Chapter 299: Gaojia Village Prison

Thirty-Two laughed. “That’s the rebel band in Guyuan. A few days ago, led by North Water Wolf, they attacked Chengcheng County but were defeated by our Gaojia Village Militia, captured, and locked up here since.”

Zao Ying’s mouth hung open, remaining agape for a long moment. “So many border army soldiers captured alive?”

“Come on, let’s get a closer look.” Thirty-Two led her towards the Gaojia Village prison.

Around the prison perimeter, many “guards” were patrolling.

Some of these guards were seconded from the militia, some were newly recruited, and others were previously among the first batch of labor offenders. After serving their sentences, they were rehired as guards. These men best understood the minds of labor offenders, making management much easier.

Head guard Zhong Gaoliang hurried forward upon seeing Thirty-Two. “Steward Thirty-Two, what brings you to the prison today?”

Thirty-Two wasted no words, simply pointing towards the sky.

Zhong Gaoliang looked up and saw “the low cloud” of the Deity. He immediately understood. The Deity was watching over this place. This was a prime chance to report his work to the Deity. He promptly said, “Since the Deity is watching, please, both of you, come in.”

Leading the way, he continued, “The Guyuan rebels have been imprisoned here for several days now. But these past days, I haven’t rushed them out to labor… These men are too formidable. Letting them out casually could pose a threat to the villagers. So, all this time, we’ve been working to diminish their fighting spirits.”

Thirty-Two nodded. “That’s how it should be.”

Zao Ying, however, thought silently: Diminish fighting spirits? How? These are border army men, monsters who lick blood from blades. Even my caravan has to steer clear when encountering border soldiers. How do you plan to make them obedient here?

Zhong Gaoliang was currently reporting to the Deity. Without waiting for Zao Ying’s question, he elaborated in detail: “The first step is ensuring they are well-fed, well-rested, and feel safe, securing them against fears of execution. This way, they’re less likely to constantly plot trouble or escape.”

“I issue them ample provisions every morning for them to cook themselves. Look, it’s time for breakfast distribution right now.” Zhong Gaoliang pointed towards a corner of the prison. Several guards were pushing a handcart, laden with flour, towards the cell. A small door was opened, the cart was pushed inside, the guards retreated, closed the door, and shouted into the cell, “Come get your flour. Cook it yourselves.”

The fiercest warrior among the prisoners, Old Nan Feng, waved his hand. A few border soldiers came over, retrieved the cart, and proceeded to cook around the makeshift mud stoves and pots that Zhong Gaoliang had arranged for them.

Having full meals was actually quite unexpected for this group!

They had anticipated inhuman treatment upon their capture, but instead, found themselves eating their fill every day – an immense surprise indeed.

While some were cooking, others surprisingly took out comic books titled “Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale” to browse. These were specially sent into the prison by Zhong Gaoliang for the border soldiers to read.

During their last encounter with the Gaojia Village Militia, the border soldiers had been terrified speechless by the “giant golden palm,” mistakenly believing it to be a demonic hand. But after reading “Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale,” they now understood the formidable force they had provoked.

Witnessing this scene, Thirty-Two couldn’t help but nod approvingly. “Zhong Gaoliang, you actually grasp this. Impressive.”

Zhong Gaoliang chuckled. “It stems from my own experience. When we, led by Zhuang Guangdao and Zheng Yanfu, were incited into attacking Gaojia Village, and we witnessed the Deity manifesting… we nearly pissed ourselves from fright. Later, it was the villagers explaining the Deity’s story that turned us into true residents of Gaojia Village. So I thought, these rebels also need to learn about the Deity.”

Zao Ying listened beside them, utterly confused. “What exactly is this… Deity?”

Thirty-Two pulled a copy of “Dao Xuan Deity’s Demon Elimination Tale” from his sleeve and handed it to her. “Take a look, Boss Zao.”

Zao Ying flipped through it casually and was dumbfounded: What odd tale is this? A giant hand descending from the sky? Utter nonsense! A White Lotus propaganda pamphlet? However, this place lacks the desperate fervor typical of the White Lotus Sect. All I sense is a palpable happiness born of prosperity. It doesn’t seem like a cult.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, she saw a guard standing atop the prison wall, loudly declaiming something to the labor offenders below. Cocking her ear to listen closely, she realized the guard was preaching doctrines.

He spoke about principles of conduct – matters of good and evil, the hardships of common folk, how these offenders themselves were once children of common folk, and then denounced their past acts of robbing the people…

Many labor offenders listened with expressions of shame, bowing their heads.

Nearing the end of his speech, the guard began to say that they must atone for their previous sins through labor, that they must reform diligently and earnestly; their parents and elders were waiting for them to return; only by purging themselves of sin could they start anew, and so on…

After listening, Zao Ying understood: It culminated in an optimistic scenario.

Zhong Gaoliang observed, “We’ve actually made some progress in ideological education. I feel these labor offenders are about ready to start working.”

Thirty-Two nodded. “Then be bold. Let them out and see what happens. Since the Deity is watching today anyway, there’s no need to fear even if they cause any troublemaker. This is what’s called acting with assurance.”

Zhong Gaoliang nodded. “Understood. Let’s begin today.”

He shouted loudly towards the prison interior: “Labor offenders, listen up! I am Head guard Zhong Gaoliang. Starting today, you will be released for labor reform: road construction! The sooner you begin your reform, the sooner you can atone for your sins and rejoin society. But if you cause trouble during your labor, your sentence will be extended. You might even spend your whole life inside this prison. Consider it carefully!”

The labor offenders: “Cheers!!”

Many were overjoyed.

But a glint flashed in Old Nan Feng’s eyes.

Zhong Gaoliang declared, “Alright, the cell door will now be opened. Tools like shovels will be outside. Each of you take one, then follow directions to the road construction site.”

The cell door swung open…

The guards were already prepared, tools laid out for this day.

Each labor offender took a tool and obediently filed out.

When it was Old Nan Feng’s turn, he let out a low chuckle. He deliberately selected the shovel with the firmest handle, gripping it like a long-handled mallet. His eyes darted around as he followed the other labor offenders, slipping out of the prison.

The moment they stepped beyond the prison gates, many labor offenders excitedly waved their arms. “Locked up for days, finally out!”

“Even road construction beats being cooped up any day!”

“Hey!”

“Come on, come on, let’s dig, atone for our sins.”

Some walked off obediently.

But Old Nan Feng softly whistled. Several labor offenders subtly drifted towards him, naturally forming a tight-knit squad of eight men.

Old Nan Feng whispered, “Be ready to escape at any time. Await my signal.”

The other seven murmured their assent: “Got it.”