Chapter 28: Land of Exile
The team marched as usual for ten days.
As autumn approaches, the weather gets colder.
As they were about to arrive in Guizhou, Bai Li felt a little excited.
She knew nothing about Guizhou and only got a general idea of it from her father and uncles.
Qiandi, also known as Qianzhou, belonged to the southwestern border of the Great Zhou Kingdom.
Guizhou is a desolate place with high mountains, dense forests, very little flat land and a small population.
Because it was adjacent to the Lao people, the people on the border were often harassed by the Lao people and suffered terribly. The Great Zhou had no choice but to send an army of 5,000 people to garrison here to suppress the rebellion. The criminals were also exiled here to open up wasteland, cultivate land, mine, and develop the population under the supervision of the army.
When Bai Li heard about population development, his mouth twitched.
It turns out that the exiled prisoners also had the arduous task of reproducing offspring. No wonder the whole family, young and old, were assigned to the same place.
From the moment they set foot in Qianzhou, they felt as if they had walked into a landscape painting.
As far as the eye can see, the mountains rise and fall one after another, like the uplifted spine of the earth, reaching into the sky.
These mountains have different shapes, some are as steep and dangerous as if they were cut by an axe or a knife, while others are round and gentle, like sleeping beasts.
The mountain is covered with lush vegetation. Even in late autumn, the lush trees spread from the foot of the mountain to the top, as if covering the mountain with a thick green carpet.
The mountains are shrouded in clouds and mist, like a dream.
The clouds are sometimes as thick as cotton, covering the mountain peaks vaguely; sometimes they are as thin as gauze, gently blowing across the mountains, adding a bit of mysterious charm to the peaks.
In the clouds, you can occasionally hear the clear singing of birds, but you can't see the birds, as if they are also hidden in this fairyland.
Walking along the winding mountain road, the view suddenly opens up and a vast expanse of terraced fields comes into view.
The small and narrow terraces are built on the mountain, layer upon layer, extending from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside.
The rice in the fields is lush and green, and the breeze blows through, creating layers of golden waves.
In the sunlight, the water droplets on the rice leaves sparkled with crystal light, like tiny gems.
Late autumn is the season when rice matures. You can tell from the bent rice stalks that it is time for harvest.
At the foot of the mountain, a clear river flows.
The river water is clear and transparent, and you can clearly see the sand and rocks at the bottom of the river and the swimming fish and shrimps.
By the river, three or five women in patched clothes were washing clothes. They were laughing and talking happily while washing clothes, and their hearty laughter echoed in the wind.
While Bai Li and the others were immersed in this beautiful scene, Li Dong asked in a chilling tone, "Do you see those terraced fields over there?"
Um? ?
Any normal person can see it, okay?
"If nothing unexpected happens, the rice over there will be waiting for you to harvest!"
!!!
Everyone suddenly felt that the scenery was no longer beautiful and the flowers were no longer fragrant, and they silently closed their chattering mouths.
Seeing his family members' low spirits, Bai Zongren wanted to cheer them up and said, "It's just harvesting rice. What's so difficult about it? It's much easier than the various training in the military camp!"
The women: You might as well not say anything!
In the previous town, Li Dong asked them to sell the carriage, otherwise it would be too conspicuous when they arrived at the military camp and it would be difficult for everyone to explain.
Bai Li didn't want to go against the entire army, so he sold four carriages and got more than 100 pieces of silver, which he gave to his mother Li Mingyue for safekeeping.
Although Li was in charge of the household, she was not a tyrant. When there was public money, she would not force her daughter-in-law to hand it over.
Ma Dehai finally felt a little relieved when he saw the Bai family members walking on foot in prison uniforms and shackles.
Finally, it feels like an exiled prisoner!
Along the way, the Bai family was like officials, sightseeing and leisurely riding in a horse-drawn carriage. But his family was like real exiled prisoners, not eating or sleeping well, and measuring the distance inch by inch with their feet. It was hard not to feel sad when seeing this.
They are both exiled prisoners, but when you compare them... I don't want to say anything!
It's outrageous. It's outrageous to open the door. It's outrageous to the extreme!
Li Dong took the lead and led everyone into a village.
All you can see are ancient stilt houses scattered around in an orderly manner.
Most of the stilt houses are made of wood, with upturned eaves and corners, showing a simple and elegant style. In front of and behind the houses, there are many kinds of fruits and vegetables, which are green and beautiful.
In the village, several children were playing, while the old people were sitting at the door, basking in the sun and rubbing corn in their hands.
Such a large team entering the village did not cause much sensation.
Apart from the ignorant children who looked at it curiously, everyone else looked calm, as if they were used to it.
These villagers seem to be doing their work casually and naturally as usual, but if you look closely, you will find that everyone, whether it is the village women or the children and the elderly, looks at the people coming over vigilantly, and when the people look over, they lower their heads and do what they are doing.
After passing through the village, the view suddenly opened up. It turned out that behind the village was a large open area, surrounded by mountains on three sides. To enter the military camp, one had to pass through the village. There was only one mountain road leading to the village, and there were several checkpoints along the way. Each checkpoint was guarded by soldiers, and not even a strange fly could fly in.
The reason for choosing this place to station military camp was probably because of its unique geographical location.
There were rows of tents built against the mountain in a concave U-shaped layout, with a large open space in the middle which was the school training ground.
It was noon and the sun was blazing. The sounds of "hehehaha" could be heard from the training ground. Li Dong told them to stand outside the training ground while he went in to report and hand in his instructions.
Bai Li looked around curiously, wondering where these exiled prisoners lived.
Unfortunately, apart from the tents and the training ground, there are no other houses to be seen.
After a while, Li Dong came out, followed by someone.
Nangong Min has a good appearance. It is not an exaggeration to describe him as handsome, elegant, and extraordinary.
As soon as he appeared, Bai Yue stared at him!
What a handsome man!
Unconsciously, her cheeks flushed, her eyes became hooked, and she looked at the person who came with infatuation.
When Bai Li saw the person coming, his eyes lit up. Why is this unlucky guy here?
"Major General Nangong, they are over there!"
Li Dong stretched out his hand, made a gesture of invitation, and then walked in front to lead the way.
Li Dong came up quickly and completed the handover. In front of Nangong Min, he opened the shackles of the prisoners one by one. Then he swept his eyes from the Bai family to the Ma family, then nodded to Bai Zongren and left with the yamen runners.
"Meet Major General Nangong."
Bai Zongren greeted him with neither arrogance nor servility.
Nangong Min hurriedly returned the greeting and said, "Thank you for your hardship along the way!"
Bai Zongren quickly responded: "I cannot bear the responsibility of this crime."
The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Nangong Min called his followers to arrange accommodation.
Bai Li then realized that the village they had just passed was where the prisoners lived. It looked pretty good, didn't it?
Bai Li turned around and was about to follow his family, but was stopped by Nangong Min.
"Miss Bai, please wait a moment."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
