Chapter 60: Feud
The people of Wu have never been afraid of war, especially the war with the barbarians of Chu!
Because of the ancient feud between Wu and Chu, the two countries had been at war for more than sixty years since King Shoumeng of Wu. Countless people died at the hands of the Chu army.
Therefore, when the people of Wu heard that they were going to fight against the Chu barbarians, they became extremely excited!
Especially when they heard that the Chu army had arrived at Zhenzi and reached their doorstep, all the Wu people were even more excited.
Under this unprecedentedly high morale for war, King Qingji of Wu had already issued conscription orders across the country.
Therefore, the people of Wu State, young and strong men in every household prepared long spears, sharp swords, armor, bows and arrows and other weapons and equipment, as well as pickled bacon, and rushed to the local government office to report!
It is worth mentioning that in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, soldiers had no benefits in going to war, the class system was clear, and it was difficult for soldiers to stand out easily.
When the Qin State established the military merit system, soldiers could be rewarded by bravely killing the enemy and gaining military merit!
It was not until the Han Dynasty that the system of paying salaries gradually began to take shape. Therefore, before the Han Dynasty, military service was implemented by conscripts who cultivated the land.
What is conscription for farmers?
When the country is at peace and there is no war, the warriors farm and chop firewood at home, and most of the money they earn is used to pay taxes.
Once a war breaks out, the country will quickly issue a conscription order, and these able-bodied men at home will be assigned to join the army on a per capita basis!
According to the Wu State's military service system, whenever a war broke out, the king would issue a conscription order and every household had to send one male to join the army.
It depends on the situation. If a family has only one male, he does not have to join the army to fight!
This is more humane.
However, in this era, not only were conscripts not paid, but they also had to bring their own weapons, armor, and even dry food to the battlefield.
Ordinary people rarely have spears, swords or halberds, so they all go directly to the battlefield with farm tools!
Of course, serving as a soldier and fighting in the Wu State is not without benefits.
If at least one person in the family serves in the military, he or she can be exempted from corvée and taxes for the entire year, and can go home to help with farming in his or her spare time. This way, the whole burden of life will seem a lot lighter !
Meili, the government office.
A wooden sign with the words "Recruiting Office" inscribed on it has been placed at the gate. The military officers in charge of recruiting soldiers sit there, recording the names of the able-bodied men who come to report.
All around, there were many soldiers in armor, maintaining order.
At the gate of the government office, the new recruits had lined up in a long, orderly queue, waiting to be inspected by military officers.
Although they are called new recruits, they actually include quite a few brave soldiers who have survived hundreds of battles!
After all, the State of Wu had been at war for years and was aggressive, and its wars were more frequent than those of the three hegemonic powers of Qi, Chu, and Jin.
How could a country like Wu not have many brave warriors who had experienced the trials of blood and fire?
These new recruits who were queuing up in an orderly manner were all wearing old crimson battle uniforms and simple armor. Some of them didn't even have armor, only the robes and weapons passed down from their ancestors!
Some of the swords, halberds, spears and other weapons in their hands have already been used for many years and passed down through generations!
However, the simplicity of weapons and equipment did not affect the soldiers' high morale to kill the enemy and serve their country!
Their faces were filled with determined looks.
“You can’t enlist.”
"Why? I just want to fight in the battlefield, serve the king, and serve the Great Wu. Why don't you let me join the army?"
When a soldier at the front of the line saw that the officer in charge of the inspection did not allow him to join the army, he became furious and shouted with his beard puffed and eyes glared.
In this regard, the military officer could only helplessly explain: "The king has issued a clear order that only young and strong men aged 17 to 40 can join the army. You are over 50 years old, so..."
"Do you look down on someone?"
The soldier said angrily: "When I was fighting in the battlefield, you didn't even know where I was!"
As he spoke, he held up the bronze sword in his hand and said proudly: "This sword of mine has killed ten enemies, seven of whom were Chu barbarians! Now that the Chu people are attacking Wu, the country is in crisis, how can I stay out of it?"
Hearing this, the military officer looked at the empty sleeve of the soldier's left arm and could not help but remain silent.
Although his arm was broken, his ambition and unyielding fighting spirit remained!
The soldier grabbed his sleeve and said with gritted teeth: "This arm of mine was chopped off by the Chu barbarians in the battle of Jifu that year."
"Doctor, I beg you to let me join the army and fight for the country!"
The soldier had a look of grief on his face and begged desperately: "My grandfather, father, uncle, son, nephew, great-nephew, and a family of thirteen males were all killed by the Chu people."
"Every Chu barbarian who dares to put on armor and go into battle should be killed, to comfort their souls in heaven!"
Hearing these words, everyone present, including the military officers, could not help but be moved.
The states of Wu and Chu attacked each other for more than sixty years, with wars of varying sizes continuing. Although Wu had the upper hand from beginning to end, the price it paid was still high!
This soldier is a microcosm of many Wu families.
Because their ancestors had been fighting with the Chu people for generations, and they suffered heavy casualties!
The father died in battle, the son took his place, the father died in battle again, the next generation took his place, and this cycle continued, with endless descendants...
Tragic!
Terrible!
This made many people present feel the same way.
However, the officer in charge of the inspection could only sigh with pity and said, "My dear father, the king's order is hard to disobey. Please go back!"
Then, two tall armored soldiers asked the soldier to go away.
"Next!"
At this time, a thin young man walked forward.
"Where is the talisman?"
Hearing the military officer's question, the young man hurriedly handed over a bamboo tablet from his bag.
This bamboo plate is a talisman, which is an ancient version of an ID card. It is said to have been first invented by Jiang Ziya!
The talisman records the person's name (usually just his given name, as ordinary people don't even have the most basic surname), place of origin and age. It is very simple.
"Cai Jiao, from Huaian Township, Meili, was born on the tenth day of King Du (Wu Wang Yimei's posthumous title)... Hmm?"
The officer was stunned for a moment, took the bamboo token and took a closer look, and immediately became very dissatisfied, saying, "Why is your talisman damaged?"
"It was damaged accidentally. My child damaged it with a sword during the spring ploughing this year. There are a few scratches on the talisman..."
The boy named Cai Jiao answered anxiously.
It was true that there were a few more scratches on the bamboo plaque. With the eyesight of a military officer, he could tell that they were sword marks. The marks were not deep, but they covered up a number just right...
At this point, the military officer had no idea that the boy in front of him was only in his teens!
Judging from his appearance, the boy is no more than seventeen or eighteen years old, maybe a little younger.
But some people look old, and it is impossible to tell their real age without the help of a talisman!
"You are seventeen?"
"Yes. Doctor, I just turned seventeen this year!"
Hearing this, the military officer could only turn a blind eye, write down Cai Jiao's name on the bamboo slips, and hand him a new bamboo plaque.
"Thank you, doctor."
When Cai Jiao saw that he had been registered, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
