Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 326: The road to gold is also difficult, and there are murders in the mines

The sea breeze in September is a little drier, dyeing the green of the Southeast Asian islands yellow.

Luzon has successfully escaped the summer typhoon season. The rain on the island has gradually decreased, which can be regarded as the most comfortable time. Many fruit trees are covered with red fruits.

chirping...

Several tits were jumping back and forth on the fruit trees. One of them found a caterpillar crawling on the skin of a freshly ripe wild fruit. He immediately pecked the caterpillar accurately and swallowed it in the blink of an eye.

This is already deep inside the island. Since there are no rivers or other water sources nearby, it can be said to be inaccessible.Just underneath the fruit tree, there was a sudden movement.

"How far are we from the gold mine?"

"Is this gold mining? Why do we look like we are fleeing?"

"Don't lie, the gold mine is in an inaccessible place!"

……

After Wang Shouren and other students from the Imperial Academy disembarked, they only stayed in Luzon City for one night, and then followed the large army into the mountains to inspect the large gold mine they had found in the Ming Dynasty.

Even the descendants of the ancestral family, who live a comfortable life, have traveled across the ocean to this island, and naturally they want to take a good look at the gold mine.

Before setting off, they felt that the people who took them into the mountains carried too many supplies in bamboo baskets, and they did not take their instructions to heart.

It's just that they were still too young after all. They never thought that the gold mine would be so far away from them. This journey actually took nearly half a month.

They now have to spend every day in the wild, no matter the mosquito bites. Once there is a heavy rain, their tents will have nowhere to sleep due to water leakage.

"Let's get out of this mountain forest and walk one day further, and we can reach the first gold mining area!" Yu Yuanzan, the commander of the Luzon Guard, acted as the guide this time and explained to the complaining young master.

Since there were many thorns along the way, and these spoiled young men didn't know how to dodge, almost none of them had their clothes intact.

When Wang Shouren and other young masters heard that they would soon reach the mining area and see with their own eyes the Jinshan they dreamed of, they immediately cheered up and continued on their way.

In fact, there is no second option now. They have already come here, so there is no reason to turn around and go back.Even if you want to look back, you still need to find a way back.

Fortunately, about a moment after burning the incense, the group of them walked out of the forest and saw a new topography.

What appeared before us was no longer trees and grass, but a barren mountainous area, surrounded by rocks and sparsely grown Manila grass.

Although this kind of Manila grass is grass, it can reach up to a person's waist. A few mouse deer that were eating Manila grass in the distance ran away when they found traces of humans.

"Finally, I no longer have to worry about insects and snakes!"

"More than just an insect snake, it doesn't look like a wild beast!"

"This place looks deserted, but I feel an inexplicable sense of security!"

……

Zhang Lun and other distinguished sons of the British Duke had never suffered such hardships. Now that they saw that they had entered a new safe area, they couldn't help but relax their nerves.

Bang!Bang!Bang!
It was at this moment that the team at the front suddenly nervously took out a gong and started beating it crazily, making a strange sound from their mouths.

Wang Shouren was at the back of the team. He immediately observed the front and found no danger until he suddenly saw a black shadow appearing on the ground. He raised his head and showed a look of shock.

A black shadow hovered over their heads like a black shadow that covered the sky and the sun. Its wings reached three meters and its body was more than one meter long. It had a pair of big golden claws and a big golden pecker. It suddenly neighed and seemed to be heading towards them. Claim sovereignty.

At the same time, an eagle returned from the forest with snow-white hair on its head, a pair of black eyes, and under its talons was a monkey.

Fortunately, whether they already had food or the movement they created had an effect, the pair of Luzon giant eagles headed deeper into the mountainous area.

Obviously, although they are far away from the mountains and forests, they cannot take it lightly when they come to the territory of the island's King of the Sky.

what……

A soldier carrying a bamboo basket passed through a rift valley, but fell because of his unstable center of gravity. It was not until a few seconds later that he heard the echo of his body landing.

Although they have successfully left the dense forest, their journey has not actually gotten better. Instead, they are facing a more severe test.

This journey leads to higher ground, and the temperature difference between day and night in mountainous areas is very large. This special area requires more physical strength, and there is even a risk of losing one's life at any time.

After walking for more than half a day, they began to complain, but they encountered a bigger problem.

"There is indeed no water source in this area, please be patient!"

"Why didn't you tell me earlier if there was no water source? And didn't you say it was only a one-day trip?"

"This general has asked you to save water, but I didn't expect you guys to walk so slowly this time!"

……

Yu Yuanzan's lips were dry and peeling. Faced with the complaints from his young man who was so thirsty that he could hardly walk, he responded with a sigh of relief.

He was born into a family of soldiers, and became the number one scholar in martial arts through military examinations. He first served in the Caoyun Yamen, and then was transferred to Liaodong to fight Jianzhou Jurchen. This year, he was transferred to Luzon to serve as the commander of the Luzon Guard.

He witnessed firsthand the difficulty of starting a business. From the day Luzon City was built, they, the Luzon Guards, were responsible for coming to search for minerals, and they even doubted the existence of gold mines.

Now they have finally found the gold mine after all the hard work, and this route has been optimized. However, they are still criticized for bringing these young masters who are holding them back.

If it weren't for the fact that several of these young men were descendants of Wu Xun, especially Zhang Lun, who was the direct grandson of the British Duke Zhang Mao, he would have really wanted to kick this burden off.

"Everyone, please stop complaining. It's true that we drank water too quickly today and walked too slowly! Jinshan Mountain is right in front now. Let's hold on and see what the Jinshan Mine looks like no matter what!" Wang Shouren was also very thirsty, but he still took the initiative to calm everyone down.

Wang Shouren is the son of Wang Hua, the Jiu Jiu of the Imperial Academy, and he is also a genuine new crown prince. In addition, he has a charming personality, so he has great prestige among these young masters.

Zhang Cang and others stopped complaining and continued to follow the large army silently.

In fact, they all knew very well that Yu Yuanzan and other soldiers took great care of them along the way, mainly because the conditions in this mountainous area were too harsh.

Not to mention that the road here is more difficult to walk, and there is no water source at all around, not even wild fruits to quench thirst. It is a test for everyone's physical strength.

The mountainous areas here are like wrinkles, and it's easy to get lost in them. "Old man, let General Yu take the trouble this time!" Chen Zheng sat on a simple lifting chair and looked very ashamed.

Yu Yuanzan was well versed in the ways of officialdom, and he immediately pretended to admire him and said: "The imperial envoy is rich in gold. There was no need to come in person, but he still insisted on traveling over the mountains and ridges to inspect the gold mines. I am really impressed by this humble position!"

"Your Majesty told me that seeing is believing, and I cannot live up to His Majesty's expectations. This trip is absolutely necessary! Haha... If I hadn't been here this time, I don't know what these people would have done!" Chen Zheng After explaining, he glanced at the young men and added.

Although this journey was indeed very difficult, and the level of difficulty had far exceeded his expectations, he knew that he had to come this time.Not only for the emperor's trust, but also for the entire Chinese people.

It can be said that Ming Dynasty worked hard to mine gold mines.This time, the Ming Dynasty allocated funds to open a port and build a city in Luzon. Not only did it send troops to garrison, but it also transported a large amount of supplies. The country made a huge investment.

If I, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, had already arrived in Luzon, I would not be able to explain it to the emperor and the people of the world without coming to see this gold mine for myself.

That's why, even though he was already the high-ranking left minister of the Ministry of Industry, he still insisted on coming to see the big gold mine that was related to the construction of the state and the management of the Yellow River.

Yu Yuanzan also glanced at the young masters, and said with a wry smile, "That's true. Fortunately, the Imperial Envoy is here to take charge, otherwise my humble position would not be able to suppress these brats!"

This is indeed the case, but no matter how much these young men complain, they all know that none of them have the ability to challenge Chen Zheng, so they can only continue to move forward obediently.

Although there were discordant sounds in the team, they did not interrupt their progress.

It's just that this journey is indeed not easy. Although there are no lurking insects and snakes, the terrain in this mountainous area is complicated, and a young man accidentally broke his leg.

Because their speed was indeed too slow, it took them half a day longer than expected, and they did not arrive at the mining area until the evening of the next day.

A string of lanterns is hung on the camp gate of the mining area, which looks a bit like a Longmen Inn.

Since the gold mine was discovered here, Lin Yuanyang, the commander of the Luzon Guard, led a team to station here, not only to turn it into a camp, but also to serve as a supply station to continue exploring the surrounding gold mines.

The emergence of this camp is also magical like the emergence of an oasis in the Gobi Desert.

"water!"

"water!"

"We want water!"

……

After finally arriving at the mining area, Zhang Lun and others seemed to have forgotten about the gold mine, and seemed to be scrambling to get the water they were thinking about.

"Water is there!"

Before Lin Yuanyang, who had just brought people out to greet him, could react, a young man discovered the reservoir in front of him and immediately rushed towards it.

In this era, human beings all lived on rivers, so the Yellow River Civilization, Indus River Civilization, Mesopotamia Civilization and Nile River Civilization appeared in the world.

The Baguio Mountains are rocky and have little water, and they are located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level. Except for a few small tribes, they are not suitable for large-scale human survival at all.

It's just that China's manufacturing power is leading the world. They found a dry river bank nearby, and then dug a well in the wet land.

This well is connected to the underground water system. Although it is impossible to give birth to a civilization or a city, it is still enough to supply a mining area.

It was this newly dug well that solved the drinking water problem in the camp in one fell swoop, allowing Ming Dynasty to establish a foothold here and become the real king of this area.

"Gugu...please!"

"My prince is finally alive!"

"Our journey has not been easy!"

……

After drinking the clear and sweet pool water, all the young men seemed to be recharged with electricity, but they couldn't help but sigh.

If it hadn't been for this accidental experience, they would have completely failed to understand the suffering of the world, especially the plight of those people who were forced to leave their homes.

Their emperor may be a tyrant, but what he has done since he ascended the throne is indeed to ensure that all people in the world can live and work in peace and contentment.

"Lin Tongzhi, come quickly...come here to see the Imperial Envoy!" Yu Yuanzan also hurriedly greeted Lin Yuanyang who came out after drinking water.

Lin Yuanyang was born as a tracker in Yangzhou and was an out-and-out rough guy.Even though he is now the governor of Luzon Province, he still adheres to the spirit of hard work and actively chooses to live and eat with the soldiers in this mountainous area.

Chen Zheng waved to Lin Feiyang who came over to greet him, but he took the water brought by his entourage and drank it.

"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, this is Lin Yuanyang, the military governor of Luzon. Fortunately, he led the miners to find the gold mine this time. He also personally led his troops to station here!" Yu Yuanzan endured his hunger and thirst and introduced Lin Yuanyang seriously. .

Although they are already registered military generals with the emperor, if they can gain the favor of the imperial envoy, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to their career.

After Chen Zheng drank the water, he smiled and said: "Everyone knows that Lin Tongzhi smashed a fish with his body that day. When I came here this time, the emperor also mentioned you two! You two help Governor Zhang well, as long as this If you can complete the task of mining gold for the first time, your contribution will last forever, and your majesty will definitely give you a heavy reward!"

"I will do my best in my humble position and I will definitely live up to His Majesty's trust!" Yu Yuanzan and Lin Yuanyang knew that their responsibilities were heavy and they expressed their stance seriously.

Because the sky was dark, although they had traveled through mountains and rivers to the mining area, they could not see the appearance of the gold mine behind the camp.

Many rows of houses with stone and wood structures have been built here. In the center is a large competition ground, which is located at the mountain pass. The mine behind it is somewhat mysterious.

A group of people camped here, making the place very lively, and a bonfire was soon lit.

This time Yu Yuanzan delivered a lot of supplies. In addition to some tools needed for mining, it was a new batch of dry food. He even brought a few egg-laying hens into the mountain.

The biggest problem in mining here is not how to mine gold, but how to ensure the supply of materials for people living here. Food is the most troublesome problem.

The next morning, the first ray of golden sunshine fell on the camp.

"Dead!"

Suddenly, a cook who was responsible for cooking walked out of the house in panic and shouted in horror.

Yu Yuanzan and others came soon after hearing the news. The person who died was not the soldiers in the camp, but Zhang Heling, a student of the Imperial College who came with the team. His other identity was the younger brother of the imperial concubine Shu.

(End of this chapter)