Chapter 35: Taking Lodgings at the Post Inn

From the moment the journey through time began, the series of events that unfolded upon their arrival in the Qin Dynasty led Zhang Huaiming and the other executives to change their perceptions of Jiang Ye time and time again.

This seemingly ordinary tour guide possessed power that far exceeded their wildest imaginations. It was clear that the upper echelons of society coveted this ability, which transcended modern technology, yet they dared not act; instead, they protected him from the shadows, fearing that Jiang Ye held even more unfathomable secrets.

"Let’s go."

Jiang Ye offered the group a faint smile and took the lead, walking toward the city of Xianyang. To those watching, his silhouette appeared exceptionally mysterious against the sunlight.

On the imperial road from the pottery pits to Xianyang, the Qin army quickly arranged several ox-drawn carts. The rugged wooden frames were covered with hay; though crude, they were certainly better than traveling on foot. Zhang Huaiming and the other executives accepted this arrangement with composure, as it aligned with their expectations for an "ancient experience."

However, the eyes of the four young men—Qiao Wenbai and his companions—remained glued to the warhorses ridden by the Qin soldiers. These mounts stood six feet tall at the shoulder, with knotted muscles and sleek, glossy coats—starkly different from the docile horses they were accustomed to at equestrian clubs.

Wu Jie couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Now, that is a real stallion!"

Geng Cang, unable to restrain himself any longer, mustered his courage and cupped his hands in a salute to the commanding Qin officer. "General, would it be possible for us to ride the horses?"

The officer looked troubled and turned his gaze toward Jiang Ye. What if something were to go wrong? The Minister had given them strict instructions: anyone arriving with the Black Iron Token must be served with the utmost care, and no harm must come to them.

The four youths looked at Jiang Ye with pleading eyes. "Guide Jiang..."

Jiang Ye felt a chill run down his spine under their gazes.

"Can you even ride?"

"We can," the four nodded.

Jiang Ye thought for a moment. "I suppose I can let you try, but you must ride tandem with the soldiers. No riding alone, or it’s out of the question." He couldn't afford any mishaps.

Qiao Wenbai and his friends were well aware of their own limitations and knew their meager training at the equestrian club wouldn't suffice, so they offered no objections.

Jiang Ye looked at the officer. "These young men are quite curious; I must trouble you and your soldiers to look after them."

The officer nodded, and four elite cavalrymen soon brought their horses over.

Qiao Wenbai couldn't wait; he stepped on a soldier’s knee and vaulted onto the horse. No sooner had he settled into the saddle than he felt the restless agitation of the beast beneath him. The chestnut horse snorted repeatedly and pawed at the ground, clearly displeased with its new rider.

"Hold onto the saddle rings!" the soldier behind him warned. No sooner had the words left his lips than the horse bolted forward. Qiao Wenbai let out a startled yelp, leaning backward, and was only saved from falling by the soldier’s firm grip.

The four horses galloped along the imperial road, hooves kicking up clouds of yellow dust. Feng Yiming shouted in a mix of shock and delight, "This is too fast! More thrilling than a sports car!"

When Geng Cang’s horse made a sudden, sharp turn, he shrieked in terror, only to burst into excited laughter a moment later. The boldest of them, Wu Jie, even let go of the saddle rings, spreading his arms wide to embrace the rushing wind. "This is incredible! This is how a man should ride!"

Farmers working in the fields along the road straightened their backs, staring in stunned silence at the shouting, carefree young men.

Zhang Huaiming, sitting in the ox cart, shook his head as he watched the youths’ antics. "The young are always so reckless."

Zhou Xingfu, however, found it quite entertaining. "Let them be. Once we reach Xianyang, they won't have this kind of freedom."

With these valiant Qin soldiers providing protection, Jiang Ye felt at ease. When the four youths finally returned to the carts after having their fill, their faces were flushed, and they were dancing with excitement. Qiao Wenbai slapped his chest, boasting to his companions, "When I get back, I’m trading in that sluggish horse at the club! This is what real riding is!"

The journey continued at a leisurely pace, much like a spring outing. Whenever they passed farmland and Jiang Ye noticed the executives showing interest in the surrounding agriculture, he would signal the party to stop, allowing them to observe the farming scenes of the Qin Dynasty up close.

Zhang Huaiming squatted by the ridge of a field, rubbing a handful of soil between his fingers before whispering to Jiang Yijun beside him, "This soil quality is completely different from the loess in modern Shaanxi; it’s much more fertile."

The executives gathered around an old farmer who was tilling the land with a wooden plow, watching with great interest. They even engaged the farmer in lively conversation. Although the pronunciation of ancient language differed from modern, the system’s powerful capabilities ensured that both sides heard words in their own dialect, eliminating any communication barriers.

These were, after all, their ancestors from two thousand years ago; talking to them provided a better understanding of the lives of the common people of the time. This was one of the true meanings of their journey.

"Old man, when do you sow this millet?" Li Qingyi asked curiously.

The farmer answered honestly, "We sow in the second month and harvest in the eighth." As he spoke, he broke off an ear of green millet to show them.

Qiao Wenbai and his three friends took a keen interest in the waterwheels along the roadside. The foot-pedaled chain pumps were creaking by the stream, drawing water into the irrigation channels.

What shocked everyone the most was passing a construction site for an imperial highway. Hundreds of convicts, under the lash of overseers, poured hot asphalt over the tamped roadbed. The air was filled with a pungent odor. Zhou Xingfu covered his nose and exclaimed, "This technique is no less advanced than what we have today!"

As the sun began to sink, the number of travelers on the road increased. There were woodcutters carrying firewood, peddlers pushing single-wheeled carts, and squads of soldiers escorting supplies. Whenever they passed these people, Zhang Huaiming and the others couldn't help but linger their gazes, observing the lifestyle of the Qin people.

Bathed in the final rays of the sunset, the distant city of Xianyang became visible. On the gate towers, black banners snapped in the evening breeze, and the silhouettes of guards standing with halberds could be vaguely discerned.

The officer rode up to Jiang Ye and said respectfully, "My lord, that is Xianyang ahead. The hour is late; shall we rest at the relay station for the night?"

Jiang Ye nodded and turned to the group, who were still mesmerized by the sight. "We will stay at the relay station outside the city tonight and enter tomorrow morning."

By the time the sun had completely dipped below the horizon, they finally reached the government-run relay station east of the city. It was a courtyard surrounded by rammed-earth walls, with a wooden plaque hanging at the gate bearing the characters for "Transit House."

Several station attendants in brown tunics had been waiting for them for some time. Although the officer had specially arranged "superior rooms" for them, the accommodations looked shockingly primitive to Qiao Wenbai and his friends: walls of plastered rammed earth, low platforms covered in straw mats, a crude set of tables and chairs, and a flickering oil lamp casting a dim, unsteady light.