“You know, the three of us are causing trouble every day. If we get caught, we’ll definitely get a beating,” Hou Xiangxiang said as she filled the basin with water.

It's so hot! In this border town, only wealthy families have stored some ice in their vaults, and the brothels have also stocked up, but they have to use it sparingly. Even the pampered little dumpling can only use one piece a day.

One piece is not enough. Huo Xiaolong has not been sleeping well these past few days, and he is almost sleeping with ice in his arms.

"Once I get the ice, I'll move all the flowerpots and potted plants from the Fengyue Tower and replace them with ice basins!"

Wang Dani nodded.

"I think it's a good idea. I'll bring my parents to live with you then."

"Are you being too polite with me? I'll deliver it to you! I'll line your shop with ice, especially the stove! Once it's done, I'll have my Aunt Zhang wield a big ladle in the ice!"

These three kids have already squandered nearly a hundred taels of silver. Saltpeter isn't so easy to buy. He Qingzhu got it all from Wang Buyou.

"No, Long'er, there's still no movement."

"Let's go to the ice cellar, it's too hot here," Huo Xiaolong said.

The little boy carried the ice basin outside and greeted everyone he saw as he went out.

"Sis, the three of us are going to the ice cellar to play. Remember to call us when you eat, okay?"

Ping'er nodded.

"Okay, but aren't you going to put on a jacket? It's too cold in just a shirt!"

"I'm not wearing it anymore!"

Wang Dani carried saltpeter, and Hou Xiangxiang carried a bucket of water. With Huo Xiaolong stirring with a wooden stick, the ice finally began to take shape, at least a layer of ice crystals formed on the water.

"Let's leave it overnight and see?" Huo Xiaolong asked.

“Okay,” Dani replied.

The main reason was that the second sister was hungry and wanted to eat. Even after being in Pingyang County for so long, her appetite hadn't diminished at all. Only Wang's sesame seed cakes could feed her; otherwise, the little girl would have eaten her into poverty long ago.

Wang Dani arrived at Fengyue Tower as the sun rose. Huo Xiaolong and Hou Xiangxiang had been waiting for her at the entrance for a long time. The two girls had wanted to go in and have iced for a long time, but hadn't managed to.

"Come on, Da Ni'er, let's go see the ice."

A wooden basin sat silently at the entrance of the ice cellar, which carried a slight chill; the water inside was frozen solid.

"Long'er! You did it!!" Hou Xiangxiang exclaimed excitedly.

Wang Dani rubbed her friend's head several times, remembering what the old lady at the entrance of Hualien Lane said: it makes you smarter. She wanted to be smarter too; how did other girls' brains develop like that?!

"Amazing! How did you know that?"

"I read it in a book!" Huo Xiaolong replied.

Yes, it's what I read in the book and what my teacher taught me; she wasn't lying.

"Now there's a problem: we've squandered all the saltpeter, and we only have a few pounds left," Huo Xiaolong and the others said, sitting at the entrance of the ice cellar.

Hou Xiangxiang scratched her head twice and said

"I heard from my grandpa that our border town is selling mines, including a saltpeter mine. Shall we go take a look?"

"Just the three of us? We're not even half their age combined. Do you think we'll be allowed in?" Da Ni'er looked at the two little potatoes beside her and spoke the truth.

"Why not! We can use connections!" Huo Xiaolong said, raising an eyebrow.

"What back door are you talking about?"

"Find Lijian, have Lijian find Aunt Hua, and then we'll go in."

Huo Xiaolong kept the ice-making a secret from the adults. If his mother found out he was wasting money like this, he would definitely get a beating.

A few months is enough time for the little beggar to grow into a beautiful young woman. Huo Panlijian, dressed in a scholar's robe, led three little girls into the government office.

"Sir, Miss Huo has a favor to ask of you."

Hua Luan put down the account book, looked at the three children in front of her with a smile, and said in a serious tone.

"What do you need from me?"

"Aunt Hua, Aunt Hua~"

The little dumpling is really good at being cute; she tugs at someone's skirt and calls out sweetly.

"You!"

The woman tapped her nose, then pulled Huo Xiaolong into her arms and asked...

"Speak, what is it?"

"I want saltpeter!"

Well, as expected of Cen Ang's daughter, she dares to ask for anything. Hua Luan took a deep breath. The government's price for saltpeter was outrageous, because it was for making fireworks, and the government didn't want to make money.

"This costs so much money, Long'er. How about we look at other mines and have your mom buy it for you?"

Huo Xiaolong pouted and said

"But Long'er wants this."

"Sword, tell Miss Huo, what was the price of saltpeter ore yesterday?"

"Sir, fifty thousand taels of silver."

The 50,000 taels of silver was only for the purchase of the mountain. The government would not be responsible for the costs of hiring people to mine it, and the mining records had to be kept. The government would check on the mining every few days.

"It's very expensive, Long'er."

Hearing the price, Huo Xiaolong was a little disappointed. It was indeed very expensive, but she really wanted it.

With this mine, every summer at Fengyue Tower will be much better from now on.

When the little dumpling went out, it was like a flower facing the sun in spring, full of enthusiasm and excitement. When it came back, it looked like a wilted eggplant, leaving the ladies of the brothel looking on in confusion.

She approached her two mothers, who were working on an abacus, and said somewhat shyly...

"mother."

“Yes,” He Yi replied.

"mom."

"Hmm? What's wrong, Long'er?" Cen Ang's hands didn't stop moving as he spoke, the abacus ticking away.

Huo Xiaolong remained silent for a long time, prompting her two mothers to look up at her. After a while, she finally managed to utter a sentence.

"Could you give me some money?"

He Yi and Cen Ang thought she had run out of loose silver, so they took out a few small silver ingots from their purse and placed them on the table, saying...

"Here, take it and spend it."

"not enough."

The little dumpling's voice grew softer and softer, and her face turned a little red.

"Then Mom will get you some more."

"How much do you want?" He Yi asked, tapping the table twice.

My daughter would never look like this when she asks for money. Is she about to start a fight again?

Huo Xiaolong mustered his courage, took a deep breath, and said loudly.

"Fifty thousand taels!"

"..."

"..."

"The brothel has only earned fifty thousand taels in the past six months!" Madam Cen was already used to her daughter's outrageous statements. She nodded and asked first.

"What does Long'er need so much money for?"

"Buy the mine!"

"What are you doing buying a mine, you're such a young kid?" He Yi asked, puzzled.

"Make ice!"

"What?" Cen Ang felt like he hadn't heard clearly, so he asked.

"To make ice, you can use saltpeter to make ice. Look, Mother, this is what I made yesterday."