If soone owned such a mine, their family wouldn’t worry about livelihood for generations. They could rival the wealth of nations.
"Are all the people mining here the bandits Zhu Shengkai brought?" Fengyu asked.
Su ngwei replied, "Not all of them. Zhu Shengkai brought around eight thousand people to the West Continent over ti. These miners were originally from the previous mine. Later, they taught the bandits how to mine. As the years passed, both groups started living together, and now they’re indistinguishable. Zhu Shengkai is generous—he rewards hard work richly. The miners respect and admire him greatly for this."
Fengyu smiled faintly, as if amused, "A bandit who occupies a mountain and acts like a king, yet is so generous? Does it not strike you as interesting, Uncle? Where does he get the money? In the end, he’s using my money to buy people’s loyalty."
Su ngwei’s expression turned awkward; what Fengyu said was the truth.
When did the Salt and Iron Departnt beco the owner of the mine? Zhu Shengkai behaved as if he were the rightful master of it, which displeased Fengyu deeply. Su ngwei had been explaining the mining process to her throughout their journey, and she listened intently.
The mining operation was ongoing, and the air was thick with dust. Even Fengyu’s veiled hat couldn’t block it out. Her blazing red skirt had been dirtied by the dust, though she didn’t mind. Su ngwei said, "In fact, pit mining techniques are the key to increasing production. The West Continent has mostly relied on surface mining, but pit mining techniques are still relatively rudintary. Many mines are overly cautious about it. Our mines in the West Continent have improved pit mining techniques. After Zhu Shengkai took control of the mines, he enhanced both mining and refining technologies, tripling the production output. This is why we rely on him so much. Ayu, the people you transferred from Jinzhou don’t match the competence of his workers. He forrly occupied a small mountain, which turned out to be a mine, so he’s well-versed in all kinds of mining techniques. Applying that knowledge to West Continent Iron Mine has shown remarkable results."
"Is that so?" Fengyu chuckled lightly but didn’t respond further.
"Let take you to see the pit mining (underground mining) process. You’ll understand," Su ngwei suggested.
Nurous shafts dotted the mining site, plunging deep into the earth. On the surface, tunnels connected the mineral body to the outside world, forming a complete underground mining system. Elevation, drainage, and ventilation were seamlessly integrated. Fengyu watched as craftsn consistently transported iron ore from underground to the surface. They could use manpower-operated lifts to descend into the pits.
"Stop right there, Miss!" Nuanyang extended his hand to block her, "A young lady of noble stature shouldn’t risk herself."
Su ngwei felt frustrated, "Yes, yes, yes, I completely forgot. Ayu is of treasured worth and must not take unnecessary risks. Though the shafts have existed for years without incident, accidents can happen unexpectedly. Ayu can simply observe from the surface."
Nuanyang furrowed his brows; mining accidents in Yanyang were all too common. The West Continent Iron Mine had never reported incidents. Who could say whether accidents were truly absent or rely covered up? The State Mansion staff had little information on the matter; mines were all managed by the Salt and Iron Departnt, and their knowledge was limited.
Fengyu wasn’t foolish enough to venture alone into the pits. If explosives were buried there and soone decided to drag her down in a final act of murderous vengeance, it would beco her tomb, one she wouldn’t be able to climb out of.
She had always cherished her life and wouldn’t do anything reckless that might burden others.
The weather was unkind; dense clouds hung low, blending with the mountain ridges in a dreary, oppressive haze. In the heart of sumr, the skies transford at a mont’s notice. Fierce winds swept across the mine, heralding an impending storm.
In the unbearable heat, the approaching thick clouds signaled imminent rain. The mine’s roads beca difficult to traverse, and Fengyu’s veiled hat was whipped around by the gusts, revealing her fair and exquisitely beautiful face.
Nuanyang, concerned about traveling under stormy conditions, spoke softly, "Miss, why don’t we visit another ti for inspection?"
"Alright!"
Suddenly, a piercing, gut-wrenching scream tore through the air. Zhang ng tumbled out of a distant shaft, his movents frantic and desperate, "Miss, save ! They’ve captured my elder brother and hung him on a tall pillar!"
Several soldiers wearing Salt and Iron Departnt uniforms chased after Zhang ng, who rolled down the small shaft. They wielded bows and arrows, aiming at Zhang ng with lethal intent, clearly attempting to silence him for good.
Fengyu frowned, and a Deputy General had already led cavalry toward them in a swift charge, "Stop!"
The cavalry drew their bows and fired a row of arrows to intercept the Salt and Iron Departnt soldiers. Zhang ng, bloodied and battered, crawled wretchedly to Fengyu’s feet, "Miss, they’ve captured my elder brother."
"What’s going on?"
"The mine over there isn’t an iron mine at all—it’s a gold mine... a massive gold mine!" Zhang ng wiped the blood dripping from his forehead, "These bastards took over the mine because they discovered a giant gold deposit."
Fengyu’s face grew pale as she turned toward Su ngwei, but he was nowhere to be found.
"Where’s Uncle?"
Chunlu and Qiuxiang snapped back into focus, their expressions shifting simultaneously. Su ngwei had been among the crowd monts ago, yet their attention had been diverted by Zhang ng and the Salt and Iron Departnt conflict. None of them had kept an eye on Su ngwei.
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