Chapter 43: Slave (1)

  It's daytime!

  It rained lightly in the early hours of the morning and stopped by dawn.

  The fields are shrouded in a misty rain, the early spring rain beats on the land, bringing out the fragrance that has been hidden deep in the soil for a cold winter. A bit fishy, somewhat refreshing. The vitality bursting from the depths of the earth is invigorating.

  Liu Jian got up early, practiced a round of boxing in the courtyard, and thought to himself: should he prepare some tools? Nowadays, the First Emperor prohibits copper and iron weapons among civilians. In ordinary households, it is generally impossible to store weapons and equipment.

  Liu Jian's situation was slightly better, as he had a Wushan sword given by Zhao Tuo at home, which also prevented the Red Flag from being discovered.

  However, these are minor matters that can be prepared for slowly later and will not delay things. The most urgent task is to go find Ren Yao and confirm the noble title he created. So, after the hour of Mao had just passed, Liu Jian said goodbye to his mother, picked up a bamboo cane, and walked out of the house door in a leisurely manner, taking light steps along the small path between the fields, heading towards the county town of Dai.

  Bamboo umbrella, also known as the predecessor of the rain umbrella in later generations.

  It is said to have been invented by Master Lu Ban, and has a history of many years.

  Pei County is about half a time from Liu Quan's home. Liu Quan is not in a hurry, appreciating the scenery along the way, walking slowly.

  The wind of Qin times is very refreshing and comfortable.

  That row of green willows by the road, swaying gently in the early spring breeze, displaying an extraordinary charm.

  Liu Jian had never carefully appreciated the scenery of this Qin dynasty. Since coming to this era, it seemed like he was always busy and restless, without a moment's peace. Now, with an ordinary mindset, he came to appreciate the beauty of the early spring fields, Liu Jian felt that this trip was worthwhile.

  The city wall of Pei County East City has been repaired and is in good condition.

  The rammed earth wall was only over twenty feet high, but compared to its previous broken state, it didn't know how much better it had become. At present, the convicts of Pei County were repairing the west city wall. Liu Quan entered the city and had to pass through here, so he went over to take a look along the way.

  Former companions are working under Ruo's supervision, staring at the entwining rain threads.

  "Ah Jian, how did you come?"

  Ren Ao saw Liu Gong and revealed a surprised expression. Apparently, in Ren Ao's view, Liu Gong should have returned home to rest well now. Who knew that he ran here early in the morning? He quickly stepped forward with a smile and spoke to Liu Gong.

  "Oh, I'm going to pay a visit to the county magistrate later and dropped by to see everyone on the way... Brother Ren, why are there so few people today? And there are quite a few new faces too."

  Ren Ao turned his head and took a look at the prisoners who were being punished, smiled, "Last night, I received an urgent order, all young and strong prisoners were sent to Xiang County overnight. Then, another batch of prisoners arrived, most of them were old, weak, sick and disabled people, unable to even tie up a chicken, and were forced to do hard labor."

  Transferred? No wonder many familiar faces can't be seen!

  "Alright, brother Ren, but did you only transfer the people from our place?"

  Ren Ao furrowed his brow, thought for a moment and said: "That's not it... Yesterday evening was Old Cao and the Qin army general who took over. It is said that it was Dangjun, Si Shuijun... Anyway, it was centered on Si Shuijun, and the convicts from three surrounding counties also requested to be sent to Xiang County within ten days."

  This is going to be a big move...

  Liu Jian Zheng was deep in thought when he suddenly heard a commotion coming from beside his ear.

  Turning his head, he saw a white-haired person who looked like a scholar, with his head buried in the mud, struggling to get up.

  Several prisoners around him hurried over to support him.

  As soon as Ren Ao saw him, he immediately ran over, drew his sword, and shouted loudly: "What are you doing? What's going on here? Hurry up and get back to work, don't slack off... Mr. Cheng, Mr. Cheng... what's the meaning of this? How did it suddenly become like this?"

  Liu Jian followed Ren Ao and ran over, squatting down to take the pulse of that person.

  Looking at his face, he's only about 40 years old, how did his hair turn white like this? Moreover, Ren Ao's way of addressing him is also quite interesting. Sir, he actually calls this person sir? You know, this scholar is just a prisoner, how can he be called 'sir'?

  "Uncle Ren is starving!"

  Liu Jian soon confirmed the situation of Shu Sheng.

  A prisoner said: "Sir, we were sent to Xiang County two days ago. Who knew that before we could even catch our breath, we were immediately sent here. It's not that we don't want to work hard, it's just that we have no energy... For the past two days, we've only had two meals of thin porridge."

  Ren Ao heard this and frowned.

  They arrived in Pei County yesterday evening when it was already very late.

  According to the rules of Pei County Prison, there is a thin porridge at Chen time and a dry meal in the evening, for a total of two meals. Now it's just Mao time.

  "You take care of him first, this matter should be reported to the county magistrate."

  Ren Ao said, calling a prison guard to help keep an eye on things here, then said to Liu Yan: "A Yan, let's enter the city together."

  Liu Kan thought for a moment, beckoned an offender to come over and handed him the bamboo flute in his hand.

  "Let's prop him up... His body isn't very healthy, if he gets drenched in the rain, who knows, he might lose his life. Ren Da Ge, let's go."

  No matter how grateful the prisoner looked at himself, Liu Kan was secretly rejoicing in his heart.

  One day is one day earlier!

  If it were a day later, I might have been taken to Xiang County myself. Such a large-scale mobilization of young and strong prisoners must be for something big.

  "Where did these people come from?"

  "It's said that they were transferred from Ju Prefecture, originally to be sent to Sanjiang County, but since the convicts here were reassigned, the county magistrate asked the prefectural governor to bring them over... However, as you've seen, they're all weak and can't do any heavy labor. The neighboring county is also being unreasonable, sending them over without even giving them food."

  Liu Quan asked in surprise: "Where is this Zhū Rěn (now northeast of Chongqing City)?"

  Ren Ao scratched his head and laughed: "Ah Guan, you really got me this time. In my lifetime, the farthest I've been is Peng City, how would I know what that place is? However, Old Cao did mention it to me once, seemingly in the southwest direction. As for the specific location, I'm not too clear... Hehe, seems like it's quite far from here, these guys have been walking for over 50 days."

  That's really far away!

  Liu Jian thought for a moment, but in his memory, there was no such concept as "enduring humiliation".

  Shaking his head, he asked again: "Who was that person just now? From your tone earlier, it seems like you have a lot of respect for him."

  "Look at that white hair!" Ren Gao laughed and said: "That person is called Cheng Miao, and he seems to be a descendant of the old Qin people. Originally, like me, he was a prison officer in Yun. However, he is stronger than me, I am a privately hired person by the county magistrate, but he is an official sent by the emperor."

  That is to say, this Chu Ren was likely already under the jurisdiction of Qin before the Six States were pacified?

  Liu Jian thought for a moment and roughly understood the location of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. It should be in the city around Bashu, right?

  "So how is he..."

  "Who knows? He was suddenly thrown into prison. I heard the prisoners say that he's a bit of an oddball, always asking for books to read and scribbling away at something or other when he was in the big prison. But all the prisoners seem to respect him, calling him 'Mr. Cheng' this and 'Mr. Cheng' that. As for me, I just followed along with everyone else."

  "Are you saying this person can read?"

  "What's more, I've heard that you are very knowledgeable."

  Two people walked while talking.

  Unconsciously, they had arrived at the gate of the government office. They happened to run into Xiao He walking out, and upon seeing Ren Ao and Liu Quan together, he was slightly taken aback.

  "Ah Jian, you're here!"

  "Mr. Xiao!" Liu Guang slightly bowed, but Xiao He quickly dodged to the side. In the past, he could openly and uprightly accept Liu Guang's courtesy. But now, he didn't dare to. Although Xiao He was respectfully addressed as "Mr.", in the end, he was still a commoner.

  As for Liu Gong, he has now become a "scholar" recognized by the Qin government.

  A 'scholar' salutes a commoner, violating the laws of Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang won't be in trouble, but Xiao He can't afford it.

  "Ah Jian, don't harm me!"

  Xiao He stepped aside and said with a smile: "If the county magistrate finds out, I'll at least get a severe punishment. You're already a high-ranking official now, so don't casually bow to people in the future. It's not in line with the law, nor is it suitable for your status."

  Liu Quan smiled, "I'm just a humble wine seller, don't laugh at me, Mr. Xiao. Your learning is the best in our county of Pei. I'm showing you this respect not for any other reason, but for your scholarship and your character."

  Xiao He's face didn't show anything, but a hint of complacency flashed in his eyes.

  "Ah Guan, have you come to see the county head?"

  "Exactly!"

  "Then go directly... The adults are free at this moment, if it's a bit later, it's uncertain. Ren Ao, you're not supervising in the west city, what are you doing here?" Xiao He said to Liu Yan, and looked at Ren Ao with surprise.

  Ren Ao hastily explained the situation, and Xiao He thought for a moment. "I'll handle this matter. Let those people stop work and return to their cells first. I'll go talk to someone right away, and change the noon meal in prison to coarse millet... Ah, the evening meal too."

  Xiao He was a long-serving official responsible for these trivial matters.

  Ren Ao responded with a sound, bid farewell to Liu Quan, and hurriedly left. Xiang Yu also didn't have time to chat with Liu Quan again, and ran away quickly.

  Standing in front of the government office gate, Liu Ke was speechless and lost his smile.

  Everyone is very busy... It seems I shouldn't be too idle either!

  He stepped into the gate of the government office with this thought in mind.

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  The fourth watch, the first watch!