"What is it?" Emperor Cheng asked curiously.
Xiao Jinheng recounted the incident of Yun Erman being captured by soldiers to Emperor Cheng. He added, "Your Majesty, people are forcibly conscripting strong men outside, disregarding the law and harming the nation. I request Your Majesty to immediately send people to the Northern Frontier to rescue those conscripts..."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng's expression gradually turned grim.
The war in the Northern Frontier was critical, and the troop strength was depleted. If all the conscripts were released at this juncture, it would undoubtedly be detrimental to the war effort...
How could the conscripts be made to willingly remain in the barracks without shaking the morale of the troops?
Although Emperor Cheng found the act of forcibly conscripting men shameful, given the current situation, he dared not make a hasty decision.
If even one person left the barracks, other soldiers would follow, returning home to their wives and children...
"What are your thoughts on this matter?" Emperor Cheng asked Xiao Jinheng.
Xiao Jinheng opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for ideas.
As the Crown Prince, he was naturally expected to care for the nation and its people, and to solve problems for his father. However, this matter was indeed very tricky.
Xiao Xitian seemed to sense Emperor Cheng's concerns and said with a smile, "Uncle Huang, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"
"Yun girl, speak quickly..." Emperor Cheng's eyes lit up, and his expression cleared considerably.
"Uncle Huang, although those conscripts are innocent, they are after all serving the court, so they should be given their due military pay and treatment. I heard that the court has explicit regulations for conscription; if a recruit completes their term of service, they should be allocated a few mu of farmland for sustenance. If these requirements can be met, I believe those conscripts will be willing to fight for the country!"
Xiao Xitian held her warm teacup and continued, "Of course, if they are unwilling, they can leave the barracks at any time. The court should provide them with travel expenses and funds for their journey home. This way, no one will be dissatisfied..."
Emperor Cheng exchanged a look with Xiao Jinheng. Yun girl's method was indeed reliable.
In this way, the soldiers would see the court's sincerity and their morale would not be shaken.
As for the one-eyed man who forcibly conscripted people, Emperor Cheng certainly would not let him off...
"Good, this is a good plan, haha!" Emperor Cheng burst into laughter.
It seemed the girl his son fancied was truly outstanding. No wonder his son was so infatuated with Yun girl, looking like he had lost his soul without seeing her for a day.
Xiao Jinheng also looked at Xiao Xitian with pride, feeling honored by association...
"Your Majesty, let Commander Kong handle this matter. I trust his work!" Xiao Jinheng requested.
Emperor Cheng hummed and nodded, "Alright, have him depart immediately and reach the Northern Frontier as soon as possible. If Erman is willing to return to the village, I will not force him. But if he voluntarily stays in the barracks, then he can only fend for himself!"
Although he said this, given the relationship between the old Yun family and Xiao Jinheng, how could Emperor Cheng let Yun Erman go to his death in vain?
No matter what method was used, he had to be kept alive...
"Thank you, Uncle Huang!" Xiao Xitian said with a smile.
Emperor Cheng was in a great mood and instructed Xiao Jinheng, "It's not easy for Yun girl to come to the palace. You should spend time with her these few days, but you can't wander around. Stay honestly in the Eastern Palace, do you hear me?"
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
He felt speechless. What was the point of being confined to the Eastern Palace every day? He was almost suffocating.
"Uncle Huang, I'm leaving tomorrow morning!" Xiao Xitian put down her cup and walked up to Emperor Cheng, lifting her small head. "Father and Mother are still waiting at home. They will worry if I'm out for so long!"
Emperor Cheng was slightly taken aback. "I didn't expect you, girl, to be so devoted to your family. Alright, I will send people to escort you back to the village tomorrow!"
"Father, Father!" Xiao Jinheng's expression stiffened, and he asked in a low voice, "Can your son return to Dashui Village with her?"
"No, not at least for now!" Emperor Cheng refused without thinking.
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
What was the point of keeping him confined to the Eastern Palace every day?
Xiao Xitian couldn't help but laugh and comforted Xiao Jinheng, "Uncle Huang is reluctant to part with you. After all, you've been away from home for so long, and the Empress misses you dearly. You've only just returned and you want to slip away before you've even settled in. Uncle Huang and the others naturally won't agree!"
Xiao Jinheng felt even more dejected upon hearing this...
Why did even the little village girl say this?
As they walked out of the imperial study, Xiao Xitian suddenly remembered something. "You scoundrel, that token you gave me was snatched by that one-eyed man!"
"What?" Xiao Jinheng's mouth twitched violently.
You wretched girl, do you really not care about the things I give you?
But seeing the worried expression on the little village girl's face, Xiao Jinheng sighed, "It's alright, Kong Xingzhu will find it back..."
That evening, Xiao Xitian and Du Tieshan packed their belongings, ready to set off the next morning.
Dashui Village, the old Yun family.
After coaxing Xiaozhuzi to sleep, Zhao Guihua went to the kitchen to knead dough, with Jin Huaihua helping her.
Jin Xiaolou walked in with a pile of dry firewood and placed it by the stove. He then picked up a stove shovel, raked out the burnt ashes, and put them into a basket...
"Xiaolou, you should go to bed!" Zhao Guihua said with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, I'm not tired!" Jin Xiaolou grinned heartily, wiping the sweat from his face.
Uncle Yun's sons were all away, so he was the man of the house now. What was this little bit of work?
Besides, Xitian sister wasn't here, and he couldn't go out to deliver milk. He couldn't just eat and drink for free every day...
After dinner, Old Man Yun sat on the edge of the kang, smoking his water pipe, his face etched with worry.
"Old woman, why haven't Lao Er and the others returned yet?" Old Man Yun asked.
Gu Shi, who was sewing a quilt, looked up at Old Man Yun and sighed, "Perhaps they are returning soon. It's snowing heavily outside now, they might be delayed on the road..."
"That can't be!" Old Man Yun frowned slightly and put down his pipe. "I heard it's only snowing in this area of Dashui Village; other places don't even have a single snowflake. What could be delaying them?"
He was afraid the carriage might break down, or the white horse might get sick, and his daughter might catch a chill, which would not be worth it.
Gu Shi spread out the quilt, threaded her needle, and did not reply.
Old Man Yun continued, "And Lao Da and Lao San, they've been gone for so long without even sending a letter back. The world outside is so chaotic, I hope they don't encounter bandits or soldiers!"
Gu Shi: "..."
Can't you wish them well?
You keep mentioning bandits and soldiers all day, turning non-existent things into realities.
"Come, help me stretch this quilt!" Gu Shi said.
Just as Old Man Yun was about to help, the gate of the Yun family was suddenly knocked upon...