Chapter 103 People Shouldn’t Be Treated Like This
The two of them went out and went straight to the county government office.
On the way, Chen Ning learned that Xu Zhiyi, although he was relaxing on the surface, was actually ordered by the emperor to come to Xinzhou to investigate the Tianxin Sect.
With the token in hand, he dismissed Cao Manlou from his post and temporarily took over the county government, waiting for someone from Xinzhou to take over.
Chen Ning followed Xu Zhiyi into the county jail. After walking for a while, she saw Cao Manlou, who had been stripped of his official uniform and was sitting in the jail.
Compared to his previous gleaming look, Cao Manlou now has a frank and nonchalant expression, and actually has a bit of character.
"Mr. Xu San." Cao Manlou greeted with a smile.
When he saw Shen Ning behind Xu Zhiyi, Cao Manlou was a little surprised: "Madam Shen."
He cupped his hands and said, "I was forced to implicate Madam Shen that day. I'm truly sorry."
Shen Ning didn't say anything.
Xu Zhiyi looked at County Magistrate Cao and said calmly, "I don't think Lord Cao is a brainless person... I gave you a chance, but you didn't take it."
Magistrate Cao smiled bitterly and shook his head. "I went to great lengths to invite Third Master up the mountain. I did intend to have a serious talk with him, but I'm not the only one who has the final say in the Tianxin Sect here... There was a sudden disturbance on the mountain, and my words were useless. I almost got Third Master's life in jeopardy."
Cao Manlou bowed and said, "I apologize to the Third Master."
Xu Zhiyi asked him, "Are you still unwilling to reveal your accomplices?"
Cao Manlou smiled and shook his head. He suddenly asked, "Third Master, would you like to hear why I, an official appointed by the imperial court, joined the anti-imperial Tianxin Sect?"
Xu Zhiyi smiled and said, "Tell me about it. I'm curious too."
There were only three people left in the field. Shen Ning stood behind Xu Zhiyi and heard everything about Cao Manlou. Only then did he finally understand why he gave up his job as an official of the imperial court and joined the anti-religious movement.
Cao Manlou also came from a poor family. His talent was not top-notch, but he was hardworking. After passing the imperial examination at the age of 26, he married his teacher's daughter. After marriage, they had a pair of children. His wife took care of the housework, allowing him to continue studying wholeheartedly.
Hard work might make up for the failure in the academy examination, but the provincial examination was competed by countless talented people. Cao Manlou lacked talent and it took him eleven years to pass the examination. After passing the examination, he waited another three years before going to Beijing to take the examination.
It is easy to say that he is going to the capital, but for Cao Manlou, he has to walk to the capital step by step. Not to mention sleeping in the open air, the cost of the journey is already very high.
Although the family's situation had improved a lot after he passed the imperial examination, his father-in-law's illness cost a lot of money, so the family was still struggling to make ends meet.
When Cao Manlou was about to go to Beijing, his wife did her best to take out all the money she could from the family, saying that "the family is poor but the road is rich", and gave it all to Cao Manlou.
That amount of money was not enough to travel to the capital, which was thousands of miles away, but it was already the whole family's effort.
Cao Manlou was unwilling to take everything with him, but his wife persuaded him that they had fields and vegetables in the yard, so they could always survive at home. But it would be different for him on the road. Even if he wanted to get something to eat, he couldn't, because everything he ate had to cost money.
In this way, Cao Manlou set out for Beijing to take the exam with the hopes of his whole family.
However, he never expected that during the season when Cao Manlou went to Beijing to take the imperial examination, there was a severe drought in his hometown. Every household had no harvest in the fields and was unable to feed themselves.
Cao Manlou had to sleep in the open air along the way and was extremely thin when he arrived in Beijing. He still had to worry about his wife and children at home, but he had already risked his life to get to the capital, so it was impossible for him to not take part in the Spring Examination and then turn back.
If something happens at home, he will not have time to go back, and the family's years of hard work will be wasted.
Therefore, he stayed in a dilapidated temple outside the capital. In addition to studying hard every day, he prayed to the gods and Buddhas to bless his wife and children who were thousands of miles away.
After finally getting through the Spring Examination, after the results were announced, Cao Manlou looked at his name on the list of Jinshi, covered his face and burst into tears.
He had mediocre talent and a humble background, but by chance he caught the eye of a saint. Because he was thin, the saint said, "He looks quite dignified."
In this way, Cao Manlou got a vacant position as a county magistrate and finally made it.
Cao Manlou immediately rode back home, silently praying for the safety of his family, and looking forward to sharing this joy with his wife and children... But when he returned to the village, what he saw was an empty and somewhat dilapidated yard.
The whole state was hit by a severe drought and there was no harvest. In order to feed his two children, Cao Manlou's wife sold herself into slavery.
She originally thought that as long as they could hold on for a few months and wait for her husband to come back, the family would be reunited again. However, she didn't expect that her two children would die of serious illness one after another. She couldn't save her children even by selling herself, and she herself became a slave worse than pigs and dogs in the backyard of a noble man.
Fortunately, Cao Manlou's status is different now. He endured the excruciating pain and redeemed his wife. In less than half a year... his first wife had been tortured beyond recognition and was crying bitterly while hugging him.
Recalling the past, Cao Manlou spoke in a desolate tone: "She was in good health. Even when our family was poor, she always had endless energy. She took care of the children and me, and kept my attention on the crops, so I could study peacefully... Those few short months were like hell for her."
Cao Manlou's voice was hoarse, and he closed his eyes and leaned against the wall: "She sold herself into slavery and adopted a son, but the children at home died of illness one after another... In that wealthy backyard, you can't imagine what she went through... People shouldn't be treated like that.
I once petitioned for the abolition of slavery, but that petition was never presented to the emperor."
Cao Manlou opened his eyes, his eyes red. "Master Xu, people of your background enjoy the service of slavery and have long been accustomed to it. But those lowly slaves are also human beings, with their own families, parents, and children..."
"I studied hard, wanting my wife and children to live a good life, wanting to do things for the people, wanting to teach people like me to live like human beings. As a county magistrate, I can't do that, so I have to think of other ways."
Shen Ning unconsciously thought of Mu Yao who had words tattooed on his face and was trampled and humiliated in public.
She is also a slave.
Xu Zhiyi asked Cao Manlou, "If that's the case, then why are you trying so hard to negotiate with me?"
Cao Manlou smiled bitterly: "The Tianxin Sect wants to establish a heart for heaven and earth...but its followers are almost unable to survive. I want to find a way for them to survive."
Xu Zhiyi narrowed his eyes: "Is there anyone who doesn't want to take this path?"
He gently persuaded: "County Magistrate Cao has the heart to mend his ways. As long as you reveal your accomplices, I can spare your life."
Cao Manlou smiled. "Some people want to live, even if it means continuing to be a slave, but some would rather die than continue to be a slave... I have waited too long and have lost my courage. But if anyone dares to continue, I will never be the betrayer."
After saying that, Cao Manlou bowed to Xu Zhiyi, closed his eyes, leaned against the wall and refused to say anything more.
Xu Zhiyi pondered for a moment and nodded: "I understand."
After saying that, she didn't try to ask him any more questions. She turned to Shen Ning and said, "Push me out."
Before leaving, Shen Ning glanced at Cao Manlou, but saw that Cao Manlou had not opened his eyes. He only said quietly: "On behalf of the hundreds of refugees in the refugee village, I, Cao, would like to thank Madam Shen for giving them a way to survive and not forcing them to sell themselves into slavery."
Chen Ning moved her lips, but didn't know what to say. In the end, she just nodded slightly to Cao Manlou, then turned around and pushed Xu Zhiyi out.
"Are there a lot of slavery?" Shen Ning really didn't know, after all, she hadn't seen many.
Xu Zhiyi hummed. "Xinzhou is wealthy, and the situation is slightly better. In many other places, the powerful and wealthy have seized land, and those who can't bear the oppression have no choice but to sell themselves into slavery in order to survive, in exchange for a way out for themselves or their families. There are also people who specialize in human trafficking, trading captured people and selling them as slaves elsewhere..."
Shen Ning frowned: "Is there no one to take care of it? Elder Xu... doesn't care?"
Xu Zhiyi raised his eyebrows and glanced at her. Shen Ning coughed lightly: "I don't mean anything else."
Xu Zhiyi withdrew his gaze and looked into the void ahead. He chuckled, his tone light and indifferent, as he wondered what he was thinking. "This illness has been going on for a long time, and has affected many people. It's hard for anyone to have the ability to eradicate it."
Therefore, not only did people sell themselves into slavery out of poverty, but many others were abducted and sold into slavery.
No wonder Cao Manlou petitioned to abolish slavery; this is what they call "no trade, no harm"...
However, abolishing slavery might save those who were forcibly abducted into slavery, but it could not change the fate of those who were forced to sell themselves into slavery because they could not survive.
Thinking of Cao Manlou's tone when he talked about his wife's inhumane experience, and thinking of Mu Yao who was humiliated in public with words carved on his face, even if Shen Ning didn't know, she could guess what kind of life those slaves lived, which was worse than death.
An idea suddenly popped up in her mind. If she could change all this... not only the slavery, but also the millions of poor people who had to struggle hard just to survive.
Even if these people cannot be as happy as the world she lives in, at least they can have enough food and clothing, live with dignity, and live like human beings.
"What are you thinking about?" Xu Zhiyi raised his eyes and smiled: "Are you feeling lucky that despite your humble origins, you have never been reduced to slavery..."
If others suddenly encounter such a thing, they will inevitably think this way.
Shen Ning shook her head: "No."
"oh?"
Xu Zhiyi smiled and asked, "Then what are you thinking about? If you regret it and want to enter my backyard, I can also consider giving you a chance to atone for your sins..."
Shen Ning seemed a little distracted, or perhaps unwilling to pay attention to his teasing. She just subconsciously said: "I was thinking, if I could change something..."
"What?" Xu Zhiyi asked.
Shen Ning suddenly came back to her senses, and then immediately smiled and said, "Nothing, nothing."
Mr. Xu San's face turned dark again.
On the way back to Xu's house from the county government office, she had to pass by Huayingxue. Shen Ning originally wanted Xu Zhiyi to just drop her off at Huayingxue, but she was unwilling.
"Then it would mean I'm sending you home... are you worthy?"
Chen Ning: ...I am worthy of you*
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