Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 48

This time, he was actually beaten to death. The adults in the village all changed their expressions drastically, as if the sky had fallen and the earth had cracked. They looked at the murderer with extremely hostile eyes. If Uncle Tian hadn't arrived in time, the younger brother, who was holding his older brother and crying, would have been in serious trouble...

When Uncle Tian learned the reason for the incident, he was just as bewildered as the other villagers. However, as the village chief, he declared: "The oxen are not the property of the village. We must notify the Luqiu Pavilion headquarters immediately!"

The villagers did not have the authority to deal with the two brothers; they could only imprison them and wait for people from Jicheng to come.

In his actions, Uncle Tian actually harbored a bias towards the brothers: three years ago, the two brothers had collapsed while homeless outside the village and were kindly taken in by Uncle Tian. Since then, they had been extremely respectful to him, saying things like, "We have no way to repay your life-saving grace; we are willing to serve you like cattle and horses."

Over the years, Uncle Tian, ​​who had no children of his own, treated them as his own grandchildren.

But he couldn't and wouldn't suppress such a serious offense as killing an ox, so he could only delay for two days under the pretext of reporting to his superiors.

As for what to do in the next two days, Uncle Tian didn't know, and could only spend his days in worry, which caused him to grow a lot of white hair.

The farmers' anger was understandable; their precious pet had been beaten to death by the younger brother.

Not to mention the possibility that the entire village might be punished by the farmers and have to make compensation, if the higher authorities become displeased and stop lending the village new oxen... then Yamada Village would be left far behind by other villages belonging to the farming families...

Lu Wei and Lu Yu arrived a day earlier than Uncle Tian had expected, and Lu Wei's request to see the brothers first only added to his anxiety...

The steward himself came to the village, but his main purpose was certainly not to deal with the oxen.

While oxen are indeed expensive, and the death of each one must be recorded even at the headquarters of Luqiu Pavilion, their value is negligible compared to the murderer who killed them.

From the village's perspective, oxen are far more important than one or two human lives, while from Lu Wei's perspective, a boy who can kill an ox with one punch is an exceptional talent that catches his eye!

Following Uncle Tian to a mud-brick warehouse, Steward Lu watched as the old man's trembling hands unlocked the copper lock and pushed open the thin wooden door, immediately gaining a preliminary understanding of the future subordinate he was about to meet.

"In autumn and winter, a big shot from Jicheng arrived."

Uncle Tian called out in a deep, weathered voice to those inside, then stepped aside to make way.

Lu Wei walked in with his hands behind his back, seemingly unconcerned about the musty smell in the air.

The warehouse was naturally not a good place; filthy and chaotic were the basic adjectives to describe it. In a corner, a pale-faced boy lay on a reed mat, his breathing erratic and unconscious. He looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

Beside the straw mat, another boy squatted down. His face was a little more youthful, and his body was thin, but his bright eyes alone made Lu Wei feel that this trip had not been in vain.

The identities of the two people in front of him were obvious at a glance. Lu Wei probed them with his internal energy and found that neither of them had cultivated internal energy.

The younger brother, whom Uncle Tian called 'Autumn and Winter', stood up without a word when he saw the person who came. He walked five steps away from Lu Wei, bowed his head, and knelt down on both knees.

"My lord, all the crimes were committed by 'Qiu Dong' alone, and he is willing to accept punishment... but my brother is the victim. I beg you, my lord, to help him receive treatment!"

In autumn and winter, his forehead slammed heavily against the mud, and he remained motionless for a long time.

"You killed the village's oxen, what makes you think you can be punished?"

Looking down at the thin boy, Lu Wei spoke coldly.

Qiu Dong was taken aback upon hearing this, then gritted his teeth and said, "I've been strong since I was a child. If oxen can plow the fields, I can also put on a rein and plow them!"

"I am willing to give my life to fulfill the duty of a draft ox!"

"That does fit your punishment..." Lu Wei's lips curled into a smile. "But why should I go and treat your brother?"

"I..." Qiu Dong couldn't speak, and could only remain in a kowtow position.

Uncle Tian, ​​who was standing nearby, wanted to ask for help, but he was forced back by Lu Yu's look as soon as he was about to take a step forward.

The warehouse was silent for a full minute; apart from the injured brother's heavy breathing, you could hear a pin drop.

"Uncle Tian, ​​how much do the village's draft cattle weigh?"

The steward, estimating that the time was almost up, suddenly asked.

"This..." Uncle Tian couldn't answer, and could only awkwardly say uncertainly, "About a thousand catties?"

"Brother Lu, the oxen at Luqiu Pavilion weigh roughly between 600 and 1,000 jin," Lu Yu added.

"Is that so?" Lu Wei turned around and glanced at A Yu, nodding in satisfaction: "Uncle Tian, ​​it should be about two miles from the edge of the field to here, right?"

"That's true." Uncle Tian answered subconsciously.

“In that case, autumn and winter…” Lu Wei had a plan in mind. He called out the name of the boy who kowtowed, “From now on, if you can carry the ox from the ridge to here within half an hour, I will heal your brother!”

"Is that really true?" Qiu Dong looked up excitedly.

“You shouldn’t have questioned my behavior in any way.” The steward turned around, his back to him: “The countdown has already begun.”

"Thank you, sir!" Qiu Dong ran frantically out of the warehouse and headed straight for the field ridge. Just after he left, Lu Wei walked to his brother's side, placed his left hand on his forehead, and subtly channeled the internal energy of the Rejuvenation Technique into his body.

"Uncle Tian, ​​is this older brother's name Chunxia?"

"Yes," Uncle Tian coughed twice, "I just picked their names randomly."

Seeing that Chunxia's complexion had improved significantly thanks to the intervention of the important figures in Jicheng, Uncle Tian understood that the two brothers would be safe, and his tone became noticeably more energetic.

"These two brothers are not from humble mountain villages. Judging from their words and actions, they are educated and come from prominent families... Have they said anything to you?"

Chunxia was struck by an ox, leaving a bruise in her chest, which Lu Wei gently dispelled little by little with his internal energy. Fortunately, none of her bones were broken, but her body was severely malnourished, and her recovery process would be very slow.

"I noticed that too, but I didn't ask them about it in detail..."

Uncle Tian hesitated for a moment, then said, "But not long after these two brothers entered the village, a troop of cavalry came looking for them..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Wei's expression remained unchanged: "When?"

“Three years ago,” Uncle Tian replied honestly.

"Three years ago?" This time was very familiar to Lu Wei; it was when he and his four younger brothers deserted.

At that time, the war between Yan and Zhao was raging...

Chapter 68 The General's Son

The Battle of Yan and Zhao in 236 BC is not well-known, since the Battle of Qin and Zhao was taking place at the same time.

After King Zhao of Yan, the Yan state gradually degenerated into a laughingstock. Its national strength was already average, and it was plagued by frequent internal strife in the court, not to mention its fierce military struggle against the Zhao state.

King Xi of Yan has been on the throne for more than 20 years. In the first ten years or so, he was very ambitious and eager to expand the territory to restore the glory of King Zhao.

But after his repeated efforts were thwarted by the State of Zhao, he quickly became intoxicated by wine and women, ushering in an era of decline.

During the war three years ago, Jicheng was not directly hit by military force. In fact, on New Year's Eve, the Prince of Yan spent a fortune to hang red lanterns all over the city to show that there was peace.

The Lu brothers were eyewitnesses and have vivid memories of it.

Yamada Village is not far from Jicheng, so it is not surprising that these two brothers came to the vicinity of the village as wanderers and refugees. However, the fact that they were followed by search cavalrymen is something worth pondering.

Not everyone is qualified to be hunted down by the Yan cavalry.

According to Uncle Tian, ​​the older brother is seventeen and the younger brother is fourteen. Three years ago, they were even younger, so it is unlikely that they were vicious criminals.

Moreover, the warehouse they were in was very rudimentary. For Qiu Dong, who could kill oxen with his bare hands, the mud walls and wooden doors made it very easy to break them down and escape.

The reason these two brothers were able to be imprisoned here was not because of the rotten copper lock, but because of the chains that were in their own hearts.

Such character traits are not something that villains can possess.

Therefore, their pursuit by the Yan cavalry was most likely due to being implicated in the conflict...

After returning to Jicheng from Daze Mountain, Lu Wei, in order to facilitate his actions, specifically researched the official movements of the Yan Kingdom over the past decade. Coincidentally, he learned that a case of confiscation of property had indeed occurred in Jicheng that year:

Yan Xing, the former general of the Yan state, was accused of treason by his younger brother Yan Yi. King Xi of Yan was furious and sent men to the military camp to arrest Yan Xing, who was preparing to go to war against the Zhao army. His whole family was executed!

The position of Grand General was taken over by Yan Yi, who had made a meritorious report.

According to official accounts, Yan Xing and his wife, children, guards, maids, and other servants, totaling 141 people, were all executed.

The record of this case had not previously caught Lu Wei's attention, since dead people generally had no value to him.

But now, Lu Wei remembered: Yan Xing had three sons, two of whom were younger than him, and their ages matched those of Chunxia and Qiudong!

Unfortunately, the records of Luqiu Pavilion do not specifically describe the deeds of the sons of this former general of Yan State; otherwise, his youngest son, who was born with superhuman strength, would certainly have been highlighted.

However, given so many coincidences, the chief steward tentatively concluded that the two brothers were indeed the heirs to the former Grand General of Yan...

It doesn't matter if it's not: it's already a pleasant surprise to unexpectedly recruit a wild, naturally powerful subordinate, but its value would be even greater if it had that kind of status.

After treating half of Chunxia's illness, Lu Wei stopped and left the warehouse with Lu Yu and Uncle Tian to await the arrival of Qiudong.

Uncle Tian was uneasy. He hadn't thought much about Lu Wei's request when he heard it in the warehouse, but now that he saw the sun, he was instantly worried about Qiu Dong.

The difference between being able to lift a nearly 1,000-pound ox and carrying a nearly 1,000-pound ox for two miles is like heaven and earth.

Although the important figure from Jicheng treated Chunxia in advance, even if Qiudong fails to complete the mission, it will most likely not be a big deal. However, that kid is very stubborn, and I'm afraid...

Before Uncle Tian could dwell on his worries for long, a figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight, dispelling his wild thoughts: Qiu Dong had the ox's hind legs draped over his shoulders, its head touching the ground and bruised beyond recognition, as it walked step by step toward the warehouse!

Several villagers were amazed by this spectacle and stood by, pointing and commenting.

Uncle Tian hurried over, not to help, but because he knew his own limitations and that not being a burden was the best help he could give.

Using his prestige, he persuaded the other villagers who had followed him to go home. Then, after thinking for a moment, he looked at the autumn and winter landscape completely covered by the torsos of oxen, shook his head, and left as well.

He's no longer of any use in dealing with that matter; let the two brothers handle it themselves and talk to the important figures in Jicheng...

Each step weighs hundreds of pounds, so I have to be fast!

In autumn and winter, my cheeks have been washed twice by sweat.

Looking at the important figure from Jicheng who was watching him with a calm smile and his hands behind his back not far away, he gritted his teeth, exerted force with his thighs, and his speed increased even more!

This kind of pure, violent power is undeniably a kind of ultimate beauty!

Lu Wei watched silently as the other person reached him and forcefully threw the ox out, then asked emotionlessly, "How long did it take?"

That cow had a tragic fate; its death was already gruesome, and after all the bumps and bruises along the way, it was finally thrown to the ground... and was no longer a thing.

"Exactly half an hour!" Lu Yu, of course, didn't know the exact time, but that didn't stop him from making up a story to answer Lu Ge's question.

"You're lucky you passed," Lu Wei chuckled.

Qiu Dongben, who had been slumped on the ground, immediately stood up, straightened his back, and said after hearing what the steward said: "I've finished!"

"I've fulfilled my promise." Lu Wei approached the boy, who was a year younger than him, and, under the guise of patting his shoulder, channeled his Rejuvenating Skill's internal energy into his body: "Go in and see your brother~"

A surge of heat flowed through his body from top to bottom, and Qiu Dong felt his fatigue instantly lessen. He immediately realized what the important person in front of him had done.

He returned the look with gratitude, then hurriedly ran into the warehouse. Seeing that his brother's complexion had improved considerably and he was clearly out of danger, his eyes reddened. He turned around, knelt down in front of Lu Wei at the door, and bowed again: "Thank you, sir, for saving my life. In this life, I will be a plow ox for the village in autumn and winter, and in the next life, I will be a ghost who repays your great kindness!"

"An afterlife?" Lu Weiyuan used his inner strength to lift him up: "I never ask for an afterlife!"

"From this moment on, your lives, brothers' lives, belong to me!"

“This…” Qiu Dong hesitated, but the steward ignored her and continued, “Yamada Village belongs to the farmers. That ox is a tool that the farmers gave to the village. If you kill the ox, it’s the same as breaking my things!”