Outside the desolate county, at the edge of the square paved with bluestone.
A huge, silvery-white magic circle was shimmering with an eerie light.
As the light faded, a group of figures dressed in Confucian robes, each with a different expression, appeared.
The group staggered and regained their footing.
On one side of the square, rows of newly built factory buildings stand side by side, with blue bricks and gray tiles, all neatly arranged.
In the distance, the outline of the rolling barren mountains can be vaguely seen, shrouded in mist and clouds, exuding a sense of ancient mystery.
Xu Rurong, the magistrate of Huang County, stood calmly not far from the magic array, dressed in a blue official robe.
Behind him stood several capable subordinates and the burly Luo Yong.
Upon seeing this group of talented individuals who had been brought to the city, Xu Rurong showed little emotion on her face, but inwardly she was overjoyed.
Finally, another talented person has arrived! He's been working himself to death day after day! Finally, someone is coming to share the workload!
The group of elderly men at the head of the group had white hair and beards, and they were stroking their long beards.
Without even looking closely, one could tell that these people were highly respected Confucian scholars.
These people looked around and, seeing the simple scene, and noticing that Xu Rurong, who had come to greet them, was just a young county magistrate, their brows furrowed slightly.
One of the older scholars, who was rather impatient, even let out a snort or two through his nostrils.
Xu Rurong was not angry. She just smiled faintly, cupped her hands and said, "You have come from afar. You must be tired."
"I, Xu Rurong, am the magistrate of Huangxian County. I have come here to welcome you all on the orders of the Mountain Goddess."
He stepped aside and gestured, "Your lodgings have been arranged. Please follow me."
After he finished speaking, an official from the desolate county stepped forward and led the group of people toward the newly built dormitory area on the side.
The scholars exchanged glances, all with displeasure in their eyes.
But being under someone else's roof, one can only suppress one's temper and follow the official.
After most of the people had gone, Luo Yong approached Xu Rurong and asked in a low voice, "Sir, are these people really going to be housed in the newly built factory dormitory area?"
Xu Rurong glanced at him, her expression matter-of-fact.
"Naturally, these are our newly built factory dormitories."
He said calmly, "Are we supposed to send them all up to the desolate mountains and disturb the Mountain Goddess?"
"These people are newcomers, their backgrounds are still unclear, and their abilities have not yet been demonstrated. How can they be sent directly to such an important place as the desolate mountains?"
Xu Rurong was overjoyed when she suddenly saw these talented people.
But deep down they also know that what the barren mountains need most right now are people who can get things done, not a bunch of empty talkers who are just good at empty rhetoric.
Even if they are renowned scholars, what difference does it make? Once they come to this barren mountain, they have to follow their arrangements and contribute to its development!
Upon hearing this, Luo Yong's face showed a hint of hesitation.
"But sir, the factory and dormitory area, the factory starts work every morning at dawn."
"The machines were roaring, and the noise of people was deafening..."
He turned and glanced at the departing figures of the Confucian scholars, adding.
"Most of these people are students from the Imperial Academy and some great Confucian scholars. They are used to being pampered and comfortable, and I'm afraid they can't stand such noise."
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate to have these scholars, who love literature and art, living in such a noisy place?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Rurong's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Wronged?"
He snorted and waved his hand dismissively.
"They should not only live in the factory dormitories."
"In the future, if there is an opportunity, we should let them go down to the factory and experience the workshop firsthand!"
Xu Rurong's voice was not loud, but it was very firm.
“Our barren county is in dire need of talent right now. We need real talent, people who can do practical things for the barren mountains and the people of Qingzhou.”
"We welcome capable, hardworking, and ambitious individuals!"
"If these people are full of knowledge but unwilling to humble themselves and serve the people, what use are they?"
"Are we supposed to just sit here on this barren mountain and feed a bunch of idle people who only know how to point fingers and waste food?"
Magistrate Xu did not deliberately lower his voice when he spoke.
Those students of the Imperial Academy and the great scholars who had not yet gone far naturally heard it clearly.
A few suppressed gasps came from the crowd.
Many hot-blooded young students from the Imperial Academy immediately changed their expressions.
They were all so angry that their faces turned red, and they almost lost their temper on the spot.
"This is outrageous!"
"How dare you, you scoundrel, insult us scholars like this!"
Several students, their blood boiling, were about to rush forward and argue with Xu Rurong.
However, they were stopped in time by several mature and prudent scholars around them.
"Calm down!" an old scholar whispered to stop him.
"This is the territory of the mountain god; do not act rashly!"
These old guys were furious, but they had been around for a few more years and knew that the situation was beyond their control.
They have been exiled here, and their lives are in the hands of others. How dare they act rashly?
Just then, a middle-aged man with a pointed face and shifty eyes suddenly stepped out from the crowd.
This man was one of the Crown Prince's advisors in the Eastern Palace. He had been worried ever since he heard that the rebels were coming.
He forced a smile and bowed deeply to Xu Rurong.
"Lord Xu is absolutely right. Our Goddess of Mengshan has already shown us immense kindness by taking us in. How could we possibly ask for anything more?"
"Rest assured, sir, we will strictly follow the arrangements of the Mountain Goddess and will not dare to slack off in the slightest!"
The aide changed the subject, his face showing worry again.
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