On the first day of the executions, even the persistent autumn rain couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the onlookers.
Under the rain shelter built not far from the Vegetable Market, there were even stalls selling steamed buns.
The steam from the bamboo baskets mixed with the murderous atmosphere beneath the curtain of rain, creating an illusionary sense of unreality.
However, even more surreal was the red banner in front of the execution ground, supported by a five-meter bamboo pole.
The words advertising a big clearance sale by the Funeral Shop were more striking than the Ghost Head Saber held by the executioner.
Some illiterate townsfolk asked, "What does that banner on the pole say? It looks really creepy."
Those who were literate replied, "The Funeral Shop is offering discounts, saying it's in response to the autumn executions, a seasonal thank-you, limited to once a year, with more discounts for large quantities..."
"Funeral Shop—it sounds familiar, what do they do?"
"Oh! It's a funeral service shop that handles funerals and burials."
"What the heck?"
I've never heard of a medical clinic advertising, let alone a funeral shop soliciting customers; isn't this just downright unsettling!
Looking toward the side of the execution ground, there were indeed families of the death row prisoners stepping forward to inquire about corpse collection.
"Hey, this is the first time I've seen a funeral master solicit work on the street in all my years..."
"Yet he still manages to pull it off!"
Xu Qing held onto the banner pole, with a floral cloth belt around his waist; apart from the gray robe on the outside, the inner linings and socks were all white.
This is a typical attire in the funeral industry; standing there silently, those in the know would understand what you do.
Some families of death row prisoners were already scared of seeing live people being beheaded, and if it was their own relatives or friends, besides the fear, there was even more reluctance.
This is when the importance of a corpse collector shines through.
Xu Qing held a ledger in one hand and a pen in the other, just like a judge from the Underworld, noting down the families who would need corpse collection later on.
Some courageous individuals, or those who disliked Xu Qing's business, didn't intend to seek his help, but upon hearing about the Funeral Shop's special discounts today, which included complimentary head stitching with corpse collection, they all sought him out.
Xu Qing refused no one, and if he encountered some wide-eyed customers, he would welcome them with a smiling face.
"At your service, normally preparing a corpse for burial requires a deposit of fifty coins, but today only twenty-five coins."
"How much for the burial?"
"That depends on how it's arranged. We offer small, large, and special arrangements, and the price varies accordingly..."
On the execution platform, County Captain Dong furrowed his brows and looked at Zhao Zhonghe standing beside him, thinking why don't you do something; this is the grand occasion of the autumn executions, with the provincial governor personally supervising. How could this be happening?
Zhao Zhonghe then looked towards Zhao Yuan, who was in charge of the execution ground's order; the latter was observing his surroundings nonchalantly, not daring to respond at all.
Luckily, Governor Lu and Judge Li didn't seem to mind.
When noon came, at the sound of a gong, just as the governor sitting in the main seat was about to announce the charges, someone from the first batch of condemned criminals being brought on stage shouted:
"The Yaozhou Cangyi Army has already revolted, and the Southwest White Feather Army will soon storm the Imperial City! Though you dog officials may execute us today, tomorrow your entire families will face the same fate. This is retribution! I will become a vengeful ghost, waiting for you down below!"
"Spreading seditious rumors! Even those small-time crooks dare stir trouble!"
The supervising officer ordered the mouths of all the condemned prisoners to be sealed, then took out the execution order, tossed it forward with a shout, "Execute!"
The executioner sprayed wine over the blade as an offering, with a swift motion, the saber flashed, and scarlet blood immediately splattered across the execution platform. The crowd below hesitated for a moment, then suddenly someone clapped and cheered!
Soon, more people began to join in and cheer.
They didn't care what crimes these people committed; after all, those being beheaded were not themselves. Compared to the instant death of those on stage, they could still stand below and watch. Wasn't this worth celebrating?
The death row prisoners met their end one after another, like mowing down chives. When those prisoners were pressed down onto the neck pillow awaiting execution, they could see the banner hanging in front of the platform.
Who put up this sign on the execution ground? Is there any decency in doing business this way!
Looking down, a fair-faced young man was pushing a cart covered with a layer of rice straw and lime, on which were stacked headless corpses.
On the young man's face, there was a look of harvest joy.
Autumn truly was a good season.
On the execution ground, large heads rolled to the ground. Some, with a strong will to live, even with their heads severed, their eyes still had life.
Xu Qing was not afraid, taking the shroud to wrap the corpses, assisting the government official in clearing the platform.
On the supervisory platform, Judge Li looked at County Captain Dong: "Is this man hired by you?"
County Captain Dong's heart skipped a beat, pondering how to respond. Just then, Judge Li stroked his beard and nodded approvingly, "Good, very good, this year's executions are more efficient than previous years, you've put good thoughts into it."
"No, no, it's just my duty to do so."
County Captain Dong sighed in relief, and then followed Judge Li's gaze to the nimble Xu Qing skillfully collecting corpses on and off the platform. Indeed, when it came to corpse collection, no one could beat the professionalism of those running a funeral shop. The execution efficiency had undeniably increased thanks to the seamless operations.
One hundred and some heads had fallen to the ground, during which Xu Qing even spotted quite a few acquaintances on the execution ground.
For instance, the 'dutiful son' from Landlord Liu's family, Young Master Liu's biological father, caretaker Song Cai...
And Xu Qing even recognized Sai Yuxian's faithless husband, Liu Sheng. Xu Qing didn't have much of an impression of Liu Sheng, but it was the Empress Sai Yuxian, who was exceedingly subservient to him in the Dream Creation Skill, that left a deep impression.
These people were all familiar to Xu Qing. Watching their heads roll now, Xu Qing, as the manipulator behind the scenes, finally felt settled in heart.
After waiting for so long, he finally had his hands on these corpses!
As Xu Qing placed the bodies, some citizens, acting like thieves, clutching buns in their arms and holding bowls in their hands, sneaked to the place where the corpses were laid, intending to collect blood from the severed heads.
"What are you doing! In broad daylight, are you looking to steal corpses? That's a serious crime!"
"Don't shout. I just want some to cure tuberculosis..."
Rumor had it in town that the blood of beheaded death row prisoners was soaked with buns to cure tuberculosis.
Therefore, during the autumn executions each year, ignorant townsfolk would bring buns and dishes, hoping to gather some medicinal primer to take back home, wrap it in buns for those infected to eat. Some without illness also joined the rush, thinking eating such buns could prevent tuberculosis.
Hearing this, Xu Qing turned to look at the others holding bowls and buns, "Does your family also have someone with tuberculosis?"
Someone replied, "No tuberculosis at my house, but there is a headache problem..."
"What about your family?"
"I've an old leg and back pain problem."
Xu Qing clicked his tongue in disdain, slamming the signpost into the ground, yelling, "If human blood could cure all diseases, why don't you use your own!"
"Let me tell you, these corpses are mine to handle now, so you can't take any blood!"
"Well, I understand." Someone said, pulling out a handful of copper plates and handing it over to Xu Qing.
Seeing this, the others followed suit, which made Xu Qing laugh in exasperation.
After driving them away with the advertisement banner, they ran back to the side of the execution platform, planning to bribe the executioner after the execution to soak some blood from the neck pillow used for beheading the prisoners.