Li Yuan said: “Father has sent people to gather a batch of treasures and women, which will be sent to the capital along with this memorial to gain the emperor’s trust and buy us more time.”
Li Shimin nodded, then thinking of what had just been discussed, said: “Then regarding the conscription matter…”
Li Yuan pondered briefly, then picked up his brush to continue writing the memorial. Li Shimin slowly read aloud from the side: “The prefecture lacks sufficient men to meet Your Majesty’s expectations. This subject Yuan feels deeply ashamed. Surveying the people within the prefecture, they are all women and children. Yuan truly cannot make up the remaining ten thousand. I can only offer all male members of the Li family to take the field, assisting Your Majesty in sweeping away Goguryeo and establishing eternal dominance!”
“Father, this is…” Under Li Shimin’s surprised gaze, Li Yuan said: “Fortunately, His Majesty now has some trust in us father and son. This should allow us to beg His Majesty’s mercy to waive the remaining ten thousand.”
Saying this, he called in the steward from Songtao Residence and ordered him to send this memorial to Luoyang immediately by urgent relay.
After he left, Li Yuan looked at Steward Qi beside him and said calmly: “Did you hear clearly every word I wrote in that memorial just now?”
Steward Qi was startled, then understanding, said: “Governor, rest assured. This humble person won’t leak a single word.”
“Quite the contrary, I want you to find ways to spread those words from the memorial. The more people who know, the better.” Li Yuan’s words left Steward Qi puzzled: “Governor, this is…”
Li Shimin’s eyes flickered slightly as he said: “Don’t ask too many questions. Do as Father says.” After Steward Qi left, he looked at Li Yuan: “Does Father want to use this memorial to win the hearts of Honghua Prefecture’s people?”
Li Yuan stroked his beard: “Continue.”
Li Shimin thought for a moment: “Currently, complaints are everywhere in Honghua Prefecture. His Majesty’s actions have long lost the people’s hearts. Father wants to take this opportunity to win their hearts. The forty thousand-plus conscripted laborers are still in the prefecture. Ten days is enough time for them to hear of this matter. When they march out with the army, they’ll surely tell other soldiers and laborers about Father’s benevolence. Word will spread from ten to a hundred, letting all people under heaven know of Father’s heart that loves the people like his own children. Thus, when we rise up, we can rally hundreds to our call with a single shout, achieving twice the result with half the effort.”
“Correct. Although the Great Sui is gradually weakening, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. We must take advantage of our position and utilize all available resources. We must never be careless or underestimate our enemies, or we’ll end up like Yang Xuangan.”
Li Shimin bowed: “Your son will remember Father’s teachings.”
Li Yuan nodded slightly: “Is there any news from Jiancheng?”
Li Shimin lowered his eyes: “Yesterday we just received eldest brother’s letter. He has safely arrived in Hedong and is currently proceeding according to plan.”
“Good. Tell Jiancheng to remember to restrain his temper and find ways to recruit people of ministerial and general talent.” After saying a few more things, he indicated for Li Shimin to withdraw.
Ten days passed in a flash. Just as Li Shimin had previously estimated, throughout Honghua Prefecture, calculating one man per household, they had conscripted a total of 39,700-plus people, falling short of fifty thousand by a full ten thousand.
This shortfall placed enormous pressure on Li Yuan, but no matter how much pressure came from above, he steadfastly refused to conscript more people. Meanwhile, the words he had Steward Qi spread earlier had, in just a few days, spread throughout Honghua Prefecture. All the people in the prefecture praised Li Yuan endlessly, making his prestige in Honghua Prefecture reach unparalleled heights.
Seeing that the conscription deadline was approaching, there was still no news from Duan Zhihong. Yunyi was frantic with worry—could Wu Laosan truly not escape this calamity? But… Wu Laosan was already over fifty. This journey would surely be more perilous than fortunate. She really couldn’t bear to watch Wu Laosan march to his death.
Since the court’s conscription began, the originally bustling streets had become deathly quiet. Everyone looked worried and grim, without a trace of smile. Even in the Governor’s mansion, one could always hear suppressed crying. Almost everyone faced the pain of losing relatives.
This day, Yunyi returned home early. As soon as she entered, she saw Wu Laosan busying himself inside and outside the house. Thinking that after tomorrow she might never see this figure again filled her with grief. Yunyi suppressed the sourness in her nose and went over: “Father, what are you busy with so early? Quickly sit down and rest.”
Wu Laosan smiled: “Father isn’t tired. I’ll rest after hanging up all this preserved meat.” As he spoke, he skillfully hung up the prepared meat pieces one by one under the eaves—dozens of pieces including pork, deer meat, roe deer meat, and wild rabbit meat that he had hunted.
Yunyi brought a basin of water for him to wash his hands, saying: “The weather is getting warm, yet Father is making so much preserved meat. Aren’t you afraid it will spoil?”
“The weather is still somewhat cold recently, and this place doesn’t get sun, so it shouldn’t spoil. Tomorrow is the first of the month. When you return on the fifteenth, it should be ready to take down. Whenever you want to eat some, just cut off a piece.” Saying this, he stroked Yunyi’s hair and choked up: “When Father is no longer here, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t go hungry or cold, understand? Also, if you really encounter any trouble, go find Second Young Master. He promised Father he would take good care of you. I believe he’ll keep his word!”
Hearing these words, the tears Yunyi had been holding back for so long finally fell drop by drop. Seeing this, Wu Laosan quickly patted her back: “Girl, don’t cry. Father will be fine. When the war is over, Father will come back. It’ll be fine!”
Yunyi hugged Wu Laosan tightly, sobbing: “I want Father to stay home properly and keep me company—not be conscripted, not join the army, not go anywhere!”
“Silly girl, Father also wants to stay with you, but unfortunately… Father doesn’t have that fortune.” Wu Laosan wiped away the tears in his eyes and forced a smile: “Alright, let’s not talk about this. You came back early and haven’t eaten anything yet. Father will make you some pancakes…” Before Wu Laosan could finish, Yunyi suddenly headed outside. Wu Laosan quickly grabbed her: “Girl, where are you going?”
Yunyi said hoarsely: “I’m going to find Second Young Master. He said he would save Father. How can he break his word!”
“Don’t go!” Wu Laosan said: “I believe Second Young Master has done his best. If you go again, you’ll only put Second Young Master in a difficult position. Forget it.”
Yunyi clenched her teeth tightly. She knew Li Shimin had done his best, but to just watch Wu Laosan march to his death—she truly couldn’t do it!
Just then, someone walked in through the unlatched door. It was Qi Shi, the steward from Jingji Pavilion. He said: “Second Young Master requests that you both come to the county office.”
Yunyi perked up and quickly asked: “Has Second Young Master found that household register?”
Qi Shi lowered his eyes: “I’m not clear about that. Second Young Master only asked that you both come with me immediately.”