On the border of Chu, on a long road, there was a team that was continuing to advance.
At the front were the guards of the Chu Country. In the middle were a few carriages, followed by a group of slaves of all kinds.
When they were about to reach the border, the slaves at the back shouted that they would not leave. They saw this group of slaves say to the guards leading the team.
Where are we going? Are you taking us out of Chu? We are all people of Chu. We would rather die than leave Chu.”
The young man came in front of the slaves and said,"Let me let you know that I'm bringing you to Luoyi of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I've already promised my little friend that I'll give him 2000 slaves. If you guys make a scene like this, won't you embarrass me?"
"Child, don't be rash." An old man walked steadily towards the slaves. It was the King of Chu Xuan, Xiong Liangfu.
This young man was Xiong Shang, the current Crown Prince of the Chu Country, who was later King Wei of Chu.
Just as King Xuan of Chu walked up to the slaves, a few leading elderly slaves waved their hands, signaling the surrounding slaves to quiet down. Although the slaves were of low status, they were not stupid.
King Xuan of Chu said,"Everyone, don't make a ruckus. We are heading to Luoyi of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. If you don't want to go, you can return here. If you want to go, follow us and continue forward. I promise that I won't treat you badly."
When the slaves saw that the King of Chu had come, they did not dare to speak loudly. They led the older slaves to kneel down and kowtow." Your Majesty, can you tell us what we are going to Luoyi for? Is it to die?" Or become an ordinary slave? At least let us understand.
Xiong Shang cupped his hands and said,
"Elders, although you are slaves, I have never mistreated you. "This time, I went to Luo Yi because I agreed to Luo Yi's Gongzi Yan's request and promised to give him 2000 slaves. Secondly, it was for the sake of the friendship between Chu and Great Zhou.
Among the slaves, there were 1000 male slaves who were ordinary farmers. They were mainly engaged in farming, gathering, and other agriculture. There were 500 female slaves who were young women who knew how to spin, sew, and breed. There were also 500 older slaves who were craftsmen, bricklayers, potters, porcelain workers, casting, smelting, and so on.
Among the 500 female slaves, one of them walked out and knelt down before Xiong Shang." Young Master, I heard that this Young Master of Great Zhou is very knowledgeable. He once wrote a book called Dream of the Red Chamber. Is that true?"
Xiong Shang nodded and said,"The Great Zhou Young Master is knowledgeable and talented. The novels he wrote are all over the world."
The woman continued,"Is it true that the Great Zhou Young Master treats slaves well?"？
Xiong Shang nodded.
The woman turned to the female slaves around her and said,"I'm willing to go."
There are sisters who are willing to go with me!”
Among the 500 slave craftsmen, an old man knelt down and kowtowed.
Young Master, I heard that the Great Zhou Young Master gifted you a treasured sword that could break 100 famous swords of the Chu Country in three days. Is that true?“”
Xiong Shang smiled,"There's such a thing."
The old man bowed again.
Young Master, can you show us this sword?
We are ironsmiths and are very interested in iron. Since Young Master Zhou also has someone with this skill by his side, we would like to meet him in advance and experience it.
Xiong Shang looked at his father.
King Xuan of Chu nodded and handed the sword in his hand to his son.
Xiong Shang waved his hand, and his attendant took the sword. He got off the carriage and handed the sword to the old man.
The old man pulled out the sword and heard the sword hum.
The old man looked surprised.
The old man gently held the sword and flicked it with his finger. He listened carefully and nodded.
"Good sword, good sword, good steel, good iron, good iron."
The old man passed the sword to the surrounding craftsmen.
The dozen or so people who followed took turns tapping their fingers on the sword and listening to the sound of the sword. Their faces were filled with joy and they kept nodding.
The dozen or so people gathered together to discuss and returned the sword to Xiong Shangdao.
Young Master, we are willing to go to Luoyi. Please let us meet this genius.
Xiong Shang nodded in agreement.
Xiong Shang asked again,"
The rest? Any other questions? No, we will continue on our way. If you want to return, you can return here. I will give you the travel fee.
Another young slave came out and said," I heard that this young master made a kind of paper that can be used to write words. It's much more useful than bamboo slips. Is that true?"？
Xiong Shang said,"
"Yes, this young master is extremely intelligent. This paper was indeed invented by him."
The young man waved his hand and said to his companions around him,"We're willing to go to Luoyi."
After a few middle-aged slaves whispered to each other, a man stood up and knelt down. He kowtowed and said,
" I heard that there is such news in the slave circle. If the slaves of Young Master Luo Yi are sick, Young Master Luo Yi will personally treat them. Is this true?
Xiong Shang nodded. It was true. Young Master Yan was very righteous and treated slaves like servants.
The Xiongnu below cheered in unison,"Young Master Luo Yi, since you are so righteous, we are willing to go."
The slaves were filled with curiosity about this Great Zhou's Young Master Luo Yi, and they had the same mentality no matter where they went. The team slowly advanced towards Luo Yi.
Xiong Shang accompanied his father, King Xuan of Chu, as they sat in the carriage. Suddenly, the King of Chu clutched his chest and frowned.
Xiong Shang asked,"What happened to Father?" Are you feeling unwell?
King Chu pressed his hand on his chest for a while and said,"It's fine. I just feel a little suffocated."
Xiong Shang hurriedly asked,"How long has father been suffering from this condition?"
King Xuan of Chu said,"
"It's been more than a year, but Imperial Physician Xuan couldn't tell at all. He said that this king was old and needed to recuperate. They were just a bunch of quacks."
King Xuan of Chu turned to his son and said,"
"After this trip, this king wants to hand over the country's major policies to you. You can slowly learn and this king will personally teach you. You should also prepare to take on the responsibility of your father. This king is old and should rest."
Xiong Shang said anxiously,"
"Father is in his prime, how can he pass the burden to me?" I want to play for a few more years?
King Xuan of Chu glared at him and said,"Useless son, you only know how to play. When can you share some of your father's burden?"
After King Xuan of Chu finished speaking, he said to his son,"
"This king is a little sleepy, I'll take a nap in the carriage. Look around and deal with any situation."
Xiong Shang got off the carriage and mounted his horse to look around for any unexpected situations. Xiong Shang said in his heart that he did not want to ascend to the throne too early.
Although everyone wanted to be the king, he still wanted to play for a few more years. It was good to be free.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。