"The people from the former dynasty? There's nothing to be scared of!" Hearing Mrs. Xu's words, Mr. Xu remained calm. "If they were really good for something, their empire would not have been conquered. Besides, in these past few years, have there been any movements by the remnants of the previous dynasty? Don't worry, nothing will happen to us!"
Waving his fist, he continued, "Furthermore, your man's skills have not been lost. It's all well and good if the remnants of the past dynasty do not come, but if they do dare to come, I don't mind sending them to see their damned emperor!"
These words were filled with murderous intent!
As Mrs. Xu looked at Mr. Xu's majestic composure, her eyes filled admiration.
Keeping that valiant and dignified composure, Mr. Xu walked out of the main room.
Just as Second Xu finished putting away the firewood that they had just cut, he saw Mr. Xu coming out. Quickly approached his father, while winking and smiling at him, he asked, "Dad, what did you find in the mountain?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!" Mr. Xu glared at Second Xu. "In a while, come with me to the county town!"
"For what?" Second Xi looked up at the sun. "It's almost noon, so it's time to eat!"
"Eat, eat, eat! You only know how to eat! Cut the crap and hurry up!" Mr. Xu shouted, using violence to suppress his second son's rebuttal.
The father and son duo soon headed out, Mr. Xu then telling Second Xu what they were going to do.
"Son, be a bit smarter when the time comes! If dad enters the county office and doesn't come out, quickly go home and bring your mother and family to safety in the mountains!"
"Dad… How about… Let's not report it?"
"Bullshit!" Old Mr. Xu fiercely glared at Second Xu, demanding, "Do you think you know more than I do?
"Let me tell you, this is our family's fortune. If we can't grasp it, at best, this becomes someone else's fortune. At worst, it will bring disaster to our family! Great wealth comes from taking risks; we have to give it a try!"
Old Mr. Xu indeed understood the dangers of reporting this, but he had no other choice.
From the moment he and Second Xu had gone into the alcove to chop wood, discovering the sandalwood box instead, they had no choice.
"Oh, yes, we should be meeting up with your elder brother later. If you are not smart enough to handle things, you can go to your third brother and tell him about this instead."
"Dad, rest assured, I'll definitely be smart!" Second Xu patted his chest and promised his father.
At such an important moment, how could he, Second Xu, fall behind his eldest brother?
Father and son then continued on their way.
...
At the Xu residence within Spirit Water Village, Mrs. Xu called all three of her daughters-in-law to the main room.
"Go back and pack some clothes, shoes, and socks!"
"Mother, why are we doing this?"
The three daughters-in-law were all bewildered upon hearing Mrs. Xu's abrupt instructions.
"Don't ask, you don't have to know anything," Mrs. Xu said solemnly. "Do whatever you are told to do. Don't ask, just do it. If you are not willing to do it, then fine, pack up your things and go back to your natal home!"
Mrs. Xu's simple and rude method was quite effective with her three daughters-in-law.
"I hope that nothing bad will happen!"
Mrs. Xu placed her palms together in front of her, not sure which god or buddha she was praying to.
Since this was a case that had begun twenty years ago, if the current county magistrate was a greedy one, he might keep this gift for himself, and as insiders of the event, their lives might be sacrificed.
In cases such as these, you have to prepare for the worst.
If things weren't looking right, they could only run!