"General?" Fan Xing gritted his teeth and lowered his head in front of Gu Hong, a rare moment to ask for his opinion. "What do you think?"
Gu Hong bent down and grabbed a handful of soil that was covered by stones and not soaked by water.
He spread his hands and placed them under Fan Xing's eyes. "It's only been burning for half an hour, and the accumulated dust is already two inches high. Do you think this method can be used casually?"
Even though Fan Xing had lived a life of luxury in the capital for a long time, he knew that once the soil was destroyed, it would be impossible to grow food.
Fan Xing lowered his eyes, looked at Shen Ningsi and said solemnly: "Madam Gu, I will not write the method of praying for rain in the memorial, but if you can't find food that can be grown in the drought-stricken areas within two months..."
Fan Xing's eyelashes trembled slightly. "This method of praying for rain must be used elsewhere. Perhaps this dust will not harm the health of the people?"
Shen Ningsi did not expose Fan Xing's lucky mentality. They had never seen what the future would look like and did not know what kind of disasters would be caused by environmental destruction.
“Don’t worry, Master Fan,” Shen Ningsi whispered.
The joy brought by the rain quickly disappeared, and Fan Xing felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his heart. He did not force himself to greet everyone and hurriedly said goodbye.
Gu Hong held the umbrella he had snatched from Fan Xing over Shen Ningsi's head and asked, "What are you going to do?"
"There are some general directions." Shen Ningsi stretched out his hand to catch the rain, "but I'm not sure whether it can succeed."
Gu Hong frowned and was about to speak when the oil-paper umbrella in his hand was taken over by another pair of hands.
Gu Xiuwen said gently, "Since you don't believe in my mother's ability, why bother asking more questions? If you get an answer you don't want to hear, you will be angry. If you get a positive answer, you will suspect that my mother is lying."
He smiled lightly and his words were impeccable.
"Don't ask. It's good for you and my mother."
"Brother Wen!" Sanyazi was a little anxious.
What happened? Why did the relationship between father and son suddenly change?
“Wen’er.” Shen Ningsi also pulled the corner of Gu Xiuwen’s clothes, “How do you talk to Jun Ye?”
"Mother is right." Gu Xiuwen handed the umbrella handle to Shen Ningsi, then bowed and said, "My words offended the general, please forgive me."
Gu Hong laughed angrily, "You little brat, you really hold a grudge. I just doubted the Gu family once, and you think it's an unforgivable crime? I can't even care about the progress of things in the future?"
In addition to being angry, he also felt a little sour. After being away from home for more than half a year, Gu Xiuwen was completely conquered by Shen Ningsi, who was protecting him everywhere! Does he still have him as his father in his eyes?
Shen Ningsi gently pulled Gu Xiuwen's sleeve, and the young man who was about to speak suddenly closed his mouth.
Shen Ning thought: "Of course the military master can care, not to mention that this woman has something to ask the military master."
Gu Hong raised his chin slightly and spoke proudly, "Ask."
"General, you've fought on the battlefields and must have traveled to many places. This time, you even came all the way from the capital to provide disaster relief. I wonder if you've passed through places with dry, hot weather, where the soil is cracked but still has weeds?"
"I know what you want to ask." Gu Hong glanced at Gu Xiuwen proudly.
But the boy simply lowered his eyes and didn't even look at him.
Gu Hong clutched his waist in anger and raised his voice even louder, "I've led troops into battle and have been to all sorts of harsh environments. It's common for me to have to rely on grass roots and tree bark to fill my stomach. There's plenty of tree bark to eat on the top of Tu'er Mountain, and the environment matches what you described. But you want the people to eat this for the rest of their lives?"
"Gu, what Fan Xing wants is real food, not grass roots or tree bark!"
When Shen Ningsi heard that Tuershan would meet his requirements, his eyes lit up instantly.
She pulled Gu Xiuwen towards the top of the mountain, "Master Jun, the things you found are all on the surface. What I want is underground!"
She stepped on the rain-soaked soil.
San Yazi looked at Shen Ningsi's brisk steps and whispered, "Master, Madam, are you looking for Guanyin soil? That stuff is underground, but eating too much of it can kill people!"
Gu Hong couldn't bear to hear others say this, so he kicked him.
"How can she do something she's not sure of? Since she came back this time, when have you ever seen her speak nonsense? If she says it's normal ingredients, then it's!"
San Yazi covered his calf and cried out in pain. He had followed Gu Hong for so long, how could he not see that Gu Hong also had some doubts, but men are always protective! If he can doubt himself, no one else can say a word!
With a whistle, a Ferghana horse came galloping from afar. Gu Hong stretched out his long legs, sat firmly on it and raised the reins.
But in a few moments, he had already caught up with the person in front. Gu Hong lowered his eyes and said, "Let go."
Gu Xiuwen didn't move at all.
Gu Hong chuckled, "Why are you on guard against me? With your mother's tiny arms and legs, she'll probably faint if she reaches the top of the mountain!"
Gu Xiuwen was slightly stunned, and after glancing at Shen Ningsi whose breathing was unstable, he let go of his hand.
Gu Hong smiled contemptuously, and with a sound of his arm, he firmly wrapped his arms around Shen Ningsi's waist and placed her in front of him. Ignoring Gu Xiuwen's shouts, he rushed towards the top of the mountain with Shen Ningsi.
This was Shen Ningsi's first time riding a horse with someone. She blinked slightly and moved her body forward.
"Master, I don't even know your name."
Gu Hong's eyes darkened, and he raised his hand to push Shen Ningsi back. "If you don't want to fall, you'd better not move. I've never ridden with a woman before, so I don't know how to help you keep your balance."
The faint fragrance lingering on the tip of his nose made Gu Hong's lips curl up uncontrollably, "Just call me Master."
Shen Ningsi was stunned for a moment, "Okay, Master Jun."
The word "Master" is too intimate.
"Sir, please don't upset Wen'er. He means no harm."
Gu Hong hummed, he had figured it out, as a father he wouldn't argue with his son, besides he didn't mind Gu Xiuwen protecting Shen Ningsi.
With the mounts, the group quickly gathered at the top of the mountain.
Gu Hong kicked the hollowed-out soil beside him and said, "See? There's not even any weeds left here. Everything edible has been eaten."
"No!" Shen Ningsi was very firm, "There must be something I want underground."
Potatoes were originally brought from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Before that, no one knew that food could grow in the soil. Shen Ningsi was not sure if there were potatoes here before she reached the top of the mountain, but the first time she saw the soil, she knew there must be something underneath.
Only the roots of plants can prevent the soil from turning into sand even when it dries up. Instead, it is firmly gathered together and even weeds grow.
"Everything thrives and thrives in its own way. Nature leaves a glimmer of hope for everything. Ordinary vegetables may struggle to survive when the land dries up, but there are things that are more adapted to the soil that can thrive."
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