Chapter 17 Transport Chain
After eating and drinking their fill, the three returned to their resting place. The officers were already yelling at everyone to get ready to set off. When they saw the three people coming slowly, they naturally started to retort.
"You three have fallen into a ditch. Why are you dawdling? Hurry up and get back to the team! You're slowing down our progress. You'll be in trouble!"
The officers all looked ferocious, but the three men didn't react much. They just glanced at the officers and joined the team.
After the waterway, there is a mountain road. Although the exiles all took the main road, they inevitably encountered rugged and difficult roads. The men consciously walked to their families and helped the elderly and children.
"Alright, let's stop for a moment. Now let's change the rules. The luggage will be distributed by family and by headcount. Men will be responsible for the heavy supplies, and women and children will be responsible for the light luggage..."
When they rested at the top of the mountain, the officials began to redistribute the labor work.
Obviously, the officials who were exhausted from climbing the mountain did not plan to carry the luggage themselves, but someone had to do the work, so they naturally set their sights on a group of exiles.
"Sir, don't you have a donkey? I can let it carry the luggage..."
Cheng Weiyao frowned slightly. Everyone had exhausted a lot of energy after climbing to the top of the mountain. If they listened to the officials and asked for extra manpower to carry the things, they would be in trouble.
Not to mention that women and children can't handle it, even men can't keep up physically. After all, most of those exiled are former high-ranking officials and nobles in the palace. How could they have done so much hard work?
"We want to use the donkey, so why do you have any objections? If we don't ride the donkey, should we ride you?"
The officers all grinned and laughed, and when they heard Cheng Weiyao jump out to refute, they immediately retorted in a vulgar manner.
Cheng Weiyao's face turned dark. She felt offended by the blunt and rude language.
In this dynasty, prisoners generally had to pay for their own exile. Not only did they have to provide their own money and luggage, but they also had to worry about the food and lodging of the escorting officials, otherwise they would easily suffer inhuman torture and harassment.
Therefore, even though everyone had complaints in their hearts, they still did not dare to jump out like Cheng Weiyao.
"Madam, I will take care of the luggage later. Just take good care of my younger brothers and sisters."
Wen Chengyun obviously did not want to see Cheng Weiyao get into conflict with the officials, so he immediately pulled Cheng Weiyao's sleeve and motioned her to sit down.
Cheng Wei Yao seemed to sit down obediently, but in fact she was thinking about how to save some energy. Her eyes were darting around and were soon attracted by the long weeds.
She stood up and looked down from the top of the mountain. The next resting place was at the foot of the mountain. The height difference of the mountain was undoubtedly a point that could be utilized.
"You're not going to let it go, are you?"
Wen Liyu came over carefully and asked softly.
She also felt that the officials' verbal humiliation was too hurtful. After all, a woman's chastity and innocence could not be used as a joke...
"Do I look like someone who would commit suicide?"
Cheng Weiyao turned around and smiled at Wen Liyu, then reached out and pulled up all the long and thick weeds on the roadside.
"Want to take a break later? I'll teach you a way to save time and effort..."
"You tell me first, I'll think about it."
Wen Liyu was moved by Cheng Weiyao's confident look, as she knew this woman was a person with her own ideas.
She was truly reluctant to move the luggage she was about to carry. Just look at how worn out her delicate fingers had become...
Cheng Weiyao's idea was to use the weeds on the roadside and the vines on the trees to make some simple ropes. The top of the mountain is high and the foot of the mountain is low, so there is absolutely no problem in pulling a transport chain from top to bottom.
"I'll help too. Are we braiding or rubbing like last time?"
"I'm good at knitting. If you don't mind, I'll help you..."
The actions of Cheng Weiyao and Wen Liyu quickly attracted the attention of the other female relatives. They had reached a tacit understanding regarding the bamboo felling incident, and almost everyone knew that Cheng Weiyao would not do anything without a reason, so they all joined in.
"Everyone, spread out and search around. Raw materials like tree branches, weeds, hemp, and vines are relatively easy to obtain. This time, the rope must be thick and long enough, and it must not break..."
Cheng Weiyao felt warm in her heart, and felt that her investment had paid off.
Many natural raw materials have special flexibility, plasticity and ductility, which are suitable for making simple ropes. What Cheng Weiyao has to do is to inspect the firmness of each section of rope.
After all, when they are actually used later, these ropes will have to bear the luggage of everyone. If one of them breaks and falls down, even if the things can be found, they will probably be damaged.
The abnormal behavior of the women alarmed the officers, and one of the young officers stood up and tried to stop them.
"Sit down. It's not a big deal. Why are you looking for trouble? You didn't get enough oil in the river, did you? Less trouble is worse than more. We have to go down the mountain soon, so save your energy."
The leader's voice sounded nonchalant, but it was actually full of commands.
As for crossing the river, he knew exactly what his men were thinking, but the exile was long and boring, so he just went along with them for some fun. After all, he wasn't going to really sleep with anyone.
But he had clearly heard the teasing of the officers just now. During the escort process, they were in the wilderness, and there were female prisoners being escorted along the way, and many things were disgusting to watch.
In order to preserve the chastity of their female relatives, many families are willing to spend money to protect the reputation and chastity of their female relatives and to ensure that the officials do not do anything indecent to the female prisoners. The leaders have received the money, so naturally they have to exercise some control.
"I know, I know what's going on..." The officer became obedient after being scolded. He was just talking nonsense and he knew the rules.
With the help of everyone, a simple and tough long rope was quickly made. Cheng Wei Yao pulled it hard with her hands, but it didn't move at all. Then she grinned with satisfaction.
"Madam, do you need help from your husband?"
Wen Chengyun vaguely sensed Cheng Weiyao's purpose the moment she looked down at the foot of the mountain. Seeing that the tools were ready, he took the initiative to step forward and volunteer.
"Will the officers release him?"
Cheng Weiyao glanced at the officers who were resting with their eyes closed not far away, frowned slightly, and spoke in a hesitant tone.
In order for this transportation chain to operate normally, someone must go down the mountain to fix the rope first, and Wen Chengyun, who is highly skilled in martial arts, is undoubtedly the best candidate.
Cheng Weiyao did consider Wen Chengyun at first, but she didn't think of taking the open route. After all, it was hard to say whether the officials would release him...
"I'm going to explore the way. It's no problem to have the lady and her group as hostages."
Wen Chengyun's lips curled up slightly, and it was obvious that he had already thought of his words long ago.
The only thing the officials were worried about was that I would run away. As long as I had family members as collateral, everything would be negotiable...
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