Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

After the list was read aloud, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Why isn't anyone from Old Zhang's family going?" Xia Yu looked in the direction of the voice and discovered that it was Wang Pingping who spoke. Her father was also on the list this time.

Although everyone relies on the Zhang family for their livelihood, the fact that not a single member of the Zhang family has been recruited in this life-or-death situation is bound to attract attention.

Seeing everyone staring in the direction where the Zhang family was standing, the old village chief reluctantly began to explain.

"The conscription document states that those with official positions in their families can be exempted from this military service."

"What about Zhang Laosan's family? They've moved out of the family, and he has a son now. Why doesn't he have to go?" Another question arose from the crowd.

Although the village chief felt helpless, he understood everyone's feelings.

"Xiaxia is a village head, and she has a rank. The male members of her family are also exempt from military service."

The village chief's explanation silenced everyone below.

Then came the wailing of women and children.

The village chief looked at the scene below and banged on the copper basin several times before he could finally quiet everyone down.

"Stop wailing, everyone. It's not just our village that's like this; we're all in the same boat. Let's all go home. Instead of crying here, you should go back and think about what kind of luggage to prepare for your sons."

As the village chief finished speaking, the people at the drying yard gradually dispersed and went home. The Zhang family walked together and silently returned to their old house.

Upon reaching the main house, everyone found a place to sit. A quiet silence fell over them. Although their names weren't on the conscription list, everyone felt uneasy. They all knew that since war was imminent, how many would return?

Suddenly, Changyuan walked to the center of the room and knelt down straight in front of Old Master Zhang.

"Sir, I want to go to war too!"

His actions surprised everyone, and Old Master Zhang stared wide-eyed at his grandson kneeling on the ground.

In the end, it was Wang who reacted first, rushing out and slapping Changyuan on the head.

"Changyuan, stop fooling around here and go back."

Wang's slap was quite forceful; Changyuan, clutching his throbbing head, looked at Wang with displeasure.

"Mom, why did you hit me?"

"Why would I hit you? You little brat, tell me why I would hit you. Our family is finally together thanks to your fourth uncle and your second sister, and what are you doing causing trouble? How old are you? How can a half-grown kid go to war? You're just going to your death."

"I'm already fifteen, practically an adult," Changyuan said defiantly.

"You know you're only fifteen? Our Great Huai has a rule that you have to be twenty-three to serve in the military. You're not even old enough yet, so what are you talking about going to the battlefield to kill the enemy?"

Wang pointed angrily at Changyuan's forehead. He was usually quiet and reserved. She had worried that the child was too honest, but who would have thought that he would hold back such a big fart.

At this moment, Grandpa Zhang finally regained his voice.

“Changyuan, get up. Your mother is right. You are too young. Even if you wanted to go, the army wouldn’t accept you. Give up on that idea. If you want to serve your country, it’s not too late to go when you’re twenty-three.”

"How do you know it won't work if you don't try?" Changyuan retorted, unconvinced.

"Sure, go ahead and try if you want. As long as they want you, we won't stop you," Grandpa Zhang said, trying to appease his grandson who was getting stubborn.

"Father, how could you agree to that? He's still just a kid!" Wang said to the old man with some dissatisfaction.

Zhang Youjin, however, understood the underlying meaning in his father's words. He pulled his wife aside and whispered in her ear...

"Father knows what he's doing, don't worry."

When Wang heard him say the same thing, although she still had some doubts, she ultimately remained silent.

Seeing that his mother had also been persuaded, Changyuan's face lit up, and he repeatedly asked Grandpa Zhang...

"Sir, you promise to keep your word? If the official who comes to recruit soldiers wants me, you'll let me go with him?"

"You brat, when have I ever lied to you?" Old Master Zhang scolded disapprovingly.

"Hehe, no, no, my grandpa is the best."

With a fawning smile, Changyuan stepped forward to massage Old Master Zhang's back.

After that, no one in the village had any interest in doing anything else, and Zhang Youtie's workshop also had to be shut down.

The women in each household were preparing luggage, food, light clothing, cotton-padded clothes, and bedding for their family members who were about to go to war. Zhang Youtie and Liu Shi took some things and delivered them to the homes of several close relatives in the village.

"Auntie, these are some things I prepared for Dayong. There's some food here, as well as pills for treating diarrhea and colds. Tell Dayong to take them with him, just in case," Liu said to the village chief's wife.

"Oh, thank you so much. It's so kind of you to think of everything. We were so focused on food and clothing that we didn't even think to bring some commonly used medicines." The village chief's wife's face showed undisguised weariness. It was easy to guess her feelings at that moment; her son was about to go to war, and as a mother, her worries were understandable.

After saying that, the village chief's wife said to the village chief...

"Go to the village and tell everyone to buy some commonly used pills for those who go out, so they can use them cheaply if needed."

"Okay, I'll go and inform them in a bit."

Zhang Youtie and Liu Shi did not stay long, saying they still had to deliver some things to other families, and then went out with the village chief.

"Third brother! Thank you, uncle," the village chief suddenly said.

"Uncle, don't be so polite." Zhang Youtie really didn't know how to persuade him, and after saying this, there was an endless silence.

After delivering the items to the families, Zhang Youtie and Liu Shi returned home. When they arrived, Xia Yu was waiting for them in the yard.

"Xiaxia, what's wrong?" Madam Liu noticed that her daughter's expression was a bit off and asked.

"Mother, how are those two fruits I gave you last time?"

"They're perfectly fine. I'll go get them for you." As she spoke, Madam Liu went into the room and took out a small box from a drawer in the dressing table. When she opened it, she saw that inside were the two space fruits that Xia Yu had given to her mother when she left home. They were intact, just as they were when they were picked, without any signs of drying out or rotting.

Looking at her daughter's expression, Madam Liu asked...

What do you need them for at this time?

"I'd like to try and see what the effects of these fruits are," Xia Yu replied to Liu Shi, looking at the fruits.