…Chief Tan returned today from the city, having delivered our fall taxes and having sold the rest of our stores. We have more than enough for the winter, thanks to your generous donations. Chief Tan has made a deal to purchase a half dozen piglets in spring, when we have finished building the village pen. Three of those piglets will be ours, the Zhangs will own one, and the village will share the last two. I know you are concerned about us, but we must plan for all our futures.
He also brought back news that the others who left with the army will not be returning this winter. They are training very hard and expect to see fighting next year. He did bring back rumors that another conscription will occur, though I fear they will be disappointed by what they find if they choose to do so. There are few enough. But just the threat has the Pengs talking of bribing Chief Tan—their only son just turned fourteen.
Wu Ying’s lips thinned. Fourteen. It seemed the kingdom was growing desperate if they were lowering the conscription age that far. He sighed, shaking his head. This was why war never saw a winner. Even if you won, your kingdom suffered for the next generation. If they took away all the farmers, who would grow the rice?
The money you sent for us to store for our travels arrived safely. Thank you for the herbs too—they have helped a lot with your father’s leg. While Chief Tan continues to be resistant to the idea of leaving, many of the other villagers have agreed to consider it. We’ve begun preparations for the journey, though leaving so much of what we have built is hard for all of us. We pray that the army will hold and make all our preparations for naught.
Wu Ying breathed a sigh of relief. This was good. Ever since he had learned of the upcoming war, he had wanted his parents to come to the Sect’s city. What had started as a goal to safeguard his parents had morphed into one to save the village, as his parents had refused to leave their long-time friends to suffer alone. Even convincing his parents to consider leaving had been a test of Wu Ying’s scholarly skills. Even if most times, the peasants were left alone—unkilled, unenslaved—accidents happened. And in war, those accidents left behind broken bodies and empty homes.
It relieves my heart that you are part of the Sect. And working in as prestigious an occupation as a Spirit Herb Gatherer. I think—and your father agrees—that this suits you. You were always wandering around the fields when you were young, always curious about the world. And while it might be dangerous, I know that your father’s lessons will keep you safe.
Wu Ying smiled, reading on as she turned to gossip. He shook his head at the litany of births, of the few deaths—much fewer with the fixed housing and surplus of food—that winter brought. He read about the travails of soil and drainage before his eyes fell onto the only portion that made him grimace.
…marriage was great. If the heavens are willing, they will sire a child soon.
While discussing marriages, I know you are enamored by this Li Yao. She sounds like a very nice young lady. But she is the daughter of a noble. When the time comes, duties and obligations will pull on her even more strongly. In that, she is even less free than you. We have no expectations of you, in terms of lineage. Your father has settled himself with your goal of immortality. In that way, the family name might continue for all eternity perhaps.
Remember. It is good to explore your feelings, but do not give too greatly. Some people are not meant to be together.
Wu Ying glared at the paper, almost wishing his mother was here for him to shout at. To explain. Of course, he would never do that. Still, it was a passing desire, an indolent, unfilial wish. Because what did his mother know of Li Yao? Of cultivator society? Why did she feel the need to meddle from so far away?
Exhaling, Wu Ying calmed himself and his mind. She was his parent, and all parents meddled. At least all she offered were words of advice, rather than commandants like Li Yao’s parents.
Setting aside the letter to be filed with the rest of their letters, Wu Ying turned to his father’s next. This one required only a single read-through.
Wu Ying,
I know what your mother has written to you. I will not say that she is wrong, nor will I recommend that you join the war. I will note that there is opportunity in conflict. You are my son, and I wish you the best. I know that whatever you choose to do, you will do it with forethought and caution.
On that note, I do wish that you take notice of the amount of funds you have been sending us. It is not seemly for our son to send so much to his parents, especially to a small village like ours. Save some of those funds for your own cultivation. Your mother and I have more than enough.
I have included additional notes from what you have spoken of when practicing the form. It sounds like the martial arts that you have learned can complement our own style. Continue to keep an open mind and make sure that you practice our form. While the Long family style has stagnated in the past couple of generations, it was once well renowned. There is more depth in the style than you will see at first glance. As you learn more, you will see that martial arts is a clouded and deep lake. I am only sorry to say that I do not have much additional advice I can offer. You will soon surpass me.
Your father
Wu Ying sighed after finishing the letter. His father was not a man of many words and certainly not one to express bountiful emotions. Still, Wu Ying preferred his short letter to his mother’s. The heartfelt warmth and trust in Wu Ying’s decision-making was heartening. His father hadn’t even mentioned Li Yao.
Wu Ying tapped his lips, staring at the letters before he set them aside to be filed. He picked up his own stationary, dipped his brush in a nearby inkwell, and wrote.
Papa, Mama,
I have received your letters dated the nineteenth day of the tenth moon[5] of the year. Thank you for your thoughts and all your consideration. Papa, I have not had a chance to read your thoughts on our style, but I’m sure they will be enlightening as always. Not a lot of interest has happened in the last few months, as we have mostly spent our time studying.
I am glad to hear you are doing well with the funds I have sent. Please, let me know what you might need when you arrive. I have spoken with Elder Huang who runs the kitchens and he is willing to assign you multiple plots of land to the north of the Sect. The land will need to be cleared and drainage built, but I have assured him that this is something the village is well equipped to do. There is a nearby stream that feeds into the main river here, so it is decent farming land.
Wu Ying grimaced as he finished that part of the letter. That had taken quite a bit of convincing—and quite a few journeys up and down the mountain—to arrange. Still, with the agreement of Elder Huang and the magistrate in the city below, the village’s arrival—if necessary—would be smooth. Even after all his work, Wu Ying knew that the villagers would refuse to leave unless things went bad. There had been too much sweat and bloodshed put into the development of their village to leave it so easily.
I continue to take lessons with Elder Li as well as reading further about the various herbs suitable for someone at my cultivation level. There is a lot to learn, and even if I have some experience at this, I still make mistakes regularly. Senior Goh continues to praise how much I’ve accomplished, but I think he is more interested in the fact that I have decent martial skills and thus will allow him to work the gardens more. Still, the things he has taught me while encouraging my development are highly useful, so I am grateful for his attention.