Chapter 411: Bringing the Whole Family

The small Qiachuan Port became unusually bustling.Three hundred infantry squads and three hundred cavalry squads from Gaojia Village crowded outside this tiny port.

The Heyang County militia inside Qiachuan Fortress first glanced down at their own shabby weapons, then gazed enviously at the Gaojia Village Militia equipped to the teeth, their eyes burning with admiration and resentment…

Zhang Yuanwai walked past them, lowering his voice. “Don’t worry! Instructor Bai has promised me. As long as we diligently attend Thought Lessons, they’ll equip us with gear just like the Gaojia Village Militia.”

The Heyang militia erupted in joy.

At that moment, the clouds parted in the sky. The Deity’s golden hand descended, placing a small mountain of flour onto the dock.

At Bai Yuan’s command, the already prepared porters surged forward, stuffing the flour into sacks and then carrying them onto the cargo ship.

The broad, flat-decked cargo ship had a tremendous capacity. The entire flour mountain was loaded without crowding the vessel, though the gunwales dipped slightly lower. Extra space remained for transporting people.

Xing Honglang led her crew aboard the freighter, securing positions throughout the ship. Simultaneously, another warship began boarding people. Besides the original one hundred crew members, several hundred militia soldiers filed onboard, filling both cabins and deck completely.

Li Daoxuan observed this. Three hundred cavalry and three hundred infantry couldn’t be moved in one trip by the warships alone. The carrying capacity of just two vessels was clearly insufficient. It seemed another cargo ship would need to be provided specifically for the horses and soldiers.

His hand stretched out. Another cargo ship manifested and descended into the box.

People on the dock immediately cheered: “The Deity has bestowed another celestial ship upon us!”

Only Bai Yuan wore an awkward expression. “Deity, Your bestowal of celestial ships comes too swiftly. This lowly one cannot train enough crew so quickly.”

Li Daoxuan understood this perfectly well. However, cargo ships were simpler to operate since they required no cannons or specialized naval crew. He knew Bai Yuan would find a way.

Sure enough, Bai Yuan soon located a helmsman for the newly granted ship. While training the helmsman for the previous cargo ship, he had others observe closely as apprentices. Thus, producing another helmsman posed no great difficulty.

With the extra vessel, transport became manageable. The warship carried soldiers only. Horses from the cavalry camp boarded the new cargo ship, accompanied by a small group for their care. Shared among three ships, the entire force was finally embarked.

The “Gaojia Village Naval Forces” then officially set sail, heading towards the ancient ferry dock in Shanxi.

The Heyang County militia, still watching the three ships recede into the distance, suddenly spotted a force even larger than the Gaojia Village Militia approaching from the northwest direction. This troop numbered over two thousand, hauling immense supplies with numerous oxen and horses. At its forefront was a carriage whose drawn cart’s curtain revealed the delicate face of a young woman.

Gao Yiye had arrived!

This marked Gao Yiye’s first lifetime journey to the Yellow River’s edge. The moment the carriage halted at the dock, she swiftly jumped out. “Wow! Such a huge river!”

Qiu Ju and Dong Xue followed close behind. They too beheld the Yellow River for the first time, their eyes shining with irrepressible delight and awe.

Bai Yuan approached welcomingly. “I hadn’t expected the Saint Lady herself to come here. Was setting up a workshop worth such a personal visit?”

Gao Yiye giggled. “Truthfully, my presence wasn’t necessary. But I wanted to see the Yellow River, so I cajoled my way along with the team.”

She gestured behind her at the lengthy transport team. People were already unloading. They had transported large quantities of cement. A group of blue hats immediately began surveying the site, marking out extensive lines on the ground to designate the approximate footprint for the blacksmith workshop.

Yellow hats promptly started leveling the land following the blue hats’ instructions. An enormous construction site instantly buzzed with activity.

The Heyang militia watched from Qiachuan Fortress, murmuring amongst themselves. “Gaojia Village always does this. Thousands of laborers mobilized at once, everything on such a grand scale.”

“With the Deity supporting them, they never worry about wages.”

“What exactly are they building here?”

Zhang Yuanwai came over. “I heard from Brother Bai. Gaojia Village is building a blacksmith workshop here. Mainly to forge cannons for easier installation on ships.”

The Heyang militia exclaimed: “A cannon foundry? Impressive! So the cannons they make will also be brought inside our Qiachuan Fortress and mounted? Then we’ll get to use cannons too!”

Zhang Yuanwai scolded good-naturedly. “Is that something to play with? They’re meant for when river-bandits attack the river. Honestly, it’s best if opportunity for their use never comes in our lifetime.”

While they conversed cheerfully, another group arrived at the dock at full gallop. Leading them was Feng Jun, the Magistrate of Heyang County.

The moment the magistrate arrived, he dismounted and hurried to Gao Yiye. “Saint Lady, what scheme are you undertaking here?”

Gao Yiye smiled. “As Lord Feng observes, we are building a blacksmith workshop.”

Feng Jun pressed: “I’m told this isn’t just any workshop. You’re constructing an armory for cannon-making?”

Gao Yiye nodded. “Yes! The Deity said transporting cannons all the way from Gaojia Village is too troublesome. For convenience, we’ll build a cannon foundry right here. This caused quite a fuss among our blacksmiths back home. None were willing to come. They had to draw lots. The blacksmith who pulled the unlucky straw burst into tears twice.”

Feng Jun wiped cold sweat, his mind screaming trouble. Previously, when these people cast cannons in Gaojia Village under Chengcheng County’s jurisdiction, it was Magistrate Liang Shixian’s problem. Now setting up cannon works in Heyang placed the burden squarely on him – a step that definitely put him on the path leading to execution along with their families.

He knew, with painful clarity, he couldn’t stop it.

Observing the yellow hats hired by Gaojia Village happily digging at the construction site – all Heyang locals reliant on these wages to feed their families – Feng Jun realized stopping the project would alienate both Gaojia Village and Heyang’s populace.

What could he do?

Gao Yiye pointed skyward. “Lord Feng! Be at ease. The Deity watches from above.”

Feng Jun looked up. A low cloud hovered directly overhead. He hastily bowed deeply towards the heavens. “Esteemed Deity! This lowly official understands You grant sturdy ships and mighty cannons to protect the common folk. Yet this action will inevitably draw the imperial court’s attention. When punishment falls, this official bears the blame… and faces execution alongside his kin. Pray, Most Benevolent Deity, grant this lowly servant a path to survival!”

Li Daoxuan chuckled. Feng Jun was appealing directly to him now. The magistrate must have realized this was the most effective tactic, far superior to futile, petty schemes.

“Yiye, tell Feng Jun this: Have him bring his entire family to live in Heyang County. Then no one will be able to execute his nine kinships.”