Chapter 75: Exploring the Mine, They Discovered Internal Strife
Su Jingge invited everyone here today to witness her achievements, and also to tell everyone that she has accomplished what others thought was impossible or impossible.
From then on, nothing could stop her.
This also makes everyone more confident in her abilities.
This slap was a resounding slap in the face to those who looked down on them!
Su Jingge quickly smiled and said, "That's excellent."
Zhao Liu glanced at her slyly and said, "But Assistant Manager Su doesn't need to be too confident. After all, there's still one last road that hasn't been repaired yet."
"You've already used a lot of materials and tools. I think you're probably out of tools now, aren't you?"
“The west side of the city is not like the east gate. Although the west side of the city is remote and requires less material, the road in the west side of the city is backed by mountains, which is the hardest road. How can you build it if you don’t dig it up? Without heavy tools, the tools you have now are probably not enough.”
"President Su should really think about how to develop those tools!"
After saying that, the man flicked his sleeves and left.
As spring transitions into summer, the willow tips lose their pale yellow hue, and new green shoots droop and brush against the bluestone slabs. The wind no longer carries the biting chill, but only the sweet fragrance of roses from the riverbank.
New mud has been added to the swallows' nests under the eaves, and the chirping of baby swallows mingles with the first cicada calls.
The sunlight shone on her face, making her look exceptionally beautiful and confident.
The crowd dispersed.
Su Jingge continued the project.
Zhao Liu swaggered toward Tianbao Pavilion.
Then a servant said, "Sixth Brother, you said Su Jingge has no tools, which means she has no raw materials. Could she be thinking of mining that mine?"
"Touch the mine?" Zhao Liu snorted. "She wants to touch the mine? Why doesn't she cause a huge uproar?"
“I think Su Jingge is trying to cause trouble. This matter... should we talk to Chairman Ning about it? After all, that mine is a major source of income for Shangguzhai.”
Zhao Liu's eyes darted around: "Go find Ning Zhutian."
Tianbao Pavilion.
Incense burned in the room, and behind the curtains, a man in a dark silk robe was playing chess with someone.
The man was composed in every gesture, his eyes were cold, and his every smile and frown exuded an abyss of power.
Holding a chess piece between two fingers, after placing it, she lightly flicked her jade thumb ring, each move displaying no trace of the extravagance typically reserved for merchants.
Someone at the door announced, "Zhao Liulang is here."
Seeing this, the person playing chess next to him cupped his hands and said, "I have lost. Haha, since Chairman Ning has something to do today, let's play another day."
Ning Zhutian stroked his teacup and chuckled, "Then I will host a banquet for Mr. Li another day."
The man cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you, Chairman Ning. Farewell."
Zhao Liu was invited in, and just then he brushed past that person.
Zhao Liu, speaking through the curtain, said, "Cousin, I went to check the ground in the city today, and Su Jingge really did build it up!"
"But they seem to lack tools. I suspect she wants to disturb the mine, so what about our people—"
Before Zhao Liu could finish speaking, Ning Zhutian raised his hand.
He then lowered his hand, calmly and slowly twirling the ring on his finger, his voice cold and aloof, yet possessing a penetrating and steady quality: "They won't cause much of a stir, no need to worry."
Zhao Liu added, "At first I didn't believe it either, but she seems to have changed. I think she might really be going to start mining, so please make plans as soon as possible, cousin."
He paused for a moment and then said, "Cousin... how about I team up with others and spread some rumors that are bad for her?"
Ning Zhutian said, "Don't waste time on her. While she's building, let's change our approach. Many merchants have indeed come to the city, and Tianbao Pavilion's business is even better, which only benefits us merchants."
Zhao Liu shut his mouth: "But that mine..."
Ning Zhutian picked up his tea and said unhurriedly, "Regarding the mine, if she wants to make a move, can you stop her? Even Zhao Zhou and the princess couldn't defeat her, so can you stop her?"
Moreover, their people wanted to get away unscathed, and they were even hoping that Su Jingge would find out, so that it would be authorized by Zhao Zhou and the matter would be his.
At most, I'll just be fined some money.
Zhao Liu's face paled, and he stammered, "Indeed, we can't win."
"Just take care of the goods for each merchant and keep an eye on the mine's movements."
Zhao Liu cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes, cousin."
-
Su Jingge investigated the mine for several days, thinking it was in the east, but it was actually in the west mountain.
She insisted on going to check out the mine first.
Because the flying sword was in the management tools and on the road, she could only explore with Xiao Linyuan.
I didn't really want to invite this general.
The two set off.
Behind the western hill, all around was pitch black, and there was no one in sight, making everything eerie and terrifying.
Su Jingge pieced together fragments from the original owner's conversation with her father and found the map.
She looked at the map in her hand; this should be correct.
Following the map, she walked forward.
The night was as dark as ink, pressing down on the mine. Only the dim light from a few oil lamps at the mine entrance could barely illuminate the slippery stone steps and rock walls.
She thought she heard a sound.
But mining is not allowed here, so how could there be anyone here?
Could it be that Zhao Zhou has been mining illegally all along?
What audacity!
They actually dared to touch the government's property.
The two continued to explore further, but there were guards at the entrance.
They couldn't get in through the main entrance.
Su Jingge leaned against the wall, signaling to Xiao Lingyuan with her eyes that it was time for him to make his move.
With a swift movement, the man knocked both of them unconscious.
The two changed into their clothes.
Because it was dark and they couldn't see clearly, and because they were wearing straw hats, they were well concealed.
As she walked further in, she saw miners with their dark backs bare, wearing worn-out coarse cloths draped over their shoulders, bent over in the mine tunnels.
The clanging sound of a pickaxe striking ore was particularly dull in the dead of night.
The sounds echoed repeatedly, mixed with heavy breathing.
This mine is quite large.
No wonder they risked everything to get a piece of this lucrative business.
The man holding the whip cursed and waved it, urging, "Hurry up! I'll beat you to death!"
She wondered if these people didn't look like they were from the county, or if they had been kidnapped from somewhere else.
The man, unwilling to accept defeat, defended his elderly father and was beaten until his back was covered in blood.
The singer, Su Jin, clenched her fists tightly.
My heart aches terribly.
I really want to save them.
At that moment, those people were whispering something.
She doesn't look like someone Zhao Zhou hired...
It seems to be Ning something.
They were complaining that there were too few people to handle the project, and the deadline was too tight, so how could they submit it on time?
Su Jingge's eyes darkened. Could it be that Zhao Zhou authorized Ning Zhutian's people to be in charge of digging?
In this way, the profits from smuggling are split among them.
This is the benefit of collusion between officials and chambers of commerce.
It wouldn't be difficult for her to get Zhao Zhou to authorize the mining operation.
All we need to do is rescue these people; that will be the evidence.
Just then, she saw someone rush in.
Hearing the urgent voice, they discovered that two people had been knocked unconscious.
I suspect someone has broken in!
Su Jingge and Xiao Linyuan began to go into hiding.
The mine was winding and meandering, and the two of them weaved through it, dodging and weaving.
Soon they disappeared from sight; the workers had been moved away.
Just when the two thought everything was alright, she saw Zhao Liu arrive.
Shortly afterward, another group of people came in; they were Zhao Zhou's men.
They were too far away to hear what was being said.
However, judging from their expressions, words, and actions...
Both sides were very angry
It seems to be...
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