https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-414-The-Rich-Landowner-of-Liu-County-Third-Watch-/12918722/
Chapter 413: Allocating Funds and Supplies
Chapter 413: Allocating Funds and Supplies
During the night, Hu Ma organized his thoughts, suppressing all his inner anxieties and restlessness. He showed no unusual signs and patiently continued managing the affairs of the mine.
Zhuang Erchang had been taken away, and his two disciples had perished under the Corpse Nurturing Bees of Wu Song. The group of rebellious sorcerers was completely eliminated, and the Blood Meat Mine was successfully taken over by Hu Ma.
However, taking over was just the beginning; he needed to ensure everything was properly arranged.
The first major task was to send Zhou Datong and several clever and knowledgeable meat-cutter artisans who were familiar with the surrounding terrain to gather information and investigate whether the Shadow General had caused any trouble or left any traces.
The Shadow General was no ordinary foe; although it hadn't fully materialized, it was an extremely sinister entity. If it caused chaos outside, the death toll would be more than just one or two. Since it had escaped from the mine, they also had to be cautious of its potential return.
Of course, while sending people to investigate, he repeatedly emphasized that they should only be vigilant and must not take any action.
To be cautious, Zhou Datong led a small team, and Zhou Liang led another. Zhao Zhu, however, couldn't be allowed to roam freely. Others became more resourceful as they learned, but Zhao Zhu, having spent too much time with Hu Ma, had become increasingly dull, often not needing to think for himself.
The second task was to appease the meat-cutter artisans who were still stranded at the mine.
The time for settling accounts and sending the artisans back to their villages had already passed.
These artisans had been kept by Zhuang Erchang, and now it was Hu Ma's responsibility to take over. He needed to calculate the payments, send some away, and settle the debts. Of course, he could technically deny this old debt, but there was no need. Firstly, they would need these miners again in the spring, and secondly, the meat-cutter artisans from the village, including the Second Master, had a difficult life. Their wages were barely enough to get by, and Hu Ma didn't want to be stingy.
When it was time to pay the meat-cutter artisans, Hu Ma realized he couldn't scrape together the funds...
The miners' wages often included a portion of white and green food, along with a calculated amount of silver. If the mine had plenty of food, it could also be given to the miners as part of their payment.
However, all the blood meat at the mine had turned to waste, and due to the sorcerers' blockade, no new supplies had arrived in a long time. The only funds Hu Ma had were the silver taels he carried.
He had brought some silver with him to the mine, but it wasn't enough!
There were several dozen meat-cutter artisans, and each person's wages amounted to twenty taels, totaling nearly seven to eight hundred taels of silver.
He had only brought two hundred taels with him, which was far from sufficient.
When he discussed this with Old Abacus, the latter was shocked and exclaimed, "That damn Old Xu has gone bad! He wasn't like this before becoming the Xiangzhu!"
"It's a battle of the experts..."
Hu Ma was both surprised and expected this turn of events, and he could only shake his head in resignation. He left the task of finding food for the miners in the valley to Old Abacus, as he couldn't let the miners go hungry.
After all, Old Abacus still owed him several thousand pounds of blood meat, and this task was a mere interest payment.
What concerned Hu Ma more at the moment was the third major issue: the current state of the Blood Meat Mine and the prospects for next year's harvest.
After the Shadow General's escape, not only had the already extracted Heavenly Guardian blood and flesh been lost, but the surface veins of the mine also showed signs of withering. Judging solely by the surface, this Blood Meat Mine could be considered ruined.
Even if they waited until next year or the year after, and continued to nurture the mine for several years, it was unlikely that it would become prosperous. If that were the case, there would be no need for Hu Ma and his men to stay and guard the place. They could simply pack up and return to their own Zhuangzi.
However, after careful investigation, they couldn't help but feel alarmed, sensing that the situation was not as simple as it seemed.
"Little Shopkeeper, our Ancestor is still reliable..."
Old Abacus, after a careful calculation, quietly found Hu Ma and whispered, "Before I came, I asked the old man, and even after calculating several hexagrams, he said that this trip would bring me fortune. Now it seems that our Ancestor is truly looking out for us!"
"This mine, on the surface, appears to have its essence drained, but in reality, its essence is hidden, and its vital energy is abundant. I predict that next spring, we will strike it rich!"
"And this?"
Hu Ma also looked surprised, but deep down, he already had an idea.
When it came to understanding the Blood Meat Mine, he couldn't compare to Old Abacus, but he was well aware of the details of the situation.
The Blood Meat Mine seemed to have its essence extracted, appearing withered, but beneath this facade, there was a collapsing Shaman God, and its essence was being absorbed by the Heavenly Guardian due to karmic reasons.
Countless sorcerers had devoutly worshipped and nurtured this powerful entity, its foundation and significance rivaling that of an entire village's old fire pit.
Such an old fire pit had almost entirely become nourishment for the Heavenly Guardian.
How could this mine not be prosperous?
"From what I can see, even the workers on this mine might not be enough. If all else fails..."
Hu Ma kept this matter in mind and secretly calculated, "Next spring, should we invite Mr. Zhou and the others to come here as well?"
After all, Lady Red Lantern was kind-hearted and wouldn't want to compete with her subordinates for these resources. The mine's production next year would be ours...
So they continued to live frugally, with Hu Ma urging Old Abacus to find money and provisions every day. As a few days passed, the situation at the mine gradually calmed down, and the sorcerers' chaos was gradually resolved. The workers also felt more at ease.
After all, for them, not having to work in the mine and still being provided with meals, and receiving their wages, even if they didn't receive the full amount immediately, gave them hope, right?
As for the stone weighers mined from the mine?
Since the society didn't want them, and because these things were heavy and difficult to move, they were left there. Fortunately, they didn't take up much space, and initially, everyone was startled by them, keeping their distance. Later, seeing no unusual occurrences, they relaxed.
Gradually, someone placed their bamboo coat on top, and with the first one, a second followed, and more items were added.
As more miscellaneous items accumulated, the stone weighers became less noticeable.
After these mundane matters settled down, Hu Ma's attention returned to his goal of finding the Year-End Guardian's skills for his entry into the mansion.
He considered several strategies, such as seeking help from the reincarnates and finding something to exchange, or seeking help from the Red Lantern Society, wondering if Lady Red Lantern's influence was sufficient. It seemed feasible, but not entirely reliable.
Just as he was pondering, a notice was delivered from outside the valley, stating that a group of people had arrived, politely requesting to enter the valley for a visit.
"Elder Sun Tong of Liu Xian, accompanied by his son, pays respects at the gate?"
Hu Ma received the notice and examined it carefully, but couldn't immediately understand what this 'elder' was doing at his mine. After a moment of reflection, he suddenly realized and hurriedly stood up, saying, "Please, please come in!"
He quickly led the group outside the valley, passing through the forest that was previously filled with venomous insects, and finally reached an open space where they saw a team of horses and carriages. On the lead horse were two people; one wore brocade robes and looked wealthy, and it was none other than the Elder Guardian Sun.
If he were to say he was Tie Qiao Sun San, Hu Ma would have understood immediately. But he insisted on calling himself an 'elder', and Hu Ma almost couldn't connect the dots.
His heart was filled with joy. If they were talking about a Year-End Guardian, there was one right here! Moreover, Hu Ma had carefully observed that this old man possessed the skills of a Year-End Guardian!
With a fierce face and fangs, he looked like a malevolent spirit, and his abilities seemed quite impressive...
Smiling, Hu Ma greeted them, "Since the old gentleman has arrived, please enter the valley directly. Why all this formality?"
On the horse, Tie Qiao Sun San saw that Hu Ma had come out to greet them personally, and his words were polite. He immediately showed a joyful expression and said, "Hu Guan Shi, you're too kind. This time, I'm here for a proper visit. How could I dare to be impolite?"
As he spoke, he dismounted, along with the young man beside him, who wore brocade robes and a jade robe, exuding wealth and standing tall with a fair complexion. He appeared to be around thirty years old. Elder Mr. Sun smiled and said, "This is my seventh son."
"Old Seventh, call me Uncle!"
"..."
The young man dismounted and immediately cupped his fists in greeting, "Greetings, Uncle Hu..."
Hu Ma was stunned, "What's this? This person looks older than me..."
(End of Chapter)
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