Although Yang Da Niu and the people of Xiao Yang Village had only been in Le Ling for a short half-day, it felt as though they had lived a lifetime.
Guided by the soldiers, the villagers of Xiao Yang Village found suitable work. Those skilled in carpentry or masonry joined in the construction of the schoolhouse. If, like Yang Da Niu, they possessed no particular craft but had strength, they were assigned to road repair.
Yang Da Niu, however, did not want to repair roads with the others, nor did he wish to help build the schoolhouse.
He vividly remembered the words spoken by the soldier during his bath.
"Our leader says we cut our hair short so that our elders and kin behind us can grow theirs as long as they please. We wield blades to cut down enemies, so that our elders and kin are not cut down."
Yang Da Niu couldn't quite articulate the complex emotions that washed over him upon hearing these words. Yet, he knew with absolute certainty that after hearing them, his sole desire was to pick up a blade and fight the Manchus, just like these short-haired soldiers.
Yang Da Niu wanted to protect his current life.
Unfortunately, Yang Da Niu's wish to fight alongside these soldiers was not something they could fulfill.
"It is not yet time for recruitment. Even if you wish to join the army, we cannot accept you."
"If you truly want to become a soldier, wait until recruitment begins in Liangmeng Gu and register with the Farmers' Association in your area."
Yang Da Niu found this peculiar.
He had only ever heard of strong young men being forced into military service or labor. He had never encountered a situation where young men were eager to enlist, only to be refused.
Despite being rejected, Yang Da Niu felt a deep sense of unwillingness to give up.
After a moment's thought, Yang Da Niu addressed the soldier directly, "I am strong, brave, and can endure great hardship. I do not fear death, and I know a few farming skills. Sir Soldier, could you perhaps put in a good word for me with the captain to accept me?"
Without waiting for the soldier's reply, Yang Da Niu performed two somersaults in the open space. He then spoke, his breathing unfaltering, "Sir, as you can see, I wasn't lying. I have indeed practiced some farming skills. If the captain accepts me, I will surely kill many Manchus."
However, the soldier continued to shake his head. "Why are you so stubborn? I already told you, whether you are accepted or not is not up to me. If you truly wish to become a soldier, you can only wait for the autumn recruitment."
The more he was rejected, the more Yang Da Niu's spirit surged.
Seeing that Yang Da Niu was about to say more, the soldier raised his hand and refused him, "These are the rules of our Liangmeng Gu, and no one can break them. However, after you are settled, you can first train with the local militia. This will increase your chances when the autumn recruitment begins."
Yang Da Niu's usually slow mind suddenly seemed to awaken, keenly grasping the important point in the soldier's words.
"Increase my chances? Does that mean there are many who wish to join the army, and I will have to compete?"
Of course, there were many who wished to join the army.
The imperial troops under the rule of the Great Qing were looked down upon as mere "hill soldiers," and anyone could scorn them. However, the soldiers of Liangmeng Gu were considered fine men who protected their homes and country. Not only was the treatment in the barracks good, but they also received preferential treatment when dealing with government affairs. Coupled with the promotion through various theatrical performances, it was natural for many to desire military service.
The soldier, weary of being pestered, wished to end the conversation and changed the subject. "Right, it will be lunchtime soon. After lunch, we will be departing."
Seeing that the "soldier" had said so, Yang Da Niu could only reluctantly abandon his persistence and prepare to obediently follow the villagers of Xiao Yang Village who lacked any special skills to repair the roads.
Before departing, Yang Da Niu and the villagers of Xiao Yang Village ate their first full meal in Shandong Prefecture at this unnamed military camp.
Steamed sweet potatoes, boiled potatoes, tenderly stewed potatoes, cabbage stewed with pork slices, cornmeal steamed buns, and unlimited soup.
The food was not particularly exquisite. If one were to point out a positive aspect, it would be that the soup contained a few large bones, and a film of oil floated on its surface.
However, Yang Da Niu and the villagers of Xiao Yang Village were surprised to find that the food provided to the soldiers of Liangmeng Gu was essentially the same as what they were eating. The only difference was that the soldiers' dining tables did not feature the pork slice and cabbage stew.
Yang Da Niu heard from some soldiers that this kind of meal was unheard of in the Liangmeng Gu army before. While they couldn't say they had white flour buns every meal, the white flour mixed into their steamed buns was much more substantial than what they had now. Every meal used to include a meat dish and a semi-meat, semi-vegetable dish, making it far better than what ordinary villagers ate.
However, with the increasing number of refugees fleeing from Zhili to Shandong, food was scarce throughout Shandong, forcing them to eat like this.
Just as Yang Da Niu felt a sense of unease, the soldier patted his shoulder and said, "Our leader says our Liangmeng Gu army comes from the people. We can go hungry and thirsty, but we must ensure that our elders and kin do not suffer from hunger."
"You don't need to feel bad about this. If you were the soldiers and we were the refugees, I'm sure you would do the same as us."
Would they?
Yang Da Niu asked himself this question countless times in his heart, and each time, the answer was the same.
No.
If being a soldier meant enduring hardship and hunger oneself while giving the best to the common people, then who would be willing to serve?
At the very least, Yang Da Niu felt he was not that great.
Yang Da Niu couldn't comprehend it until he and the villagers of Xiao Yang Village, who were assigned to road repair, left the camp with the soldiers and set out for their destination. It was then that Yang Da Niu finally understood the matter.
Along the way, they passed many villages. However, Yang Da Niu did not see a single villager who feared these "soldiers." Instead, people often smiled and greeted the "soldiers."
Even the children in the villages were the same. Some daring children even ran up to the "soldiers," hopping and skipping, shouting joyfully.
Yang Da Niu felt as if he was beginning to understand something.
It was a very strange feeling.
If he were to become a soldier and protect such people, would he also be like them?
Thinking this in his heart, Yang Da Niu continued to follow the "soldier" in front of him, walking into a village.
The "soldier" led Yang Da Niu and the others to a courtyard, pushed open the gate, and entered. He then pointed to the villagers of Xiao Yang Village and said to an old farmer in the courtyard, "Village Head Xu, these refugees from Zhili will be settled in our Xiao Xu Village. They will be responsible for repairing the road from Xiao Xu Village to Qian Xiao Hu Village."
The old farmer took a puff of his water pipe and said, "Yes, I have received notice from the county yamen, and the villagers have also been informed. The elders and children will be taken home by our villagers first for accommodation. The rest of the young men will have to make do in temporary shelters for now."
After the soldier nodded, the elder, addressed as Village Head Xu, continued, "How has my little Er been recently? Is he training diligently? Is he brave in battle?"
The soldier nodded with a smile. "Er Lang is training very diligently and is very brave in battle. You can rest assured, elder. Alright, I have brought the villagers of Xiao Yang Village here, and I must be going now."
Village Head Xu hummed in response and then muttered as he puffed on his pipe, "Go, go. It's always like this. They arrive and don't even have a meal before leaving. I've never heard of soldiers like you! And that leader of yours, I think he's a stubborn old fool, setting such ridiculous rules!"
The soldier smiled, did not argue with Village Head Xu, bowed, and turned to leave.
If not for the rules set by the leader, would the common people still regard these "hill soldiers" as their own sons?
After the soldier turned and left, Village Head Xu took a couple more puffs of his water pipe, looked at the bewildered villagers of Xiao Yang Village, and said, "Everyone, now that you've arrived in our Xiao Xu Village, don't consider yourselves outsiders. Treat our Xiao Xu Village as your own home."
"Before you came, the soldier just now should have told you that our school in Xiao Xu Village has already been built. You are here in Xiao Xu Village to be responsible for road repair."
"Our Liangmeng Gu leader intends to repair the road from Le Ling to Huimin. Bridges will also be built over places like Majia River, Goupan River, and Bali Pao. Once the roads are repaired and the bridges are built, if you are willing, you can settle down in our Xiao Xu Village."
The farmers of Xiao Yang Village were somewhat bewildered.
Xiao Xu Village did not seem very large, and the number of villagers appeared to be limited. If the dozens of households from Xiao Yang Village were to be settled here, would the villagers of Xiao Xu Village have any objections?
Would they think that the people from Xiao Yang Village would take away their land?
Would they think that the people from Xiao Yang Village would compete with them for food?
After exchanging glances, Yang Da Niu's father finally stepped forward. He first cupped his hands towards Village Head Xu and then said with a fawning smile, "Elder brother, the land in this village does not seem to be very abundant? If the people from our Xiao Yang Village were to settle here, would there be enough land to distribute?"
Village Head Xu puffed on his water pipe and replied, "What if there isn't enough land to go around? I know that having land makes everyone feel secure. However, our Liangmeng Gu leader said that we will be establishing workshops in Xiao Xu Village, and the workshops will also require a lot of manpower. At that time, the villagers of Xiao Yang Village can directly work in the workshops."
"The leader says that the wages earned in the workshops are no less than what we can earn from farming, and possibly even more."
"Of course, if you absolutely must farm, you can wait for the government to reallocate land for you elsewhere later."
As they were speaking, dozens of men dressed similarly to Village Head Xu, as old farmers, walked into the courtyard. The one leading them laughed and said, "Old Xu, these should be the fellow villagers from Zhili, right?"
Village Head Xu hummed in response, took a couple more puffs of his water pipe, and said, "I've just informed them. Today, the elders and those with children will go to rest with our Xiao Xu Village folks. The remaining young men will have to make do in the temporary shelters for now."
The man nodded, pointed to the men behind him, and said to the somewhat dazed villagers of Xiao Yang Village, "Everyone with elderly parents or children, please step forward. You will go back with them tonight and sleep in their homes."
"Those who do not have elders or children at home, please step forward. You will come with me to the shelters and make do there for the time being."
"Oh, right. There will be a troupe from the county performing tonight, so don't miss it."
ps: Third update! Another day of reaching ten thousand words! Requesting votes!