Chapter 276: The Mood Was Lively

Thirty-Two scolded with a laugh, “Look up at the sky.”Zhong Gaoliang lifted his head and saw the enormous golden hand in the sky actually giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Though he didn’t understand its meaning, he sensed it was a sign of encouragement and approval.

Well, even the Deity had given his approval.

That settled it—Heaven’s arrangements take precedence.

Zhong Gaoliang reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I’ll be the Head Guard. But what about my sorghum fields at home?”

Thirty-Two chuckled, “Rent them to your neighbors.”

Zhong Gaoliang broke into a nervous sweat, “Then I’d become a landlord? No! Landlords are bad people.”

Thirty-Two: “…”

Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but find this amusing: Haha! This fellow is rather endearing.

Technically, renting out a small plot did make him a landlord, but equating such a trivial matter with moral judgment seemed naive.

Thirty-Two had no choice but to spread his hands wide and reply, “The Head Guard’s wage is extremely high. Five taels of silver a month—calculate how much that is over twelve months, then compare it to the income from your sorghum fields. How much would that be?”

Zhong Gaoliang: “Twelve times five taels… what is that? Even counting all my fingers and toes isn’t enough…”

Thirty-Two: “Pfft!”

Li Daoxuan: “Pfft!”

Just then, a child ran by—Gao Sanwa. With a bright laugh, he explained, “Uncle Zhong, first multiply five by two. That’s ten. Then, twelve is the same as six times two. That means twelve times five equals six times ten. Now, figure it out!”

Zhong Gaoliang: “Six times ten makes sixty! Sanwa, so you are quite brilliant.”

Gao Sanwa puffed out his chest proudly. “Hahaha! Mother always calls me stupid—she has no idea how smart I really am!”

“Sanwa!” A furious roar cut through the air. Gao San Niang charged over, wielding a bamboo stick. “The teacher said you skipped classes again! You’re in for a beating!”

Gao Sanwa jumped in fright. “Mother’s here! Gotta run!”

With that, he took off like a shot. Gao San Niang brandished the bamboo stick and tore after him. In the blink of an eye, both vanished into the distance.

Li Daoxuan smiled: The younger generation of Gaojia Village was brimming with promise.

Zhong Gaoliang had also tallied the figures clearly now. An annual income of sixty taels of silver far surpassed the yield from his sorghum fields. He decided not to farm the fields himself, nor rent them out—he didn’t want to turn into a landlord. Instead, he’d lend them to a neighbor freely.

“If I become Head Guard, what exactly do I need to do?”

Thirty-Two answered, “You’ll organize these labor offenders, telling them what tasks to perform, what incentives they can hope for, etc. You’ve lived in the Labor Offenders Village—you understand their needs firsthand.”

Zhong Gaoliang tilted his head, thought briefly, then broke into a wide grin. “Okay, I actually do know all about this.”

Thirty-Two continued, “One person won’t be enough—you can’t manage six hundred alone. Call your old friends from the camp. Form a team—a large team capable of handling six hundred labor offenders…”

Zhong Gaoliang recoiled. “That’s the scale we’re talking?”

Thirty-Two glanced up meaningfully toward the sky, then declared with utmost seriousness, “With our railway and cement roads steadily expanding… the number of labor offenders will only keep growing. Forget six hundred—six thousand? Sixty thousand? Entirely possible. Zhong Gaoliang… your position may become increasingly crucial.”

Just as they were deep in discussion, Cheng Xu arrived.

He’d led his militia on a decoy maneuver, pretending to “enter Huanglong Mountain,” then circled back quietly to Gaojia Village. They’d remained hidden near the outskirts until Fang Wushang and his men had departed. Now emerging before the group, he grinned, “Zhong Gaoliang, until you assemble your team, my men will temporarily guard the prison for you. They’re a rebel band from Guyuan—savage fighters, not easy to control.”

Zhong Gaoliang beamed with relief. “Many thanks, Instructor He!”

Hearing this, Li Daoxuan felt reassured. This team was clearly capable of managing the six hundred prisoners properly. His immediate focus should remain on Chengcheng County.

With a thought-click, his vision shifted back to the county seat.

Chengcheng County basked now in the golden light of the setting sun. The shadows of the city walls stretched long upon the ground.

Nearly half a day had passed since the battle concluded, yet the townsfolk were still euphoric. Murmurs and chatters about the “Dao Xuan Deity” filled every street and alley.

Li Daoxuan immediately noticed someone peddling comic books on the street: “Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale, Volume One”. When originally sold by Chengcheng Bookstore, it was priced at just one copper coin and came with two taels of free flour.

But here, the hawker yelled the price: ten copper coins.

After shouting just a couple of times, he made a sale to a wealthy buyer. This gentleman cradled the comic book like a precious treasure, devouring its pages intently. Finishing it, he was unsatisfied and pleaded loudly: “Who has Volume Two?”

Volume Two had already been printed, but only the initial shipment of two thousand copies had reached the county. Those had sold out instantly and were now cherished possessions stowed away in homes, their owners unwilling to part with them.

After begging in the street extensively with zero success, the wealthy man rushed to the bookstore. He banged on the door and yelled angrily, “When will Volume Two be available again? We demand quicker releases! Printing is too slow—or I’ll report you to the authorities!”

Shifting his attention toward the City God Temple, Li Daoxuan found it absolutely thronged. Crowds packed the area—densely packed inside, overflowing outside. Especially the side shrine dedicated to Third Lady—now packed with kneeling devotees.

The original believers were naturally all present, supplemented by many freshly minted adherents. They crammed the small chapel impossibly full. Those unable to enter waited respectfully outside in orderly queues.

A well-dressed gentleman stood eloquently before Third Lady. “Venerable One, all devout worshipers wish to contribute funds and efforts to cast a grand statue of the Deity. To enshrine it here in the City God Temple so that worshipers may offer daily prayers and chants.”

Third Lady responded serenely, “The intention is noble indeed. However, I am merely one living an ascetic life. Coordinating such secular matters is not my calling…”

The well-dressed man promptly replied, “You need only grant your permission. Leave the execution to me. My name is Teng Yifeng. Many artisans within Chengcheng County are acquainted with me. By the Deity’s blessing, I have successfully established a Chengcheng Cement Factory. The cement currently used in our roads comes from my factory. If you consent, I shall promptly assemble skilled artisans to craft a splendid and majestic statue of the Deity.”

Third Lady was overjoyed. “Then this matter rests entirely in your capable hands.”

Teng Yifeng bowed deeply. “Thank you, Venerable One, for entrusting me with this vital task. I pledge my utmost skill and dedication to creating a magnificent and awe-inspiring statue!”

Li Daoxuan couldn’t help but shake his head. Grand monuments bring ruin to countries! Please—don’t build extravagant structures; stick to building roads!

But then, upon reflection… road construction served as work relief, creating employment. Constructing the enormous statue could serve the same purpose: relief through labor. Very well. So be it.