Inside the tiled kiln, the deathly silence was replaced by a heavier and more suffocating despair.
The news that Wang Bo brought back was like the last straw, completely crushing the last shred of hope that remained in Shen Ruoxin's heart. The collusion between Zhao Bingjun and Su Ji, that long-drafted "30% filial piety" agreement, turned all her previous struggles and calculations into a cold and cruel joke.
She sat like a soulless puppet, blankly on the cold stone mill, her eyes vacant as she gazed at the faint, yellowish halo around the oil lamp. Lost, lost completely. From the very beginning, she fell into the carefully woven net of others. Every step of resistance and every struggle was merely a futile move of pieces on the opponent's chessboard, and the ultimate outcome was already predestined.
Uncle Wang leaned against the wall in a dejected manner, his aged face covered in a layer of gloom. Sun Dayong clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force he exerted. His eyes were filled with uncontrollable anger and powerlessness. Afu kept his head down, his shoulders trembling slightly. It was not clear whether it was out of fear or pity for the second young lady's misfortune.
Just as despair was about to devour everyone, at the entrance of the cave dwelling, a rapid and faint signal came again - even faster than the previously agreed frequency, carrying an ominous urgency!
It's another "dandelion" that Afu has been keeping watch on the periphery!
Almost in an instant, Shen Ruoxin's empty eyes refocused, and a near-death counterattack alert made her stand up abruptly: "Quick!" Let him in!
A thin and small figure stumbled in. It was a half-grown child in charge of perimeter security. His face was full of mud and terror, and his voice changed pitch due to extreme fear: "Two..." Miss Two! Oh no! Flat... Over there in Pingjiang Prefecture... A large number of constables have been dispatched! Just... We're heading towards the Jinxiu Pavilion! Listen... I heard it is... "Go and seal up and confiscate!"
"Wind of house raids" - This is no longer just wind, but a fierce wind that has already blown right before our eyes!
These words were like thunderbolts, once again striking everyone's heart with great force! Zhao Bingjun's movements were faster than anyone had expected! He didn't even bother to do the superficial work of "setting a deadline for self-examination and self-correction", and directly resorted to the most ruthless means!
"So soon..." Shen Ruoxin felt a tightness in her throat and a sweet and fishy smell welled up, which she forced to swallow. Her body swayed and she nearly fell down. Fortunately, she was held up by the quick-witted Afu.
It's over... This time, it's really over...
The foundation of Pingjiang Prefecture, the lifelong efforts of my father, those loyal servants and embroiderers... And Sister Mo LAN, Sister Xiu Niang... How are they now? Did you get any hints in advance? Could you... Escape?
A series of questions filled her mind like a tangled thread, giving her a splitting headache.
But in this extreme chaos and despair, an extraordinary calmness, or rather, a kind of sobriety after being pushed to the brink, poured down like ice water.
She suddenly pushed Afu away, held onto the wall to stand firm, her gaze sweeping over every panicked face in the cave dwelling, her voice hoarse but unusually clear: "All..." Why are you all in such a panic? ! The sky hasn't fallen yet!
Everyone was stunned. Looking at this girl who had been in a daze just a moment ago, a kind of almost crazy light had reignited in her eyes at this moment.
"It's my fault..." Shen Ruoxin took a deep breath, her chest heaving violently. She was reflecting on herself and also declaring to everyone, "From the very beginning..." That's wrong!
Her gaze was as sharp as a knife, carrying a profound and heart-wrenching reflection: "I thought..." I understand the officialdom. I thought I could take advantage of those rules. I thought that as long as I was cautious and proceed step by step, I could survive in this narrow space...
"But I was wrong!" She punched the cold stone wall with all her might, and blood oozed out of her knuckles instantly. "I was wrong..." I only saw the ripples on the water surface, but failed to make out the surging undercurrent beneath! My mistake lies in... I thought the loss of power of the prefect was just an ordinary change of power, but I never expected that behind it there was such a huge and deeply rooted interest group involved!
My mistake lies in... I was too convinced of the so-called "dignity of the gentry", thinking that no matter how confused my elder brother was, he would still care about family ties and the reputation of the Shen family. But I never expected that in the face of the huge temptation of interests and the fear of power struggles, the so-called family ties and dignity were so vulnerable!
My mistake lies in... Her voice carried a sense of self-mockery and hatred, "I thought the 'dandelion' intelligence network I had established could detect opportunities in advance and give early warnings." But what about the result? ! Su Ji and Zhao Bingjun colluded for over half a month, yet we had no idea about it at all! It was not until Wang Bo used a 20% profit margin to test the waters that he exposed this huge conspiracy! What kind of intelligence network is this? ! This is simply a joke!
Intelligence error! This is the most fatal mistake!
Why was there a mistake? Is it because the level of "dandelion" is not high enough and its tentacles are not deep enough? Is it because of the existence of an insider that false information is passed on or the true information is truncated? Or is it because... Did she herself misjudge the information and be blinded by those false "reputations" and "flattery"?
The reason is no longer important. What's more, this mistake directly pushed them into an abyss from which there was no return!
It's me... Misjudged the officialdom! Misjudged people's hearts! We have also overestimated our own abilities! Shen Ruoxin's voice carried a kind of almost cruel candor, "We think we are fighting against Su Ji, but in fact, we are opposing the Canal Transport Office, the new Salt Transport Commissioner, and perhaps even a higher-level force!" In their eyes, our meager strength is nothing at all! The so-called "clearing out hidden stocks" is nothing but a finger they casually used to crush us!
This merciless self-analysis made the atmosphere in the cave more depressing, but also strangely dispelled some of the panic in the crowd. Because the second young lady didn't break down. She was still thinking and still looking for the problem, even though... This problem ultimately pointed to herself.
Now let's talk about these... What's the use? Sun Dayong interrupted her in a rough voice, his eyes filled with restlessness and unease. "Second Miss, the constables are all heading for the Splendid Pavilion!" Over there in Pingjiang Prefecture... I'm afraid it can't be saved! We... What should we do now? "!"
Shen Ruoxin's gaze once again became sharp and resolute. Yes, now is not the time to regret and blame oneself.
"Immediately!" Call everyone together! She made a prompt decision and her voice returned to its usual calm and commanding tone, "Uncle Wang, Ah Fu, Da Yong, and all the core members of 'Dandelion' outside!" Come here right now! I have something to say!
The order was conveyed promptly. Soon, the cave dwelling was crowded with people. Besides Wang Bo, A Fu and Sun Dayong, there were also several key personnel responsible for delivering messages and keeping watch from the outside, as well as... Two steady women who have been hiding in the corner and taking care of those dozens of girls.
Everyone's face was filled with alarm and unease, and their eyes all turned to Shen Ruoxin standing in the middle. She is their backbone and their only hope.
Shen Ruoxin looked around and took in everyone's expressions. She knew that every word she said next might determine the life and death of everyone here.
"Everyone," her voice was not high, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, "I'm sure all of you have heard the news from Pingjiang Prefecture." Jinxiu Pavilion... It's very likely to be lost. The constables have already taken action. On the side of Sister Mo LAN and Sister Xiu Niang... Life and death remain unknown.
In a word, the tiny bit of morale that had just been gathered once again plummeted to rock bottom. Many people lowered their heads, with despair flashing in their eyes.
"But!" Shen Ruoxin changed the subject and her voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable force, "The loss of Pingjiang Prefecture doesn't mean we lose!" As long as we are still here and as long as we still have something in our hands, there is still a chance to turn the situation around!
Her gaze swept over everyone and finally fell on Uncle Wang: "Uncle Wang, I ask you, the batch we transferred out back then..." The most essential embroidery sample drafts and... Where are those several notebooks about the "Peculiar Silk Thread" now?
Wang Bo was taken aback for a moment, but then a glimmer of understanding flashed in his eyes: "According to the instructions given by the second young lady before, everything..." All are hidden in the most secluded places, under the personal supervision of the old slave!
"Ok!" Shen Ruoxin nodded. "Afu, Sun Dayong, the 'Dandelion' contact code, the distribution map of the strongholds in your hands, and..." Are all the evidence of those people's crimes still there?
Afu and Sun Dayong immediately straightened their chests: "Both are here!"
"Very good!" Shen Ruoxin took a deep breath, her eyes shining with a resolute light. "The storefront, inventory, and even those account books of the Splendid Pavilion can all be discarded!" Those are all external things! But, people! And these... What embodies our efforts and hopes for the future must never be lost!
She looked at everyone and declared word by word, "I have decided to give up Pingjiang Prefecture!" We... Move immediately!
"Transfer?" Where to go? Someone asked subconsciously.
"One..." A place they would never have imagined! Shen Ruoxin's gaze turned to the pitch-dark rainy night outside the cave dwelling, and a wild and bold glint flashed in her eyes. "We have solid evidence in our hands that Zhao Baopi and the people behind him are trafficking in people!" Rather than passively waiting for them to come knocking, it's better... Let's take the initiative!
She turned to Sun Dayong and said, "Brother Dayong, you said before that Zhao Babapi's lair is outside the city..." "Black trend?"
Sun Dayong was taken aback for a moment, but then he understood Shen Ruoxin's meaning. A surprising light burst in his eyes: "Exactly!" That place is strategically located, easy to defend but difficult to attack, and... It is said that there are quite a lot hoarded inside... Ill-gotten gains!
"Then go to the Black wind!" Shen Ruoxin's voice was resolute, "We have the evidence of their crimes in our hands, and even more..." Dozens of witnesses who were persecuted by them and hated them to the core! Let's go... "Destroy their base!" Seize their wealth! Take this as our... The capital for a comeback!
This plan is simply beyond comprehension! With a group of the elderly, the weak, women, children and a few defeated soldiers, to attack the lair of a human trafficking gang? !
Everyone was stunned by Shen Ruoxin's earth-shattering decision!
But looking at the unquestionable determination in her eyes and feeling that crazy momentum of rising from the ashes, a kind of inexplicable and long-suppressed bloodline began to stir in everyone's hearts.
Yes, Pingjiang Prefecture can't be returned to. The Jinxiu Pavilion is gone. They have nothing left. Besides this miserable life, what else can they lose? Rather than being trapped in a troubled city and waiting to be approached by the constables or the people of Zhao, it would be better... Go all out and give it a try!
Miss Two! Give the order! We... I'm going to work with you! Sun Dayong was the first to shout, his eyes burning with the flames of revenge and survival.
"Right!" "Did it with the second young lady!" Afu also shouted right after.
Looking at the scene before him, a trace of excitement and worry flashed in his aged eyes, which eventually turned into a long sigh and a heavy nod: "Second Miss..." Take care!
Shen Ruoxin watched the reignited fighting spirit of everyone. The ice in her heart that had been frozen by despair seemed to be beginning to melt.
Yes, she misjudged the officialdom and lost the Splendid Pavilion. But as long as the person is still there, hope is still there!
She looked deep into the cave dwelling, where the girls huddled together, their eyes equally flashing with terror and a hint of anticipation.
For them, for Sister Mo LAN and Sister Xiu Niang, and for all those who trust her, she can't fall down!
"Get ready immediately!" Shen Ruoxin's voice regained its composure and order. "Pack up all the necessities, take all the drafts, notebooks and evidence with you!" Notify all peripheral personnel to head towards the black wind direction... "Secret assembly!"
Her gaze finally turned to the direction of Pingjiang Prefecture, and a glint of excruciating pain flashed in her eyes... A hint of even colder hatred.
Su Ji... Zhao Bingjun... And... My good big brother...
The shame of today, in the future... I, Shen Ruoxin, will surely repay you a hundredfold!