Chapter 98 The Emperor's Painting Cake
The few randomly cut holes shone with dazzling golden light under the sunlight.
"It's gold!" Someone couldn't wait to rush over and started digging with his bare hands.
The local official walked over and kicked him: "You are a money-grubbing guy. The world is so big, it belongs to the king. Even if there is gold, it belongs to the court. What are you talking about?"
He said this, but his heart was really hurt. He has been a local official here for nearly ten years, why didn't he find the gold mine here? It's because these mountains are not close to the provincial capitals, and the people are unwilling to use them to collect firewood.
If it weren't for this landslide, who would have paid attention to this? If he had found gold, he could have been promoted to a higher position, and a piece of it would have been enough to live on for a few years. Now that he was under the emperor's nose, his merits were gone, and his benefits were gone.
The emperor had no time to care about his little thoughts, so he handed Su Xiaoxiao to Gu Huaiyu and personally led people to dig in the mountain. They didn't know until they dug, and they were shocked to find that there was gold about 20 inches below the surface, and the whole mountain was full of it.
Pei Mingliang was a smart man. He knelt before the emperor devoutly and said, "Your Majesty is diligent in government and loves the people. You are blessed with great fortune. The discovery of such a large-scale gold mine under the feet of the emperor is a recognition of you by heaven. It is a blessing for Dashuo and the people!"
After he started this, no one dared to stand. A large group of people knelt down on the hilltop and sang praises to the emperor.
The emperor straightened his back. The last time they knelt down so willingly to worship him was when Xiaoxiao helped to pray for rain. Listen to the ancestors, it is true that Xiaoxiao is indeed the blessing of Dashuo.
The emperor had a kind face: "Everyone, please stand up. It is my duty to benefit the people. It is my duty, it is my duty."
Tang Yanjun just thought it was funny. Pei Mingliang, this sixth brother, was so good at flattery that he could not think of doing anything serious.
He stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the gold content of Longmian Mountain is huge. It is inevitable that many people will leak the news today. I think we should quickly send people to mobilize the army to guard it. Also, gold is precious. There is no guarantee that no one will have bad intentions and think about stealing it. The discipline of the army must be strictly supervised. Anyone who steals the gold, whether he is an official or a civilian, will be killed without mercy. At the same time, the salary of the guards must be increased so that they can I am willing to keep a close watch on the imperial court."
The emperor nodded with satisfaction: "Tang Aiqing is right. You are the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. You will assist the Ministry of Works in the mining of gold. You will count the quantity, make a book, and store it properly."
The emperor looked at the leading local official again: "What is your name and what is your current position?"
The official bowed hastily: "I am Qian Youliang, the county magistrate of Mianshan County, fifty miles away from Longmianshan!"
"Longmian Mountain is the closest to your Mianshan County. The manpower for gold mining will be drawn from your county. The court will pay everyone at a price 10% higher than the market price. You are responsible for arranging the personnel. Remember to explain the discipline of Lord Tang just now clearly. Don't be greedy for small gains and suffer big losses."
The emperor chattered non-stop, and Qian Youliang was grateful. This is the emperor. He can explain everything so clearly. It is really a great favor from the emperor.
Tang Yanjun and Pei Mingliang looked at each other. The emperor was very frugal in the court.
Not only that, the emperor also said: "You have made great contributions to finding the granddaughter of the Duke of Zhenguo and the ninth prince. After completing the gold mining, we will reward them together."
Qian Youliang was so happy that he hit his head.
Su Xiaoxiao saw all this, and thought in a neutral way: [The emperor can draw big cakes! ]
Su Changhe and Gu Huaian, who always thought that the emperor was considerate of his subordinates, heard this and actually thought that the emperor was drawing cakes for Qian Youliang.
After everything was arranged, the emperor took Su Xiaoxiao and the others back to the city. In order not to worry Zhao Wanyue, he sent someone to report the news in advance, and he, Su Xiaoxiao, and Gu Huaian rode slowly in a carriage.
"Tell your father how you and Xiaoxiao got here?" How could people not be suspicious if the two children arrived at Longmian Mountain without going through the city gate.
Gu Huaian had always wanted to tell about the anecdotes he had encountered on the road, but unfortunately, his father cared about Xiaoxiao and the gold mine, so he had the chance.
"Xiaoxiao and I hid in a black cloth, and suddenly we fell into a dark place, and then we got on a carriage pulled by a bear, and we kept running and running, and then we were locked underground."
Gu Huaian thought about it carefully, fearing that he would miss any details. After thinking it over, he continued, "Then two big brothers and sisters with painted faces came. They wanted to hurt Xiaoxiao, but I was protecting my sister all the time!"
At this point, Gu Huaian was very proud, and raised his head, waiting for the emperor to praise him, but he saw that the emperor had a dark face and had no intention of praising him at all.
He had no choice but to continue: "Later, many wolves, tigers and big bears came. They wanted to eat me, but the wolf's head fell off. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up, Xiaoxiao and I were waiting for you outside."
After saying this, Gu Huaian's throat was about to smoke, but why did his father's face become darker and darker.
Su Xiaoxiao patted her heart: [Fortunately, I didn't say anything I shouldn't say.]
There is a corner of her space that is full of gold bricks. It would be a lie to say that she doesn't feel guilty. If those people dare to steal a little gold, they will be killed without mercy. This is enough for her to be killed a thousand times.
The emperor looked at Gu Huaian in silence. What was the kid talking about? Bears pulling carts, wolves eating people, tigers and brothers and sisters with painted faces. None of these things were normal. He also blamed himself for overestimating him. What could a three-year-old kid say?
But they disappeared for no reason, and no secret passages were found nearby. This was really disturbing. He must ask the people from the City Defense Department to investigate the underground of the capital.
But the fact that the child was missing for one night turned out to be an unsolved case. He asked Tang Yanjun unwillingly, "Didn't we find any of the people who came in from the circus troupe? Could they have grown wings and flown away?"
Tang Yanjun was also puzzled, but after checking all the suspicious places, there was no clue at all.
Su Xiaoxiao yawned: [Those people are lying under the collapsed mountain. 】
Except for the eldest prince Gu Huaizhi and Shen Qingyu, no one survived. If Shen Qingyu didn't have the ability of the Saint of the Demon Cult, she would have died.
Tang Yanjun couldn't figure it out, so he could only say: "I don't understand it either, this is really too mysterious."
Pei Mingliang quickly followed up: "What's so mysterious? I think it's God's will that these two children are missing!" As soon as he said this, he realized that his wording was inappropriate, and hurriedly added: "Longmian Mountain has been there for hundreds of years. If it weren't for the two of them going through so much trouble, who would have thought that there was a gold mine in it! I think this is God's will to invite the emperor personally!"