Chapter 377 - Chapter 377: Chapter 373: Shy and Timid_1 (1/2)

Chapter 377: Chapter 373: Shy and Timid_1

Not long after Dani got married, news came that the Imperial Court was conscripting soldiers. Every household with two able-bodied men had to send one off to the army.

Jiang Wu’s family was just in the position to send one person off to the war.

This time, the draft didn’t allow for replacements, so someone directly from Jiang Wu’s family had to leave for the battlefield.

In the end, the conscription notice bearing Jiang Quan’s name was delivered by a government official, ordering him to report to the post station within five days.

Jiang Quan was at home at the time and didn’t say anything upon receiving the notice, only revealing the location of his hidden money to his mother.

“Mom, I buried a box under my bed with 2500 taels of silver in it. There are another 500 plus taels buried in my house in the county town. Have father retrieve it when he has time.”

Upon hearing her son inform her of the amount of silver, as if he was making his last arrangements, Zhou Family’s mother was terrified and held him closely as she sobbed.

“Son, I will find a bride for you today. You should get married soon and have a child. That would be good.”

Jiang Quan shook his head: “Mother, what are you saying? One shouldn’t rush into a marriage.”

Actually, he had previously fancied a girl from the county, but because her brother was nasty, he gave up on the idea.

This delay had dragged on until he was nineteen.

As for the young women in the village, to be honest, Jiang Quan didn’t find them appealing.

One reason was that most of the village girls were illiterate; the second was that they truly were not as beautiful as the girls in the county town.

In terms of family background, it would naturally be best to have a fine one, but Jiang Quan valued the conduct of the other family’s members more.

“What’s with you being picky at a time like this?” Zhou Family’s mother punched him lightly. “I’m going to find a matchmaker now,” and she went out.

“Mother,” Jiang Quan stopped her: “Why are you worrying about this now? You should stop, I have work to do, so I won’t talk more.”

Jiang Quan rushed out of the door to find his younger cousin.

Yingbao was preparing supplies for her second cousin, including quite a lot of medicine for wounds and illnesses.

Aside from that, she had commissioned a leatherworker from the marketplace to make a set of cowhide armor for her cousin – something that would protect his neck and all sides – along with a pair of wrist guards.

Once on the battlefield, swords would know no master. With these items, he could be protected from immediately getting killed with one stroke.

She also had a pair of thick-bottomed cowhide boots made, which would prevent his feet from getting cold even in icy snow.

Jiang Quan felt the items his little cousin prepared for him, and his nose twitched on the edge of tears.

Yingbao placed the items into a large backpack and said, “There’s also a side bag and a waist bag in the backpack. You can keep your valuable items on you. I’ve heard that there are thieves within the troops who specifically target newbies, so please be careful.”

“Mmm.” Jiang Quan pulled out the side bag and waist bag to try them on his body.

The waist bag was palm-sized, quite practical, and could easily be tied around the waist.

Yingbao also took out a machete and two sheathed daggers from a large box, “Take these too; I had someone make a spear for you which I’ll give you later.”

Although the military also provided weapons, the new recruits wouldn’t get their hands on good blades, bows, or arrows, so they encouraged the soldiers to bring their own weaponry.

Jiang Quan: —

When he first received the conscription order, he was completely at a loss, having no idea what to prepare. Seeing his little cousin consider so much for him now, he was very touched.

Of course, Yingbao was familiar with what could be of advantage to a soldier since she previously lived in the commander’s government office in her past life.

Those who came and went there were all military officers of various ranks and their personal soldiers.

Moreover, they often discussed military matters, including weapons, horses, and armor.

No one knew better than them what could protect a soldier’s life on the battlefield.

“Second Brother, I’m also going to gift you my Red Date Horse and some loose silver, both will be of great use in the future.” The Red Date Horse was in its prime and under Yingbao’s care, it had grown bigger than most military horses.

“Alright.” Jiang Quan did not decline whatsoever; after all, he still wanted to come back unscathed.

Three days later, Jiang Quan rode the Red Date Horse carrying a lance with red tassels, a bulging large backpack on his back with a large machete slung atop the bag, and headed out of the village.

The people from his village that were also conscripted included Li Dao, Wang Dashan, and two boys of similar age.