Chapter 302: Thinking
Editor: Atlas Studios
Of the two uncles who brought Qi Haoran and the others in, one was called Shi Zhu and the other was called Yuan Xing. Although they did not say anything, Qi Haoran noticed that Shi Zhu and Yuan Xing were probably patrolling previously. Although they did not meet anyone along the way, Yuan Xing would make a gesture every time they arrived at a location. Although it was not obvious, it did not escape his eyes.
Qi Haoran’s eyes darkened. It seemed that they had indeed found the right place. Those people were hiding on the mountain outside Zhaohua City. However, it was strange. Why couldn’t they find any traces when they sent their men to search Tongchuan Prefecture previously?
Yuan Xing led Qi Haoran deeper into the mountains. Then, the two of them saw a huge creature built in the valley. That’s right, it was a huge creature.
From their angle, they could look down on the entire valley. If someone told Qi Haoran that this was a city, he would believe it. The houses below were all built with stone, and there was a city wall outside that was also made of stone. From here, he could see that there were people moving around in the city.
Fei Bai’s mouth was also wide open in shock. Then, his heart trembled. He felt that they were done for. His master had walked into a trap. How could they escape from such a city?
Fei Bai could not help but curse the county magistrate in his heart. He actually did not know that a city had been built in the mountains?
Qi Haoran’s eyes darkened even more as he quickly thought about it. This was definitely a rebellion. Could it be that he had guessed wrongly from the beginning?
But who would bring the old, weak, sick, and disabled along in a rebellion?
Qi Haoran followed the two of them down the mountain without batting an eyelid. However, Fei Bai’s eyes were wide open, and he looked like he was stammering and unable to speak. Shi Zhu laughed and patted his shoulder. “How is it? Are you frightened? Come, I’ll bring you in. Since you’re here, you don’t have to worry about not having food anymore. As long as you’re willing to work here, you’ll definitely be able to eat your fill.”
However, Yuan Xing looked at Qi Haoran. Qi Haoran’s originally expressionless face was also filled with surprise as he looked around. Relieved, Yuan Xing brought the two of them in to register.
Although Qi Haoran was already 15 years old, he was still classified as a minor. Therefore, he was sent to the group of elderly and kids, while Fei Bai was arranged to stay with young people around his age.
Even though Fei Bai said that Qi Haoran would be 16 next year, Yuan Xing did not agree to let him join the youth group because they had to do plenty of heavy chores there. The Celestial Master was very strict about this.
Qi Haoran was very satisfied with this arrangement. Among the group of elderly and kids, he quickly blended in and found out some information.
Then, Qi Haoran almost jumped up in shock.
This valley, which Qi Haoran had thought was a city, was just a mining and smelting plant. It mined silver ore and refined silver ore.
Qi Haoran felt that he had really shot himself in the foot. Realizing he had indeed underestimated his enemy this time, he looked at the heavens in grief and indignation.
Fan Zijin also looked at the heavens in grief and indignation. He glared at Qi Haoran’s bodyguard, who had come to deliver the letter, and said, “Why didn’t your master arrange it himself?”
The bodyguard shrunk his neck and whispered, “Our master originally wanted to arrange it himself, but he was suddenly transferred to quell the rebellion. He simply didn’t have the time.”
Fan Zijin snorted and looked at the letter on the table. Gritting his teeth, he finally waved his hand and said, “Get lost. I understand.”
The bodyguard hurriedly bowed and said, “Then I’ll take my leave.”
Fan Zijin picked up the letter on the table and pondered for a while. In the end, he still went to decorate the cattle farm that Qi Haoran had chosen for Mu Yangling.
If not for the fact that his bodyguard had come, he would not have known that Qi Haoran planned to gift this plot of land to Mu Yangling. Previously, when Qi Haoran asked him to look for the magistrate of Hanzhong Prefecture, he’d thought that he planned to use this piece of land to expand his horse farm. Who knew that he was planning to give Mu Yangling this as her birthday gift?
Why didn’t he receive such treatment on his birthday?
Every time he celebrated his birthday, Qi Haoran would just get him some random present. Also, he didn’t seem to care much about Eldest Cousin’s birthday. Fan Zijin had thought that he would be like that for the rest of his life. So, it wasn’t that he didn’t care about birthday gifts, but simply that it depended on whose birthday it was.
Although Fan Zijin nagged, he still did his best to set up the place according to Qi Haoran’s request. When Mu Yangling came to Hanzhong Prefecture again, he brought her over to take a look at the cattle farm that had already been built and said, “This is Haoran’s birthday gift to you.”
Mu Yangling widened her eyes and said, “It’s been five days since my birthday.”
Fan Zijin snorted and lied through his teeth. “Of course I know. However, I was discussing business with someone else previously and forgot about this matter. You didn’t come to Hanzhong Prefecture, so I kept it until now.”
In reality, Qi Haoran originally wanted to gift Mu Yangling a plot of land that was not far from his ranch. However, because he could not personally deliver it to Mu Yangling, he felt guilty, so he decided to also build a house in the cattle ranch for Mu Yangling.
After all, since she was raising cows, there had to be a cowshed, a storeroom, and so on.
After Fan Zijin received Qi Haoran’s letter, he worked overtime to get it ready for him. He finally finished building 20 cowsheds and three stone houses for Mu Yangling today.
Because he needed it done urgently, Fan Zijin paid a lot more money. Even the materials were snatched from others.
Mu Yangling did not expect Qi Haoran to give her such a big gift. For a moment, she was stunned and did not know what to say.
Fan Zijin did not disturb her and handed the deed to the cattle farm to her. “This is a token of Haoran’s appreciation, take it.”
Fan Zijin turned to leave, but stopped after taking two steps. Without looking back, he said, “I understand Haoran’s thoughts. You should also understand. Don’t let him down.”
Mu Yangling frowned as she watched Fan Zijin leave. She sat on the grass and supported her chin as she looked at the circled grassland.
Qi Haoran was very generous. Probably because this was a grassland to begin with, he had reserved nearly 300 acres of land for her in one go. However, no matter how worthless this land was, 300 acres of land was not cheap.
On Qi Haoran’s birthday, she had only given him some ordinary item worth less than 20 taels.
She also knew that Qi Haoran cared about her. She was not blind. In the past year, Qi Haoran’s temper had been getting worse and worse, so she could naturally sense it.
But then again, he was only 15, and she was only 12. At this age, she wouldn’t think too far ahead.
Secondly, the family backgrounds of the two families were too vastly different. Her father was a soldier under Qi Haoran’s command. If Qi Haoran was her father’s subordinate instead, that would be more like it…
Mu Yangling had never believed that in reality, Cinderella could live happily with the prince. She believed in marrying within one’s class.
Not to mention their family backgrounds, Mu Yangling also felt that she and Qi Haoran were not compatible as individuals.
She had a bad temper, but Qi Haoran had an even worse temper. The two of them had quarreled quite a bit in the past two years. Yes, there were also fights that one might call spars.
In terms of ability, although she had been a soldier in her previous life and had gone to military school, she could fight alone, help out as a scout, or even give some suggestions about the soldier’s training. However, when it came to leading troops to war, Mu Yangling felt that she was far inferior to Qi Haoran, who had already commanded several battles and been to the battlefield.
Most importantly, Qi Haoran clearly aspired to become a great general. On the other hand, she was looking to make a career in agriculture and animal husbandry. In the future, she would plant wheat and rice, and raise rabbits, cows, and even sheep. She could not imagine what it would be like for the two of them to get together.