Chapter 500: Conscripting Laborers

May, Year Four of Chongzhen (1631 AD).Yongji, ancient ferry dock.

The puppet deity sat by the Yellow River, playfully kicking up splashes with its slender bamboo stick legs.

Though Li Daoxuan’s physical body remained at home in Shuangqing City, he used “shared sensation” to relish the comfort of sitting riverside. The wind felt by the puppet deity reached his own skin; the water stirred by the puppet deity seemed to flow over his own flesh.

How exhilarating! This was truly the ultimate pastime for a shut-in!

Just as the deity basked in utmost delight, the sentinel atop the watchtower of the Water Fortifications shouted, “A lone rider approaches! Ah? I recognize him—it’s the envoy under Wang Jiayin’s command.”

With a surprised “Huh,” the puppet deity turned its head to see Xing Honglang, Gao Chuwu, Old Nan Feng, Zao Ying, and others rushing from their houses toward the discussion hall.

Clearly, they were preparing for negotiations with the envoy!

Li Daoxuan’s puppet fingers mimed a calculation. Simultaneously, he shifted focus outside his computer, inputting the date and “Wang Jiayin” into the search engine. After a quick scan of the results, he switched back to the puppet deity, a faint smile curling its wooden mouth. “Heh, I’ve calculated it. So that’s how it is!”

Its stick-legs clattering rhythmically, the puppet deity hurried toward the discussion hall.

A short while later, inside the discussion hall, the leaders of Shanxi’s “expeditionary force” formed a circle facing the envoy.

The last time the envoy came here, he’d been scared half to death by the clay statue deity and even stumbled face-first while fleeing. This time, upon entering the tent, he cautiously scanned the room. Relief washed over him only after confirming the clay deity’s absence.

However…

His relief was short-lived. He spotted the puppet deity sitting on a nearby table, staring at him with a strangely knowing, almost-smiling expression.

Damn, that was terrifying!

Not daring to waste words, the envoy cupped his fists. “Boss Xing, His Highness commands me to inform you. He plans to muster forces from all sides to crush Jincheng in one strike. Sixteen thousand troops are already assembled. Since Boss Xing is also part of our ranks, please lead your forces to join His Highness’ army in the siege. After the city falls, rewards will be bestowed according to merit, and Boss Xing will not be slighted.”

Xing Honglang’s first instinct was refusal. She had no desire to help bandits sack a city, knowing it would only bring suffering to Jincheng’s civilians. Yet, the deity himself had agreed previously to join Wang Jiayin’s army; she was nominally part of the rebel faction now. Outright refusal might invite conflict.

As she hesitated, the puppet deity spoke again: “Good!”

Everyone thought in unison: Huh?

Though inwardly puzzled, they showed no outward sign. The deity had spoken; immediate compliance was paramount. Xing Honglang cupped her fists toward the envoy. “Very well, we shall join. Inform His Highness that I will soon lead my forces in support.”

The envoy was overjoyed. Success achieved so effortlessly!

Xing Honglang’s “rebel army” had always operated independently of Wang Jiayin’s control, scarcely heeding his orders despite nominal allegiance. Before setting out, the envoy had anticipated difficulties, never expecting such easy agreement.

The envoy took his leave, thoroughly pleased.

Once he departed, the leaders collectively turned and bowed to the puppet deity. “Deity, what is your strategy this time?”

The puppet deity began to speak, its wooden mouth clacking like fast clappers: “Calculated fingers show, Wang Jiayin’s end near. Minions scatter in distress, Jincheng descends into mess.”

They exchanged glances and immediately understood.

Old Nan Feng interpreted: “The Deity foretells Wang Jiayin’s imminent death—divine insight bestowed upon us. Therefore, we feign support. We bring troops to observe nearby. Once officials eliminate Wang Jiayin and his bandit followers flee in chaos, we seize the chance to capture a batch. We haul them back as labor offenders. Thus, protecting nearby civilians while providing youthful manpower for our labor camp. Send them back to reunite with the elderly and weak, women and children! Ha ha ha ha! Families separated at Hequ County shall be whole again, united in the labor camp! The whole family, becoming labor offenders together—a whole family to remain intact!”

His dark humor surfaced at the last line, chuckling with old, sly cunning.

Xing Honglang couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Old Nan Feng, where did you pick up that creepy ‘remain intact’ nonsense?”

Old Nan Feng: “The Deity taught me!”

Everyone: “…”

Silent outwardly, they inwardly shuddered: What bizarre things is the Deity teaching Old Nan Feng?

“Regardless! Move out!” Xing Honglang declared. “Pretend to aid Wang Jiayin, then settle in for the show. Afterward, grab those laborers.”

Gao Chuwu chimed in: “Seems like it’ll be quite fun.”

Hurriedly, they prepared the troops. Their fort in Shanxi was left in the hands of the newly recruited “new militia,” still undergoing ideological training and only equipped with basic cold weapons. While offensive power was limited, defending the large wooden stockade was manageable. Reinforced by Zhao Sheng and the war monk Master Zhan Sheng stationed there—and backed by potential divine intervention—the fort’s safety was assured.

Thus, the four commanders—Gao Chuwu, Xing Honglang, Zao Ying, and Old Nan Feng—set forth with three hundred cavalry and three hundred infantry, marching toward Jincheng.

This small force traversed Hedong Road under the prominent “Xing” banner. Seeing these well-equipped “bandits,” officials within Hedong Road’s city walls dared not emerge, huddling fearfully behind ramparts.

Past Hedong Road, they stuck to peripheral routes near towns, avoiding civilian disruption. Shortly, they reached the vicinity of Yangcheng, under Jincheng’s jurisdiction.

From the envoy, they knew Wang Jiayin’s army was encamped at Xicheng Mountain in Yangcheng.

Nearing the base of Red Rock Stockade, roughly forty li from Xicheng Mountain, Old Nan Feng called out loudly: “We halt here.”

The rest questioned: “But it’s still far.”

Old Nan Feng shook his head. “It is not far! Remember the Deity’s warning—Wang Jiayin nears his end. Which means officials will soon catch him. When officials pursue rebels, they usually camp about twenty or thirty li away. If we proceed further, we might run straight into them. Staying forty li away is safest. Advancing more risks getting caught up in the chaos we merely intended to watch.”

Therefore, Xing Honglang’s forces settled at Red Rock Stockade. Scouts were dispatched forward for cautious reconnaissance. The findings confirmed Old Nan Feng’s prediction.

Three thousand Guanning Iron Cavalry, led by Deputy General Cao Wenzhao, were camped a mere ten-plus li ahead. They had already fixed their sights on Wang Jiayin’s camp. Cao Wenzhao, constrained by limited troops, hadn’t launched an immediate assault on Xicheng Mountain.

Everyone sighed, impressed. “Having Old Nan Feng with us truly offers peace of mind.”