Chapter 8: Those Things About Qin Dynasty

  Is it interesting?

  Liu Jian was probably not having fun at this moment, as he was being scolded by his mother, Madame Kan, who was berating him mercilessly.

  "Ah Jian, why are you so foolish? Why didn't you discuss it with me and exchange all the money for Qin currency?"

  Shan Yu sent the Qin currency over early in the morning, and Liu Jian didn't even explain the situation to Jian Niang, which made Jian Niang suddenly furious.

  Liu Juan didn't understand why Liu Juan changed all the money in her hand into Qin currency.

  It was mentioned earlier that the location of Pei is very interesting. As early as the beginning of the Warring States period, Wu State in the south had already incorporated this place into its territory. Later, after Wu was destroyed and Yue declined, Chu State rose again and incorporated the area including Pei within the Huai River basin under its control. People living in Pei say that Pei is both the southern margin of the Central Plains and the northern border of Chu State.

  Qilu culture and Chu-Yue civilization are intertwined here.

  While living in peace, they also retain their unique customs. Among them, the Chu style is particularly prominent in Pei County in the south.

  Although Chu has only three families, it will surely be the one to destroy Qin.

  The hatred between the Chu and Qin people can be said to be deeply ingrained. Especially the last king of Chu, also known as King Huai of Chu, was an honest man. He was first deceived by the State of Qin, then detained by the State of Qin, and finally died at the hands of the State of Qin.

  For the people of Chu who are still hot-tempered and have a southern barbarian style, this is simply a great shame.

  Although Chu State has been destroyed, the attitude of the people of Chu living in Pei County towards Qin State has not changed at all.

  Although he had exchanged for more than 50,000 Qin coins, the amount had increased, but in reality it had become even less useful. At first, Liu Qian thought of using this money to open up land and buy a head of cattle, after setting up his business, he would arrange a marriage for Liu Qian.

  As a mother, nothing is more important than her son getting married and starting his own family.

  But now...

  Liu Jian surprisingly made such a big decision without consulting himself. However, although Liu's wife was angry, in order to save Liu Jian's face, she still exchanged the money and goods in her hands for Qin currency. For a man, keeping one's word is sometimes more important than life itself.

  Even if she starves to death, she would not want her own son to be called a disreputable person who lacks credit.

  This was also an extremely popular fashion trend at the time.

  However, when the door was closed, Liu Quan's mother naturally couldn't help but scold him. But Liu Quan just couldn't explain... Should he tell his mother: I know that Qin Wang Zheng will ascend to the throne and become the First Emperor, and he will also unify weights and measures, unify currency, and the value of Qin coins will rise?

  So Liu Jian had no choice but to lower his head and listen to Madame Jian's scolding.

  Fortunately, Qian Wei was also just temporarily angry, and after this anger passed, she didn't blame her anymore.

  "Ah Jian, since it's already done, let's not mention it again. Mother doesn't know why you did this, but I'm sure you had your reasons. However, now we need to think about the future... We can't stay here forever, right?"

  Liu Jian said: "Mother, I've already talked to Shi Da Ge about it. We can temporarily stay here and eat and live at his expense, without spending any money."

  Her face turned cold, "Why? We're not penniless, why should we be dependent on others? Moreover, the Zhang family is being so good to us for no reason. Ah Qiang, didn't you say you wanted to be self-reliant and not depend on others anymore? Why have you changed your mind now? A man with great ambitions shouldn't easily change his mind, or he'll be looked down upon."

  Liu Kan's mouth opened and closed, but he found it was another problem that couldn't be explained clearly.

  If Guan Yu knew that Shi Zu was bribed by others and ordered to monitor them, mother and son, Guan Yu's first reaction would be to escape immediately. Even if Guan Yu didn't leave, she would still be frightened and worried, let alone continue living here.

  "Ah Jian, let's go find someone and settle down at home now."

  Liu Jian's wit was inspired by urgency, and he grasped his mother's collar, "Mother, please listen to your child's explanation."

  She looked at Liu Qian with a surprised expression, hesitated for a moment, and said softly: "Alright, then you speak, I'll listen... Ah Qian, don't deceive your mother."

  Liu Jian said, "Mother, we are new here and know nothing about Pei. You also know that Pei County is a place where Chu people and Central Plains people live together. We need to figure out which places are suitable for us to live in, what things we need to pay attention to, and understand these things first. What are the living habits of the Chu people? What customs do the Central Plains people who live here have? If we don't clarify these things, it will definitely be troublesome later."

  "Qian, who taught you all these things?" Qian's wife asked in surprise.

  Liu Qian cried out in a low voice that it was bad, presumably the owner of this body would never say such words.

  "Hurry up and say: 'Last night, I chatted with Shen Shi Gege, he gave me a lot of advice. He also said that settling down is a big thing for one's whole life, can't be taken lightly. I think Shen Shi Gege is right, so I want to investigate first before making a decision.'"

  "This one..."

  She furrowed her brow and fell silent.

  She didn't have a good impression of Shen Shi. Even in Qian's view, Liu Qian did such a foolish thing, exchanging Qin currency, and it was probably Shen Shi's idea. He did this, must be wanting us to stay for more days, to make money from my mother and son.

  However, what he said also makes sense.

  New to the place, I know nothing about Pei County. Especially Liu Xiang is in his growing stage, if he lives in a bad environment, it may affect him. Qian's mother doesn't read much, but she has also heard of Mencius' mother's three moves and knows the importance of this environment.

  "Since that's the case, let's stay at this inn for two days first... but you and that Auditing Food, we won't stay for free, whatever needs to be done will be done. Ah Qiang, the world is a treacherous place, one must be cautious. That Auditing Food looks oily and sly, doesn't seem like a good person. His words can't be ignored, but also can't be fully believed. Whatever you do, don't owe him any favors, when it's time to repay them, it will be very troublesome."

  Qian Wei said this, also has a feeling of being moved to speak.

  Think of her husband Liu Fu, wasn't it because he received kindness from the Lü family that in the end he repaid them with his life?

  She didn't want her only child to follow in Liu Fu's footsteps. Especially since Liu Kan was also a martial artist, he would be even more easily taken advantage of.

  Liu Jian nodded repeatedly, indicating that he remembered his mother's reminder.

  But in his heart: Alas, it's really sorry. This pot must be borne by someone, die for a friend but not for a poor way, I've wronged you!

  Madam Wang warned Liu Xiang again and again before letting him go.

  Liu Kan walked out of the room and couldn't help but let out a long sigh. The suffering he endured when he was with Qian Lao was truly unbearable.

  Outside the house, Liu Quan met Shi Fen.

  Shan Shi had changed into a new outfit, shedding the traditional long robes of the Central Plains people and donning a short jacket and pants like those worn by the Chu people. He looked quite spirited. On his head was a bamboo skin cap, and in his hand he grasped a bamboo staff. When he saw Liu Yan, he burst out laughing.

  "Little brother, got scolded again?"

  Shen Shi walked over with a smile and said, "I told you so. You exchanged the knife cloth and ant nose for Qin currency without any reason. The old man is definitely angry."

  "Then you won't persuade me either?"

  "Hey, why should I persuade you? It's not like I'm losing out... Hehe, but since you've made me a profit, when it comes to paying up, I'll calculate the price according to market rate. Don't glare at me, I don't believe your boss would agree to free food and lodging."

  This is a food review...

  Liu Kan really didn't know what to say about him!

  Who says the ancients were foolish and simple-minded? This guy's heart is like a bright mirror, seeing more clearly than anyone else.

  No wonder he was smiling and looked like he had eaten sugar when he came to deliver the money in the morning. It turned out that he had already seen through Qian Wei's attitude!

  It's also worth thinking about, if we use our own existing way of thinking to measure the thoughts of ancient people, I'm afraid it won't add up.

  Liu Jian gritted his teeth and said: "My mother told me to take a look at the environment here... Since you've taken advantage of it, I might as well introduce myself again?"

  "This is quite a sight to behold! This place, however, belongs to the three no-governance areas, not even a county government exists. Hmm, if you want to set up a household and business, remember to report to the local headman. However, this matter isn't troublesome either, I'll take you to meet them right now."

  Pei County has no government offices, and the more formal official institutions are called pavilions.

  Liu Kan was taken aback and said: "Ting Chang?"

  "Yes, that's the head of the pavilion. Here, five households are considered a neighborhood, and five neighborhoods are considered a village. Ten villages set up one pavilion. The head of the pavilion is responsible for maintaining law and order in peacetime and handling some daily miscellaneous things. Our pavilion head is surnamed Cao, he's a good person, you don't need to be afraid."

  After finishing, Shen Shi's still surprised expression said: "Actually, it's not just us here, isn't everywhere else doing the same? Don't you know?"

  Liu Kan let out an "ah" and hastily covered it up by saying: "I didn't know! I just forgot for a moment."

  "Hey, you're not old, but your memory seems to be not very good."

  Liu Kan said: "Don't waste words, if you're not willing to introduce me, then I'll find someone myself to ask around."

  "Alright, alright. Since you're living in my house, I'll make an exception just this once. This one's on the house, consider it my repayment to you."

  How to repay?

  Of course, it's to repay Liu and let him make a small profit!

  Shan and Liu Yan no longer exchanged idle chatter, the two of them walked out of the inn and strolled along the main street of Pei County.

  What is called a big street, is actually just a dirt road. It's just wider and runs through the south and north gates of Pei County. In fact, the whole Pei County only has this one decent street. On both sides of the road, there are some vendors and several wine shops.

  "Little brother, you're new here, let me treat you to a drink!"

  "Didn't you want to introduce me to the situation in Pei County?"

  "There's no need for an introduction, Puyang is a place that can be taken in at a glance. Let's sit down, have a drink, and I'll tell you all about it."

  Shan Yu dragged Liu Quan to a wine shop at the south of the city.

  Outside the wine shop, a signboard was swaying in the wind, with a large character written on it. The strokes were twisted and turned, but Liu Xian barely made out that it was a "Wang" character.

  "This is one of the best two wine houses in Pudong County."

  The boss introduced with a smile, "The wine here is famous throughout the surrounding villages. Another day I'll take you to another place, it's not bad either."

  After walking for a while, Liu Kan found that only this wine shop had a sign hanging at its entrance.

  I suppose this plaque isn't something that just anyone can hang up casually; otherwise, other wine shops would have them too.

  "Look at this, brother, are these characters on the flag 'Wang'?"

  What seemed like a very ordinary question to Liu Jian, unexpectedly made Shi Yu's face change color, revealing a shocked expression.

  "Liu brothers, can you recognize this Chu character on top?"

  Liu Ke said strangely: "Is this Chu Wen? I don't know, but it should be 'Wang'."

  "So it was just a guess!"

  He smiled and said in a low voice, "You scared me. I thought you were a descendant of the Chu people."

  ——————————————

  Back to Buglm, the surname of Shen Shi is actually not clear whether it is a compound surname or a single-character surname. The High Yang Wine's surname is indeed Lü, theoretically speaking, Shen Shi should also be surnamed Shen.

  However, for a later plot, I still came up with it myself and adopted the surname "Shen Shi".

  Moreover, in the late Warring States period and the transition from Qin to Han, this surname was quite casual, with many strange and unusual surnames that are not found in the Hundred Family Surnames. Also, let's assume that Xun Shi is a compound surname; please forgive any mistakes.