Chapter 254: Current Situation (2)
Editor: Atlas Studios
After all, Qi Haoran was still young and had been neglected by his father since he was young. He did not like to study and only liked to practice martial arts back in Lin’an Prefecture. His greatest wish was to become a general under his brother when he grew up and reclaim his hometown with him.
He was more loyal to his country than the Emperor, unlike what most people thought.
If Qi Xiuyuan heard Mu Yangling’s words, he would definitely reprimand her. If other officials heard this, they would probably arrest her.
Since Qi Haoran was like this, Mu Yangling did not hide anything and told him her opinion. “The weakness of Great Zhou is apparent when compared to West Xia, the Jin Kingdom and Tibet. However, our Great Zhou has abundant resources. With General Yuan, General Yang, and General Zhu guarding the borders, in addition to the fact that there is no peace between the countries, it will be very difficult to destroy Great Zhou from the outside. Therefore, if Great Zhou is to perish, it can only be destroyed from the inside.”
Sighing, she continued, “That’s why I said that the heavens are not giving the Guo family a way out. With the current climate, our Xingyuan Prefecture might not have a smooth sailing next year. There are a few other places that have a situation as abnormal as Xingzhou Prefecture. The harvest is poor, yet the taxes have not decreased. If the Imperial Court still courts death by increasing the taxes now, what do you think will happen to the commoners if they are forced to a dead end?”
Qi Haoran squatted on the ground and pondered. Mu Yangling nimbly flipped the pheasant in her hand. When she felt that it was cooked, she tore a piece and placed it in her mouth. She split the pheasant into two and gave half to Qi Haoran. Leaning against the rock, she ate as she said, “So I feel that if I can earn money now, I should earn more and buy more grains to save up. If the world really falls into chaos, at least I can protect my family and won’t let them starve.”
Qi Haoran had been silently eating the pheasant in his hand. When Fei Bai felt that it was safe, he sneaked back and found a stick to roast the rabbit and pheasant.
After the three of them had their fill, Qi Haoran stood up and clapped his hands. “Let’s go. Fei Bai and I will help you get firewood.”
Mu Yangling asked with a smile, “How did you know that I was going to fetch firewood?”
“When have you not dragged a few bundles of firewood down the mountain these past few days?”
Mu Yangling tilted her head and looked at him. “How did you know?”
“Is there anything I don’t know in my territory?”
Mu Yangling only smiled. After gathering four bundles of firewood, Mu Yangling returned to where she was just now and picked up a few rocks. She placed them in Qi Haoran’s arms and said, “Since there’s nothing you don’t know in your territory, go and find out who the descendant of this rock is. Don’t forget to thank me later.”
With that, she strung up the four bundles of firewood with a stick and carried them away.
“Miss Mu, let me help you tie them up.” Fei Bai hurriedly chased after her. Mu Yangling waved her hand and said, “There’s no need. You should help your master pick up a few more rocks.”
Fei Bai scratched his head and asked, “Fourth Young Master, since when did Miss Mu like to joke so much?”
Qi Haoran hugged the rock in his arms and kicked him. “What are you talking about? Hurry up and pick up more rocks.”
Fei Bai jumped away and looked at the rocks on the mountain in confusion. He muttered, “What’s the use of picking up all these rocks?” However, he still obediently went to pick up the rocks. When he saw the black and red rocks in Qi Haoran’s arms, he specially chose rocks of this color. In the end, the two of them carried back more than ten rocks.
Qi Haoran placed the rocks on the desk, propped his chin on his hand, and glared at them. He asked, “Other than being a little ugly, what else is special about these rocks?”
Fei Bai stood at the side and shook his head. “Master, Miss Mu might be joking with you.”
“Its descendants? Aren’t rocks’ descendants still rocks? Can gold grow out of rocks?” Qi Haoran’s eyes lit up when he heard this unintentionally. He slammed the table and shouted, “That’s right. Doesn’t gold grow out of rocks?”
Fei Bai stuttered, “Fourth Young Master, don’t tell me you really believe it? These rocks look no different from ordinary rocks. Moreover, gold is yellow. Look, this rock is black and red.”
Qi Haoran rolled his eyes and scolded, “You’re even more stupid than me. If there’s gold in the rock, can’t there be other things? For example, copper, iron, and tin. Don’t they all come from rocks? Hurry up and get a box. I’ll put them in for Big Brother to see.”
Seeing that Qi Haoran was serious, Fei Bai could only turn around and carry a box over. He said worriedly, “Master, what if this rock doesn’t have any descendants? Will Eldest Young Master blame us for causing trouble for no reason?”
“I’m very lucky. No matter what, it can’t be the case. There are so many rocks on Luocong Mountain. Could it be that every single one of them has this ‘sterilization disease’?” As he spoke, he said fiercely to him, “If these few rocks can’t be refined into descendants, go up the mountain and move the rocks until you find one that can give birth to descendants.”
Fei Bai hugged a rock and cried, “Miss Mu, you’ve really harmed me this time. Good treasure, good rock, you must have many children and grandchildren.”
“Pfft!” Fan Zijin saw this scene as soon as he opened the door. He could not help but laugh and ask, “How can a rock have many children and grandchildren?”
Yanmo also teased Fei Bai with a grin. “It’s probably Brother Fei Bai who gave birth to them. That’s not right either. Brother Fei Bai is a man. Could it be that rocks bore Brother Fei Bai’s descendants?”
“Go away, what nonsense are you spouting?” Fei Bai packed the rocks into the box and said to Fan Zijin, “Young Master Zijin, it’s good that you’re here. With a word from Miss Mu, our master was possessed. He thought that these rocks could give birth to gold, silver, or iron and copper.”
Stunned, Fan Zijin lowered his head and looked at the rocks carefully. After a while, he said, “Don’t even think about gold and silver. Though, iron might be possible.”
Qi Haoran laughed out loud and looked at Fei Bai smugly. “How is it? Am I right?”
Fei Bai said in a daze, “The rocks really can give birth to descendants?”
Fan Zijin said in a low voice, “Don’t jump to conclusions so early. Take these to Xingzhou Prefecture and let Eldest Cousin take a look. Big Brother Rong is knowledgeable. He might know. By the way, where did you get these rocks?”
Qi Haoran pointed outside and said, “It’s in front of our camp.”
Fan Zijin tilted his head. “In the field? Was that thrown by someone?”
Qi Haoran revealed his white teeth, his eyes filled with smugness. “Luocong Mountain. The mountain is filled with rocks.”
Fan Zijin recalled that Luocong Mountain was filled with rocks and only had some weeds and a few low trees. It was indeed possible that it was a mine.
However, Luocong Mountain was so close to the county. How could it not have been discovered all these years?
Qi Haoran closed the box and said, “Let’s just verify if it’s real or fake.”
After thinking about it, Fan Zijin agreed. The few of them packed up and got into the carriage to rush to Xingzhou Prefecture. When the soldiers outside saw Fei Bai and Yanmo carrying the box, they only thought that Little General was going to give the General another gift.