Although the Champa official could not restrict the freedom of Song envoys, they knew that if Qian Long wanted to go out, they would definitely send troops to accompany him for protection.
In order to avoid trouble, Qian Long simply disguised himself as just an ordinary businessman, and then left the Zhang family in a car with Sulie.
The Champa soldiers guarding nearby only thought that the head of the Pu family was still in the car, so they did not notice that the 'key protected object' had left the security range.
When he got to the street, Qian Long found that everything was very lively. Groups of Champa people were singing and dancing, as if they were celebrating something.
Everyone was dressed in bright costumes, covered with decorations and flowers, and their faces were painted with colors, cheering and praying.
Even the strong cattle and elephants walking in the streets are painted with unknown symbols and patterns, large and small. Many of the elephants are carrying pairs of young men and women, as if they are accepting the attention of the people around them. bless.
Stacks of firewood were piled up in some wide areas, and bonfires were burning in broad daylight, and the air was filled with smoke and smoke.
At many intersections in the streets and alleys, a group of children pulled up ropes to block the way. People who wanted to pass did not get angry. Instead, they smiled and took out some coins and threw them to the children.
"Today is Shiva's birthday, and it is also one of the most important festivals in this country..." Sulie explained to Qian Long with a smile.
The three main gods of Brahmanism are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Although Brahma is the creator of the world, he may not have many worshipers because he does not take care of things.
Shiva is not only the god of destruction, but also the god of reproduction, music, and dance. He shows different appearances, representing the power of life and death, change, decline, and regeneration, so he is very worshiped.
The vast majority of Brahmans in Champa believe in Shiva. Each king will erect a cylindrical "Linga" stone statue in the royal temple and name the Linga after himself as a symbol of Lord Shiva.
Believers believe that worshiping sincerely on Shivaratri will lead to a long-lasting marriage and many children, so many people choose this day to hold their weddings.
After hearing this, Qian Long couldn't help but look weird on his face, "The object of worship in your country is really... so direct... Well, but it seems pretty good. This kind of belief makes the people of your country live a good life. Full of joy.”
Surya laughed at himself, "Is it happiness? My dear brother, what I see is that only a small number of people are happy, while more people are reduced to lowly Sudras, or even even lower Chandras, and cannot participate in religious ceremonies. They are not allowed to read or listen to the Vedas, nor are they allowed to acquire any knowledge. They can only be enslaved and exploited like walking zombies, and they don’t even have the right to look forward to the next life..."
"With such injustice and oppression, wouldn't anyone rebel?" Qian Long asked in surprise.
There was helplessness in Sulie's eyes, "No, because we are all used to it and have become numb. Once we leave the city, my dear brother will understand with his own eyes."
After leaving the west gate of Buddha's Oath City and walking a short distance, Sulie asked the driver to stop.
As soon as he got off the car, Qian Long saw a large area of dense and low shacks, and couldn't help but feel strange, "Brother Su, is this the place you want me to see?"
"Yes, this place is only one-tenth the size of Buddha's Oath City, but the population living here is more than double that of the city."
"Huh? You're saying that there are nearly 100,000 people living in this less than 500 acres of land?"
"Only more, never less."
"Isn't that a case of people stacking up against each other? Then why don't these people find other places to build their houses separately?"
"Because they own nothing and are not allowed to occupy any land, but can only live in the places prescribed by the king."
Surya said, slowly walking towards the shack area.
As the saying goes, family scandals should not be made public, but now a prince of a prince deliberately brings foreign envoys to the slums. What is the purpose?
Qian Long was a little puzzled and followed Sulie, wanting to see what medicine he was selling in his gourd.
Qian Long's two companions and Sulier's six guards also followed closely behind them, but the guards did not seem to worry about Sulier's safety.
Outside some shacks and in the open space, some men were squatting in twos and threes. Most of them looked very old. They only had a rag around their waists and hips to barely cover their shame. Their naked bodies were dark and thin.
These people seemed to be basking in the sun, but their eyes were empty and dark, filled with lifelessness, and they were as motionless as wood carvings and clay sculptures.
When they noticed that Sulie, Qian Long and others were approaching, these people hurriedly moved to both sides and knelt down with their foreheads close to the ground, as if they were burying themselves in the mud. Their movements were extremely humble but extremely skillful.
You must know that Sulie did not identify himself, and the group's clothes were not gorgeous, and they would even look ordinary if they were in the city.
Qian Long asked in surprise, "Do they know you?"
Sulie pursed his lips and shook his head, "I don't know."
"They don't even know our identities, so why are they so humble?" Qian Long was puzzled.
Sulie sneered softly, "It doesn't matter what our status is. Anyway, they are already the lowest people in the world, and they are not even human beings..."
"This..." Qian Long didn't know what to say for a moment.
As he continued to walk forward in silence, there was a stench, and the scene in front of him became clearer.
These shacks are basically made of rotten wood, broken stones, mud and other miscellaneous materials, pieced together here and there. Most of them are no more than a foot high, but they are divided into upper and lower floors. You can get inside without going in. How narrow and dark.
Each shack is made up of who knows how many families have been put together, with no rules or shapes. Even if necessary lanes are left, they are often very narrow, making it difficult for two people to walk parallel to each other.
Sulie stopped and said, "The alleys here are very winding and complicated. Even the people who live here will lose their way if they deviate from the familiar route, so we won't go in."
Even if he wouldn't get lost, Qian Long didn't plan to go in, because in his opinion, these dark alleys were no different from smelly ditches. The sewage with feces floating around flowed everywhere, and there was no place to stay.
When you look up, you can see that almost all the alleys are piled with garbage and rags, exuding a strong putrid smell. Mosquitoes and flies are flying in groups, and wet rats are scurrying between the garbage piles.
In many alleyways, puppies and naked children are chasing each other and playing. They don’t seem to feel how dirty and harsh the environment they are in. Maybe they think the world is like this...
People can live in a place like this! ?
Qian Long frowned with disgust. In his opinion, even the residences of the barbarians on Liuqiu Island were hundreds and thousands of times better than this, but they had occupied the city and established the country for thousands of years.
Turning his gaze back, Qian Long found that Sulie was fascinated by the children playing, with a lot of yearning and envy in his eyes.
A dignified prince envies a group of poor children? You're not sick! ?
Perhaps because he was awakened by Qian Long's monster-like gaze, Sulie came back to his senses and sighed, "Do you feel that there is a world of difference between me and them, and they should be the ones to envy me?"
"Actually, when I was a child, my situation was no better than theirs. In some aspects, I was even worse than them."
"My father is from the noble royal family of Champa, but my mother is just a lowly female slave. According to the rules of Brahmanism, I belong to a lowly caste, a pariah even worse than a dog."
"My mother died when I was less than one year old. I would have never survived. Thanks to Aunt Ru, who was also a slave girl, she took over and took care of me and taught me Chinese and writing..."
"My father's mansion is very luxurious and magnificent, but Aunt Ru's cabin is dark and damp, and as cramped as an animal cage. I have lived in it for nearly ten years and never dared to step outside because Aunt Ru was worried about me. He will be trampled to death like an ant..."
"During those years, the hut was my whole world. When Aunt Ru went to work, I could only endure the loneliness and fear silently until Aunt Ru came back with her tired body. In addition to food, she often brought me Some other things, small stones, flowers, leaves, puppets, clay statues, etc., tell me some interesting things."
"Until one day, I waited and waited, and waited, and finally someone opened the door, but it was not Aunt Ru who came in, but another slave girl."
"Aunt Ru will never come back, never come back, just because she accidentally broke a vase, and then my so-called brother cut off her hands and bled to death."
"After hearing the bad news, I didn't cry or make a fuss. I was surprisingly calm. I asked carefully where my brother lived, and then I rushed out of the hut..."
"I found my brother who was more than ten years older than me, and then I jumped on him like a mad dog, biting him with all my strength. I thought I could kill him in this way, but unfortunately, I was too weak and naive after all. He was subdued just by biting off a piece of flesh on his arm."
"Then I thought I was going to die, but I wasn't afraid at all. I just regretted not being able to avenge Aunt Ru."
"Of course, I didn't die, because the commotion alarmed my father. I don't know who told him about my life experience, and he remembered that he still had a son like me. In fact, he didn't care about this, but he stared at After watching me for a long time, he actually decided to let me go, and even assigned me a place to live, arranged for two servants to serve me, and even found someone to teach me how to read..."
"I didn't understand why he did this before, and I didn't care, because I wanted to live until I fulfilled the vow I made."
When he said these words, Sulie was very calm and his tone did not fluctuate, as if he was talking about an unrelated person and a very common thing.
Qian Long stood beside him and listened quietly, his eyes gradually becoming serious, "Why are you telling me this?"
Surya smiled faintly, raised his head and looked into the distance, "What I want to do can never be accomplished by myself. I have to find someone to help me. Previously, the suitable candidate in my mind was Sri Haritiva , but now that you are here, I find that you are more suitable, so I want to gain your trust as soon as possible."
Qian Long was noncommittal and did not ask Surya what he wanted to do. He was just curious and asked, "Shari Haridiva?"
"Yes, that is an ambitious guy, and he has been preparing for his goals. Although his goals are different from mine, the consequences of achieving his goals are exactly what I hope for, at least part of them. "
"Then what is all you hope for?"
Sulie shrugged, "I can't tell... Brother Xian, don't you think the world you see now is too dirty? If there is a chance to break it, I think I will be happy."
"Then have you ever thought that even if you break everything in front of you as you wish, injustice and darkness will still exist." Qian Long asked with a wink.
Surya spread his hands and stretched, "What does it matter? I don't want to be a saint. I just fight back against whoever hurts me. No matter whether it makes sense or not, there is always something to be done in life. Find something to do.”
Qian Long couldn't help but feel happy, "Brother Su is really wise. Maybe you and His Highness King Yan will get together, because he often said that if you don't have dreams, what's the difference between you and a salted fish?"
"If you don't have dreams as a human being, what's the difference between being a salted fish..." Sulie muttered, and then laughed heartily, "His Royal Highness, King Yan's words hit home, wonderful! Wonderful!"
While joking, Sulie and Qian Long reached some kind of consensus. Although they didn't specify it or sign a contract, they had already formed an alliance.
At this time, festive drumming and noises came from not far away. After hearing the sounds, the children in the alleys laughed and rushed towards the direction of the sound.
Qian Long was a little strange, "What happened? Listening to this movement, it seems that there is a lot of fighting. Is there anyone here who can organize happy events?"
Surya's expression showed disdain and explained, "This should be to pick up the saint."
"Saint!?" Qian Long was surprised.
Sulie curled his lips and said, "Brother, come with me and take a look."
