Chapter 43: Immortals Descend to the Earth

Chapter 43

Li Yao was surprised to find that the county magistrate's wife was very talkative.

Although she was from a distinguished family, the topics she chatted with Li Yao about were all agricultural matters relating to the fields and people's livelihoods. It was clear that she had some knowledge about these things, but not very thorough.

Fortunately, Li Yao's understanding about farming matters was also limited, so the two could chat quite happily with their half-baked knowledge.

"Alas," the county magistrate's wife sighed softly in the end, "Ever since my husband got transferred here, we've encountered the once-in-a-century severe drought. He's so worried that he can't even eat. And I don't have any good solutions either."

"Natural disasters are indeed very difficult to deal with."

"I've heard some folk legends before," said the county magistrate's wife. "They say that whenever there are consecutive years of major disasters like this, the Jade Emperor will send down an immortal to help the common people get through the hard times."

Li Yao scoffed internally. She had heard this legend when she was little, but never saw it happen.

"Young lady, if an immortal really descended to earth, how do you think he would help the common people of the world?"

"Well..." Li Yao twitched her mouth and said, "I think... He should have come a few years earlier and build water conservancy projects and develop transportation in advance. That way people wouldn't have to worry about droughts or floods."

The county magistrate's wife pondered her words for a moment, then her eyes lit up.

"Young lady, you really have great insight and vision. This is more enlightened than some senior officials in the capital!"

The more Li Yao listened, the more she realized something was wrong.

Why was the county magistrate's wife seizing every opportunity to flatter her like this?

This could only mean one thing - she wanted something big from her!

No, she absolutely couldn't continue this conversation today. She had to find an excuse to slip away.

"Madam, I'm just a lazy housewife. The farthest I've been is the next county over. I don't have any great insights." Li Yao said, "Oh, speaking of which, it's getting late. I still have braised goose cooking at home and must get back."

"Well... alright then," the county magistrate's wife said reluctantly. "When you have time, feel free to come find me at the county office."

Li Yao would rather not.

Getting involved with officials undoubtedly had many benefits, but even more troubles.

After Li Yao left, the county magistrate's wife did not stay long either. She went straight back to the county office.

She had the purchased green ointment neatly packaged and rushed back to the capital, before gently walking into County Magistrate Song's study.

"You're back?"

"Mm," said the county magistrate's wife. "I got a good measure of her today. That Li Yao is really a fierce one."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"What about you, Third Son?"

"I want to buy a big sword!" Third Son said eagerly. "And a suit of armor, and a warhorse! In the future I want to be a mighty general and kill savages at the border!"

Li Yao twitched her mouth. Little boys just loved violence.

Speaking of which, her late husband had been conscripted until he passed away.

Military service was a little different in this era though. Men had to serve from age sixteen to sixty, averaging three months a year stationed at the border. But during that time, they had to provide their own provisions and weapons.

In short, the court couldn't support too many professional soldiers, yet the borders still needed defence, so they came up with this method.

But the drawbacks were also obvious.

These part-time peasant-soldiers barely had any real combat abilities. In the event of large-scale war, casualties were bound to be enormous.

So in ancient wars, it was usually a case of a general gaining success at the cost of thousands of bones turning to dust.

Originally after her husband died, Da Zhuang would have had to take his place at the border. But after her tearful pleas, Clerk Li took pity on her family's circumstances and granted a temporary exemption.

Now that she had money, she didn't need to worry about this issue either. She could directly pay a fee, or pay someone to take his place.

But she estimated that in a few years, when Third Son grew a bit older, even his mother wouldn't be able to restrain his ambitious spirit.

"You really want to be a mighty general?" Li Yao asked.

"Mm!"

"A man's word is his bond. If you say you'll do it, you must see it through," said Li Yao. "But it won't be as easy as you imagine. If you really want to do this, you must start training from now."

"Mother, how should I train?"

Li Yao thought for a moment. "From now on, come with me to the mountains every morning and evening. I'll think of ways to train you."

"Okay! Thank you Mother!"

"Also," Li Yao continued. "During the day, you need to study with your Second Brother."

"What do I need to study for if I want to be a general?"

"Of course to make you smarter," said Li Yao. "If you can't even recognize big characters and can't read military books, how will you lead troops into battle?"

Third Son thought about it and realized she was right. He nodded heavily.

Starting today, he would train hard and study diligently.

When he turned sixteen, he could go to the battlefield and kill enemies!