Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Captain Wu’s Fury and Entering the City

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Ling Chengyan said lightly, “We’re pressed for time, just knock them out cold.”

At these words, even Wang Lianqi felt a chill down his spine. Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun were instantly wide awake, shivering, and then they trembled as they gave Ling Chengyan a thumbs up.

“Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”

“Sister Yan, you’re really strong!”

“Alright, you two kids, stop dawdling. Quickly carry the person onto the vehicle, find some rope to tie them up. We still need to head to the commune for assembly, don’t delay the important business.” Wang Lianqi called out loudly.

Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun this time gave Wang Lianqi a thumbs up too. Indeed, they are from the Wang Family, and the company leader is truly impressive!

Having wasted some time, Wang Lianqi hurried the rest of the journey, reaching the commune while it was still dark.

Wang Lianqi handed the reins to Zhang Wanxiang and ran towards Wu Xiangyang and Xu Dong, who were standing under the lamp, to report.

“The Nanli Team has arrived. Good, good, rest for a while. There are still a few more teams yet to come. We’ll set off once everyone is here,” Wu Xiangyang said, pleased to see Wang Lianqi. Ling Chengyan from the Nanli Team was the trump card for the commune in this year’s major competition, and there were high hopes for a good ranking.

Wang Lianqi agreed but didn’t leave. Instead, he moved closer and lowered his voice to report the incident on the road.

“What? They actually dared to block the road with guns?” Wu Xiangyang exclaimed in surprise, catching the attention of some nearby people.

Xu Dong cleared his throat lightly as a reminder, and Wu Xiangyang steadied his emotions, waved his hand, and said with a stern face, “Take us to have a look.”

Wang Lianqi agreed and led the two back to the mule wagon.

On the wagon, six people were tightly bound, and Ling Chengyan held two rifles in her hand. Wu Xiangyang recognized them as guns allocated for militia patrols by each team.

“Damn it, this is real crappy stuff! Call, get me the secretary of the Longsheng Brigade!” Wu Xiangyang’s face was so dark it could drip water, and he suppressed his voice in an angry shout.

Xu Dong didn’t look good either, but he remained relatively calm and cleared his throat as a reminder, “It’s not worth delaying important matters for just a few useless idiots.”

Wu Xiangyang took a couple of deep breaths, called a few people over, and together they dragged and pulled the few people from the Longsheng Brigade into confinement, locking them with a big lock.

Additional guards with guns were placed at the door to ensure that these people couldn’t escape before they participated in the county-wide large-scale competition.

With all personnel present, roll call and assembly were done. Wu Xiangyang and Xu Dong personally led the team, boarded the tractor, and drove through the commune courtyard toward the county town with a chugging sound.

Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun stood by the side of the tractor, waving vigorously to Wang Lianqi below, “Big brother, wait for our good news!”

Wu Qingyun nudged Zhang Wanxiang with his elbow, laughing, “You’re full of confidence, huh!”

Zhang Wanxiang covered his ribs, chuckling, “If I’m not good enough, there’s still Sister Yan. Her skills will surely come first even in the county!”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Wu Qingyun thought the same, but didn’t want Zhang Wanxiang to say it, fearing it might sound like showing off and could easily provoke others’ resentment or even jealousy.

“Confidence is a good thing, go for it, aim to achieve good results in all three items!” Xu Dong happened to stand behind the two and overheard their conversation, adding in with a chuckle.

Seeing the political commissar, Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun both became restrained, only nodding with a silly grin, unsure of what to say.

Ling Chengyan and Li Huaihua sat together, and Li Huaihua leaned on Ling Chengyan, whispering, “I couldn’t sleep last night, my heart’s been all tense…”

Ling Chengyan patted her hand and comforted, “It’s pretty much the same as our commune selection in the county, it’s not a tiger’s den or a wolf’s den, don’t be afraid. Just stick to our training, don’t overthink. Imagine those straw figures are all enemies, and if we don’t rush through, we’ll be killed by them… Rush, rush through and you’ll live!”

Li Huaihua felt her heart pounding out of her chest at her words, but all her worries faded, leaving only boiling blood for a fierce charge.

“Yeah, I got it.”

Ling Chengyan seemingly unintentionally rubbed her palms and fingers, gradually calming Li Huaihua, who soon fell asleep on Ling Chengyan’s shoulder.

The tractor was somewhat noisy and bumpy, but faster than the mule cart, speeding towards the county town just as the eastern sky began to whiten with the first light of dawn.

In the first glimmer of dawn, the tractor arrived at the courtyard, and everyone jumped off the vehicle, with some running over to greet them immediately.

After a brief exchange with the people there, Xu Dong returned to order everyone to line up and took them to the large canteen of the courtyard.

The large canteen also served as an auditorium; one end was the food serving window, and the other was a simple stage.

The tall and spacious building, built with high ceilings, opened the eyes of many militia members visiting the city for the first time, who discussed among themselves, some even looking up at the high beams and ceiling with faces full of amazement.

Having seen grand things, Ling Chengyan was relatively calm; after all, it was just a big house, she’d seen many pavilions and palaces, what was this in comparison?

She was more interested in the system or rules here.

In her understanding, scholars were superior and above others; “interacting with no mere commoners” had always been their code of conduct.

During the training, she saw the militia leaders, political commissars, and the militia (ordinary people) eating together and staying in extremely simple dormitories.

Here in the county, not only did the team leaders and political commissars from each commune eat with the militia, she saw a man in his thirties walk in, greeted by several people who addressed him as “Director Jin.”

She had heard about the county’s main leaders; this Director Jin was probably the equivalent of the county magistrate, known here as the ’Director.’

Director Jin, holding a lunch box, filled it with porridge, carried buns and side dishes with the lid, and casually found a seat to eat. He even chatted and laughed with those beside him, with no difference from ordinary colleagues.

Ling Chengyan finished eating one and a half buns and drank most of the bowl of porridge before stopping.

Before going to the battlefield, don’t eat until you’re completely full; this was her experience.

Of course, she didn’t concern herself with others, as this wasn’t Great Qi, and those beside her weren’t her soldiers, not even Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun.

“Are you full?” Xu Dong asked in surprise, then smiled, “Our commune submitted grain provisions; eating less isn’t worth it.”

When they went to the commune for training, the team brought their own grain provisions. Similarly, to participate in the competition in the county, the commune submitted grain on their behalf.

Ling Chengyan smiled, “I’m full, no worries, leadership.”

Finishing with the dishes, they briefly tidied up. The round tables from before were moved to the sides, the center of the auditorium was cleared, rows of wooden benches were arranged, and tables were set on the stage. The militia from each commune sat below the stage in order.

“That’s the Fujiao Commune beside us,” Xu Dong sat beside Ling Chengyan, quietly introducing the neighboring team.

The Fujiao Commune was the commune where the county town was located and always considered themselves a step above.

Hearing this, everyone, including Ling Chengyan, couldn’t help but glance over.

“Political Commissar Xu, I heard your commune has a remarkable sharpshooter, highly praised by the team leader!” Cheng Weimin, the squad leader leading Fujiao Commune, greeted with a smile.

Cheng Weimin was a burly and strong man with a very standard square face, bushy eyebrows, and a broad mouth… yet he had a pair of small eyes, which, combined with the appearance of smiling with a lack of sincerity, made others quite uncomfortable.

Xu Dong, skilled in the art of conversation as a commissar, smiled, “Squad Leader Cheng, how can you say that? Doesn’t your commune have any skilled persons?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep