Accidentally dressed as an empress

By chance, when Yang Er was out looking for food, he met a hunter who lived alone on the edge of a forest.

The hunter was moved by the experiences of Yang Er and others and agreed to help them pass the message to their brothers in the mine.

While waiting for news, Yang Er and his fellow workers continued to strengthen the defense of the cave while learning some mountain survival skills taught by hunters.

Yang Er's rough hands tightly grasped a thick wooden stick, sharpening it with all his might while shouting to his fellow workers, "Brothers, we must work harder to guard this cave entrance. We must set up more obstacles and prevent those pursuers from finding us easily."

The workers nodded one after another. Some of them were carrying stones and piling them up around the cave entrance to form a simple protective wall; others were weaving vines to make tripwires.

In the cold winter, the biting north wind whistles through the mountains and forests, and the icy air is like sharp needles, stinging people's skin.

While waiting for news, Yang Er and his fellow workers lived in a cave, always alert to any movements outside.

Outside the cave, a world of silvery white lay spread out. Tall trees were covered in thick snow, their branches bent as if unable to bear the weight.

The strong wind blew the snow particles against the mountain wall, making a rustling sound, which added a bit of solemn and murderous atmosphere.

In the distance, several squirrels were jumping among the snow-covered branches, their fluffy tails particularly conspicuous against the snow. They were busy looking for nuts hidden in the autumn. Occasionally they stopped and looked around vigilantly, their ears trembling slightly, as if trying to determine whether there was any danger approaching.

In the cave, a hare would occasionally poke its head out of the snow hole, leaving a string of small footprints on the white snow, and then quickly disappear into the bushes, only stirring up a few wisps of snow mist.

Yang Er exhaled white air, rubbed his hands together, and said loudly: "Brothers, it's freezing cold, and those guys may not be feeling well, but we can't be careless. We have to guard the cave entrance more tightly." After that, he carried a heavy stone and walked towards the cave entrance with difficulty.

The workers also stood up. Some used their red, frozen hands to move ice blocks and build an ice wall at the entrance of the cave; some used simple tools to reinforce the surrounding fortifications, and the hot air they exhaled instantly condensed into frost on their eyebrows.

Taking advantage of the lull in the wind and snow, the hunter led everyone to a relatively sheltered valley.

Before him was a vast expanse of white snow. The hunter bent down, dug through the snow, and revealed some dry grass stems. He said, "This is winter mallow. Although it looks insignificant, it can be eaten after being boiled. It can replenish some physical strength."

Yang Er tightened his worn cotton coat, squatted down to examine it carefully, and asked, "How do you eat this? Is it poisonous?" The hunter bent over and patiently explained, "Wash it clean and boil it with snow water. It tastes bitter, but it can satisfy your hunger. It's not poisonous. I've been eating it for years."

Back at the cave, everyone piled some firewood at the entrance and lit a bonfire.

The leaping flames illuminated everyone's tired yet resolute faces.

The hunter sat by the fire, gesturing on the ground with a wooden stick: "In this icy and snowy place, if you get lost, you must pay attention to the wind direction.

The north wind blows a lot, and if you go with the wind, you may find a valley or a place sheltered from the wind.

Also, the animal footprints in the snow can reveal a lot…” The workers leaned closer to the fire and listened attentively.

Late at night, the forest was shrouded in darkness, and the temperature grew colder. Yang Er took the initiative to assume the responsibility of the first sentry. He gripped a thick wooden stick tightly and sat quietly at the entrance of the cave, his eyes vigilantly watching the movements outside.

The cold wind poured in through the cracks in the cave entrance, slicing his bearded face like a knife. The campfire beside him crackled from time to time, the dancing flames illuminating his resolute expression.

Suddenly, an owl flew silently over the top of the cave, its broad wings drawing a dark shadow in the light of the snow. It made a shrill cry, like a night sentinel in the silent mountain forest, breaking the tranquility of the night, and then disappeared into the darkness.

Yang Er couldn't help but shiver. He gripped the wooden stick tighter, wrapped the worn and thin cotton coat around him again, and still looked around with a determined gaze.

On this long and cold winter night, the workers snuggled up to each other and fell asleep in the cave, occasionally someone would make a slight sound of talking in their sleep or turning over.

Outside the cave, the cold wind was still howling, blowing the snow on the branches down.

As the days passed, the wind seemed less harsh, and there was a faint breath of spring in the mountains and forests.

But beneath this seemingly calm surface, there is an undercurrent surging.

More and more people escaped from the iron mine and, after untold hardships, found the cave where Yang Er was. These people were all ragged, pale and thin, but their eyes showed the relief of surviving the disaster and the peace of mind of finding the organization.

A middle-aged man, hunched over and exhausted, fell to his knees upon entering the cave, weeping uncontrollably. "Second Brother Yang, we finally found you! Life in the mine is unbearable. The supervisors are beating and scolding us more harshly, and we're fed food worse than pigs and dogs. People are falling down every day... We couldn't take it anymore, so we desperately ran out."

Everyone gathered around, their eyes filled with grief, anger, and sympathy. Yang Er quickly helped him up and said with a firm gaze, "Don't be afraid, brothers. Now that we've all escaped, we must unite as one. There's strength in numbers. Let's work together to survive and fight those who oppress us to the end!" The newcomers nodded, sparks of hope ignited in their eyes.

For a moment, the cave became lively, and everyone shared their experiences and observations with each other.

Some said they nearly froze to death in the snow while escaping, while others said they survived by eating grass roots and tree bark. Yang Er calmed everyone down while discussing the next plan with the hunter and several workers.

They realized that as their numbers increased, food and security issues became more severe, but at the same time it also meant that they had greater power and more wisdom.

So, everyone started to work together. Those who were in better health followed the hunters to go further to find food and available resources; those who stayed behind continued to strengthen the cave's defenses and prepare for possible dangers.

While everyone was busy, the sentry at the cave entrance hurried in and whispered, "Brother Yang, there seems to be some movement outside. I wonder if the pursuers are here." The cave suddenly became quiet, and the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed to freeze into ice.

Yang Er's eyes flashed, and he quickly picked up a thick wooden stick, walked to the entrance of the cave with his back bent, and carefully pushed aside the branches and leaves to peek outside.

In the woods not far away, there were a few shadowy figures moving around with disorderly steps, which did not look like organized pursuers.

Yang Er watched vigilantly until the figures gradually became clear. They turned out to be several strangers who were also ragged and haggard. They looked like workers who had escaped from a nearby mine.

Their steps were unsteady, their eyes filled with fear and confusion. One of the tall and thin young men was supporting an injured companion as they struggled forward in the snow.

Seeing this, Yang Er's heart tightened. He turned around and winked at his fellow workers, signaling them not to act rashly. When the men approached, Yang Er cleared his throat and asked loudly, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The tall, thin young man looked up at the voice, a look of surprise and excitement on his face. "Brother, we escaped from the mines in the east. We heard there was a safe place here, so we searched all the way here. We are really desperate. Please take us in!"

Yang Er examined them, seeing the scars beneath their ragged clothes and the sincere, eager expressions in their eyes. His heart softened, and he exchanged glances with his fellow workers, receiving a slight nod. Yang Er put down his stick, walked out quickly, and said, "We are all suffering brothers. Come in first!"

Everyone hurriedly welcomed these new escapees into the cave. Some helped support the wounded, and some used the few herbs they had to bandage their wounds.

For a moment, the cave was filled with low conversations and slight sighs.

Yang Er looked at these new faces and felt happy. More and more people escaped, and their team became bigger and bigger.