Sun Jian and his men moved quickly, but Miao Qingfeng ambled behind. He knew he didn't need to reach the summit. Every step he didn't take now meant one less step to descend later.
By the time the sun began to dip, Miao Qingfeng and his group had only reached the side of a canyon.
Upon hearing reports of a canyon ahead, Miao Qingfeng remained resolute. He ordered them to halt.
Standing at the edge of the canyon and gazing at the two ropes, Miao Qingfeng couldn't help but marvel, "Who on earth could possess such skill to string ropes across such a wide and deep chasm?"
A man beside him chuckled, "Master Miao, it's most likely the local villagers."
Miao Qingfeng nodded but remained silent.
Though not adept at mountain paths, Miao Qingfeng observed meticulously. He crouched down for a closer inspection. The rope marks were clearly recent.
Had Sun Jian's group set them up? If so, Sun Jian and his men were truly talented.
At this moment, a subordinate cautiously asked, "Master Miao, do we all need to cross?"
Miao Qingfeng stood up, looked towards the opposite side where the majestic main peak was faintly visible, but he shook his head with a smile. "We won't be crossing. Climbing ropes, I'm really not up to it anymore."
It was difficult for men to admit their limitations, but Miao Qingfeng could do so.
The subordinate, a man adept at reading the wind, cupped his hands and said, "Master Miao, I have an idea. I don't know if I should speak it."
Miao Qingfeng gestured for him to continue.
"We could replace these ropes with iron chains, and lay wooden planks between the two chains to create a suspension bridge. This would make travel more convenient."
Miao Qingfeng nodded. "Yes, that's a good idea. A suspension bridge would make travel much easier, and it would also be convenient for the villagers to enter the mountains. They will then think kindly of the Imperial Preceptor."
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaobei and Li Dong, leading over a dozen village guards, were also ascending the mountain in a grand procession. Each carried a carrying pole laden with baskets. Chen Xiaobei's intention was to quickly move more ginseng and lingzhi down.
Along the way, Chen Xiaobei had also given much thought to how the profits would be distributed.
If he brought it all back to his own home, he would be comfortable financially. But in the long run, who could guarantee that the village guards wouldn't have other ideas?
Who could guarantee that the villagers wouldn't have ideas either?
As the saying goes, it is not poverty but inequality that causes trouble. He had to find a suitable solution.
After much deliberation, Chen Xiaobei decided that upon descending the mountain, he would have a thorough discussion with the village guards and the villagers.
After all, Qingniu Mountain did not belong to him.
Upon entering Húlu Valley, Chen Xiaobei inspected it carefully. He was certain that apart from the few ginseng and lingzhi plants he had initially discovered missing, there were no new losses.
This made him breathe a long sigh of relief.
Chen Xiaobei and Li Dong each demonstrated to the others how to dig for ginseng and lingzhi. The village guards then dispersed and busied themselves.
Chen Xiaobei found Li Dong, and they discussed as they dug.
"Brother Li Dong, here's what I'm thinking. This Qingniu Mountain doesn't belong to you or me. Tell me, how should we divide the ginseng and lingzhi once we dig them up?"
Upon hearing this, Li Dong was first startled, then he chuckled. "You discovered them, so they should all be yours once we dig them up."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "Once or twice is fine. But over time, everyone will inevitably have thoughts."
"Alas. What thoughts could they have? Without you, they wouldn't even know the taste of wolf meat," Li Dong said dismissively.
Chen Xiaobei shook his head again. "No, what you're saying is different from what I'm saying."
"Here's what I'm thinking. When we get back, I'll explain it clearly to everyone."
"If everyone doesn't want to cultivate this ginseng and lingzhi themselves, then they can work for me, Chen Xiaobei. For coming into the mountain, each person will be paid five coins."
"If they want to dig for ginseng and lingzhi themselves, they can enter the mountain on their own. They can dig as much as they want."
Hearing these words, Li Dong gave Chen Xiaobei a thumbs-up. "Brother Xiaobei, you are truly righteous. I respect you."
As the sun began to set, Chen Xiaobei returned with his group. Beneath the large locust tree, Chen Xiaobei shared his ideas with everyone.
"Everyone, think carefully. If you want wages, tell me. If you want ginseng and lingzhi, you can take them with you now."
Chen Daqiang, a village guard, gently tugged on Chen Xiaobei's arm and whispered, "Brother Xiaobei, what do you want?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "I don't know! What about you?"
Chen Daqiang chuckled. "Of course, I want money! Who knows if these things can be grown successfully? Besides, even if you grow them for a year or two, they'll be useless. They need to be grown for many years before they can be sold."
Chen Daqiang's words essentially echoed the sentiments of the villagers, so they all tacitly chose to take the silver.
Like Chen Daqiang, Cui Hongyu also felt concerned.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei bring back another large pile of ginseng and lingzhi, Cui Hongyu said helplessly, "Husband, if we dig so much and the cultivation fails, won't it all be ruined?"
Chen Xiaobei knew it was somewhat risky, but he had no choice. He didn't know who had discovered Húlu Valley, so he had to be prepared and preserve some of it first.
"If someone gets there first and takes it all, we'll have no roots left for ginseng," said Su Dan's novel website.
Cui Hongyu said nothing more. Actually, thinking about it, Chen Xiaobei was right. In any case, in this era of relative scarcity, it was a difficult choice.
At this time, Sun Jian and his men also descended the mountain.
By the time they slid down the ropes, the sky was completely dark.
"Daoist master, you have worked hard," Miao Qingfeng clasped his fists towards the Daoist Hongyun and ordered someone to hand over a waterskin.
Daoist Hongyun took the waterskin and drank several large gulps. "This is truly a good place."
"Daoist master, have you found the location of the Dragon's Eye?"
Daoist Hongyun nodded. "The dragon's head, eye, body, and tail are all clearly visible."
"Right, I will draw it out for you in detail."
Miao Qingfeng shook his head. "Daoist master, you have worked hard. We will descend the mountain to rest first."
As they descended, Miao Qingfeng called Sun Jian aside and explained his idea of building a suspension bridge.
Although Sun Jian was displeased, he had to grudgingly agree.
When they reached the Mountain God Temple, it was already past midnight. Miao Qingfeng was utterly exhausted.
"Everyone, let's rest here. We'll descend the mountain when it's dawn."
Everyone fell asleep, but Sun Jian was restless. He leaned against a corner, tossing a small stone up and catching it, then tossing it up and catching it again.
Sun Qing, beside him, couldn't help but ask, "Big brother, are you troubled by something?"
Sun Jian lowered his voice. "Alas, Master Miao wants us to build a suspension bridge for that canyon. We spend our days fighting, when have we ever done work like this!"
Upon hearing his words, Sun Qing smiled faintly.
"Alas, big brother, this is not difficult. I have an idea."