Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Blood Feud (Two in One)
"You have someone above you, so you know who I am..." Before the man could finish his words, he was suddenly grabbed by a man who looked like a butler beside him.
He lowered his voice and whispered something in the man's ear.
The man's expression gradually changed, and he looked at Zhu Dan in surprise and suspicion.
The mind that had been intoxicated by the beauty finally regained some clarity.
Da Zhao is right, no one dares to pretend to be a noble these days.
Moreover, before, he only thought Zhu Dan was pretty, but now after taking a closer look, he found that compared with her appearance, what was more important was her figure and her temperament.
Her fair and delicate skin shows that she is a lady who has been carefully cared for.
She might not be unaware of her own identity, yet she is so arrogant...
How could the man dare to treat the phrase "there is someone above me" as just a casual remark?
"Miss, you misunderstood." He forced a smile. "I was chasing prey earlier and accidentally disturbed you. Please forgive me. I have important matters at home and will not stay any longer."
After saying that, he took his people and left in a hurry.
Zhu Dan raised his eyebrows.
The housekeeper named Da Zhao boasted that he lowered his voice, but she heard it clearly.
Especially now that the other party is still asking Da Zhao to check his identity.
Zhu Dan did not pursue the matter relentlessly. She hoped that they would investigate thoroughly and not miss a single detail.
This way, all attention is on himself, and he won’t pay attention to Cao’er and Erlin.
Besides, she had finally shown some arrogance, how could she have such a flop?
On the way back to Lantian County, Zhu Dan happily counted the woven bags of mushrooms in the carriage, feeling very satisfied.
Three materials for the Transformation Pill were found in succession. One was a mushroom, and the other two were discovered by Zhu Dan in the mountains. Well, they were all found in the manor of that noble family.
With her skills, she would certainly not be discovered by the guards if she went up the mountain alone to search for something.
All the ingredients found were stuffed into the dumplings.
Zhu Dan didn't rush to pick the mushrooms. After marking them, he clapped his hands to shake off the debris. Only then did he notice Er Lin was hesitant to speak. "What are you doing?"
Erlin asked hesitantly, "Young lady, will you accept the blue stone?"
"Collect it. I want a lot." Although Zhu Dan had already discovered the location of the bluestone mine, he did not let Zheng Ge forcibly collect it.
She already had a copper mine, so she could give the bluestone mine to them so they could make a fortune.
Zhu Dan inquired about the current depth of the copper mine that could be mined, and learned that Daqin's current level of mining could not reach nearly 100 meters, so he asked Zheng Ge to speed up the development of technology in this area.
As for the mine that Zhu Dan asked Wutong to dig?
Haha, then only one person can go down, but ordinary people can't stand the thin oxygen there.
The copper mine won’t run away anyway, so just leave it there for now.
This position was reserved by Zheng Ge, and all the court officials knew about it. Who would dare to touch it?
Not only will they not do that, they will also remind their younger generations not to provoke them, so it is very safe.
"I want a large quantity of this blue stone. I will take as much as you dig." Zhu Dan gave Erlin a precise number.
How can you never have too much pesticide?
Erlin's breathing became rapid.
They had already seen that the bluestone mine was not small and could produce at least a thousand kilograms.
One hundred pounds, and the young lady gave a small piece of gold.
Even if it is not big, it is still gold. Erlin's ancestors have been common people for generations. How could they have seen gold?
If we calculate it at one thousand kilograms, this piece of gold can be worth ten times as much!
This, this, this, their family is going to be rich!
"By the way, there's also the limestone and gypsum you sent over...that white stone. I want it too, but the price is very low." Zhu Dan added, remembering something.
She had given up on finding plaster in the pharmacy, but unexpectedly, Erlin sent her plaster and the housekeeper recognized it.
Originally, the medicinal value of gypsum had not been discovered, but it was already very common in construction.
Upon learning this, Zhu Dan slapped her head in annoyance. How could she have forgotten that the Great Wall was built during the Qin Dynasty?
The Great Wall has stood for two thousand years, so how could it not know about gypsum and limestone?
She should have asked more questions.
The plaster of the Qin Dynasty was also called gypsum.
As for why the guy in the pharmacy didn’t notice it, that’s due to individual differences.
Only those who have come into contact with it will have an impression of it. For example, if the housekeeper has purchased something for house renovation, he will know about it.
When Erlin heard they were buying gypsum, he asked about it. Knowing it was the same price as the market, he wasn't as excited as Lanshi. Instead, he asked something else: "Young lady, you're buying gypsum to build a house. Do you need to hire workers? My father and my eldest brother are both skilled builders. Our mud-brick house only uses a few bricks, but it's very sturdy. We've lived in it for so many years and it hasn't deteriorated much."
Although they had not been together for long, Erlin already had some understanding of the young lady's temperament and boldly recommended himself for his family.
Unfortunately, they moved to the county a long time ago and don’t know how to raise pigs.
Zhu Dan said honestly: "It is true that the house in Liuyeli is being renovated, but this is the responsibility of the housekeeper. I don't care."
Erlin was a little disappointed, but when he thought that the whole family would be able to go dig bluestone soon, and that his father and elder brother would be indispensable as laborers, he said nothing.
When they arrived at the county, Erlin got off the car on the street and hurried home with an uncontrollable joy on his face, but he didn't know that he was seen by Erguzi, who had a grudge against their family.
Erlin's family and Erguzi's family both live in Luhuali.
Living in the same place, conflicts are inevitable. Your things occupy my land, my chickens peck at your vegetables, and the children of two families fight... These are just small things. Although there is no unity in the county like in the villages, we have been neighbors for many years and can understand each other.
But the Erlin family and the Erguzi family are different, they have a blood feud.
Originally, the two families were relatives. Erlin's aunt married into Erguzi's family. Because she gave birth to a daughter as her first child, the family was very dissatisfied and fought with her. She only lay in bed for one day before being pulled up to serve the whole family.
Erlin's family couldn't stand it and made a big fuss before they calmed down. However, this also forced Erlin's aunt to get pregnant with her second child very quickly. As a result, when the baby was eight months old, she fell and suffered heavy bleeding.
Not only was the child lost, but the person was also killed.
However, after only one month, the man hurriedly married a new woman, and later had a child after only seven months.
It was said to be a premature birth, but Erlin's mother secretly checked and it was clearly a full-term birth.
Their family became suspicious.
When Aunt Erlin passed away, her family didn't see her until a day later. That family said they forgot to tell her in the rush.
Erlin was young at the time, but he was very smart. After several inquiries and some tricks, he pieced together the inside story.
It turned out that Erlin's uncle had been having an affair with someone for a long time. When his affair was discovered by my aunt that day, the man pushed her hard.
Originally, the person could still be saved, but when the woman outside touched her belly and said she was pregnant, they left the house without caring about anything.
It was the neighbors who heard the noise and called for help.
Upon learning about this, the whole family was furious and reported the matter to the police. However, the man denied it and even called some of his friends to testify that he was not at home at the time and that it was his aunt who was not paying attention and fell down because she was pregnant.
Because so much time had passed and no relevant physical evidence could be found, the matter was left unresolved.
But there is a life between the two families, how can it be easily let go?
They fought a few times at first, and then they started to argue with each other, trying to live better than the other.
The man later married a woman from a wealthy family, and they lived in luxury for a while, until they had daughters one after another, and people said that their family was suffering retribution.
You have to know that Aunt Erlin gave birth to a son before she died, but he was held in her womb for too long, so he died after crying twice.
The man wanted to find another one, but the woman he married later was not someone to be trifled with. After she made a fuss, her family members also made a fuss, making everyone in Luhuali laugh at them.
At the beginning, Erlin's family was small, so Erlin's father was determined to have more sons. He had three sons in a row and two daughters.
As the number of people increased, their life became increasingly poor, and they were ridiculed by Erguzi's family.
In short, the contradiction could not be fully discussed in three days and three nights.
The Erlin family got the blue stone as a way to make money, so they were so cautious. In addition to wanting to make a fortune quietly, they were also on guard against them.
However, there is gold outside and scale inside, and some things cannot be hidden.
Erlin was still looking for the shop he wanted to buy, but his family was short of oil and water, so he couldn't help but buy a few more pieces of meat. Now, the aroma of meat reached Erguzi's house.
They became jealous.
"You've only sold tofu a few times, and you dare to eat meat like this? I even saw Dalin's wife buy a big piece of fat meat to make oil. How ostentatious!"
"After such a brutal fight, which of their children doesn't want to get married?"
Someone who knew the inside story said, "He's not an honest man. He seduced Wang Po's granddaughter Jin Huan. Maybe he won't ask for anything else and will just get a wife for free."
"What? Jinhuan!" Erguzi felt very uncomfortable because he also liked Jinhuan.
Wang Po's family was well-off, and Jinhuan was pretty. Many young men in Luhuali liked her. Erguzi also asked his family to propose marriage, but was rejected.
Before, Erguzi just thought that his family couldn’t afford a high betrothal gift, but he didn’t expect that it was because Jinhuan fell in love with Sanlin!
Er Guzi was very unhappy. He had always been paying close attention to Erlin's family, and he kept an even closer eye on them after this incident, fearing that Sanlin would propose to Jinhuan.
After all, they have money.
Seeing Erlin rushing home with a happy face today, his heart skipped a beat: "Could it be that he found something that the tofu stall wants to collect again?"
Selling tofu and selling goods in the countryside was obviously not enough for the Erlin family to suddenly be able to eat meat several times in half a month, so the result was obvious.
In fact, it was not just the Erlin family; their family also sold a few items.
Unfortunately, they could never remember what the samples were, and most of the ones they found were not the ones they wanted. Later, they felt that it was not cost-effective, so they stopped looking for them on purpose. They would only put the familiar ones they came across occasionally in their backpacks and visit the stall before dinner.
If you are lucky enough and it happens to be that, it will be a surprise.
Erguzi immediately came back to tell his family, and their faces were all distorted.
"How did he find something good again?"
"I told you before, this Erlin is a thief, more cunning than his family. We should have taken action when he went to the village."
"He's not stupid. He brought his father and older brother with him when he first went. Later, he became familiar with those country folk. Do you dare to attack him? I'm afraid that if he shouts, many people will come out and surround you. Who knows who will attack whom then?"
Unlike the county, the government will investigate if a murder is involved, and this place is not far from Xianyang.
But the people in the countryside are very fierce. They will beat you to death and throw you into the mountains to be eaten by wild beasts. Not even a bone will be left.
After much discussion, they finally decided to follow Erlin for the next two days to see where they went. If they had the chance, they would grab the good stuff. If they didn't have the chance, they would find a place and get a share.
Erlin didn't know that he was being targeted by his old rival again, but his family had always been cautious. This time, all the able-bodied laborers had gone, leaving only his mother and young children behind, so they told everyone they met that they were going to the countryside to build houses for people.
Everyone in Luhuali knew about Erlin's father's craftsmanship and did not doubt it. Only Erguzi's family sneered and followed him secretly.
Erlin left the county and walked towards Changpingli when he noticed something strange behind him.
There are many people in the county, so even if they find someone following them, they won’t think much about it. But it’s different outside the city, especially since this place is only half the distance to Changpingli. Usually, there are not many people entering the city, so it would be obvious if someone is following them.
Erlin kept quiet, only telling his father about the incident, sneering, "We should teach them a lesson and shock them."
The matter of the bluestone mine must not be leaked. The young lady has clearly stated that she will not withdraw the purchase of bluestone because of anyone unless the sufficient amount is collected. Therefore, we must sell as much as possible before others find out.
From now on, whether I buy a shop or do something else, I will have the confidence.
However, the young lady also said that they didn't have to go to the tofu stall, but could go directly to Liuye Li and ship the goods in bulk there, which would be more concealed for the sellers and easier for the buyers.
Erlin naturally would not misunderstand that the young lady wanted to avoid the market manager's robbery, and immediately decided to go to Liuye Li from now on.
There were really too many people at the tofu stall.
When selling 100 kilograms of blue stone before, Hu Tou led them to the back, but some people still peeked in and saw it. This time, it was over a thousand kilograms, and it definitely could not be transported all in one day. It would be too conspicuous to go there every day.
Erlin and his group did not go directly to the bluestone mine, but approached Changpingli and led the people into the hunter's trap.
"ah!"
Two people fell in, and the rest of the people were in a panic. Erlin and the eldest brother seized the opportunity and pushed one or two people down.
Although Erguzi's family members were numerous, they were not a force to be reckoned with and were soon caught one after another, pinned to the ground and beaten half to death.
Erlin grabbed one of them with hatred. It was his former uncle. He was the eldest son in the family, but his status in the family became less and less because he had no son. He ate poorly and was as thin as a quail. He did not rush to the front like the others, but it was better this way.
Hearing the screams from the people above, the people in the pit also panicked and tried desperately to climb out. Erlin's wife and sister-in-law picked up stones and threw them into the pit, throwing whatever was at hand.
Anyone who dared to show up would be kicked hard by Sanlin.
Erlin knew very well that the Erguzi family was a bully and afraid of the strong, so he had to give them a hard blow at once to scare them, otherwise it would be troublesome to be on guard every day.
Even those who were injured in the pit were pulled out and taught a lesson.
But Erlin didn't want anyone to die, so he stopped when he saw that it was almost time. He threatened in a cold voice: "If you dare to follow me again, I will beat you up every time I see you!"
"A bunch of bald monkeys, all they do all day is steal other people's things!"
"You useless thing!"
Others also spat at them.
When leaving, Erlin felt worried that this bluestone mine might not be hidden for long.
So as soon as possible, as soon as possible.
Erlin took several detours before arriving at the bluestone mine, and the whole family immersed themselves in the work.
On the other side, the others were indeed frightened as Erlin had expected. After they recovered, they went back with their teeth bared, but Erguzi was unwilling to give up.
He wants to marry Jinhuan.
But he was not valued at home. All the money was in the hands of his grandparents, and there was not much money for him to marry a wife.
He had to find a way to save some money for himself.
"Aren't they just some stones? If Erlin can find them, I can find them too!" Erguzi said bitterly, "I want to find the most expensive blue stone!"
It's not surprising that it was guessed to be a stone. After all, heavy objects are different from wild vegetables, mushrooms and other mountain products.
As many stones may be minerals, Zhu Dan basically buys stones with some special features. Of course, the initial prices are very low, and he will only raise the price if Zhu Dan verifies that they are of high value.
There is still no stone that can surpass blue vitriol.
"I want you to look down on me! When I become rich, everyone will want to please me and flatter me. A gold ring will be nothing to me. I can marry as many women as I want."
Of course, although he had set lofty ambitions in his heart, his family had all left, and Erguzi did not dare to follow the direction Erlin and his group left. Instead, he chose a sparsely populated forest near the county.
He was afraid that there might be big beasts in the mountains, so he didn't dare go too deep.
Erguzi is also quite quick-witted. The tofu stall owner once said that in areas with a lot of special stones, grass and trees often don't grow well.
Moreover, the sparse forest means that people often go up the mountain to collect firewood and look for mountain products, so the danger is much smaller.
Erguzi didn't see the boundary marker farther away.
It was a coincidence that not long after he walked, he found a wild rabbit trapped in a pit. Erguzi was overjoyed and immediately killed the rabbit and held it in his arms. He felt that this was his blessed land and he had reaped a reward as soon as he entered.
Erguzi's morale was greatly boosted and he went deeper.
Suddenly, there was a sound in the distance, as if birds were startled or someone was running. Before Erguzi could react, a bamboo arrow suddenly shot towards him.
Almost instinctively, he squatted down, holding his head and screaming, "Don't kill me!"
"How dare he, a commoner, trespass into my territory. Dayong, drag him away!" A cold and ruthless voice sounded.
If Zhu Dan were here, he would find this person very familiar.
"Sir, please don't kill me, I didn't mean it..." Erguzi finally realized what had happened. His knees softened and he knelt down, kowtowed.
The guard named Dayong walked over with a frown.
At this time, there was another noise from behind. Dayong immediately ignored Erguzi and ran to the man vigilantly. He was relieved when he saw the man show his face.
"Master, good news. I've found out that the carriage that girl was riding in belonged to the Meng family, and she did indeed enter the Meng family's villa. If nothing unexpected happens, the tofu that has become quite famous recently was made by her."
This person was none other than Da Zhao, the steward who was sent out to investigate Zhu Dan.
"Tofu girl? It's her!" The man was still a little frightened. "Luckily, I didn't confront her. She's a guest of the Meng family. I dare not offend her."
Da Zhao rolled his eyes and said, "Master, there's no need to belittle yourself. Seriously speaking, you and the Meng family are one family. This is a good opportunity. Why not prepare something to apologize? If you can please this girl, the son-in-law will definitely look up to you."
The man became thoughtful.
His surname is Xiang, and his name is Xiang Gaoyuan.
Originally in Lantian County, the Xiang family was neither big nor small, just an average noble family. However, a few years ago, one of their daughters was very beautiful and married to a branch of the Meng family.
Although it is only a side branch, it is very promising and is said to be highly valued by General Meng Tian.
As long as you make great contributions, you will be recommended to the king, and it will be no problem for you to be granted a title and land.
The Xiang family became very proud. They took advantage of this relationship to interfere in all profitable businesses and forced others to stop doing them. They also bought the secret recipes of the common people and even small nobles at low prices... They were invincible in Lantian County. In just a few years, they had acquired land, shops, and manors, and they were very powerful.
Xiang Gaoyuan is the youngest son in the family and the most beloved younger brother of his elder sister. He is admired by many noble ladies who look down on him, so he thinks he has a way with girls.
No matter how cold she was before, he could make her passionate.
"This is an opportunity." Xiang Gaoyuan was, after all, a nobleman who had been influenced by his family. He had a broader vision than the housekeeper, Da Zhao. "In the past, our family relied on our brother-in-law's relationship, but if I can please that girl, I can directly attach myself to Meng Shangqing!"
He had heard that the housekeeper Zhou from the Meng family's villa had followed the late General Meng in battle and was very trusted by him. Although he was called a housekeeper, he actually came to the villa to retire.
Not to mention his brother-in-law, even Lord Meng and General Meng were very polite, and several large carts of gifts were sent from Xianyang during the holidays.
Unfortunately, the housekeeper Zhou didn't like the hustle and bustle very much. His brother-in-law once tentatively sent him a valuable gift, but it was returned.
As a result, ever since the girl arrived, Butler Zhou has been serving her wholeheartedly, fearing that he is not doing enough. This attitude is not what he would do towards an ordinary noble person.
"If you want to please a girl, buying her clothes and jewelry is just inferior. With a background like hers, she must have seen countless good things. How could she be easily moved by some vulgar things?" Xiang Gaoyuan muttered to himself, as if he was considering it himself, but also as if he was telling the people around him so that they could give him some advice.
Especially Da Zhao, his most favored lackey recently, many of his suggestions touched his heart.
Da Zhao only thought about it for a moment before saying, "Based on my humble understanding, the best approach is undoubtedly to cater to her preferences. Find something Tofu Girl likes, and then have the Master give it to her. I'm afraid she'll be so surprised she won't know what to do."
"Then what would she like?" Xiang Gaoyuan was about to ask Da Zhao to check, but he heard a hoarse cry.
"I know, I know how to please her!"
Hearing this, everyone looked at Erguzi who was kneeling on the ground.
"Master, I will take him away right away." Dayong immediately walked towards Erguzi and wanted to drag him away.
Instead, he waved to Gao Yuan, showing some surprise and curiosity.
You have to know that the common people he had met were always timid, and at worst, if they offended him, they would cry and beg for mercy.
Just like Erguzi before, I didn't expect that he would suddenly become a different person.
"Then tell me."
This courage didn't sound like nonsense, so he gave him a chance.
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