The ink-stained sunset spreads as the opera troupe sings, perforrs sell their arts, lion and dragon dances flourish, creating a lively scene in and out of Black River County, but it has nothing to do with the exiled laborers.
As night approaches, the overseer starts serving als:
"One bowl of rice porridge, two wheat cakes, no one is allowed to take more, line up one by one."
According to the rules set by the Fishery, Chai Market, and the kiln, the laborers' als should be two bowls of thick porridge and five stead buns.
After all, digging sand and building river embanknts, mining and chiseling iron and stone, require strong efforts.
They must eat decently; if too stingy, it tends to cause trouble.
The three big families know very well that along the five hundred miles of mountain paths and eight hundred miles of Black River, most bandits and rebels wielding bamboo poles and fish spears are displaced laborers, so they must ensure these people get a al.
As long as they aren't pushed to the brink of survival, the cattle and horses are willing to work.
The bosses are very clear about this principle.
Unfortunately, even though the upper managent thinks so, the subordinates might not care.
By diluting the porridge a bit and replacing the buns with cheaper wheat cakes, how much profit can one make?
The overseeing laborers, kitchen cooks, and even the higher stewards surely care more about the copper coins they can lay hands on.
The consequences of over-exploitation are none of their business.
"Today's the day for the temple fair. Out of kindness, the owner gives you so scraps of pork rind and offal to fill your bellies.
Work well, and next ti I'll slice a few more pounds of at as a reward for the New Year."
The overseer loudly announced.
These laborers, displaced by demon disasters, have nowhere to go. They barely survive along Black River County; truly abandoned, they face a deadly situation by plunging into the mountain paths or reed marsh.
The expressions of the numb crowd were blank; their eyes stared intently at the steaming porridge in the barrel and the heap of wheat cakes like a small hill.
Having worked hard all day, at this ti, apart from eating, they had no other thoughts.
Halfway through the al serving, a short, agile figure suddenly snatched the wooden spoon, filled the chipped bowl with rice porridge, and drained it completely in one gulp.
Then, as if not full, he continued to grab another bowl, and again three bowls in total, still unsatisfied, he directly buried his head into the waist-high wooden bucket, ravenously scooping porridge.
This scene left everyone dumbfounded.
"Where did this starving ghost co from!"
The overseer shook the whip, raising his hand to lash out.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
One hit after another tore the rough cloth clothes to shreds, yet couldn't stop the short man from burying his head in eating porridge.
"You son of a bitch..."
The overseer whipped more than a dozen tis, gasping for breath, still unable to make him turn around.
The thugs from the Fishery wanted to step forward and seize him, but they seed to be trying to move an unshakable bronze statue.
"Interrupting my al, truly deserving death!"
The short man's voice was like a bell. The overseer's whip left no marks on him. With a flip of his shoulders, muscles bulged, and he knocked two figures back, spewing blood as they flew away.
The large barrel of hot porridge was drained within a short mont. The laborer-dressed short man, still not satisfied, wiped his mouth and turned toward the fearful overseer.
His five-short stature stretched, instantly becoming a bronze-skinned, bear-waisted ox-back brawny man.
His turnip-thick fingers exercised strength, like giant fan palms, slapped onto the overseer's head, leaving him trembling!
Crack!
The neck bone crunched and the entire head was pressed into the chest cavity by the wild force, oozing out a large gush of blood!
This incredibly brutal scene left the laborers speechless in astonishnt.
The brawny man emitted a long howl, and among the Black Water River's reed marshes, over ten small boats shot forward like arrows, and altogether over thirty people disembarked.
"Endure being subjugated as cattle and horses, or pick up the butcher's knife, drink blood, and eat flesh, you choose for yourselves."
The copper-cast muscular figure coldly swept over the ant-like laborers and led the Red Eyebrow Bandits who responded to the call straight toward the outer city of Black River County.
The vast river swallowed the last glimr of twilight. The displaced people who lost farmland, belongings, kin, and family looked at each other.
"Eat at! We want to eat at!"
Soone roared in anger, like a cluster of flas flaring up, igniting the numb bodies.
"Kill!"
"Charge into the city!"
"Fuck them up..."
The dense dark mass surged toward Black River County, their eyes hungry with a green glint; their thin cheeks full of desire.
"Amitabha! All beings suffer!"
Seeing the laborers being stirred up, the brawny man tore off the tattered rough cloth garnt, revealing a large lotus flower on his back.
He clasped his hands together, like a bronze statue, his body's Qi blood boiling to the extre, as if about to spurt from his pores, dyeing his eyebrows red.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His already sturdy right arm's muscles swelled, like a coiled sinister dragon, hamring heavily on the tightly closed thick city gate!
Boom!
Like a thunderstrike out of nowhere!
The layers of hardwood wrapped in iron sheets shook violently!
Thud! Thud! Thud—
The city gate collapsed, smoke and dust billowing!
"Red Eyebrow Bandits, Blood Vajra! Visiting Black River County!"
...
...
Thud! Thud! Thud—
The large cowhide drum was struck, producing a deep and powerful sound, followed by the clanging of gongs.
In front of the Dragon King Temple, over a thousand villagers gathered, waiting for the grand ritual to begin.
On the wooden high platform that was set up, there was a long incense table and three huanghuali wood chairs.
He Wenbing, dressed in a satin robe, rubbed a jade ring with his thumb and spoke unhurriedly:
"Brother Song, your Chai Market had a good harvest this year. Various precious woods, herbs, and even treasured plants were sent to Yuanyang Temple in the County City. The Lord Daoist Official praised you highly."
The owner of Chai Market had a square face, slightly dark skin, and thick calluses at the base of his thumb, lacking the air of a wealthy man living in comfort like He Wenbing.
"It's nothing compared to the Fishery's talent developnt. A twenty-pound golden rainbow trout is worth a thousand taels of silver. In just over two months, it has made a great na! Entering Tongwen Hall and becoming the Instructor's disciple... The Wave-Riding White Flood Dragon of Black Water River is truly extraordinary!"
Song Lin looked ahead, amidst the crowd, and said softly:
"A hundred treasured plants can't compare to a young talent with the potential for the Water and Fire Immortal Robe, or even entering the Circulation of Qi stage!"
He Wenbing forced a smile:
"Although Bai Qilang is from a fisherman's background, he is not part of the Fishery. However, he indeed has a deep friendship with Tai'Er, and they consider each other confidants. Tai'Er loves to make friends with talented peers. Just yesterday, he said he wanted to give his family's Iron Pear Wood Bow to Bai Qilang."
Song Lin smiled faintly. His second son, Song Qiying, also admired that small boss of Bai's Fish Stall. However, winning people's hearts cannot be rushed, and there is no need to hastily present lavish gifts, which would be a move of little importance.
It's easy for anyone to add luster to what's already splendid, but providing tily help in dire situations is what's truly valuable!
"For this year's Dragon King Festival, we'll still have Brother Wenbing recite the prayers and chants."
Song Lin said softly. An empty chair separated him from He Wenbing, which belonged to the owner of the Fire Kiln.
The three major families in Black River County, with the Chai Market and Fishery engaging in overt and covert battles. On the other hand, the Fire Kiln did not get involved, being craftsn among six households and holding an official status with the county city's governnt office.
Relatively speaking, they were much more detached.
"Since Brother Song is being generous, then Wenbing humbly accepts."
After the noisy scene of drumming and gong beating subsided, He Wenbing stood up, lifted the hem of his robe, and was about to step onto the wooden platform.
Suddenly, he heard a thunderous roar, looked towards the Outer City, and saw the sky turn a shade of crimson.
"Where's the fire?"
Imdiately, the crowd of villagers erupted into chaos, and a blood-drenched servant staggeringly fell before the stage:
"Master! There are bandits!"
...
...
"Ah Qi, I've brought the Cow Horn Bow, the Iron Ring, and these dicine packs for you."
Xiaotou stepped into the shantytown area of Tin Street in the Outer City, knocking open the rickety wooden door.
Bai Qi stood in front of a water jar, scooping water to wash his hands, with strands of dark red seeping into the earthen floor:
"Didn't I tell you to hand these over to Jiang Liu and then take my Ah Di to Tongwen Hall?"
Xiaotou shook his head:
"That person doesn't seem reliable. How could I feel at ease? I escorted Ah Ming through the gate and hurried back. It was noisy along the way; it seems like sowhere caught fire..."
Bai Qi glanced at the unconscious thin dark man, put on the cracked ice-patterned Iron Ring, took out the Cow Horn Hard Bow, strung it, and said coldly:
"It's not a fire; it's the Red Eyebrow Bandits attacking the city."
"Attacking the city?"
Xiaotou widened his eyes.
"It's not safe to hide inside. When bandits enter the city, they'll certainly create chaos to loot. Stay behind ; we'll find a way through and head to the East Market Shop first."
Bai Qi remained calm. From the information gathered from the thin dark man, he had roughly figured out the Red Eyebrow Bandits' plan.
In the Inner City, it was Yang ng and the fourth-in-command Ghost Head Monk, nearly a hundred sharp blades, and a dozen practitioners, most ferocious.
The Outer City was where the second-in-command Blood Vajra mingled with exiled laborers and supported by the fifth-in-command Eight-ard Ape.
"Alright! I'll stick close to you!"
Xiaotou did not say much, his face tensed, hiding his inner anxiety.
He silently carried three bags of feathered arrows, holding a bundle in his hands, determined not to hold back Ah Qi.
"That rascal Yang ng is truly good at causing trouble."
Outside the mud wall, amidst the vast night, sporadic screams and shouts could be heard, getting closer and closer.
Bai Qi, wielding the Cow Horn Hard Bow, stepped out of the door with large strides:
"Begin the attack!"
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