Chapter 008: Humans as Tools for Others

Thank you very much

Sir, we have not eaten anything since this morning, and we are truly unable to bear this hunger. Could you allow us to have something to eat before we continue with the搬运

In fact, we are not enduring in vain; as long as there is an opportunity, we will act. After Wu Si went ahead, Zhao Qiang kept pondering the meaning of his words. It seemed that they had some plan, but they just lacked the opportunity to execute it. When Wu San called out to Wu Si earlier, his expression was clearly somewhat off, fearing that Wu Si might let something slip. It appears that this matter is certainly not trivial. Considering the usual relationship between Pan Changqing and the Wu brothers, Zhao Qiang became increasingly convinced that these individuals were secretly brewing something, perhaps even preparing to rise up in resistance.

Wu San walked ahead of Wu Si and Zhao Qiang. Seeing that he was complaining again, he turned back and reminded him, "Lower your voice. If that kid Chen Zhao hears you, he will definitely go and stir up trouble for you in front of E Ha. Do you really need to be beaten up by him before you feel at ease?"

Before Wu Si could finish speaking, Wu San suddenly called out to him. Wu Si glanced at him, somewhat displeased at the interruption. Noticing that Pan Changqing and Wu Da were both looking at him, he quickly stuck out his tongue, gave Zhao Qiang a silly grin, and squeezed his way to the front of the crowd.

Thinking of the hundred beheaded men, Zhao Qiang felt a pang in his heart and said in a deep voice: "We are at the mercy of others, while we are like fish on a chopping board. Right now, we are no longer the valiant troops that followed the prince in his southern and northern campaigns; we are merely a group of unarmed slaves, empty-handed and defenseless. Even if we feel anger in our hearts, we can only endure it, for otherwise, it would be a futile death." At this point, Zhao Qiang expressed his sentiments: "The Qing soldiers can strike us whenever they wish, kill us whenever they desire, showing no regard for us as human beings, while we can only endure and suffer, not daring to resist in the slightest. I do not know when this life will come to an end; for now, we can only take it one step at a time, living day by day. When the day comes for us to face the blade, we might as well consider it a release."

That may not be the case; perhaps one day we will vent the pent-up frustration in our hearts

"Lao Si, come here."

Seeing Wu Si look at himself this way, Zhao Qiang let out a bitter laugh: "Even a rabbit will bite when it is cornered. At that time, I was also in a state of panic. When I saw the Qing soldiers around, I felt even more apprehensive. The phrase 'bravery' could not apply to me. Even if Master Pan had not pulled me, I would not have dared to rush out."

Wu Si noticed that Zhao Qiang looked somewhat dejected, as if he were encouraging him. After glancing around, he whispered, "In fact, we are not enduring this for nothing; as long as there is an opportunity, we will..."

I know, but I feel a deep sense of frustration within me. Damn it, it is truly infuriating. I can only watch helplessly as those brothers have their heads severed by the invaders, and I am unable to do anything for them. Just thinking about it chills my heart.

"If the work is not finished, you still want to eat. Let me tell you, the chief office has issued a statement. If all the stones are not transported today, no one will be allowed to eat or sleep"

At this thought, Zhao Qiang felt a surge of excitement, and his steps involuntarily became lighter. He was contemplating how he would join Pan Changqing and the others in raising the banner of rebellion against the Qing Dynasty outside the pass, and how to strategize, when someone called out from behind, "Qiang Ge".

Why does that voice sound so familiar? Zhao Qiang turned around and saw that the person calling him was Qi Zhuang, and he quickly nodded in response.

Black beans are indeed a high-protein food. At the moment, Zhao Qiang is feeling a bit hungry, so he quickly sneaks a few into his mouth. As for whether these black beans are meant for feeding horses or pigs, he does not concern himself with that. At this time, having something to eat is already good enough; he cannot afford to be so particular.

Wu Si walked in front of Zhao Qiang, grumbling as he went. On the way back to Yongling, he continuously complained about Wu Da and Wu San, blaming them for not letting him join the fight against the Qing soldiers, arguing that otherwise, he would appear cowardly and unworthy of the hundred brothers who had died. However, Wu Da and Wu San paid him no mind; they understood their fourth brother better than anyone else and knew that the more they engaged with him, the more muddled the conversation would become. They chose to let him vent his frustrations. Eventually, it was Pan Changqing who scolded Wu Si a few times, which finally made him quiet down.

After quickly chewing the black beans in his mouth and swallowing them, Zhao Qiang casually expressed his thanks, only to find Qi Zhuang looking at him with a puzzled expression. He couldn't help but ask, "What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Si became anxious: "Don't mention that little bastard to me; just the thought of him makes me furious." After saying this, he touched his left cheek, appearing to still harbor anger within.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Qiang was afraid that he might impulsively go to Chen Zhao to settle the score. Thus, he whispered, "Brother Wu Si, we are currently prisoners in a lower position. We must pay attention to others' expressions and endure being beaten and scolded. Otherwise, what can we do?"

Upon considering this possibility, Zhao Qiang felt a surge of excitement; he was unwilling to serve the Manchus as a slave outside the gates. However, due to his inability to escape and his lack of leadership over the former troops of Wu Jun to incite a rebellion, he had no choice but to remain and act as a laborer. If Pan Changqing and the others truly had plans for an uprising, given the influence of their Loyal and Brave Battalion among the former troops of Wu Jun, while it might not lead to a unanimous response, a portion of the young soldiers from Wu Jun would certainly follow them. At that time, as long as he joined them, with his extensive knowledge of history and a mind that was over two hundred years ahead, it would not be impossible for him to orchestrate a grand military advance against the Manchus, leading to a change of dynasty.

Brother Qiang, I have something to discuss with you

The Emperor will arrive the day after tomorrow. You Wu rebels should put in more effort to work! If you cause trouble for the officials of the main office, you will face severe consequences

More than an hour later, under the escort of the Qing army, Zhao Qiang and his companions pushed the cart to the foot of Qiyun Mountain, where Yongling is located. Before they had a chance to catch their breath, the Qing soldiers ordered them to carry the large timber on their shoulders and deliver it to several palaces where it was needed, and then proceed to transport the stone materials

Wu Si turned his head to glance at Zhao Qiang, as if recalling something. He looked him up and down with a hint of admiration and said, "I always thought you, Brother Zhao, had lost your spirit, living like a turtle hiding its head. I didn't expect you to be so bold today. You stood up before I even had the chance to. If it weren't for Master Pan holding you back, I believe you would have fought those Qing soldiers to the death. Tsk tsk, truly, one should not judge by appearances; you are far braver than I am."

In the crowd, someone boldly approached a foreman to request some food before going to transport stones, but the response received was the foreman's whip.

Qi Zhuang squeezed through the crowd to Zhao Qiang's side, walking forward side by side. After taking a few steps, he glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, quickly pulled a handful of black beans from his pocket and stuffed them into Zhao Qiang's hand. He whispered, "The coachman Zhou Kui used to be in the same battalion as me. He got these beans from the horse trough and shared some with me. You should eat some too; although it's not much, it can help stave off hunger."

Everyone is well aware of the situation at that time, and there is no need for you to speak of yourself in such a manner. I too crouched down. Alas, what a pity for those one hundred brothers; after their deaths, not even a complete corpse remains. We cannot even dig a grave for them, fearing that their bodies will be desecrated by wild dogs.

Under the scolding of the overseer and the threats of the soldiers with their swords, no one in the crowd dared to mention the matter of eating anymore, and one by one, they walked dejectedly towards the stone quarry two miles away

Hurry up, if anyone moves slowly, I will treat him to a meat roll!

Damn it, they killed our people, now they won't even let us have a bite to eat and want us to move stones. Are they trying to make us unable to live!