"We've been brought to the military camp for training for three months. At least we can handle ourselves with weapons now. Besides, the general promised we're just infantry, and if there's a battle, the light cavalry and archers will lead the way."
"What about Uncle Zheng? Why haven't I seen him?" A Jiu pressed. "And the others?"
"Your Uncle Zheng is good at horseback riding and became a messenger. The others are in the city. We can get a ladle of water and a steamed bun every day, so you don't need to worry."
Ma Dabiao briefly explained before hurrying to catch up with the troops, waving goodbye to A Jiu over his shoulder.
The mighty procession moved south, gradually disappearing in the distance like a winding dragon, followed by a squadron of light cavalry covering the rear.
A Jiu recognized Zhao Kun among them.
Perhaps due to the large crowd of people blocked outside the city, Zhao Kun didn't notice her.
A Jiu returned to the ox cart and quickly recounted what had happened.
At this point, the procession ahead showed signs of moving towards the gates of Nanming City, but very slowly.
"When will we get into the city at this rate? We'll have to be searched one by one, won't we?" Meng Shaode anxiously wiped the sweat from his brow.
"What's there to fear? We still have more than half a day. We can crawl into the city before dark, can't we?" Cai Lihua was more optimistic.
A Jiu thought so too and sat quietly on the cart, cradling the two children as they waited.
After an unknown amount of time, the autumn sun shone so brightly that it was hard to open one's eyes.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead: "Why can't we enter the city? Why not?"
"That's right, we are all citizens of Nanming City. Why can't we enter?"
In an instant, the voices from the front surged towards A Jiu like a tide.
From behind, more refugees from other villages continued to arrive. They were relatively close to the city, and with many intermarriages between villages, news traveled particularly fast.
"They're not letting us in?" Cai Lihua stood up abruptly.
"Exactly, why is that? We have our documents." Meng Shaode grew more anxious with each passing moment.
"There's a notice posted at the city gate!" someone shouted from the front.
Immediately, a group of people temporarily abandoned their carts and families, walking and squeezing towards the city gate.
A Jiu also jumped down, with Meng Shaode and Cai Lihua close behind.
"Aunt Li, take the children and wait here. Don't go anywhere, lest we get separated in the crowd." A Jiu remembered to instruct.
By the time they reached the city gate, it was more than just three layers of people. If Meng Shaode hadn't held his daughter on his shoulders, they might not have even seen the notice.
"Daughter, what does it say?"
A Jiu murmured, "It roughly means that one able-bodied male per family will be granted entry, and military dependents are also permitted."
"What? Aren't they not conscripting men?" Cai Lihua's heart pounded.
A Jiu dismounted: "Nanming King didn't say it's mandatory conscription. And at the end, it says they respect the people's opinions and encourage voluntary enlistment."
A Jiu vaguely felt that this Nanming King, while appearing righteous and understanding on the surface, was actually using the slogan of following public sentiment to pressure people into joining the army. This way, he wouldn't gain a reputation for conscription, and those who joined would willingly fight, like Uncle Ma.
"Yes, what kind of trick is this?" Meng Shaode's face was grim, as he was the only one in their large family eligible to join the army.
"Shaode, we have our documents." Cai Lihua looked at her husband worriedly.
"Even with documents, they were guaranteed by Xiao Yan. Besides, who is more important, him or the King?" Meng Shaode stepped a few paces away from the crowd and helplessly scratched his scalp.
At this moment, some people in the crowd had already gone to sign up, and soon a long queue of twenty to thirty people formed behind them.
"I'll go. Brother, you take care of the family. Fortunately, we are two brothers."
"Or I could go, and you stay home to look after Mom and Dad."
"You two at least have brothers. I'm the only child in my family. I don't want to go." The hesitant faces were devoid of life.
"If you don't go, you won't survive when the fighting starts outside the city. If we enter the city, Nanming King will send people to distribute food to our families."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone began to weigh the pros and cons.
"I'll go. At least you'll be safe in the city and have enough to eat and drink. That's a hundred times better than fleeing from bandits and rebel armies outside." These words were all heard by Meng Shaode, who suddenly stood up and walked towards the queue.
"Shaode!" Cai Lihua's eyes welled up with tears.