Chapter 333: Is There a Port in Your Area?
The prison needed to expand; the original site simply couldn't accommodate everyone. Fortunately, Li Daoxuan's field of view had recently broadened significantly, now encompassing a small section of Huanglong Mountain. He decided it was the perfect place to establish the new labor camp.
Over seven thousand captives, under Cheng Xu's escort, were led to a valley within Huanglong Mountain. A single glance at the terrain below was enough to turn their faces grim. This valley, didn't it look eerily similar to the one where they had been defeated by the militia? The only difference was a couple more exits—yet choosing to encamp in such a confined space was utter foolishness.
Cheng Xu loudly announced: “Everyone, pay attention! The Heavenly Lord is about to transform this valley into your prison. Open your eyes wide and witness what divine power truly means!”
The captives were utterly bewildered.
At that very moment, two colossal golden hands descended from the heavens... They shimmered with an array of vibrant colors.
The instant this appeared, many captives were so terrified they fainted on the spot.
Li Daoxuan had always been gentle with the common folk of Chengcheng County, never revealing his powers to intimidate them without careful preparation. With these captives, however, his approach was entirely different. Intimidation was the key! If they were sufficiently terrified, they would hesitate to cause trouble in the future, saving him considerable effort and ensuring his subordinates wouldn't be harmed while overseeing them.
The colossal golden hands grasped an immense boulder and, with a thunderous impact, slammed it into one of the valley's exits, sealing it impenetrable. Then, with practiced ease, they swiftly carved out a deep pit, and a torrent of water—like a river from the heavens—cascaded down, filling the cavity and transforming it into a tranquil pond.
The seven thousand-plus captives were utterly bloodless with fear. What divine might was this? It was like moving mountains and overturning seas!
Then, the golden hands descended once more, bringing with them a colossal gate. With a mighty crash, it was installed over the narrow exit, effectively transforming the entire valley into an immense, self-contained prison.
To complete the spectacle, the enormous hands then placed two miniature fortresses, one on each side of the imposing gate.
The captives’ faces were ghostly pale, utterly drained of color by sheer terror.
“Enter,” Cheng Xu commanded. “For the next several years, this will be your home.”
The labor reform prisoners, subdued, shuffled into the valley, cowering together within its confines.
Lao Nanfeng, leading over six hundred border army labor reform prisoners, also entered, mingling with the other seven thousand-plus individuals. This was, in fact, a highly dangerous situation, yet Lao Nanfeng showed no fear; instead, he felt a surge of excitement.
A strange smile played on his face: “These guys had better cause some trouble. If I take down a few of their ringleaders, that’s a meritorious deed, and I can get out of prison early. The more unruly you are, the faster I’ll be released, hahahaha.”
Li Daoxuan watched the group meekly file into their new confinement, then surveyed the section of Huanglong Mountain now visible to him, secretly formulating new plans.
The Huanglong Mountain region was an excellent location! Densely forested and mountainous, yet remarkably accessible from all directions.
To the west lay Luochuan County, to the north, Yichuan County, and to the east, Han City. Southward, paths branched out to Baishui County, Chengcheng County, and Heyang County.
It would be truly short-sighted not to establish a revolutionary base in such a strategically advantageous region. The only current limitation was his field of view, which still couldn't encompass the entirety of Huanglong Mountain, only a small southern section.
Nonetheless, even this limited area was sufficient to begin establishing a revolutionary base. With over seven thousand labor reform prisoners now at his disposal, he could put them to work tirelessly, digging and building, to construct the foundation of this new stronghold.
He clicked on Gao Family Village, shifting his perspective back. He would have Gao Yiye inform San Shier to begin drafting more detailed plans...
Just then, a procession approached from the east, entering Gao Family Village.
Li Daoxuan let out a soft “Hmm?” and narrowed his focus. The approaching group seemed faintly familiar, particularly the man at its head, clad in the robes of a county magistrate. He felt he’d seen him somewhere before.
A moment's thought, and it clicked: Feng Jun, the Magistrate of Heyang County!
Feng Jun, leading a sizable entourage and carrying the severed head of the bandit leader Fan Shan Yao, had entered Chengcheng County from Zhengjia Village. His intention was to traverse the county and proceed to Xi'an, where he would report his success to His Excellency, the Governor.
To his surprise, upon entering Chengcheng County, he found the landscape lush and verdant. Fields bristled with crops, and wildflowers bloomed alongside green weeds. There was no trace of the drought that had plagued the region.
Upon reaching Gao Family Village, he was utterly dumbfounded by the sight of a sprawling, bustling, and prosperous settlement. He stood there, momentarily speechless, a trickle of blood silently escaping his nose.
Still disoriented, he then spotted a familiar face within Gao Family Village. “Mr. Bai!” he exclaimed, quickly raising his voice. “Why, isn’t that Mr. Bai? This is wonderful! It’s truly excellent to encounter you here!”
Feng Jun scurried over to Bai Yuan. “A few days ago, Mr. Bai, you assisted me in wiping out the Fan Shan Yao bandits. Look...” He gestured with the box in his hand, which contained the bandit’s severed head, and grinned. “Our Heyang County has finally subdued this scoundrel. I was just preparing to journey to Xi’an to personally present his head to His Excellency, the Governor.”
Bai Yuan offered a polite smile. “It is my honor to have been of assistance, Magistrate Feng.”
Feng Jun glanced around, taking in his surroundings. “This village...” he began, trailing off.
Bai Yuan chuckled. “This is Gao Family Village, which has always thrived under the Heavenly Lord’s divine protection. The common people here live in peace and contentment, truly joyful. Rest assured, Magistrate Feng, your Heyang County will soon experience the same blessings.”
Feng Jun’s face was a mask of utter bewilderment; he couldn’t comprehend a word.
At that moment, Gao Yiye, still clad in white robes after having just concluded a solemn ceremony, approached the two men.
The moment Bai Yuan saw the Saintess, he understood immediately that the Heavenly Lord had a message to convey. He quickly bowed to Gao Yiye, then gracefully stepped aside, positioning her at the focal point, directly facing Feng Jun.
Feng Jun, however, was somewhat perplexed. What was the meaning behind Mr. Bai stepping aside and deferring to a woman to address him?
Gao Yiye offered a graceful smile. “Greetings, Magistrate Feng. I am Gao Yiye, the chief wife of the Li family of this land.”
Feng Jun’s gaze flickered to the fortified manor in the distance, and comprehension dawned. Ah, the chief wife of a prominent clan! “Madam,” he replied, “how may I be of service?”
Gao Yiye continued, “My master, Mr. Li, has a question for you. Heyang County lies directly beside the Yellow River, does it not? Is there a notable ferry crossing there, known as Qichuan Ferry?”
Feng Jun nodded. “Indeed, such a ferry crossing exists! It is one of the most vital for Heyang County’s trade with other regions. In prosperous years, merchant vessels from all over converge at Qichuan Ferry, laden with a dazzling array of goods.”
Upon hearing this, Li Daoxuan felt a surge of elation. *As expected, Heyang County boasts the Qichuan Ferry! Excellent!* he thought. *Unfortunately, my current field of view only encompasses half of Heyang County, and the port lies on its easternmost edge, just beyond my sight. But with a slight increase in the Salvation Index, I’ll be able to extend my reach into the Yellow River, and then... hehehe.*
In his mind’s eye, a fleet of plastic boats was already navigating the Yellow River.
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