Chapter 9: Leaving Behind a Legacy in Prison

  When Li Jing was dragged back to the hall from the dungeon, listening to Wang Pushan's announcement of his "crime" being commuted to exile in Yizhou three thousand miles away, Li Jing still had a half-straw stuck in his mouth, and on his head he still wore the thin silk hat sewn by his mother Han Shi. He tilted his head back, gazing at the fiery clouds on the horizon. The blood-red clouds drifted desolately, and the announcement in the hall seemed to have nothing to do with him anymore.

  Once again, Li Jing's eyes caught a glimpse of that familiar figure among the sparse audience in the hall. Wang Liang was half-hidden behind someone, stealing glances at him. When he saw his gaze, he immediately shrank his neck and turned to leave.

  In the three-hall courtyard of the Li family in Wangli Village, as soon as Madame Han heard the news that Li Cong would be exiled to Yizhou, she fainted and didn't come around until after a long time when someone pinched her awake. In the dimly lit hall with only one lamp, all the women of the Li family sat on one side, while on the other side were Wang Tiejiang's family and Wang Liang's family, who had become relatives through marriage. On the chairs beside them sat over a dozen men of different ages, all of whom were Li Cong's paternal uncles and brothers. Less than two months ago, they had come to attend Li Yu's funeral, and now, before two months had passed, they received news that Li Cong was in trouble.

  The oldest person in the house was a thin, withered old man with a goat-like beard. His face was as dry and wrinkled as tree bark. In terms of seniority, he was Li Jiong's great-uncle. He sat there, bowing his head with its sparse white hair, repeating the same few sentences over and over: "This Yi state is far away, tens of thousands of miles from here; once these three young ones leave, they will never be able to return." "What evil deeds did our ancestors commit in their previous lives? Look at all the evil deeds this family has done over the years!"

  The room was filled with the fragrance of scallions, ginger, dried dates, tangerine peels and other ingredients mixed together. This was a strong and pungent tea brewed by the eldest daughter-in-law.

  "Things were all settled and the land was all given out, how did things change again? Erlang, what's going on?" Mrs. Han asked Wang Liang.

  "Auntie, I don't know which nephew you're referring to. But there are only three days left, and in three days' time, Sanlang will be taken away at dawn to be exiled to Izumi Province."

  Yizhou, far to the west of Longyou, was nominally part of the Tang territory, but after the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang had lost control over that area. Later, it was even occupied by the Tubo people until more than 20 years ago when Zhang Yichao from Shazhou led a rebellion and recovered Shazhou and Guazhou. Later, as the Returning to Righteousness Army gradually recovered the eleven states of Longyou, Yizhou was considered to be under Tang rule again. However, in reality, Yizhou was still under the control of Zhang's Returning to Righteousness Army, surrounded by Tubo and Huihe on both sides. If Li Jing were really exiled to that place, it would be a big problem whether he could survive there, not to mention returning.

  As night deepened, the crowd still couldn't come up with a good solution. Mrs. Han suddenly seemed to have aged ten years; she had lost her husband early and had raised their three sons on her own. However, two of her sons had died young, one after another, and now all her hopes were pinned on her youngest son, but unexpectedly, even this son was also in danger. Within two months, she would lose two sons in a row, and this strong woman suddenly collapsed.

  The night wind was strong, carrying the scent of withered grass. The sky had no moon and the air had no stars. Madame Han leaned against the door, gazing at the gate, her heart always imagining that her son would push open the door and walk in at any moment.

  The house was silent, and no one knew how to comfort the distressed Han family.

  After a long while, Mrs. Han said: "I'm useless and can't think of any other way to save Sanlang. But the Li family cannot be destroyed, I won't let the Li family's incense burn out and their legacy be cut off. Wanyu, come here."

  "Mother." Wan'er stepped forward and stroked Han Shi's arm.

  "Wan'er, you've been in our Li family for nine years now. Tell me, didn't your mother-in-law and third brother treat you well?" Han Shi asked, looking at Wan'er whose eyes were red and swollen from crying.

  "Mother, you are Wan'er's own mother, and Third Brother is also Wan'er's own brother. If possible, Wan'er really wishes to take Third Brother's place in prison."

  Mrs. Han nodded and sighed: "With your words, mother is relieved. You go with me to the town tomorrow."

  In the red mountain town prison, Li Jing was moved to a separate cell by the warden because he had been resentenced to exile three thousand miles away and only had two days left before execution. The straw in the cell was also drier, and each meal included four steamed buns and a small jug of turbid wine, as well as a dish of braised pork head.

  "This is the last supper, I suppose." At this point, Li Jing put everything down and sat on the ground, eating steamed buns and drinking turbid wine with an air of calmness. This composure made even the prison guards marvel in surprise. Although Li Jing appeared calm, he still had a hint of resentment in his heart.

  In his heart, there was still some unfulfilled desire. When he came to this world, he also had many thoughts in his mind. He also wanted to make a name for himself in this late Tang era, even if he couldn't become a king or a general, he wanted to start a business for the Li family and give them a place to protect their sky.

  All is gone, all is gone!

  Everything is like a dream, like an illusion.

  Exile to Yi State, it's not just three thousand miles, from the coast of Shandong to the Xinjiang desert, I'm afraid it's not less than ten thousand miles away. On the way, wearing a cangue and chains, walking past, I'm afraid it would take at least one or two years to arrive. Moreover, Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao are about to rebel, and their rebellion is taking place on the road leading to Yi State. This journey has no return, his fate can only be written up to this point.

  Bang, the sound of the outer prison gate opening came, and besides the familiar voice of the jailer, there seemed to be someone else's footsteps.

  "That's it, hurry up, at most one hour. I let you in also taking a risk, don't make me have trouble later." It was still the familiar voice of the prison guard who delivered meals, seemingly talking to another person.

  Bang! The prison guard finished speaking and went back with a clang. Then the prison gate clanged shut again.

  Li Jing raised his head and, with the dim light of the prison cell, found that the person standing in front of him was actually Yuanner.

  "Wan Er, how did you come?"

  "Sanlang, Wannier and Aniang Dajie Erjie they all came together, Fourth Sister and Fifth Little Sister also arrived."

  "Oh! My affairs have made you worried, right? How are Auntie and the others?"

  "It's all right, Mother knew you're leaving tomorrow and specially prepared some wine and dishes to see you off."

  Wan'er didn't say why the Han family hadn't come in, but Wan'er had. However, Li Jing also didn't want to think about these things now, and no matter what, the outcome was already decided. Meeting now would only add to the sorrow.

  Wan'er put down the basket in her hand and took out a few dishes and a small jar of wine from it.

  "Brother, I'll keep you company for a drink." Wan'er poured wine for both of them.

  "Good, what can dispel worries? Only Du Kang."

  Several dishes were exquisite, with fish and meat, and the wine was also good wine, a thousand times better than the turbid wine sent by the prison guard. However, today's wine seemed to be somewhat intoxicating, Li Jing had previously drunk that turbid wine and drank several bowls without getting drunk, but this wine had only eaten three or four bowls, and as a result, he was already completely drunk. What's more, his whole body began to feel hot blood rushing, like a fire burning, and the guy in his pants also became uncontrollably hot.

  His eyes turned red and his breathing was rapid, at this time Li Jiong also felt that something was wrong.

  "Wan Er, what wine is this?"

  In a daze, he only saw Yuanyu suddenly stand up straight, start taking off the scarf between her arms, and then untie the cloth belt on her waist skirt...

  Under the dim oil lamp, it was so white, white to the point of being dazzling.

  "Brother, that's the ironmonger uncle's Tiger Whip wine. Tonight, you don't need to say anything. Wanyi treats Mother and Brother and two sisters-in-law and two sisters like one family, with gratitude in her heart that will never be forgotten. Wanyi is just a servant girl, can't help brother get out of this predicament. Can only leave behind for brother the Li family's bloodline incense legacy."

  "Leave a seed." Li Jiong suddenly understood that he was the only male left in the Li family. For the Han family, who valued bloodline succession above all else, they also knew that Li Jiong's exile this time would make it difficult for him to return, so they hastily arranged for Yuanyuan to come and leave a seed. They were also afraid he wouldn't agree, which is why they borrowed the precious Tiger Whip wine from the Wang Ironsmith family.

  Li Jing's mind was a mess, but Yuanner had already stripped off her clothes and knelt in front of him, starting to undo the buttons of his pants that were still desperately resisting the intense urge despite being half-drunk. Under the dim light of the bean lamp, Yuanner's two slightly underdeveloped breasts hung just inches above Li Jing's face.

  The oil lamp was dim as a bean, but Wan'er's two red beans were like rubies shining brightly.