Chapter 515

After the Hezhou Paper Workshop was completed, the first batch of paper came out fresh off the press.

Chen Wuji specially went over to have a look, handed out a small red envelope to the workers, and simply went through a few formalities.

This batch of paper will not be sold externally; it will be supplied first to the Hezhou Government Offices.

Having paper, yet still using bamboo slips—such a frugal spirit is unnecessary.

After briefly chatting with Xiao Zong about some upcoming matters at the workshop, Chen Wuji hurried off to Qingyu Mountain again.

Chen Wuyi previously took a large amount of Shocking Heaven Thunder to blast open the mountain.

Whether these precious stones on Qingyu Mountain can be turned into wealth in the Hezhou Treasury hinges on this tremor; Chen Wuyi has not sent anyone to report progress, so the progress is likely smooth.

But Chen Wuji feels uneasy without seeing it himself.

On the mountain path, busy workers were everywhere, dust flying, but everyone's spirits seemed fine; upon seeing Chen Wuji and his party approach from afar, they stopped work and clasped their hands in greeting.

Although this era lacked concrete and asphalt, they already had a very mature system for roads; the procedures were extremely complex, and the roads they built did not have the potholes and unevenness of primitive dirt roads that become impassable after a rain.

Of course, this is only the official road mainly built under government sponsorship.

Ordinary village roads cannot match this set of procedures.

"Family Head, the mountain has already come down quite a bit." Chen Li pointed ahead and suddenly said.

Chen Wuji looked in the direction Chen Li pointed, and couldn't help feeling delighted: "It looks like they're taking it down bit by bit from the top; that's safer, though equally slow, but safety first, right?"

The two mountains are like two pillars standing in the Xia Gu; the mountains aren't particularly grand, but if one tried to move them entirely by human labor, shovel by shovel, it would be as hard as climbing to heaven.

Even Yu Gong would have to shake his head and reconsider how to tackle this task.

Chen Wuji's original idea was to use a Luoyang Shovel to dig a ring of holes at the mountain's base, or directly dig several large holes going in, then bury a large amount of Shocking Heaven Thunder to see if it could shake the foundations of the two mountains.

Chen Wuyi did not use that method; instead he chose the more conservative approach of blasting from the top down.

So far, the effect is not bad.

"Let's go take a look!" Chen Wuji dismounted and handed the horse reins to his personal guard beside him.

Just then, a knight came flying up from behind, kicking up clouds of dust.

"Report to the Deputy Commandant, there is a person from the commandery who claims to be an envoy sent by Lu Jinglve."

The soldier quickly dismounted, bowed with clasped fists.

Chen Wuji frowned slightly, "People of Lu Ping'an? This old brat, what trouble is he stirring up now? Don't see him, drive him away."

"Yes!" the soldier shouted in reply, "The other side also brought five hundred carts of grain and five hundred carts of cloth; should we drive those away as well?"

"He even brought gifts—unbelievable, that old dog Lu has actually learned etiquette; then let's meet him!" Chen Wuji smiled, "Go tell him I'm temporarily occupied; I'll return to the government office later."

"Yes!"

After the knight left, Chen Wuji smiled and asked Chen Li beside him, "What does Uncle Shi Yi think this surnamed Lu is up to this time?"

"Perhaps he's seen the light and wants to win over the Family Head." Chen Li said after a moment's thought.

Chen Wuji nodded, "He brought gifts and then suddenly mustered a thousand carts of goods— for that scoundrel Lu Ping'an, that's practically bleeding himself dry. I suspect he's not trying to win me over, but that something else has happened and he wants to use me as a pawn."

Chen Li asked doubtfully, "What could possibly be happening in Qingzhou right now? The Qiang People's frontline apparently hasn't reached there yet, has it?"

"Hard to say; the Qiang People's use of troops is like a woman who doesn't care about chastity—see a spot and they want to throw a couple punches to see if they can gain some advantage." Chen Wuji said disdainfully.

"Before we even simulated the Qiang People's strategy, later we found it was basically futile—they don't even consider whether they'll fall into enemy territory, what tactics to use, etc., nor do they care about the enemy's troop strength or terrain; they just attack."

"Such barbarians, yet they've left the Lingnan Six Commanderies in a sorry state; we have to admit, we're pretty useless too!"

Chen Li furrowed his brow and nodded, "The people's hearts in the Lingnan Six Commanderies have changed; encountering the Qiang People at this critical juncture and ending up in this situation is actually not strange."

"Let's go, let's check ahead, then go back to meet this unexpected guest." Chen Wuji strode forward toward the two mountains.

"Yes!"

As Chen Wuji and his party passed by, Chen Wuyi was covered in dust and dirt, busy with the Shocking Heaven Thunder.

"Family Head!"

Chen Wuji glanced at him and asked, "How did you end up like this?"

"Just came down from the mountain." Chen Wuyi gave a simple, honest smile.

"I'm talking about your face."

A long gash had been cut on Chen Wuyi's face; the injury isn't especially serious, but it's somewhat perilous—if it were a bit higher, his left eye would likely be ruined.

"The first time I did this, I lacked experience; the distance was too short, and when the mountain rocks shattered, I didn't have time to run, got hit by the stones, and almost ended up buried inside." Chen Wuyi said.

Chen Wuji sat down on a nearby stone, "This is a perilous task; please be as careful as possible—how's it going now?"

"It's going quite smoothly now; if it continues smoothly, it should be wrapped up in about half a month." Chen Wuyi said, straightening his chest immediately.

"Take it slow, don't rush; what you're dismantling is an entire mountain, not just a cliff face." Chen Wuji cautioned.

"Yes!" Chen Wuyi replied, with a hint of hesitation he asked, "But I and Wushuang aren't by the Family Head's side; won't that be unsafe?"

Chen Wuji pointed behind him and said, "You little brat, are you looking down on Uncle Shi Yi and the others?"

Chen Wuyi quickly waved his hands, "No, no. Family Head, I don't mean that."

"Understood, don't worry about my safety; focus on this for now." Chen Wuji said, "Within Hezhou City, no one can harm me."

"……Yes!"

"Come with me to take a look at the mountain." Chen Wuji said as he rose.

"Yes!"

After strolling around the mountain and personally seeing Chen Wuyi's progress, Chen Wuji hurried back to Hezhou.

Although Hezhou's large-scale renovation project has quite a few minor hassles, progress in all aspects is fairly good; however, when progress is good, unexpected situations often arise.

Take today's unexpected guest as an example.

Chen Wuji is genuinely curious about what mischief Lu Ping'an is up to this time.

In the side hall of the government office's front hall, Chen Wuji met the envoy of Lu Ping'an.

A woman with a graceful figure and a very striking appearance.

Looks about thirty years old, well-maintained and very delicate, but from the corners of her eyes and overall demeanor one can tell some of her age.

【62> Lu Ping'an actually sent a woman as an envoy, which made Chen Wuji somewhat surprised.

Lu Ping'an actually sent a woman as an envoy, which made Chen Wuji a little surprised.