The tasks were manageable for Tie Niu and the men his age. They were still young and energetic. As for the people who were 60 and above, the weight of the stones had certainly become unbearable for them. They walked in a tottered manner. One careless step would shove their weak knees to the ground. Unfortunately, relentless supervisors guarded the place. They beat anyone who was slow, especially those who fell.
Gu Xijiu saw an old man struggling to get up from the ground. His knees were bleeding. Before he could get on his feet again, the supervisor started to hit him. He got hit in the face, and blood started oozing down his head.
The old man got dizzy, so he fell to the ground once again. He groaned in pain with the weight on his back and spat a mouthful of blood.
"Why are you acting? Get up now!" The supervisor wanted to beat him again, but before he could move his whip, sharp pain at his wrist stopped him. He felt as if a knife had slit open his flesh.
