Chapter 408: Lao Nanfeng Released from Prison
The early morning at Huanglong Mountain Prison was a bit grim and cold. After all, it was nestled deep in the mountains, where the high altitude meant lower temperatures.
Lao Nanfeng, however, had already left his cell early and was running on the exercise yard. Over six hundred soldiers from the Guyuan rebel army under his command followed closely behind, running with him.
They had instigated the Guyuan rebellion in late Chongzhen Year 1 (1628 CE), and by the time they reached Chengcheng County, it was roughly early Chongzhen Year 2. Now, it was already late Chongzhen Year 3.
These border soldiers had been labor reform prisoners for almost two years now.
Yet, throughout these two years, they had not ceased their training. Every morning, Lao Nanfeng would rouse everyone from their bunks, assemble them on the exercise yard for formation drills and running, then practice thrusting with imaginary spears, followed by paired, live combat exercises in grappling and fighting.
One of his old subordinates once secretly asked him: "We're all locked up in prison now, so why do we still need to train?"
Lao Nanfeng immediately kicked that subordinate. "We haven't been killed, just locked up as labor reform prisoners," he declared. "There'll be a day when we're released. When you get out, you won't know how to farm, you won't be skilled in any trade. If you can't even fight anymore, what good will you be out there? Useless people can only become bandits, and then be smacked dead by the Heavenly Lord with a single palm."
Those words jolted all the Guyuan rebels into awareness. From then on, they dared not voice any complaints, and docilely followed Lao Nanfeng's lead, continuously undergoing basic training.
Despite the chill, Lao Nanfeng had worked up a fine sweat. As labor reform prisoners, they were fed well, often even getting some meat. This had made him and his subordinates physically stronger than they had been as border soldiers. Now, their training intensity was even greater than before – truly an absurd situation.
Lao Nanfeng turned his head and said, "Centurion Chen, take over the training for me!"
A centurion surnamed Chen immediately accepted the order: "Understood!"
Lao Nanfeng walked to the edge of the wall, looking up at Zhong Gaoliang. "What are your orders, Prison Warden Zhong?"
Zhong Gaoliang beckoned to him. "You can actually climb this wall, can't you? Try it."
Lao Nanfeng shook his head. "No, no, I can't climb it. I don't have that skill."
Zhong Gaoliang laughed. "You might fool others, but you can't fool the Heavenly Lord. One time, in the dead of night, you climbed over the wall, but you didn't escape; you climbed back. The Heavenly Lord saw it all."
Those words startled Lao Nanfeng!
Little did he know that Li Daoxuan often, when sleeping at night, shifted his viewpoint to Huanglong Mountain Prison, aiming a camera at the box to monitor the prison, the place most prone to trouble. One night, the camera recorded Lao Nanfeng climbing over the wall and even scaling a cliff face.
He had sat on the mountaintop for a while, before returning.
Zhong Gaoliang: "Come up, I have something to tell you."
Lao Nanfeng nodded. No more pretense, he thought, let's get to it.
He stepped back a few paces, then sprinted forward, charging toward the wall. His foot found purchase, and with a powerful push, he leapt, his hands gripping the top. With a pull and a heave, he neatly scaled it.
Zhong Gaoliang: "Tsk, tsk, that's impressive! Ten of me couldn't beat you."
Lao Nanfeng shook his head. "A hundred of me wouldn't be enough against firearms."
Zhong Gaoliang: "This time I called you out here at the Heavenly Lord's instruction."
Lao Nanfeng's spirits lifted. "What is the Heavenly Lord's decree?"
Zhong Gaoliang: "The Heavenly Lord says you've performed exceptionally well during your two years of labor reform. You've helped the prison catch several escapees, and quelled numerous disputes within the prison. Most importantly, you saved my life."
At this point, Zhong Gaoliang grinned. "The Heavenly Lord said that saving my life alone is enough to commute your sentence and release you. Therefore... you are free."
Lao Nanfeng was overjoyed!
Zhong Gaoliang: "You can freely choose whether to leave or to stay in Gao Family Village."
Was that even a choice?
Lao Nanfeng said almost without thinking, "I want to stay. This martial skill of mine can no longer be sold to the imperial court. I want to serve the Heavenly Lord."
In these times, people typically honed their literary and martial skills to serve the imperial court. But a man like Lao Nanfeng, in this lifetime, no longer wished to work for the emperor. For him, this place was the best possible path.
Zhong Gaoliang smiled. "Excellent," he said. "The Heavenly Lord said if you're willing to stay, then set off immediately for Gao Family Village, to the council hall in Gao Family Fortress. There is a glorious and arduous task that requires your participation."
Lao Nanfeng was thrilled. Men like him didn't fear tasks; they feared idleness and eating free meals. Hearing that there was work to be done immediately, he instantly brightened. "Then I'm off!" he exclaimed.
He leaned over the wall, shouting down to his subordinates who were still training on the yard. "Brothers, the Heavenly Lord has pardoned your old man! I'm off to work for the Heavenly Lord now. After I'm gone, don't slack off. Under Centurion Chen's command, continue to train hard and perform well. Your old man will come back to take you all out of here!"
Over six hundred Guyuan rebels replied in unison, "Understood!"
"Excellent! That's the spirit, damn it!"
Lao Nanfeng didn't return to his cell; after all, he had no luggage to pack. He strode out of the prison. To his surprise, someone at the gate handed him a horse. He nodded, swung onto the saddle, and galloped towards Gao Family Village.
Although he had been imprisoned for two years, he was not unfamiliar with Gao Family Village. Labor reform prisoners were often taken out to build cement roads, construct cement houses, transport heavy goods, excavate limestone mines, and perform various other tasks.
While laboring in the past, he had seen the thriving Gao Family Village from afar, especially the towering and magnificent Gao Family Fortress. He had long known the formidable power of this place, which was truly unfathomable. To serve Gao Family Fortress far surpassed being a mere rebel or vagrant...
His warhorse passed Bai Family Fortress. He spotted the train station, but had no interest in boarding. "Why take a train when I have my own horse?" he scoffed. "Hmph! This little train isn't as fast as my horse!"
He spurred his horse, and left the train behind.
However, a warhorse couldn't maintain top speed for long. In no time, his horse tired and slowed. With a 'woo-woo' of its whistle, the little train overtook him again.
Lao Nanfeng: "Damn it, I should have known to get on the train with my horse!"
Fortunately, there was a wayside station not far ahead.
A few years ago, trains wouldn't stop at this wayside station, as the village beside the small station had long been abandoned. But over the past few years, Gao Family Village, to maximize agricultural land, had sent specialized agricultural teams to this village to plant corn. Thus, trains now made stops at this intermediate station.
When Lao Nanfeng arrived at the intermediate station, the train was just about to depart. He quickly, with both himself and his horse, rushed onto the train. Only then did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The train, traveling at 60 kilometers per hour, carried Lao Nanfeng towards a new life, a life he had only dreamed of.
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