The Humble Family's Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!-Chapter 1081 - 904, Dead Volcano Pile

Shiqukou.

Watching the Xiao Residence Bodyguard ride away, Clan Leader Wang Qun hurried to the thatched hut where Wang Qi resided, hesitating as he spoke, "Qi, Xiao Lord has sent someone to invite you to meet in Ganzhou City. Why won’t you agree?"

Wang Qi smiled and said, "Brother Qun, please trust me, I have my considerations."

Wang Qun sighed, "Qi, I know what you’re thinking, but... Xiao Lord is still the Princely Heir of the Prince Residence. The temperament of such nobility is definitely more arrogant than that of ordinary officials. I’m worried that your probing might backfire."

Wang Qi smiled again, "Brother Qun, my last trip to Ganzhou City wasn’t for nothing. Although I haven’t met Xiao Lord personally, the information I’ve gathered from various sources tells me he’s not someone who gives up easily."

"This time, my refusal to go to Ganzhou City isn’t about being pretentious; I just want to see how determined Xiao Lord is about changing Xiliang."

Wang Qun said no more, "As long as you’re aware, that’s fine. But I still want to warn you, Xiao Lord might be our only chance to escape the oppression of the Wei Family."

Having said this, he turned and left.

Wang Qi watched the back of the Clan Leader as he left, said nothing more, and continued to bury himself in his books.

...

Xiao Residence.

Seeing that the Bodyguard hadn’t brought Wang Qi, Xiao Yeyang merely raised his eyebrows, showing little surprise on his face.

Daohua joked, "This is making you personally visit him three times."

Xiao Yeyang replied indifferently, "It’s good for a scholar to have some integrity. As long as they genuinely possess talents and knowledge, a bit of temperament is excusable. What I’m wary of is someone who fishes for fame."

Saying this, he turned to De Fu.

"Prepare to go to Jinwei Guard tomorrow."

Daohua quickly asked, "That Wang Qi, aren’t you looking for him now?"

Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "He’s testing me. Let’s see who can outlast whom. The person I’m looking for is an ally, not an ancestor."

Daohua didn’t press further but looked at Xiao Yeyang, "Tomorrow’s only the sixth, can you make it back from Ganzhou Guard for the Lantern Festival?"

Xiao Yeyang paused for a moment, then embraced Daohua, "I’m afraid I’ll have to stay a bit longer this time; corps towns are being built after the start of spring."

Daohua: "...then I’ll prepare some more food and necessities for you."

Until mid-March, Xiao Yeyang was busy training Jinwei Guard and handling the establishment of the corps. During this time, he didn’t send anyone to look for Wang Qi.

This really worried the Clan Leader of the Wang Clan.

Even Wang Qi began feeling uneasy.

Could it be that he was wrong about Xiao Yeyang?

Perhaps this man was no different from other nobles?

At the end of March, Xiao Yeyang returned to Ganzhou City, and by then, Daohua had also finished the spring farming tasks.

Feeling guilty for not spending time with his wife, Xiao Yeyang said, "I’ve thought about it and decided to visit Shiqukou myself. Do you want to come with me?"

Daohua eagerly nodded, "Yes, yes! What made you suddenly think of this?"

Xiao Yeyang explained, "While training soldiers in Jinwei Guard, I chatted with some of them and inadvertently learned some things about Wang Qi. I feel he might be more capable than I imagined."

Daohua asked, "How capable?"

Xiao Yeyang said, "The defense of Jinwei Guard used to be even more passive and slack than Ganzhou Guard. Most of the time, the people of Xiliao would have reached our doors before the border army even knew."

"The village where the Wang Clan previously lived was massacred by the people of Xiliao, but the Wang Clan successfully escaped."

"Leading one or two people out of Xiliao’s pursuit is one thing, but Wang Qi managed to lead out several hundred clan members, showing his true capability."

Daohua suggested, "Since it’s a visit, why not bring a sincere gift? I’ll prepare something. It’s damp and cold in the mountains, so let’s bring some coal and some cotton clothes."

Xiao Yeyang smiled, "You handle it."

...

Shiqukou.

Clan Leader Wang Qun sat in Wang Qi’s thatched hut, looking anxious, "Qi, why don’t you make another trip to Ganzhou City? I’ve inquired around, and Xiao Lord is extremely busy. Ever since the start of the year, he’s been training soldiers at Jinwei Guard, and who knows how long you’ll have to wait for him to come here personally?"

Seeing the urgency on the Clan Leader’s face, Wang Qi sighed inwardly and was just about to agree when Wang Lifu suddenly rushed in, breathless, "Sir, Clan Leader, Xiao Lord and Madam Xiao have arrived."

Hearing this, Wang Qun instantly stood up, and Wang Qi also secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

Wang Qun hastened to Wang Qi’s side in three steps: "Qi, Mr. Xiao has personally come to visit, do not hesitate anymore, come with me down the mountain to welcome our esteemed guest."

After saying this, he pulled Wang Qi out of the thatched cottage without any further ado.

Wang Qi smiled helplessly and let the clan leader lead him outside.

On the other side, Xiao Yeyang was leading Daohua up the mountain, and upon reaching halfway, he saw Wang Qun and Wang Qi coming to meet them.

"Commoners pay their respects to Mr. Xiao and Madam."

As soon as Wang Qun and Wang Qi approached, they bowed to Xiao Yeyang and Daohua.

Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "Please, no need for such formalities. I hope my sudden visit hasn’t disturbed you?"

Wang Qun quickly replied, "Your and the madam’s presence is an honor for our Wang Clan, there’s no disturbance at all."

Xiao Yeyang smiled and nodded, continuing up the mountain with Daohua, Wang Qun, and Wang Qi.

Seeing the thatched cottage where Wang Qi lived, Daohua felt amused, wondering if all scholarly gentlemen preferred living in such dwellings.

Wang Qi invited Xiao Yeyang and Daohua inside, and after that, Xiao Yeyang and Wang Qi started chatting. Daohua found their discussion uninteresting, and seeing Wang Lifu standing outside, she got up and walked out.

"Madam, may I help you with anything?"

Wang Lifu quickly approached as he saw Daohua leaving the house.

Daohua asked with a smile, "Could you show me around?"

Wang Lifu immediately nodded, "Of course, madam, please follow me."

Wang Lifu then led Daohua to the highest point on top of the mountain.

Standing there, one could see not only the foot of the mountain but also where the Wang Clan’s people lived.

"Huh?"

Daohua was surprised to find that the houses of the Wang Clan people were built in a circular pit, which instantly reminded her of extinct volcanoes she had seen in her previous life.

Thinking of volcanoes reminded her of volcanic ash, and volcanic ash brought to mind cement.

Daohua quickly turned to Wang Lifu, "Lifu, are there any bare spots on this mountain where no grass grows?"

Wang Lifu quickly nodded, "Madam, how did you know? Nothing grows on the back mountain, shall I take you there to see?"

Daohua nodded, "Yes, please."

Soon after, Daohua followed Wang Lifu to the back mountain and saw a large expanse of exposed tuff.

Daohua did not know exactly how cement was made, but she knew that volcanic ash mixed with lime could create a material similar to cement.

Such material would definitely last longer and be more durable than roads made of stones or mud.

Xiao Yeyang and Wang Qi had been engrossed in their conversation, losing track of time for an hour or two.

"Sir, would you be willing to work with me?"

Faced with Xiao Yeyang’s offer, Wang Qi did not hesitate this time: "Honored by your high regard, as a commoner, I will do my utmost to assist you."

Xiao Yeyang smiled and nodded, having agreed on the matter, only then realizing Daohua hadn’t returned. He left the house with Wang Qi to find her at the back mountain.

"Why are you playing with rocks now?"

Xiao Yeyang, unable to help it, walked up to Daohua and took the rock from her hands.

Daohua quickly explained, "Xiao Yeyang, these rocks are not ordinary rocks; this is tuff, which can be used with lime to create a very sturdy building material."

"This material can be used to construct roads and even city walls, and is definitely much more durable than stones and mud."

Xiao Yeyang listened and suddenly became serious, "Really?"

Wang Qi also looked over.

Daohua nodded immediately, "I have read about it in storybooks."

Hearing this, Wang Qi couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

He hadn’t expected Madam Xiao to be so naive as to believe what was said in storybooks.

However, to his shock, Xiao Yeyang nodded in agreement, "Let’s take several carts of this rock when we leave, and let the craftsmen try it out as you suggested."