The Magnificent Son-in-law Chapter 906 906: Asking About Iron Village

Before the sky was completely lit, Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie boarded the high-speed train to Xilu City.

To Xiao Feng, when dealing with things, it's best not to delay them, otherwise, changes are prone to happen.

Before setting out, he had already lowered his expectations as much as possible, prepared to make the trip in vain.

From Sun Shijie's perspective, it seed that the Master of Casting known as "Tiebushan" might not even be alive now.

As for whether he wouldn't be in Iron Village, there was little worry about that.

Firstly, Tiebushan just needed the last material and didn't have to search around the world.

Secondly, once the wood is planted, it inevitably requires soone to take care of it, for if soone secretly digs it out, or it's flooded or burnt, it would all be for nothing.

According to common sense, Tiebushan must be settled near the timber, carefully tending to it without a single mont of negligence.

...

Xilu City is relatively more developed, one level higher compared to Jiangcheng.

This is specifically reflected in city infrastructure, average wages, and the influx of outside population.

This is mainly due to its unique geographical position and the enterprising spirit of the local people.

"Rather sleep on the floor, than not be the Boss!"

This slogan has been on the lips of everyone in Xilu City for over a decade.

Of course, everything has its pros and cons.

Compared to Jiangcheng, Xilu City is much more prosperous, but living under such pressure, people's lives are correspondingly more stressful; it's always a trade-off.

However, upon arriving at Houzhao Town by train, the dramatic contrast left Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie sowhat stunned.

Monts later, Xiao Feng shook his head and chuckled, "This place is certainly in Jiangcheng territory."

Sun Shijie looked at the nearly empty train station, also finding it sowhat ironic.

The gap!

Opposite the train station was the bus station.

Spending five yuan to buy tickets, the two alighted at "Iron Village" station.

Beside them was a pavilion, where two elderly n sat playing chess.

Surrounding them were seven or eight people of similar age, either sitting on stools by the chessboard or pacing around the periter with their chins in thought.

Sun Shijie bought a pack of cigarettes for ten yuan from the nearby bike repair shop, walked over, distributed them, and asked, "Is this Iron Village?"

"No, our village is Fengyu Village. Isn't there a sign over there?" An unshaven old man wearing a hat pointed to a monunt across the road.

"Not Iron Village?" Xiao Feng wondered aloud, "We said we wanted to get off at Iron Village when buying the ticket, and the station sign also says Iron Village station."

Across from them, an old man in a cotton coat took a drag from his cigarette and laughed, "You two must be outsiders. See that railway behind you?

Cross the underpass bridge beneath it, walk thirty li of mountain road, and you'll arrive at Iron Village.

If you're lucky, you might catch a donkey cart; if not, it's just your two legs!"

"Mountain road?" Sun Shijie was slightly surprised, "So, Iron Village hasn't built roads?"

As he spoke, he distributed another round of cigarettes.

As the saying goes, a mouth fed speaks softly, a hand gifted feels obliged.

Besides, the matter of Iron Village is no secret; naturally, the old n shared everything openly and thoroughly, explaining it clearly in a few words.

Simply put, Iron Village is the most renowned impoverished village in the whole Houzhao Town.

The reason is not discrimination, but its refusal to relocate.

Local authorities have sent group after group to earnestly persuade them, yet the people of Iron Village stubbornly refuse to move.

Those few who want to relocate can't withstand the majority's refusal, and can only venture out to earn money, hoping to buy properties outside.

As for the reasons behind their refusal, various explanations are given, but the most noted is the stubbornness of the older generation.

Over ti, Iron Village beca increasingly isolated from the world, receiving less attention and eventually being left behind.

"Shall we walk there?" Sun Shijie asked.

Though he's physically robust, his age is apparent.

If they truly walked thirty li of mountain road, they might reach by nightfall.

Xiao Feng thought for a mont, then said, "Let's first check the road conditions; if they're unsuitable, we could buy an electric bike or a regular bike; it's certainly better than walking."

Sun Shijie nodded, agreeing with this suggestion.

But before they could leave, a donkey cart erged from Fengyu Village.

The old man leaning against the pavilion post reluctantly stamped out his cigarette, now down to its filter, and shouted at the silver-haired driver of the donkey cart, "Old Donkey, buying stuff for the village again?"

Only then did Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie notice that the donkey cart was carrying all sorts of groceries, including rice, noodles, pork, and various other household goods.

The old driver on the cart heard the shout and replied, "If I don't bring things, we would starve to death, wouldn't we?"

"Made a nice haul with transport fees this trip?"

"Damn it, you're charging your villagers for bringing them stuff?"

"I definitely don't but you're Old Donkey the infamous heartless businessman, driving the price from five hundred to a thousand claiming inflation, do you really think we're ignorant?"

"Bullshit! I've driven this cart for half my life, never made dishonest money."

The old man leaning against the pavilion pointed at Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie, saying, "You're just in ti. Here are two people looking to visit your village, why not let them hitch a ride."

Old Donkey glanced at Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie, then snorted, "If you want to go, go on foot yourselves, my cart's too small to accommodate you."

The hostility in his words was obvious, with no intention of hiding.

Xiao Feng furrowed his brow, he and the old man had no previous grievances, it was their first eting, yet even if not letting them board, the attitude shouldn't be so hostile.

After a mont of contemplation, he quickly speculated that they were being mistaken for officials sent down to persuade villagers to relocate.

Realizing the root of the problem, Xiao Feng pulled a pack of ten-yuan cigarettes from the stall in front of the bike repair shop, approached, and said, "Don't misunderstand, we're going to Iron Village to find soone.

If you're willing to take us, this pack of cigarettes will be the transport fee."

He then handed it over without hesitation.

Old Donkey hesitated montarily, reached out, took the cigarettes, and his tone softened considerably, "Who are you looking for?"

Sun Shijie stepped forward, "We're looking for Tiebushan."

"Tiebushan?" Old Donkey's tone changed as he re-evaluated the two n before him.

Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie exchanged a glance, both feeling a jolt of concern.

Could it be that Tiebushan is already deceased?

Though they were psychologically prepared during their journey, there's still so regret at the thought of potential failure.

Taking a deep breath, Sun Shijie nodded, "He is indeed the one we're looking for. How is he doing now?"

"What's your relation to him?"

"Friends, t years ago."

"Oh." A look of understanding erged in Old Donkey's eyes, "Tiebushan is my cousin. His health has deteriorated over the past two years; even getting out of bed is a struggle. I doubt he has much longer."

Xiao Feng felt strange; Old Donkey's tone when ntioning "doesn't have long" was not of sadness, but even had hints of joy, as if hoping for Tiebushan's passing.

Could it be that Tiebushan is strongly resented in the village?