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墨書 Inktalez
Thirteen and Eighteen were not usually quiet; it was just that there was a serious older brother, known as All Day, who dominated the atmosphere. No matter how good the mood was, it would eventually fade away. As long as there was someone who understood the dynamics, others would feel bored and choose to remain silent. If it were anyone else, a few people could easily discuss and decide to drive him away. However, this person happened to be the leader of the group, and over time, everyone had no choice but to adapt.
This back-and-forth gradually became a habit, and when they communicated again, there was hardly any small talk. They spoke only when necessary and remained silent otherwise.
The three people sitting at the front of the carriage seemed to know each other well, engaging in lively conversation and laughter, which made Luzi feel somewhat superfluous. Noticing that no one paid him any attention, he happily settled into his own space, gazing out at the scenery and entering a state of introspection.
The coachman Thirteen belonged to the Sun Family and hailed from the Gao Kingdom. He inherited his family's horse training skills and was a descendant of General Sun Yang from the Qin State.
The military currently used a versatile warhorse known as the Hequ Horse. This breed originated where the Yellow River forms its first major bend near Jishi Mountain. The Sun Family discovered and cultivated this breed in the modern-day border area of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces, contributing significantly to Great Qin's military campaigns.
The name Thirteen was quite simple; it was given by his parents. Due to national policies encouraging citizens to have more children rather than plant trees, his parents responded to the King Qin's call by striving to have more kids. After his seven brothers and five sisters successfully moved to Qin State with long-term residency permits, he immediately rushed over to become his parents' thirteenth child.
Having so many children was hardly sustainable! That’s incorrect! The government had supportive policies in place that allowed for financial assistance in this regard. Moreover, it was distributed monthly without delay. What does it mean to have heirs or not? Even a fool knows that children are the future of the nation. Without them, there would be no legacy left behind for the vast fields.
His eldest brother Sun Da held the position of Grand Master of Horse Affairs, overseeing the emperor's carriages and horse management. The Hequ Horse breeding grounds used by the military were entirely managed by this family. Among all his siblings, Thirteen was considered the most talented; his horsemanship skills were almost legendary.
When he was five years old, his father returned from the pasture with several warhorses in the evening. While playing in the mud, Thirteen looked up and immediately identified the quality differences among these horses. That wasn’t all; he even pointed out that one horse had nearly been ruined and would die on the battlefield due to exhaustion if not properly rehabilitated.
In fact, professionals present could have made similar assessments. The key point was Thirteen's age; he had not yet undergone systematic training in this area due to his youth. When everyone heard him articulate these observations so accurately, they realized that this five-year-old child possessed extraordinary talent—a miracle that only their ancestor Sun Yang had been praised for as a Talent Scout.
The army waiting for a large supply of warhorses certainly wouldn’t come here for leisure if there were no issues with their mounts. Thirteen's father understood why this horse had come to their pasture; it was due to an urgent military task relayed a few days prior. After completing its mission, it had been classified as a useless horse by the family’s accompanying surgeon and was awaiting disposal.
Thirteen's father happened to pass by the stable at that time and found upon inspection that it could indeed recover. He promptly applied for its transfer, saving this injured warhorse from death’s door. Whether or not it could return to the front lines afterward was uncertain; all one could do was try their best. Moreover, an experienced old horse would always be better than a new one on the battlefield—this point was indisputable.
Eighteen, Li Family, named Xin, hails from the Qin State. He is a descendant of the legendary archer, Li Gong, the Divine Archer General of the Qin State.
He does not have many siblings; among his peers, he has only one older brother and one younger sister. The reason he is called Eighteen is simply due to his surname. "Li" can be broken down into "Eighteen Sons."
His ancestors once fought valiantly for the former king and ultimately earned this honor of divine archery. This occurred during a battle against the Chu army at Shangyong, where King Qin's ambition led him to be encircled by the Chu Army. Just as the Qin Army was preparing to break out, they were suddenly hit by a counterattack from the Chu Army. As the military formation was on the verge of collapse, the generals were even prepared to sacrifice themselves for their country. At this critical moment, Li Gong, who was responsible for protecting King Qin, noticed that the enemy commander was standing atop a hill directing the Chu Army's assault on the Qin Army.
At that time, the distance between the two armies was at the limit of bow and arrow range, and with strong winds, it could be considered negligible. Without hesitation, Li Gong raised his divine bow above his head and shot an arrow that struck General Xiong Guang of the Chu Army off his horse. The sudden loss of their general threw the Chu Army into chaos, allowing the Qin Army to break through their encirclement. After returning home, King Qin actively reflected on his reckless advance. Achievements come with consequences; thus, he awarded Li Gong the title of Divine Archer General.
The art of archery has been passed down and flourished in Li Xin's generation, with many skilled descendants emerging from the Li Family. Among them, the most outstanding archer is currently serving as the chief bodyguard to Luzi. Due to concerns about his identity, Li Xin does not carry the divine bow crafted by family artisans with him.
One reason for this is confidentiality; this bow-making technique is a closely guarded family secret. Those knowledgeable in archery would immediately recognize this long-range weapon's family origin. In military engagements, it is not an issue since generals from various states are expected to appear on the battlefield. However, if a young member of a prominent general's family were to follow a merchant around, that would raise questions.
Another reason is practicality; one cannot always carry a bow and arrow while coming and going. He is a noble's personal attendant! His status dictates that he should not be like a hunter who needs to carry a long-range weapon all day for hunting. The emergencies faced by bodyguards typically involve close combat, making bows and arrows seem unnecessary.
Luzi, from the Lu Clan, is named Ziqian. On the surface, he appears to be a foreigner but is actually a native of Jiangzhou in the Qin State. His origins remain a mystery; royal records only note his name and birthplace. Very few people have access to these records, so outsiders can only assume he is from Wei State. This assumption stems from later appearances of Lu Chancellor since both belong to Jiang and Lu Clan, naturally linking them to that branch.
Both Thirteen and Eighteen are descendants of renowned generals from Qin State. This indicates that those following Luzi are quite exceptional individuals—not just elites in various fields but also outstanding heirs in their respective domains. What can such a group accomplish together? Certainly not trivial matters! If you think they are merely seeking prestige to bolster their credentials for future promotions upon returning home, you are gravely mistaken. While it may seem so on the surface, it is far from reality. They have their own missions—tasks they are willing to undertake at great risk.
The purpose of their visit is not merely because Luzi asked Meng Wu where beauty could be found in Chu State; rather, intelligence reports indicated that descendants of renowned swordsmiths from the Spring and Autumn Period were hiding somewhere in Chu State. Who could ensure optimal weapon usage if not skilled craftsmen? However, results were disappointing; this family's craftsmanship had diverged significantly from its legendary reputation. Perhaps there were unforeseen omissions in their forging techniques during transmission or perhaps they had always been overrated. In any case, what they observed fell far short of expectations—the so-called swordsmith's skills were inferior even to those of ordinary plow craftsmen.
Nevertheless, having something is better than nothing; besides, beneath any great reputation lies some tangible merit. Thus, they extended an enthusiastic invitation for this swordsmith to settle in Qin State and promised that if he could regain his ancestral skills, titles and honors would be within reach in due time. Of course, they would provide necessary conditions; otherwise, who would willingly abandon a comfortable life to venture far away?
This decision was not an impulsive idea from Luzi but rather based on national policy initiatives. If they could attract elites from across the realm to Qin State, it would effectively undermine the foundations of the other six major feudal states. If a nation loses its elite talents without realizing it, its eventual fate can be easily imagined.
Fortunately, the so-called country at that time did not refer to the modern concept of a nation; it could be understood as a province today. This designation of "country" actually stemmed from the feudal states established by the Zhou Dynasty. Therefore, people back then did not have the notion of pure bloodlines; whether they were refugees or ambitious youths traveling between states, they were all the same. If one could not stay in their country, they would simply run to another. Because of this underlying condition, as long as the Qin State offered sufficiently attractive terms, almost no one could be turned away.
For common folk, being granted titles and positions was akin to reaching for the moon. It was nearly impossible for someone of humble origins to transform into a noble. The relatives of nobles and generals were all watching with eager eyes, waiting for their chance to ride on the coattails of fortune. When would it be time for the children of commoners to board that carriage? Even dreaming about it seemed hopeless!
The descendants of swordsmiths merely lived in seclusion rather than stepping outside the bounds of society. During this time, rumors spread among the common people of the Qin State about such opportunities, and there were real examples of ordinary individuals rising to prominence. Who could forget that one person from a certain family who went to the Qin State a few years ago and has now become a captain? No advertisement could be more effective than someone who has experienced it firsthand. As long as you have the ability and dare to come, I can guarantee you will have a chance to understand what is possible!
Such opportunities are hard to find even with a lantern in hand, and now that it has come knocking at your door, how could one refuse? Thus, several families quickly discussed and agreed to move immediately. Miss this village, and there won't be this shop!
Goodbye, my Chu State!
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