Chapter 30: Entering the Military Camp
Filling out the conscription notice was quick. He Yan's handwriting was decent, and the red-faced officer looked at it approvingly. "You're literate?"
"I've studied a little," He Yan replied modestly.
Most recruits were burly men who relied on brute strength, so literate individuals were rare. The red-faced man's expression softened slightly. "Go to the tent in the back for the examination. Once you pass, you'll receive a document to sign, and then you'll be registered in the military records."
He Yan thanked him and headed to the rear tent.
This tent was closer to the horse grounds and larger than the others. He Yan lifted the flap and stepped inside, where one man stood while another sat. A chubby, bare-chested man was pulling on his shoes while seated on a stool, grinning at the standing man. "So, how about it? Still sturdy, right?"
He Yan pretended not to notice and walked straight in. The chubby man, however, was startled at the sight of her. "Someone this frail can enlist?"
The examining physician urged him impatiently, "Hurry up and put your shoes on. I need to check the next recruit."
The chubby man left, glancing back at He Yan repeatedly with a puzzled expression.
"Come here," the physician said. "Take off your clothes and stand over there."
He Yan: "..."
Enlistment required a physical examination to check for disabilities or contagious diseases. In her past life, when she had joined the Pacify Yue Army, she had nearly been exposed. This time, she was prepared. She discreetly pulled a silver coin from her sleeve, grasped the physician's hand, and pressed the coin into his palm.
The physician was taken aback, frowning at her. "This—"
"Physician, to be honest, I have a... private condition," He Yan lowered her head, feigning embarrassment. "Because of it, I’ve been scorned and bullied. I couldn’t stay at home any longer, so I came to enlist. I truly don’t want my flaw to be seen. I beg for your discretion. Even if I die on the battlefield, I’ll remember your kindness. In my next life, I’ll repay you as your ox or horse."
The physician had expected to hear about some illness, but not a "private condition." This was the first time he had encountered such a case. He stared blankly for a moment before looking at He Yan with sympathy. So young and fair-faced, yet... defective? What a pity. No wonder he had come to enlist—he probably couldn’t succeed in anything else.
He weighed the silver in his hand—it was substantial. And He Yan looked perfectly healthy. The physician sighed. "Fine, I won’t force the issue. You may go. Just be careful when living with others—don’t let anyone find out. If you’re exposed, don’t blame me."
"Thank you, Physician." He Yan clasped her hands in tearful gratitude.
Having passed so smoothly, He Yan breathed a sigh of relief. When she stepped out of the tent, she spotted the chubby man sitting on a rock by the horse field, stuffing a flatbread into his mouth. He waved at her in greeting.
After a moment’s thought, He Yan walked over.
"Little brother, I saw you inside earlier," the chubby man said between bites, sesame seeds clinging to the corners of his mouth. "Here to enlist?"
He Yan nodded. Seeing the remaining flatbread in his hand, her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten since the afternoon, and after all the chasing and fleeing, she was starving."Are you hungry?" The chubby man noticed her staring intently at what he was holding and extended his hand. "Here, take it! I've already eaten five—I'm full!"
Indeed starving, He Yan didn’t refuse. She took it with a word of thanks and began eating hungrily.
"You’re so scrawny, yet you’re enlisting? Did your family really let you come?" the man muttered. "You don’t even look as tough as my ten-year-old brother."
He Yan swallowed a bite of the flatbread and answered between mouthfuls, "Mmm, I might look weak, but I’m actually strong. I’m sixteen."
"Why enlist?" the man asked. "You don’t seem like the rough type."
"Fell on hard times, no way out," He Yan replied succinctly.
The man’s expression softened with understanding. "Life’s unpredictable, kid. Don’t dwell on it. Stick with me from now on—I’ll look after you."
"Thanks, big brother," He Yan replied smoothly.
The title pleased him. Grinning, he said, "My surname’s Hong—Hong Shan. You can call me Brother Shan. What’s yours?"
"He, He Yan. The ‘He’ as in firewood."
"He? That’s rare. I’ll call you A-He from now on."
"Sure!" He Yan nodded, finishing the flatbread in no time. Wiping her mouth, she found an old stable and leaned against the railing to sit. Hong Shan watched curiously. "Kid, you’re not going home?"
"Not going back," she said, resting her hands behind her head. "I’ll stay here."
Sympathy deepened in Hong Shan’s eyes. He sat beside her. "I’ve got nowhere to go either. Let’s rough it here tonight and set off together tomorrow."
"Perfect."
In the distance, torches flickered weakly outside the tents, threatening to die in the drizzle. The two sat silently in the dark, lost in their thoughts.
I wonder how He Yun Sheng is doing—did he make it home safely? He Yan mused before drifting into sleep.
...
Countless events unfolded daily in the capital, but only those tied to the wealthy drew attention.
The night before, a murder had occurred on the Spring River. The young master of the Fan family was killed aboard a boat, and the culprit remained at large. Also aboard was the daughter of the city gate captain, who drowned in the river—her body yet to be found.
With such a brutal killer loose, fear spread through the city. Yet some commoners cheered. The Fan heir had long abused his status to exploit young women, who suffered in silence. Now, justice had been served—perhaps heaven had intervened.
The He household was draped in gloom.
He Sui seemed to have aged a decade overnight, sitting motionless in the hall like a statue. Qingmei and Shuangqing hid in the courtyard, the latter grim-faced while Qingmei wiped away tears. "How could this happen so suddenly...?" she whispered.
In the humble stable, He Yun Sheng sat beside Xiangxiang.
The hay remained untouched from the day before, and the restless horse paced irritably, but He Yun Sheng paid no mind.No news is good news—at least for now, He Yan hasn't been caught yet. He recalled that night on the ship, where the rain had masked the scent of blood. Bewildered and helpless, the young girl in a long dress with clear, bright eyes had patted his head and said, "You know, I always turn out fine."
This time would be no different. It had to be.
Wishing everyone good health this Dragon Boat Festival!
(End of chapter)
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