141: Chapter 141 Grain and Tax Payment: At Least Two Jin

After bidding farewell to Commander Tang Ze...

Shu Yin stated she needed to take a few days off.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chen was planning a fishing trip to the Pacific Ocean to see if he could find any new black technology.

On the other hand, he also wanted to search for yin-yang material.

If Xu Fu could find yin-yang material, then he, with the surname Jiang, should surely be able to find it, right?

Although there was no logical connection in that statement, it didn't stop Jiang Chen from thinking that way.

He arrived back home.

It was already nearly nine o'clock in the evening.

The balcony light was a warm orange, somewhat dim.

Jiang Xiaoran was likely sleeping in the guest bedroom.

Xue Yao was leaning against the headboard in the master bedroom, flipping through a book on aerial combat and interstellar warfare.

Even though a location for the base hadn't been decided for the Luan Bird yet, it didn't stop her from wanting to take it for a spin.

Especially after learning that Jiang Chen's small fishing boat actually had wings, she wanted to fly a carrier even more—an Aerospace Carrier.

If she were to descend from the sky one day piloting the Luan Bird, it would definitely scare her husband...

"Eh, why does this feel so familiar?"

Xue Yao looked up.

She happened to see Jiang Chen crawling forward sneakily, seemingly trying to evade her sharp eyes.

"You're back."

Xue Yao spoke in a low voice.

Her eyes shimmered with a silver light, looking like lasers.

Jiang Chen stood up as if nothing had happened: "You're not asleep yet!"

"Waiting for you. Sister Li's maintenance is almost done; I need to head to the Antarctic continent."

Xue Yao said.

Since the Belt and Road Initiative began, a large amount of supplies needed to be transported toward the Antarctic continent.

Besides escort duties, Sister Li also took on a portion of the transport work.

Mainly transporting large-scale equipment.

For example, giant excavators specialized for mining iron, copper, and metals, as well as icebreakers.

Although the Antarctic continent is rich in various mineral resources, there is a massive layer of ice; to utilize it to build Pangu Base, they had to unleash their 'infrastructure maniac' prowess there once again.

Going to the Antarctic continent?

Then it would be a bit out of the way.

Jiang Chen had already explored the Southern Sea Area, the South Indian Ocean, Somalia, the northern Arabian Sea, and the Antarctic region.

There was still one very large ocean he had yet to set foot in.

That was the Pacific Ocean.

Eurasia, as the largest continental landmass, would only take up a third of the Pacific Ocean.

One could only imagine how vast the Pacific Ocean truly was.

"Does that mean we might be apart for another ten days or half a month?"

Xue Yao said with some reluctance.

Jiang Chen patted her head: "If love lasts between the two, why must they be together day and night?"

"I don't have to be with you day and night, but not a single drop of the grain tax that needs to be paid can be missing."

"I've recorded it all in my little notebook."

Xue Yao said with impartial sternness.

She wasn't corrupted by Jiang Chen's sugar-coated words at all.

This is insane!

What's the difference between this and ancient landlords oppressing small farmers?

Jiang Chen wailed in his heart.

"What are you wailing for? You came back so late today and haven't done your business yet. Quick, come with me."

Xue Yao said.

She pulled Jiang Chen to the balcony.

"It's very clear tonight, and the balcony breeze is cool."

"..."

The miserable small farmer was currently carrying his load to pay the grain tax.

Suddenly, a sound of footsteps came from the living room.

He was startled.

Looking back, it was actually Jiang Xiaoran rustling toward the refrigerator.

She was in her pajamas.

Her hair was disheveled.

She was even muttering to herself.

"Mengpo Soup, Mengpo Soup... one bowl to forget the past, two bowls aren't enough, three bowls to go fight a tiger..."

Looking closely...

Jiang Xiaoran actually had her eyes closed.

"Good heavens, what is she muttering? Why are her eyes closed?"

"She's probably sleepwalking! Pay your grain tax..."

The next day.

The three were eating breakfast at the dining table.

"Uncle, did I sleepwalk last night?"

Jiang Xiaoran asked Jiang Chen suddenly while eating a fried dough stick.

Jiang Chen was startled.

Holy crap, you didn't see anything, did you!

That would be a total social death!

He said evasively: "Uh-huh, why? I'm not really sure?"

"I've had a habit of sleepwalking since I was a kid. I just can't remember clearly; I can only vaguely and fuzzily recall some images."

Jiang Xiaoran said with a frown, looking toward the balcony.

"I remember I seemed to go to the refrigerator."

"Then when I went back to the bedroom, I vaguely saw someone on the balcony."

"And more than one person too."

"But I didn't see clearly before I went back to the bedroom."

Xue Yao: ...

Jiang Chen coughed: "Ahem, you probably saw wrong. It was the clothes on the balcony."

"Really? Then maybe my consciousness was just confused."

Jiang Xiaoran didn't suspect anything else and continued her breakfast.

After Jiang Chen finished eating, he told her: "Xiaoran, I might go out to sea today or tomorrow. Your aunt also has to go... to her internship."

"So we might not be able to take care of you."

"How about this, I'll send you some money. During this time, maybe ten days, maybe half a month, you can buy groceries and cook for yourself, right?"

Even though Jiang Xiaoran was an adult, her uncle and aunt had sent her here for the summer, so he still had to look after her a bit.

As Jiang Chen spoke, he was about to send her a red envelope.

Jiang Xiaoran immediately waved her hand in refusal: "Uncle, no need! I'm interning at Tianshen Group; selling one bowl earns me ten thousand. I can definitely earn my own way."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure! I, Jiang Xiaoran, can definitely rely on myself."

Jiang Xiaoran said with conviction, then she asked curiously, "By the way, Uncle, where are you going at sea that it will take ten days or half a month?"

"The Pacific Ocean."

"What, the Pacific? Isn't that dangerous?" Jiang Xiaoran said with some concern. "I saw online recently that our Dragon Country seems to have picked up a United States aircraft carrier. World War III could break out at any time. It's too dangerous for you to go to the Pacific now!"

"World War?"

"Don't worry! The possibility of a world war is basically zero."

Jiang Chen shook his head.

A basic logic was this:

In past world wars, the range of firepower was limited; those who died on the battlefield were ordinary people, while the elites were safe.

But with nuclear bombs, it was different.

Once they start, everyone dies indiscriminately.

From this perspective, there is basically no need for major powers to start a nuclear war.

Because the essence of war is for profit.

If the elites themselves are dead, what's the point of fighting a war?

So...

This was why, even though so many United States carriers had been 'picked up', the scenario of launching nukes at each other still hadn't happened.

Of course.

Jiang Chen also knew that not throwing nukes didn't mean there was no conflict.

Given the pirate-civilization essence of the United States, they would definitely strike back.

This was why Commander Tang Ze had told him to be careful.

After all...

The United States still had three aircraft carriers in its hands.

Especially the one in the Arctic Circle; being able to suppress the Polar Bear with a single carrier meant there must be something terrifying inside it.

"Then you still have to be careful."

Jiang Xiaoran said.

Xue Yao, watching the uncle and niece exchange warnings, couldn't help but interject: "Xiaoran, Auntie also has to go work overseas..."

"Mhm, Auntie, make sure to do your skincare. I heard the sun abroad is quite bright."

Jiang Xiaoran handed the skincare products she usually used to Xue Yao.

Xue Yao: "..."

Another day passed.

Jiang Xiaoran went to her internship at Tianshen Group.

Xue Yao also received a notice from the Ministry of Oceans; Sister Li had a mission and was set to leave port around the afternoon.

Jiang Chen wasn't ready to go to sea yet.

So he helped Xue Yao get dressed and ready.

Previously, it was always Xue Yao seeing Jiang Chen off.

This time...

It was Jiang Chen seeing Xue Yao off.

Furthermore, Xue Yao put on her azure-blue, slim-fit aircraft carrier commander's uniform.

Her slender figure, standing a full 1.75 meters tall, looked even more like a goddess accentuated by the uniform.

Seeing Jiang Chen look her up and down, as if he wanted to draw his grain tax in advance.

Xue Yao felt sweet inside.

She stood on her tiptoes and lightly rested her hips against the dining table.

With eyes shimmering with a faint silver hue, she stared at Jiang Chen with an expectant look.

"Come, before we part, give your wife a compliment."

Curvy in all the right places.

A moving silhouette.

"These hips... are great!"

Jiang Chen praised.

"How great exactly~?"

Xue Yao wanted to hear more adjectives.

Jiang Chen scratched his head, racking his brain for a compliment.

"So perky, they could probably pull at least two pounds, right?"