Chapter 592: Iron Bird Flies Goes Missing |
Publish Time: 2026-06-22 19:26:41
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Thirty-Two developed a headache once more.
This was because the Deity had commanded that Gaojia Village was to start extending its reach to Xi’an.
That truly worried Thirty-Two half to death.
Xi’an was no small county town; it was a colossal metropolis. Its urban population alone reached hundreds of thousands, counting surrounding villages and hamlets, a scale beyond imagination.
Exactly how many workers did Gaojia Village need to dispatch to reshape Xi’an into its own image?
Thirty-Two frantically approved a heap of transfer orders, spiraling the blue hats into a flurry of activity.
In the midst of this hectic scramble, Zhong Gaoliang slipped in through the doorway: “Third Head Manager, I came to ask you to approve a document.”
Thirty-Two was swamped. He took the paper, ready to sign without even looking.
But then, a playful scolding chuckle sounded from his chest: “Hey! Look it over properly before signing, or you’ll end up as clueless as those pre-modern officials tricked by their subordinates.”
It was the voice of the Deity embroidered with golden thread!
Thirty-Two jolted in fright. He promptly bowed his head to apologize to the Deity embroidered with golden thread on his chest, then scrutinized the paper Zhong Gaoliang had handed him. Only then did he realize it was a “Pardon Request,” urging amnesty for over six hundred members of the rebel band in Guyuan.
Thirty-Two examined it more closely. The Pardon Request stated that Captain Chen and the other rebels from Guyuan, after years of re-education through labor, were now fully rehabilitated. Their ideological training was also up to standard; they had achieved all-around development in morality, intellect, physique, aesthetics, and labor, fully aligning with Gaojia Village’s new social ethos.
“After reviewing this, I see no issues,” Thirty-Two declared. He then picked up his brush, wrote “Approved!”
Then, in a flourish, he added his signature and stamped the document with the official seal of “Gaojia Village Administrative Committee.”
Zhong Gaoliang grinned: “When I show this to them, they’ll be over the moon with joy.”
The Deity embroidered with golden thread, who had been laughing on Thirty-Two’s chest, instantly hopped onto the Deity of Silver Threads on Zhong Gaoliang’s chest and beamed broadly: “I’m coming along for the fun too.”
Zhong Gaoliang boarded a train. With the Deity in tow, he swiftly returned to labor valley.
Now, the vast labor valley bustled with increasing vigor and prosperity.
Beyond matters tied to “military industry”—which labor offenders were barred from handling—each sector of Gaojia Village’s economy had begun relying on them. Textile work, mining, printing, farming, animal husbandry, road construction, cement factory operations…
Every patch of slightly flatter land in Huanglong Mountain sprouted a factory building. Houses and workshops dotted the valley, some east, some west.
At the very heart of labor valley, there was even a marketplace. Numerous businesses had opened there. Labor offenders could visit during their free time to buy daily essentials.
Of course, they lacked actual currency!
They could only purchase goods using “re-education credits.” Offenders who showed good behavior and strong reformation progress earned “credits,” which they spent at the marketplace.
This system hugely boosted the labor offenders’ enthusiasm for re-education.
Various factories now honored model offenders as exemplars.
120,000 labor offenders lived here in this unique way.
The moment Zhong Gaoliang arrived back at labor valley, he sent people to summon the six hundred-plus rebels from Guyuan.
These six hundred men had undergone the longest re-education period, and thus showed the best results. All were now very disciplined. Under Captain Chen’s direction, they formed neat rows, listening quietly as Zhong Gaoliang announced: “Look, what I hold here is your pardon document. From this day forward, you are free.”
The group erupted in elation: “Cheers!”
Zhong Gaoliang went on: “You can choose to leave freely, or…”
Captain Chen didn’t hesitate at all: “We’ll take the second option.”
Zhong Gaoliang chuckled. “Aren’t you afraid the follow-up could be telling you to jump into a pit?”
Captain Chen laughed. “After all these years here, we know Head Guard Zhong is a good man. He wouldn’t dig pits for us.”
Zhong Gaoliang smiled. “Alright then. My second option… is for you to join the Gaojia Village Militia and head immediately to the frontlines, to Puzhou City. Your old commander, Old Nan Feng, is currently defending Puzhou Prefecture and needs your support…”
The six hundred rebels from Guyuan were overjoyed: “That sounds perfect!”
Li Daoxuan watched the joyful rebels and felt pleased. These men were completely his own little people now. Once they reached Puzhou and found Old Nan Feng, once they were armed, they would swiftly become another powerful force for the Gaojia Village Militia.
Thinking this, Li Daoxuan casually drew a mental boundary, his consciousness instantly leaping towards Puzhou City. He wanted to see if Old Nan Feng was, once again, listening to Cai Lin sing.
To his surprise, upon arriving, he discovered a large gathering of his own little people holding a meeting.
Cheng Xu sat at the head of the table. Beside him were Xing Honglang, Gao Chuwu, Zheng Daniu, Zao Ying, Old Nan Feng, and others. After they had last supported Pingyang Prefecture and helped Wang Xiaohua stabilize his position, they had retreated back to Puzhou. Now they were in the Puzhou City barracks.
Everyone looked grave. Not a single smile could be seen. Something seemed wrong.
Li Daoxuan synchronized with the puppet deity perched on Gao Chuwu’s shoulder, pricking up its ears to listen intently.
Xing Honglang happened to be speaking: “When was the last time Iron Bird Flies transmitted information?”
Zheng Daniu blurted out: “Before he ate nineteen meals.”
Everyone: “…”
Old Nan Feng’s expression darkened: “That sounds bad. That would be about nine days ago, right?”
Zheng Daniu: “No? I eat four meals a day.”
Everyone: “…”
Old Nan Feng: “That would still be almost five days ago. Seriously worrying. Iron Bird Flies was constantly moving between Puzhou and Jie Pond. He should have made contact at least every two days. Four days without word… I fear something has happened.”
Li Daoxuan frowned upon hearing this.
After joining the Gaojia Village group, Iron Bird Flies hadn’t fought on the main battle lines. Instead, he had been tirelessly procuring salt for Gaojia Village, constantly moving salt out from the salt tax office at Jie Pond, transporting it to Puzhou, and then delivering it to the chemical factory.
He had become a vital link for Gaojia Village. His sudden loss of contact, especially at such a close distance, seemed very strange.
The straight-line distance between Puzhou and Jie Pond was less than a hundred li! Contact loss simply shouldn’t happen over such a short distance.
Xing Honglang said: “Instructor Zao, send some cavalry out immediately to find him.”
Zao Ying replied: “Understood!”
“Unnecessary,” the puppet deity spoke up. “Allow me to handle this.”
Hearing their Deity speak, everyone instantly brightened: “Hail the Puppet Deity!”
The puppet deity declared: “Allow me to make a spiritual journey.”
With that, Li Daoxuan’s consciousness surged eastwards, beyond the visible range, leaping into the areas past Puzhou.
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