In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

Chapter 399 Joining the Army?

While some were happy, others were sad. The young people who met the recruitment criteria cheered, while those who did not meet the criteria or were too old were devastated.

"This request is unreasonable. Although I am thirty-five years old, I am no less capable than young men."

"Exactly! I'm perfectly healthy, why won't they hire me?"

"I'm just a bit older, but I'm definitely not inferior to young people."

"This requirement is too rigid!"

"..."

Those who did not meet the criteria were complaining.

Fang Hao's heart sank. Despite looking like someone over 20, he was actually only 16 years old.

In the feudal society of Xia, 16 years old was considered a qualified adult laborer. There was no such thing as employing child laborers. Most children had to help with farm work when they were 13 or 14 years old, while 16-year-old boys had to take on the responsibility of supporting their families.

Fang Hao, who had gone to the city to work at the age of 15 to help his family with their financial burden, was only 16 years old at the time and obviously did not meet the requirements for the Chenjia Village Guard Team to recruit people.

but……

Fang Hao's eyes darted around, and he thought of another person: his older brother.

His brother, Fang Yong, is the right age and has military experience, which perfectly matches the recruitment criteria of Chenjia Village.

"It also says that those who are literate will be given priority in admission."

Li Xiucai ignored the grumbling crowd and continued reading: "In addition, there are provisions such as priority for residents of Chenjia Village and Xiaohe Village."

"Learn to read? How could I possibly know to read!"

"Forget it! It seems this recruitment has nothing to do with me. I'll just stick to being a laborer!"

"Me too."

"..."

Soon, many older people gave up the idea of ​​participating in the recruitment. Although they were somewhat dissatisfied with the recruitment requirements, they knew that Chenjia Village was a place where things were done in a strict manner. If they did not meet the requirements, they did not meet them, and there would be no exceptions for them.

As for concealing one's age to participate in recruitment...

No one wanted to do that, and even if they did, it would be useless, because Chen Dao, who was familiar with Xu Zhiwen, could easily obtain their household registration information from the county government and expose their lies in no time.

"Li Xiucai (Li the Scholar)".

A young man in his early twenties looked intently at Li Xiucai: "Does this document say how to participate in the recruitment?"

"Have."

Li Xiucai nodded: "The higher-ups said that if you want to join the Chenjia Village Guard Team, you can go to the Chenjia Village Training Ground to register within the next three days: tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and the day after that. There will be someone to receive you."

"Great! I'll definitely sign up tomorrow."

"I want to sign up too!"

"I heard that joining the guard team gives you a chance to become a martial artist. I wonder if that's true?"

"It's true! The Chen Family Village guard team now has a total of 35 people, and every single one of them is a martial artist!"

"That's right! I saw a member of the Chenjia Village guard team. Goodness, that guy was incredibly strong; his arms were as thick as my calves!"

"..."

After learning the details, the onlookers dispersed, their expressions filled with excitement.

Fang Hao found his handcart, pushed it all the way out of Chenjia Village, and then returned to the county town along the official road. After handing the handcart to his employer, he went out through the south gate and ran straight to his home village, Tupo Village.

Meanwhile, in a house in Tupo Village, Fang Yong and his parents, who had just finished cooking a meal after a busy day, were sitting at the table preparing to eat.

The Fang family has two sons, and the father is still relatively young, so the family lives a fairly good life, at least much better than other families in Tupo Village.

but……

Even the Fang family, whose lives were much better than those of other villagers, did not have a particularly lavish meal on their table; it consisted of nothing more than a few steamed buns made from sorghum flour.

"Mom and Dad, let's eat! We don't need to wait for Xiao Hao."

Fang Yong, who is quite robust, picked up a cornbread and was about to start eating. His younger brother, Fang Hao, now frequently travels between the county town and Chenjia Village, and usually eats in these two places instead of at home.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother."

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from outside the door, and then Fang Hao rushed in.

Looking at Fang Hao, who was panting and looking anxious, his father, Fang Kuan, frowned and asked, "What's the matter that's so urgent?"

Mother Xie Ying waved and said, "Hao-ge'er, come and eat."

"Not urgent!"

Fang Hao took a breath and said, "I came back specifically to tell you some good news!"

"good news?"

Fang Yong and the other two exchanged glances but remained silent.

Fang Hao continued, "Big brother, parents, you know Chenjia Village, right?"

"of course I know!"

The three nodded in unison. The name of Chenjia Village had long been known throughout Taiping County. Even in a small, isolated village like Tupo Village, the name of Chenjia Village was known.

Of course, due to word of mouth, the reputation of Chenjia Village has been greatly amplified.

For example, some villagers described Chenjia Village, which was slightly wealthier, as a place where everyone ate meat at every meal and lived in a large house. If you didn't know better, you might think they were describing a certain aristocratic family.

"It's good to know!"

Fang Hao took a few breaths and said, "I heard some good news today when I was in Chenjia Village. The Chenjia Village Guard Team is recruiting!"

"Chenjia Village is hiring?"

Fang's parents' eyes lit up. Chenjia Village was a well-known wealthy village in Taiping County. If Chenjia Village were to recruit people...

The two looked at Fang Yong, considering whether or not to send their eldest son to work in Chenjia Village.

After all, the family doesn't have much farmland, and the two of them can manage it, so there's no need to keep their eldest son tied up at home.

Fang Yong frowned and asked, "Xiao Hao, what exactly is that guard team?"

"Uh……"

Fang Hao was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Then the Chenjia Village Guard Team is basically a military unit!"

"What?! Joining the army?"

Fang's mother and father were shocked. There was a saying in Xia Kingdom that "good men don't become soldiers, and good iron isn't used to make nails." It was easy to see from this saying that the vast majority of people were very resistant to joining the army.

In fact, Fang Yong had served in the army!

About five years ago, the three major military camps in the capital recruited some soldiers in Qingzhou. Fang Yong thought that joining the army would at least allow him to have enough to eat and reduce the burden on his family, so he enlisted without telling his parents.

Because of his strong physique and relatively young age, Fang Yong successfully enlisted and became a soldier in the Third Battalion.

When Fang's parents learned of this, they were completely stunned. They had raised their eldest son with great difficulty, and he was about to be able to help with the farm work. However, he went to join the army, which made them extremely anxious.