The cold wind howled, and fine snow fell, leaving the world in a vast expanse of white.
The streets of Qing County were covered with a thick layer of snow, which crunched underfoot.
Despite the cold weather, classes began in Qingxian County's primary school classrooms.
Zhong Yan took the lead and brought a group of children who were willing to learn accounting.
Surprisingly, most of these people were girls. They were wrapped in coarse cotton clothes, their faces were red from the cold, but their eyes were bright and full of expectation.
“Miss Zhong, although our Niu Niu is young, she is very studious and loves math. She wants to learn from you. If she is playful, you may punish her!” A woman rubbed her hands together, her tone earnest.
"Miss Zhong, are you serious? If they pass the final assessment, our children can all come to the factory and work as accountants and managers?" another father asked anxiously.
“Miss Zhong, since these factories are related to the Mountain Goddess, we must let our youngest daughter learn here. Our youngest daughter admires the Mountain Goddess the most; it was the Mountain Goddess who saved her back then!” An old woman held her granddaughter’s hand, her eyes full of piety.
Hundreds of children were brought over, some timidly hiding behind their parents, others boldly looking up at Zhong Yan with eyes full of longing.
"Sister, I want to be as amazing as you!" A girl dressed in thin clothes, an orphan, raised her head. Her face was pale from the cold, but her eyes were exceptionally determined.
Zhong Yan patted the children's heads, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said gently, "Alright, once you've learned how, you can come to the factory and manage the accounts!" She paused, then raised her voice so everyone could hear, "Don't worry, our Mountain Goddess has many factories; there will be plenty of work to do in the future!"
At this point, both Zhong Yan and Lin Feng got busy.
Later, the number of children increased, and the school was built larger and larger. The school, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, was built next to the temple, with red lanterns hanging under the eaves, and the sound of children reading aloud could be heard from inside from time to time.
With so many people, not to mention Lin Feng, even Zhong Yan couldn't teach them all. They applied to the barren mountain and transferred a group of teachers over to solve the current predicament.
Zhong Yan divided the Mountain God Academy into various classes, including literacy, arithmetic, literature, carpentry, agronomy, and medicine. All the classes taught the most practical knowledge so that the children could find corresponding jobs after completing their studies.
This kind of school was unheard of in Qing County, but it was the Mountain God's School! Even if they didn't understand it, it wouldn't stop them from sending their children there.
Anyway, once the child is born, you'll have a job. What could be better than that?
From then on, the Mountain God Academy in Qing County gradually got on the right track.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, almost burying the entire world, but the people of Qing County and Huang County were secretly delighted.
The magistrate of the desolate county responded promptly, ordering the construction of shelters to protect them from the cold and relocating the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled to those shelters. The number of victims in both counties was relatively small.
However, in other counties, countless people froze to death due to the heavy snow.
Despite Cui Ying and Zhang Jing's swift actions, working against the clock to transport cotton-padded clothes produced in the factory to various county towns for low-price sales, they still frequently saw people freezing to death outside.
They huddled in the corner, covered in a thin layer of snow, their bodies stiff.
Cui Ying wrapped her cotton robe tighter around herself, her breath quickly dissipating in the cold wind. Their expressions were sorrowful, yet they were helpless.
Who can defy the wrath of Heaven?
Even the Mountain Goddess could not reverse the power of heaven and earth, let alone the ordinary people of Liang Kingdom.
…
The Imperial Palace.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the charcoal fire burned brightly, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Emperor Liang leaned back on his dragon throne, toying with a piece of lustrous jade in his hand, his fingertips tracing the delicate patterns on its surface. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, the hem of which was embroidered with intricate cloud and dragon patterns, which made him appear dignified and imposing.
"Your Majesty, Prince Sui has come to see you." The chief eunuch stood demurely to the side, his voice soft.
"Let him in." Emperor Liang opened his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable.
Prince Sui strode into the hall, still carrying the chill of the outside air. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with a jade belt hanging down his waist, and knelt respectfully to pay his respects: "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise," Emperor Liang said calmly. "How is the matter progressing?"
Prince Sui bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have already followed your orders and secretly arrested all those people and extracted their fortune." He paused, "But...but..."
"Just what?" Emperor Liang tapped the table impatiently.
"But there is still one person with great fortune in the palace!" King Sui's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he dared not raise his head.
Snap!
Emperor Liang placed the jade pendant heavily on the sandalwood table, his expression inscrutable.
There is another person with great fortune in the palace, which means that this person is very likely a concubine in the harem, or a prince or princess in the palace, otherwise Prince Sui would not be in such a difficult position.
"Find whoever it is!" Emperor Liang said coldly.
He never lacked concubines or children. The death of one or two was of no concern to him.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prince Sui hurriedly kowtowed, then rose and left the hall.
Stepping out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a cold wind rushed towards him, and Prince Sui couldn't help but shiver. He looked back into the hall and felt that his knees were still chilly, as if they were entangled with an evil aura.
My dear brother, even if you have immense power, what good is it if you still have to associate with evil spirits?
Throughout history, what good end has ever come for an emperor who conspires with demons and evil spirits?
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