Factory area in Huangxian County.
Although they had heard about the rebels, most of the older workers remained calm.
The spinning wheel keeps turning, and the hammer keeps striking.
It was as if the impending military might was nothing more than a storm outside the window.
Only Meng Xuan, the new woman in charge of quality inspection, felt uneasy.
Holding a batch of cotton cloth that had just passed inspection, she walked over to Cui Niangzi, who was instructing the newcomers, and asked in a low voice.
"Madam Cui, will those rebels really attack?"
"Is there any danger here?"
With her hands moving swiftly, Cui Niangzi skillfully spliced together a broken thread.
Hearing this, she looked up and gave a reassuring smile.
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Her voice was steady and powerful, carrying a convincing strength.
"This is the territory of the Mountain Goddess, and we are under her protection."
"Have you forgotten how Master Wang slew the plague demon?"
"Don't even mention the mere rebels, even if the sky were to fall, with the Mountain Goddess and her followers here, it wouldn't hit us."
As Meng Xuan listened, her panic subsided slightly, but she still felt somewhat uneasy.
After all, they were rebels, an army that would kill!
Lady Cui noticed her worry and patted her hand.
"Just focus on your work and don't overthink things."
"Besides, our New First Army in the desolate mountains is not to be trifled with."
"Instructor Jiang and Military Advisor Ling are both veterans, and their soldiers are all incredibly fierce!"
"If those rebels dare to come, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!"
Even so, Meng Xuan and several other women selected from the disaster victims were still shaken.
They huddled together, whispering among themselves.
"What if, what if the New First Army can't hold them off?"
"Yes, I heard there are a lot of those rebel soldiers!"
A woman who was usually quiet and reserved suddenly gritted her teeth and whispered.
"What's there to be afraid of! We are also believers of the Mountain Goddess!"
"If the rebels really break in, let's grab whatever we have and fight them to the death!"
"Yes! The shuttles from the textile factory are sharp! And the hammers from the blacksmith's shop are heavy enough!"
"Although we are not strong, we cannot stand by and watch our homes be destroyed!"
For a moment, a resolute glint appeared in the eyes of these newly arrived women.
They had had enough of being displaced and finally settled down at the foot of the barren mountains to live a peaceful life.
Anyone who dares to cause trouble will face their wrath!
…
On the other side, on the official road in the suburbs of Beijing.
Xie Wendong and the others only felt a flash of silver light before their eyes, and when they opened their eyes again, the world had changed.
The muddy official road beneath our feet was no longer a smooth bluestone square.
The surroundings were no longer wilderness, but rather ancient-looking yet somewhat novel buildings.
As far as the eye can see, there are majestic, rolling mountains.
Lush and verdant, shrouded in mist, it resembles a fairyland.
A faint, refreshing scent of grass and trees filled the air, making one feel relaxed and happy.
"Where...where is this?"
"How...how did we get here all of a sudden?"
A group of advisors and veteran officials looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and bewilderment.
Just moments ago they were hundreds of miles away, but in the blink of an eye, the world has changed.
Such methods are unheard of!
At this moment, a group of men and women dressed in uniform gray-blue cloth, full of energy, were quietly watching them.
The person in the lead was a kind-looking middle-aged woman who smiled.
"Welcome, everyone, to the desolate mountain."
"Please follow me, the Mountain Goddess has other arrangements for you all."
Xie Wendong felt a chill run down his spine, but remained outwardly calm.
He took the first step, carefully observing everything around him.
This desolate mountain truly lives up to its reputation.
However, the students from the Imperial Academy behind him still carried a certain arrogance.
These people started grumbling in dissatisfaction.
"Outrageous! Who are you people? How dare you treat us, officials of the imperial court, like this!"
"Let us go back immediately! We want to see the Grand General!"
Before he finished speaking, two burly men stepped forward expressionlessly and each delivered a karate chop to the neck.
"Hmm!"
"Well!"
Thump! Thump!
Those few Imperial Academy students who were shouting the loudest rolled their eyes back, collapsed limply, and were dragged away like sacks.
Decisive and efficient, without any hesitation or fuss.
The remaining staff members: "..."
They all gasped in shock, falling silent as if startled.
The people in these desolate mountains are incredibly fierce!
Even more direct than the Imperial Guards!
Xie Wendong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
At least, the Imperial Guards escorting them were nowhere to be seen.
Although the people here acted violently, they didn't seem to intend to take their lives.
As long as it's not someone affiliated with the Grand General of the Nation, there's still room for maneuver.
He even thought that if they insisted on leaving, the mountain goddess might not force them to stay.
After all, forced relationships are never sweet.
Just as he was pondering this, he noticed several men dressed in similar gray-blue cloth robes talking in hushed tones not far away.
The sound wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Have you heard? Some ignorant rebels are heading towards Qingzhou!"
A man spat, his face full of disdain.
"Hmph, a bunch of idiots looking for death!"
The other man seemed somewhat excited.
"That's right! I heard there are quite a few people, and they're marching towards the desolate county!"
Upon hearing this, the already uneasy staff members turned even more ashen-faced.
What? Rebels?
They had just escaped the political vortex of the capital, only to face war in the blink of an eye?
Is this desolate mountain not a safe place either?
Xie Wendong's brows furrowed tightly.
The situation now seems more complicated than he imagined.
It's best to slip away as soon as possible!
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