Chapter 2: The Midnight Knock on the Door

  Under the sunset, Xiangxi River flows slowly and its waves sparkle. This is the most beautiful section of Xiangxi River, named Shennü Bay, where legend has it that a goddess bathed here, hence the name. The people along the river built a temple for the goddess on the bank, hoping to get her blessing.

  Regardless of whether the goddess has given blessings to others, Donglai is indeed a real beneficiary. To say nothing of other things, he was an orphan with no relatives or home, and it was this temple that provided him with a place to take shelter from the wind and rain. And today's resurrection, in the eyes of many people, is also due to the blessing of the goddess.

  At this time in the Temple of the Goddess, Yin Xu was leaning against the door, while Yu Niang was carefully bandaging Dong Lai's wounded forehead.

  "Does it hurt, Donglai Ge?" Yuniang's voice was soft and gentle, full of concern.

  "It doesn't hurt!" The pure and innocent little loli's deep concern made up for Yin Xukui's confusion and frustration after being framed.

  "It really scared me today. Is that jade pendant really a gift from Madam Ma?" Yu Niang was quite suspicious, because Madam Ma's usual impression on people wasn't very good.

  Yin Xu smiled faintly, looking at the innocent little girl in front of him, and said softly: "As for what she thought before, I don't know, but now she must be willing, no matter what, this jade pendant now belongs to me."

  He took out from his bosom a crystal jade carving with a carp pattern, which looked exquisite to Yin Xu.

  "Give it to you!" Yin Xu didn't have the habit of wearing accessories, so it was a pity to put it away. Giving it to Yu Niang was just right, and it was worth a deep feeling.

  "Give it to me?" Yu Niang was slightly surprised, and immediately came back to her senses. This was the first time in Li Yu Niang's life that she had received a gift from a man. Looking at the phoenix-patterned jade pendant in front of her, her heart skipped a beat, and her face turned red with blush.

  Yu Niang took over the jade pendant and immediately tied it around her neck. The beauty was like jade, tender and radiant to no end.

  The sunset slowly fell, and a golden edge was embedded on the distant green mountains. The Xiangxi River was half clear and half red.

  "I should head back, or Father will worry." Yu Niang reluctantly left, walking along the way, occasionally lowering her head to fiddle with the jade pendant around her neck.

  See off Li Yuna, Yin Xu hurriedly got up and was busy. Tonight, he had to prepare a big gift for Wu Youcai. The water town in the south is rich in fish, shrimp, eel and crab, and the Shennü Temple is just behind Xiangxi River, so it's even more convenient. Yin Xu took a wooden stick made of "shovel" and stirred up the muddy grass by the river, several long strips of crawling creatures jumped out, and Yin Xu wrapped them in lotus leaves and held them in his hand.

  Don't get me wrong, it's not a water snake, but a slippery eel.

  Again, behind the Temple of the Goddess, he carried a clump of bamboo shoots on his shoulder and returned home with joy.

  Knife?

  Just when it's time to get started, I realized that the necessary tools are missing! After Qin Shi Huang unified the six states and collected all the weapons, he melted them down into 12 giant bells in Xianyang. Even kitchen knives were shared among ten households, so this thing is really a rare commodity.

  Yin Xu searched around the temple and found a small piece of copper under the statue of the goddess, which must have fallen off from some ritual vessel in some year or month. Yin Xu was overjoyed and took it to a stone by the river, grinding out a sharp edge.

  With a flash of the knife, the eel struggled and squirmed, and a drop of its blood fell into the bamboo tube. A sly smile flickered across Yin Xu's mouth.

  Night fell quickly, and the ancient people's most basic rule of life was to get up with the sun and rest with the sunset. Especially in a small town in Qin Dynasty two thousand years ago, the moment the sun set, it fell into silence. This is Yin Xu's first night in ancient times. As a modern person who is used to nightlife, he really didn't adapt well. In order to pass this long night, he could only direct and act out a good show by himself.

  In the dark of night, Yin Xu adjusted the hemp clothes on his body. The coarse hemp fabric stuck to his skin, not comfortable at all. No choice, who let this era have no cotton? Silk fabrics were soft and delicate, but unfortunately, he didn't have the economic strength for that, what a worry!

  Who made me a poor boy? Yin Xu put on the pair of grass shoes that fit his feet but not his eyes, and carried the bamboo tube filled with yellow croaker blood out the door.

  The Wu family's residence was about two miles away from the Temple of the Goddess, and also close to the Xiangxi River. The gentle night breeze rustled the leaves of the trees. Yin Xu quietly approached and splashed some of the yellow eel blood on the gate of the Wu family's house. Then he climbed over the wall and entered the courtyard, and for a military man like him, the low wall was no obstacle at all. According to Dong Lai's memory, he found the residence of Wu Youcai and Ma Shi, and quietly applied the yellow eel blood. As he prepared to leave and watch the show, he discovered that the front hall of the Wu family was still brightly lit, and his curiosity got the better of him, so for the first time in ancient times, he listened at the foot of the wall.

  "Wu Zhong of Xiangxi Pavilion pays respects to County Magistrate Chen."

  County Wei's sudden visit made Wu Zhong, the small pavilion master, extremely nervous. Before figuring out what was going on, he carefully took precautions to avoid any trouble.

  "County Magistrate Wu, no need to be too polite!" The newcomer was tall and sturdy, with a rather ordinary appearance, even somewhat ugly, completely different from the small white face of Wu Youcai. This person was none other than Chen Kui, the county lieutenant of Fan Township.

  In the Qin system, counties with a population of over 10,000 households were headed by a county magistrate, while those with less than 10,000 households were headed by a county prefect. The county magistrate was assisted by a vice magistrate and a county commander. The county commander was responsible for military affairs and law enforcement in the county.

  In a special historical period, the Qin Dynasty regime had the characteristics of military dictatorship, so the task of county lieutenant was particularly heavy. All military affairs, law and order, conscription, management of soldiers, etc., were to be presided over by the county lieutenant. Busy as it was, the power was also great, being only second to the county magistrate, the second most powerful person in reality.

  It was precisely for this reason that Wu Zhong showed absolute respect to Chen Kui. After taking his seat, he smiled and asked: "County Magistrate sir, you are busy with official duties, today you have the time to visit our small town, it is truly an honor."

  What honor? What good fortune is this? Spouting nonsense with eyes wide open, the county magistrate comes to my door at night, what good can come of it? Wu Zhong's heart is bitterly smiling, words not from the heart, a true helpless situation!

  Chen Kui smiled lightly: "This official has come this time with official business, just returned from Donghu Town, and passed by here to see you!"

  "Oh? But is it for the grain tax?" Wu Zhong asked tentatively, his heart filled with anxiety.

  "No! An imperial edict has arrived, and I have come to deliver it." Chen Kui sighed and said: "The First Emperor has passed away."

  "What? The First Emperor has passed away?"

  No matter who heard this news would be shocked. The one who unified the six directions, unified the world, and dominated the world - the first emperor of all time, Qin Shi Huang, is dead?

  Yin Xu crouched at the foot of the back wall, his body suddenly shaking violently, almost making a sound. Unexpectedly, on the first day he arrived in ancient times, he heard the news of Qin Shi Huang's death. Alas! However, he finally confirmed that this year was the 37th year of Qin Shi Huang.

  "The Emperor ascended to heaven while on a tour, and passed away at the platform of Sand Hill. The dragon body has now been transported back to Xianyang, and the court has issued an edict for national mourning."

  Wu Zhongchi hesitated for a moment and asked vaguely, "Oh, may I ask County Lieutenant Chen, the successor is... Fusu Gongzi?"

  "How dare you! Is the will of Heaven something you can fathom?"

  Huh?

  "The Emperor's edict has been issued, appointing the young prince Hu Hai as the Crown Prince. He has already ascended to the throne in Xianyang and is called the Second Generation Emperor."

  "Huh? Oh!"

  Wu Zhong's face was full of surprise.

  "As for Fu Su... he colluded with Meng Tian, intending to commit treason and rebellion. The deceased Emperor's will had already ordered his execution."

  Although Chen Jue said so, in his heart, he was also puzzled like everyone else. Fu Su was the eldest son, who had always been wise and kind, and the First Emperor had high expectations for him, how could he suddenly be sentenced to death?

  Is it treason? What a far-fetched reason! How absurd! Besides, among the dozen or so sons of the First Emperor, why did the youngest Hu Hai inherit the throne?

  A string of doubts hangs over the hearts of people all over the world, daring to be angry but not daring to speak. If one is not careful and misspeaks, the great hat of plotting against the emperor's benevolence will be put on, and it will end in the downfall of being exiled and having one's family exterminated.

  Under Chen Kui's rebuke, Wu Zhong finally came to his senses and immediately realized the severity of the matter. He immediately bowed and smiled obsequiously: "Your humble servant has misspoken, I hope the county magistrate will forgive me."

  County Magistrate Chen said, "Be careful what you say!"

  Yin Xu clearly heard at the foot of the wall, facts and history are identical, Hu Hai ascended to the throne, Zhao Gao maintained state politics, people were miserable. At this time a year later, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang would rise up in Daze Village, blowing the horn of the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. Perhaps at that time, I should do something...

  Inside the hall, Wu Zhong asked, "What does your humble servant need to do? Please instruct me, County Magistrate." Wu Zhong smiled and asked. Since Qin Shi Huang is dead, it would be enough for ordinary people to report the death, why bother the County Magistrate? Now that Chen Kui has come in person, there must be other matters.

  Chen Kuiwei sank into thought, then said: "At present, there are two major events in the imperial court. One is to speed up the construction of the Rui Mountain Mausoleum, and the other is to repair the straight road to Kuaiji. The Second Emperor will come to inspect! Both projects require a large number of laborers. The Rui Mountain side has already been entrusted to Donghu Town, and the repair of the speedway still requires Xiangxi Town to send strong men."

  As expected, Wu Zhong asked: "How many people are needed?"

  "One hundred civilians will depart in ten days!"

  "Ah? Oh!" Wu Zhong immediately understood that if there were fewer people, would the county lieutenant come in person?

  "Wu Tingchang, with the new emperor on the throne, all things are renewed, let's work hard!"

  "What a shameless thing!" Yin Xu cursed in his heart, and at this moment, the continuous knocking sound came.

  "The good show has begun!" Yin Xu sneaked out of Wu's mansion with a sly smile.

  All night, the front and back doors of Wu's house were opened one after another, but no one was seen. Once or twice is fine, but as the number of times increased, the Wu family felt a chill in their hearts. Could it be that they had seen a ghost? For a while, people were frightened, and Chen County Magistrate, who was staying at Wu's house, was also suspicious and uncertain.

  On the second day, early in the morning, Yin Xu squatted at the gate of the Temple of the Goddess, gnawing on roasted eel meat and listening to all sorts of rumors about the Wu family.

  In the middle of the night, a ghost knocked on the door. It seems that the Wu family really has a guilty conscience. All sorts of rumors spread like wildfire. Yin Xu threw down the eel bones in his hand and laughed: "Let's continue tonight, we have eel meat to eat every day, why not be happy?"