The burdens of filial piety, responsibility, and family honor have made him restless, and the increasingly cold weather only adds to his anxiety. If he doesn’t take action, he’s afraid he won’t even be able to protect his mother, wife, and children.
He could only muster the courage to co.
"I, Han, have co this ti to ask for a favor from Mr. Cheng. Can you let so of the strong laborers from my family co to help with the work?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrow; she wasn’t surprised by this. Before leaving, she had inford her second brother.
They temporarily would not hire people from the Han Family, even if so of them were outstanding.
The reason is simple: others were willing to join them, but only the Han Family clung to their pride and suffered, thinking about their low status.
A noble Aristocratic Family having to bow to a group of commoners—their pride just couldn’t take it, and they couldn’t humble themselves.
If they are so capable, then let them continue bearing it!
In any case, she didn’t really want them either—those self-important family elders, strutting around all day. If she brought them into the team, wouldn’t that be asking for trouble? Did she look like a sucker?
Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t answer directly; instead, she asked, "Han Family Master, you understand your situation better than I do. Do you think if you were , you would agree?"
Han Xifeng opened his mouth to argue, but he couldn’t find a counterargunt. If their roles were reversed, with his previous style, he wouldn’t even let them in the door.
Seeing that the other party was sensible enough not to say anything misleading, Cheng Xiaoxiao continued, "I’m soone who likes to be direct, so I’ll be straightforward with you: If you want to work and earn work points—it’s possible, but you must first sever ties with the Han Family."
As soon as she said that, Han Xifeng’s expression changed drastically. "That’s impossible..." The family elders wouldn’t agree to it.
"See, it’s not that I’m unreasonable; it’s the Han Family Master himself who disagrees; there’s nothing I can do."
Cheng Xiaoxiao looked innocent.
As she spoke, she glanced at Cheng Hao, and her expression clearly conveyed, "See, I wanted to be the good person here, but they won’t allow it. Where can I go to argue about it?"
Cheng Hao smiled knowingly and then said to Han Xifeng, "Han Family Master, don’t dismiss it so quickly. You need to think it through; opportunities only co once and won’t return if missed."
Han Xifeng walked out of the door dejectedly, watching the people coming and going at the bustling supermarket in the distance, laughter and cheer from the 132th Regint pricking his eyes.
Looking up at the endless falling snow that landed cold on his face and slowly lted, the snow seed to seep directly into the depths of his heart, chilling his bones montarily.
If it weren’t for the need to provide for his family, he really wouldn’t want to be at soone else’s rcy anymore.
If he can’t let go of his pride, then he has to endure it. As for Mr. Cheng’s prediction, he now believes most of it.
When those people realize the severity of the situation, will they still be so confident?
Will they still be so aggressive?
By then, even if they beg for help, others might not lend a hand.
Whether it’s self-inflicted or not wanting to be family anymore,
everything will be left to fate.
After Han Xifeng walked away, Cheng Hao finally brought up the main matter, not letting this interlude weigh on his mind.
"The recruitnt notice has been issued, and the people are very enthusiastic. In an hour, prepare all tools and begin departure."
"Alright, if it’s arranged by second brother, I have no worries."
"However, with our current manpower and resources, digging down twenty to thirty ters underground is doable. Going further might not be easy to implent."
He had always been worried about this issue. Even if he hadn’t experienced pig farming firsthand, he had at least seen pigs run, right? There was an old well-digger in their team, whom he had consulted. The subterranean rock was exceptionally hard, requiring special tools to excavate.
"Rest assured, second brother. I have a way to get the good stuff."
Cheng Hao saw his sister’s confident look, not like she was faking it, and tentatively said, "This issue concerns the lives of all of us; we can’t afford to be careless."
"Second brother doesn’t trust ?" Cheng Xiaoxiao asked back.
"I do. I can doubt anyone’s words but not yours. But you should also at least let have so reassurance, right?"
No choice, Cheng Xiaoxiao had to go back inside to get the Engineer Shovel to show Cheng Hao. "Here, we have this, but we don’t have many. At that ti, please let trusted people use it. I will need it back once it’s used."
Cheng Hao held it in his hands, examining it closely. It’s lighter than an average iron shovel, around the sa size, with a curved spade tip. The handle’s material wasn’t obvious. It looked quite simple but had an inexplicable distinctive feel.
Its appearance didn’t reveal anything special, but since his sister called it a good item, it must be extraordinary in its utility.
Running his hand over the spade’s tip, Cheng Hao asked, "Can this cut through rock?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao bead, her second brother indeed observant and quick-thinking, grasping the key point imdiately, "Yes, second brother, you can give it a try."
"I trust you this once, second brother."
She didn’t expect her brother to be so agreeable. "Really not going to try it?"
"Hmm!"
She was hoping to show off a bit; why wasn’t she given this chance?
"Oh, right, you ca back late yesterday, and there’s sothing I forgot to tell you—we’ve found Fang Zheng’s family."
"Oh, what’s going on? Where is his family?"
"The people we sent out to spread rumors, several in the second batch were from Fang Zheng’s team. So recognized Fang Zheng’s elder brother. Their situation isn’t good. They likely got annexed by so force when they arrived and haven’t been living well."
When they first arrived in Yuan Yang City, they had interrogated the captured soldiers, but found no information, thinking they weren’t in the city. She had also never t Fang Zheng’s family or knew what they looked like; otherwise, the system could have searched, and they wouldn’t have had this incident today.
It’s too late for those words now; they can only find a way to solve the issue.
"Does Fang Zheng know about this?" Cheng Xiaoxiao seed worried, fearing Fang Zheng would act irrationally.
"After a night, he should know by now."
As they spoke, a figure rushed in like the wind.
It was indeed Fang Zheng.
"Sister Xiao, you must help this ti."
He was full of panic, unable to wait a mont, anxious as an ant on a hot stove.
If he weren’t limited in strength, he would have rushed down the mountain to save them by now.
"Brother Fang, take a breath first, calm down, and let’s think of a way together."
Just as Cheng Xiaoxiao hadn’t thought of a good thod, soone ca rushing in to report.
"Captain, a significant force has gathered in Yuan Yang City, preparing to storm the mountain."
Cheng Xiaoxiao and Cheng Hao stood up simultaneously; they hadn’t expected the situation to change so quickly.
It seed so people were acting out of desperation.
"Second brother, take a portion of people experienced in carpentry or excavation up the mountain. I have a map here—just dig according to it. I’ve already marked where digging is needed. For now, we need to handle matters at the foot of the mountain."
"Can you handle it alone?" Cheng Hao asked with concern.
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