บท 4: Evening Talk: Thoughts on Freedom
Age: 5,5
Date: 253 BCE
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Evening Talk: Thoughts on Freedom
Exhausted from the day's work, we lay on the ground, gazing at the stars above. As Piao and Shin caught their breaths, my mind wandered to deeper thoughts: "Strength alone won't be enough to win our freedom. We need more."
Suddenly, I spoke up:
"Hey, Shin, Piao, what do you think it takes to escape slavery?"
Shin sat up, laying his sword aside. "Strength, of course! If we're strong, we can break these chains," he said with confidence.
Piao agreed but appeared more contemplative. "Strength is important, yes. But there has to be something more..."
I gathered my thoughts and suggested, "What about gold?"
Shin looked at me in confusion. "Gold? What for?"
"To pay for our freedom," I replied. "What if we bought ourselves out?"
The idea baffled Shin, but Piao's eyes lit up with understanding. He immediately grasped the potential of my plan.
"That makes sense," he said. "But how would we earn money? Most of the profit from making sandals goes straight to the overseer."
"That's why we need to do something different. Something new—something this world hasn't seen yet."
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The Idea: Toothbrushes
An image from my previous life flashed through my mind—a video I'd once watched about the invention of toothbrushes. It described how ancient people used horsehair bristles for brushing. The memory was vivid, as though it was unfolding before me.
"Toothbrushes," I muttered to myself. "This might not exist in this world yet. If we create it, it could improve people's health and be a profitable business."
I shared the idea with Shin and Piao. Shin, as usual, looked skeptical.
"Toothbrushes? Why would anyone want to clean their teeth? Nobody's done that before," he said.
Piao, however, was more intrigued. "How do we make a toothbrush? Do we have the materials?"
"We'll use horsehair for the bristles," I explained. "Tie the hairs to the end of a small wooden handle. It's simple."
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Gathering Materials: Horsehair
The next day, we approached the overseer and requested horsehair. I told him it was for tying straps on sandals. He quickly lost interest and handed over a horse's tail for us to cut. His indifference brought a smile to my face—our plan was working.
Our materials included:
Horsehair: For the bristles.
Small Wooden Handles: To attach the bristles.
Twine: To secure the bristles to the handle.
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The First Toothbrush Prototype
Using the horsehair, I bundled the strands and tied them tightly to the end of a small wooden stick. Wrapping the twine securely, I completed the first prototype. The bristles were a bit stiff, so I soaked them in water to soften them. This made the toothbrush more practical.
Shin watched my work with a skeptical expression. "What's that thing even supposed to do? Why would anyone use it?"
"It's for cleaning teeth," I explained. "If people use it, their teeth will stay healthy. We'll spread the idea slowly."
Piao picked up the toothbrush and examined it carefully. "This could work," he said. "But how do we start selling it? Nobody knows what it is."
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Marketing and Initial Sales
We decided to secretly introduce the toothbrushes at the market. The overseer sent us to sell sandals, but this time, we brought a few toothbrushes along. While selling sandals, we began promoting the new product.
"What's this?" a villager asked, holding up a toothbrush.
"It's a toothbrush," I said. "You use it to clean your teeth. It helps keep you healthy."
At first, people were skeptical, but a few decided to try it. Those who did quickly appreciated its benefits, giving us positive feedback. This encouraged us to keep going.
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Growing Demand
The toothbrushes started gaining attention in the market. Word spread quickly, and soon, people in the village were talking about this new product. As demand grew, we needed to increase production.
Piao began experimenting with designs, making sturdier handles and arranging the bristles more neatly. Shin excelled at convincing people in the market to buy.
"Get this! It'll make your teeth shine!" Shin shouted enthusiastically.
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Rapid Expansion
Within a month, our toothbrushes were in nearly every household in the village. People were adopting the product and recognizing its benefits. The money we earned from selling toothbrushes far exceeded what we made from sandals.
One evening, Piao laughed and said, "Now I see it. Doing something different really does make a difference."
Shin, excited by the growing pile of coins, exclaimed, "At this rate, we'll be able to buy our freedom!"
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Setting a Goal: 9 Silver Coins
We learned that the cost of freedom for one slave was 3 silver coins. This seemed like an enormous amount, but it gave us a clear goal.
1 silver coin = 100 copper coins.
3 silver coins = 300 copper coins (per person).
9 silver coins = 900 copper coins (for all three of us).
Each toothbrush sold for 5 copper coins, which meant we needed to sell:
900 copper ÷ 5 copper = 180 toothbrushes.
It was a daunting goal, but with disciplined effort, it felt achievable.
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Daily Work Schedule
"Don't let this goal scare you," I told Shin and Piao. "If we work hard and stay disciplined, we can achieve it. But we need a strict plan."
1. 06:00 - 08:00: Physical Training
The first two hours of our day were dedicated to physical training. This included push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running.
Piao asked during one session, "Why are we still doing this? For fighting or for selling toothbrushes?"
I laughed and replied, "It's not just for our muscles—it's for our minds. If we don't stay strong, we can't accomplish anything."
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2. 08:00 - 15:00: Assigned Tasks
We couldn't neglect the overseer's tasks. Whether working in the fields or completing other chores, we fulfilled our duties while discussing our plans whenever possible.
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3. 15:00 - 18:00: Market Sales
After finishing our chores, we headed to the market to sell both sandals and toothbrushes. This was the most critical part of our plan.
Shin was excellent at drawing attention to our stall. "Get your toothbrush! Clean teeth, healthy life! Only 5 copper!" he shouted.
Piao, in contrast, calmly explained how to use the toothbrush, earning people's trust. Meanwhile, I observed customer behavior and devised ways to attract more buyers.
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4. 18:00 - 19:30: Rest and Reflection
We used this time to eat, rest, and discuss improvements. One day, Piao suggested, "What if we made toothbrushes in different sizes?"
"Good idea," I said. "But let's reach our goal first. Then we can expand."
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5. 19:30 - 23:00: Sword Training
We ended each day with sword training. Moving beyond the basics, we were now practicing faster, stronger, and more precise techniques.
"One day, we'll use these swords to defend our freedom," I told Shin and Piao.
Shin grinned. "When that day comes, everyone will know who we are."
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Progress: Slow but Steady
Implementing this plan brought gradual progress. We sold 5-10 toothbrushes per day, saving every coin. Piao meticulously tracked our earnings each evening.
"We earned 30 copper today," he announced one night. "That brings us to 150 copper total."
It was just the beginning, but it was enough to keep us motivated.
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Challenges and Solutions
1. Gaining Interest
At first, people didn't understand the product. Demonstrations in the market, showing how to use the toothbrush, helped spark curiosity and boost sales.
2. Material Shortages
Horsehair was limited, so Piao negotiated with other horse owners in the village to gather more supplies.
3. Jealousy and Threats
Other vendors in the market became hostile as our sales grew. One warned us, "Don't expand this too much, or you'll regret it."
We ignored the threats but remained cautious.
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After One Month
By the end of the month, we had saved 500 copper—equivalent to 5 silver coins. We were inching
closer to our goal. More people in the village were using our toothbrushes, and our progress inspired us to aim even higher.
"We still have a lot of work to do," I told Piao and Shin. "But we're on the right path."
Shin's Excitement and Harsh Realities
Shin came to us with a huge grin and announced, "We finally saved 9 silvers! We can be free now!"
His words brought a wave of joy, but almost immediately, my mind started analyzing what that freedom truly meant. While Shin's excitement was contagious, I knew I needed to view the situation realistically.
"Shin, you're oversimplifying things," I said. "If you think being free means everything is solved, you're wrong. Freedom isn't just about breaking chains."
The happiness on Shin's face turned into confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked.
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Realities: The Cost of Freedom
I explained: "If we're freed today, we can't stay in the overseer's hut. We'll have to find our own shelter. We'll need to provide food for ourselves. Paying for freedom isn't enough—we need a plan to sustain our lives afterward."
Piao nodded silently, agreeing with me. "That's true," he said. "Freedom is amazing, but we have to make it last."
Shin grumbled but seemed to understand. "So, what do we do now?"
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New Goals: 3 Gold Coins (30 Silvers)
After some thought, I proposed a new goal. "We need to save at least 3 gold coins—30 silvers. This money will not only secure our freedom but also help us build a future."
Shin looked shocked. "Why so much? What will we do with that money?"
I explained, "We need to buy a small piece of land and build a wooden house on it. We also need a source of income. Right now, we've sold toothbrushes to almost everyone in the village. If we don't come up with something new, it'll be harder to earn money."
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A New Idea: Livestock
Thinking about future possibilities, I realized that while the toothbrush business was successful, it wouldn't last forever. The village market was reaching saturation, and we had limited opportunities to expand outside.
"We could try raising livestock," I suggested. "Starting with chickens would be a good choice."
"Why chickens?" Piao asked curiously.
"A single chicken costs only 30 bronze coins. If we buy 10 chickens, we'll spend just 3 silvers to start. If we also get 2 roosters, we can breed more chickens and sell eggs for income," I explained.
Shin seemed to grasp the idea. "When will we start this?" he asked.
"After we're free," I said. "For now, we'll continue our current work and save money from the toothbrush sales. Once we buy our freedom, we'll begin the livestock business."
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Shin and Piao's Trust
I laid out the new plan for them:
"If we follow this plan, we won't just be free—we'll build a sustainable life. Once we save 3 gold coins, we'll buy our freedom. Do you trust me?"
Piao nodded firmly. "Yes, this is a logical plan. If we stick to it, we won't just survive—we'll thrive."
Shin thought for a moment, then smiled. "I've always trusted you. That's why I'll keep working with you."
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Sticking to the Daily Routine
With our new goal in place, we continued our strict work schedule. We worked harder to expand the toothbrush business, find new customers, and increase our earnings.
Daily Plan:
1. 6:00 - 8:00: Physical training.
2. 8:00 - 15:00: Completing tasks in the village.
3. 15:00 - 18:00: Selling toothbrushes at the market.
4. 18:00 - 19:30: Rest and reflection.
5. 19:30 - 23:00: Sword training.
This disciplined routine strengthened both our bodies and minds. Each day brought us closer to our goal.
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New Opportunities and Challenges
1. Material Shortages
Horsehair for the toothbrushes was limited, and finding new sources became increasingly difficult. To address this, we began reaching out to horse owners outside the village.
2. Expanding Products
Piao brainstormed additional ideas for new products. One evening, he suggested, "What if we make toothbrushes in different sizes? Smaller ones for children, larger ones for adults."
This idea was an important step toward diversifying our offerings.
3. Rising Competition
Other market vendors started mimicking our toothbrush business, increasing competition. However, our superior quality kept customers coming back to us.
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Progress and Moving Toward the New Goal
Another month passed, and we managed to save 12 silvers. We now needed only 18 more silvers to reach our target. This progress motivated us to aim even higher.
"We still have a long way to go," I told Piao and Shin. "But if we stay on this path, our dream of freedom will become reality."
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A New Goal: Learning Strategy
As we continued saving money, another thought occupied my mind: "Strength alone isn't enough. Learning strategy is key to becoming a great leader."
In my previous life, I had been fascinated by history lessons, particularly about how great battles were won through strategy. Thanks to the Genius Mind, I now understood these concepts more deeply and began developing my ideas. However, I knew I wasn't yet at the level of great strategists like Li Mu (Ri Boku) or Sho Hei Kun. That level seemed impossible for now, but I had to start somewhere.
"Shin, Piao, I'm going to teach you some strategic concepts," I said one evening. "If we ever want to become great generals, we need to understand battle strategies."
Shin, with his usual energy, said, "Strategy? Why not just solve everything with a strong sword strike?"
Piao, more intrigued, asked, "What are you talking about? What kind of strategy will you teach us?"
"We'll start with simple but effective concepts," I explained. "And I'll introduce you to a game. This game will teach us about battle formations and strategic thinking."
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Basic Military Strategies
I began by teaching Shin and Piao fundamental concepts of strategy. Rather than overwhelming them with complexity, I focused on the essentials of warfare.
1. Setting Traps
"To defeat an enemy, you must understand their weaknesses and use them to your advantage. One of the simplest methods is to mislead the enemy and lure them into a trap," I explained.
Shin asked, confused, "But isn't that unfair?"
I laughed. "Wars aren't won by fairness, Shin. Wars are won by making the right move at the right time. If an enemy falls into your trap, you can win with fewer losses."
2. Flanking and Encirclement
Using a stick, I drew a simple battle formation in the dirt. "This is the enemy army," I said, drawing a straight line. "If you attack them head-on, you'll suffer heavy losses. But if you attack from the flanks and encircle them, your chances of winning increase."
Piao nodded. "That makes sense. But wouldn't we need more soldiers to do that?"
"Exactly," I said. "That's why planning resources and troop numbers is essential."
3. Reserves and Surprise Attacks
Finally, I emphasized the importance of holding back reserve forces. "In battle, don't use all your forces at once. Reserves are for delivering the final blow when the enemy is weakest. This has been the key to victory in many great battles."
Shin seemed to like this idea. "So it's like landing a final punch to end the fight," he said.
"Exactly," I said. "But that punch must come at the perfect moment."
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A New Game: The Battle Board
To teach strategic thinking, I created a simple game for them. It resembled chess but focused on troop formations and movements.
Game: The Battle Board
Objective:
Capture the enemy commander to win the game.
Materials:
A board (grid drawn on the ground or a wooden board).
Pieces representing soldiers, commanders, cavalry, archers, etc.
Rules:
1. Players take turns moving one piece at a time.
2. A piece can capture an opponent's piece by moving into its square.
3. The goal is to capture the enemy commander.
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Playing the Game
I taught the game to Shin and Piao, and we started playing immediately. Shin, as usual, played aggressively, rushing all his pieces forward to attack. This left his defenses weak.
Piao played more cautiously and strategically. Using his cavalry, he surrounded Shin's soldiers and advanced toward his commander.
"Hey! That's unfair!" Shin exclaimed, but he was beginning to understand the importance of strategy.
"If you act without thinking, you'll lose the war," I told him. "This game simulates real battles. You need to know when to attack and when to hold back."
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Results: A First Step Toward Strategy
This game became a valuable tool for developing Shin and Piao's strategic thinking. Every evening, we played it, learning and
understanding battle formations while having fun.
One evening, during a game, Piao said, "If we can apply this knowledge in real battles, we'll be much stronger.
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"This is just the beginning," I replied. "If we keep practicing and understanding these strategies, one day we'll not only survive in battles but also lead them. Great generals are not just warriors; they are thinkers. To win wars, we must outthink our enemies."
Shin grinned, picking up his game pieces again. "Then let's play another round. I'll figure out how to beat you this time."
Piao nodded thoughtfully. "This game is more than just fun. It's helping me see the bigger picture in a battle. Strategy isn't just about soldiers—it's about timing, positioning, and even patience."
I smiled, watching them both become more engaged with the concepts. While Shin still leaned toward brute force, he was learning restraint. Piao, on the other hand, was already displaying a natural knack for tactics.
Every evening we spent playing the battle board brought us closer to understanding not just warfare but how to work as a team. These small steps would one day form the foundation of something much larger—a future where we weren't just surviving, but thriving, free and strong.
This chapter of our journey wasn't about immediate freedom or victory. It was about preparation, discipline, and building the skills we needed for the future. Each coin saved, each sword stroke practiced, and each strategy mastered brought us closer to our ultimate goal: not just freedom, but the power to protect and sustain it.
"We'll make it," I said quietly to myself one night, looking at the stars. "We're getting
stronger every day."
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