She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

”Song Yuanqing is straightforward and candid. He is the youngest son of the Song Family, with a love for martial arts since childhood and exceptional skills. In the entire Song Family, he is the only military general.”

After speaking, Zhao Zun’s gaze roamed across the river, as if pondering something.

In the distance, near the stone bridge, the Xuzhou Army was slowly advancing, their iron armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Zhao Zun stood in a high place, his gaze sharp like a hawk. Gradually, the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a meaningful smile.

He turned his head, lowered his voice, and said to Han Lei beside him, ”Girl, our army... is ready.”

Han Lei’s eyes brightened, a touch of excitement in her tone, ”How so?”

”Heh heh.” Zhao Zun only smiled without speaking.

Han Lei looked across the river at the black dots crawling forward like ants, furrowed her brows slightly, and a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes, ”Could it be that you want to intercept this Xuzhou Army?”

Zhao Zun did not answer directly; after jumping off the ladder, he just gave a mysterious smile, his eyes deep as a pool.

”No, you’ll know when the time comes.”

There was a sense of confidence in his tone, as if everything was within his grasp.

Although Han Lei still had doubts in her heart, seeing Zhao Zun’s firmness, she didn’t question further and just nodded in silence.

Zhao Zun turned his head, his gaze falling on Hua Tianyou not far away.

Hua Tianyou was hanging a lantern on another steel pipe. Zhao Zun waved at him, his voice somewhat urgent.

”Tianyou, hurry down and turn off the generator and the water pump, then return to the cement plant. Quickly.”

According to his guess, if the Xuzhou Army were to support Yong’an City, judging from the direction of their march, they might want to pass through Fufeng County and directly reach Yong’an City via Canglan County.

The roar of the water pump and engine was too deafening. If the Xuzhou Army heard the noise while crossing the river and discovered the existence of these modern machines, there would be big trouble.

Therefore, the machines must be turned off before the Xuzhou Army reaches the riverbank.

Upon Zhao Zun’s command, Hua Tianyou also responded with a wave, ”Okay.”

Immediately, he deftly jumped off the ladder, eagerly started the tricycle, and hurried down the mountain.

Hua Tianyou’s background was quite special.

He had been frail and sickly from a young age and almost perished in infancy. Therefore, Duke Heng had the late emperor name him ”Tianyou,” meaning heaven’s protection for his safety and health.

Duke Heng spoiled him excessively, granting almost all his requests, which gradually molded Hua Tianyou into a prodigal, unruly character.

At home, he was like a little overlord, with everyone in the family revolving around him and putting him first in everything.

However, ever since he began studying at the Imperial College and befriended Zhao Zun, his personality seems to have subtly changed.

He was no longer as arrogant as before and instead listened to Zhao Zun’s commands, almost becoming Zhao Zun’s little follower.

This transformation was something even he couldn’t explain, perhaps due to the innate leadership qualities in Zhao Zun that inspired awe in him.

Zhao Zun watched Hua Tianyou leave, then turned to Han Lei and said, ”Girl, let me take you back first.”

Han Lei shook her head, her tone firm, ”No need, you go ahead with your tasks. I still have a lot to do here.”

Seeing her insistence, Zhao Zun no longer pressed the matter, only nodding and then starting the tricycle, heading down the mountain as well.

Han Lei stood in place, watching Zhao Zun’s departing figure, pondering how Zhao Zun was planning to muster an army.

She knew that Zhao Zun was always meticulous and decisive in his actions, but this time, she was worried that Zhao Zun’s plan might be dangerous.

Han Lei couldn’t help praying silently, hoping everything would go as he wished.

Hua Tianyou parked the tricycle by the riverbank, and the roar of the two modern machines gradually faded in the damp air, with the sound of the river reclaiming the silence.

After returning to the cement plant, Zhao Zun pulled Hua Tianyou aside and whispered a few words.

Hua Tianyou’s expression changed from puzzlement to seriousness, and finally, he nodded.

”This I can handle, don’t worry!”

Zhao Zun, seeing his response, slightly raised the corner of his mouth, seeming quite satisfied with his answer.

The two exchanged no further words and quickly walked toward the planned poultry farm.

Since Han Lei adopted explosive methods for extracting bauxite, the workforce at the mining site was redistributed.

Besides leaving a few dozen laborers to load trucks and drive tricycles for transport, the other hundreds of workers were reassigned to the construction sites of the poultry and pig farms.

The wasteland was barren, with small and large stones scattered around, some deeply embedded in the soil, as if this land had never been tamed.

The laborers bent over, some digging stones from the soil with shovels, while others stacked the gathered rocks to form the foundations of the farm walls.

After the walls were built, concrete would be poured over them from outside. This way, local materials could be used, and wasteland could be reclaimed.

Outside both sites, rudimentary septic tanks would also be constructed. Once operational, the decomposed sewage could be used to irrigate the reclaimed land and grow crops.

Zhao Zun and Hua Tianyou walked hurriedly, the gravel underfoot making subtle sounds of friction. Their gazes occasionally swept over the distant official road, as if expecting something.

The planned poultry farm was right next to the official road, and the Xuzhou Army, if they passed by, would surely notice the laborers working here.

Zhao Zun slightly furrowed his brows, seemingly calculating the time in his mind.

He urged Hua Tianyou in a low voice, ”We must arrange everything here before they arrive.”