Eternal Sword

Chapter 2: Red Clothes Reflecting Snow, the Tiger-Subduing Young Hero

Changze County is located in the northeast of Qian State and is the closest county to the Three Thousand Snow Mountains.

After going down the mountain, Chen Tang followed his memory and returned home.

He stood at the door for a while, calmed himself down, and then pushed it open and walked in.

The house is not big and is located in a remote area. There is a thick layer of snow in the yard and no signs of life, as if it has been empty for a long time.

The house was extremely simple. The main hall was right at the entrance, and there was a bedroom on the left, which was where Chen's father and son slept.

The fire in the stove had been extinguished for a long time, and there was even a layer of ash on the table.

Where is Chen Daan?

Chen Tang was confused.

The two bows used by the father and son for hunting are still hanging on the wall.

In other words, Chen Daan did not go out hunting.

Chen Tang came to the wall and took off his bow.

This is a half crossbow.

Here one stone is equivalent to one hundred kilograms.

To fully draw the half-crossbow, one needs at least fifty kilograms of arm strength.

In its best condition, it could only barely fully draw this half-crossbow.

As usual, Chen Tang pulled the bowstring with all his strength!

This half-crossbow was instantly drawn to the full moon.

Snapped!
The next moment, the bowstring couldn't withstand the huge force and suddenly broke!
This……

Chen Tang was stunned.

In just over a month, his strength increased so much?

He also took down Chen Daan's stone bow.

This time I was much more careful and pulled it open slowly.

Even with a stone bow, he could draw it to its full length without any effort, even more easily than Chen Daan did.

It seems that what the mountain guest said is true.

Being breastfed by a tiger for more than a month was indeed extraordinary.

boom!
At this moment, the gate of the yard was suddenly kicked open!

I saw a man in his thirties, fat and big-eared, with his hands crossed and hidden in his sleeves, walking in slowly.

Cui Yong!

When Chen Da'an and his son first moved into the city, Cui Yong often came to their house to make things difficult for them.

Behind Cui Yong were two young men with gangster-like demeanor, with knives on their waists and wearing black robes of county government officials, but with no insignia on them.

The three men were all unpaid laborers in Changze County, which were extra-official duties, but they had the government's support and relied on their power to run rampant in the county, and ordinary people did not dare to provoke them.

Cui Yong said with a smile: "Look, isn't this the famous Tiger Subduing Young Hero from our Changze County?"

More than a month ago, my predecessor saw injustice and fought with someone in the street, attracting people from Changze County to watch.

Under the gazes of countless people, the former used all sixteen moves of the Subduing Tiger Fist, and was hit by thirty-two knives, but the opponent was not hurt at all...

Because of this, not long after he came down the mountain, he got a nickname - Young Hero Subduing the Tiger.

It can be said that he became famous in one battle.

The name of the young hero Fu Hu became the biggest joke in Changze County.

"Everyone knows the Subduing Tiger Fist, but you are the first one to use it in a fight. I think you might as well use the Turtle Fist, haha."

"This kid is really lucky. He didn't die even after being stabbed 32 times. It seems that the Subduing Tiger Fist is still useful. One punch can withstand two slashes!"

The two white servants burst into laughter.

The incident in the previous life was indeed a bit frustrating, but Chen Tang did not find it funny.

"It's good that you're not dead. Wu'an County has just issued a conscription document. Each household must select a male over the age of sixteen to go to Wu'an County to repair the city and open the river."

Cui Yong said: "Your father is in prison, so we can only send you to Wu'an County to perform corvée labor."

Another white servant said with a sly smile: "To have the opportunity to serve the court is a blessing you will never get in eight lifetimes. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Chen Tang frowned secretly.

The so-called corvée labor, in simple terms, means working for the court. You have to do whatever you are told to do without any pay.

There are many types of corvée labor, most of which are aimed at the lower classes of people. For example, royal family members, noble families and aristocratic families are exempt from corvée labor.

It was common for people to die of illness or exhaustion during labor service, or for supervisors to withhold their food and wages, and for people to starve to death. The people suffered terribly.

If you get caught in a war, you will be in danger of death.

He died of exhaustion from working overtime and staying up late in his previous life, and now he has to do hard labor again in this new life?
What's going on with Chen Daan in jail?

At this moment, the sound of brisk horse hooves was heard.

The ground was shaking slightly, and from afar they saw a group of young men and women in brocade robes, riding tall horses, returning from outside in high spirits, and they just happened to pass by this place.

"Look, isn't that our Changze County's Fu Hu hero?"

"Haha, it's really him. He's not dead?"

This group of young boys and girls pointed over here, laughed and talked without any reservations.

The leading girl had originally passed by here. After hearing everyone's discussion, she glanced over here and couldn't help but frowned slightly.

After thinking for a moment, the girl turned her horse around and walked towards this side.

The people behind him wanted to watch the fun, so they followed.

"What happened?"

Chen Tang looked up and saw a graceful girl wearing a fiery red fox fur cloak and a hanging bun riding on a horse. She looked at him and asked softly.

The girl has an oval face, beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and is dignified, bright and radiant.

As soon as their eyes met, memories of the girl came flooding back.

Mei Yingxue!
The daughter of the owner of the Plum Blossom Martial Arts School, the only martial arts school in Changze County.

A ripple appeared in Chen Tang's heart.

My predecessor had some admiration for Mei Yingxue.

But the gap between their identities and status is too big, so it is simply impossible.

Every time Chen Daan hunted prey, he would take Chen Tang down the mountain to buy some food and supplies in Changze County. He would also sell the prey to the Meihua Martial Arts School and became familiar with the school.

Chen Tang followed his father and had the honor of meeting Mei Yingxue several times at the Plum Blossom Martial Arts School. She was also dressed in red and had a faint fragrance.

On one occasion, Mei Yingxue also saw him and nodded to him.

From then on, the beauty in red clothes reflected on the snow appeared in my dreams.

I didn't expect to see you again today, but my predecessor has passed away.

"It turns out to be Miss Mei."

There is only one martial arts school in Changze County. The Mei family is nothing in Wu'an County, but in Changze County, it is definitely a famous family.

This young lady was a famous beauty far and wide, so Cui Yong naturally recognized her.

Cui Yong said with a fake smile: "The county government just sent down the conscription document. Chen Tang meets the requirements. I will give him a chance to serve the court and atone for his father's sins."

Mei Yingxue glanced at Chen Tang and frowned, "He was seriously injured and his father is in prison. It's too cruel to ask him to do corvée labor now. Can't you be flexible?"

"This is the law of the court, and I, a villain, have no say in it."

Cui Yong still replied with a smile on his face, but his words showed no sign of giving in.

Mei Yingxue pondered for a moment and said, "There is also a rule in the court law that if you hand over thirty taels of silver, it can be used to offset one year of corvee labor." One tael of silver could be exchanged for about one thousand copper coins, or one string of coins.

Thirty taels is thirty strings of cash!

In Qian State, ordinary farmers, after deducting various taxes, could only earn a few taels a year and a few hundred coins a month.

Thirty taels of silver is nothing to a wealthy family, but it is difficult for an ordinary person to save up after a lifetime of hard work.

Cui Yong smiled and said, "That is indeed the case, but do you think this person can afford thirty taels of silver?"

"Let him go."

Mei Yingxue took out thirty taels of silver, handed it to Cui Yong, and said, "I'll pay for him."

Thirty taels is not a small amount.

"Senior Sister Mei, why do you care about him?"

A young girl in brocade clothes frowned and glanced at Chen Tang with a look of disgust on her face.

Another young man who seemed quite steady and mature smiled and said, "Junior Sister Yingxue is kind-hearted and can't bear to see a useless person like Chen Tang suffer and die."

Chen Tang sneered in his heart.

This brat is scheming. He flatters Mei Yingxue and doesn't forget to step on me.

Having lived two lives, he looked at these boys and girls as if they were children. He could guess how much shit they would poop just by sticking their butts out.

"hey-hey!"

Cui Yong smiled and said, "Okay, since Miss Mei has spoken, we brothers will definitely give her face."

Cui Yong got the advantage, waved his hand, and walked away with a swagger.

Watching Mei Yingxue send Cui Yong away with just a few words, Chen Tang was a little confused, wondering why Mei Yingxue would help.

After all, the two had only met a few times and had never even spoken to each other, let alone a friendship.

Mei Yingxue dismounted and walked over here.

Chen Tang was calm.

In his previous life, he had long passed the age of youthful ignorance and wild fantasies, and he did not have the problem of being sentimental and had no distracting thoughts.

Chen Tang looked at Mei Yingxue with clear eyes and said, "Thank you Miss Mei for your help."

"I heard about your story."

Mei Yingxue said, "The one who hurt you was the young leader of the Black Water Gang, but you don't have to worry. He was only escorting the goods from the Far North Frost Region that day and stopped by Changze County to rest on the way. He is not usually here."

Hearing this, Chen Tang felt slightly relieved.

The Black Water Gang is made up of foreigners from the Far North. Most of them are tall, with loose hair and left-side lapels, making them easy to identify.

As long as he avoids the Blackwater Gang, many risks will be reduced.

"The Black Water Gang is very powerful and has trade relations with the government offices of all counties in Pingzhou. Even the government offices are reluctant to provoke them. The county police chief and the bailiffs were all present that day, including people from our martial arts school, but no one dared to take action, except you..."

After a pause, Mei Yingxue said very seriously: "Chen Tang, you are a good person."

amount……

Chen Tang smiled bitterly.

I got a good guy card at the beginning.

This time, not only did I owe a debt, I also owed a favor.

What's more, thirty taels only exempt this year's corvée labor.

When the corvée labor service is required next year, Cui Yong will come to visit again.

Even if there is no Cui Yong, there will be Li Yong, Zhao Yong...

We have to find a permanent solution.

"Apart from spending money, is there any other way to get rid of corvée labor?"

"Join a noble family, or become a retainer of a royal family... Of course, you can also cultivate to a certain level and go to Wu'an County to be ranked. According to the laws of the Qian Kingdom, a martial artist who has reached a certain level can be exempted from corvée."

Chen Tang seemed to be thinking about something.

It seems that in the end it all comes down to practicing martial arts.

There is only one year left, so we must improve as quickly as possible and not slack off.

Mei Yingxue said: "As far as I know, there are no more than ten ninth-rank warriors in the entire Changze County. In the county government, there are many runners, but only three captains are ninth-rank warriors."

"so little?"

Chen Tang was a little surprised.

It was much harder to enter the realm of quality than he had imagined.

Mei Yingxue continued, "Practicing martial arts consumes a huge amount of money every year. In addition to sufficient meat, it also requires various precious medicinal materials and medicinal wine to soak and strengthen the body. It costs at least more than one hundred taels of silver every year."

Chen Tang was secretly shocked.

This is the reason why the poor are good at literature but rich are good at martial arts.

Firstly, it is difficult for poor people to earn so much money.

Secondly, the poor are busy trying to make a living and living is already difficult, so they have no time or energy to practice martial arts.

Mei Yingxue added: "In fact, you are a bit old now, and most of your muscles and bones have already been formed. Even if you have enough money and energy to practice martial arts, it will probably be difficult to enter the rank."

Nothing.

I was breastfed by a tiger for a month...

Chen Tang smacked his lips.

I feel like drinking milk.

Mei Yingxue didn't want to hit Chen Tang too hard.

In fact, she didn't say anything else.

Chen Tang was stabbed 32 times, injuring the fascia all over his body. Even if he can move normally now, he will definitely have hidden injuries.

It is impossible to get into the industry.

"Thanks for the advice."

Chen Tang clasped his fists and said, "Please give me some more time to repay the thirty taels of silver I owe you."

"Not urgent."

Mei Yingxue smiled.

She didn't expect Chen Tang to be able to pay it back, and she felt more pity and sympathy for Chen Tang.

"One more thing."

Chen Tang asked, "I heard that my father is in prison. What's going on? Can you tell me something?"

Mei Yingxue said, "I heard from the people at the martial arts school that your father had injured someone from the government, which alerted the county police chief Cui, who personally arrested your father."

Chen Tang frowned.

According to the memory of his previous life, Chen Daan had always been law-abiding. How could he hurt someone from the government for no reason?
What is the relationship between this Captain Cui and Cui Yong just now?
Mei Yingxue said: "No matter what, your father's conflict with the government is still a bit irrational. After all, the people don't fight the government, and you can't beat them either."

Chen Tang didn't respond, but he disagreed in his heart.

Mei Yingxue added, "But don't worry too much. The new emperor has issued a general amnesty upon his ascension to the throne. All prisoners except those who have committed the ten most heinous crimes will be released. Your father should be among them. Go to the county government and ask."

"Junior Sister Yingxue, let's go. If we go back late, Master will blame us again." The young man became impatient and urged.

"Coming!"

Mei Yingxue nodded and smiled at Chen Tang, then rode away on horseback.

Chen Tang went out and headed towards the county government office.

(End of this chapter)