Chapter 836: The Cramped Firewood

"It is precisely because the continent is also floating that when two different continents collide, they slowly squeeze together, and then the ground wrinkles up, doesn't it? Many high mountains are formed this way. That extremely high mountain range in our south, the Qinling, was formed just like that."

"Earthquakes have the same meaning; when they bump into each other, earthquakes appear. Corresponding to that copper vein, my guess is that it was originally a flat strip, but it ended up being squeezed like this and became slanted. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't know what was going on."

Zhong looked at the paper on the table that had already been pushed up into a towering "mountain range" by the meat, and suddenly felt enlightened.

"So that's how it is, so that's how it is, King, I understand what's going on! I want to return to Xiao Town, I believe I will definitely be able to find the real ore vein!" Zhong was very excited.

Baifeng raised his hand to let him calm down: "Zhong, there is no need to be so anxious. Even if a copper vein is found in Xiao Town, to fully develop it, Xiao Town must be built and people must move in. According to the current progress, the earliest we can move people in is the spring after next year. Why are you so anxious now?"

Afterwards, Baifeng pointed to the dirt on the table: "Look, you have suffered a lot on this journey, and you came to find me as soon as you got back. Listen to me, go back and get a good rest first, then work seriously on your tasks here this year, and go over next year. You will still be in charge of this matter next year."

Zhong hurriedly used his sleeve to wipe the dirt off Baifeng's table, but the result was that he just spread the already sparse dust evenly.

He said somewhat awkwardly: "King, I won't wipe the table anymore, you let someone else wipe it. But I must go to Xiao Town. I will go with this group. It was so hard to get a clue; if I wait until next year, I really can't wait. Besides, I have marked many places where ore can be found. I'm afraid that if I wait until next year, I will forget where they are."

Baifeng still wanted to persuade him, but seeing Zhong's firm gaze, Baifeng let it go: "Fine, then have it your way. You go this time too, but go back and get a good rest first. I will have the team postpone their departure by one day and wait for you for one more day."

Zhong was very happy: "Hey, okay, thank you King. I will definitely find it this time. If I don't find it, you can strip me of my position!"

Baifeng shook his head helplessly: "Alright Zhong, there's no need to make such harsh vows. After all, when it comes to things like ore, no one can say for sure. Even if I went, I might not succeed. So just do your best. If Xiao Town doesn't have it to begin with, would I really strip you of your position because of that?"

Zhong gave a silly grin, then bowed and ran out quickly. As for whether he could find it, Baifeng had no certainty, but he also hoped he could.

Time intertwined; Zhong had already arrived at Xiao Town again, and Changle had also returned to Huaxia with the supplies traded from the Xuanyuan Tribe. He personally watched all the goods being unloaded onto the Matou bit by bit. After all, these supplies were even more important than Tea Leaves, and no loss could be tolerated.

As Chai, the captain of the Construction Team sent to the Xuanyuan Tribe, he was feeling very uneasy now. After all, he bore an inescapable responsibility for the accident that occurred during Changle's first trip to the Xuanyuan Tribe. Fortunately, Yanggou had successfully resolved it.

But this did not mean he was off the hook. He still had to face Baifeng, admit his mistake, and accept punishment. However, he had no idea how heavy the punishment would be, because it involved a Prince and diplomatic matters. He had no idea what laws would be used to deal with him here.

He was very anxious while on the Boat. Changle naturally would not try to counsel him; after all, his own counseling would have no effect. To make him relax, he could only do so after accepting the punishment. Therefore, throughout the journey, Changle simply ignored Chai and did not say a single word to him.

After getting off the Boat, Chai still cautiously found Changle and said: "Prince, I will go to the King to report on my work first."

Changle turned his head slightly and only said: "Good, go ahead." Afterwards, he paid no more attention to Chai and just stared at the cargo.

Thus, Chai and the Deputy Team Leader headed toward the Chaotang, preparing to see Baifeng. The Deputy Team Leader was equally nervous; Chai was the principal offender, and he was an accomplice, so he would certainly have to bear responsibility as well.

Both were equally nervous and dared not speak to each other. When they met acquaintances on the road who asked how they were or said things like "you're back," they could only reply with forced smiles: "Yes, yes, we're back, just got back, now we're going to report on our work."

The two of them guessed that the trouble they had caused had probably already spread throughout Huaxia. Everyone knew. Now, seeing acquaintances made their toes curl in embarrassment. They really wanted to find a place with fewer people to sneak through, but the Chaotang was built in the most prosperous part of Huaxia; the whole way was full of acquaintances, and they couldn't avoid them at all.

Baifeng had not yet received the news. Such a small matter would not be specifically reported to him. In any case, the parties involved would be coming over in a while, and Baifeng would be able to see them. Baifeng only estimated based on the time that Changle and the others should be back within these few days.

While he was busy, a guard reported that Chai and the others had arrived. Baifeng then knew that Changle and the others were all back, but Baifeng had not yet decided how to punish Chai and the other one.

The Ministry of Works valued technology above all else, and titles were determined according to ability. Their ability to handle various affairs was not important. Baifeng could not strip Chai of a rank just because of this matter based on the engineer level Chai had achieved through examinations. As for official positions, Chai did not seem to have a proper one; it was all Senior Engineers managing Junior Engineers. Only those clerks who did not study engineering-related subjects had corresponding official positions, but they had no ratings.

Baifeng simply said: "Fine, I know. Let them wait for now. I'll talk to them after I'm done."

"Yes!" The guard turned around, but the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily. These two were in for it.

"The King is still busy, you wait here for a while. You can go in after the King is finished." The guard's tone was very firm.

Chai's face turned red instantly. This was going to be the end of them. But feeling the gazes of the people coming and going, the two of them felt somewhat uncomfortable. Chai then said: "Alright then, we will go to the Ministry of Works to wait, and come back when the King calls us."

The guard's expression changed: "I didn't tell you to leave. You stand here and wait. What if the King becomes free the moment you leave? Then would he have to wait for you to come back? What are you thinking!"

In front of this guard of Baifeng's, Chai dared not show any temper, let alone given his current situation. He could only nod repeatedly: "Yes, yes, we will wait here, we won't leave."