When Qi Bo announced the closure of the mine and their need to find new paths, everyone understood the situation.
Frankly, even if they were to reinforce the mine to be perfectly stable now, the thought of entering it again would likely be a lingering fear.
The news that the family head and his wife were willing to abandon the mine for their sake was naturally kept in mind by everyone.
They immediately expressed that they would not refuse any task the Feng family asked of them!
Madam Hua smiled and instructed them to rest well, and to take away all Feng family property from the mine within half a month. Anything that couldn't be taken should be cleared on-site. Since it was to be returned to the court, it naturally had to be "as is"!
Didn't the Ninth Prince want this mine?
No problem!
It would be sent to him right away!
With this in mind, Madam Hua became even more ruthless in her actions. When the Feng family reported to the court and voluntarily returned the mine, the court, overjoyed, sent people to take over, only to be stunned.
Collapsed structures, a precarious mine shaft – even though they knew there were countless iron ores within that could be used by the court, they could see but not touch.
The tools they had were nowhere near as good as those the Feng family had accumulated over centuries. Yet, even if they were to ask the Feng family for them now, it would likely be futile.
After all, the Feng family had left cleanly when they withdrew; no one could force them to do otherwise.
But these were matters for later. After Madam Hua and Feng Jinhua returned from the mine to the Feng family, their first task was to inform Feng Shan of the situation.
He raised no objections and even praised Madam Hua's decisiveness and courage.
Feng Jinhua, having accompanied his mother on this trip, also learned a great deal. Most importantly, his willingness to lead by example in the mine was witnessed by the miners, who held him in high regard.
"Master, six hundred and seventy-two people have returned from the mine. I was thinking, while the iron is hot, to hand them over to Hua'er. This way, Hua'er can also cultivate his own trusted subordinates and reliable people, who will be useful to him in his future endeavors."
Feng Shan had also heard of Feng Jinhua's performance at the mine and was extremely pleased.
He might not have a particularly sharp mind, but he was honest and daring.
The people from the mine were mostly meticulous and competent. Now that Qi Bo also praised Feng Jinhua highly, they were quite at ease with Qi Bo assisting him.
"As the Madam arranges."
Feng Jinhua was slightly surprised. Although he didn't understand mining affairs, he had observed some things at the mine in the past few days.
If he could gain the assistance of Qi Bo and others, he was sure he could achieve something.
Therefore, he happily bowed to his parents to express his gratitude, "Thank you, Father and Mother, for trusting your son. I will not disappoint your expectations!"
"Good, then your father will wait and see."
Feng Shan was delighted that his son had such aspirations. With this, he could depart this world with peace of mind.
News from the mine had completely ceased after the death of Tutor Du.
The Ninth Prince had already traveled more than halfway with his army, so the delay in news from the mine was not particularly concerning. However, Feng Jinhao, at the Feng family, was starting to feel that something was amiss.
"Didn't they used to send news every five days? Why is it now several days late with no word?"
Feng Jinhao asked Uncle Zhuang, who also looked puzzled.
"Fourth Young Master, shall I quietly go to the mine myself? To see how things are?"
Feng Jinhao remained silent, seemingly contemplating the feasibility of this plan.
They knew the location of the mine, even if they couldn't enter it. However, if they could connect with the Ninth Prince's hidden contacts, they might be able to get some information.
But if Uncle Zhuang were to go and be discovered, it would cause unnecessary trouble for him.
Therefore, he was considering the feasibility of this matter!
For some reason, his intuition told him that something might have changed, and self-preservation might be more important.
He then instructed Uncle Zhuang.
"No need. Something might have happened at the mine. You should destroy all the letters and methods of contact between us and the Ninth Prince. Feng Shan and Madam Hua haven't caught their breath yet. If they realize what's happening, you and I might end up meeting in the underworld."
These words startled Uncle Zhuang.
However, considering their treatment of Concubine Guo, he didn't find it strange. This couple was indeed cold-blooded and heartless.
"Alright, I'll go and do it now!"
After saying this, he turned and hurried away.
Feng Jinhao was left alone, gazing absently at the lush plants and flowers.
In the Northwest Army's camp, Xiao Muqian was bidding farewell to Xiao Ji.
"Second Uncle, after I return this time, I might not come back until after I'm married. I don't know what Si Ruo will ultimately decide. If she doesn't wish to leave the Eastern Capital, I might have to stay there for a while."
Xiao Ji patted his shoulder and said heartily,
"It is a good thing that you have found someone you are content with and will spend your life with. Do not let Liangzhou delay the young lady's future. If she is willing, Liangzhou will always be your refuge, and Second Uncle will wait for you here."
Xiao Muqian was deeply moved by these words.
If not for the situation in Liangzhou, he would have wished for his Second Uncle to return to the Eastern Capital and witness his wedding in person, rather than having to kneel and bid farewell like this.
But he had to leave. The Ninth Prince, after returning to Ganzhou, had only stayed for less than three days before returning to the capital.
Fortunately, he had set off lightly to pursue, so his pace was quick. He estimated he would catch up in about ten days.
However, after the incident at the mine, he had come to detest the Ninth Prince to his core. The thought of following such a person back to the Eastern Capital, and having the immense credit attributed to him, filled him with dissatisfaction.
Xiao Ji had raised him for so many years; he knew his character thoroughly.
Therefore, he immediately comforted him, "Don't think about tripping up the Ninth Prince. Your repeated successes were only because you were too far from the Wei family, and the people he brought this time were not exceptional. If you were to directly confront Duke Wei and his other factions, you would still need to be very careful."
"Yes, Nephew understands."
Xiao Ji nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then let him leave.
They had brought three to forty thousand Ji Province troops when they arrived, but now only a little over a hundred were returning. The rest had either died on the battlefield or remained in the Northwest Army camp.
The end of their story, after rushing to Liangzhou and the bridge being blown up, was completely different from those who remained in Ganzhou.
Now, they looked down on each other. The Northwest Army considered the Ji Province Army to be mere decorative pillows, while the Ji Province Army thought the Northwest Army were all blockheads.
Meanwhile, the Ninth Prince and General Su, leading the Ji Province Army, had already completed more than half of their journey. General Su was astonished by the speed of their return.
If they had been this fast on the way there, Liangzhou might not have been fought in such a state.
He couldn't help but sigh. They were quick to rush for military achievements. As expected of the Wei family, even their greed was remarkably similar.