CHAPTER 452: CHAPTER 452: CONSCRIPTION

After returning to Hua Village for half a month, Yun Niang went into labor.

Perhaps it was related to her constitution and affinity for martial arts; one moment Yun Niang was eating, the next moment her stomach started to ache, and childbirth was merely an hour away. In other words, after taking a bath, before Hua Yunxiang could process the situation, the sounds of a baby’s cries echoed in the room.

The midwife arrived at the Hua household so swiftly she had no time to catch her breath before diving into action, personally delivering the Hua family’s third child.

Li midwife even envied Yun Niang’s physique for how effortless childbirth was for her. Yun Niang was the first who didn’t even utter a sound; the baby was almost visible before the midwife could exert her skills. She only spoke a few words, then handled post-delivery tasks, expressing just how easy it was.

The quick childbirth made Big Ya envious; unlike her, whose entire process lasted several hours.

Yun Niang gave birth to the Hua family’s third grandson—a chubby baby weighing seven pounds and eight ounces.

This weight is rare even among wealthy families, chubby and delightful; finally, he’s not a wrinkled little old man, Hua Jin couldn’t help but think upon seeing the third nephew.

Hua Yunxiang held the son his grandmother had handed him, somewhat in disbelief, his hands and feet completely disobedient, stunned in place, entirely following whatever his grandmother and mother instructed. When he came to his senses, he cared not for his son but delicately placed him in his mother’s arms, focusing solely on his wife; thus manifesting Hua family’s tradition of cherishing wives, oblivious to the cleanliness of the delivery room, not evading it at all, for the Hua family harbors no such taboo.

In Hua’s old woman’s words: women risk their lives to give birth, how could there be any talk of uncleanness? Purely nonsensical.

If a man can’t care for a wife who bears his children, how can his days pass well? If the home is unsettled, how can one earn steadily and keep a family?

To the Hua family, men feeling compassion for their wives is joyfully embraced by both Hua’s old woman and Qi.

"Even if the dream of having granddaughters or great-granddaughters is shattered once more."

"Upon looking at the chubby third treasure, one can only hope their mother will bring girls next time."

"Unlike Big Ya, Yun Niang didn’t fall asleep immediately after childbirth. Though tired, she felt quite energized, consuming a bowl of sugar-water eggs while under her husband’s care, had it not been for Qi and Hua’s old woman stopping her, she would’ve gone up and about.

This smooth delivery did not deter Yun Niang, and while being cared for by her husband, she cheekily told him, ’Childbirth is not as frightening as imagined; I’ll surely bear more chubby babies for you in future,’ amusing Hua Yunxiang with uncontrollable laughter, loving his wife who couldn’t conceal any thoughts.

The news of the village chief’s household welcoming yet another grandson swiftly spread through the village, stirring another wave of envy.

However, since everyone was extremely busy, it wasn’t as fervent as when the village chief’s twins were born. At this moment, everyone was busy sowing divided lands with seeds, whether outside or inside the walls, even if family men were absent, women tried to till and seed them.

By the time everything from the mountains was brought back, it was already a month later. With persistent manpower joining in, the sowing speed was much faster; even all the vacant plantable lands in the village, allocated by the village chief, were sowed with grains and vegetables—the tangible things being everyone’s reassurance despite uncertainty.

Hua Chengtian missed the full month celebration of Dabaos and Erbao, and the birth of Sanbao, but managed to catch Sanbao’s full month event, celebrating with his three kids upon returning to his long-separated home, overjoyed and drinking excessively.

Meanwhile, three months after recuperating, Shanggu Town’s scattered populace gradually calmed, and life began returning to normal.

Similarly in New Moon City, under the leadership of the Lord County Magistrate, surviving citizens found a leader, and repair work inside and outside the city commenced, with farming being the top priority.

Nevertheless, the shadow of extreme cold and heat clings to everyone like a leech over the bones, its damage irreparable.

So that after disaster, everyone kept to previous habits as much as possible, storing grains and water, seeking warm items, unsure of what disaster might strike next.

Normally, in this season, it’s supposed to be deep winter nearing the Lunar New Year, yet it’s summer weather with single clothing as if it were scorching summer.

Meanwhile, two hundred miles outside Lingyun City, a remnant army lay in a ravine, lacking food and medicine. Despite losing patience, they had to wait; ruthless determination alone wouldn’t accomplish great deeds. Awaiting reinforcements, ready to march south, with Lingyun State their first stop waiting.

Within Lingyun State, scouts relayed hard-earned intelligence to the Lord Governor and stationed military leader, General Zhao.

Despite the North Warehouse Tartarians’ numbers, no matter how they hid and disguised, traces emerged, escaping the vigilant eyes of scouts.

Upon receiving news from scouts that enemy forces camped two hundred miles away, neither the Lord Governor nor the military leader responsible for Lingyun City’s safety felt relieved, preparing for upcoming battle, reinforcing city walls, gathering provisions, weapons, and various auxiliary devices being highly prioritized.

Simultaneously, in a brief time, a batch of new soldiers had to be conscripted, trained as much as possible.

Because stationed troops barely exceeded five thousand, along with General Sun’s five thousand from Yun City, numbering scarcely over ten thousand—standing against the numerous and ferocious North Warehouse army left no chance.

Conscription was urgent and inevitable.

Thus, surviving citizens of both the city and those escaping from Wing City and Yun City to Lingyun were conscription targets.

So, the Lord Governor, although reluctant, insisted anyone below fifty above eighteen with three household males should send one, otherwise the whole male family would join the army.

Solitary, once discovered, would also be enlisted.

However, due to unpredictability in ensuing battle against North Warehouse enemy forces, while compulsory conscription occurred, the Lord Governor chose to proactively use treasury silver, distributing to each household ten ounces of silver.

The Lord Governor personally went among citizens, reasoning, emotively appealing to them—the message was of no retreat, with all of Ancient Flame devoid of a safe haven, until the enemy was expelled, there’d be no escape.

Caring for family, even future descendants, the only retreat was fighting.

Even so, it took immense effort to gather ten thousand new soldiers, among whom thousands had only one household member, enforced entry.

Regarding distribution compensation to citizens, the outcome known to the court was no longer the Lord Governor’s concern.

Now post-disaster, states and areas hoarded troops and employed natives; core channels long grasped by rebel leaders made communication with the court almost impossible.

Contemplating reinforcements was futile, besides sending people to neighboring Linzhou and Cangzhou cities hoping for allied forces against the enemy, other options really weren’t feasible.