Under the sky

Chapter 252

The view from the mountain?Is this the answer, or is it just wishful thinking?

Did Gulthas really have no way to deal with Priest Mengde and had to compromise, or did he just choose the simplest approach?

Xie Yunjin left the Holy Temple, thinking about these issues.He had to deal with something.

"Potu Xiaoji, can I come in?" Xie Yunjin knocked on the door.

"Please come in." Botu stood up.He was so polite. With his status, he didn't need to be so considerate to a school priest.He made a pot of tea, poured in butter and salt made from milk, and prepared two pieces of shortbread sprinkled with powdered sugar for Xie Yunjin.

He is such a good person, I even doubted him.

Why would I doubt him?After meeting Botu again, Xie Yunjin suddenly realized that he had no reason to doubt Botu no matter what.

Is it because I no longer believe that there are such good people in the world that I doubt Potu Xiaoji?Even if the one-armed man spends his life telling himself that there are really people in the world who sacrifice themselves for others, he still doesn't believe it?
Do you not want to believe it, or do you not believe it?Xie Yunjin was unsure.

"Please forgive me for your father's matter. God Sa will guide him to the light." Potu put the tea on the table and motioned to Xie Yunjin to use it.

Xie Yunjin said sadly: "Dad is trying to save me."

"What do you want from me?" Potu asked.

"I want to know what will happen to the slaves who did not defect," Xie Yunjin said. "When I returned to the slave home, I found that there were children left there, and their parents were gone."

This is knowingly asked.

"The defection of slaves means they will die together," Potu said. "Those under the age of 12 have not yet become slaves and are protected by the doctrine. They can live until the age of 12."

Potu thought for a while and said: "I will go to pay my condolences to Prince Hugen later."

Although he was just a small priest, he was a close confidant of Gulthas. It was not difficult to see Prince Hu Gen. Xie Gubai knew that he wanted to persuade Prince Hu Gen to let go of the slaves.But this is quite difficult. Prince Hugen's son is dead, so relying on the face of Potu Xiaoji is definitely not enough.

"Those children will soon lose their parents, just like me." Xie Yunjin said sadly, "Is there anything I can do to help them?"

Potu shook his head: "Those are Prince Hugen's belongings, let him do whatever he wants."

"Those children are very scared." Xie Yunyan said, "There are more than a dozen children, Potu Xiaoji, can you go and bless them and make them feel at ease?"

Potu's face showed embarrassment, not because he didn't want to, but because he was embarrassed: "I have wanted to do this for a long time, but they are the slaves of Prince Hugen, and Prince Hugen is in grief..."

"The Yanavata Sutra says that kings and beggars are equal in the eyes of the Sa god, and they can enjoy glory as long as they have faith." Xie Yunyan said, "Refugees are deprived of faith, are slaves also deprived? "

Slaves are not deprived of their faith. In the territory of the Sa tribe, those who do not believe in the Sa god are dead. Those who are not allowed to believe in the Sa god are refugees, while slaves are livestock that believe in the Sa god. There is a subtle but clear-cut difference.

"My child, you said it very well." Potu said, "I will visit Prince Hugen first to comfort him about the loss of his son, and then go to the slave village. May God Sa protect these children."

After leaving Potu's residence, Xie Yunjin immediately went to the Prison Department.Hillidegg was wounded, but he had no rest, and it was a shame for him to be ambushed by the refugees.He looked very happy when he saw Xie Yunjin.

"God Sa guides your Majesty to the land of light and fire." After a brief greeting and greetings about the injury, Xie Yunjin asked Hillidge: "Are the slaves in the slave house still locked up?"

Slaves were imprisoned in the prison department and asked to give confessions. If they were released, they would definitely die. Even if they were not released, the practice of defecting slaves was to be sentenced together, and the master would punish other slaves.

"The confession has almost been asked. This is the story of a slave who defected and was framed by the refugees. Evil comes with evil consequences. They were very sad when they heard that their companions died." Hillidegg said, "Prince Hugen is waiting to receive them. They I will miss my days in the Prison Department.”

"The man who ambushed you is called Mahler. I heard that he is the younger brother of Prince Hu Gen." Xie Yunjin couldn't tell the truth. Gulthas asked him to conceal it. Besides, even if he knew that the slaves were being used, so what? Who cares? The slave's life?

"What do you want to say?" Hillidegg asked, "Do you think Prince Hugen colluded with Mahler?"

"That's not what I meant, but Mahler obviously wanted to protect Luce." Xie Yunyan said, "Maybe the slaves know a lot of things, but they don't know which ones are useful. I mean, Mahler is Husband after all. Brother of Prince Gen.”

This was a hint that Prince Hugen might have had private contacts with Mahler, and he advised Hillidger to interrogate him for a few more days.

"I'll check more carefully," Hillidger said.

Hilidegg hates the nobility, and he hates the nobility even more after this incident. It would be best for him if he can get clues about the collusion between Hugen and Mahler.Hu Gen may not be punished to death, but he will definitely be miserable for a while.

Delaying Hillidegg was not enough, and could only delay it for two or three days at most. Xie Yunjin's final efforts were spent on Tucker and Gao Leqi.

These two people are quite interesting. They make no secret of their dislike of each other's shortcomings, but they are inseparable from each other.They would come to see Xie Yunjin occasionally. The three of them had been acquaintances for a long time. Xie Yunjin had already known that they were dating him in order to arrange an informant in the Priesthood. Gursasi also knew that and had no objection because Xie Yunjin was also him. The spy arranged in Arien Palace.

The danger of the situation became more and more clear to Xie Yunjin as he grew older, but he didn't care. He would be able to get out of this situation when he became a flame.

But this identity is very useful now. He hinted to Gollach - and he could only hint to Gollach, hinting that Tucker often worked in vain - that the Priesthood was very concerned about the relationship between Mahler and Lotharion, and withheld the ten Several slaves were worried that these people would be silenced when they returned to the slave house. After all, Prince Hugen was very sad and it was natural to kill these slaves.

Gao Leqi immediately understood that once these dozen slaves died, the priesthood would only become more suspicious.It was easy to kill a dozen slaves, and he had to advise Prince Hugen not to rush.

He was only 13 years old, and he was quite complacent about his intelligence. A few years later, he suddenly remembered that he didn't ask Xie Yunjin why he took the initiative to reveal information to help him this time. After all, when he interacted with Xie Yunjin before, he was neither cold nor warm. Although he didn't answer all the questions about the priest's house, he didn't ask any questions or answer any questions.

Xie Yunjin did everything he could, so that even if the slaves were released, they would not die immediately.Then there was waiting, hoping that the little girl named Nadia would make a difference.

Five days later, as he was working in the Holy Temple as usual, he heard that Kong Xiao, the great priest, asked to see Gursasi.

Finally came, the child finally came to Kong Xiao Daji.

Kong Xiao Daji is one of the few Han priests. He is 46 years old this year. He serves as the priest of Gursasi, similar to an aide, and is mainly responsible for personnel reception. When Xie Yunjin came to see Gursas for the first time, he was responsible for greeting him at the door.He has a big, round face, clean shaven beard, sparse eyebrows, and a tall build.

"There is a child in Prince Hugan's slave room who wants to beg for mercy."

There are not many pure Han people outside the customs, and some of them are still slaves.Kong Xiao Daji has always taken care of the Han people. The Han people in Badun often turn to him for help when they are in trouble. Kong Xiao will help impartially but will never be partial. This is his advantage.

Gulthas was grading the official document and asked: "What ability does he have that makes you come to me to ask for help?"

"I'm not begging for mercy. She begged me for mercy, and I'll report it." Kong Xiao said, "The girl volunteered to become Huo Miaozi."

"Is it a girl?" Gulthas raised his head. He has always been interested in outstanding young people.

"He is ten years old this year," Kong Xiao said. "A pure Han Chinese with eyes as black as his hair."

"Huo Miaozi doesn't just want to be one, he needs to be tested." Gursasi said, "She wants to ask for the release of her parents?"

"No, she wants more." Kong Xiao replied, "She wants all the slaves to be safe."

Xie Yunjin was inevitably surprised. Not only did Nadia want to save her parents, but she also wanted to save all the slaves?
Gulthas said: "I commend her courage, but she may not even know what she is talking about."

"If so, I don't dare to disturb Sa Si. God Sa, this child knows what she is talking about. She... is very brave. All the children are crying. Only she is taking care of other children, some of whom are older than her. Big boys.”

"Then you should test her." Gursasi said, "Go ahead."

Xie Yunjin didn't know what the test was, so he couldn't interrupt now, lest he arouse suspicion. Gursasi was not an ordinary person, and he couldn't show off his talents easily.

Kong Xiao didn't bring up the old matter again until five days later. Fortunately, Xie Yunjin made arrangements in advance. Otherwise, all the slaves would have been dead if five days had passed.

"I have passed the test." Kong Xiao said, "She begged for mercy, cried, was afraid, kept wailing and screaming, but insisted on being a flame. Her belief in her family was firm." Xie Yunjin later heard that the girl was tortured to the point of being tortured. It was very miserable, with bruises all over his body, he was beaten until he vomited blood, and he was even threatened to goug out his eyes and cut out his tongue.Her tormentors laughed at her whims, scolded her for overestimating her abilities, said she had offended Gulthas and deserved punishment, and said she had to pay the price for Luskale's death.

Even though the girl was crying and wailing, she did not relent and gave up being a flame, because she knew that once she relented, her parents and younger brother would be dead.Even so, it was extremely difficult to survive the torture, but she, a ten-year-old girl, actually survived.

"Men are stronger, but women can endure pain better." Kong Xiao said.

"You can't easily send out flames. Flames must have firm beliefs." Gulthas seemed to think of a past event. It was very rare. There was a complicated expression on his face, which seemed like sigh, like self-blame, and like regret. Xie Yunjin had never seen such complicated emotions on the old man's face.

"She is a pure slave and will not be the deathbed in Guan." Kong Xiao said.

Xie Yunjin finally spoke: "Dear Gursasi, I think this girl is very useful." He explained, "I spent two years educating her about everything in the customs. She was only 12 years old at that time. She loved her family so much. He will never betray us or reveal the location of the Holy Road."

"If Gulthas is still worried, I will already be eighteen at that time, and I will be qualified to serve as Huo Miaozi." Xie Yunyan said, "I can enter the border with her. I will monitor her and gain her trust."

"The most important thing is that she is a girl and will be a woman when she grows up. Just now Kong Xiaodaji also said that women can endure pain better than men. She can do a lot of delicate work that men cannot do. If she is still beautiful, Better."

Kong Xiao echoed: "He is a beautiful little baby."

"Reject the child," Gulthas said, "send her back to the slave house, and release all the slaves back to the slave house."

Xie Yunjin was stunned. He had been planning for a long time, but finally failed?He still can't save the remaining slaves?

After Kong Xiao left, Xie Yunyan knelt down on one knee and said, "Gulsas, this action is inappropriate."

Gulthas asked: "You still want to plead for that girl?"

"Those slaves did not deserve to die." Xie Yunyan said, "They were involved in the power struggle between Priest Mengde and Xili Dege for no reason. They were innocent victims and should not die innocently. That girl can withstand torture and has the ability Become a flame."

"I saw that child in Nuju. She looks like..." He thought of the wild flower growing tenaciously on the rock wall in Guigu Palace. "She looks like a wild flower growing on the rock wall in the snowy mountains. She lives hard and tenaciously, and is very brave. .”

Gulthas said: "The slaves rebelled, they are not innocent."

"The rebellious slaves are dead, these people stayed for their children."

"They knew it but didn't report it." Gulthas shook his head, "They are not innocent."

"That's why Luskale abused them."

Gursasi said: "Do you know the origin of slaves?"

Of course Xie Yunjin knew that most of the slaves were criminals and defeated pagans.

"Their ancestors believed in evil cults or committed serious crimes." Gursasi said, "They are the private property of Prince Hugen."

"The Yanavata Sutra says that kings and beggars are equal."

The scriptures used to convince Potu's priest could not convince Gursas. Gursas said: "They became slaves because of the law. The scriptures control the heart, and the law controls the behavior. They became slaves because their behavior violated the law. Slaves, this does not conflict with the scriptures. It is also law that refugees are not allowed to believe in the god Sa."

Gursasi said: "You are judging things based on emotions and good and evil. This is wrong."

"Who isn't?" Xie Yunjin asked, "My father died because of the rebellion of these slaves, but I don't resent them for this. I believe that God Sa will treat them mercifully."

"As long as they uphold their faith, after their sins in the world are over, they can return to the embrace of God Sa, and God Sa will fairly judge their good and evil. If they are not allowed to pay the price for their sins, when they return to God Sa, wait Theirs will be an ice prison.”

No, slaves should not have existed in the first place, Xie Yunjin thought, especially... He suddenly felt that he had neglected the most important thing because he insisted on returning to the customs.

The people inside and outside the pass are incompatible with each other, and Gulthas has never given up invading the interior of the pass.

At this moment, Xie Yunjin remembered that after the death of Master Jin, he was already alone. Even if he returned to Guan, he would not know where to find his father.Although he thinks it is not difficult, if the night list is really as powerful as Master Jin said, he will always find a way.

After Master Jin's death, he just started to take a closer look at this world, and he felt the absurdity of it.

He couldn't think about it, he had to solve Nadia's matter first.Just as he was about to speak, Gulthas said: "Call the Potu Little Sacrifice."

Gursasi had already issued an order, and Xie Yunjin could only abide by it. He came to the door and asked someone to bring Potu Xiaoji.He didn't say any more. Stalking was of no use to Gulthas. He had to find another way to save those slaves.

Not long after, Potu Xiaoji arrived.

"I want to buy something." Gulthas said. "I want to buy all the remaining slaves from Hugen's slave house."

Xie Yunjin was shocked. He thought that all the children and slaves were hopeless.Potu Xiaoji was overjoyed. He had been worried about the children since he saw them, but he did not forget his duty: "Will this displease Prince Hugen?"

"He can refuse," Gulthas said. "No matter how much money you give him, it can't make up for the pain of losing his child. If you are in trouble, you can leave this matter to Lotharion."

Lotharion is very afraid of Gurthas, and can even be said to be weak. Perhaps that is why Gurthas appointed him as Arien.Lot will definitely fulfill Gurthas' order, even if he falls out with his brother.

"These slaves are temporarily staying with Hu Gen. This matter must be kept secret. They do not need to know that there is a new owner, and the news does not need to be spread."

Potato Koji hurriedly went to do his business.

"Only when a person lends a helping hand when he is most desperate, will the other person be truly grateful." Gursasi said. "Only when one lives in fear, will one cherish the hard-won opportunity."

"Sa Si is wise." Xie Yunjin replied respectfully.

Although the stone in my heart has not fallen to the ground, I can't help for the time being.That night, Xie Yunjin returned to his school and had a nightmare.

He dreamed of a one-armed man with a knife stuck in his belly, embracing him with open arms...

He dreamed that Master Jin was looking for him and calling his name...

He dreamed of the massacre, the slaves lying in a pool of blood, the mother holding her child...

He woke up with a start. It was still midnight. His sleepiness had completely disappeared and he stood up and sat on the edge of the bed.

Even though he didn't want to admit it, he had followed Jin Fuzi for too long, and many of Jin Fuzi's words and thoughts were engraved in his heart.He suddenly understood what bothered him. To Gulthas, those slaves were objects, but to the one-armed man, those slaves were individuals, people who had to sacrifice their lives to save them.But even the one-armed man may not feel that there is anything wrong with the existence of slaves. No, maybe the one-armed man feels that this is wrong, but he has no ability to change it.

What should I do after returning to the customs?What would you say after meeting your father?Reprimand, curse, cry, or tell your father your grievances?Will he listen?And the eldest brother, the eldest brother I have never met before, what do I want to say to him?
Will Nabuba rule the outside world?Yes, Gurthas is doing it.Maybe he will fail, but he will probably succeed.How many years will this take?Ten years, 20 years?Gulthas is already very old. Will Hilidegg inherit his legacy?
He came to the table and opened the "Yanavata Sutra" on the table.

In addition to glorifying God Sa, every sentence in the scriptures advises people to do good deeds. So why are there slaves and refugees?Gurthas said it was due to the law. Is the law contained in the scriptures?If the law is in the scriptures, which part of the scriptures allows Luskale to shoot slaves and take them by force?Which passage in scripture allowed them to deprive the refugees of their faith?
He remembered that he had not stopped Luskale's arrow.At that time, he thought, there are many people here and no one can stop him, so Luskale has half the responsibility, and the others share the remaining half equally.

Now he understood that was not the case.Everyone present who did not stop him was guilty of the same sin as Luskale, including himself.

He was also the one who shot that arrow.

The one-armed man said that even if he knew the consequences of breaking his arm, he would still be willing to save the girl. Do he have the courage?
Gurthas said, wisdom and power, he may have wisdom, but what about power?
Thoughts are like a tidal wave, like a busy spider, turning east and west, a thread coming and going repeatedly, weaving an intertwined web.Xie Yunjin thought a lot and still couldn't figure it out until dawn.

But he knew that he would always figure it out.

(End of this chapter)