Chapter 14: The Snake Beheading Uprising

  Liu Shanhe naturally understood that for this group of people, a combination of soft and hard tactics would be necessary. If you push these people too tightly, they may also fight to the death with you. Therefore, when dealing with such people, it is not feasible to think of a way out.

  But now, the situation is worrying Liu Shanhe, not for anything else, but because there are too many people running away! In fact, as for this trip to Lingshan to build a mausoleum, almost all prisoners have a clear understanding in their hearts, that is, 100% of them will never return. What's the reason? It's actually very simple, and there's only one reason, which is that they are prisoners!

  When the team passed through a dense forest, taking advantage of the mountain's height and density, even more people ran away. Because the forest was too dense, and those who escaped were running for their lives, they naturally ran very fast, making it difficult to catch up with them again.

  As he watched the fleeing prisoners increase in number, Liu Shanhe's heart also felt increasingly annoyed and helpless. What could he do? It was just his bad luck!

  "Hei San, count them up, how many have escaped so far?" Liu Shanhe ordered the leader of the guards.

  "Report to the master, up to now, nine prisoners have escaped! Report to the master, up to now, nine prisoners have escaped! Master, if they keep escaping at this rate, it won't take long before everyone is gone! By that time, we...we...we will all be finished!" Hei San almost spat out the words towards Liu Shanhe.

  Liu Shanhe was well aware that this place was actually where Liu Bang had started his uprising. It seemed that after crossing over, he wanted to change the precedent set by Liu Bang, but it wouldn't be easy. Sigh, never mind, since this is heaven's will, heaven's will is hard to defy! Just follow the guidance of heaven's will then! Anyway, having the opportunity to personally experience the path of emperors was enough for him.

  But if I really continue like this, and truly arrive at Xianyang's Mount Wu, then my own head will probably be relocated. If it's really like that, then this time's transmigration is too miserable, too cruel. Others, like Liu Bang, can take action when necessary, magnanimously releasing the prisoners, thereby winning over the core strength of the rebellion for himself; why can't I do the same?

  Look, the sky is getting cloudy. It seems that a heavy rain is inevitable. Ah, it seems that heaven also wants to create some atmosphere for today's event!

  Suddenly, strong winds blew and clouds gathered, sand and rocks flew through the air.

  "Halt! Halt! Don't run, don't run!" the soldiers on guard duty shouted loudly. The sound of rapid footsteps gradually faded away.

  "Liu Tingchang has run away again. Shall we chase him or not?" the leader of the sentries asked Liu Shanhe.

  Liu Shanhe thought to himself, "They only have a few guards in total. Even if they chase after us, can they catch up? They've all gone off to chase the escaped soldiers. What about these people here then? It's likely that those who ran away haven't even been caught yet, and these people will probably get away too." Thinking this far, Liu Shanhe couldn't help but let out a long sigh and said, "Sigh, forget it, just let them go, let them go!"

  "Where are they going? But, but, we, we..." the leader of the sentries stuttered.

  Liu Shanhe didn't understand what he meant. The guy was worried that if these people all ran away, then they would also be killed. Liu Shanhe stared at him for a while, suddenly laughed loudly towards the sky, and then raised his voice to say to everyone: "Everyone listen up, everyone listen up! Ahead, ahead there is an inn, yeah, we'll rest there for a bit. Everyone hear that? We'll rest there. Yeah, after arriving there, I will invite everyone to drink wine, did you all hear? After arriving at that inn, Liu Bang invites everyone to drink wine!"

  Who would have thought that Liu Shanhe's last sentence would stun everyone: What? Liu Tingchang is inviting us to drink? This is huge news! How could Liu Tingchang invite us to drink? What kind of medicine is he selling in this gourd?

  Yes, Liu Shanhe really wanted to invite them for a drink. This was not just a sudden idea of Liu Shanhe's, but rather something he had been thinking about for a long time. It could even be said that from the first escaped prisoner onwards, Liu Shanhe had already begun considering this issue. As one prisoner after another continued to escape, Liu Shanhe gradually formed his own views in his heart.

  When Liu Shanhe said "I'll treat everyone to a drink", almost everyone, including the guards who were relatively familiar with him, felt surprised. Because although Liu Bang was known to be fond of drinking, he was still very cautious when it came to official business. For example, during their previous trip to Xianyang, Liu Shanhe had hardly drunk any alcohol on the way. It wasn't that there was no wine available - in order to pass the time on the long journey, the officials had also brought along a few jars of good wine. Because they knew that this task was extremely arduous, and those being escorted were just ordinary people who could be ignored. However, as the person in charge of the escort, Liu Tingchang was also an official appointed by the imperial court, so naturally his life on the road should also be taken care of. But today, this Liu Tingchang had actually said he wanted to treat everyone to a drink - it was like the sun rising from the west!

  They finally arrived at the relay station. The so-called relay station was just a thatched cottage built in a dense forest. Liu Shanhe had actually brought more than ten jars of fine wine with him when he set out, and now they were all being carried down.

  The rain outside finally started pouring down, and judging from the rain's momentum, it seemed to be getting heavier and heavier. The water dripping from the eaves had already formed a curtain of water. It was clear how heavy the rain was. Moreover, accompanying the torrential rain were continuous rolls of thunder, and flashes of lightning one after another, as if this rainy night was destined to bring about something significant.

  A group of people all entered the station. Liu Shanhe took off his wet jacket, wringing out the water while saying to the two attendants beside him: "Ah, quick, quickly cut the ropes on their hands, untie them! Untie them!"

  "What? What? Let them go? This, this..." The two bailiffs were stunned, as if they didn't understand what Liu Shanhe was saying.

  "Didn't you hear? Untie them for me, I'm telling you to untie all of them!" Liu Shanhe said loudly.

  Although, although those bailiffs all held weapons in their hands, according to the rules, they also belonged to Liu Shanhe's management. So, Liu Shanhe's words were orders for them. Whether they understood or not, anyway, they had to execute Liu Shanhe's words.

  Then Liu Shanhe personally followed the two bailiffs and cut off the ropes for those prisoners. At this time, someone had already poured a full glass of wine for each person, and to keep out the cold, the bonfire was also lit up. Liu Shanhe said to one of the bailiffs: "Quickly, quickly pour a full glass of wine for everyone, quickly pour a full glass of wine for everyone." He raised his wine bowl high above his head and said to everyone: "Cheers, come on, cheers!" Then all the people, whether they understood or not, all raised their wine bowls and drank them dry in one gulp.

  For these prisoners, they had been locked up in prison for a long time and couldn't even get enough to eat, let alone drink. So, no matter what, today, on this rainy night, they were able to drink bowl after bowl of good wine, and their hearts were still very pleased.

  Liu Shanhe, after drinking three bowls of wine in a row, seeing that the timing was about right, once again filled his cup to the brim, raised it with both hands, and said to everyone: "Fellow brothers, I, Liu Ji, although I am just a small official in the current dynasty, but my heart towards the cruel Qin Dynasty is the same as yours! You all know that earlier on the road, many people have already escaped. But why didn't I go after them? Hahaha... Go after them? I can tell you this, this errand is basically a one-way trip with no return! Do you know? I can tell you, I, Liu Ji, have been to Xianyang Rui Mountain several times, and I understand the situation there better than any of you! It can be said that anyone who goes to Xianyang Rui Mountain will not come back alive, not a single one!

  "And besides, this time on the road, many people have already run away. Hehehe, according to the Qin Dynasty's laws, as long as they don't arrive in full numbers, whether it's the team leader or other laborers, they will all receive the same punishment - beheading! Beheading! Brothers, since we're going to our deaths anyway, how could I, Liu Ji, do such a thing? I think... forget it, I'll just let you all go and escape with your lives. That's it! Come on, let's drink!"

  After Liu Shanhe finished his rousing speech, he thought for sure that everyone would erupt in cheers. But the reality was that not a single person made a sound, and instead, they were all stunned, staring at Liu Shanhe with wide eyes.

  "What, you don't believe me? Alas, I'm telling you, everything I said is true, really true! What? You think I'm drunk? Alas, I'm telling you, I'm not drunk, really not drunk! I'm speaking the truth! The truth!" Liu Shanhe also took advantage of his intoxication to speak passionately to those prisoners.

  It's no wonder they don't believe it. Such a situation is simply too rare, too rare! How many people in the world have such charisma? Did they really encounter one today?

  Because more people are holding a kind of silence, staring at Liu Shanhe.

  Liu Shanhe saw the situation and had to say to them again: "Everyone thinks, no matter what, even if we go to Xianyang Lishan, what can we do? We will still be killed. Since we will all be killed, why must we go to Xianyang Lishan? So, I think, I Liu Ji, today, right here, let everyone go! Everyone escape for your lives! Go, go, go and escape!"

  "A loud thunderclap, a flash of lightning. But everyone remained motionless, as if still pondering Liu Shanhe's previous words."

  After a long time, a prisoner asked Liu Shanhe with some confusion: "But, Liu Tingzhang, if you let us go, what will happen to you? If you set us free, the government will also find trouble for you, and you will be guilty of a capital offense! Liu Tingzhang!"

  "Yes, yes, Liu Tingchang, what can you do?" everyone asked in unison. Indeed, this is truly a case of "one good turn deserves another". Since Liu Shanhe treated them with kindness and generosity, they should also respond with kindness and gratitude, which is only normal. Others let you off, but you don't even let out a fart, is that reasonable? These human hearts are all made of flesh!

  Liu Shanhe thought for a moment, then said to everyone: "Oh, you all don't have to worry about me anymore. After I let you all go, I'll also hide in the mountains and won't let the government officials find me. However, that tyrannical Qin dynasty, with its cruel laws and heavy taxes, its foolish king on the throne, and its people unable to survive... this Qin dynasty's rule will not last long! It will not last long! Hahahaha!" Liu Shanhe felt that after saying these words, his heart was extremely relieved, as if a burst of energy had suddenly surged into his heart. He felt that the world was so bright and wide open, and his own heart was also so broad and vast! Haha, haha, hahaha! I've rebelled, I've finally rebelled against those bastards!

  After listening to Liu Shanhe's words, the prisoners were stunned for a moment, and then suddenly, the one who had just asked the question clasped his hands together and said to Liu Shanhe: "Liu Tingzhang, since that's the case, we won't go back either. We'll all follow you, Liu Tingzhang, and venture out into the world together, to repay your kindness! From now on, we'll travel the same road, share life and death, never leave or abandon each other, enjoy good fortune together, and face difficulties together!"

  After hearing that guy's words, almost all the prisoners held up their cups of wine and shouted in unison: "We are willing to follow Liu Tingchang and go through thick and thin together to repay Liu Tingchang's kindness! From now on, we will be together on the road, sharing life and death! We will not leave each other, share good fortune, and face difficulties together! From now on, we will be together on the road, sharing life and death! We will not leave each other, share good fortune, and face difficulties together!" After shouting, everyone still held up their cups of wine and knelt down on one knee. Liu Shanhe was taken aback by this scene. Ah, ah, ah, I, I, I succeeded? The road to imperial power, I finally took the crucial step?!

  "Everyone, please get up quickly! I, Liu Ji, always keep my word. Those who are willing to return home can set off from tomorrow and I, Liu Qi, will not stop you. Those who do not want to go back home but want to follow me to make a name for ourselves, let's temporarily hide in Mangdang Mountain and wait for the right moment to strike. What does everyone think?" Liu Shanhe said with great enthusiasm.

  "We will resolutely follow Liu Tingchang! We will swear to die following Liu Tingchang!" The crowd shouted with great enthusiasm.

  "Alright, since that's the case, we can't stay here for long either. Let's leave as soon as possible." Liu Shanhe said. The sky was still gloomy, but the rain had lessened a lot compared to earlier. With a "clang", Liu Shanhe drew his sword and looked around, roughly observing the terrain and thinking to himself: "This main road is impassable, there are too many people on it and we'll easily be discovered by the authorities. It seems like our only option is to take the small path. Although it's quite rugged and overgrown with thorns and bushes, and has a lot of insects and snakes, still, taking the small path is safer. Relatively speaking, in this special environment, humans are more dangerous than insects and snakes! Having thought this through, Liu Shanhe said to everyone: "Brothers, let's do it like this - I think that under current circumstances, we should take the small path first. Although it's not easy to walk on, it's too rugged and overgrown with thorns and bushes, and has a lot of insects and snakes, still, taking the small path is safer. Relatively speaking, in this special environment, humans are more dangerous than insects and snakes! What do you all think?"

  Being good at soliciting opinions and suggestions from everyone at any time is an important part of Liu Shanhe's character.

  "Alright, then let's take the small path. We'll all follow Liu Tingchang's arrangement! We'll all follow Liu Tingchang's arrangement!" Everyone responded in unison.

  Liu Shanhe drew his sword and happened to see a winding small path not far away, leading into the depths of the dense forest. Liu Shanhe pointed his sword at the small path and shouted to everyone: "Has everyone seen it? Has everyone seen that small path? Alright, let's take that path! Let's set off!"

  "Go, go, go!" Everyone shouted as they rushed towards the direction of the small road. Originally, Liu Shanhe's group had more than 30 people, but over a dozen escaped halfway, leaving only 20 or so people, including the guards. However, among these 20 or so people, there were also those who did not want to follow Liu Shanhe up the mountain and wanted to return home instead, which accounted for over a dozen people. In the end, only 17 or 18 people followed Liu Shanhe to Mangdang Mountain.

  The forest was dense and the road was steep, and it had just rained a night rain, so this small road was very difficult to walk, and many people slipped and fell. Just like that, they were walking on this very rugged and bumpy little road. Suddenly, Liu Shanhe heard a voice of panic coming from the front. He was hesitant for a moment, when suddenly two people ran over from the front and reported to him: "Liu Tingzhang, Liu Tingzhang, in front, in front, on the small road ahead, there is a white snake lying horizontally! It's several feet long! In front of the small road, there is a white snake lying horizontally! It's several feet long! Ah, ah, it scared us to death! And that python's eyes are as big as fists, and they keep shining! How thick? Alas, it's as thick as a thigh! Just lying on the small road, not moving at all!" The person who reported to Liu Shanhe finally managed to explain the situation in a stuttering manner. His face was already very pale at this time, very pale.

  "Huh? A white snake? A white python? Damn it, how dare you block Liu Ji's path! I'll cut it down right now!" Liu Shanhe said, raising the sword in his hand and following the man as he walked forward.

  Although Liu Shanhe said so, he was naturally afraid in his heart! Oh my god, oh my god, a thick and thin snake mouth, a python snake! Several meters long, a big python snake! This, this is not a joke! Of course, this is not a joke!

  Liu Shanhe now began to regret not choosing such a rugged mountain road. But now, it's too late to say anything. It's really too late to say anything. Everything is too late. Faced with this situation, naturally, he couldn't retreat. Otherwise, even a python can't be dealt with, what big things can be done? Joke, wouldn't that become a joke?

  Liu Shanhe walked with his sword in hand, trying to keep his eyes wide open. His hands were shaking involuntarily, but his footsteps didn't stop, and he seemed to be stepping firmly.

  "Liu Tingchang is here, Liu Tingchang is here! Everyone get out of the way, everyone get out of the way, Liu Tingchang is here!" As soon as they saw Liu Shanhe walking over with a treasure sword in hand, they all made way. Yes, in many cases, no matter how many people there are, it's useless; at critical moments, you still need someone who dares to take on heavy responsibilities.

  Liu Shanhe finally arrived in front of the white snake with his treasured sword. As he looked at it, his whole body involuntarily broke out in countless goosebumps, and his feet felt a chill. His palms had already begun to sweat profusely. Fortunately, it was nighttime; otherwise, his face, which had turned as white as snow from fear, might not have been any paler than the massive white snake itself.

  "It seems that this white snake is the first hurdle in front of me! If I don't cut it down, then I won't be able to achieve anything great in the future. Hmph, it seems that this is the first test that heaven wants to put me through!" Thinking of this, Liu Shanhe raised his head and shouted loudly at the dark night sky: "Above is heaven, below is earth, it's not that I, Liu Ji, don't spare lives, but this beast is too overbearing, lying here and refusing to let us pass. Don't blame me for being impolite!" Liu Shanhe repeated again: "Above is heaven, below is earth, it's not that I, Liu Ji, don't spare lives, but this beast is too overbearing, lying here and refusing to let us pass. Don't blame me for being impolite!" Then, he raised the precious sword in his hand and slashed fiercely at the giant white snake lying on the ground.