The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife-Chapter 2156 - 2158: Conscription
"Can you explain to me what the meaning behind this is?"
Ye Zi’an flipped to the last few pages of the booklet.
Assistant General Liu took two steps forward. It was all clear on the pages, and he didn’t understand what Ye Zi’an meant.
"Zhang San from Zhang Clan Village in Yu County, fifty-two years old, received five taels of silver for enlisting. Zhang Wu from the same village, forty-eight years old, also received five taels..."
"Assistant General Liu, you’ve recruited a batch of the old, weak, sick, and disabled into the army. Do you intend for your soldiers to become disabled soldiers on the battlefield, or do you think there aren’t enough heads on the battlefield and you want to send some more up?"
No one was foolish here; one could understand what was meant by Assistant General Liu right away.
"Lord Marquis, there’s really no way around this," Assistant General Liu scratched his head, "The higher-ups assigned us a quota. Zhejiang Prefecture needs to recruit fifteen thousand new soldiers, but this time there were no age restrictions, nor any strict requirements that every household must send someone to enlist. It’s tough to gather up fifteen thousand men like that. Many of these people at the back have lives so difficult that they joined the army just for those few taels of silver. You tell me, they are indeed a bit old, but if they come to enlist, I can’t just turn them away."
Ye Zi’an shot him a light glance, "Assistant General Liu, the court did not say it because it believed you would understand. This isn’t the first or second time you’ve been recruiting soldiers. Have you forgotten the requirements for recruitment every single time? This time, although not explicitly stated, can’t you refer to last time’s criteria? Last time, if I remember correctly, it stated that the only son of a family should not be enlisted, no men from households without sons should be enlisted, those above thirty-five shouldn’t be considered, and those under fourteen were not allowed." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
"I can still remember these; why can’t you? Completing the task early is commendable, but how the results are accomplished is what’s most important."
Just as Ye San came over from the side, bringing with him some records.
Ye Zi’an took them, and in no time, Assistant General Liu felt as if the room was getting colder. Even wearing armor, he felt cold.
"Fifteen thousand people, at least four thousand are over forty-five, and at least a thousand are fifty or older. Assistant General Liu, recruiting soldiers is for war. Do you know what war means? It involves wielding great knives, marching thousands of miles to the frontier to defend against foreign enemies. Enlisting so many who should be enjoying their twilight years might lead them to collapse from exhaustion before reaching the border. Tell me, does this seem appropriate to you?"
He threw the items Ye San had brought back to him, "You presented them to me; luckily, I reviewed them. If I hadn’t looked and reported it directly to the court, were you planning to drag both of us down to be scolded together?"
"I wouldn’t dare!" Sweat was pouring down Assistant General Liu’s forehead. After what Ye Zi’an said, he also felt as if his brain was clouded with lard, wondering what kind of foolish things he had done.
"Go back and conduct the recruitment again. Retrieve the silver given out, going door to door to collect it back. If someone has genuinely spent it due to poverty, let it be. But retrieve it from those who are well-off yet trying to fool you for silver. The lost silver, I’ll compensate you from this confiscated batch."
"Yes, yes, this time I will make sure everything is done properly."
"Assistant General Liu, although the Emperor is far away in the Capital City, he has not forgotten the soldiers stationed everywhere. The hardships and achievements of yours are known to the Emperor. Even if you say nothing, the Emperor cherishes your efforts. Remember this: in your position, fulfill your duties conscientiously. In the future, the Emperor will not treat you unjustly."
