Service

Mǎn Bǎo finished the last grain of rice in his bowl and patted his little belly, saying, "Mother, I am full."

Qián ate slowly, reaching out to touch his protruding belly and smiling, "Go play."

Only then did Mǎn Bǎo have the opportunity to inquire about their finances, "Mother, what about the money from selling snow lotus and mountain yam?"

Qián replied, "Your older brother used it to buy cotton and fabric for you."

Mǎn Bǎo was stunned.

Zhou Wǔláng and the others looked up, tears in their eyes, hoping she would advocate for their interests and their mother's.

But it was impossible. Mǎn Bǎo hadn't yet figured out the relationship, scratching her head and asking, "Why do I need to buy cotton and fabric?"

"Your clothes are too short, and you've started school." Winter is approaching, and you may need a new wardrobe. If we had enough money, I would have liked to make an extra set for you," Qián Shi explained.

Mǎn Bǎo, not foolish, calculated the money earned from selling yams and snow lotus, saying, "That's twelve hundred wen, and it's all gone?"

"No, it's just that your share is gone," Qián clarified, not wanting to deceive the child about prices.

She continued, "The twelve hundred wen isn't all yours." After paying taxes, you still have to give your older and second brothers their share. There won't be much left for you.

Mǎn Bǎo realized this was true and didn't mind, as her attitude towards money had always been this way.

Zhou Wǔláng couldn't help but ask, "What about ours, Mother?"

Qián shì looked at him but didn't say anything.

Lǎo Zhōu then raised his head and said, "You? Do you still have the nerve to ask for money from the family?" In two years, you will be getting married. Do you not need money to get married? After you earn money, it will all go to your mother, and then you can start building your own savings like your brothers.

Zhou Wǔláng grumbled, "Fourth brother hasn't even been engaged yet." How can I be so quick?

At this, Lǎo Zhōu looked at Lǎo Sì and asked, "Fourth brother, how is your land coming along?"

Lǎo Sì, who was busy eating, raised his dark face and replied, "The roots have all been dug up, and the stones have been cleared." Now I am starting to plow the land.

Lǎo Zhōu nodded, "In a few days, let Lǎo Wǔ and Lǎo Liù help you." You are not young anymore; you should learn more skills. The new Mrs. Bái is going to build a house in the village soon and has started hiring workers. "You should go too, earning thirty wen a day, more than carrying grain bags in the county."

Lǎo Zhōu had already decided that all four of his eldest sons would go, while Lǎo Wǔ and Lǎo Liù would help Lǎo Sì in the fields, hoping to earn some extra money before the New Year.

After dinner, he specifically called Mǎn Bǎo over to calculate how much money his four sons could earn by working for a month.

This was easy to calculate, but Mǎn Bǎo remembered something and said, "This year, there's also the service duty." "The third brother cannot go for a month, so I need to recalculate."

The adults in the Zhou family were stunned, and Lǎo Zhōu grabbed her hand and asked, "What did you say, service duty this year?"

"Yes," Mǎn Bǎo said, "From October 22nd to November 21st, it's a whole month."

Lǎo Zhōu asked, "Who told you? Did our village get selected?"

Zhou Wǔláng said, "Mǎn Bǎo saw the notice at the county office, but the village head hasn't come to inform us yet."

Lǎo Zhōu patted his waist, unable to find his pipe. He then placed an empty one in his mouth and stayed silent for a moment.

Zhou Dàláng took the initiative to ask Mǎn Bǎo, "How was it written on the notice?"

Mǎn Bǎo had a good memory, and although she couldn't repeat it verbatim, she provided a general account.

Zhou Dàláng understood and said, "If it's not conscription, then it must be a duty for all households in the county." "With so many people, it's no wonder it's only for a month."

"In the dead of winter, going for a month is hard enough," Lǎo Zhōu said. "The county officials are really something." They could have chosen the time after the autumn harvest, but they had to pick the onset of winter. "It's freezing, and the ground is hard to dig."

Qián shì closed her eyes and said, "That's the county officials' business." We just need to worry about ourselves. Third son, be careful when working, and if your health cannot handle it, do not force yourself. Report it and let your brothers go in your place.

She added, "Your family doesn't only have you as a male; you have many brothers, so take turns."

Zhou Sanlang agreed.

Qián then told little Qián, "Starting tomorrow, cook a little more grain for the third son to strengthen his body and endure the month of service."

Little Qián agreed without complaint, as this was a tradition in the Zhou family. Every year, those who had to serve had to prepare in advance.

In the past, however, they typically received the news late, usually only ten days in advance.

How terrifying was the service duty?

Not to mention Lǎo Zhōu and Lǎo Èrláng, even Lǎo Zhōu couldn't help but shudder at the thought of his days in service when he was young.

Tonight, the atmosphere in the Zhou family was somewhat heavy. Mǎn Bǎo was still young and couldn't remember many things, so she didn't understand why everyone's mood was so low after learning about the service duty.

But she was obedient, not causing a fuss or asking too many questions. She lay in bed at night, her eyes shining as she watched her parents.

Qián patted her little head and said to Lǎo Zhōu, "Service duty is a big deal." Now that we know, we should go and inform the village head tomorrow and have him inquire to see if it's true. "If so, the villagers should prepare in advance."

Lǎo Zhōu agreed, then said after a moment of silence, "Prepare more rations for the third son."

Qián whispered, "I understand."

Seeing Mǎn Bǎo looking at them with her bright eyes, Qián shì smiled and said, "Don't worry, your third brother has always been healthy." He will come back safely this time too.

"Mother, isn't service duty about digging waterways and building roads?" "Does the village often do that too?" Man Bao asked.

Qián shì replied, "It's different in the county…," but she didn't tell Mǎn Bǎo exactly how it was different. No matter how she asked, she just smiled and said, "You're still young, you'll understand when you grow up."

Mǎn Bǎo pouted and went to ask the system.

After searching in the encyclopedia, the system fell silent and finally said, "In the era where the host is, historical records show that service duty is very challenging, and deaths are common."

Mǎn Bǎo was startled and asked, "Will my third brother die too?"

"Service duty is mandatory work." Although the county office distributes some food, the quantity is very small. It mainly relies on the food brought by the individuals. Moreover, October is considered winter, the coldest time of the year, and once someone falls ill, it is very easy to die," the system explained.

Mǎn Bǎo instantly became worried, "Can't my third brother go?"