Chapter 146 - 137: Bringing into the Fold
Soon, Qin Ziwen figured out the purpose of the settlement slots.
They could be used to make temporary workers like Liu San and Chen Pi into permanent residents. It was just like the four job positions at the tavern; as long as they were willing to stay forever, they could become part of the Home.
He wouldn’t have to worry about them deserting at a critical moment.
He planned to save these four slots for artisans or skilled personnel.
After asking around privately, he found that not everyone was willing to stay forever. Among the salt workers, only Da Zhuang and Liu San were interested.
Liu San quietly told him, "My lord, the others aren’t willing to stay for good. They’re probably still hoping for a new emperor to ascend the throne and grant a general amnesty so they can return to their hometowns. Some of them left home to escape conscripted labor and taxes. If a new emperor grants an amnesty, they’ll have a chance to go back."
"I see. So, you and Da Zhuang aren’t waiting for an amnesty?"
Liu San patted his thin chest, his face a picture of loyalty. "My lord, your kindness to this humble one is as heavy as a mountain! I only wish to follow you!"
"Speak plainly."
Liu San chuckled. "This old man is getting on in years. Who knows when an amnesty will come? It could be forever. Even if it does, the journey back would be rough, sleeping in the open. I could even run into bandits. I’m afraid these old bones would give out halfway home.
Here with you, my lord, I have food and drink, and I don’t have to worry about the Government Office snatching me for labor. I couldn’t ask for a better place to stay.
As for that silly boy Da Zhuang, his whole family starved to death, and he has no land back home, so of course he doesn’t want to go back either."
Although Liu San was old, Qin Ziwen was still willing to save a spot for him.
For one, he was a skilled worker at the Salt Well. For another, the old man was a smooth talker and quick-witted. He could be trusted to handle small matters properly. In ancient times when most people were illiterate, he was quite a handy person to have around.
Next were the two Hunters and the old tanner. When Qin Ziwen asked, all three were hesitant.
"No matter. You can take some more time to think about it." Qin Ziwen didn’t press them.
Liu San noticed and sidled over to ask in a low voice, "My lord, do you want them to stay?"
Qin Ziwen grunted in affirmation. "To each their own. You can’t force them."
These people were willing to stay at the Home temporarily, but getting them to put down permanent roots seemed to be no easy task.
After all, leaving one’s homeland forever was something many people in ancient times had to consider very carefully.
Liu San’s eyes darted about. He lowered his voice and said, "This humble one is willing to go have a word with them for you, my lord."
"Go ahead."
After Qin Ziwen left, Liu San ambled over to Chen Pi.
Chen Pi was sitting on a small stool, using a scraping knife to meticulously clean the inner membrane and remaining flesh from a hide. He looked focused, but his mind seemed to wander, and he nearly cut his hand.
Liu San pulled up a stool and sat down. "Master Chen, be careful with your hands."
Chen Pi looked at Liu San, startled for a moment, then nodded. "Master Liu."
Liu San asked, "Master Chen, where are you from?"
"Qingzhou Plain County."
"Whoa, that’s pretty close! I’m from Beihai County." Liu San switched to his regional dialect to chat with Chen Pi.
Hearing the familiar accent, the tension in Chen Pi’s face gradually eased.
After some small talk to build rapport, Liu San sighed. "Ai, I don’t have any family left. Not like you, who still has ties."
Hearing this, Chen Pi’s expression darkened, and he felt a sense of kinship with Liu San. "My situation is similar to yours. My eldest died young, my second was taken for military service—someone who served with him said he fell into a river and drowned—and my third, a daughter, married off and died of illness a few years later. The county town was breached by rebels, and I got separated from the group of refugees I was with. I saw the congee stall on the mountain, and somehow, I ended up here."
Liu San slapped his thigh. "Hah! In that case, you might as well stay here with me."
Seeing Chen Pi hesitate, Liu San pressed on. "What are you still mulling over? The lord is so kind-hearted! We get enough to eat and drink. In the future, new people will come, we can find you a wife, and you can have a few kids."
Chen Pi’s mouth twitched. "I’m already forty-eight. Don’t talk nonsense. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Besides, even if I had children, how many more years do I have left to live?"
Liu San urged, "What’s wrong with forty-eight? If you don’t want to have your own, you can adopt a few obedient children! Have them take your surname, acknowledge you as their father. You raise them while they’re young, and they’ll take care of you when you’re old."
Chen Pi was swayed, but he couldn’t help but ask, "What benefits did the lord promise you?"
Liu San laughed heartily. "I just think this place is great and want a few more companions. Don’t you think it’s like the legendary Peach Blossom Spring? Besides, at your age, when would you even get back? And after you go, who will be there to tend your grave? Since you have no one left at home, you’re better off staying here."
Chen Pi hesitated. "But I just turned the lord down. He won’t be angry, will he?"
"I’ll go talk to the lord. Just give me the word," Liu San said, patting his chest.
"Then... I’ll have to trouble you."
Afterward, Liu San went to find the other two Hunters. They had worked through the night and found seven or eight branches suitable for making Bows, as well as three shafts fit for Long Spears.
He used the same method to get close to them and chatted for a good while. In the end, one agreed to stay, while the other said he still needed to think about it.
"How did you persuade them?" Qin Ziwen asked curiously.
Liu San bowed and answered, "My lord, you don’t treat them poorly. This humble one only needed to speak of your benevolence and analyze the corrupt policies of the current Court. Naturally, they were moved. Ultimately, it was your virtue that persuaded them, my lord."
Listening to Liu San’s clear and logical explanation, Qin Ziwen gave him a long, searching look. "Are you really just a Salt Worker?"
"I really was, once." Liu San grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.
Soon, all four residency slots were filled.
Liu San, Da Zhuang, Zhang Meng, Chen Pi.
[Ordinary Human (Liu San): ☆]
[Ordinary Human (Da Zhuang): ☆☆☆]