Xiao Muqian nodded, surprised by the Feng family's efficiency and impressed by the person before him.
He had met Lord Feng a few times in Dongdu City. Though they were brothers, they gave completely different impressions.
Perhaps it was because the elder brother had lived in Dongdu City for a long time, making him more like a scion of a noble family and a court official.
The younger brother before him, however, was neither servile nor overbearing. Even though he was from a merchant background, he never looked down on himself. Not only was the entire family managed in an orderly fashion, but they had also done many substantial deeds for Liangzhou with great benevolence and righteousness.
Under his leadership, the merchant practices in Liangzhou were more refined, and their reputation naturally surpassed that of outsiders.
Xiao Muqian smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Uncle."
"It's late today, so you should stay here for the night and leave early tomorrow."
"Everything is as Uncle arranges!"
The day spent staying at the mine was a rare period of leisure for Xiao Muqian.
Looking at the starry sky outside the window, he thought of Bai Siruo.
Several months had passed since he left Dongdu City. He had been busy before and had no time to write home, so he had only managed to send a thick letter a few days ago.
He wondered when she would receive it and what her mood would be upon receiving it.
Once the matters in Liangzhou City were settled, he should return to get married. As for whether they would live in Dongdu City or return to Liangzhou in the future, he would need to discuss it with her in detail. From his own perspective, he hoped to return to Liangzhou.
However, the Bai family would likely not agree, as she was their only child. If she also left, wouldn't the Bai family be empty?
Thinking of this, he felt he couldn't be so selfish and needed to consider her more.
It was in this state of tossing and turning that he fell asleep without realizing it.
He only knew that when he woke up, it was already broad daylight.
Stepping out of the room, he saw that everything was still peaceful.
The people he had seen returning to their rooms last night had now gone to the mine.
Many of them had been working here for generations, and it would not be an exaggeration to say they had toiled for the Feng family's mines for generations.
However, the Feng family had never treated them poorly. Their provisions were never lacking, and they had even hired two teachers to educate the children.
Setting aside other matters, this place seemed like a paradise.
Under such circumstances, it was naturally impossible for there to be an inside traitor.
This was both the Feng family's skill in managing their subordinates and a troublesome aspect for outsiders.
For example, Master Du, who was by the Ninth Prince's side, had been lurking here for many days.
He had deliberately injured a teacher and used it as an excuse to take his place, teaching children for nearly two months.
Under the protection of the Wei family's influence, his background was clean. Coupled with Feng Jin's assistance, no one noticed him, a teacher with no strength to even tie a chicken.
It was precisely because of this that he had learned many secrets here.
However, he was still completely unaware of the Feng family's mine account books, which was what they wanted most.
Xiao Muqian and his party had come in a hurry and left in a hurry, without noticing Master Du, who was hiding behind and watching them.
Why was Feng Shan coming to the mine at this time?
And the person beside him, though a stranger, why did he always feel a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen him somewhere before?
He couldn't recall for a moment.
The horses' hooves clattered. They left just as they had arrived.
Three days later, that substantial sum of money began to flow into the market. The Feng family quietly increased wages, not much per person, but a considerable amount in total.
Concurrently, Hua Tiezhu, Ma Huo, and several other families, led by the Feng family, also began to raise wages.
These wages were significantly higher than before. With money in the hands of the common people, consumption naturally increased. In turn, this money imperceptibly became surplus funds in the hands of the populace.
Foreigners who came to settle here, having witnessed that they could have surplus income from wages, were no longer willing to endure hardship outside. Thus, their desire to work diligently was ignited, and they worked with extra effort.
The original residents of Liangzhou, unwilling to be outdone, naturally had to work harder, forming a virtuous cycle.
The more they worked, the better they worked, and the more wages they earned.
The Feng family and other merchant families, while outwardly offering higher wages, actually earned it all back. Therefore, when providing raw materials to Xiao Ji, the quality also increased significantly.
In just half a month, the entire Liangzhou City became bustling with activity.
By the time the Ninth Prince arrived outside Liangzhou City with his army, that sum of money had long since disappeared, becoming savings in the homes of countless citizens.
For the sake of the people of Liangzhou living in peace, Xiao Ji, however unwilling, had to give the Ninth Prince sufficient face.
He arranged for a banquet to welcome him and then took him to the city wall to survey the vast landscape, speaking of the current situation in Liangzhou City.
The Ninth Prince had had little contact with this uncle.
He had initially thought he would be someone arrogant and inflexible, but unexpectedly, he turned out to be observant.
Therefore, his attitude towards him became more amiable.
"General Xiao has made a great contribution this time. Upon our return to the capital, this prince will certainly petition the Emperor on your behalf!"
"Thank you for your high regard, Your Highness. All credit belongs to Your Highness. If not for you holding the fort in Ganzhou, the Northern Di would not have been so wary, thus allowing Liangzhou to survive. Now, everyone is united, working hard to restore Liangzhou's former glory, all under Your Highness's command."
Although the flattery was insincere, the Ninth Prince found it extremely pleasant to hear.
In his eyes, the common people and cities were not as important as military achievements.
Seeing Xiao Ji building his reputation, his suspicions diminished further.
It was rare to find someone who endured hardship without seeking fame, but it was also good, as it made things much easier for him.
Thus, after "pretending to guide" Xiao Ji, he retired to the General's mansion.
The environment here was a world apart from the Governor's mansion in Ganzhou. Among other things, even the bed was considerably harder.
Xiao Ji deliberately revealed many dilapidated aspects that were yet to be rebuilt in the places the Ninth Prince passed through, making it impossible for the Ninth Prince to indulge in luxury even if he wished.
Therefore, after sleeping here for one night, the Ninth Prince's extravagant tendencies flared up.
"How can a dignified General's mansion be so shabby! Are you trying to trick this prince?"
Several of his trusted officials stood below. They had no grievances with Xiao Ji and, moreover, gained merit without fighting. Therefore, instead of kicking him while he was down, they "kindly" explained.
"We hear that General Xiao has always lived in the military camp. He has neither married nor started a family, nor managed a household. Thus, this General's mansion has always been desolate. Based on his military pay, without other subsidies, he likely cannot afford anything good."