strokinit Chapter 29 Dalit's Survival Report
Chapter 29 Dalit's Survival Report
With dozens more people joining at once, the entire village of Mital suddenly became much more lively.
At least the smoke rising from the chimneys brings back some memories of the past to this long-lost little village.
Vijay sat cross-legged in the courtyard, gazing at the sunset, seemingly deep in thought, but in reality, he was somewhat stunned by Roshman's move.
He was still wondering if Roshman's trust in him was a bit too high, how could it have reached the point of giving him whatever he asked for? He was also wondering if Roshman was desperate and trying to gamble with a small investment for a big return!
I never expected him to pull such a dirty trick on me from this angle!
From any perspective, since he has no elders, is not married, and has no engagement, he has no suitable reason to refuse the marriage bestowed upon him by the Kshatriya elder!
Although there has been no additional Brahmin certification yet, Vijay believes that Roshman certainly won't overlook this... Perhaps the witness appointed by the Brahmin is already on his way!
Something has to be done!
Vijay was somewhat apprehensive. He had considered what methods Roshman would use to restrain him, whether it was placing trusted confidants or controlling his inner circle, all of which were within Vijay's expectations.
But no one expected that he would arrange a wife for him!
If I were to actually marry Mira, then everything I've done might end up in Roshman's hands!
"Master," Maya carefully moved closer, placing today's meal in front of Vijay, "Please have some food!"
Vijay looked up at Maya. "Maya, what's your opinion of Sharma Mira, who arrived today?"
"Master," Maya murmured, then spoke respectfully after a long pause, "I've heard that she is also a noble and beautiful lady, and together with you, you are like the sun and moon shining brightly, a match made in heaven."
"I learned from the new servants that this young lady is apparently a disqualified Kshatriya, with noble blood flowing through her veins, and will surely give birth to an heir to inherit your lineage one day..."
Maya's words were light and airy, but she didn't seem particularly happy.
Mira immediately took over the guest rooms of the Mittal mansion upon arrival, accompanied by a dozen maids and servants. The entourage was enormous, noisy and bustling, and it even seemed as if she had taken over the role of the host.
Out of wariness of Roshman's arrangements, Vijay tolerated this.
Vijay turned his head to look at the side courtyard, where it was indeed bustling with activity. At a glance, servants were going in and out, much like the lively scene of several years ago.
Vijay didn't intend to resist marriage, but he wasn't prepared to be forced into an unequal marriage under these circumstances!
I need to come up with a reason that won't enrage Roshman to refuse!
Vijay had a bit of a headache, but what could he do now? He'd better eat first!
He raised his left hand, letting Maya clean it with water, then grabbed some colorful food that he couldn't tell what it was and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Creak," at that moment the side door opened a crack, and Rajan ran in, his face full of excitement, though it was unclear what he was happy about.
"Master, the merchants who came today were performing and chatting by the well. They didn't seem to know each other very well, so they talked about quite a few interesting things!" Before Vijay could even speak, Rajan proudly revealed the reason for his excitement.
Vijay, somewhat inappropriately, put on a stern face. "By Brahma, Rajan, you've been lazy again!"
"Master," Rajan hurriedly knelt down to defend himself when he heard Vijay's tone was off, "I have already found out about Dalit's situation. I just stopped by the well to rest on my way to report to you, and that's when I overheard them talking for a bit."
"Something like the well water being exceptionally sweet..."
"You've already found out about Dalit's situation?" Vijay interrupted him, clearly amazed by his efficiency.
"Shiva, my master, if Rajan is lying, I am willing to swallow a thousand iron needles!" Rajan raised his hand and swore a solemn oath.
"Tell me about it!" Vijay was feeling really annoyed and just wanted a change of pace, so he urged.
"Master, there are currently 463 Dalits in this village, including 398 men and 65 women, and no children."
This ratio is extremely unhealthy!
Vijay guessed why he had witnessed that sordid scene on the edge of the village. "Go on," he said.
"Thanks to the kindness of their master, they all lived in those dilapidated houses on the edge of the village. They would get up in the morning to forage for food, then go to the fields to do some odd jobs, then return to the village to clean the livestock pens and do some dirty work, and then go back to their dilapidated houses to lie down and wait for dawn."
It's tragic. Just by hearing Rajon's simple description, Vijay felt a sense of despair.
They were starving, poorly clothed, ignored by everyone, had no way out, and had no hope. There was no difference between being alive and being dead.
But Rajan's explanation was too simplistic. Vijay nodded and pressed further, "Where did the Dalits of this village come from?"
Vijay thought Rajan hadn't considered this, but he actually knew, and answered with absolute certainty: "It was purchased from the esteemed Kshatriya when the very, very old master was still alive!"
"Back then, I spent ten gold coins to buy 200 Dalits. Later, these Dalits lived together in the village, and their numbers gradually increased. At its peak, it seemed to have nearly a thousand people!"
"A thousand people, and now more than half are dead?" Vijay was somewhat surprised. He could understand the increase in the number of people, but he couldn't understand the speed of the deaths.
This simple question, however, touched on Rajan's blind spot. He scratched his head and thought for a moment before answering somewhat uncertainly, "I guess so..."
"Master, it's already a blessing from Brahma that they can live in Mital Village! You are so kind, Master, that you never scold them or assign them any strenuous work, and you even give them some old rice to eat from time to time. That's why their crops are growing so well!"
"As for the number that has decreased," Rajan said casually, seemingly unconcerned, "they might have left, or they might have died, who knows!"
"With such a severe water shortage recently, maybe they've gone to other places with water!"
Rajan spoke as if he were talking about roadside weeds or ants on the horizon, his words filled with indifference.
Vijay was about to explode with anger, but he was also speechless, because the discipline he remembered and so-called common sense told him that this was not Rajon's problem!
"Rajan!" Taking a deep breath, Vijay tried to calm the nameless fire in his heart. "Your family has served the Mirta family for generations; Brahma is the witness to your loyalty!"
"I need you to do some things now!"
"Master, please give your orders!" Rajan crawled a few steps from the ground to Vijay's feet, picked up Vijay's feet and placed them on his head.
After a pause, weighing the differences in understanding between Li Weijie and Mittal Vijay, Vijay decided to do something to make himself feel a little better.
Although his current situation isn't great, that doesn't stop him from laying the groundwork first, since he can't really abandon the village...
He sighed inwardly. "Go and designate a piece of land further from the village for the Dalits, allowing them to build their own dwellings on it, and permitting them to send people to fetch water from the well before dawn... Go yourself, don't tell anyone, and remember to give them some rice to eat! Then keep an eye on them and make sure they do the work in the fields carefully!"
Rajan's eyes widened, completely bewildered as to why Vijay would do such a thing.
"Go and do it! By Brahma, this is also a test for you!" Vijay lowered his head, his majestic gaze fixed on the unruly Rajan, no longer allowing him to say another word.