Rebirth of Shuangshu

Chapter 77 Iron Ore

At the beginning of spring, the happy water first melts.As the boat sails on the river, it turns warm and cold.

It was a little cold this morning, Lin Xiaoxiao put on a thin down jacket under her robe, came out of the cabin where she was resting, and stood on the side of the boat looking into the distance.

The marriage team divided into two boats, one carrying people and the other carrying goods.Ships with cargo in the rear have a deeper draft than those with people.Due to the large number of dowry people, most of them can only squeeze through the bunk to rest. Fortunately, men and women are still separated, but it is not convenient.

"The mountain girl is here. I didn't find you in the cabin just now." Sixteen Niang's maid appeared behind Lin Xiaoxiao, "The mountain girl can go and accompany the princess when you have time, one of three is missing."

Probably because the boat was too boring, Sixteen Niang thought of Lin Xiaoxiao again, and asked her to talk to her every day.Lin Xiaoxiao didn't have so much to say, so she just took a set of mahjong from the warehouse, and taught Sixteen Niang and the maids how to play mahjong to pass the time.

Mahjong really deserves to be the quintessence of the country.

Sixteen Niang was hooked as soon as she got started.As long as you start the game, you will be in a good mood regardless of winning or losing.People are also energetic, and their appetite has increased.

But Lin Xiaoxiao was reluctant.She is more active and sitting all day is really difficult for her.

Lin Xiaoxiao followed the maid to Sixteen Niang's cabin, and before she reached the cabin door, she heard the sound of frolicking and mahjong tiles being slapped on the table.Sixteen Niang especially likes the sound of slapping mahjong tiles on the table, always using a lot of force.

Lin Xiaoxiao gestured to the maid not to disturb the inside.

The two listened quietly at the cabin door for a while, and then understood what happened inside.

It turned out that Zitan, the envoy of Zheng Guo's caravan, was in the cabin. I don't know what happened, but now the envoy is playing mahjong with Liu Niang.

Lin Xiaoxiao pulled the maid back a distance and said, "Since someone is playing with the princess, I won't go, and there is no need to mention me to the princess."

Without wasting time with Liuniang, Lin Xiaoxiao came to the stern and looked at the cargo ship behind.

After an unknown amount of time, Hu Zi returned behind Lin Xiaoxiao.He followed Lin Xiaoxiao's line of sight, not knowing why.

"Shan Nu is looking at the cargo ship behind?" Hu Zigui asked.

"So what?" Lin Xiaoxiao didn't look back, "What do you see?"

"No," Hu Zigui said sincerely, "I also ask Shannv for advice."

"Apart from Princess Slider's dowry, what else is on that ship behind?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked.

Huzi replied: "There are also goods from Zheng Guo's caravan."

"What did they bring back to Zheng Guo?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked.

"I don't know, they say it's a bulk product." Hu Zigui frowned.

Lin Xiaoxiao was a little surprised: "Hasn't the Hua Country side tested it?"

Hu Zigui looked at Lin Xiaoxiao: "No. Shannv thinks there is something wrong with Zheng Ren's goods?"

Lin Xiaoxiao said patiently: "The ship behind us is about the same size as the one we took, but you can see that its waterline is much deeper than the one in front, which means that the cargo on that ship is very heavy. The items in the princess' dowry are Those, the weight can only fall on Zheng people's goods."

Hu Zigui was still puzzled: "Even if Zheng people have more goods?"

"If it's just a matter of returning too many things, you don't have to be afraid. Hey, the people of Zheng traveled with us all the way, and they only brought those boxes. They can't change things out of thin air like I do, so..."

"So how?"

"Their cargo must have a high density. Hey, let me put it bluntly. I suspect that there are ironware or iron ore in their cargo."

"Ironware? But there are no iron mines in Hua Country."

"Hmph, it's just that it hasn't been discovered by the upper echelons of Hua Country for the time being," Lin Xiaoxiao said with a slightly smug expression, "I've read a book called "The History of Hua Nan Feng Wu Zhi", in which it is written that there is a strange mountain in the south of Hua Country , Cattle and horses and other livestock will lose their way when they go nearby, and it also describes a kind of red stone in the local area. From this, it can be inferred that the strange mountain may contain iron ore, and maybe the Zheng people discovered the mountain. "

Hu Zigui smiled wryly: "It's such a coincidence there."

"Coincidence? What's even more coincidental, the name of the person who wrote "Shannan Fengwuzhi" is Zheng Ziyu. Do you think this Zheng Ziyu is from Zheng Guo?"

Only then did Hu Zigui's expression change.

Lin Xiaoxiao said again: "I see that you have a good relationship with that Commander Lu He. If you can do it, you should find someone to inspect the goods on the back boat."

Hu Zigui looked at the boat behind, also showing a thoughtful expression.

The sun was just right at noon, so Lin Xiaoxiao moved a mat and sat on the deck basking in the sun.Hu Zigui came up again.

"Please Shan Nu to meet Commander Lu He."

Lin Xiaoxiao gave Huzigui a sideways look, and refused: "No." Then she took out a scroll of letters and threw it to Huzigui.

Hu Zigui looked down, and on the slip in his hand was written "Shannan Fengwuzhi".

Lin Xiaoxiao said: "You don't need to return this handwritten scroll, it's for you."

Hu Zigui took the letter and left in a hurry.

After nightfall, in the cabin led by Lu He, a group of people were discussing things, and on the table among them was the volume of "Shan Nan Feng Wu Zhi" that Lin Xiaoxiao gave to Hu Zigui.

"Have you ever heard of iron ore?"

"I've seen it in a blacksmith's shop."

"I have also seen that there are several pieces of iron ore enshrined in my family's ancestral hall."

"So, who should be sent to investigate the truth?"

"There is a swordsman named A Chai under my sect, he can swim, he is smart and quick-witted."

Because the people of Zheng Guo's caravan were concentrated on the rear ship, the Hua Guo soldiers who passed the news to the rear ship were easily exposed, so they had to send people from the front ship.

Everyone discussed again, and Hu Zigui went to look for A Chai.After a few more instructions, Ah Chai left.

About two quarters of an hour later, A Chai came back.He was wet and brought back a stone.

A Chai put down the stone and left.

Everyone in the house gathered around the stone on the table to observe.

"It's definitely iron ore."

"The same as the one enshrined in my family's ancestral hall, iron ore."

Lu He, who had been sitting at the top without speaking, suddenly rushed to the table and picked up the stone.

"Are you sure?"

"Certainly."

Lu He's face was flushed with excitement.

"There are iron mines in my Hua country. If this is the case, why worry about the lack of military development? Report to the king immediately, mine iron ore, smelt iron tools, and kill all the people of Zheng country."

"Leader stay safe and don't move. Now the situation is not good for me. The Zheng people also know about the iron mine. Our priority remains the same, so that the iron mine can be preserved."

Lu He slapped his forehead and said angrily, "That's right, we have to deal with the people of Zheng Guo first, otherwise they will definitely come to snatch the iron ore."

"There is a large amount of iron ore on the ship behind. We didn't even know about it. Fortunately, the mountain girl Hu Gongzi mentioned reminded me."

Lu He put down the iron ore, pulled his beard and asked, "Is that mountain girl really a god? Does she have other magical skills? Should I write to the Lord to grant her a seal?"

"Ah, this," Hu Zigui said hesitantly, "The female doctor of the mountain is kind-hearted and low-key. The matter of granting the title is not appropriate at the moment. If the matter of Zheng State is finished, I will discuss it later when I return to China."

(End of this chapter)