Chapter 10, The Final Redemption

Lu Guangyuan also called out, and only then did Lu Si and Lu Wenliang realize that among the few people who had come up was Lu Xiaohua.

People are almost ready to leave, hurry up

Grandpa Hua

As he was leaving, Lu Xiaohua nodded to Lu Sidian, and thus the two nominally recognized cousins exchanged greetings.

Left, make sure to take your belongings and not leave anything behind

The local boatmen on the dock called out to the ferryman, who responded and picked up the bamboo pole, preparing to push the boat. However, someone on the shore shouted to wait a moment, and then seven or eight people hurriedly jumped onto the boat, causing it to sway slightly.

Lu Wenliang's brows furrowed even deeper. That Wang Si is not only the so-called 'living ghost' mentioned earlier by Old Ma's nephew, Ma Xinguo, but also the local ruffian leader in this area, who specializes in setting up gambling and charging exorbitant interest. It is said that in order to collect debts, this Wang Si has even taken other people's wives and daughters into brothels.

Who

Everyone waiting at the ferry terminal is feeling cold in their hands and feet, so as soon as the boat docks, everyone eagerly rushes on board. A single boat can accommodate approximately fifty to sixty people.

Zhao Shuban, who was maintaining order at the ferry, had already lost his voice. Normally, such matters should not require the head of the county's military office to handle, but as he watched the sun gradually set in the west and saw that there were still over a thousand people on this side of the river waiting to cross, how could Zhao Bingfang not feel anxious

... ...

One of the few individuals who came after the Song and Five Dynasties raised his hand in greeting. The others on the ship, recognizing this person, also returned the greeting, some calling him Lord Wang Si, while others referred to him as Fourth Brother

What you said is true, if you, Master Song Wu, wish to drink, there are others besides me, Wang Si, who would invite you to drink

Over there, after Wang Si greeted several people, he caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd and couldn't help but smile: "Hey, it's you, the big blind man. I haven't seen you for quite a while! ... ... That's great, when the horse arrives in Huai'an and is free, come find me to hang out."

Make sure the items are placed properly and do not fall into the water

Although Wang Si is a well-known oil mixer in Shanggang, he appears to be harmless. When you greet him on the boat, he greets you back, and laughter often fills the air, as if everyone on the boat were his relatives.

Lu Wenliang may know something, but he did not speak to his cousin due to the large number of people on the ship

How did Xiao Huazi come over

Wang Si ah

Upon seeing this, Lu Xiaohua naturally understood what his elder brother was thinking, and quickly said in a low voice: "Wenliang, I have a clear idea in my heart. You know what kind of person I am... I am just mingling with Wang Si and the others to make a little money, as the New Year is approaching... Uh, I still have matters to attend to over there, so I won't talk to you for long... When I get home, I will treat you all to a meal"

Thus, the villagers, some choosing to carry, some to bear, and others to shoulder their bedding and various tools, continuously squeezed towards the dock along with the crowd, a scene reminiscent of the Spring Festival travel rush in Lu Si's previous life

Stand firm, the ship is about to set sail

Grandfather, it is Grandfather Hua, it is Grandfather Hua

Moreover, it is best for neither of the two brothers to speak about this matter, otherwise, one cannot predict how their second mother, the Wang family, might react

On a boat, it was unclear whether there were too many people on board or if they were simply crowded, which resulted in one person falling into the water

Guangyuan is not interested in gambling, and Lu Si is even less likely to focus on playing for money at this time. Moreover, he does not have the capital. With only twenty or thirty copper coins in his pocket, he does not even have enough to place two bets.

Mr. Qian led the team across the river more than an hour ago. As one of the leaders of the river engineering team in the Shanggang area, Mr. Qian needs to arrive in Huai'an Prefecture in advance to meet with the local officials in charge.

Lu Si remained silent; his second uncle, Lu Youfu, truly has the ability to manage his "stepson." Otherwise, Lu Xiaohua would not be in this state today

Guangyuan did not think much and called out directly. Over there, Lu Xiaohua was talking with his companions and did not hear at first. It was only after his companions signaled that someone was calling him that he came to his senses. When he looked over and saw it was his elder brother Wen Liang and the others, he hurriedly walked over.

"If I had known we would leave so late, couldn't the authorities have asked us to come in the afternoon?" After Guangyuan set down the bedding for the two boys, he rubbed his hands together and exhaled, as it was indeed very cold that day

In addition to these individuals, there were also 50 archers dispatched by the newly established patrol office. These archers were more organized than the laborers and villagers, as they were typically responsible for apprehending thieves and conducting inspections for contraband.

Song Wu shouted loudly, and except for one fellow who was holding his stomach looking for a place to relieve himself, over a hundred river workers, including Lu Si, all stood up at once from the ground, each grabbing their belongings and heading towards the ferry.

None other than this

After a short wait amidst the commotion, it was finally time for Lu Si and his companions to board the ferry

He is merely wasting time outside, and the people he knows are all second-rate individuals in Lu Wenliang's eyes, which makes him feel uncomfortable staying here

Lu Si turned around and was also taken aback; not far away, standing together with the helper, was none other than the old Dalu Xiaohua from his second uncle's family.

The person referred to as "Big Blind" by Wang Si is Zhou Wang, the neighbor of Lu Si. He is often humorously called Big Blind because he is blind in one eye

In addition to the 20 constables sent from the county office under the command of the Zhao Bookkeeper, there are approximately 100 farmers in the Shanggang area who are required to serve as constables this year

Lu Wenliang pulled his son closer to himself, thus allowing his cousin, who was squeezed in the corner, a bit more space

Good, good

Which village are you from, and who is the village head?

In view, the broken ice cubes quietly float on the water's surface, while the setting sun refracts dazzling rays of light on the ice.

Lu Wenliang first asked what Lu Xiaohua came to Wang's family for, but did not mention his own labor contribution to their family

Guangyuan murmured with sympathy, suddenly surprised as he pointed towards the south where He, Tu, and Shu were, then nudged Lu Si beside him, saying: "Sir, isn't that Master Hua?"

The village soldiers on the shore are calling for the boat to depart, and the ferry worker at the bow shouts loudly, thrusting the bamboo pole firmly against the dock to push outward. As the ferry slowly glides away, the bamboo pole in his hand appears to grow longer and longer.

"Did you hear that? People like them should not be associated with; they are deceitful and cunning all day long." Lu Wenliang also heard the conversation between Song Wu and Ma Xinguo, and he uneasily reminded his younger cousin and son.

Lu Wenliang was perplexed, and Lu Si was also unaware

Looking at his younger cousin getting involved with that group of troublemakers again, Lu Wenliang sighed and shook his head, saying: "When I return from Huai'an, I need to have a word with Second Master; Xiao Huazi cannot continue like this."

Zhou Wang verbally agreed, but Lu Si could clearly see that he looked uncomfortable and his gaze was somewhat evasive, leading him to suspect that Zhou Wang might have gambled in Wang Si's shed.

Lu Size is well aware that this is merely an illusion. If someone were to fall into Wang Size's trap, they would be slaughtered like a pig, and it is likely that they won't have a peaceful New Year's Eve this year

Hold onto the handrail outside and do not shake it around

This is also the reason why the county sent the heads of the household and military offices to come specifically, regardless of the era, gathering thousands or tens of thousands of young and strong men in one place is always a matter of great concern for the officials, even if it is organized by the government itself

The noise from the shore gradually faded away, leaving only the casual chatter of the river workers in Lu Si's ears, along with the enthusiastic greetings from Wang Si

Lu Wenliang noticed that the few people who had just been with his cousin looked like idlers and were not engaged in any righteous pursuits, causing him to furrow his brows

Two people got into an argument because one of them accidentally hit the other on the head with a shoulder pole.

Guangyuan called his father, and Lu Wenliang, who was talking to Jiang Kui, turned his head to take a look and was also stunned

Now it has become lively, with you, the fourth, around; I am not worried about having no wine to drink. Song Wu, due to following Old Ma, is quite familiar with this area of Shanggang, and naturally knows Wang Si and his group well.

Is that the head of your family

"Friends, Wang Si and the others, usually play together." Lu Xiaohua knew that Lu Wenliang did not like his friends, so he did not dare to say much.

Lu Wenliang found it difficult to speak too much about his cousin. Firstly, Lu Xiaohua is not a member of the Lu family; secondly, he is already in his twenties; and thirdly, there are too many people here, making it inappropriate to speak too bluntly.

After approximately half an hour, Old Ma arrived and instructed the team in this area to head to the ferry terminal to prepare for crossing the river

Where did such strange talk come from

Grandpa Hua, Grandpa Hua!

The ferry terminal is filled with workers lining up, and various transportation vehicles such as tricycles and unicycles have completely blocked the dock, preventing any passage.

Several people sat down again, and Lu Si glanced around, estimating that about half of the team had already crossed the river, while they on this side were likely to be faster

Um, which one

Well, I know that

My mother told me about the matters concerning the river works. Thank you, Brother Wenliang. I came here to..." Lu Xiaohua hesitated a bit, clearly finding it difficult to express the purpose of his visit.

Where is the section of the river workers located? Has the wooden shelter for living been constructed? Mr. Qian must organize the distribution of food and other tedious matters; otherwise, it will become a complete mess, and if any issues arise, it would be a tremendous disaster

After crossing this Chuanchang River, Lu Si and the several thousand villagers will officially embark on the path of river works. Next, they will fulfill the final redemption that the Emperor in Beijing has undertaken for the legacy of his ancestors

Amidst a flurry of panic, the person who fell into the water was rescued and was seen shivering at the bow of the boat. This fellow, enduring the biting cold, has certainly suffered greatly.

Team leader Song Wu is quite responsible in leading the team

The uncle and nephew both nodded and continued to munch on the biscuits. Over there, Ma Xinguo and Song Wu chatted for a while before leaving, unsure whether they were looking for his uncle or going to find Wang Si and the others

Moreover, it is quite embarrassing that I cannot manage to muddle through with others and instead have to trouble my elder brother to bear this suffering on my behalf; anyone with a bit of conscience would find it hard to reconcile with this in their heart

Old Fourth!

Throughout the past five thousand years, such matters have never ceased in any dynasty. There will always be those in the world who rely on others to survive, and human nature tends to be inclined towards gambling.

These individuals are essentially local militia. They have the advantage of being exempt from a year's worth of land tax and miscellaneous levies while serving in their duties. Additionally, by accompanying the village head or grain head on official business, they can also obtain some food and drink, and are not required to perform other corvée labor.

Truly, the lazy ones have a lot of waste... Hurry up and relieve yourself, is it fun to soil your pants? ... If you have already done it, quickly get to the dock!

Be more careful

You are no longer young; you must have your own opinions when doing things. Even when socializing with others, you should know your limits. Never engage in activities that violate the law, and even more so, do not partake in actions that harm others.

Who are those people

The more I think about it, the more likely it seems. Based on his experience from two lifetimes, it appears that the more honest and simple a person looks, the more they enjoy gambling, and they do so with great intensity.

Xiao Huazi, what are you doing?

Although Lu Wenliang and I have no blood relation, Lu Xiaohua still regards him as an elder brother

Wang Si is a middle-aged man in his thirties, with a square face that gives him an impressive appearance. Those who do not know him might think he is a person who works for the government, but those who are aware of his true nature tend to avoid him at all costs

The ferries of this era are not the concrete or iron boats of later generations; they are wooden boats, significantly larger than typical fishing vessels. The deck of the cabin is covered with wooden planks, facilitating the boarding of people, vehicles, and livestock

Lu Xiaohua nodded to Lu Si and the others. Due to the large crowd, they did not push their way in and instead stood beside Wang Si

In the distance on the river, more than a dozen ferries are shuttling back and forth, transporting people

Do not push, do not push, this boat is full, wait for the next one