Return to the Yuxi Prefecture Yamen

Shen Jingchuan flew along the way, setting up distribution points for grain along the way.

Following the pace of the refugees, he would stop every three or four days' journey and leave food in an open space, in a place that could accommodate many people.

He knew exactly how much to put out.

He looked down from the sky and estimated the number of refugees coming from all directions, whether they were dense or sparse, and then distributed grain accordingly.

In areas far from Yuxi Prefecture, he would have people distribute the grain to the surrounding mountains and forests.

"Let them hide in the mountains first, and come out after the Government Army have passed, then continue on their way."

As they approached Yuxi Prefecture, he urged everyone to quicken their pace.

"Hurry up, everyone, let's get into Yuxi Prefecture soon as possible."

He also made his point clear to everyone.

"The imperial Government Army is coming to wipe them out."

"If you're afraid of fighting, you can disperse into the mountains now. It's not too late. You can go over there after the fighting here is over."

He thought that after saying that, someone would back down.

But to his surprise, not a single one of these disaster victims retreated. Instead, they seemed to be set on fire, quickening their pace and heading straight towards Yuxi Prefecture.

"We will not back down."

"Yuxi Prefecture is a paradise for the poor."

Those faces, chapped and cracked by the wind, revealed a reckless spirit.

"Once we get there, they'll distribute land and grain to us poor people, so we can live with dignity."

This is the last place in the world where we can survive.

"Whoever tries to wipe it out will be cutting off our last line of defense."

"We won't hide, we'll go and defend it!"

Most of the men, women, and children were shouting and walking, their steps hurried and fast, without a single one looking back.

Shen Jingchuan rode on Big Black, watching this scene, he couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

He suddenly understood.

These people at the bottom of society only want a way to survive. For this sliver of hope, they would fight desperately. Even if there is only the slightest glimmer of hope, they will hold on to it tightly.

Looking at the scene before him, Shen Jingchuan suddenly recalled the history of Earth.

Chen Sheng and Wu Guang cut down trees to make weapons and rose up in rebellion.

Later figures like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong were also a group of peasants who couldn't survive. Risking their lives, they fought one after another, rising up again after being wiped out, and gathering again after being scattered.

It has been going on for thousands of years without interruption.

Now, looking at these people before him, seeing them so thin and pale from hunger, yet still clenching their fists and walking towards Yuxi Prefecture, he immediately understood.

I'm not asking for anything else, I just want a way to survive.

As long as this world continues to push people to their limits, this drive simply cannot be suppressed.

Wildfire cannot burn it all; the spring breeze brings it back to life.

He continued distributing grain along the way, and gradually the grain in his storage space ran out.

Shen Jingchuan found a secluded spot, let Big Black land, and rested nearby. With a thought, he traveled back to the modern world.

He drove straight to the warehouse. The batch of grain that Meng Ke had just purchased was still piled up in the warehouse. He didn't bother to count it; he simply scanned it with his Divine Sense and put it all into his spatial storage.

After finishing, he drove back to West Mountain Separate Garden, took out his phone, and called Meng Ke.

The phone rang twice before being answered; the voice on the other end carried a mixture of surprise and grievance.

"Hey, where are you?"

"I just got back, I'm on my way, a bit busy."

Meng Ke's voice softened.

"I know, I just... miss you. When are you done with your work? I want to see you."

"Wait a little longer. I'll come see you in the next couple of days after I finish up this mess."

He changed the subject and got down to business.

"Continue buying grain, ten thousand tons."

Meng Ke responded on the other end, but was also a little worried.

"Such a large quantity, I'm afraid it will affect domestic grain prices."

"If that's the case, then you should consider importing it," Shen Jingchuan instructed. "If you encounter any problems or can't handle it, go to Elder Yang and the others; they will help you."

"Okay, I've got it."

"I have something to attend to, I'll hang up now." He glanced at the sky. "I'll definitely be back in the next couple of days."

"Okay, you're busy, be careful."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Jingchuan returned to his residence, went back inside, mounted Big Black, and continued flying forward.

By the time he had arranged all the grain distribution points along the way, it was already completely dark.

Shen Jingchuan did not return to Azure Cloud Stronghold; he needed to quickly inform Hu Tieniu and the others of the arrival of the Government Army.

He bent down and patted Big Black's neck.

"Let's go to the government office."

Big Black recognized the place, flapped its wings, and headed straight for Yuxi Prefecture.

As night fell, the city, lit up with lights, drew ever closer.

Big Black swept over the city wall and swooped down towards the courtyard of the government office in the city.

In the darkness of night, a dark figure descended from the sky and landed steadily in the courtyard of the government office.

At the entrance of the government office, a group of soldiers on guard suddenly saw a dark shadow descend from the sky. Upon closer inspection, they immediately recognized the winged black horse and the person on its back.

One of the soldiers turned and ran into the courtyard, shouting at the top of his lungs as he ran.

"General Hu! General Hu, Young Master Shen is back!"

The line of soldiers at the gate knelt down on one knee in unison, then stood up and shouted in unison.

"Greetings, Young Master Shen!"

Shen Jingchuan dismounted, raised his hand, and a gentle Spiritual Power lifted everyone up.

No need for formalities.

He strode towards the entrance of the government office.

Just as I reached the door, a person rushed out from inside in a flurry of activity.

Hu Tieniu grinned from afar, laughing heartily as he charged forward, shouting as he went.

"Young Master Shen! You've finally arrived!"

"I've missed you so much! It's been so many days since we last met, and I feel so empty inside."

As Shen Jingchuan walked inside, he glanced at him sideways.

"You're not thinking about me, you're thinking about my grain supplies."

Hu Tieniu looked hurt, clutching his chest and waving his hands repeatedly.

"What you're saying, young master, is truly disheartening." He pounded his chest loudly. "My main concern is for you, young master."

Shen Jingchuan felt a chill run down his spine and got goosebumps all over his body.

"Why would a grown man like you want to see me?"

The two of them, laughing and joking, entered the house one after the other.

I had just sat down in the main hall, and the tea had just been brewed, when three more people came in.

It was Lin Shan, Lin Yue, and Zhou Tong.

Shen Jingchuan looked at them.

"What, you guys are quick, you've all joined already?"

Lin Yue, being impatient, spoke first in a loud voice.

"Brother-in-law, ever since you said that Azure Cloud Stronghold belonged to you and was the immortal master's residence, I've been completely at ease. I don't need to worry about the safety of the family anymore."

"Then why don't I follow Chief Hu, make achievements, and what am I waiting for?"

Lin Shan nodded in agreement.

"We dismantled all the machine guns from the stockade wall, ready to fight them to the death."

Zhou Tong stood to the side, also looking solemn.

"Brother Shen, the Rebel Army saved my family's lives; I can't just sit back and enjoy the benefits."

"I have to join too." He smiled. "Even my father has come down from the mountain and is now in the army, helping to manage supplies."

Lin Shan added a sentence.

"Yes, my father originally wanted to go down the mountain too."

He paused, then continued.

"But then I thought, someone has to keep an eye on things on the mountain. Liu Zhong... he can't be controlled, so my father stayed behind."

Shen Jingchuan nodded.

"Father-in-law, let's stay on the mountain."

"He's so old; with you all fighting, that's enough."

Lin Shan and Lin Yue exchanged a glance and then smiled.

They left their father behind on the pretext that "there was no one to keep watch on the mountain," so as not to let the old man take the risk.

Just then, several more high-ranking generals entered from outside.