Chapter 2025

Shangguan Wan'er's heart was shaken. Looking at this desolate, pitch-black Black Wind Mountain, she seemed to see a mountain of hope that could warm the entire Da Qian!

"Gao Yang, if it is truly as you say, then wouldn't the cold and suffering people of the world be saved?! They would no longer have to fear the suffering of freezing to death in the harsh winter?!"

Gao Yang met Shangguan Wan'er's burning gaze and said decisively, "More than saved? This coal can not only save the people from cold and suffering, but it can also forge sky-high wealth. This open-pit shallow coal mine is simply a huge treasure, inexhaustible, and can be called a heavy weapon of the country and the cornerstone of the people!"

"Mastering it is mastering the future. Heating is just one of its functions..."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Wan'er could no longer suppress the excitement in her heart, "Husband, then what are we waiting for? Why not take advantage of the fact that the Zhang brothers don't know the value of Black Wind Mountain and buy it quickly?"

Gao Yang glanced at Shangguan Wan'er and then sighed, "Alas, Wan'er, you reminded me. It's bad enough that this Black Wind Mountain belongs to someone else, but it just had to be the Zhang brothers'."

"I have seen these two; they are true sycophants, greedy for money and lust, vengeful, and narrow-minded. It wouldn't be difficult to trick them into selling it while they are off guard. But paper cannot wrap fire forever. When honeycomb coal sells well, they will definitely discover the clues."

"With the status of the Zhang imperial relatives, coupled with the sky-high power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it will be a heaven-sized trouble then!"

Shangguan Wan'er felt as if she had been doused with cold water, instantly sobering up.

Once honeycomb coal sells well, moving people's wealth is equivalent to killing their parents. The Zhang brothers will definitely be furious then; this is a mortal feud!

The Duke of Ding is old!

The dignity of the Duke of Ding's mansion has fallen to the ground.

Gao Yang is even more at odds with Wu Zhao. Offending the Zhang brothers is extremely unwise!

But...

Shangguan Wan'er's beautiful face was filled with entanglement.

She wanted to persuade Gao Yang to take it, and she had other thoughts, but she felt Gao Yang was more important, and she couldn't be that selfish.

Therefore, she endured and didn't speak.

Gao Yang stood with his hands behind his back on the top of Black Wind Mountain, looking toward the direction of Changancheng, his tone carrying a trace of desolation and self-mockery: "If I asked the Emperor to come forward to promote this matter, it would naturally be accomplished. But I, Gao Yang, only broke with the Emperor a few days ago? Now seeing the cold and the increase in refugees, I turn around and present such a heavy treasure? Wouldn't that make me the greatest... fawning sycophant in the world? The very thing I despise most?"

"I, Gao Yang, will absolutely not be a sycophant!"

"For the sake of the common people I have never met, putting myself and the Duke of Ding's mansion in danger—even a dog wouldn't do such a thing!"

Gao Yang's tone was faint, speaking quite sighingly.

Shangguan Wan'er also fell silent.

She stood beside Gao Yang and said, "Husband is right. The Zhang brothers are vengeful, and they are the Emperor's maternal clan, holding important official positions like the Embroidered Uniform Guard. They should not be provoked easily. As for the Emperor, Husband has finally managed to get away; reminding her of the Little Ice Age is already doing one's best. How can you present a heavy treasure and trap yourself in embarrassment?"

Huh?

This situation is not quite right!

Upon hearing this, Gao Yang's eyes looking at Shangguan Wan'er changed slightly.

Chu Qingluan had been observing Gao Yang's expression from the side. When she caught this trace of astonishment, she instantly understood everything.

She spoke from the side, "Husband has such wisdom, how could he be afraid of the Zhang brothers? The benefit of this coal mountain concerns the national economy and the people's livelihood, and it also involves sky-high wealth. The return far exceeds the risk. Husband's concern is probably weighing whether it is worth offending such petty people, right?"

"I have an idea that might make Husband no longer conflicted."

Chu Qingluan said as much.

*Swish, swish, swish! *

In an instant.

Shangguan Wan'er and Gao Yang's gazes looked over in unison.

Especially Shangguan Wan'er, who couldn't help but touch her own face, looking puzzled, "Sister Qingluan, why are you looking at me for no reason?"

"Chen Sheng, Changwen, you two go down first." Chu Qingluan said.

"Ah? Why do I have to go down?"

Gao Changwen was listening intently. When he heard this, he was directly dumbfounded.

But Chen Sheng had good judgment, directly grabbing the sleeve of Gao Changwen's back collar and dragging him down.

In the blink of an eye, only Gao Yang, Chu Qingluan, and Shangguan Wan'er remained on the mountain top.

Chu Qingluan then looked at Shangguan Wan'er, her eyes flowing with deep meaning, "If Sister Wan'er is willing to compensate Husband more during these days, making Husband physically and mentally pleased... Husband might feel that this matter is worth a fight! For the sake of the common people, for this sky-high wealth, and also for Sister Wan'er, to fight with the Zhang brothers!"

In an instant.

Shangguan Wan'er's beautiful eyes widened, looking at Gao Yang in disbelief. Her pretty face instantly flew up two intoxicating red clouds, spreading all the way to her delicate earlobes.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yang immediately straightened his face and flicked his sleeves, "Qingluan, stop talking nonsense! I, Gao Yang, am dedicated to the people. If I hadn't lost power, would I be afraid of these two treacherous villains, the Zhang brothers? Although I am weighing it now, it has nothing to do with these filthy things."

After speaking, Gao Yang did not forget to look at Shangguan Wan'er, saying very firmly, "Wan'er, don't listen to Qingluan's nonsense. There is no such thing, absolutely no possibility of this!"

Shangguan Wan'er also gradually came to her senses.

This tone.

The wealth behind this coal mountain!

Even if Gao Yang really didn't do it, it could never be because he was afraid of the Zhang brothers!

The dignified Living Yama of Da Qian, would he be afraid of two sycophants who only know how to play tricks?

Is this possible?

Therefore...

An autumn wind struck, carrying a bone-chilling coldness. Even the best brocade robe could not block this chill.

Shangguan Wan'er's beautiful face was as red as a rose weeping blood, her phoenix eyes shimmering with water, staring straight at Gao Yang.

She stretched out her slender jade hand, slowly gathering her waterfall-like pitch-black hair, and tying it into a clean and neat high ponytail.

This action added a bit of heroic spirit to Shangguan Wan'er's already refined and otherworldly appearance, and it also seemed to have made a certain determination.

She hesitated slightly, her red lips parting, "Is this... okay?"

In an instant.

Gao Yang's tiger body shook, and an unprecedented brilliance erupted in his eyes.

He no longer hesitated, gritting his teeth and saying.

"Even if a dog wouldn't do it, I, Gao Yang, will!"

"Hmph! What is worth it or not? For the sake of the common people, even if there are thousands of difficulties and dangers, I, Gao Yang, will not shirk!"

"I have decided on this mountain, and it doesn't matter who comes; I, Gao Yang, said so! What are the Zhang brothers? I'm going to pit the Zhang brothers!"

PS: (Seeing some brothers staying up late waiting for updates is not my intention. It's just that I write too slowly and don't have a buffer, often finishing and revising in the early morning. But this update time is indeed too hellish, too inhuman, and too sinful. So let's adjust the update time. Unless there are special circumstances, it will be updated at 7:00 PM every night. Everyone don't stay up late tonight. It will be updated at 7:00 PM tomorrow night. Everyone can have a good sleep. Hmm... I will also have a good sleep. Finally, thank you all for your support along the way.)