Grain Journey
Just as the strategy was finalized inside the council chamber, a series of hurried but deliberately low footsteps approached from afar.
Old Zhao, who was in charge of logistics and the warehouse, barged in with a worried look on his face.
He didn't even bother with the formalities, his voice filled with anxiety.
"Madam! Elder Yang! Something terrible has happened! The coarse grains... the coarse grains will only last for five days at most! The children... the children are at the age of growth, and they can't survive on just wild vegetable porridge and the little bit of dried meat they've saved! The guards are training hard, and if their rations are reduced further, they might not even have the strength to patrol!"
This news was like cold water poured into a hot oil pan.
The atmosphere in the studio, which had just been slightly invigorated by the "Yunshangji" project, instantly froze.
food!
This is the most real and urgent crisis facing Qixia'ao right now!
If you were to buy them at a market, such a large-scale operation would definitely attract attention.
All eyes immediately focused on Ling Zhan.
Ling Zhan showed no panic on his face; instead, his eyes became even calmer and sharper, as if he had anticipated this moment.
She walked to the more detailed topographic map of Qixia'ao and the surrounding mountains hanging on the wall of the shed, and looked at the top of the map, an area marked with special cinnabar and surrounded by heavy cloud and mist symbols.
"What's the panic?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange power to calm people down.
"There's always a way out. It's time to use our backup plan."
She turned around, her gaze landing precisely on several figures in the crowd: "Bean Sprout, Big Girl, Little Stone!"
"exist!"
The three children immediately straightened their backs and stood up.
Although Shen Hong is thin, his eyes are steady, and he already shows the spirit of a young man.
Daya's eyes were resolute, displaying a competence beyond her years.
Little Stone kept a sharp look on his face, a snowbird perched on his shoulder.
"Shura Guard Captain, Ling Feng!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
A young man with a muscular build and a face as hard as rock stepped forward, his voice like muffled thunder.
Behind him, nine equally sharp-eyed and powerful guards silently stepped forward.
These ten people were personally selected by Ling Zhan.
Led by Ling Feng and having undergone the most rigorous training, the core of the Shura Guard is the strongest and most reliable force in Qixia'ao.
"Bring a carrying frame, ropes, crowbars, torches, animal repellent powder, and..."
Ling Zhan looked at Shen Hong: "The route map and mechanism diagram you drew."
Shen Hong nodded vigorously: "The map is ready, it's on my person!"
Ling Zhan's gaze swept over the special squad, which consisted of a scholar, a peasant girl, a clever girl, and ten elite soldiers, and he gave the order.
"Target: The secret realm atop the mountain, the Cloud Field Granary!"
"Shen Hong will be the guide, responsible for identifying the path. Daya will be responsible for identifying the various seeds and herbs stored in the granary to ensure that they are used correctly and to assess the remaining reserves. Little Stone, you have sharp eyes and quick legs, so stay with the birds and be responsible for scouting ahead, identifying animal tracks and traps. There is also honey in the warehouse, and if necessary, we can have the big bear Black Ball help transport it, but it can only go to the edge of the mountain peak, not down. Ling Feng!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
"You will lead the Asura Guard, responsible for the entire escort and dealing with any emergencies! You will be the main force in carrying heavy loads and transporting supplies! This journey is fraught with danger, with high mountains and steep roads. Remember, your lives are as precious as food! I want every single one of you to return with the supplies! The convoy will be waiting at the foot of the mountain."
"Yes!!" Ling Feng and the nine Asura Guards roared in unison, their voices shaking the ceiling and filled with murderous intent.
Shen Hong, Daya, and Xiao Shitou also felt their blood rushing to their heads and clenched their fists tightly.
"Yuntian Grain Depot?" Yang Sijian's eyes were full of astonishment.
He knew the Shen family had some secrets, but he didn't know they had a granary hidden on the mountaintop!
Shen Yan's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but Xuan Chenzi snorted. The two looked at each other and finally let out a complicated sigh.
"There's no time to lose, prepare immediately, and depart in half an hour!" Ling Zhan ordered.
Ling Feng acted swiftly and decisively, immediately leading the Shura Guards to the equipment room to collect the backpacks and tools.
The heavy, specially designed back frame needs to be carefully secured to ensure stability when climbing steep mountain trails with heavy loads.
As he walked with the rope toward the open space next to the equipment room where backpack frames were piled up, he happened to run into Su Wan, who had just come out of the cloakroom.
Su Wan had just received the important task of "Yunshang Ji" from Ling Zhan.
He was deep in thought about the details, walking briskly.
She was holding a roll of coarse cloth that she had just received, which was used to sew camouflage clothing.
The two almost brushed past each other at the entrance of the narrow passage.
He paused in his steps.
Almost simultaneously, Ling Feng's cold, rock-hard gaze collided with Su Wan's calm, water-like gaze.
There were no words spoken, no pleasantries exchanged.
There was only a moment of stillness, as if the air itself had become heavier.
They recognized each other.
It wasn't in Qixia'ao, but in that bandit stronghold that had long since turned into a hell and ashes—Black Wind Stronghold.
Ling Feng, a boy who stormed the mountain stronghold after his entire family was brutally murdered, was tortured but never yielded. His eyes at that time were as fierce as a wounded lone wolf, and no one who saw him once would forget him.
This is the story of a hunter's orphan who repeatedly tried to resist, but remained silent even when beaten half to death.
Su Wan, true to her name, was a stubborn woman whose eyes were like poisoned ice picks, and who even dared to stab someone's arm with a hairpin. Ling Feng remembered her.
In that hell on earth, there weren't many people like them, whose bones were so hard they hurt your teeth, and who would rather break than bend.
They may have witnessed each other being dragged away for torture or imprisonment through the filthy wooden fence, or perhaps they glimpsed the undying hatred and defiance in each other's eyes during breaks from forced labor.
They never spoke, not even exchanged glances, but their presence was like two equally unyielding knives in the darkness, coldly and stubbornly reminding each other: Here, there are still people who haven't knelt down!
At this moment, we suddenly reunited under the relatively safe sunlight of Qixia'ao.
That shared memory, filled with bloodshed and humiliation, was instantly ignited.
A complex and indescribable emotion flickered deep within Ling Feng's usually murderous gaze, as if confirming something, or perhaps experiencing some profound resonance. Su Wan's fingers tightened slightly around the roll of cloth, and a pebble seemed to have been thrown into the depths of her calm eyes, creating ripples that quickly returned to the stillness of a deep pool.
"Captain Ling, you're surnamed Ling now?!"
Su Wan's voice remained as calm as ever, devoid of emotion, as she slightly stepped aside to make way.
Ling Feng's Adam's apple bobbed, and in the end, he managed to squeeze out a low syllable from his tightly pursed lips: "Mm."
He walked past them, heading towards the heavy carrying frames. His movements were still nimble, but his broad shoulders and back seemed more taut than usual.
We passed each other by, never to meet again.
That dark past is a shared mark on them, and also an invisible abyss between them.
They don't need reminiscing or comforting.
Recognizing that the other person was still alive, still standing, and under the Lady's command, was enough.
As for the sting of that memory and the lingering hatred, let each of us bury them deep in our hearts.
Half an hour later.
The entrance to a treacherous path on the back mountain of Qixia'ao is extremely hidden and covered by vines and rocks.
The team is ready to go.
The Asura Guards carried specially made, sturdy backpacks, short swords at their waists, and powerful bows and crossbows on their backs; their eyes were like those of hawks.
Shen Hong carefully examined the oilcloth bundle in his arms; inside were valuable route maps and diagrams of mechanisms. Daya carried an empty medicine basket containing small cloth bags and labels for different types of herbs. Little Stone, like a nimble monkey, had a slingshot and a small dagger at his waist, eager to try.
Ling Feng conducted a final headcount of personnel and equipment, then bowed deeply to Ling Zhan, saying, "Rest assured, Master! I will not fail you!"
Ling Zhan looked at the small team that carried the hopes of survival in the valley. His gaze lingered for a moment on the faces of Shen Hong, Daya, and Xiao Shitou, who was not yet ten years old, before finally landing on Ling Feng: "Come back alive. As for food, do your best."
"Set off!"
At his command, Ling Feng led the way, his strong arms swinging his machete to cut through the dense thorny vines.
The little stone followed closely behind, nimbly squeezing into the crevice to investigate.
Shen Hong stared intently at the simple compass and rubbings in his hand, and whispered directions.
Daya walked in the middle of the group, cautiously observing the surrounding vegetation.
Nine Asura Guards brought up the rear, protecting the young man and the little boy in the middle.
The group of fourteen people quickly disappeared into the depths of the steep, treacherous, and misty mountain path.
Heading towards the secret vault above the sea of clouds atop the mountain.
Ling Zhan, Yang Sijian, Xuan Chenzi, and the others stood at the entrance, gazing for a long time at the direction where they had disappeared.
The mountain wind was biting, making my clothes flutter.
The hustle and bustle in the valley seemed to have temporarily faded away, leaving only worries about the unknown journey and a deep longing for food.
"We still need to... go buy some fodder first," Shen Yan murmured. "The horses need to eat too, and the grass in this valley can't be used for the time being."
Ling Zhan also knew that he couldn't put all his eggs in one basket.
The time it takes for Yuntian's inventory to be transferred back and forth is not short.
The food crisis in the valley must be resolved through multiple parallel approaches.
"Old Yang."
Ling Zhan turned to Yang Sijian, speaking quickly and clearly, "Immediately organize manpower, break the large operation into smaller parts, and make separate purchases."
"clear!"
Yang Sijian understood immediately. "I have identified several inconspicuous rural markets and small docks nearby, which are dozens of miles apart. The people I have sent out are all new faces. They will purchase necessities such as coarse grains, salt, and oil in batches, in small quantities and multiple times. Each transaction will be kept to the size of an ordinary farmer's purchase, so as not to attract attention."
"Very good. Focus on coarse grains that are easy to store and keep well, such as millet, beans, and dried sweet potatoes. Don't touch refined grains for now. Tell them that safety comes first, and it's better to go empty-handed than to reveal their whereabouts."
Ling Zhan gave instructions.
This is a clumsy method, time-consuming, inefficient, and while the risks are dispersed, they still exist, but it is currently the safest supplementary channel.
As for horses, there aren't many.
For the time being, the Shura Guards can take them out to the wilderness to eat grass every morning or evening.
At the same time, news also came from the direction of the prefectural city.
That afternoon, Ah Zhu carried a shoulder pole on his shoulder and went to the dock warehouse area to call out his wares.
Then I heard a shopkeeper exchanging pleasantries with an old grain merchant named Liu, whom he knew well.
Old Liu complained incessantly, "Oh dear, business is tough these days! Grain prices change every day, and the government keeps finding ways to increase taxes! But, it's strange, though..."
Ah Zhu quickly went over and brought over a piece of sweet cake, saying, "Boss Liu, you can't be short of the rice noodles you promised, our sweet cakes depend on this."
Boss Liu took the sweet cake and took a bite. "Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged, little brother."
Then he lowered his voice, with a hint of mystery, "Those nuns at Ciyun Nunnery used to donate a lot of money in incense, so their rice and flour, while not the best, was always clean, fresh grain. But lately, hey, they've come to my place several times, specifically buying those old, moldy, unpolished rice and broken wheat—in huge quantities! And they haggle like ruthless street vendors. Isn't that strange? The nunnery is always bustling with worshippers, offerings are constant, so why are they suddenly eating such inferior food? Could it be… that they've taken in too many freeloaders?"
Old Liu shook his head, looking puzzled.
A-Zhu's heart stirred, but she didn't show it on her face. She put down the carrying pole and helped another shopkeeper who was shipping goods to move lime.
However, the ears firmly memorized the words "Ciyun Temple", "large quantity", and "cheap and inferior grain".
Ciyun Nunnery is a well-known serene place in Linzhou Prefecture, with flourishing incense offerings and a highly respected abbess.
This unusual behavior is suspicious.
In the evening, A-Zhu returned to the secret contact point on the outskirts of Qixia'ao and wrote down the purchased supplies and information he had gathered, along with the unusual situation at Ciyun Temple, in a secret report, which he then placed at the place Ling Feng had designated.
Ling Zhan soon received A Zhu's secret report.
He frowned slightly as he looked at the limited supplies that had been procured on the list.
Purchasing grain in smaller, manageable increments is insufficient.
The news of Ciyun Nunnery cast a shadow over her heart.
A popular nunnery suddenly started buying large quantities of substandard grain.
This is no ordinary thing!
Is it due to a surge in the population of the nunnery? Or... has the food been diverted elsewhere?
Is this related to the Ministry of Works' investigation, or even to certain forces in Linzhou Prefecture?
She walked to the map, ran her finger across the area around Qixia'ao, and finally landed on the location representing the prefectural city.
They then slowly moved toward the hilltop marked "Ciyun Temple".
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