Chapter Thirty-One: Laughing at the Rise of Wind and Clouds (Part 1)

  The city wall of Pei County is actually very simple.

  Due to its relatively remote geographical location, the specifications of the city wall are naturally inferior to those of big cities like Luoyang. Even compared to neighboring Xue County and Qi County, there is a big difference. After digging out black mud from the muddy field, mixing it evenly, cutting it into blocks with square wooden frames, compacting and drying them in the sun, they became the current four-sided city wall of Pei County, only two or three zhang high.

  This city wall is also just symbolically built.

  Not to mention encountering regular military attacks, even against bandits like Wang Ling's, it would be extremely difficult to defend. Although the four seas are now at peace and only a few places have sporadic **, Ren You still feels that this city wall should be repaired properly.

  It was just past midnight when Liu Bei and Guan Yu, along with dozens of prisoners, arrived at the east gate of Pei County under the escort of the prison guards.

  It's already autumn, and the morning temperature is a bit low. With a gentle breeze, you can feel a chill, and Liu Ke couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

  It's really self-inflicted suffering, can't be helped!

  But looking at Tang Lie beside him, Liu Jian's heart couldn't help but rise with a warm feeling.

  "Hey, Liu Que, don't mind!" A prison guard walked up and patted Liu Que's shoulder: "Two years will pass in the blink of an eye. If you're lucky, you might encounter a big amnesty or something, and it might be over in a year or two. I've also heard about your situation... Hehe, everyone actually admires you guys. I won't bother you, just take care of yourselves. As long as those old Qin people don't see it, everything will be fine."

  This jailer was also one of those who had taken part in the conscription at the beginning.

  However, due to poor health and mediocre martial arts skills, he was eliminated on the second day. Later, through Xiao He's recommendation, he became a prison officer in Pei County.

  Liu Quan couldn't remember his name anymore, so he just smiled slightly as a response.

  Tang Lie then punched the other party with a fist, "Old Cao, you're getting serious!"

  The jailer just smiled and didn't say anything else, turning around to urge other prisoners to work.

  Liu Kan couldn't help but ask: "Tang Lie, is his surname Cao? What's his name? I didn't remember his name back when we were at the Qingzhu Forest camp."

  "Zao Shen!"

  Tang Lie said the name of that prison guard, then picked up a mud bucket and busied himself with the other prisoners. Since it was hard labor, he had to look like he was doing hard labor. People might say they were taking care of him, but he couldn't just stand by and do nothing, or it would reflect badly on others.

  Liu Kan was stunned for a moment.

  Cao Shen? This name is absolutely familiar...

  Xiao Gui Cao Sui, this idiom Liu Kan has an impression of, and also clearly knows the allusion. This Cao Shen, seems to be the second-generation prime minister of the Han Dynasty. And in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is mentioned that Cao Cao Cao Mengde is a descendant of Cao Shen, so Liu Kan has a deep impression.

  Another incredible person!

  Liu Bang slightly shook his head. Who would have thought that this small Pei County could produce so many extraordinary figures? Xiao He, Cao Shen, Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying, Zhou Bo... these names were renowned in later generations. It was indeed interesting that they all gathered in this Pei County.

  But I wonder, where are Zhang Liang, Chen Ping and Han Xin now?

  And what about Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, and the peerless beauty Yu Ji? What are they like now? Liu Quan's heart was truly filled with curiosity.

  Although the labor was extremely hard, for Liu Gan, it was enjoyable.

  Whether walking or working, unknowingly applying the steps recorded in the Red Flag Book, it was very troublesome at first, but later on, it became much easier. It's just like practicing kung fu, Liu Jian was not left with any energy after starting work, and after three hours, he was already drenched in sweat. Since some things can't be avoided, I might as well find happiness in them, it's actually quite interesting.

  After the fifth watch, prisoners returned to their cells after finishing work.

  On the city wall, Ren You looked at the prisoners walking towards the prison and a smile appeared on his face as he nodded slightly.

  "Ren Dage, this kid is quite honest." Zhao Tuo said with a smile beside him.

  Xiang Yu said, "Being able to endure hardship and hard work is not comparable to the cunning and deceit of the six nations. If this guy wasn't a native Qin person, that would be strange... Earlier, he exchanged his knife cloth for Qin currency, if he didn't have his heart set on my old Qin, how could he do such a thing? My ancestors from generation to generation protected me, and it just so happens that this little brat made a fortune, which can also be considered as compensation for him. What do you think?"

  Zhao Tuo smiled and said: "This is natural!"

  Actually, Ren Yao and Zhao Tuo had thought that Liu Quan's exchange of Qin currency was not without ulterior motives. However, after thinking about it again, both people felt that it was unlikely. The unification of currency was said to be a decision made by the First Emperor in a recent court meeting, and even the Chancellor Wang Wan, the Imperial Secretary Li Si, and the Minister of Works Meng Yi, who were all close to the First Emperor, did not know about it. How could Liu Quan, an ordinary citizen, possibly have foreseen its subtleties?

  If it's really like that, this guy is a living god!

  Liu Quan is also very low-key in his daily life. Apart from being exceptionally brave and having a strong sense of justice, he has not shown off his talents in other areas.

  It's naturally impossible to guess, Liu Jian comes from the future.

  For this reason, Ren Yong and Zhao Tuo both firmly believed that Liu Quan was an old Qin person and came from the Duling Liu clan.

  "Really, in a few days you'll be returning to Xiang County?"

  Zhao Tuo fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said: "That's right... The king has already made up his mind to conquer the Baiyue, and has begun to mobilize troops. The pressure on Xiangxian is a bit heavy, so General Tu ordered me to return immediately to assist him in doing things... I estimate that within two years, once the situation of the six states is settled, the king will set out on an expedition. The situation in Xiangxian is also very bad right now."

  Ren Yan sighed and felt reluctant to part with this little brother who had been his partner for a long time and had worked together seamlessly.

  However, Zuo turned around and smiled, "Alright, alright... after all, Pei County and Xiang County are only a day's journey away, you and I brothers can meet at any time. Who knows, it won't be long before you and I brothers will fight side by side again, open up new territories for His Majesty, and make great achievements."

  Zhao Tuo also smiled, "Then little brother will just believe in waiting for Da Ge's return!"

  The two of them looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing.

  In the distance, a mournful horn sounded, and it was time for the Qin army to start their drill!

  The prisoner's days are actually not difficult. With someone taking care of them outside, Liu Jian and Tang Li's days naturally became much easier.

  Liu Quan's deeds had also spread throughout the prison.

  Don't look at the people locked up here, they are mostly a group of lazy goods, but they know heroes and value good men... The blood nature cultivated in the 500 years of chaos from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States Period has not changed. They admire Liu Quan's bravery and Liu Quan's righteousness.

  Liu Jian had a somewhat prestigious position in prison. Along with Tang Li, he also became a respected figure among the people.

  Liu Kan also knows how to be a good person.

  Mrs. Qian would bring her own cooking every day and chat with Liu Qian for a while. The prison food, of course, was unbearable to eat.

  For Liu Quan, although his wife's cooking didn't have the flavor of later generations, it had its own unique taste. His wife was a good cook, and every time she sent her mother away, Liu Quan would divide the food among his fellow prisoners in jail, each person eating not much but still better than nothing. By rule, outside food couldn't be brought in, and his wife's daily visits also didn't follow the rules.

  But who would have thought that Ren Ao has become a prisoner now?

  Although he was sentenced to prison, his prestige increased instead. Even when walking on the street, people would point their thumbs up in admiration when they saw Ren Ao.

  Good fellow!

  For these grassroots figures living in the city, a sentence of praise is enough to make them feel content and satisfied.

  According to Ren Gao himself, now that he has gained fame, the girls' eyes are no longer right. Several families of girls have asked people to propose marriage on their behalf. In the past, when his family was poor and struggling, Ren Gao dared not imagine such things, but now they have come true.

  When he was not on labor duty, Liu Hei would either practice boxing and kicking in the empty space of the prison or temper his physical strength.

  For this, he also opened a menu for himself and asked Mrs. Kuang to cook for him. In his previous life, he was a nutritionist, and Liu Kuang was even more familiar with cooking. So much so that Tang Lie joked: Liu Kuang is not being punished, it's clear that he has come to enjoy the good fortune in prison.

  As for Liu Gan, he just smiled and didn't make any excuses.

  What's the point of making excuses? In Liu Jian's opinion, apart from the poor environment, this prison is actually quite peaceful.

  During this time, Lü Lingqi accompanied Lady Gan and often came to visit Liu Gan.

  Every time she sees Liu Gong, Lü Ji is always teary-eyed. In her heart, there must be an unresolvable guilt hidden.

  Lü Zhi, on the other hand, didn't say much, each time just sitting aside, quietly watching and listening...

  Autumn has gone and winter has come, in the blink of an eye, we have entered the cold winter.