Jishan County was bustling to an almost unbelievable degree.
The women stared at the streets in a daze—granaries full, shops busy, people walking with relaxed, unhurried steps. Compared to the hollowed-out villages they had fled, this place felt like another world entirely.
"So prosperous…" someone murmured.
"If we married a man here," another whispered, "maybe we could really live…"
Before those thoughts could settle, the street ahead suddenly stirred.
A young woman appeared, leading a sizable group of people straight toward them.
She was clearly unmarried—her hair flowed freely down her back, arranged in the style of a well-bred young lady rather than that of a married woman. Her clothes were thick and finely made, trimmed with fur despite the season. One glance was enough to tell: this was a wealthy young mistress, not an ordinary townswoman.
She crossed the street and, by coincidence—or perhaps intention—ran straight into the logistics team.
Her eyes lit up.
"Eh? Isn't that Little Zhuge?" she called out, waving. "What brings you to Jishan County?"
Zhuge Wangchan waved back, laughing.
"Miss San! I've joined the militia's logistics corps—Captain of the Eighth Squad now. Just passing through on official business."
This young woman was none other than Miss San, daughter of San Shier.
In Jishan County, she had partnered with the local gentry Mo Xiaopin to establish a fertilizer factory. She came frequently to supervise production and argue—passionately—about technical improvements.
Seeing an old classmate from Gao Family Village School, she immediately shed her usual reserve.
Honestly, Little Zhuge, you really didn't apply yourself," she said, half scolding, half amused. "We were in the same class! You were one of the most promising students of the first generation, and yet you dropped out after elementary school. If you'd just finished middle school, who knows how far you'd have gone? Look at Chen Yuanbo—he's already magistrate of Wenshui County. Even Dao Xuan Tianzun personally praised him."
Zhuge Wangchan scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly.
"Well… some people are just born a bit clumsy."
Miss San snorted.
"Then how dare you call yourself Zhuge Wangchan?"
He spread his hands.
"Hey, compared to my classmates I might be slow, but in the grand scheme of the world, I'm still pretty clever."
Miss San rubbed her temples, utterly exasperated.
"There it is again. That attitude is exactly why you dropped out—you're far too easily satisfied."
Zhuge Wangchan laughed quickly, raising both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright, spare me! Let's not dig up ancient history. What are you doing, leading such a big group through the streets?"
She brightened.
"The factory's expanding. Our cafeteria can't keep up anymore—we're recruiting another batch of women cooks."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted past him… and landed on the women and children standing behind the logistics soldiers.
She blinked.
"…Little Zhuge," she said slowly, "where did you abduct these people from?"
Zhuge Wangchan nearly choked.
"What kind of nonsense is that?! Abducted? These are refugees Dao Xuan Tianzun personally rescued from Houjia Village. He ordered me to escort them back to Gao Family Village for resettlement."
Miss San's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Hehehe… resettlement, huh? Well, anywhere can be resettlement, can't it? Our Jihua Number One Factory can resettle people too!"
"The Dao Xuan Tianzun said they're free to choose," Zhuge Wangchan replied. "Entirely up to them."
Miss San didn't hesitate. She immediately turned to the women.
"Hey, sisters! Looking for a place to settle down?" she said brightly. "You've come at the perfect time! Our Jihua Number One Factory is hiring women cooks. Your job would be simple—prepare three meals a day for the workers."
The women exchanged looks.
"…Such a job exists?" someone asked cautiously.
Miss San launched into explanation with contagious enthusiasm.
"Of course it does! Three catties of flour per day as wages. Meals are free—same food the workers eat. Clean, comfortable dormitories for living. Your children can attend the factory's children's school at no cost."
She ticked items off on her fingers.
"Year-end bonuses. Summer cooling allowances. Winter heating allowances. Zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival. Mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival. Spring and autumn outings for employees. And sometimes, we even invite opera troupes to perform right inside the factory!"
Silence.
Utter, stunned silence.
The women stared at her as if she had just recited a fairy tale.
This wasn't "good treatment."
This sounded like a trap.
In unison, they took a step back—then another—and hid behind Zhuge Wangchan.
"Big brother…" one whispered urgently.
"She's lying, isn't she?"
"She's trying to trick us into being sold to a brothel, right?!"
Miss San froze, completely dumbstruck.
Zhuge Wangchan burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Relax, relax. She's a good person—you're just not used to how things work around here yet."
But the women didn't budge. Compared to a stranger spouting impossible promises, they trusted Zhuge Wangchan far more. They clutched their children and stubbornly refused to go anywhere near the fertilizer factory.
Miss San could only sigh in defeat.
"Alright, alright. I'll go put up recruitment notices instead. There are always people willing to come. These sisters probably need time to settle down first."
That night, the logistics team rested in Jishan County.
Early the next morning, they set out again.
They passed through Hejin County, then crossed the Dragon Gate Bridge.
The women were completely mesmerized by the massive stone span, but what shocked them most was the strange structure standing at the western end—
Dragon Gate Train West Station.
Zhuge Wangchan led them into the waiting hall.
Someone couldn't help asking, "Big brother, it's still early. Shouldn't we walk another ten or twenty li before resting?"
Zhuge Wangchan smiled.
"No more walking from here on."
"…Huh?"
"We're taking transport."
Before they could process that, a piercing woo—woo! split the air.
Then came a rhythmic choo-choo-choo.
The ground trembled.
An enormous iron beast roared toward them.
"W-what is that thing?!" someone screamed.
A man stepped down from the machine, waving cheerfully.
"Little Zhuge! You're back?"
Zhuge Wangchan laughed.
"Old Li! What are you doing on the train?"
Old Li grinned.
"Official operations start tomorrow. I've been hired as a ticket inspector. See that little window? They'll sell tickets there starting tomorrow."
Zhuge Wangchan nodded thoughtfully.
"So even this railway will start charging fares. Makes sense—can't keep letting everyone ride for free after spending so much to build it."
Old Li leaned in conspiratorially.
"Oh, and there's more. The long-distance line is finished—the one connecting Xi'an through Dali, Chengcheng, Gao Family Village, Heyang, Qichuan Ferry, Linyi Yellow River Bridge, Sunji Town, Puzhou, all the way to Hedong Circuit. The opening ceremony's about to happen."
Zhuge Wangchan's eyes widened.
"That's incredible! I'll definitely ride it when I get the chance."
He turned back to the women, who stood frozen in shock.
With a wave of his hand, he smiled.
"Alright, everyone—let's get on."