The Princess Is On Top (GL) - Chapter 5

“Move aside, move aside! The imperial proclamation is being posted.”

A squad of officers pushed through the crowd and pasted a sheet of bright imperial yellow onto the notice board.

“All of you, quiet down!” the leader shouted impatiently. “His Majesty has decreed that when it comes to the state and the nation, all subjects and citizens must contribute. Every common man bears responsibility. From this day onward, soldiers shall be widely conscripted. One able-bodied male from each household, from age fifty down to fourteen. Those with men shall provide men; those without men shall provide silver to supplement military funds. Those with neither men nor silver shall provide grain!”

The moment his words fell, the people cried out in suffering. At the same time, in counties and towns large and small throughout the Wu Dynasty, the same scene was playing out.

Inside the Han County yamen, Zhang He was utterly overwhelmed by the matter of the imperial proclamation.

“Father, I just saw the imperial proclamation on the street. Is this really true?”

Zhang Qiao strode in from outside the residence in high spirits, taking three steps as two.

“Young Master, the county magistrate is worrying over this very matter. Do you have some business?” Li Fan looked at this young master barging into the study without the slightest etiquette and frowned almost imperceptibly. He was Zhang He’s adviser.

“Shouting and yelling like that—what kind of behavior is this!” Zhang He was already vexed, and now his headache of a son had come rushing in without reading the room, making him even more annoyed.

“So this really is true? Hahahaha, this is heaven helping me!” Zhang Qiao said to himself.

“Stop spouting nonsense. This matter is not something you can mess around with. If it’s handled poorly, it won’t just be your father’s official hat that’s lost! This is a matter of life and death! Every county and every commandery has a headcount quota. If the quota isn’t met, heads will roll.”

“Father, this is a good thing. Think about it… For so many years, those village gentry and local notables in the county have never really gotten along with us. Now, isn’t this the perfect time for you to establish your authority?”

Zhang Qiao’s words did catch Li Fan’s ear. After thinking it over for a moment or two, he said,

“My lord, what Young Master says this time is not without reason. If we plan it carefully, it may indeed be possible…”

…

Outside, the world was in chaos, with war raging everywhere. Xiao Le, however, still stayed in her little tavern, doing the work she was supposed to do. Spring passed and autumn came. In the blink of an eye, it had already been a year since she arrived in this place, and business had grown colder by the day. Old Wu sighed every day as well. That made sense. Born into chaotic times, with the people living in misery, who still had the heart to come drink wine?

“Grandpa, stop sighing. There will always be a way.”

“Yo, look at this broken-down place. Why isn’t there a single person here…”

Zhang Qiao swaggered in from the street with a squad of officers. Seeing this formation, Old Wu instinctively shielded Wu Huan behind him.

When Zhang Qiao saw Old Wu’s movement, he gave a disdainful sneer. “What are you afraid of? Is this young master going to eat you or something? I came today because I have important business.”

Though Xiao Le was utterly disgusted by this person’s face and manner, she still had no choice but to serve him tea. “Young Master Zhang, may I ask what brings you to our humble shop?”

Zhang Qiao glanced at her. “His Majesty has issued an edict. Every household in Han County must provide a man. Your family is no exception!”

“The Wu family has only this old man and my only granddaughter left. Young Master Zhang…”

“No one? If there’s no one, then pay money. Ten taels of silver buys one man!” Zhang Qiao said impatiently.

“Ten taels of silver?!” Old Wu sucked in a cold breath. “How could commoners like us possibly take out ten taels of silver? You are clearly making things difficult for us on purpose!”

Zhang Qiao gave a cold snort. “Hmph. Why would this young master make things difficult for you? This young master only needs people to hand over for the quota. If there really is no other way, these old arms and legs of yours can be dragged off to make up the number!” Suddenly, Zhang Qiao changed tack, his eyes locking straight on Wu Huan behind Old Wu. “If you truly have nothing, well, this young master just happens to lack a concubine to warm his bed…”

“I’ll go.”

Xiao Le stood directly in front of Zhang Qiao, blocking his line of sight.

“There aren’t many households left in Han County that can still provide men. If the county magistrate cannot gather enough people, I’m afraid it will be difficult for him to answer for it. The Wu family’s granddaughter has shown me kindness as heavy as a mountain. I ask Young Master not to make things difficult for them. Would it be acceptable if I go in their place?”

Zhang Qiao had originally been somewhat annoyed at having his words interrupted, but Xiao Le’s words woke him up. If they failed to meet the quota, the ones who would suffer would be his family. This was not the time to act recklessly. “Since you have such sincerity, this young master will give you a chance. On the fifth day of next month, at the chen hour, gather at the eastern city gate. If you dare run… then so long as you aren’t afraid of dragging your friends and relatives down with you, go ahead and run. Let’s go!”

Once all the officers had left, the shop returned to calm.

Xiao Le wanted to turn around and look at the grandfather and granddaughter, but a figure threw itself at her. She caught the person steadily.

“Xiao Le, are you stupid? If you go, you’ll die!”

Wu Huan’s eyes were red, and she looked as if she was trying her hardest to hold back her emotions.

Old Wu also looked unable to bear it. A boy they had picked up from the street could actually go this far for them. He truly felt ashamed.

“How does that mean I’ll die? Maybe I’ll fight my way back as a great general. Isn’t that how the operas all sing it?” Xiao Le smiled indifferently. She truly had no real concept of what it meant to go to the battlefield. The ignorant are fearless.

“You’re still smiling. You really don’t know how to write the word fear!” Wu Huan was somewhat angry.

“Things have already reached this point. What use is fear? Besides, if you and Grandpa hadn’t taken me in, I would have starved to death on the streets long ago. Or could it be that you actually want to become that Zhang Qiao’s bed-warming maid?” Xiao Le deliberately tried to ease the atmosphere, and sure enough, it provoked Wu Huan into laughing and scolding her.

Xiao Le did not understand the situation of the realm. It seemed she had to properly learn about it.

The battlefield… what would that be like?

On the fifth day, Xiao Le arrived at the eastern gate early to wait. She did not want to wait for the Wu grandfather and granddaughter to say goodbye to her. That would only add to the sorrow.

The conscripts gathered one after another. There were all kinds among them—tall, short, fat, thin—but less than half were young and strong. After all, the court’s years of exhausting the people for war had already left it with no able-bodied men to conscript.

“Ai, it really is you!” Xiao Le was patted on the shoulder. When she saw clearly that the person patting her was Liu Yu, she frowned.

“Du Fei, come here! Look, isn’t this the waiter from Old Wu’s place?” Liu Yu called out loudly to Du Fei not far away, drawing everyone’s eyes over to them.

Xiao Le felt a little uncomfortable. She forcefully smacked away the hand on her shoulder. Was there any need to make such a fuss? They were not even close!

“Yo, it really is. Little brother, why are you here?” Du Fei came closer and was also somewhat surprised. Without treating her like an outsider at all, he patted Xiao Le’s shoulder.

“What does it have to do with you? Aren’t you here too?” Xiao Le smacked the hand off her shoulder again and replied bluntly.

“What are you making noise for? All of you, stand properly. We’re starting the headcount.” Du Fei still wanted to say something, but the leading officer interrupted him, so he could only give up resentfully.

“We’ll talk later.”

Hah. Who wants to talk to you? Xiao Le thought. The moment she remembered that Du Fei had those kinds of thoughts toward Xiaohuan, even though he had never offended her, Xiao Le still felt displeased. It was like the feeling of someone coveting her own little sister.

The military camp closest to Han County was in Youzhou. Several dozen nearby counties, including Han County, were all supplying new soldiers to Youzhou’s main camp. Because Han County lay deep inside Great Wu’s heartland, far from where the flames of war had spread, walking there on foot would take roughly a month or so.

Xiao Le’s group had around a hundred people, but less than half were young and strong. After all, the constant wars over the years had already left the court with no more men to conscript.

Xiao Le felt like she was about to die of annoyance. Along the way, for some reason she did not understand, Liu Yu seemed very interested in her.

“I remember you were taken in by Old Wu. You aren’t from Han County, so the conscription shouldn’t have fallen on you. Why would you appear here?”

“You came in place of the Wu grandfather and granddaughter, didn’t you?” Du Fei looked at her with a smile that was not quite a smile. “I couldn’t tell you were so loyal and righteous.”

“So what if I did? As for you two, you’re both rich young masters. Why are you here?” Xiao Le admitted it without caring much. Only then did she remember that although Liu Yu and Du Fei were good-for-nothing ruffians, their families were local gentry and merchants. Even with the imperial proclamation conscripting men, their families should have been able to settle it with money.

At the mention of this, both Du Fei and Liu Yu looked indignant. “That bastard Zhang Qiao opposing us on ordinary days was one thing, but now he even incited his father to deal with our two families, killing the chickens to warn the monkeys and using us to establish authority,” Liu Yu said resentfully.

Xiao Le understood. Feeling that saying nothing at all would not be very appropriate, she made a token attempt at comfort. “In chaotic times like these, some things can’t be avoided. Besides, joining the army may not necessarily be bad. Maybe in the future, when you return home in glory, you’ll be able to settle your grudges.”

“Hahaha, well said, little brother. I still don’t know your name.”

Xiao Le cupped her hands in a proper-looking salute. “This younger brother’s surname is Xiao, single given name Le.”

“Mm, Xiao Le. Since you can be counted as Sister Wu’s brother, then you are my, Du Fei’s, brother too!”

At these words, Xiao Le’s expression darkened. Without saying a word, she quickened her steps and walked ahead of the two of them.

Liu Yu was delighted to watch the show. He shook his head theatrically and sighed.

“Du Fei, you really are too eager to push yourself forward.”

At night, when they made camp to rest, everyone sat together around the fire eating dry rations and discussing the current state of affairs. Du Fei and Liu Yu did not care that Xiao Le disliked them and simply sat beside her anyway.

Xiao Le was too lazy to bother with them. She only ate her dry rations on her own while pricking up her ears to listen to everyone chatting.

“Do you all know why His Majesty is conscripting soldiers so widely?” Suddenly, one person lowered his voice and asked mysteriously.

“Hey, who doesn’t know that? They’re short on men for the war.”

“Exactly.”

Everyone disagreed dismissively.

“Nonsense. If it were that simple, would I be asking you?” that person spat.

“Then, brother, tell us. Why is it?”

“It has been more than a year since the Prince of Luoyang raised the banner of rebellion. Do you know that the Su family army has grown from its original forty thousand to seventy thousand now? In just a year, where did all those people come from?”

“Were they not conscripted?” someone cut in, only to receive a rolled eye.

“They ran over from our own army. The Su clan is benevolent and righteous and enjoys broad support among the people. Serving as a soldier under them is far better than risking your life for the current one.”

“I heard that last month, the Commandery Princess of Luoyang laid a trap and destroyed the ten thousand elite troops led by Prince Rong.”

“I heard the Commandery Princess is a heavenly immortal descended to earth!”

“My cousin’s wife’s aunt’s son is in the Su family army. I heard the pay isn’t low, and the food is good too.”

“You’re making me want to defect…”

…

The three of them heard most of it, and each had their own thoughts.

“Commandery Princess? Women can enter military camps too?” Xiao Le voiced her question.

“Tch, Xiao Le, you don’t even know Su Luoyang, the Commandery Princess of Luoyang? She’s a tiger daughter of a military family, both talented and beautiful.” Liu Yu finally seized the chance to mock the other person a little.

“Talented and beautiful? You say that as if you’ve seen her,” Du Fei said, rolling his eyes.

Liu Yu said, “I haven’t seen her, but someone has. Speaking of which, the Youzhou camp we’re going to this time is fighting the army the Commandery Princess is in.”

Du Fei said, “Then won’t we be able to see the Commandery Princess?”

Liu Yu said, “Du Fei, are you stupid? Have you ever seen a Commandery Princess go to the front lines to kill enemies?”

“…”

While the two were arguing, Xiao Le patted the dust off her clothes and stood up.

“Where are you going?” the two asked in unison.

Xiao Le rolled her eyes. “Rather than listen to you two argue nonsense, I might as well go sleep.”