The recruitment line seemed endless. Xu Anping watched the sea of people who, like them, waited their turn to be received into the rebel army's ranks. The sense of desperation was palpable. As they slowly advanced, he could see exhausted faces, some gaunt from hunger, others hardened by suffering. The murmur of tense conversations, occasionally interrupted by the shouts of soldiers maintaining order, resonated in the air.
When they finally reached the front, an officer with a black cape and a severe expression evaluated them coldly. The soldier's eyes moved from Xu Anping to Sanhua, then to Li Yuan, and finally to Liang, pausing for a moment on the elderly man.
"State your name," the officer growled, clearly intrigued by Li Yuan's frail appearance.
Li Yuan, though exhausted from the long journey, raised his head with dignity. His tired but firm gaze did not falter under the soldier's harshness.
"My name is Li Yuan," the old man responded clearly. "I have come to offer my services, if needed. I lived here before, when this city was still prosperous. I can read and write."
Upon hearing this, the soldier frowned, surprised. It was rare to find someone with such skills in the midst of the devastation and chaos that reigned. Most recruits were peasants or poor people who barely knew how to sign their names.
"You can read and write?" the soldier asked, his eyes scrutinizing Li Yuan as if he couldn't believe what he heard.
"Yes," Li Yuan replied patiently. "I can teach others as well if that's what you need."
The soldier exchanged a glance with one of his comrades and then gestured for another officer to approach. This new officer, with a slightly more refined appearance, listened briefly and nodded, evidently impressed.
"Take him to one of the lower leaders of our ranks," the new officer ordered. "Many here need to learn how to handle maps, strategies, and communications. Many of our rebel leaders are illiterate peasants. We need men like him."
Without further ado, Li Yuan was escorted away by a group of soldiers, but before leaving, he exchanged a final look with Xu Anping and Sanhua. Though he said nothing, his gesture conveyed a mixture of resignation and hope. Perhaps he could make a difference there.
Then, the officer turned to the rest of the group.
"Who's next?"
Xu Anping felt the officer's gaze on him. He straightened up as best he could, though he knew his body, weakened by the lack of food, didn't make him look like a promising candidate for the army.
"Age?" the officer asked brusquely.
"Sixteen," Xu Anping responded, though inside he felt like he had aged much more from everything he had lived through.
"And you?" The officer turned to Liang.
"Seventeen," Liang answered in the same tense tone.
The officer evaluated them for a moment before nodding.
"Both will be sent to the army," he announced. "We need more young men in the ranks. You will report tomorrow at dawn for your training."
Xu Anping exchanged a glance with Liang. They had known they would end up in the army, but hearing it out loud made it even more real. Fear and uncertainty bubbled inside him, though he didn't let it show on his face.
Next, the soldier looked at the woman traveling with them. She was a middle-aged, sturdy woman who had lived and worked her whole life in the village.
"What will we do with you?" the officer said skeptically.
The woman, used to dealing with figures of authority, remained unfazed. She stepped forward firmly.
"I was the cook in my village," she said clearly. "If you need someone to feed your soldiers, I can do it. I've fed many hungry mouths, even in times of scarcity."
The officer observed her closely before nodding. He knew that soldiers' morale was deeply tied to the food they received. Someone experienced in cooking could be more valuable than she seemed.
"To the kitchen, then," the officer decided. "You will start working immediately."
Finally, the officer directed his attention to Sanhua, Xu Anping's younger sister. She was young, smaller, and more fragile than the others. Xu Anping felt a wave of concern for his sister.
"What will we do with her?" the officer asked, pointing to the girl.
"My sister can work in logistics," Xu Anping said hurriedly. "She's strong and can help transport supplies."
The soldier looked at him skeptically but eventually nodded.
"To logistics, then," he said. "We need hands to move supplies to the front. Make sure she reports early tomorrow."
With their fates decided, the group was led through the rebel camp. The tents and makeshift constructions painted a picture of organized chaos. There were soldiers and officers everywhere, directing newcomers and distributing rations. The smell of sweat, dust, and boiling food filled the air, while voices and orders echoed between the tents.
When they finally received their food, a small ration of hard bread and a bowl of bland broth, the group sat on the ground, exhausted by the day's events.
"At least we have something to eat," Liang murmured, bringing the bowl to his lips. "But I can't shake the feeling that we've traded one kind of desperation for another."
Xu Anping nodded, his gaze lost on the horizon. He knew Liang was right. There were no illusions about what awaited them. They had left one form of suffering only to find another. Yet here, at least, there was a chance to survive, even if at a high cost.
That night, Xu Anping and Liang were taken to a tent where other young recruits rested on makeshift beds. The atmosphere was charged with tension and anxiety. Some recruits were already asleep, exhausted from the day, while others stared at the ceiling, as full of doubts as Xu Anping.
As he settled on his bed, the young man couldn't help but wonder what the future held. He knew life in the rebel army would be hard, and the battles ahead would not be easy to survive. But he also knew he had no other choice.