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Chapter 835 What Exactly Is Going On Here?

Shanxi Governor Dai Jun'en was reviewing documents in his yamen in Taiyuan Prefecture city when a subordinate rushed in, exclaiming, "Governor, something terrible has happened!"

Dai Jun'en asked, "What's wrong?"

His subordinate reported, "The three bandit leaders you pacified last year—He Zonghan, Liu Haoran, and Gao Jiaji—have suddenly rebelled again! They first rampaged through Yuanqu County, looting several villages, and are now heading towards Hedong Circuit!"

Dai Jun'en jumped in alarm. "Good heavens!"

He sprang to his feet. "Quick! Order Assistant Generals Hu Dawei and Liu Guangzuo to mobilize their troops immediately!"

The subordinate left swiftly, and Dai Jun'en, abandoning all his work, quickly went to make preparations.

By the time he had sorted out his logistics and emerged, Assistant Generals Hu Dawei and Liu Guangzuo had also assembled their household guards and garrison troops, totaling two thousand men. They immediately rushed towards Hedong Circuit.

Because of the Manchu attacks on Xuanfu and Datong Prefectures, Shanxi's forces naturally had to take precautions. Their main troops were all stationed in Taiyuan, a full seven hundred li from Hedong Circuit...

Knowing the distance, Dai Jun'en realized he wouldn't arrive in time, no matter how hard they pushed.

Such a meager force would struggle to defend a city, let alone protect the surrounding villages.

He feared that the three bandit chiefs would wreak havoc across Hedong Circuit this time, harming untold numbers of common people.

Dai Jun'en was seized by panic. He could only desperately urge Assistant Generals Hu Dawei and Liu Guangzuo to hasten their march, and the two assistant generals, in turn, relentlessly pressed their soldiers.

The two thousand government troops pushed themselves to their limits, marching relentlessly...

Seven hundred li!

Even on well-maintained official roads, the two thousand men marched for many days, until they were utterly exhausted.

A scout from the front reported, "Governor, Hedong City is just ahead!"

Dai Jun'en's face was grim. "Is the city still in General Xing's hands? Has it been breached by the bandit army?"

The scout replied, "It is still in General Xing's hands."

"Hah!" Dai Jun'en let out a sigh of relief, as did Assistant Generals Hu Dawei and Liu Guangzuo.

As long as the city still stood, all was well!

His greatest fear was that the bandit army might have taken the city and fortified themselves within. If five thousand bandit troops were defending it, his two thousand government soldiers might not be able to conquer it. If the roles of attacker and defender were reversed, the entire world would undoubtedly mock them.

The scout suddenly wore a peculiar expression, as if he'd witnessed something utterly unbelievable. He whispered, "Governor, Hedong City... it feels strange..."

Dai Jun'en pressed, "How so?"

The scout replied, "I only caught a glimpse from a distance, so I couldn't see clearly, but... on the city walls, it looks like some kind of celebratory assembly or commendation ceremony is underway. There are streamers everywhere, and people are singing..."

Dai Jun'en blinked.

The two assistant generals exchanged puzzled glances.

The three men exchanged bewildered looks, then quickly hastened their steps.

Not long after, the three finally arrived beneath Hedong City.

Indeed, official banners still fluttered above the city walls, and ordinary people moved freely through the city gates. Hedong City had clearly not been breached by the bandit army. In fact, they hadn't seen any traces of large-scale combat anywhere around the city during their entire march.

Dai Jun'en wondered, "What's going on? Did those five thousand bandit troops not even attack the city?"

He quickly ran to the city gate, where he saw a massive banner hanging, proclaiming: "Heartfelt Celebration of the People's Great Victory."

Dai Jun'en was utterly baffled.

Hu Dawei was bewildered.

Liu Guangzuo was perplexed.

Below the banner, a large crowd of common people had gathered, captivated by some ongoing spectacle.

The three men quickly pushed their way through the crowd, joining them to watch the event unfold.

Just then, a ceremonial cannon boomed, and a shower of colorful confetti drifted down from the city walls. Two men emerged amidst the falling paper, adorned with colorful brocade sashes, and walked to a raised platform on the wall, their faces beaming.

Next, Xing Honglang appeared. She walked onto the city wall, stood beside the two men, and declared loudly to the curious crowd, "Today, we publicly commend two heroes: one named Qi Cheng, and the other, Chen Ergou!"

A thunderous applause erupted.

Xing Honglang announced loudly, "Qi Cheng was once a subordinate of Wang Zuogua of Yichuan, and Chen Ergou was formerly a subordinate of Liu Liu. Both of them once went astray. But it's never too late to turn over a new leaf! Through continuous labor and study, they have found a new life. In the recent defense of the Yuncheng Iron and Steel General Factory, these two men bravely stepped forward, leading their fellow workers to defeat the bandit army and protect the people's property..."

Another round of thunderous applause broke out.

Some people cheered while clapping, "Well done, Engineer Qi! Well done, Engineer Chen!"

Listening to this, Dai Jun'en and the two assistant generals vaguely understood something. "Good heavens! These two men blocked the bandit army?"

Xing Honglang then produced two blue hats. One hat had the character "Trial" written on it, while the "Trial" on the other hat had been punctured by an arrow...

Xing Honglang placed the two hats on a protrusion on the city wall, then took out a large hammer. Before everyone's eyes, she smashed the two hats to smithereens, blow by blow.

She then brought out two new blue hats. These new hats were pristine blue, without any "Trial" character.

She handed the two new blue hats to Qi Cheng and Chen Ergou. "The Village Committee has specially approved the early termination of your Labor Reform! From today forward, you are no longer labor reform prisoners, but honorable free citizens! No, not just ordinary free citizens – you will directly become senior technicians, enjoying all the benefits that come with the rank of senior technician!"

Qi Cheng and Chen Ergou's eyes welled with tears. With trembling hands, they accepted the two new hats.

It was something they had dreamed of, and today, it had finally come true!

The benefits for a senior technician in Gao Family Village were truly extraordinary.

Qi Cheng slowly placed the hat on his head, so overwhelmed with emotion that his words stumbled. "I... I will... certainly work hard from now on."

Chen Ergou, on the other hand, simply remained silent, desperately rubbing his face against the blue hat.

The crowd watched, speechless.

Xing Honglang continued, "Next, we will proceed to commend other meritorious individuals. Please welcome Zhang Cuihua, a female worker from the textile factory's cafeteria, to the stage..."

Amidst thunderous applause, a sturdy woman walked onto the stage.

The female workers below cheered, "Sister Zhang!"

"Sister Cuihua!"

"Next time I get food, don't short-change me with the ladle!"

Xing Honglang presented the woman with a certificate of commendation and a bonus, then said, "Please say a few words."

The woman picked up the tin megaphone. "Uh... I... I've been slaughtering fish in the textile factory's cafeteria for three years. My knife is colder than my heart..."

The crowd erupted in laughter.

Dai Jun'en, Hu Dawei, and Liu Guangzuo muttered, "What exactly is going on in this place?"