Chapter 88

An Zhongzhi was arranging for the two elephants to return to their hometown.

In fact, there was no need to arrange it anymore. Now, one could already see the enthusiasm of the laborers. Hundreds of people surrounded the two elephants, pointing and discussing. Even the most taciturn person could talk with great enthusiasm. Everyone's face was filled with genuine smiles. Seeing these smiles, An Zhongzhi felt very happy.

These smiles first appeared when the official said that locusts could be exchanged for mountain goods. From that moment on, An Zhongzhi noticed that the people of Xishan Township had a much better spirit than before. It was a smile full of vitality and optimism about the future. An Zhongzhi glanced at the official beside him and thought that meeting the official was truly a blessing for the people of Xishan Township.

Finally, An Zhongzhi heard Wang Laicai say that almost everyone was going to return to their hometown. After all, this was a grand event, and no one wanted to miss it. "Sir, is there anything else you need me to do?"

Lin Bei shook his head.

"Then we will return."

Lin Bei nodded: "Go back, and don't forget to remind them of the matters you were instructed to handle."

"Zhongzhi will never forget for a moment," An Zhongzhi said seriously.

Lin Bei said nothing more, knowing that An Zhongzhi understood.

"Long-nosed beasts are returning to their hometown," someone shouted.

"Long-nosed beasts are returning to their hometown," hundreds of people shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky. Ali quickly calmed the elephants, which were startled by the noise. An Zhongzhi also laughed and scolded the crowd, but they didn't mind, laughing and joking.

The long procession slowly moved away. Soon, only Cui Lan and Lin Bei were left, even Zhen Jiu had gone along. Zhen Jiu was the only one who could understand Ali's language, so he had to go to translate.

"Sir, should we return to Longtan? The teacher probably doesn't know that the long-nosed beasts have been caught yet," Cui Lan asked with a smile.

Lin Bei shook his head, "Walk with me here for a while."

The area of the school was not very large; it could be walked through in ten minutes. It was already the sixth day of leveling the ground, and much of it was already very flat. It would take only another two or three days to finish, which was faster than expected, of course, thanks to the enthusiasm of the laborers.

This time, almost the entire Xishan Township was mobilized, and it was the first time the people of Xishan Township had tasted the flavor of communal meals. During their breaks, they hunted in the surrounding areas and brought the game back to the food team led by Feng Nangzi for cooking. If there wasn't enough, Lin Bei would catch more. So, these days, the laborers not only didn't feel the hardship but also enjoyed this life, as everyone could eat their fill, and some even gained weight.

"Sir, this will be a waterway in the future, bringing water here. The pond in front is where the teacher decided to place it," Cui Lan, who ran back and forth between Longtan and the school every day, knew the progress well.

Lin Bei walked and observed. The laborers worked very hard, even digging out the tree roots and throwing them away. The deep holes formed by the tree roots were also filled in. It was fortunate that there were many people; if there were fewer, just digging out the tree roots would have been extremely difficult and impossible to complete in such a short time.

After touring the school, Lin Bei had a better idea and returned to Longtan with Cui Lan.

Zhen Ding's guards saw Lin Bei from a distance. Lin Bei was somewhat surprised that Zhen Ding had not yet returned, looking very anxious, waiting for news.

As soon as Lin Bei entered, Zhen Ding ran over, first looking behind Lin Bei, somewhat puzzled, then suddenly enlightened, and said happily, "Sir, did you catch the long-nosed beasts today?"

"What do you think?"

"It must be so," Zhen Ding said confidently. "I'm sure you have caught the long-nosed beasts and had the hunters transport them back to the township."

Bian Fuzi sat by the taro field, holding a wooden tablet, and said clearly, "Sir, don't tease Mr. Zhen. He has been pacing around me for half a day, extremely anxious, which has made me quite annoyed."

Lin Bei smiled and nodded.

Zhen Ding was overjoyed, "Sir, how many did you catch?"

Cui Lan answered for Lin Bei, "Today, only two were caught, both extremely large and very intimidating. They truly live up to the name of long-nosed beasts. They have already been sent back to the township by An Tingzhang and his men."

"Sir, you are truly remarkable," Zhen Ding, scratching his head and rubbing his ears, was eager to return to the township to see the long-nosed beasts.

"I told you long ago that if Sir took action, there would be no problem. You," Bian Ji pointed at Zhen Ding, shaking his head, thinking that this was the manager of a large merchant house, yet he couldn't hold his temper.

Zhen Ding laughed and agreed, but it wasn't that he couldn't hold his temper. Xu You, Xu Ziyuan, was the most capable strategist under Lord Yuan, who relied on him greatly. The Zhen family was now aligned with the Yuan family and had to show their full capabilities; otherwise, as mere merchants, they could easily be looked down upon. Bian Ji didn't know Zhen Ding's difficulties.

"Mr. Zhen, since Sir has caught the long-nosed beasts, what about tonight?" Bian Ji asked again.

"Of course, today, I will drink with Sir and the teacher to celebrate Sir's successful return."

Bian Ji then smiled at Lin Bei, "Sir, I will be benefiting from your presence. This time, Mr. Zhen will bring out the Meiyaji wine, which I have long wanted to taste."

"Meiyaji wine?"

"Sir, don't you know? This is the wine that the Zhen family offers to the emperor every year. No one else can produce it. Even the great scholar Bojie praised it as the clearest wine in the world. I have heard of it for a long time."

"Oh? Even Cai Yong, Mr. Bojie, praised this wine? Then I must taste it."

Cai Yong was not only known in the Three Kingdoms era but also by modern people. He was the father of Cai Wenji and had a high reputation in this era, definitely one of the great scholars.

While Lin Bei and the others were tasting the Meiyaji wine, the two elephants had already been transported back to Xishan Township, causing a great stir.

PS: Thanks to Brother Dawei for the tip. Please follow and recommend.

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