Chapter 398 That’s Coal
Shen Yi took the opportunity to inquire about the progress of the village school.
A lean man covered in sweat grinned and said: "It's almost ready. Just wait for the tables, chairs and benches to be delivered, and then tidy up the yard where Mr. Chu lives and it will be ready for use!"
"That's great." Shen Yi showed his eight teeth and was about to go back when he was stopped by Shen Ying who came over.
"Shen Yi, I have something I want to discuss with you. Xiao Tai said that you have been away from home for the past few days. Are you going to leave soon after you come back today?"
Shen Yi shook his head and said, "I'll go back to the county office tomorrow."
Shen Ying breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good. Let's talk as we walk. It's like this. This time I built the village in a larger area. The place is spacious, but it's really not enough. I asked Mr. Chu to do it a while ago. Mr. Chu has been sick for a long time. He suggested that we find two more gentlemen to come over, and he can separate Shu Xiu.
Why! I'm really worried! It's not about money at all, it's about not finding anyone! ”
Shen Yi looked at Shen Ying's frown, listened to his long sigh, and muttered: "I'll go to Dahe Town later. By the way, if not, I'll go find Ma Xingteng tomorrow. He personally led a business trip last year and visited several nearby places." I’ve been to every state capital and even the counties and towns below, maybe I can get some information.”
"Okay, okay! I'll leave it to you!" Shen Ying's departure seemed brisk and hurried, as if there were still many things to do.
Shen Yi led the horse back home. The twins' eyes lit up when they saw him. Just as they moved their buttocks, a dry cough came from the corner. The two little guys immediately looked away and continued writing and reading resentfully.
Su Tai snorted coldly and stood up to greet him, "I'm back now. There's something I want to tell you in detail."
Then her eyes fell on her eldest son and daughter, and asked with interest: "Is the ice field fun?"
"It's fun! Mom, the ice field is not what the outside world says at all. Although my aunt's house is relatively short, it is very spacious. My cousin took us to feed the lambs and taught us how to ride horses. We also ran and chased on the grassland, but my cousin Don’t let us go far, saying that there are jackals, tigers and leopards on the ice sheet, which can eat sheep and humans. It’s scary!”
Shen Congrong kept gesticulating, his eyes were shining, and he looked very excited.
Shen Yuezhang on the side has already opened the things he brought back, "Mom, my aunt and I learned to make some milk beans, yogurt, and milk tablets. You can try them."
"Oh! My baby still remembers to bring food to my mother! That's great!" Su Tai was very surprised.
Not to be outdone, Shen Congrong unpacked the bag and said, "I also brought a gift for my mother. It's a pair of boots. There is a shop in town that specializes in making shoes. I asked the shopkeeper to make them."
Su Tai was overjoyed and kissed her eldest son hard, "What a good son!"
The three of them, mother and son, were tired there.
The twins looked ready to move but did not dare to move.
Shen Yi walked over and squatted in front of the two of them, "Are you in trouble again?"
The twins shed tears of grievance, but did not dare to cry, "Dad"
Su Tai took her trophies and pulled Shen Yi towards the backyard. She said by the way: "Zhang'er Rong'er, you have just come back. Let's have a rest first. There are snacks in the pot in the stove. You can rest your stomach first. Mom will come later." I’ll prepare something delicious for you, and then go see Mr. Chu after eating. He has been ill for two days.”
"Mom!" the twins shouted in unison.
All that was left to them was the back of Su Tai's determined head.
The couple returned to the house, and Shen Yi couldn't wait to ask: "Master Lu said that the soil in the yard will catch fire. What is going on?"
Su Tai curled her lips angrily, "I'm not your good son or daughter. Two little troublemakers used firecrackers to blow up the mud pile, and they happened to be lit on fire!"
"Firecrackers? Where did they come from?" Shen Yi had a question mark on his forehead. Su Tai became more and more depressed. After sitting down, she took a piece of milk tablet and stuffed it into her mouth. "I brought it back from their maternal grandfather's house. I was also careless. I promised the children to pack their own luggage that day, but later I forgot to check what they brought." What happened? "Xi, the two older ones are definitely fine, but the two younger ones each brought a full set of clothes, and they were leaking here and there. They brought all the useless things, including firecrackers, bamboo dragonflies, and a bag of earthworms!"
"Earthworm?" Shen Yi became more and more confused.
Su Tai was so angry that she gritted her teeth, "I heard the Yamen said that you bought a yard with a pond, so I dug out a bag in a short time and planned to feed the fish!"
Shen Yi: "."
"To be serious, there is a coal mine under that silt. I suspect there is a lot of coal hidden under the county seat of Zhaohua County."
"Are you serious?" Shen Yi stood up suddenly, his eyes widening.
Su Tai was surprised now, "Do you know about coal? Mr. Lu and the others don't know."
Shen Yi sat next to Su Tai and explained: "I heard Vice General Pan say when I was in the military camp that he suffered defeat in those days. The Marshal asked others to analyze the reasons. Vice General Pan said that Long Xia was victorious because of its better weapons than us. I asked more questions. He said that Longxia State used coal for forging and smelting. He also proposed to exchange it with Longxia State, but was rejected
This time when the two countries negotiated peace, Long Xia State relented and was willing to trade coal, but the price was so expensive that ordinary people could not see it, and I am afraid that ordinary petty officials and officials would not even hear about it. ”
Su Tai suddenly realized, "No wonder Mr. Lu reacted so calmly."
Lu Tong has never left Lizhou in his life, so it is normal for him to have no information.
Shen Yi confirmed again, "Daughter-in-law, is that really coal?"
Su Tai nodded firmly, "It's absolutely true, I just don't know how much, but according to my understanding, it should be a lot. This matter is serious. You and Mr. Lu will discuss it carefully and see how to report it."
That's a coal mine, and I'm afraid the prefect won't be able to make the decision even if he comes.
"Okay! I will go back to the county government office tomorrow and Mr. Chu's place. I will go over and have a look later and find him one or two helpers as much as possible."
After Shen Yi finished speaking, he went out immediately.
Su Tai explained everything that needed to be said and immediately put those things aside.
Tiptoeing to the main room, I saw that the twins were writing big characters there honestly. Shen Yuezhang and Shen Congrong were not there. They probably went to Mr. Chu's place.
She nodded with satisfaction, turned around and entered the kitchen house.
The father and son must have been sleeping in the open these past few days without having anything good to eat.
Su Tai thought for a while, then went back and killed two chickens, stewed them with a nourishing medicinal chicken soup, steamed a large pot of white rice, fried some beef flatbreads, stuffed pork belly, and then had some cold water spinach and cold cabbage. That's almost it.
The chicken soup has to be simmered until evening, and the food can be served first.
Shen Yi led the two children home. Seeing that the food was ready, he quickly greeted the children to the table.
By the way, let me teach the twins a few words.
When it was getting dark in the evening, Shen Yi went to Pu's house in Dahe Town.
Today is different from the past. Shen Yi is already the county magistrate. Mr. Pu does not dare to be as casual as before. In order to receive him, he even called out his old wife, son and daughter-in-law to see him.