Chapter 1

In the year 404 of the Great Ming Dynasty, the seventh year of the Qianyuan era.

Qingzhou, Shunde Prefecture, Heishan City.

Late summer, nearing autumn, the weather, though still scorching, had a hint of autumn.

Rumble!

The deafening thunder rolled from afar, trampling the dark clouds, approaching from the gloomy horizon.

Fine raindrops formed lines, falling from above, piercing through the air.

From the distant mountains, the nearby fields, and finally, into the gray-walled Heishan City, the rain spread across the land.

Pitter-patter~

The cold spring rain slid down the eaves, striking the few green stone slabs on the street, shattering into pieces.

"It's raining again..."

Yang Yu slightly raised his head, gazing at the gloomy sky, his mood not improving.

He wore a gray linen shirt with patches and holes, and a pair of straw shoes. Looking at the torrential rain, his body felt a chill.

On rainy days, don't go out.

This was common knowledge among the residents of the outer city, and he had experienced it himself, but...

"Ah... Grandma, I'm going to work!"

Sighing, Yang Yu casually took the straw hat off the wall and put it on, about to leave.

"Child, wait a moment."

The old woman with gray hair walked out of the house, holding his hand with concern, and placed an egg in his hand, instructing him to be careful on the way.

"Grandma..."

Yang Yu knew he couldn't refuse, so he stuffed the egg, shell and all, into his mouth, mumbled a few words, and left.

He couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in his heart. In his previous life, his family wasn't wealthy, but he had never had to argue over an egg.

In the year since he was adopted, he had thought about doing something to improve their life, but ultimately gave up.

In this world, it was too difficult to do anything.

"Ugh~"

In the rain, a foul smell overpowered the earthy scent, aggressively entering his nose, making his eyelids twitch.

In the six months since he arrived in this world, what Yang Yu found most unbearable was not the lack of electricity, internet, or mobile phones,

but the lack of hygiene among the people here.

People defecating and urinating everywhere was common, and when it rained, it was a disaster.

The heavy rain washed everything, easily flushing out the excrement from dark corners.

The scene was terrifying!

He didn't have a phobia, but who could bear it?

"I have to move, I have to move!"

Yang Yu gritted his teeth, carefully lifting his feet, trying to walk on higher ground.

There were still people in the rain in Heishan City, some wiping their bodies, some washing farming tools, and of course, some cleaning fecal buckets.

Yang Yu kept his eyes straight, cautiously walking through the alleys, streets, and across the square, before stopping.

He had reached the inner city.

The low but newly repaired city walls separated the inner and outer cities.

Compared to the outer city, the inner city was slightly cleaner, with better drainage facilities. Here, his pace quickened.

Soon, he could see the stone lions in front of the government office from a distance.

The government office was old and dilapidated, with many places in disrepair, and even weeds growing.

If not for the stone lions, Yang Yu would have hardly recognized it as a government office on his first visit.

The government office certainly had money, and it wasn't short of maintenance funds, but who would take money from their own pocket to repair the office?

Government officials not repairing the office was not just a problem in Heishan City.

"You're quite early, Little Yu."

Someone greeted him from behind.

Yang Yu turned around. Under the same straw cloak and hat, was a similarly young face.

His name was Zhu Shisan, and like Yang Yu, he was a constable.

"Yeah, I'm afraid the rain will get heavier."

Yang Yu replied casually.

"Ah, I envy you. You only need to guard the warehouse, while we have to patrol the streets..."

Zhu Shisan's face was filled with worry and envy.

"Ha ha."

Yang Yu managed a weak smile.

They were constables, not clerks, and could be considered a form of labor service, similar to corvée labor or military service, a truly arduous task.

In the past hundred years, they had not only received no wages but had to bring their own food.

But even such a job, if not for the old man who adopted him being a jailer, he wouldn't have gotten it.

There was no other reason; being a constable, though arduous, had the potential for promotion.

"Calculating the time, a new batch of prisoners should be arriving soon. I hope there won't be any dangerous ones..."

Zhu Shisan was both excited and worried.

Heishan City was a prison city.

Most of the prisoners from Shunde Prefecture were sent here, and in the autumn, they would either be executed on the spot or sent to the Qingzhou provincial capital with prisoners from other prefectures.

In previous years, there had been many dangerous prisoners who attempted to break out.

With danger came the hope of promotion...

"I hope so."

Yang Yu sighed with a wooden expression.

From a law student about to enter university to a vagrant and now a temporary worker at the government office, he was in a state of collapse.

But he wasn't completely without resources.

The cauldron, which he suspected had brought him to this world, was still attached to his stomach like a birthmark.

Unfortunately, it was currently unusable.

The two of them chatted intermittently, discussing recent cases, who had died, the increase in illnesses, and the booming business of the Life-Respecting Sect.

Most of the talking was done by Zhu Shisan, while Yang Yu listened quietly.

Soon, the official in charge of the morning roll call arrived, greeted them, and went about his business.

The warehouse was very quiet. After the shift change, Yang