Endless Winter: My Camp Infinite Upgrades

Chapter 549 Qinghua City Headquarters
The original surname of Qingtan Village is Su. More than 80% of the villagers share the surname Su. If we trace their ancestry back, we can trace it back to Su Qingfang, the founding ancestor of Qingtan Village a hundred years ago.

The beauty of a gentleman will be cut down in five lifetimes.

The same principle applies to relationships within the same clan.

Although Qingtan Village has existed for over a hundred years, it is located deep in the Changqing Valley, a place that is basically isolated from the outside world and lacks abundant resources. Everyone is struggling to survive, so naturally, the concept of a family has not developed.

Although Su Qingfang was not very capable, only at the Cold Resistance level, he had many offspring, including more than thirty sons. With the development of various branches, Qingtan Village became a large and prosperous place.

The family prospered, but they remained poor. With over thirty sons, the family line would continue for another hundred years, reaching four or five generations. Although they recognized each other as ancestors, their relationships with one another would have faded.

Strictly speaking, Su Xing'er and her three siblings were cousins ​​of Su He. However, because the Su family had not developed any concept of family, and the village was full of people with the surname Su, their father, Su Lie, did not give them any special care after their parents passed away.

Qingtan Village was a village struggling on the edge of subsistence. There were far too many families in the village with situations like the four siblings', and even if their father, Su Lie, wanted to take care of them, he couldn't possibly do so.

However, this does not mean that Su Lie completely abandons them. Qingtan Village will provide a food ration for each orphan who has lost their parents and support them until they turn fifteen and reach adulthood.

Of course, this only applies to food rations; forget about cultivation resources.

Su Xing'er and her three siblings were ambitious and unwilling to live off the rations provided by the village. So, four years ago, when the county guards came to their door and learned that they could go to the city to make a living, the four siblings immediately signed up.

Su He had a deep impression of Su Xing'er and her three siblings because after their parents passed away unexpectedly, their father, Su Lie, suggested that he adopt them.

Su He refused outright. His talent for cultivation was not high to begin with, as evidenced by the fact that he was only at the limit of the Earth-Digging Realm. Moreover, he already had six children to raise, and how could he possibly take care of four more?

The group of people who escaped from the Bone-Eating Path four years ago not only told the truth that the county guards had tricked them into going to their deaths at the hands of monsters, but also revealed the whole process of their escape from the jaws of death.

According to those people, a very powerful young man in black suddenly emerged from the Bone-Eating Path. Before they could react, the young man in black had killed most of Caiqiu's county guards.

"The four Su siblings are probably going to have a great opportunity. That young man in black must have taken a liking to them..."

Those people were vague in their statements, but Su He could roughly deduce that Su Jing and his three siblings were usually very clever in the village, so it was indeed possible.

Of course, it's just a possibility.

Over the past four years, Su He has only sighed softly when he thinks of the four siblings.

The idea that they were favored by powerful figures is just speculation. If it were so easy to be favored by important people, how could Qingtan Village have remained in such a barren place for over a hundred years?
However, upon seeing Su Xing'er and her three siblings, along with the approximately thirty-odd people behind them, Su He's pupils dilated in shock. He suddenly realized that his guess from four years ago was probably true.

He had never even seen the material of the clothes worn by Su Xing'er and her three siblings before, let alone the aura of the more than thirty people in the room, including the four of them. They all seemed to him to be stronger than his father, Su Lie.

Moreover, it's much stronger!

"Xing'er, you all..."

"Uncle He, don't worry. We actually came back a long time ago. On the 25th of last month, we brought back that batch of animal meat and blood at the village entrance. We didn't show up because it was inconvenient to contact you."

Su He was taken aback upon hearing this, and his expression immediately became somewhat excited.

On the 25th of last month, a batch of supplies suddenly appeared at the village entrance: 150,000 catties of animal meat and 10,000 catties of animal blood. The supplies also included a letter, saying that it was a gift from an old friend. For Qingtan Village, this was like a windfall. Father Su Lie was so happy that he couldn't sleep for several days, and kept guessing who it was.

Although Qingtan Village is remote, the prices are roughly the same as those in Qinghua City. The lowest grade of beast meat costs 1 tael of silver per catty, the intermediate grade costs 3 taels, and the high grade costs 10 taels. Beast blood is even more expensive. Intermediate beast blood that can be used for cultivation costs 15 taels per catty, and high grade costs 30 taels per catty.

They estimated that the total value of the supplies at the village entrance was at least 35 taels of silver. Not to mention Qingtan Village, probably no one in the entire Qingyugou area had ever seen so much money.

What kind of old friend would send such a large batch of supplies for no reason?

If it weren't for the accompanying letter, Father Su Lie probably wouldn't have dared to touch these supplies.

The problem is, Qingtan Village has never produced any great figures before, has it?
Now, the case has finally been solved.

Of course, Su He was excited not only because he learned the origin of the supplies, but also because the fact that Su Xing'er and her three siblings could send such a large batch of supplies to the village proved that the guess from four years ago was true. On the other hand, it showed that the four siblings still had feelings for Qingtan Village.

This is what excites him the most.

"Xing'er, Uncle He thanks you all so much. I was blind back then. This is wonderful... wonderful. By the way, have you four siblings really caught the eye of an important person?"

Su He was so emotional that he was both grateful and apologetic, and he was almost incoherent. But in the end, he asked the question that was bothering him the most.

“Uncle He, you have many children. Xing’er knows the situation clearly back then. If we were blaming you, we wouldn’t have sent such a large batch of supplies…”

Su Xing'er smiled faintly. Su He's refusal to adopt the four of them was entirely due to his own reasons, which she hadn't taken to heart. Moreover, looking back now, she should be grateful. If Su He hadn't refused to adopt them, there wouldn't have been the incident with her master later.

After a moment's thought, she looked up and continued, "My three older brothers and I have indeed become disciples of a great figure. We've returned this time precisely because our master has arranged for us to do some things..."

As Su Xing'er slowly revealed her intentions, the excitement on Su He's face gradually disappeared, replaced by shock, and finally, horror. By the time Su Xing'er finished speaking, he was completely stunned.

Su Xing'er wasn't in a hurry, but gave him enough time to react. Once Su He's expression had slowly returned to normal, she slowly spoke, "Grandpa Su Lie secretly joined the Frost Ash Society long ago, and the branch leaders in various regions have already secretly raised up rebel armies among the laborers. However, the army that Cai Qiu is leading south this time is simply too large, a full 200,000. The total number of rebels is currently less than 40,000. I'm worried that the numbers aren't enough, so I had Wu Heng use some methods to push Cai Qiu to continue conscripting able-bodied men..."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Qingyugou is the last stop before Caiqiu's army enters the Bone-Eating Pass. The army will arrive tonight. Our plan is that as soon as they enter the Bone-Eating Pass at dawn on the 3rd, the rebel army will secretly move out from behind to block the entrance..."

"Xing'er, this...this...Cai Qiu's 200,000-strong army consists entirely of soldiers of the Cold-Weather Protection level. What use would it be if you pulled a million-strong rebel army from among the civilian laborers?"

Su He could no longer contain his shock and interrupted Su Xing'er.

In the eyes of everyone in Changqing Valley, Cai Qiu's army was no different from heavenly soldiers and generals. Take Qingtan Village for example, the whole village only had 13 people at the Cold Resistance level, while Cai Qiu's army, even the most ordinary soldiers, all had Cold Resistance level cultivation. Is there any comparison between them?

The entire Changqing Valley has a population of over 120 million. According to Su Xing'er's plan, if Caiqiu continues to conscript laborers, even if the labor force eventually reaches 40 and half of them are willing to revolt, that would only amount to 20 people.

It seems to be about the same size as Cai Qiu's army, but the problem is, how many of these 200,000 people are at the Cold Protection level? It is estimated that more than 90% are at the Digging Realm or the Logging Realm. Judging from the recruitment situation in Qingtan Village tonight, the Digging Realm probably only accounts for 10% to 20%.

What use are a few thousand Cold Resistance level cultivators, over ten thousand Earth Digging realm cultivators, and eighteen thousand Wood Logging realm cultivators against Cai Qiu's army?

Su He actually knew about the Frost Ashes Society. His father, Su Lie, told him about it as soon as he joined the Frost Ashes Society two years ago. At first, he was a little scared, but later he found that the Frost Ashes Society not only did not ask them to do anything, but also regularly distributed cultivation resources to them, so he was a little relieved.

Of course, Su He wasn't stupid. The Frost Ashes were clearly a rebel force, and since they were so willing to invest, there would definitely be a time when they would be needed in the future.

He had been wondering when Frostbite would finally ask them to do something. Now that the time had finally come, upon hearing of such a momentous event, he felt both apprehensive and inexplicably excited. He even quickly helped Su Xing'er think things through and concluded that the chances of it succeeding were extremely low.

"Uncle He, we, the rebels, are not the ones who can deal with Cai Qiu's army!"

However, Su Xing'er had clearly made preparations long ago.

After she finished speaking, she smiled, a cold glint in her eyes, and said, "Cai Qiu's 200,000-strong army is heading south to oppose Master. The rebel army is just a backup plan. Master's main force is currently stationed at the other end of the Bone-Eating Path. They are the main force to deal with Cai Qiu's army!"

Upon hearing this, Su He's pupils dilated slightly, feeling both shocked and curious about the master Su Xing'er mentioned.

With a large army under his command, he must be a regional lord. To be able to fight head-on against a powerful warlord like Cai Qiu, could it be that Su Xing'er's master is also a warlord?
Su Xing'er actually managed to become a disciple of a high-ranking official?
gulp...

Su He's pupils suddenly filled with intense envy, and she even felt a pang of jealousy.

But he quickly suppressed the inappropriate emotion in his heart, clenched his fists tightly, and said in a deep voice, "If that's the case, then I have nothing more to say. Xing'er, tell me what you need me to do?"

Although his father had only been a member of the Frostfire Society for a year, he wholeheartedly agreed with its ideals, as did Suhe. He had never liked Cai Qiu, and the forced labor had caused unrest in the village, so he harbored resentment.

Su Xing'er's father, Su Lie, was a member of the Frost Ashes Society. Such a big matter would have far-reaching consequences. Su Xing'er's identity was clearly not simple. Since she had personally come to his door with so many people, he had no choice but to accept.

Of course, most importantly, Su Xing'er's current status is different from before. The fact that she came to Qingtan Village to find him at this time proves that she can use him, which may very well be related to the future of Qingtan Village.

Su Xing'er has most likely become a disciple of a high-ranking official. In that case, no matter how the battle ends, she will be safe. Protecting Qingtan Village would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?
If we win the battle, Qingtan Village might be able to follow in the footsteps of Su Xing'er and her three siblings and embark on a bright future!

Thinking of all this, Su He's heart warmed up considerably, and he naturally became enthusiastic in response to Su Xing'er's instructions.

What Su Xing'er asked him to do wasn't complicated: to disguise the thirty-odd people he brought as able-bodied men from the village so they could blend in with the laborers.

Team.

Suhe can certainly handle such a small matter.

After Su Xing'er finished giving her instructions, Su He nodded and was about to go out to make arrangements when he suddenly remembered something. He turned to Su Xing'er and asked in a low voice, "Xing'er, what is your identity in the Frost Ashes Society?"

The fact that Su Xing'er could arrange for all the branches of Changqing Valley to rise up together clearly shows that Su He's identity is not simple. Su He was too curious, which is why he asked this question.

Su Xing'er remained silent for a moment before answering, "The Grand Master of the Frost Ashes Society in Qinghua City."

Su He's body stiffened, and after nodding, he quickly walked out.

"Was it useful to specifically assign us to the laborers' team in Qingtan Village?"

After watching Su He leave, Su Jing asked a question out of curiosity.

Su Xing'er nodded and said, "Of course it will be useful. Although Qingtan Village is insignificant, it is very close to the Bone-Eroding Path and right next to the office where Cai Qiu manages the laborers. As long as we can ensure that the laborers here can revolt smoothly, we can quickly destroy the temporary office set up by Cai Qiu, so that they cannot give orders to all the laborers. In this way, the other places will be less controlled, and the uprising will be more successful."

After a moment's thought, Su Jing understood.

Caiqiu conscripted 100,000 laborers in the first batch in Changqing Valley. These 100,000 laborers were specifically tasked with clearing snow tracks for the army. They stretched for at least 70 or 80 kilometers from north to south, and were relatively scattered. Orders were relayed by designated personnel in one team after another.

If the administrative office near Qingtan Village could be removed, the laborers would be completely unsupervised, and the uprising would naturally proceed more smoothly.

Of course, this is only the first batch.

The second batch of laborers has already been conscripted. Given Cai Qiu's perverse actions, it's likely that another 200,000 to 300,000 will be conscripted.

The more people there are, the harder it is to manage them!

If they're hard to manage, they'll have an even better chance to take advantage of the situation.

After clearing his mind, Su Jing turned to look at the core members of the Frostfire Society, and said with a slightly excited tone:

"We've been making small-scale attacks lately, and Cai Yunzhou and the other major leaders in Qinghua City don't take us seriously. If we can cooperate with our master to recreate Caiqiu and the Qinghua City headquarters, we'll truly become famous!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions brightened slightly, including Su Xing'er's.

As soon as Su Xing'er returned from Chencang at the end of last year, she immediately contacted the Caiqiu Qinghua City headquarters using the method given to her by Ji Hong.

The entire Qinghua City headquarters only had eighteen members at the Cold Resistance level, and none of them had a strength of more than 10. The remaining three or four thousand members were all at the Earth Digging level.

Compared to Chen Cang's Frost Ashes, Cai Qiu's Frost Ashes are indeed much weaker.

Although Caiqiu also has the Frost Ashes Society, it originated from Chencang and is far inferior in terms of organizational structure and personnel strength.

Despite this, Su Xing'er was not discouraged. With the financial support of Chen Cang, she and her three brothers made Qinghua City's headquarters quite successful in just a few months. They even organized several assassination attempts around Qinghua City, all targeting corrupt officials in Caiqiu.

Even so, limited by their strength, the Qinghua City headquarters could not accomplish anything significant, and the reputation of the Frost Ash Society could not spread. The Qinghua City Lord Cai Yunzhou and the several Xianyang-level commanders did not take them seriously at all, and did not even put much effort into hunting them down.

Rebellious organizations like the Frostfire Society should, in theory, remain hidden in the shadows and not be too conspicuous.

But that depends on the situation.

A newly established organization like Cai Qiu Shuang Jin Hui is too weak and will find it difficult to grow its membership without the support of a reputation.

This collaboration with their master in countering Cai Qiu's army's southward advance is undoubtedly the best opportunity for their Qinghua City headquarters to make a name for themselves.

"Lord Xiang has already led those men to blend into the ranks of laborers. As soon as it's dawn, Cai Qiu's army will enter the Bone-Eating Path, and then we can start our uprising. Take the Blood-Concealing Pill and set off!"

When Su Xing'er saw Su He return, she knew he had made arrangements. She immediately stood up and gestured for everyone to take the pills. After putting on a disguise, she led everyone out.

The people Cai Qiu sent to manage the laborers were actually ordinary soldiers from the county guards. Although they were not very strong, they still had to disguise themselves to avoid being exposed and affecting the timing of the uprising.

(End of this chapter)