Chapter 27: Success is governed by law, failure is also governed by law

  As for Meng Tian's final outcome, Liu Gong was still able to recall some of it.

  Sometimes, thinking about it, such a meritorious and outstanding person, also the first general to resist foreign tribes and expand territory since Zhao Wuling King, ultimately ended up with a self-inflicted death, which is quite regrettable. However, one can only sigh and have no other thoughts.

  One must be clear about one's own position in life!

  Liu Jian is now very clear about his own identity. He is just a remnant of the six nations (Liu Jian cannot even confirm whether he is really an old Qin person, in fact, including Liu Jian's mother, it is not clear whether Liu Jian's ancestors are from Sanchuan County or escaped from Sanqin). He doesn't even have his own family business, what qualifications does he have to intervene in the affairs of the upper class? Even if he wants to save Meng Tian, Liu Jian doesn't have that ability.

  Now Liu Jian can only wait and slowly accumulate strength.

  Waiting for Emperor Shi Huang's death, the curtain of chaos was lifted, and he might be able to take advantage of it. As for other things, Liu Quan hadn't thought about them.

  In a fierce battle at Zhao Yang Da Ze, over 1,000 bandits were annihilated and more than 2,000 captured.

  However, the rural troops temporarily recruited from Pei County also suffered heavy casualties. When they set out, there were nearly six hundred people. After the battle ended and the roll was called, more than 200 people had died, and nearly 300 soldiers were wounded. Even Liu Bang, Lu Wan, and Xiahou Ying were injured, some lightly and others severely.

  Intact, but over a hundred people, mostly descendants of Chu State, such as Yong Zi.

  This result also made the remnants of the six countries in Pei County produce some cracks in silence. When Liu Kan was supported onto the cow cart, he keenly felt that a pair of eyes had swept over him. Turning his head to look back, he found nothing.

  That's a group of Chu people!

  But Liu Jian couldn't understand why these guys seemed to have some hostility towards him.

  Forget it, let them be. For people living in this era, their thoughts, the way they consider things, Liu Jian still can't fully understand. But since the war is over, presumably next will be a peaceful and prosperous time? Maybe!

  When Liu Quan and others returned to Pei County, the quiet small county was suddenly stirred up!

  Especially after learning that Wang Ling was killed and the ten powerful bandits around Pei County were all annihilated, many people's faces became very unnatural.

  After settling the wounded, Ren You quickly launched an operation.

  On the night of Xiang Yu's return to Pei County, a crack team of Qin soldiers was dispatched to arrest several wealthy and powerful families in the city. It is said that these wealthy individuals had more or less connections with bandits. This action was precisely due to these people leaking information and informing Wang Ling.

  Now Wang Ling is dead, it's time to settle accounts after autumn!

  The next morning, more than 100 bloody heads were hung on the gate tower of Pei County.

  Ren You's iron-fisted rule sent shivers down the spines of many who had skeletons in their closets. However, this panic soon subsided. On the third day, Ren You ordered his men to announce to the people of Pei County: past events would not be held against them. Regardless of whether they had colluded with Wang Ling and others or had family members who were former bandits, if they came forward to report themselves to the authorities on a designated date, they would not be pursued.

  Within thirty days, if the deadline is exceeded and it is discovered again, according to Qin law, severe cases will be punished by waist chopping and exposure in the market, lighter cases will be punished by branding on the face and cutting off the nose, and even forced labor or exile, all will be severely punished according to the law.

  The Qin people's punishments were severe and varied.

  Tattooing (qing) on the face, which involves tattooing characters on the convict's face. There are also five-year sentences such as city wall construction labor, four-year sentences such as completing city walls, three-year sentences such as ghostly firewood cutting for ancestral temples and white millet washing; additionally, there are two-year sentences such as male guard duty and female guard duty.

  According to Qin law, those who were detained for three months to a year were called penal laborers, and female convicts were also known as fu zuo.

  Those who were sentenced for more than a year and were escorted to serve their sentences were called "zhuò zuò" (At the end of Qin, Ying Bu had been branded with a tattoo before being sent to Zuò zuò in Lishan).

  In short, Ren Zong's law was announced, causing countless people to be shocked and frightened.

  Moreover, the most powerful Jingman bandits have been exterminated, and the remaining thieves around Pei County are only small groups. In the face of the strong military power of the Qin army, various bandits began to tentatively return to Pei County to surrender. And Ren Rao also did as he said, after surrendering, he would not be held accountable for past actions.

  After the first rebel who came to surrender went home, the government office of Pei County suddenly became lively...

  However, this commotion had nothing to do with Liu Quan. At that time, he was lying in the house of Xun Shi, nursing his wounds, and still holding a volume of Qin law.

  This Qin law was a gift from Zhao Tuo to Liu Gong.

  On the road to Huaiyin County, Liu Quan asked Zhao Tuo about some matters related to Qin law. Zhao Tuo couldn't stand Liu Quan's curious questioning and, upon learning that Liu Quan could read Qin script, had someone send over a volume of Qin law for him to study himself.

  Actually, doing so has its benefits!

  Whether it was Ren You or Meng Tian, both seemed to have the intention of promoting Liu Quan. And Liu Quan also knew Qin Wen, which made Zhao Tuo even more convinced that this guy must be a descendant of the Liu family of the Tang Dynasty. As long as he was old enough, Liu Quan would definitely rise to prominence, and it would be beneficial for him to understand some of the Qin laws. Of course, giving away the law was not a trivial matter. Zhao Tuo also made a private report to Ren You.

  However, Qin law is really damn strict!

  Liu Quan couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration after finishing reading the "Corridor Garden Laws" that Zhao Tuo had given him in the corridor.

  The laws of the Qin state cover all aspects. Whether it is a major national event such as politics, economy and military affairs, or a small matter such as building houses and opening fields, it can be said that everything is covered. The Corridor and Garden Laws mainly refer to the laws related to house construction, including what kind of people build what kind of houses, what specifications must be followed, and what materials are used, all of which have very clear records, making it easy for people to understand at a glance.

  Perhaps it was known that Liu Jian would soon be settling in Pei County, so building a house was an indispensable thing.

  Zhao Tuo sent this volume of "Langyuan Law" to him, perhaps just to remind Liu Jian not to overstep the law, otherwise he would suffer.

  "Ah Kan, Ah Kan!"

  As soon as he heard this voice, Liu Kan knew that Shi Zu had drunk too much again.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, no sooner had he finished speaking than Xun Shi walked in with a tipsy air about him, accompanied by Tang Li who also seemed to have had a drink.

  Madam Kong is sewing an inner garment for Liu Kong in the house.

  To be honest, it's uncomfortable without underwear. On the one hand, it's to cover up, and on the other hand, it's for hygiene. Liu Jian told Madame Jian about the appearance of the underpants. There was no paper, so he could only rely on gestures, and Madame Jian finally understood what Liu Jian meant.

  Although she didn't understand why Lao Erzi wanted to do this, Madame Kan still agreed.

  She didn't, instead her mother came out and bought some scraps of cloth, mending and patching them together to make an inner quilt for Liu Quan.

  "Qian, you're not allowed to go out and drink!"

  As soon as she saw him eating, Madame Yan furrowed her brow.

  This guy is not bad, but a bit frivolous and not steady enough in doing things, can't compare to Mr. Xiao who makes people feel at ease. However, Mr. Xiao is now an official in the government office, how could he possibly come here easily? Never mind, Qian is not young anymore, some things can be decided by himself already.

  Mrs. Kong put down her needlework and stood up, walking out of the room, "It's getting late, I'll go cook dinner, you stay here and chat with them."

  After finishing speaking, Mrs. Kuang also stared at Liu Kuang with a stern expression.

  Liu Jian smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mother, I know what's at stake."

  Then, Mrs. Kuang went to the kitchen. Xian Shi sat on the corridor with one buttock, opened his legs, leaned against the pillar, and let out a long sigh.

  "What's wrong?"

  Liu Kan saw his appearance and couldn't help but pause for a moment, subconsciously asking a question.

  Tang Lie said, "These two days at the government office have been quite lively. Today at noon, dozens of people came to report again. County Master's move to kill one to warn a hundred is indeed brilliant. By killing Wang Ling, he has scared off all the bandits in the vicinity of Pei County."

  "Yes, at this rate, Ping County will be peaceful!"

  Liu Jian also thought so, nodding lightly in agreement.

  Ke Tang Lie shook his head and sat down, saying in a low voice: "In my opinion, An Ning may be safe for the time being, but it is absolutely impossible for her to be safe forever."

  Liu Guanqi said: "What do you mean by this?"

  "Ah Jian, although you are brave and martial, your experience is still shallow. The six nations' laws have been abolished for a long time, and everyone has become accustomed to freedom. But the Qin law is severe, and for the people of the six nations, it's like having a noose around their necks - how can they feel comfortable? My grandfather once told my father that although the Qin law is good, it would be difficult to implement in the six nations. If one day the old Qin conquers the six nations, it will only be another chaotic beginning."

  Tang Lie's grandfather was Mr. Tang Yu.

  Liu Jian thought for a moment and was extremely respectful of this old gentleman.

  Tang Lie said in a low voice: "Success is also a method, failure is also a method... The sayings of the Legalists, from now on will reach its peak, but it is also inevitable to head towards decline."

  It's probably this principle when something reaches its peak and then declines.

  Liu Kan didn't know what to say, and could only sigh, "Tang Ge, these things are beyond our control as ordinary city people. No matter what, at least for the next ten years, Pei County will be very peaceful... Hehe, if you ask me, we should think about what to do next."

  "What should we do?" Tang Li shook his head, "Actually, I don't know what the future will be like either... Ah Jian, do you have any ideas?"

  "Yes, we're all so familiar with each other, why don't you share your thoughts with us?" Xun Shi straightened his back, looked around to make sure no one was listening, and suddenly smiled. In a low voice, he said: "Why don't I just say it? Why did you exchange all the knife cloths in your hand for Qin coins?"

  Liu Kan was taken aback and looked at Shen Shi in surprise.

  "You look stupid, but actually you're not foolish at all."

  Shan Shi said, "At first when you came to me to exchange for Qin currency, I didn't quite understand. But that day when Xiao Lao Da said the King of Qin might not grant a fiefdom after all, I thought you were indeed a bit cunning. To be honest with you, I exchanged all the knife money, cloth money and ant nose money in my hands for Qin currency."

  "Ah?" Liu Kan's eyes widened in surprise.

  Tang Lie furrowed his brow, "How much did you exchange?"

  "Seven thousand ant noses!"

  Liu Kan shivered.

  Seven thousand Mites' Noses, which is... one and a half million Qin coins?

  You're a foodie, I didn't expect this guy to come up with such a big move.

  Tang Lie said in surprise: "Won't be, you... exchanged so many Qin coins all at once, why didn't I hear any news about it when I was in Pei County?"

  He indulged in his own self-satisfaction, "Nonsense! How could I possibly do such a thing in Pei County? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble? Let me tell you, after Old Xiao finished speaking, I went to Peng City the very next day. You know how many merchants are there and how much Qin currency is circulating. I secretly exchanged all 7,000 yuan of silver for Qin currency, and then... Hehe, without anyone knowing or noticing!"

  "You're really bold!"

  Tang Lian smiled bitterly and said: "No wonder you've been drinking for the past two days, always pulling me along. It turns out that you're broke and pulled me out to share the disaster."

  Liu Jian did not speak, but quietly sized up Tang Lie and Shen Shi.

  It's really strange... With Taizong's ability and the courage of Shen Wuhui, they should be famous historical figures. Why are they so unknown? Unifying currency, unifying currency... Emperor Qin, when will you take action?