Chapter 87: You're Simply a Genius
The two goofballs began to play wildly.
Gao Chuwu kept making all sorts of turns, testing the solar car's steering performance. Slowly, he mastered the knack, learning how wide a turn he needed to make at any given speed.
Gradually, he no longer flipped the car.
Zheng Daniu, meanwhile, experimented with how much to open and close the sunshade, observing the different speeds the car would reach. He quickly learned when to accelerate and when to slow down.
Originally, the area around the village was mostly farmland, leaving little space for them to race. But because of the severe drought, the fields were barren, nothing but cracked yellow earth, which conveniently became their playground.
The two simpletons played for an entire day, until the sun began to set, and the daylight grew steadily weaker. At last, the car could no longer move.
"Oh no! This is bad!" Zheng Daniu cried out. "There's no light left! The Heavenly Lord said this car runs on light. Now that the sun's down, our car can't move."
Gao Chuwu fretted, "Damn it, we're still fifty or sixty paces from the village. What do we do? Just abandon the car here and walk back?"
Zheng Daniu shook his head vigorously. "Leave it here? What if someone steals it in the middle of the night? If such a magnificent celestial vehicle were stolen, I'd rather die."
They exchanged glances, then spoke in unison: "Let's push it!"
"Ugh, alright, let's push."
The two burly men, brimming with strength from their daily feasts of meat, which had even started to build their muscles, rolled up their sleeves, revealing glistening arms. Together they strained: "Heave-ho! 1, 2, 3... push!"
They pushed! But push it? Like hell they could!
A vehicle six meters long, five meters wide, and three meters high—even with wheels—was not something these two simpletons could move. They pushed for a long time, but it didn't budge an inch. They were left drenched in sweat and aching all over.
From a nearby hillside, a burst of laughter drifted over. They turned to look, realizing it was a group of labor reform prisoners enjoying themselves on the slope.
The prisoners had finished their day's work and were enjoying a period of free time and relaxation before returning to the colorful walled enclosure for the night. No one was foolish enough to escape, for outside, there was certainly nothing to eat.
Gao Chuwu shouted, "Hey, you prisoners! Come help us push the car!"
The prisoners hissed in response, and one bolder individual spoke up, "Our labor reform for today is over! The Heavenly Lord's decree granted us half an hour of fresh air, free activity, and leisurely rest. We're not helping you push any car!"
Gao Chuwu gaped. "Huh?"
Zheng Daniu grinned. "I actually have a way to make them push the car."
Gao Chuwu was confused. "???"
Zheng Daniu explained, "After their labor, the prisoners only get enough to eat, but they don't receive any extra rewards. They have nothing, right?"
Gao Chuwu nodded. "That's right, they have nothing."
Zheng Daniu declared, "Then it's simple!"
He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled to the hillside, "Anyone who comes to help me push the car gets an ounce of chicken jerky!"
The prisoners, who had been laughing just moments before, froze collectively. It was as if someone had cast a stasis spell; for a brief moment, the hillside presented an eerie 'still-frame' effect.
The bizarre stillness lasted for thirteen blinks.
You didn't actually blink thirteen times to count how long that was, did you?
One prisoner leapt to his feet with a whoosh. "I'll do it! I'll do it!"
Another prisoner bounced up, "Me too!"
With a rumble, a dozen or so prisoners scrambled down the slope. Working together, some pushed from behind, some from the sides, and others tied ropes to the front to pull. Just like that, the situation changed completely.
The massive solar car was pushed swiftly by the dozen men, and in a blink, it was at the entrance of Gaojia Fortress, stopping right beside the main gate.
After finishing the work, the prisoners gazed expectantly at Zheng Daniu, fearing he might not keep his word.
Zheng Daniu grinned. "Don't worry, I never lie."
He went back inside his house and emerged with a large handful of dried chicken strips.
Zheng Daniu was strong and always eager to take on tasks, often performing meritorious deeds. Whether it was felling trees, fighting battles, escorting San Shier to the county town, or rescuing Wang Er, Zheng Daniu was present for every major event, so he frequently received rewards.
Initially, when he asked for "Happy Fat Water," Li Daoxuan would grant his wish. But after a few times, he realized this wasn't ideal. While delicious, "Happy Fat Water" should be consumed in moderation; too much of any food isn't good.
So, Li Daoxuan began to control his "Happy Fat Water" intake, rewarding him with all sorts of miscellaneous items. Zheng Daniu didn't particularly like these things and just piled them up at home, with no clear use for them. Now, however, he had found a way to utilize them.
Each of the dozen or so prisoners received an ounce of dried chicken and treasured it immensely.
They carefully stashed the dried chicken strips into their tattered hemp clothes—some in sleeves, some in their bosoms, others tucked into waistbands....
For the original residents of Gao Family Village, this was no big deal. But for these penniless prisoners, it was an immense fortune. This wasn't just meat; it was also salted. Eating a strip would provide both meat and salt, rich in nutrients, making them feel more joyous than immortals.
"You two simpletons... ahem... I mean, two elder brothers," the prisoners immediately buttered them up, displaying fawning expressions toward Zheng Daniu and Gao Chuwu. "From now on, during our fresh air time, just tell us what to do. Entrust anything to us, and we'll make sure it's done perfectly for you."
Zheng Daniu laughed heartily. "Alright! If our car won't run again tomorrow, I'll come find you to push it."
The prisoners were overjoyed. "Absolutely, absolutely! It's a deal!"
After showering the two simpletons with compliments, praising them as the smartest people under heaven, they happily departed with their ounce of dried chicken, heading back into the colorful walled enclosure, practically walking with a swagger.
These dozen or so individuals had become the wealthiest among the labor reform prisoners.
In a year of severe drought, to have an ounce of salted, dried chicken meat tucked away? Was that not something to brag about?
Watching them go, Gao Chuwu scratched his head. "Huh! I feel like something's off, but what is it?"
Zheng Daniu chimed in, "I feel something's off too. What could it be?"
Gao Chuwu slapped his forehead. "Ah, I know!"
Zheng Daniu looked puzzled. "Oh? What did you figure out? I haven't yet."
Gao Chuwu declared, "I've been driving all day and forgot to eat!"
Zheng Daniu clapped an arm around Gao Chuwu's shoulders. "Chuwu, you're brilliant! Only after you reminded me did I realize how hungry I am. No wonder I felt like something was off."
Gao Chuwu offered, "Come on, let's go eat at my place. I still have so much cured meat, more than we could ever finish."
Zheng Daniu chuckled. "Hahaha, let's go!"
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