Feng Jinxu escorted them to the city gates, where Su Cheng and Qiao Shanwei were already waiting.
Duoxin glanced at Qiao Shanwei. Feng Jinxu was unaware at the time that he was a descendant of the Bai family, only sensing that this person was extraordinary.
"Big Brother, you should go back. I will take good care of A Yao. After everything is settled, Su Cheng will escort her safely back. Don't worry."
He cast a glance at Su Cheng. Su Cheng's reputation was not good, but his martial arts skills were top-notch!
After all, he came from a military family, so he wouldn't be lacking!
"Mm, then you all be careful on your journey and write back often."
"Don't worry, Big Brother!"
After watching the group leave, Feng Jinxu returned to the city. He didn't notice that among the small group following Su Cheng, one person was particularly special.
This was Prince Ding, Xiao Tingyi, disguised. His appearance was ordinary, and his aura was well concealed.
Unless one was extremely close to him, it would be impossible to guess who he was.
Feng Jinyao, sitting in the carriage, didn't notice this detail until they were a hundred miles away from Dongdu City and she gradually came to her senses.
The Northwest. After this period of rest, the overall situation had improved considerably.
Since the victorious news reached Dongdu City, the pressure from Ganzhou had lessened significantly.
Although General Su was not as eager as before in the matter of bridge construction, he had never delayed the schedule.
Coupled with past experience and the addition of many soldiers from the Ninth Prince's command, the speed had indeed increased.
One day, the Ninth Prince personally visited the Lánshuǐ River and inquired of General Su.
"Will the bridge be passable in ten days?"
General Su shook his head. "At the earliest, it will take fifteen days. This newly built wooden bridge needs to bear too much weight. If we rush the progress to complete it, I fear it will not withstand the heavy pressure of the army crossing."
The Ninth Prince didn't understand these matters, but ten days and fifteen days were not a significant difference.
He was still thinking that after he crossed the river, it would be a good thing to see a more complete Liangzhou.
So, he pretended to say to General Su, "General, you have worked hard. I will return to organize the troops and train the military. I will support Liangzhou in fifteen days!"
"Yes!"
His words were passionate. Now, Liangzhou didn't need their support at all.
It would be better if they didn't cause trouble.
What Su Cheng was thinking was that he needed to let Xiao Ji and the others digest that one hundred thousand taels of gold first.
Otherwise, if the Ninth Prince found out anything suspicious, it would be troublesome.
Therefore, he dispatched the secret guards of Prince Ding's mansion to send the bank notes across the Lánshuǐ River.
In the military camp, Xiao Ji looked at the message delivered and the bank note for one hundred thousand taels of gold, which was light yet extremely heavy, in his hand, and remained silent.
Xiao Muqian, standing beside him, also said nothing, seemingly contemplating how to handle the money.
A moment later, Xiao Ji spoke.
"His Highness's action is also a return to the people. Go and invite the head of the Feng family. This matter requires him to use this money to benefit the people."
Otherwise, if such a large sum of money appeared out of nowhere, it would surely attract the Ninth Prince's attention!
Soon, Feng Shan was invited to the military camp. At first, he was puzzled as to why Xiao Ji was calling him at this time.
When the bank note fell before his eyes, even though he had seen many storms, he was still somewhat surprised.
"General, where did this come from?"
"General Su sent someone to deliver it secretly. It was the Northern Di who used this to lure the governor, which led to the talk of blowing up the bridge."
He didn't say much else, especially concerning Prince Ding, as it was better for outsiders to know less.
Feng Shan nodded. "So, General's intention is..."
"I need this money to be legitimate and fully used for Liangzhou city and its people. Brother Feng, do you have any good ideas?"
"The amount on this bank note is too large, and it might be difficult to withdraw. Fortunately, it is a bank note from Huitong Bank, so it is not difficult to exchange. I am quite familiar with the manager of their bank in the Northwest. This matter can be processed through the Feng family's mines, and then it will be legitimate."
He also suggested, "If the young general has nothing else to do, you can accompany me. Huitong Bank is not in Liangzhou, but in Xiazhou. That place is closer to the Feng family's mines."
Feng Shan explained the matter to indicate that he would not embezzle this money.
Xiao Ji and his nephew exchanged glances and thought the suggestion was good.
So, he said, "Alright, then I, your nephew, will accompany the family head on this trip."
"Excellent, excellent!"
The next day, the two of them, with only three attendants, traveled lightly towards Xiazhou.
At this moment, Feng Shan did not know that this very money would bring him endless future troubles...
Xiazhou was only a few dozen miles away from Liangzhou. The horses they rode were all good military horses, so they naturally traveled faster, arriving at the Feng family's mine by afternoon.
This was the first time Xiao Muqian had seen the entire mine.
The continuous mountain ranges surrounded them, looking like guardian gods overlooking the earth.
Some were bare, while others were covered with lush vegetation.
Especially in April, which was the season of rich spring, the gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of grass and trees, which relaxed Xiao Muqian, whose spirit had been constantly tense.
Today, he was disguised as Feng Shan's attendant.
His face had also been disguised, a common technique in the army. The guards at the mine did not notice anything different.
Feng Shan arrived with a special token for the mine. After it was verified with the guards, they were allowed to pass.
The strictness of the rules surprised Xiao Muqian.
After walking along the narrow path, Feng Shan began to explain.
"This mine was bestowed by the founding emperor. For hundreds of years, it has belonged to my Feng family. The rules here are very strict. Even the family head must undergo many checks to prevent impersonation!"
Xiao Muqian nodded. This was very much like military regulations. It was possible that some of the Feng family's ancestors were soldiers.
After riding for a while, they arrived in front of a row of simple houses.
"This is where the people responsible for guarding and mining live. The one in front is the accounting office."
The Feng family's accounting office was actually just responsible for managing incoming and outgoing funds.
The real account books and bookkeepers were only held by the head of the Feng family.
In this regard, the Feng family had been passed down for hundreds of years without change. Otherwise, such great wealth would be a tempting target for anyone, and it would be a miracle if it wasn't completely plundered.
Feng Shan took the others to another room to rest, then turned and entered a small, inconspicuous room next to the accounting office.
What he was doing was unknown, and where he went was also unknown.
Xiao Muqian understood that this was the root of the Feng family, and he was an outsider, so he did not disturb him.
It was not until dark that Feng Shan came out. His face was a little tired, but his eyes were relaxed.
"Young General, rest assured, this matter has been handled."