"The Imperial Court’s conscription order may already be coming down," said Ya Molian to her out of the blue.
"When did this happen? Why didn’t I know about it?" Lin Caisang furrowed her brows to ask.
She’d been with Ya Molian throughout these few days, so it was implausible that he would know something she didn’t, unless notification of this had arrived earlier than expected? Nevertheless, she didn’t think it was much of a concern.
"It doesn’t really affect our family, right? We can just keep living our lives as usual."
Shrugging, she said so.
Despite their family’s division, the Third Uncle’s house had a scholar; hence, they had no cause for conscription. As for her and her elder brother, their father was away. Despite the lack of any communication, it was officially recorded in the government office that he had joined the military. Thus, they didn’t have to worry about it.
"As for your side..."
"They didn’t in the past, it would be the same now," assures Ya Molian.
Lin Caisang is relieved and nods appreciatively.
However, while this conscription order may mean little to them, it could mean a great deal to others.
"Brother Molian, correct if I’m wrong, but Brother Enxi and Brother Yufeng, they belong to a military household, right?" she asked.
When Ya Enxi and others had separated households, their military registrations had fallen primarily on them. If a conscription were to occur, they would be the primary targets.
Many strong young men from their village would all have to be conscripted as well.
"They naturally have to go, but..."
Ya Molian paused, looking at her with heavy eyes.
"The Liu Family is also of military registration. You didn’t know that, did you?" After a good while, he said to her.
Lin Caisang was stunned, utterly shocked by his words.
"How could the Liu family be registered as a military household? Liu Baixiao was an appointed scholar years ago. How could he possibly be conscripted?"
"Why do you think the Liu family took in Liu Baixiao, who was as poor as a church mouse, into their family through marriage? They fancied Liu Baixiao’s status as a scholar. With this status, the men of the Liu Family wouldn’t have to go to the battlefield."
"And how does that matter?" Lin Caisang queried, not comprehending.
"So, the Liu household can use Liu Baixiao’s scholar name on their own people ... would they really dare to do that?"
Suddenly, she widened her eyes, looking at Ya Molian, hardly believing that anything like that could possibly happen.
"In this world, one’s fortune commands evil spirits, and the Liu Family has the power to do so. Now, Liu Baixiao is really nothing, just an ordinary commoner." Ya Molian spoke.
"So, that means that one person from Liu Baixiao and Liu Qingshui will have to serve in the military?" Lin Caisang deduced.
This would end up with Liu Baixiao causing a ruckus at her house daily - Liu Qingshui, a son whom Liu Baixiao had discarded, was now being pulled into the equation. Liu Baixiao wouldn’t be willing to do so, surely.
If so, Liu Qingshui would undoubtedly be taken away at that time.
"Therefore, Sang’er, you should start preparing early," Ya Molian advised.
Only when considering Lin Chushui was he compelled to relay the matter to her in advance. Otherwise, it truly had nothing to do with them.
"That’s not right, Chushui is merely eleven years old! Even if Liu Baixiao wanted to use him as a substitute, it wouldn’t be possible, right?" Lin Caisang thought of Lin Chushui’s age, which was indeed too young to be conscripted.
"Some silver would make it possible," Ya Molian justified.
Hearing this, Lin Caisang took a deep breath and was rendered speechless.