Chapter 1979: The absurd reality, Gao Changwen's lofty ambition!

Boom!

Gao Changwen stared at the old farmer's departing back, his pupils shrinking suddenly.

He grabbed Gao Yang's sleeve, as if he had made some heaven-shaking discovery, "Brother, this old man is Wang Laosan! What he said... was himself!"

But when he scanned the area, he found Gao Yang very calm, and Chu Qingluan and Shangguan Wan'er were also very calm, looking at him in unison.

"Brother, sister-in-law, could it be that you... already knew?"

Gao Changwen said silently.

Gao Yang nodded.

Chu Qingluan said piercingly, "Such an obvious thing, Changwen, how could you be so surprised?"

Gao Changwen: "..."

Chen Sheng also stepped forward and said, "Second Young Master, when that old man talked about prying open his daughter's hand, you didn't see it?"

Chen Sheng's words were like a sharp sword, ruthlessly stabbing into Gao Changwen's heart.

How embarrassing!

Gao Changwen looked at Gao Yang and said, "Brother, is what this old farmer said true? Is firewood really that important? And for the common people, is it so hard to obtain?"

Gao Yang glanced at him and nodded, "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea—firewood comes first. What do you think? Without it, rice cannot become food, and people cannot survive the cold night."

Shangguan Wan'er's beautiful eyes dimmed.

She wasn't unaware of the suffering of the people, but Wang Laosan's bloody, tear-filled account had concretized and extremized this suffering before her, making her heart feel blocked!

"I never imagined that living... would be so difficult!"

"Snow is deadly, and no snow is also deadly. Why is the life of the common people so bitter? Are their wishes greedy? They just want to live!"

"Just... to live!"

"Why is this... so hard?!"

Shangguan Wan'er's eyes welled up with water, staring straight at Gao Yang.

That look was as if she were seeking an answer from Gao Yang, or questioning this vast world!

Gao Yang knew Shangguan Wan'er's kindness.

He sighed and reached out to wipe the tears from Shangguan Wan'er's face, "Wan'er... this world has always been like this. Absurd, yet incredibly real. Some are lost in luxury, spending money like dirt, but for some, just living has exhausted all their blood, tears, and dignity."

"Wang Laosan is just a microcosm of these thousands of ants."

Actually, Gao Yang had always been very clear about the importance of firewood.

Behind this was a dead end: population growth, limited arable land, and even scarcer forest resources.

When there are too many people, there aren't enough resources!

Coupled with the powerful and wealthy pursuing enjoyment and consuming large amounts of high-quality charcoal—three catties of good dry firewood produce one catty of charcoal.

Among charcoal, there are different grades!

Not to mention the construction of imperial tombs, various residences, and bows and crossbows, all of which require wood.

Driven by huge profits, forests were gradually monopolized by aristocratic families and powerful officials everywhere, forming a chain that sucked the fat and blood of the people.

For the common people at the bottom to obtain the most basic survival fuel, it began to become as difficult as reaching heaven, with a high price.

Shangguan Wan'er raised her eyes and called out hesitantly, "Gao Yang."

Gao Yang looked at her, searching.

"Nothing... nothing."

Shangguan Wan'er shook her head and smiled reluctantly.

Seeing this, Gao Yang couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Wan'er, you think too highly of me. This matter... I am powerless." ===== CHAPTER 1981 =====