Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Standing among the crowd entering the city, Jiang Huai looked up at the tall city in front of him and was extremely shocked.

The city wall is tall and towering, built with huge stones and blue bricks. It has been eroded by wind and rain and is a little weathered, but it looks more majestic and strong. Soldiers patrol back and forth on the city wall with sharp eyes that make people tremble.

The soldiers guarding the city gate had stern faces and carefully checked the identity documents and luggage of the people entering the city. The soldiers checked very strictly and would interrogate them if there was anything wrong. Jiang Huai noticed that some of the strong men entering the city became impatient due to the interrogation, but they could only hold their breath and answer honestly.

Zhang led a group of people forward and handed over the document. The soldiers guarding the city took it and looked over it carefully. After checking it, they ordered people to search the remaining prisoners and only let them go after confirming that there were no problems.

Although the mission of escorting prisoners was completed after arriving at Anyuan Prefecture, it was still almost finished. We had to go to the government office to sign and seal to confirm that the prisoners had been delivered, and then send them to the military camp that specifically received exiled prisoners. Only then would it be considered completed.

Zhangtou was quite familiar with Anyuan Prefecture. After entering the city, he skillfully led a group of people to the government office.

Just looking at the pedestrians on the road, Zhangtou couldn't help but sigh.

Jiang Huai was puzzled. Now they had arrived in Anyuan Prefecture, so what was there for Zhangtou to worry about?

A policeman who had been to Anyuan Prefecture with Zhang Tou before, seeing the crowds thinning out compared to before, couldn't hide his sadness: "The barbarians are truly inhuman. I don't know how many people near Anyuan Prefecture have been abducted and killed."

Jiang Huai felt Xiao Jingzhao's hand holding his suddenly tighten, and subconsciously looked at Xiao Jingzhao. There was an indescribable sadness on the other's face.

Jiang Huai flipped through his memories and his mood became heavy.

Before the Jiang family's disaster, the Wei family, responsible for guarding the northwest border, suffered a disaster. Wei Zheng, the Duke of Zhenguo, was seriously injured and died on the spot. His eldest son, Wei Yan, was seriously injured and unconscious. His second son led the army to attack, but he has disappeared.

Anyuan Prefecture, as the first prefecture in the northwest, was nearly conquered by the barbarians from the grassland. Even though the soldiers worked together to repel the barbarians in the end, the people near Anyuan Prefecture who did not have time to escape into the city were either abducted or killed, and even some people in the city suffered.

After thinking about this, Jiang Huai looked carefully at the city again and found that many places still bore the scars of the war. There were few smiles on the faces of the pedestrians on the roadside, not to mention the sparse crowds in the city.

"Boss Zhang, how come the Wei family couldn't get over it and collaborated with the enemy and committed treason?" The soldier couldn't help but ask, his face full of confusion.

But before Zhangtou could answer, passers-by heard this and started cursing.

"What nonsense are you talking about, you bastard? General Wei is loyal to the Great Zhou, he was framed by this villain..." Before the pedestrian could finish his words, the people around him noticed the patrolling guard, quickly covered his mouth, and pulled the pedestrian away.

"Okay, stop talking nonsense and don't forget where you are." Zhangtou glared at the policeman who was talking. He usually didn't keep his mouth shut, so it was fine for him to say such things outside. The Wei family had been in Anyuan Prefecture for many years and was deeply loved by the people. Talking about the Wei family's affairs was just asking for trouble.

Zhangtou continued to lead the group forward. Jiang Huai noticed the guards coming over and found that they seemed to be dressed better than the soldiers guarding the city gate. They were dressed neatly and their clothes looked newer.

It's just that military discipline seems...

Noticing the guards coming towards him, the peddler carrying his load passed by trembling with fear, not daring to move. After the guards had passed and rummaged through the goods, the guards left with some items in their hands, while the peddler, with a grimace on his face, cleaned up the goods that had just been messed up.

Other pedestrians on the roadside seemed to be accustomed to this situation. Although there was still anger on their faces, there was also a sense of helplessness and sadness. Some vendors even had a look of relief on their faces, as if they were relieved that they were not robbed by the guards.

Jiang Huai felt a little upset. Was this a soldier or a bandit?

Jiang Huai also remembered that when he first entered the city, the people were in awe of the soldiers, but also respectful. But now these guards...

…

At the government office, the official in charge of receiving exiled prisoners read the document, carefully compared it with the picture of the person, and confirmed that there was no problem with the prisoner sent, and then stamped the acceptance.

However, after taking a closer look at the group of prisoners brought by Zhangtou, a hint of curiosity appeared on the official's face.

Before Zhang Tou came, a group of prisoners were also sent here. The appearance of those prisoners fit the officials' stereotype of exiled prisoners. They were in a mess, had numb expressions, and were extremely weak. It was obvious that they had been tortured on the way.

The prisoners sent by Zhangtou were not particularly good, but it was obvious that they had not been bullied too harshly on the way.

Especially Jiang Huai, although he looked a little disheveled, he was in good spirits. If it weren't for his conspicuous prison uniform, the officials would almost mistake him for a jailer in charge of escort.

Zhangtou felt a little uneasy about the official's gaze, so he looked over twice but couldn't find anything unusual. Just when he was puzzled, another guard came in from outside the door, escorting prisoners.

A large group of prisoners stood outside the courtyard gate, dressed in tattered clothes, with numb eyes and many scars on their exposed skin.

Seeing the way the prisoners were brought in, Zhangtou frowned subconsciously. He thought that the way they were brought in was too poor and not decent.

Realizing what he was thinking, Zhang Tou froze, then turned to look at Jiang Huai and his group, then looked at the prisoners outside the yard, and finally understood why the official looked at him like that.

Wait, how did all this happen?

Zhang Tou's mind was rarely confused. After seeing the appearance of ordinary prisoners, Zhang Tou felt that the other party looked very familiar, because most of the prisoners he escorted before looked like this, but why were the prisoners he escorted this time in such good condition?

Zhang thought about it and found that the culprits were Jiang Huai and Xiao Jingzhao.

After some prisoners who didn't need to come to Anyuan Prefecture were separated, the number of people in the exile team was greatly reduced. Before, there were more people, so Xiao Jingzhao's care for Jiang Huai was not too conspicuous. Later, Xiao Jingzhao took better care of Jiang Huai, and because the number of prisoners was smaller, it was very conspicuous, and the other soldiers were more or less influenced by Xiao Jingzhao.

In the past, they treated prisoners as objects that had to be escorted, but later, they treated them as human beings. In addition, there was no more money to be made from them, so their attitude became better.

Although he didn't take care of Jiang Huai as well as Xiao Jingzhao did, he was still able to provide him with enough food every day and was not whipped at will.

If the prisoners were not honest, this situation would be difficult to maintain. However, I don’t know if it was because of Jiang Huai’s influence, the prisoners were also honest, which saved both sides a lot of worry, and the situation naturally improved.

The guards who came later also saw the condition of the prisoners in front of them, and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.

Zhangtou felt embarrassed and wanted to leave early, but before he could stand up, the official stopped him and asked him to wait until the next batch of prisoners were registered and go to the military camp together to avoid trouble.

The later zaozu quickly completed the task of receiving the people, and led Zhangtou and the others to send them to the military camp.

"Why does the prisoner you are escorting look so healthy?" The later police officer couldn't resist his curiosity and asked.

Zhangtou's expression froze, and he really didn't want to answer this question. Should he say that he was influenced by someone, which would make him seem too weak? But it would be embarrassing not to answer.

Suddenly, Zhangtou remembered the excuse Xiao Jingzhao gave when he first took care of Jiang Huai.

"Anyuan Prefecture has a sparse population and is a cold and harsh place. The court sent prisoners here to supplement the local labor force. If too many of them were killed on the way, or if they died after staying for a while due to poor health, it would be a waste of the court's kindness." Zhangtou racked his brains to recall Xiao Jingzhao's words. After he finished speaking in a flowery manner, he felt uncomfortable all over.

However, when he saw that the jailer who asked the question was shocked at first, then realized something, and then looked admiring and regretful, Zhangtou felt a little relieved.

After getting over this hurdle in his heart, Zhang Tou thought of the number of people in Anyuan Mansion and couldn't help but say a few more words.

"What's more, after the barbarian invasion, the population of Anyuan Prefecture has become even sparser. The more prisoners who can work, the easier it will be for the people."

The guard who was asking the question nodded repeatedly, looked back at the prisoners he had brought with him, and sighed: "Oh, if I had known earlier, I would have spared them trouble on the road."

"Don't regret it too much. There will be another chance next time," Zhang Tou consoled him. "Besides, some prisoners deserve to be tossed around. Look at my team, not everyone has it easy."

The guard who was questioning the prisoners glanced at Zhang Tou's group and noticed Jiang Huai. He asked curiously, "What crime did that young master commit?"

When he saw Jiang Huai, Zhang Tou's smile froze and he laughed it off, avoiding the topic.

Zhangtou said this just to save his own face, but he didn't expect that this theory would be spread out and known to many jailers. Although the prisoners were still exploited, their physical condition was not too bad. Some people who should have died on the way to exile survived.

…

As they were almost at the military camp, Zhang Tou felt the burden on his shoulders lighten a lot and breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning his head, he saw Jiang Huai and Xiao Jingzhao chatting together. The corners of Zhang Tou's mouth twitched. It's not like he hasn't seen good men before. Sun Yong who disappeared before was one of them, but he was not so clingy.

Head Zhang had been quite optimistic about Xiao Jingzhao before. As long as he didn't get involved with Jiang Huai, his behavior would be normal. He was a capable official. If he worked hard, he would be promoted within a few years.

But now...

Fortunately, after the two separate, Xiao Jingzhao should be able to return to normal.

Seeing the military camp from afar, Jiang Huai slowed down his pace unconsciously and clenched Xiao Jingzhao's hand.

Once they entered the military camp, Xiao Jingzhao would no longer be able to stay with him.

"It's okay, you'll be able to come out in two days." Xiao Jingzhao naturally knew what Jiang Huai was nervous about and comforted him in a low voice.

They had inquired and found out that Anyuan Prefecture had a new arrangement for exiled prisoners. After all, Anyuan Prefecture was short of both people and money, so the escorted prisoners would first be sent to the military camp for distribution.

Most of the prisoners were sent to garrison on the border, and a small number of those with skills had to do manual work. It can be said that these were not good places to be. However, if you have silver, you can use the silver to redeem your work. You pay a certain amount of silver, and as long as you report regularly to make sure that the exiles have not escaped, you don't have to work.

However, the amount of silver required is a small sum, and most prisoners cannot afford it, or even if their families have silver, they are reluctant to pay it. However, the amount of silver is small, and as long as they are willing to pay, they can be assigned to do some lighter work.

As for those who have nothing, the tasks assigned to them are very heavy.

Doing this is of course also exploiting the prisoners. If Jiang Huai had not known Xiao Jingzhao, he would naturally have been the one who suffered the most. But now, the silver Xiao Jingzhao brought could redeem Jiang Huai for one year.

"Brother Wei, I'm sorry to bother you again this time." Jiang Huai looked up at Xiao Jingzhao. The expenses this year were really not small. At first, he actually wanted to pay some money to see if he could be assigned to do manual work. This way, he would be more relaxed and would not spend much money.

However, Xiao Jingzhao firmly disagreed. He said that even if Jiang Huai did manual work, it would be under the control of the government. The officials above could order Jiang Huai around at will, and he had no way to take good care of Jiang Huai. It would be better for him to let Jiang Huai be a free man for a year. Besides, a free man could always save more money.

This reason completely convinced Jiang Huai.

Jiang Huai knew that if he tried to make money under the eyes of the government, he would stand out, just like when he was in exile. He would be terrified to do anything even slightly out of the ordinary.

If you are temporarily free, then whether you make some new gadgets, sell the recipes, or sell things directly, the probability of making money will be greatly increased.

Moreover, he has been staying under the supervision of the government. He may have to rely on Xiao Jingzhao for support for the past five years, which must have been very hard for Xiao Jingzhao.

So, when he gets out, he must think about ways to make money.

Thinking of this, Jiang Huai concentrated on thinking and his spirits were rekindled.

Seeing Jiang Huai's spirit change from being depressed to being excited again, Xiao Jingzhao's eyes unconsciously showed a bit of curiosity. He was now accustomed to the speed at which Jiang Huai recovered, but sometimes he was still curious about what Jiang Huai was thinking.