"Go that way!"
"Bring all the stuff."
Hao Yu kept instructing the people on what to do while checking the plan. They were currently standing next to the river.
"How is the channel?" Hao Yu asked.
One of the people Hao Yu had hired previously reported, "Everything is going well. We have dug the channel to about the same size as the river. If we continue at this pace, we should be able to finish the channel within the first month."
"Alright. That's enough." Hao Yu nodded with a serious expression. "Is there any news from the workers uphill?"
"Not yet. But it seems that Sir Magistrate is checking the progress personally."
"Alright. I'll visit him in a bit, so take over my work." Hao Yu waved his hand and immediately dropped his work to talk to Leng Xiu.
After just a few days since he created his new division, Hao Yu had actually solved many problems like the conflict between the merchants and citizens and the slum food problem. There were still a lot of things to do, but he still had time to figure out the solutions.
When he reached the construction site for the luxurious villas for the cultivators, it didn't take too long for him to find Leng Xiu among them.
"Sir!" Hao Yu cupped his hands, greeting him.
"Oh, Hao Yu! I've heard about your deeds. To think you managed to achieve that much in the past few days. Maybe I should have given you more tasks."
"Ahaha." Hao Yu scratched the back of his head. "By the way, Sir, I have another request."
"What is it?"
Hao Yu paused for a moment. He already had a weapon to kill the cultivator, but he still didn't have the cause or the path that led to such situations. Hence, he asked, "I wonder if I can inspect the mine or something. If not, just information about them is fine."
"Hmm?!" Leng Xiu furrowed his eyebrows, feeling something weird. He didn't know why Hao Yu was fixated on the mine, but the previous administrator died because of it, so he was always the one who took care of the mine to avoid any more bloodshed. "Have you heard that your office was…"
"If you're talking about the previous administrator, then yes." Hao Yu continued his words and confirmed it.
"Then…"
"Even so, I'm sure that the one in charge is different now, right? That's why I would like to study them or even check the mine. This way, I can give an even more concrete plan on how to improve this place."
Leng Xiu fell into deep thought. What Hao Yu wanted to improve seemed to be the dorms for the workers. He was just worried that Hao Yu would get into trouble because of this. He would have no more face to meet Elder Han as well as Hao Yu's teacher, the Wise.
That was why he was contemplating hard, not wanting Hao Yu to take such a risk.
After a moment, Leng Xiu said, "I can bring you there as long as you agree to these three conditions."
"Please state them, Sir."
"You are not allowed to have a lot of contact with them. Even if you want to make contact, bring a few soldiers with you. Also, don't bring women or anything that would incite their lust or greed. And the contacts won't be more than once every week."
"I can agree to that condition."
"Alright. The second condition is pretty simple. Since I'm going to introduce you to the elder, he will surely have a good opinion about you. However, I want you to learn a few things later to know what the elder likes and dislikes to avoid invoking his wrath."
"It's easy."
"Last but not least, don't engage in unnecessary small talk. Just state your purpose and be done with it."
"Understood." Hao Yu agreed to the last condition without hesitation.
After looking at Hao Yu's determined face, Leng Xiu sighed and turned around. "Follow me."
They rode a horse toward the mine, where they found several cultivators guarding the area. When they saw Leng Xiu, the disciples panicked for a second and cupped their hands to Leng Xiu, asking, "Sir Leng, what brings you here?"
Surprisingly, the disciples were polite to Leng Xiu. Hao Yu fully knew that the cultivators wouldn't act this way unless they were afraid of Leng Xiu. But it seemed that the fear originated from somewhere.
'Is it the elder? What did Leng Xiu do to make the elder favor him so much that he instilled fear in them?' Hao Yu wondered while observing Leng Xiu silently.
Leng Xiu, on the other hand, cupped his hands politely and stated his purpose. "I'd like to meet Elder Bing. Is he up there?"
"Yes, Elder Bing is supervising the mine right now. We shall guide you there."
"Please."
The disciples led Leng Xiu into the mine's entrance when they found the so-called Elder Bing.
Hao Yu remained calm the whole time. If it was the previous elder, the hatred would have flared up to a whole new level since that person was one of the people involved in his father's death. Unfortunately, he couldn't find him here, or else, he would definitely kill him before going back to Fengyun City.
"Leng Xiu? What are you doing here?" Elder Bing frowned, looking a bit displeased.
"Elder Bing." Leng Xiu smiled at first before taking a step to the side, showing Hao Yu. "You know about the new construction, right? Actually, the idea didn't come from me."
"So, it was him." Elder Bing appeared surprised but soon observed Hao Yu up and down.
"Yes. I got the idea from him when I visited my friend in a different city and suggested that I bring him back with me. After listening to his suggestions, I left him in charge of all the projects, including the current one. The only reason I've been in charge is…"
"I see." Elder Bing looked at Hao Yu carefully before saying, "The previous incident that involved the previous administrator, huh. It's no wonder he is scared."
"Yes, I apologize."
"I can understand that." Elder Bing nodded and patted Hao Yu's shoulder, assuring him. "Don't worry. That bastard has been sent far east and won't come back here. I'm not like him. As long as you don't disturb me for all little things, I'm not going to bother you."
Elder Bing knew that the reason Leng Xiu introduced Hao Yu to him must be to let him know that he could finally delegate this task to Hao Yu.
"Thank you, Elder Bing. Hao Yu will definitely listen to Elder Bing."
Hao Yu bowed his head. However, he actually didn't realize that he had divulged a very important piece of information to Hao Yu. And that was when Hao Yu thought, 'Got him. East, huh…'