How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 111 The Wushan Incident (8)

After settling his adopted son's family affairs, Boss Fan's health finally gave out. Fortunately, he had already entrusted everything to Guo Zixing. He then set off south with Wang Shi, Xiaoshan, and Old Zhang.

After seeing Boss Fan off, Qingru breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now that Boss Fan has gotten away, we should go too."

Guo Zixing glanced at Qingru and smiled, "What, are you tired of this place?"

"That's not true. At first, I thought Wushan Town was a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains, but when I actually came here, I found that it wasn't so good. It was riddled with holes from digging everywhere, and the water wasn't very clean either. After staying here for a while, I felt like I was breathing coal dust into my lungs."

Guo Zixing chuckled, "Okay, if all goes well, we can leave tonight."

Guo Zixing took Qingru back to the Fan family home; now this place is their territory.

Zhang Xun arrived in his car, bringing with him Commander Guo's transfer order. A coal mine, the livelihood of tens of thousands of people—Commander Guo took this very seriously.

Knowing that Guo Zixing had a proper solution, they sent several experts to handle the maintenance issues after the mining was completed.

"Manager Zhuang."

After Boss Fan decided to step down, he handed over control of the large mine to Guo Zixing, who then appointed Zhuang Qianfan as manager.

"Young Master Guo, is this the expert you were talking about?"

"Okay, you all get to know each other, and then take the experts to explore the mine."

Zhuang Qianfan immediately nodded in agreement, greeted Guo Zixing, and then took the person away.

Zhang Qi also came over to say goodbye, "Young Master Guo, my injuries have healed, and I'm going back to the Seventh Mine now."

"Wait a minute, Seventh Master, Boss Fan has already left. What are your plans?"

"I don't have any plans. The Seventh Mine can't compare to the big mines in terms of wealth and resources. The livelihoods of so many people are on my shoulders. I can't stop for the time being."

"But you've witnessed the dangers of the large mines firsthand. Doesn't that change your mind?"

“Li Dachuan broke the rules himself, and the large mine has been in operation for too long. The mountain has long been hollowed out, so it’s only natural that the kiln would collapse. My No. 7 Mine is different. It has only been in operation for a few years, so it’s still a long way off.”

Qingru advised, "But these mines are all connected. It's just that you're mining in different locations. You think you're mining a new mine, but little do you know that it's connected to someone else's old mine on the other side. Seventh Master, I sincerely think you should make a change. This isn't a long-term solution."

Zhang Qi stopped in his tracks, seemingly deep in thought.

Seeing this, Guo Zixing said, "Yes, Qingru is right. Besides, you've seen it yourself. The city sent experts over. Once they've surveyed the area, we'll know exactly where we can and can't dig. We haven't hidden our plans from you these past few days. Surely Boss Fan isn't as experienced as you?"

"Furthermore, I have already promised that I will find a suitable place to turn into farmland again, so that the miners of Wushan can find a place to live and work in peace again. And I can promise you that if your No. 7 Mine takes the lead in stopping mining, I can give you a three-year tax exemption on the farmland you are allocated. Whoever stops first will receive the most generous treatment."

A three-year tax exemption is enough for farmers to recover and rebuild. Even if they still have to pay taxes after three years, it gives them a chance to catch their breath.

Zhang Qi's interest was piqued. Agriculture is the foundation of the nation, and it has always been so. His fellow miners were also part-time workers and part-time farmers, lacking both education and skills, forced to do manual labor to earn a living. If they could have a piece of land to cultivate without paying taxes for three years, that would indeed be better than risking their lives in the mines.

"really?"

“Words are no proof. If you take the lead in stopping mining, I can issue you a three-year tax exemption certificate on behalf of the government.”

Without further hesitation, Zhang Qi immediately agreed, "Okay."

Zhang Qi's example set a precedent for other small-scale mine owners, prompting some to try and others to wait and see.

"Hey, Huang Si, you've dealt with them before, do you think this is reliable?"

Master Huang, panting heavily, said, "Hmph, I went to seek revenge with a knife, but he shot me with a gun. Do you think that's reliable or not?"

His foot injury hasn't healed yet, and he hasn't avenged his brother, so naturally he's resentful.

"Then will you shut down the mine or not, and be exempt from taxes for three years?"

"If we stop, what will I eat?" Huang Si's mine is different from others. Other scattered mines will at least hire a few skilled workers, but Huang Si's mine is just a bunch of rabble.

Having worked in a large mine and gained some experience, he gathered a group of farmers and started his own mine.

Everyone was poor, but with their relentless, fearless spirit, the Fourth Mine managed to stand out and establish itself.

If it weren't for Huang Si's younger brother being an idle, bullying man and woman, perhaps Huang Si could have gone much further.

However, the two brothers had no parents and had relied on each other since childhood. They doted on their younger brother like the apple of their eye and protected him even when he made mistakes. As a result, they had been making a living in the mines without much success.

Huang Si was angry, but that didn't mean others weren't clear-headed. Especially the newly appointed owner of the Third Mine, who knew that forcing someone into a position would inevitably lead to resentment among his subordinates. He figured it was better to take the benefits, shut down the mine, and keep the money in his own hands.

"I'm shutting down the mine," the owner of the Third Mine declared.

The others seemed thoughtful. They weren't on good terms to begin with, always thinking about taking over each other's mines. If it weren't for Boss Fan's sudden withdrawal, they wouldn't have gathered together to talk amicably.

While they were still hesitating and struggling, Zhang Qi's No. 7 Mine successfully shut down and sealed the kiln. He then took Guo Zixing's subsidy and went to the designated place to prepare for land reclamation and farming.

"Now that the New Year has just passed, once the first spring rain falls, you can start spring planting."

"What are we waiting for? Let's do it now!"

"Exactly, I can't stay idle with all my strength."

People used to go down into the mines because they couldn't get enough to eat in the fields. Now that there's a new way out, who would be willing to risk their life for money? Therefore, they cherish this opportunity all the more.

Guo Zixing remained noncommittal. He didn't understand farming; he just wanted these people to live peacefully.

"Good, everyone is so hardworking, you will definitely have a good life in the future. And once you have enough to eat, you can rest assured to get married and have children. I said I would build a school in Wushan Town specifically for your children to study. The future will only get better and better."

"Okay! Thank you, Young Master Guo."

"Young Master Guo is blessed with boundless good fortune."

Everyone looked delighted and showered Guo Zixing with compliments.

Qingru and the others standing to the side also felt honored.

"Ahem, I'm here."

Everyone turned to look and saw a man in a long gown, with a buzz cut, stubble still clinging to his freshly shaved chin, a square face, and a simple, honest smile…

Who is this?

Everyone looked at each other.

The newcomer was even more shy, saying, "I am Zhang Qi."

What?! So this is what Zhang Qi looks like after shaving his beard and getting a haircut.

It's...it's better to have a beard to look more imposing.

"Is it not good-looking?" Zhang Qi asked, puzzled.

The younger brother next to him dared not tell the truth, "He's handsome, a rare good-looking young man in our surrounding villages."

But seeing Qingru and the others trying to suppress their laughter, Zhang Qi felt something was wrong. He glared at his underling and then shamelessly went to Guo Zixing to whisper something to him.

"what happened?"

The usually forthright Zhang Qi was now hesitant, "Um... could you ask her for me if she'd be willing to marry me?"

Guo Zixing: ?! I don't want to.

"Well, I'll have to ask her opinion first. Even though she's my subordinate, I can't make decisions for her."

Qingru, of course, was unwilling.

Zhang Qi was rejected on his first confession of love. He was so embarrassed that he didn't know where to go and left without looking back.

Qingru was a little embarrassed. "Was I too direct?"

"It's alright, it's been quite tactful." Guo Zixing didn't tell the truth either. "Let's go back to the city."

Qingru had been longing for this place for a long time; she was already tired of staying in Wushan Town.

Guo Zixing felt a pang of unease as he recalled Zhang Qi's confession. Qingru's beauty easily won people over; what if one day she encountered the son of a powerful figure…

"When we get back, I'll let you meet your father."

Qingru was stunned, her eyes wide as she asked, "Really?"

"Replacement guaranteed."