother." Zhao Jinhu quickly stood up to stop her, then looked at Shen Wenxing and said, "I heard you're going to serve in place of Uncle Yuan?"

Shen Wenxing nodded.

Zhao Jinhu hesitated for a moment and stammered, "Father is getting old. If he goes to serve in the army, I'm afraid he won't come back alive."

"Stone, I know you've become very strong in martial arts over the years. There's something I want to ask you."

Shen Wenxing didn't speak, but glanced at his father slightly.

Shen Yuan didn't seem inclined to speak; he simply helped Hu Yufen clear the dishes off the table.

"Brother Jin Hu, please tell us first."

Zhao Jinhu rubbed his hands and sighed, "I also want to serve in my father's place, but... but you know, your sister-in-law just gave birth, and the child can't grow up without a father."

"I've come here to ask if you have any way to find me a good job that doesn't require me to go to the front lines, at least one that will keep me alive."

Shen Wenxing hesitated.

Zhao Jinhu had studied martial arts at the town's martial arts school for a few years, but because he had never taken any medicinal diet, he only learned some techniques and did not even break through to the Acquired Realm.

Barbarians are skilled warriors, and it's uncertain whether he can even save his own life, so how can he agree to help them?

"Hey……"

Seeing the troubled look on his face, Zhao Jinhu chuckled dryly, "It's because my brother's demands are too high."

"How about this, can you find a way to get us brothers assigned together, so we can look out for each other?"

"I'll pay for the 'patronage'!"

The war was brutal. Although he didn't know what level Shen Wenxing was at, he heard from his younger brother that Shen Wenxing was now a martial arts master. If the two of them could be assigned to the same place, they would have a better chance of surviving on the battlefield, thanks to the relationship between their families.

Should we be assigned together?
Shen Wenxing thought about it and felt that this matter was not difficult.

Huang Yunxiao is the county magistrate of Anyang County, and he is in charge of arranging military service for the entire county. It shouldn't be a problem to tell him to assign Zhao Jinhu to Zhang Bin's command as well.

"Brother Jin Hu, let me ask about this first. I'll let you know if it works out."

Zhao Jinhu quickly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Alright! Then I'll leave it to you. If you manage to come back alive this time, I'll treat you to a drink!"

After seeing Zhao Jinhu off, Shen Wenxing came to his father and said, "Father, did I do something wrong?"

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven."

"Given our relationship with your Zhao family, helping them is the right thing to do, but we must be careful in the future. A small favor can be appreciated, but too much can breed resentment. Sometimes, we should help others within our means."

There is a famous psychological paradox from a past life called the "malice of the recipient" theory.

These principles of conduct must be clearly understood by children.

(End of this chapter)