Edward Carter only felt as if his head had been struck hard by a giant hammer. The second year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin. The Prince of Qin, in the end, did not escape the trap of the wormhole, and was ultimately thrown back thirteen hundred years. Thinking of his wife and children, now completely out of reach, how could he bear such sorrow? He muttered to himself, “How can I possibly live this long?”

“You don’t like it? Isn’t His Majesty’s ascension to the throne a great event?” The burly man saw Edward Carter’s pale face, tottering on his feet, and glared at him fiercely with a look reserved for those who disrespect Pu Zhigao. If Edward Carter uttered even half a word of dissent, that broadsword would surely come down on his neck.

“Like it? Of course I like it. His Majesty’s ascension should be celebrated by all.”

“Then why are you crying?”

“Tears of joy!”

“Then cry a bit more, and cry some for your master while you’re at it.”

Section Four: Salt Is More Precious Than Life

The campfire was lit, casting a red glow on the faces of those sitting around it. The men beside Edward Carter were Tang dynasty government soldiers, attached to the Left Martial Guard, but they were not combat troops—they were support soldiers, responsible for transporting grain, weapons, and all kinds of supplies.

The leader was named David Bolton, a squad leader commanding fifty soldiers and several laborers. David Bolton was originally a true farmer, working the fields during busy seasons and practicing martial arts in his spare time. The youth of Guanzhong had a passion for martial arts, so in the campaign to suppress the rebel Prince Yongliang of Changle, he beheaded two enemies and was promoted to squad leader for his merits. Because of Yongliang’s rebellion, security in Longyou had deteriorated, and the Qiang people, no longer restrained, would occasionally attack the grain convoys. This was why David Bolton was so wary of Edward Carter.

These people were all good men, and Edward Carter knew this well. Seeing that Edward Carter was a bit cold, David Bolton took off his own clothes for him to wear. Fourteen-year-old Edward Carter looked utterly ridiculous in David Bolton’s clothes. The two women traveling with the group took the clothes, removed their needles and thread, and altered them to fit Edward Carter.

They were on their way to Heifengkou to see their husbands. David Bolton quietly told Edward Carter, winking as he said, “They only came back because their bellies got big.” After saying this, he gave Edward Carter a slap, telling the little brat not to ask about adult matters.

Edward Carter looked aggrieved—was I the one who asked? You were the one who insisted on telling me! The two women snickered and handed Edward Carter a strip of white linen. Edward Carter looked it over, puzzled as to what it was for.

“Loincloth, what are you staring at?” David Bolton said, then tore off Edward Carter’s tattered clothes. Amid Edward Carter’s wails and everyone else’s laughter, he quickly wrapped the white cloth around Edward Carter’s waist. Only then did Edward Carter realize that the two chubby, naked guys wrestling on the platform were wearing this thing. So that’s what it was—something learned from our ancestors.

Wangcai was neighing too, clearly laughing. Edward Carter, annoyed, gave him a slap. He took out some smoked mutton from his backpack—something he’d been reluctant to eat—skewered it on a branch, and roasted it over the fire. Soon, the fat began to sizzle and drip.

The sound of people swallowing filled the air, and satisfaction grew. Edward Carter asked David Bolton to find a wooden board, shaved it into thin slices with a small knife, took the flatbread from their hands, sliced it in half, stuffed the meat inside, and a delicious roujiamo was ready.

He handed it to David Bolton with both hands. David Bolton took the bun with both hands, inhaled deeply, his face full of bliss. Then his expression turned serious: “Eat in two groups. When one group finishes, the other can eat.”

Then he handed the meat bun to the two women. The women took it without hesitation and began to eat heartily.

Edward Carter smiled to himself, understanding that David Bolton was worried the meat might be poisoned, so after making the second meat bun, he didn’t hand it to David Bolton.

“Uncle Zhang, I’m starving, I’ll eat first.” With that, he took a big bite. The mutton was fat and juicy, and as he bit down, the grease dripped from the corners of his mouth—what a treat.

Whether David Bolton blushed or not was unclear, as it was too dark to see. He reached out and gave Edward Carter a slap on the head. “You’re a crafty little devil.” With that, he began slicing the mutton himself—truly a man who made his living by the blade.

In no time, a whole lamb leg was reduced to a pile of meat slices under his knife. Seeing David Bolton take a big bite of the meat bun, Edward Carter even heard him moan with pleasure. Edward Carter couldn’t help but shake his head and smile wryly—now this was a real roujiamo. If he had a few more hearty dishes, he’d be in heaven.

“Huh?” After swallowing the first bite, David Bolton suddenly exclaimed in surprise. He pulled out a slice of meat from the bun and licked it with his tongue, making Edward Carter feel a bit disgusted.

“Salt! You brat, is this any way to live? You put so much salt in!” He raised his hand to smack Edward Carter, who ducked and ran. Getting hit by that big hand was like being struck with a board—better to avoid it if possible.

“It’s just salt, there’s plenty more!” With that, Edward Carter took out a small cloth bag from his backpack, filled with four or five jin of salt he’d collected from several rock faces along the way. David Bolton’s eyes went wide as he snatched it, carefully opened the salt bag by the fire, and stared in a daze at the grayish-white powder inside.

Edward Carter walked over and nudged him. “What’s so interesting about salt?”

“You brat! Such fine salt, and you dare waste it like this!” David Bolton completely lost it. Seeing Edward Carter hiding behind the two women, making it hard to catch him, he took a deep breath. “You brat, where did you get so much salt?”

Edward Carter was a bit confused, and the two women clutched his hand nervously, watching him.

“There’s a salt mine by the river. Just dig it up.”