My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 110 Rebellion

Thinking about the matter of coming to Qianmaomao Village in Xinping Village, Lin Ziping suddenly felt a jolt in his heart.

He quickly took out a mask and face towel from his bundle and covered his mouth and nose tightly, asking, "Uncle Huang, has the disease spread to Maomao Village?"

Old Huang quickly finished his steamed bun and put his face towel back on: "Maomao Village and several surrounding villages have rebelled!"

"Rebellion?!" Lin Ziping exclaimed in surprise.

Old Huang glanced around and glared at Lin Ziping: "Keep your voice down. The county magistrate has ordered a complete cover-up of this matter. Not a single word is to be leaked!"

"A complete lockdown?! How can something like this be completely locked down? We're all in the surrounding area. Except for Xinping Village, which has less contact with other villages, everyone in the other villages is related to each other for three generations!" Lin Ziping lowered his voice.

"Xiao Lin, you've been in Xinping Village for so long and still haven't figured things out. How could the county magistrate not know what you're saying? But even if he knows, the government orders will still be issued. As long as we can't find out what's been said, that's fine." Old Huang was somewhat exasperated.

"Isn't that...isn't that just burying your head in the sand?" Lin Ziping said, somewhat unconvinced.

Old Huang glared at Lin Ziping: "What are you trying to cover up? Just do what the higher-ups say. There's no need for so many questions!"

Lin Ziping opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but ultimately said nothing.

“This matter is extremely serious. Not to mention that the disease contracted by the villagers of Maomao Mountain is contagious, the higher-ups have also arranged for Captain Xiao to come to Fuchun. Xiao Lin, don’t be foolish and rush in like before,” Old Huang said earnestly.

……

Lin Ziping was speechless. He seemed to be someone who would slack off whenever possible, so how did he give Lao Huang the impression of being proactive and diligent at work?

Although that's what she thought in her heart, she still honestly agreed, "Thank you, Uncle Huang, I understand. But what is this Captain Xiao's identity? What should I do if I encounter him?"

Old Huang flicked his whip, and the mule sped up a bit. Lin Ziping quickly followed.

“This Captain Xiao is Xiao Jiazheng’s older brother,” Old Huang said.

Is the Xiao family really that powerful? They actually have a captain as an older brother. Why would they bother becoming a yamen runner just to experience life? Lin Ziping was astonished.

Then he remembered that Bai Xin's family was a well-known local gentry in Zezhou, and several of his elders were on duty in the government office. It seemed that of the three of them who came together, he had nothing except for the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the imperial examinations).

"Xiao Lin, I told you long ago that you are different from Xiao Wu and Bai Xin. You each have your own destiny. You have your own path to walk, there's no need to envy them," Old Huang comforted Lin Ziping when he saw that he didn't say anything.

"Uncle Huang, I understand."

Although Lao Huang's words of comfort were of little use to Lin Ziping, he was still very grateful that Lao Huang had said these things to him.

When I first arrived, it was so important to have senior colleagues to guide me on interpersonal relationships in my workplace. Otherwise, I wouldn't know which powerful person I might have offended unintentionally.

Old Huang glanced at Lin Ziping, sighed, and said, "Anyway, just be careful. Never mind, let's go."

Seeing that Lao Huang hesitated to speak, Lin Ziping was a little puzzled. Was there some hidden reason for his return?

He wanted to press for more information, but seeing that Lao Huang seemed unwilling to say more, Lin Ziping shut his mouth.

The road will straighten itself when it reaches the mountain; any hidden secrets will be revealed when we return to the county government.

They set off without saying a word, and in less than an hour they arrived in Fuchun County.

Compared to when Lin Ziping returned last time, the people checking people at the city gate had changed, and the two of them were only allowed to enter after showing their county government tokens and documents.

Once they entered the city, the two had just settled the mule and the Wuling Hongguang van when large raindrops began to fall.

Lin Ziping slung his bundle over his shoulder and followed Lao Huang briskly toward the county government office.

Along the way, he found that many shops were closed, and soldiers patrolled and checked people from time to time on the streets. Lin Ziping felt that many eyes were on him as he walked through the streets, and he occasionally encountered a few passers-by who looked frightened.

The changes were even more noticeable when I arrived at the county government office. In the past, the people from different departments would walk around to each other while working, and there would occasionally be laughter and chatter. But now, everyone I encountered was wearing a headscarf, walking hurriedly, and there was an atmosphere of fear and unease.

"Quickly change your clothes and go to the barracks," Old Huang said to Lin Ziping. "Take your sword with you."

My sword... it broke while I was saving Gao Chi in Xinping Village. How am I supposed to carry it now?!

Lin Ziping stammered, "Uncle Huang, my sword broke when I was in Xinping Village."

"It's broken?" Old Huang looked at Lin Ziping in surprise.

"Um. I...I did it to save people...so..." Lin Ziping lowered his head.

"Go change your clothes first. Don't bring the knife with you for now. Find Shi Yong later and have him find you a new one," Old Huang said, frowning.

"Okay." Lin Ziping quickly agreed, found a secluded spot to put on the county government uniform, and hurriedly ran towards the barracks with his bundle on his back.

Arriving at the barracks, it was completely different from the desolate place before. Today, the barracks courtyard was very lively, with the county government leadership team all present, as well as several people in armor.

In addition, there was Xiao Jiazheng, a family member of a leader, who was also present, which is quite normal.

Lin Ziping hunched over and found a corner to stand in, trying to minimize his presence.

"Magistrate Wei, why have you been delaying reporting the epidemic in Maomao Village? How are you going to clean up this mess?" A burly man in armor shouted from the head of the table.

"Commander Xiao, I am not aware of this matter either."

The speaker, Magistrate Wei, was dressed in a purple official robe, his face covered with a veil, making it impossible to see his expression, but his voice revealed a hint of innocence.

Captain Xiao said, "You dare say you don't know this on your own territory?"

"Whether this disease originated in Maomao Village is another matter. What? Is Lieutenant Xiao going to convict me without even investigating? Magistrate Feng, you and Lieutenant Xiao explain yourselves!" Magistrate Wei flung his sleeves and glared angrily.

County Magistrate Feng stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, “In my opinion, now is not the time to argue about who is right and who is wrong. Commandant Xiao and Magistrate Wei, let’s discuss how to handle this matter.”

Registrar Shen, Inspector Chai, Clerk Zhang, and others chimed in.

The other two soldiers, who looked a bit older and were wearing armor, also secretly tugged at Captain Xiao's clothes.

“Alright, Maomao Mountain is easy to defend but difficult to attack, with high mountains and steep slopes. Now they are sick and we have hostages in our hands. What do you think we should do?” Captain Xiao crossed his arms and glanced sideways at Magistrate Wei.

Magistrate Wei plopped down in his chair without saying a word.

"In my opinion, we should send someone familiar with Cat Mountain to infiltrate and rescue the hostages. Then, we can launch a surprise attack from within!" Xiao Jiazheng suddenly spoke up.

Another person in armor asked, "Then who should we send?"

The courtyard was silent, filled with an awkward silence.

County Magistrate Feng suddenly looked at Lin Ziping and smiled gently.

Lin Ziping felt a chill run down his spine from the laughter, a bad premonition rising in his heart: Could they be sending him?!