The official’s hand missed its mark, and his expression turned cold. He said icily: “Could the household registration records possibly be wrong? Besides, is this something a mere young woman can comment on? In any case, the name has already been recorded in the register. Three days from now, report for registration!”
Wu Laosan had come to his senses by now and hurriedly said: “Your Honor, you must have looked incorrectly. This commoner remembers very clearly—I am definitely past fifty, not forty-nine. This commoner…”
The official said impatiently: “Enough, stop wasting words. If we don’t see you in three days, you should be very clear about the consequences.” Having said this, he left with his men, leaving Wu Laosan at a complete loss.
“How… how could this be? Clearly… impossible, I’m fifty, truly fifty.” Wu Laosan spoke incoherently, then wanted to chase after the official. Yunyi held him back: “Father, there’s no use talking to them. Let’s go to the county office now and see what this household registration record actually says.”
Wu Laosan nodded repeatedly: “Right, let’s go look at the household registration. I’m clearly fifty—how could I be forty-nine?”
When they reached the county office, people there were frantically busy with the conscription of soldiers and laborers, and no one paid them any attention. With great difficulty, someone was willing to deal with them, but upon hearing they wanted to see the household registration records, they immediately refused. Even after they explained their reasons, they wouldn’t relent and drove them out. With no other choice, Yunyi and Wu Laosan could only stand outside the county office waiting for County Magistrate Qin, who still recognized them somewhat.
After waiting for about an hour, they finally saw County Magistrate Qin come out. After recognizing Yunyi and her father, County Magistrate Qin, mindful of Li Shimin’s face, was quite polite to them and led them to the inner hall to speak. After hearing their purpose, County Magistrate Qin stroked his goatee and said: “The information about the people recorded in these household registration records was gathered by going door to door. There couldn’t possibly be any errors.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Laosan immediately became anxious and stood up: “But this commoner is truly over fifty and hasn’t lied.”
“Don’t be anxious. This official will have someone bring the household registration records immediately. If you are truly over fifty, this official will naturally strike your name from the register. You can rest assured.”
Wu Laosan felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this. Soon, the household registration records for the county were brought over, along with the registrar. He took out one book from the thick pile of records, turned to the page about Wu Laosan, and said: “Please look, Your Honor. Wu Laosan was born in the twelfth month. He still has two months remaining before reaching fifty years of age. In his household, he is the only male, so he should rightfully be conscripted.”
After the registrar stated the year, Wu Laosan hurriedly said: “That’s wrong! I was born in the twelfth month of the previous year. By calculation, that’s ten months more.”
The registrar handed over the register: “If you don’t believe it, see for yourself. Would we lie to you?”
Wu Laosan couldn’t read, so Yunyi checked for him. Indeed, as the registrar said, he was still two months short of fifty. She frowned her delicate brows: “Father, are you truly certain you didn’t remember wrong?”
“How could I remember my own age incorrectly? I’m truly fifty.” Seeing Yunyi’s silence, an ominous feeling arose in his heart, and he said in a trembling voice: “Don’t tell me… this record shows I’m not yet fifty?”
Yunyi nodded heavily, then said: “Father, is there anywhere else where your age can be verified?”
Wu Laosan said hoarsely: “This household registration record is the only place that records birth dates and months. Where else would there be such records?”
County Magistrate Qin said: “Since the age is indeed not yet reached, then you must be conscripted. This is something no one can violate, as you surely understand.”
Wu Laosan nodded as if he had lost his soul. After leaving the county office with Yunyi, he choked up and said: “Girl, you know where Father keeps all his belongings. After Father is gone, take good care of them and don’t let anyone steal them. Also, remember to find Matchmaker Liu and have her help you find a good family. As long as you’re well, Father can rest in peace even if he dies.”
Yunyi felt her heart ache at his words, and her eyes immediately reddened. These months of living together had truly made her develop genuine father-daughter feelings for Wu Laosan. Forcing back the sourness in her eyes, she said: “Father, don’t say such inauspicious words. I won’t let anything happen to you. We… we’ll think of another way. As long as we can find evidence proving Father is fifty years old, you won’t have to go.”
Wu Laosan stroked Yunyi’s hair, which was styled in a ruyi bun, and forced a smile: “Silly girl, how can such things be proven? The household registration records… must have been recorded incorrectly. Forget it, this is Father’s fate—Father accepts it!”
“No, I don’t accept it!” Yunyi tightly grasped Wu Laosan’s arm, afraid that if she loosened her grip, Wu Laosan would be dragged away.
“What a silly girl.” Wu Laosan smiled bitterly and said: “Don’t trouble Second Young Master about this either. This matter… he can’t help with.”
“I…” Yunyi was about to say she would find a way to handle this matter when she caught sight of a familiar figure in her peripheral vision. It was Feng Cheng, who was hiding behind a wall corner, staring at the father and daughter with venomous eyes. Seeing that Yunyi had spotted him, he immediately turned and left.
Yunyi said nothing, but after returning home, she asked: “Father, since the case involving Feng Chunxiu last time, has the Feng family come to trouble you?”
“There were a few times at first, but later they probably found it boring and stopped coming.” As he spoke, Wu Laosan pulled Yunyi to the back of the house and pointed to a newly planted sapling: “Those pearls from last time—I thought keeping them in the house wasn’t safe, so I buried them here. Seven inches down in the soil, that’s where they are. Don’t forget! With these pearls and that tiger skin as your dowry, as long as you’re not marrying into a wealthy family, it should be more than enough. Remember, you must find someone honest who treats you well.” He continued reluctantly: “The happiest and most proud thing in Father’s life is having such an obedient and sensible daughter like you. The only regret is that I won’t be able to see you get married!”
Yunyi quickly wiped away the tears that were about to fall from her eyes and said hoarsely: “Father, don’t say such things. I will definitely think of a solution.”
Now that the Great Sui had beacon fires everywhere with rebel armies causing trouble in all directions, Father Emperor should focus entirely on quelling domestic rebellions and stabilizing the people’s hearts. Why must he insist on launching military campaigns against Goguryeo at this time? If this continues, exhausting the people and draining the treasury until the people cannot bear it, the Great Sui will truly be in danger.
Wu Laosan, unaware of Yunyi’s thoughts, continued rambling on. When evening came, he said hoarsely: “It’s late. Father will escort you back. Remember what Father just said—when you’re alone at home, be sure to keep the door securely locked.”
“I will definitely find a way to save Father. You won’t be in any danger.” Wu Laosan only took Yunyi’s words as comfort and didn’t take them seriously. After all, this was an imperial command—how could a small woman like Yunyi possibly have any solution?