Pre-Qin Mythology: Starting with the River God

This young general Dou Lian has the potential to become an extraordinary person.

Quan Ming concealed his figure with clouds and mist.

Although it's not a particularly powerful spell, it's still divine power, beyond the reach of mortals...

But the fact that this young general Dou Lian was able to spot him so quickly surprised Quan Ming. In his surprise, Quan Ming asked, "Did you find something at home?"

Some time ago, Dou Shi used the excuse that Dou Lian had returned home to visit his mother to remind King Dou of his achievements in order to seek rewards.

Currently, the original Quanshui Pass is under the control of the Dou family and is being repaired.

Dou Bo was also appointed as the Prime Minister, assisting the King of Chu in governing Yingdu...

It can be said to be the first clan after the Qu clan.

I wonder how Dou Bo managed to snatch the credit from Qu Xia on the battlefield of Jingmen.

After thinking it over.

Dou Lian, who was opposite him, scratched his head and laughed, "Thanks to Lord Zhaoyang, I was able to participate in your battle against Yongbo and get the merit of 'supporting the battle'... I was originally a general. With this merit, my family sent me to a secret place to settle down for a period of time. With the help of my ancestors, I have achieved some results and have the possibility of becoming an extraordinary person."

Dou Lian wasn't stupid; he knew what Quan Ming was talking about.

After explaining his change, he hurriedly added, "Lord Zhaoyang, I called you here to deliver a message from the King of Chu. Also, these... these carts are gifts sent by the King of Chu to you after hearing that you were going to hold a banquet. They are all royal treasures, all of them are fine items."

As he spoke, he handed over the letter.

Quan Ming raised his hand and accepted the letter—a scroll of silk—with a wave of water.

Quan Ming didn't look at them at that moment, but instead scanned the carts of goods. Among them were silks, jade, goldware, and some seasonal fruits, vegetables, food, and wines from other countries that were rarely seen in Chu. The most eye-catching item was a bronze tripod with an inscription of a sacrifice for "Lord Zhaoyang" engraved on it.

"Your Majesty is kind, and Quan Ming will remember this kindness."

Without saying much, he simply used the waves to carry the goods to the nearby water palace, then sent a telepathic message to Master Quan, instructing him to arrange for them to be used as embellishments for the banquet.

Quan Ming said to the young general Dou Lian, "I will reply to His Majesty later."

"...As for you all, you have had a long and tiring journey, and I cannot let you leave empty-handed. When you return to Zhao County, I will have my nephew send you fine wine and snacks, along with some cowrie shells, as a token of my gratitude... Consider it a feast together, with cowrie shells as a blessing."

This……

Dou Lian hesitated.

Seeing the delighted looks on the faces of the men following behind him, he went along with Quan Ming's words and said, "Hurry up and thank Lord Zhaoyang."

"Thank you, Lord Zhaoyang!"

The soldiers, along with Dou Lian, saluted Quan Ming.

Quan Ming raised his hand to help them up, then bid farewell to Dou Lian and continued towards the Water Mansion.

As Quan Ming left, Dou Lian seemed to remember something and hurriedly called out to Quan Ming's retreating figure, "Lord Zhaoyang, my cousin Dou Min... he told me that the Quanshui Pass has been repaired and is ready. He hopes you can inspect it and report to me. At the same time, the King has also entrusted him with the task of building the [Zhaoyang Lord Shrine] for you... You still need to confirm the location so that Yingdu can delineate the fiefdom area for your clan..."

Ok?

Doumin.

Oh, it's the official in charge of reinforcing the water gate.

There is also the Zhaoyangjun Temple.

He had already spent several days creating the Ink Head to manage the Corpse Domain. Even though he had instructed Feng Hua to explain to his nephew that he would personally go to Zhao County in a few days, his nephew and the powerful people were probably already eagerly waiting for him to go to Zhao County to settle this matter.

"……Can."

Quan Ming sorted out the matter, and without turning back, he left a sentence and disappeared into the water, returning to the Water Palace.

……

……

"My lord?"

Upon entering the Water Palace, the spirits who were carrying the goods bestowed by the King of Chu on the imperial road gathered around.

Hongqiu was the most excited, but before he could step forward, Fenghua had already come to Quanming and presented him with a well-organized silk scroll outlining the banquet's procedures and preparations. The scroll was clear and logical, showing that the organizers had put a lot of thought into it.

Quan Ming was satisfied.

Seeing Feng Hua's ingratiating look as he awaited praise, he laughed and said, "Since entering the Water Palace, Feng Hua's achievements have been evident to all. I am now a celestial being at the third level of the Dao Heaven, and can be called a ruler of this land. Therefore, I should have a subordinate minister to accompany me in the sacrifice... So today, I hereby appoint the clam spirit Feng Hua as my assistant minister... Together with Mo Shou, who is currently in charge of the Corpse Domain, you will be by my side during the sacrifice."

Who is Mo Shou?

Feng Hua subconsciously ignored it; at that moment, all he could hear were the words "accompanying the sacrifice"!

Gudong!

I got excited in a moment.

Fenghua Mengdi will produce another round river pearl...

With a flushed face, he held up the fist-sized river pearl and said, "My lord, this pearl is a gift for you."

Quan Ming: "..."

Although he knew that "pearls formed from oyster disease" meant that the pearls were not oyster eggs but were caused by external factors, just like gallstones in humans, which can be male or female, Quan Ming was still speechless at this moment.

Then Feng Hua said, "My lord, I am endowed with a special talent. The more it comes from the heart, the more precious this river pearl becomes."

"This pearl is probably the best produced in Fenghua."

Quan Ming looked at Feng Hua with an expectant expression.

He could only say, "The King of Chu has bestowed so many treasures upon my Water Palace, so my Water Palace cannot be stingy. I am just about to write back to the King that this River Pearl should be parted with... Feng Hua, please do not be stingy. This matter of accompanying the sacrifice still requires the King of Chu's permission, otherwise you cannot accompany me during the national sacrifice."

"...Well, alright, we'll offer it to the King of Chu."

Feng Hua listened to Quan Ming's words and then gave up.

Quan Ming was satisfied and said no more to the others before going to reply to the King of Chu.

Before replying, he had to read the letter from the King of Chu.

As the silk scroll was opened, it was filled with words of concern. Only at the end did it get to the main point, stating that it was intended to build a fortress at the uppermost point of the Zhao River, where it met another country. However, at this time, the national treasury was empty after the war, and it was impossible to allocate enough resources to build the fortress in a short time. Therefore, it was hoped that the construction of the Zhao River Fortress would be funded by Zhao County... and that corvée labor would be carried out...

Quan Ming remained expressionless.

There are various types of corvée labor, including manual labor, miscellaneous labor, and military service, but in general, they are all unpaid labor services.

The construction of the Zhaoshui Fortress was a labor service!

Quan Ming murmured, "In this world, corvée labor is the norm, it exists in every country, and it is unavoidable... If I, Quan, return to Chu, I must work alongside the people of Chu. If the people of Chu are subject to corvée labor, how can I, Quan, seek special privileges?"

"Even though I am from the Kingdom of Quan..."

"But if I were to follow the Confucian doctrine that has been modified in later generations—that love has different levels and degrees of closeness or distance—how could I possibly play the game of strategy and become the standard-bearer rather than a pawn?"

"Great love exists in the world."

"Love is about people."

"A benevolent person possesses both great and small hearts."

"It cannot be denied that for those who are intentional, the distinction between close and distant relationships is unavoidable."

"But at this time, justice should be sought within the laws of a country."

"Therefore, the person in charge should perform corvée labor."

"but……"

"This corvée labor should be carried out in accordance with the law, and should not be carried out tyrannically. It should be conducted in a just manner and with the foundation of benevolence."

Quan Ming replied that the Chu state was exhausted after the war and that it was justifiable to impose corvée labor.

However, it is hoped that the law will be followed, and that corvée labor will be conducted in moderation and not to oppress the people of the nation!

at the same time--

Those who were forced to perform corvée labor within the city were not provided with food rations.

Those who performed corvée labor outside the city were tasked with construction work to provide for their food rations.

The construction of Zhaoshui Pass was not done nearby, but rather on a river and city wall far from the county seat. It was an external labor service, and the journey was quite long. Therefore, it was definitely not an internal labor service. Thus, Zhaoxian County should have provided the rations for the laborers, rather than the people providing them themselves.

...In accordance with the law, Quan Ming wrote down all the details, leaving no room for any possibility of mistreatment.

After he finished writing it, he had his subordinates deliver it!