Chapter 13: Marrying a Beloved Wife 4

  On this day, Lü Yu was working in the fields under the scorching sun. The patch of yellow earth beneath her feet had long been cracked and dry due to lack of rainwater. Two children were still playing in the shade of a tree on the edge of the field.

  Lv Zhu was stooping to weed when suddenly she heard someone calling her from the top of the field: "Madam, it's too hot, could you give me a bowl of water to drink?"

  Lü Cuī raised her head and looked towards the edge of the field, where she saw an old man leaning on a cane against a tree, shouting at her. Seeing that the old man's hair was white but he had a lot of spirit, looking like one of those people with white hair but a youthful face. Lü Cuī was originally a well-bred lady, naturally also quite knowledgeable and polite, seeing that it was an elderly person in his seventies, she quickly put down her work and came to the edge of the field, saying to the old man: "Old sir, it's so hot today, I'll go back home and cook you a bowl of bean soup to drink! Luckily my house is not very far from here, you watch the children for me, I'll be right back." As she spoke, Lü Cuī hurriedly headed towards her home. Behind her, the old man stroked his white beard, with a hint of a smile on his face that was hard to detect.

  As expected, Lü Wei soon returned with a jar of bean soup in hand and handed it to the silver-bearded old man. The old man took the jar of bean soup from Lü Wei, tilted his head back, and gulped it down quickly. Afterwards, he kept saying, "Hmm, good bean soup, good bean soup!"

  "If it's still not enough, I'll go back and get another can for you!" Lü Cuì said to the old man.

  "Heh heh, never mind, I've already quenched my thirst! Ah, may I ask impolitely, what is your honorable surname, madam?" The old man asked with piercing eyes, yet seeming very casual.

  "Ah, I'm surnamed Lü. Both of us are Lü." Lü Ji replied casually.

  Lü Buwei did not expect that the old man, after hearing his words, would become flustered and then deeply bowed to Lü Buwei, saying: "Ah, ah, meeting you today is truly my good fortune! It's really my good fortune! Alas, madam, you will be a great noble in the future, you must be a great noble in the future!" The old man's voice seemed to tremble as he spoke.

  However, the old man's words also confused Lv Wei. Will I become a noble in the future? This joke is really big, this joke is really big! Lv Wei couldn't help but laugh secretly in her heart, thinking that this old man can't just say that she will be a noble because she made him a pot of bean soup! This is also too far-fetched!

  But the reason why Lü Zhi thought so was actually mainly because of that cruel reality, which had already made her forget what her father Lü Gong had told her. Her father Lü Gong had once said to her that Liu Bang's facial features were extraordinary and he would definitely become an exceptional talent in the future. If there weren't any special circumstances, he would surely achieve great things.

  After listening to the old man's words, Lü Wei felt that those words were like coming from a guest from outside the sky, and they seemed so unrealistic. Lü Wei couldn't help but raise his head again, looked at the still scorching sun, then lowered it, glanced at the dry land under his feet, and looked around at the surrounding crops, all of which were under the intense sunlight, with most of them already wilting their leaves. If it doesn't rain, this autumn is probably over, Lü Wei sighed.

  "I said, old man, you're not joking, are you? You're not joking, are you!" Lü Cuī thought that this old man's nerves must be a bit abnormal. Clearly seeing herself dressed in coarse linen peasant clothes, he actually dared to make fun of her! Alas, this old man! Lü Cuī couldn't help but feel a little amused in her heart.

  "Madam, do not laugh at me, I am not one to speak such words lightly. This old man has traveled the world for many years and has never seen a noble appearance like yours!" The old man said solemnly to Lü Zhi. And this remark of his made Lü Zhi's heart feel almost dizzy. "I say, old sir, you're not joking, are you? You're not joking, are you?" Lü Zhi thought that this old man must be a bit abnormal. Clearly seeing herself dressed in coarse linen as a peasant woman, yet still making fun of her! Alas, this old man!" Lü Zhi couldn't help but feel a little amused in her heart.

  "Madam, do not laugh at me, I am not one to speak such words lightly. This old man has traveled the world for many years and has never seen a noble appearance like yours!" The old man said solemnly to Lü Zhi. And the old man's words made Lü Zhi's heart feel almost dizzy.

  Although the old man repeatedly emphasized that he was not a fake, Lü Yu did not take it entirely seriously and thought the old man's words were interesting. Thinking of this, Lü Yu pulled over the two children who were playing under the tree and said to the old man: "Trouble you, sir, to take a look at my two children and see what their fate is like?"

  The old man carefully looked at the boy and then said with a solemn expression: "Madam, I won't hide it from you, your good fortune is precisely because of this son of yours! The face of your son, that's truly a noble and auspicious appearance! Alas, such a countenance is rarely seen in this world, it's really rare!"

  Later, Lü Zhi also asked the old man to take a look at his daughter's appearance. The old man did not decline and after taking a look, he continued to nod frequently towards Lü Zhi, saying: "Ah, ah, madam, your daughter is also a rare noble person! Also a rare noble person!" As he spoke, the old man walked away with frequent nods and stumbling steps, into the distance.

  But Naluzhi, after listening to the old man's words, seemed to be in a dream-like state, and felt as if she was floating on clouds and mist. Not long after, she couldn't work in the fields anymore, so she packed up her tools, took her two children, and headed home.

  On this day, Liu Shanhe happened to return from the Si River Pavilion and saw his husband come back. After that, Lü Yu told him about everything the old man had said when he was fortune-telling for himself and their two children while working in the fields. When Lü Zhi finished speaking, Liu Shanhe looked very anxious and hastily asked: "Where is that old man now? Where is that old man now?" As soon as Lü Zhi heard this, he pointed east-southeast with his hand and said: "He went in that direction, but it wasn't long ago, so I don't think he would have gone too far."

  Liu Shanhe didn't say another word, and with three steps he was out the door, heading in the direction his wife had pointed. According to what she said, the old man shouldn't have gone too far, and based on their speed difference, he should be able to catch up soon.

  As expected, not long after, Liu Shanhe indeed saw an old man walking hesitantly in front of him. Liu Shanhe shouted at the old man: "Old fellow, please stop, please stop!"

  The old man heard someone calling him from behind and stopped in his tracks, turning around.

  At this time, Liu Shanhe had also arrived beside the old man. He saw Liu Shanhe panting and asking: "Old man, I heard that you can see fortunes, can you also take a look at mine?"

  Originally, the old man's demeanor was still calm and composed, but when he suddenly lifted his head to look at Liu Shanhe, he unexpectedly discovered that the appearance of this person in front of him was incredibly noble. As a result, the old man's face suddenly turned white, and even his voice became somewhat hoarse and stuttered: "Sir, you have an extremely rich and noble appearance! Extremely rich and noble appearance! Could it be, could it be that the three daughters I just finished divining for are related to you?"

  "Yes, the woman was indeed in the inner chamber, and those two children were also indeed his children." Liu Shanhe replied honestly.

  "Ah, ah, ah, no wonder! No wonder! I've been thinking about it since earlier, this woman's face is so extraordinary and noble, where did she come from? I didn't expect, I didn't expect, that it would actually be from you! Actually, it would be from you! Hmm, sir, you are indeed one of the rarest and most noble faces in the world!" The old man seemed to be shaking with excitement.

  "Ah, is that so? Is it really like that? If in the future it's really as you said, I, Liu Bang, will definitely thank you profusely! If in the future it's really as you said, I, Liu Bang, will definitely thank you profusely!" Liu Shanhe said with some gratitude.

  "Alas, is there still a need to thank? There's no need to thank anymore." The old man said with a smile as he leaned on his cane and continued walking into the distance.

  Liu Shanhe gazed at the old man's receding figure and remained silent for a long time.

  A few days later, Liu Shanhe and Xiao He strolled in Xiao He's courtyard. As they walked, Xiao He said to Liu Shanhe: "I say, Brother Liu, the county magistrate has given you another good job this time! Ah, it seems that the county magistrate also appreciates your talent, so he let you take on this task. You must cherish this opportunity well! Hahaha!"

  Liu Shanhe kept his head down and didn't say a word. Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore and said to Xiao He: "I'm telling you, Xiao He, this is a thankless task, anyone can see that it's not going to bring any benefits. Alas, why did I get stuck with it? I'm saying, old Xiao, don't you know how to speak up for me in front of those corrupt officials? Alas, what am I supposed to do with this task? Taking so many fugitives from here to Xianyang, the road is long and treacherous, are these people easy to manage?" Once Liu Shanhe opened his mouth, his complaints poured out like a flood, unstoppable.

  Xiao He just listened quietly, not responding, until Liu Shanhe finished speaking. Then he let out a long sigh and said: "I'll tell you something, Liu brother. If I could help you get out of this but didn't, would that still be our relationship? Don't think that those officials listen to me all the time! Often, I'm also in a difficult position! Looking at it now, your trip is unlikely to end well."

  Liu Shanhe said with a huff: "Hmph, that corrupt official! His mother's... Ever since I married Lü Zhi as my wife, that corrupt official has been looking at me with disapproval, always trying to make things difficult for me. I'll get him back sooner or later! What a thing! What a thing!" Liu Shanhe was furious.

  Yes, ever since he got his hands on Lü Zhi, Liu Shanhe gradually discovered that the county magistrate's attitude towards him had made a 180-degree turn, and he no longer spoke with such enthusiasm. Moreover, he often spoke with sarcasm. Ah, what a thing! If you have the ability, go and fight for it yourself! I'm not like you, just relying on an empty title of county magistrate...

  Actually, Liu Shanhe's heart was as clear as a mirror. He knew that when Lv Gong married his daughter Lv Zhi to him, on the one hand, he valued his extraordinary appearance, and on the other hand, or rather, the most important aspect, was to take this opportunity to marry off his eldest daughter, so as not to let the county magistrate have any more improper thoughts. After all, being a guest in someone else's home, there were some things that couldn't be said, but only secretly thought of ways to deal with it. I'll get the person married off first, what can you do about it? Creating a fait accompli, turning uncooked rice into cooked rice, even if you want to make amends, it's impossible.

  When Xiao He heard Liu Bang say "I will get you sooner or later" with a sinister tone, he smiled meaningfully.

  "Alas, I'm telling you, Old Xiao, why do things like this always end up being pushed onto me, the head of Sui Water Pavilion? Is it that in all of Pei County, I'm the only one who can't be a pavilion head? Hmph! This corrupt official, I must let him know who Liu Ji really is! I must let him know who Liu Ji really is!" Liu Shanhe said fiercely.

  "Alas, Liu brother, sometimes we have to swallow our pride and eat humble pie. As the ancients said, when under another's roof, one must lower their head. Small concessions can lead to big gains. Let's get past this first step, and then think of a way later!"

  Regarding County Magistrate's order for Liu Shanhe to go to Xianyang Rui Mountain to escort prisoners building the mausoleum, Xiao He was indeed very troubled. He also knew that this wasn't a good combination, unlike the previous time when Liu Bang led people to Xianyang. That time, they were all normal people, doing corvee labor, and after working for half a year or six months, they could return home.

  However, with the continuous construction of large-scale projects, the whole country faced a severe labor shortage. Therefore, officials serving the Qin dynasty came up with an idea: release prisoners from jail to work on building the mausoleum. Those people were physically strong and would likely do better than ordinary people. Although managing them was difficult, the government would dispatch powerful armed guards, so there shouldn't be any problems. Hmm, there shouldn't be any problems.

  In this way, the Qin dynasty's order was issued, and all over the country, the prisons were opened one after another, releasing all the prisoners, and reliable people were sent to escort them to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xianyang.

  In Pei County, such a task actually fell on the head of Liu Shanhe, the chief of Xishui Pavilion. It was clear to everyone that this errand was fraught with difficulties and dangers. Even if you did it well, there would be no merit. But if something went wrong, then it would be absolutely impossible to escape responsibility. According to the Qin dynasty's laws, for such tasks, whether it was failing to arrive at the construction site on time or having someone escape halfway and being unable to deliver all the people to the construction site, the person in charge of escorting them would receive severe punishment, and it was very likely that they would be sentenced to death. So, as for this errand, what kind of nature it had, no one didn't understand. However, Xiao He was just a chief clerk under the county magistrate, and things decided by the county magistrate, especially things that the county magistrate deliberately decided, what could he do?

  Later, Xiang Yu looked at the time and it was almost noon, so he invited Liu Bang to have lunch together. Liu Bang was also very casual with Xiang Yu, and the two of them sat down on the ground, each with a table in front of them, drinking wine and chatting. Xiang Yu said: "Recently, this imperial court is all controlled by the eunuch Zhao Gao! Alas, it's gotten to the point where the whole country is filled with dark energy. It seems that the Qin dynasty has reached its end."

  "Hmm, I've also heard that Zhao Gao is a ruthless man who has killed many people. He even didn't spare the lives of more than 20 brothers of Qin Er Shi, fearing they would threaten his rule in the court. He's indeed cruel and unscrupulous!" Liu Shanhe said to Xiao He based on what he had heard.

  Moreover, I also heard that many places have appeared * phenomenon! However, Qin Ershi just liked to report good news and not bad news. If someone really reported the true situation to him, then this guy would be in trouble soon.

  It's said that a few days ago, there was an unlucky county magistrate who truthfully reported to the Second Emperor of Qin about the bandits running amok in their area. As a result, the Second Emperor of Qin asked him, "Isn't it impossible? In this peaceful and prosperous era, how can such a phenomenon appear?" Hmm, isn't it impossible? Absolutely impossible! However, that county magistrate was also a stubborn one. Since the emperor repeatedly said it was impossible, he shouldn't have spoken again. But his loyalty was fully expressed at this time, repeatedly requesting the Second Emperor of Qin to send troops to suppress the bandits. Haha, how naive and ridiculous! In the end, wasn't he pushed away by the Second Emperor of Qin and immediately beheaded? Alas, this Second Emperor of Qin is also a ruthless killer! A ruthless killer!

  Xiao He sighed while drinking wine, continuously lamenting.

  "Alas, it seems that the Qin Dynasty's luck has indeed run out. But, but, but we're still here sacrificing our lives for them, it's really not worth it, not worth it at all!" Liu Shanhe thought to himself that since the great Qin Dynasty was actually being manipulated by the eunuch Zhao Gao, bringing disaster to the country and its people, his crimes were almost too numerous to record.

  But his words were suddenly stopped by Xiao He: "I'm telling you, Liu brother, in this chaotic world, we must be careful with our words and actions. Otherwise, our heads might not be so stable on our necks! We must pay attention to everything!" As Xiao He spoke, he raised his wine cup and said to Liu Shanhe: "Come, come, let's drink, let's drink!"

  A few days later, Liu Shanhe bid farewell to his wife and children and set out on the road with a group of thirty prisoners. Liu Shanhe carried a bundle on his back and rode a horse at the front of the procession, leading the way. Seven or eight soldiers, armed with weapons, stood guard on either side of the procession. At first, everything seemed normal, but as they journeyed further and further away, the terrain became increasingly treacherous. Although Liu Shanhe had traveled this road before, it was his first time leading a group of prisoners, and he felt a sense of novelty and excitement. His attention was focused on the scenery, and he didn't worry about anything else. After all, he had never taken a long trip like this before, especially not to Xianyang. But now things were different. This group of people was made up of all sorts of individuals, mostly longtime prisoners, including murderers. How could Liu Shanhe feel at ease leading such a group?

  And this is not the worst part. The most troublesome thing that Liu Shanhe was worried about finally came. This is also what he was most concerned about. However, if such a thing happened, then there would be no later day for Liu Shanhe to go on a business trip. It seems that some things are arranged by heaven intentionally.

  Liu Shanhe was riding the white horse, still leading the way at the front of the team. Behind him, the guards on both sides of the team, who were holding weapons, kept shouting hoarsely to the prisoners, telling them to hurry up, faster, faster, and even faster. However, Liu Shanhe saw through their eyes, those desperate, even evil eyes, that they all had anger in their hearts, and also harbored a mind eager to try something.

  Liu Shanhe naturally understood, for this group of people...