56: Discussing the guarding of the mine

"Qiu Lan, bring the soup out, and add another set of bowls and chopsticks along with some food."

As Su Yunniang's personal maid, Qiu Lan was well aware of the ambiguous relationship between the two. Hearing her lady's command, she responded with understanding and went to prepare.

Before long, the table was filled with a sumptuous spread of food.

Qiu Lan served the soup and rice for the two of them, then tactfully withdrew.

The steaming medicinal meal emitted a faint fragrance of herbs. Su Yunniang took a small sip with a spoon and smiled, saying:

"Try this soup. This girl, Qiu Lan, started selecting the ingredients and simmering it this morning. The taste should be quite good."

Situ Jun picked up the broth, which carried a subtle herbal scent, and took a few sips under Su Yunniang's expectant gaze.

"How is it? Qiu Lan's skills are decent, right?"

Su Yunniang asked with a beaming smile.

"Very good. I feel at ease with this girl taking care of you. I'll have to reward her with some Medicinal Pills for her cultivation later."

Situ Jun said with a smile.

"If it's good, drink more." Su Yunniang's eyes were full of tenderness.

Situ Jun nodded and said:

"I plan to personally take over the shop's matters tomorrow. Yunniang, do you want to come out with me for some fresh air?"

Su Yunniang was somewhat tempted but quickly shook her head with a charming smile:

"Forget it. You'll be busy with work, so I won't go and cause trouble for you. Besides, now is not the time. There are too many eyes and ears outside; it wouldn't be good for you if any bad rumors spread."

Saying this, she gently stroked her lower abdomen, her face overflowing with maternal happiness:

"The child is one month old. I'd better stay peacefully in the manor. I have a feeling you can protect me well, so I'll just stay in the manor and focus on the pregnancy."

Situ Jun stood up, moved his chair next to Su Yunniang, and gently embraced her waist, his tone firm yet tender:

"Don't worry, Yunniang. I am already at the half-step Golden Core Realm and will soon advance to the Golden Core Stage. When that time comes, no one will be able to stop us from being together."

"Mm."

Su Yunniang gave a soft response, leaning into Situ Jun's embrace, her eyes filled with trust and reliance... Meanwhile, inside the Military Affairs Office of the East Courtyard.

Aloeswood was burning in a three-legged bronze furnace, the blue smoke spiraling upward like silken threads, tracing faint patterns among the ancient beams and pillars.

After Zhu Changpo had escorted Li Danying to the gates of the City Manor, he had returned here leisurely.

He reached out to take the celadon tea set from the wall, pouring water, warming the cups, and adding tea leaves in a fluid motion. The misty aroma of tea intertwined with the aloeswood, permeating the room.

He leaned back comfortably against the carved sandalwood chair, his eyes lightly closed, his long fingers rhythmically tapping the tabletop in a relaxed posture, as if completely immersed in this moment of tranquility.

Sandalwood burned quietly in the gilded censer, the blue smoke rising in curls, tracing elegant curves in the silent room as it tangled with the tea aroma.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Zhu Changpo slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint suddenly flashing within them. He said in a deep voice:

"Pass down the order for all garrison generals and commanders in the manor to come to the Military Affairs Office immediately to discuss the shift rotation for the Mine Tunnels."

"Yes!"

The guard at the door stood tall, cupped his fists in acknowledgment, and turned to leave quickly, his footsteps gradually fading in the corridor.

Before long, the generals and commanders arrived one after another in the hall of the Military Affairs Office.

Zhu Changpo sat in the head seat, his black brocade robe accentuating his upright posture. His gaze was like a torch, taking in everyone's expressions one by one.

He slightly raised his hand and said in a calm tone:

"Sit."

"Thank you, Grand Commander!"

Everyone cupped their fists and bowed in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, before taking their seats. The sound of robes rustling filled the hall.

Zhu Changpo picked up his teacup, took a light sip as the warm tea slid down his throat, and looked up to scan the crowd:

"As for why I have called you all here, I presume you are all aware? Tell me, who should be sent this time?"

The crowd looked at each other with hesitation in their eyes. For a moment, the hall was silent.

After a while, a burly garrison general stood up and cupped his fists, his voice like a great bell:

"Grand Commander, the manor manages five major Iron Mine Tunnels that produce weapons for ordinary soldiers. They must not be lost. Your subordinate is willing to go and guard one of them."

Zhu Changpo nodded slightly with an indifferent expression and signaled for him to sit down.

He scanned the crowd again, his gaze full of scrutiny:

"Who else will volunteer?"

Upon hearing this, many began to volunteer one after another:

"Your subordinate is willing to go to one of them..."

"Your subordinate's strength is low, only at the first level of Foundation Establishment. I am willing to go to one of the other eight small Copper Mines."

"Your subordinate's old injuries have not yet healed; I am not fit for the task..."

"Your subordinate is willing to assist Commander Cao in guarding a Golden Flame Stone Mine..."

"Your subordinate..."

Everyone spoke at once, and the atmosphere gradually became heated as various voices intertwined and echoed in the hall.

However.

After some discussion, there remained one Violet-Gold Copper Mine and one Low-Grade Spirit Stone Mine.

These two deposits were extremely precious, being vital resources for Cultivators to Cultivate and refine Magical Artifacts. At the same time, they were accompanied by great danger, so no one was willing to volunteer.

Deep within the Mine Tunnels, evil entities lurked, and various factions coveted them from the shadows. A single moment of carelessness could lead to total ruin.

Zhu Changpo rubbed his teacup, quietly listening to the discussion; all of this was within his expectations.

After a moment of contemplation, he said with a firm gaze:

"Violet-Gold Copper is one of the Materials for refining top-tier Magical Artifacts for Cultivators; its importance goes without saying. This place will be the responsibility of the First Hidden Commander, Tu Xiong, and Iron Tiger Wang. Any problems?"

After speaking.

He looked at Iron Tiger Wang, his gaze carrying an unquestionable pressure.

Iron Tiger Wang immediately stood up and bowed to accept the order, his back straight as a spear:

"This general accepts the command."

Zhu Changpo nodded and continued:

"I will send word to Commander Tu. As for the spirit stone vein, do you all have any good suggestions?"

The crowd discussed in low voices, and Zhu Changpo's confidant was the first to propose:

"Grand Commander, the spirit stone vein is of the utmost importance. Currently, there are no more personnel in the manor to be sent for rotation. Why not report to the Manor Lord and ask him to deploy a squad of soldiers to guard it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the room erupted into a commotion.

"Absolutely not. The Manor Lord is guarding the Northern Border, keeping enemies at bay. His troops must be stretched thin. If we rashly make a proposal to the Manor Lord, it will make us look too incompetent."

A general said with a face full of anxiety.

"Exactly. If the border defenses are not saturated and the enemy army pierces straight into the heartland, our guarding of the mine veins will become useless."

Another person chimed in, his expression solemn.

"Why not send some of the stronger Deacons and Managers from the manor to guard it? Deterring some petty thieves shouldn't be a problem. After all, within the Northern Border, there is no force bold enough to offend our City Lord's Manor."

Someone proposed a new idea.

"Agreed. After all, our task is to guard and prevent thieves from sneaking around, not to kill enemies or engage in combat. Even if some change occurs, we can hold out for a period of time and wait for reinforcements from the manor to arrive."

Everyone nodded in agreement.