After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 398 That's Coal
Shen Yi also inquired about the progress of the village school.

A lean man covered in sweat grinned and said, "It's almost done. We just need to wait for the tables and chairs to be delivered and for Mr. Chu's courtyard to be tidied up before we can use it!"

"That's great!" Shen Yi then flashed eight teeth and was about to go back when Shen Ying, who had rushed over, stopped him.

"Shen Yi, there's something I wanted to discuss with you. Xiao Tai said you've been away on a long trip for the past few days, and you're leaving again as soon as you get back today?"

Shen Yi shook his head, "I'll go back to the county office tomorrow."

Shen Ying breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good, that's good. Let's talk as we walk. Here's the thing: I specially renovated the village school to make it bigger this time. The place is spacious, but there are not enough teachers. A while ago, we had Mr. Chu take on the main responsibility, and he even fell ill. He suggested that we find two more teachers so that he could share the tuition fees."

"Ugh! I'm really worried! The problem isn't money, it's finding people!"

Shen Yi glanced at Shen Ying's furrowed brows and listened to his long sighs. He pondered for a moment and said, "I'll go to Dahe Town later and ask him. If all else fails, I'll go find Ma Xingteng tomorrow. He personally led a merchant team last year, visiting several nearby prefectures and even the counties and towns below. He might know some information or connections."

"Okay, okay! Then I'll leave it to you!" Shen Ying's steps were light and hurried as she left, as if she still had many things to do.

Shen Yi led the horse home. The twins' eyes lit up when they saw him. They had barely moved their bottoms when a dry cough came from the corner. The two little guys immediately looked away obediently and continued reading with a resentful expression.

Su Tai snorted coldly, stood up and went to greet him, "You're finally back. There's something I need to tell you in detail."

Her gaze then fell on her eldest son and daughter, and she asked with interest, "Is the ice field fun?"

"It's so much fun! Mom, the Ice Plains aren't like what people say at all. Although Aunt's house is rather low, it's very spacious. My cousin took us to feed the lambs and taught us how to ride horses. We even ran and chased each other on the grassland. But my uncle wouldn't let us go far, saying there are jackals and tigers on the Ice Plains that eat sheep and people. It's terrifying!"

Shen Congrong gestured continuously, her eyes shining brightly, appearing extremely excited.

Shen Yuezhang, who was standing to the side, had already opened the things she had brought back. "Mother, I learned from my great-aunt to make some milk beans, yogurt, and milk tablets. You can try them."

"Oh! My darling still remembers to bring food for Mom! That's wonderful!" Su Tai was pleasantly surprised.

Not to be outdone, Shen Congrong opened her bundle as well, "I also brought a gift for Mother, a pair of boots. There's a shoe shop in town that specializes in making shoes, and I had the shopkeeper make them."

Su Tai was overjoyed and gave her eldest son a big kiss, "You're such a good son!"

The mother and her two children were snuggling together.

The twins watched, itching to do something but too afraid to.

Shen Yi walked over and squatted down in front of the two of them. "Have you gotten into trouble again?"

The twins were heartbroken and tears welled up in their eyes, but they dared not cry out loud. "Dad!"

Holding her spoils, Su Tai pulled Shen Yi toward the backyard, saying, "Zhang'er and Rong'er, you've just gotten back, rest a bit. There are some snacks warming up in the kitchen, have a little something to tide you over. I'll cook something delicious for you later. After you eat, go see Mr. Chu; he's been sick for two days."

"Mother!" the twins cried out in unison, their voices filled with resentment.

All that was left for them was Su Tai's resolute back of her head.

The couple went back inside, and Shen Yi couldn't wait to ask, "Lord Lu said the soil in that courtyard could catch fire, what exactly happened?"

Su Tai pouted in annoyance, "It's all because of your good son and daughter, those two little troublemakers who took firecrackers to blow up the mud pile and just happened to set it on fire!"

"Firecrackers? Where did they come from?" Shen Yi was completely puzzled. Su Tai was even more annoyed. After sitting down, she took a milk tablet and stuffed it into her mouth. "They were brought back from their maternal grandparents' house. It was my carelessness. I told the children to pack their own luggage that day, but I forgot to check what they brought. The two older ones are definitely fine, but the two younger ones... each of them only brought a set of clothes, and they even left some things out. They brought all sorts of useless things, firecrackers, bamboo dragonflies, and a bag of earthworms!"

"Earthworms?" Shen Yi was even more confused.

Su Tai gritted her teeth in anger, "I heard the constable say that you bought a courtyard with a pond, and in just a short while you dug up a whole bag of water to feed the fish!"

Shen Yi: "."

"To be serious, there's a coal mine under that silt. I suspect there's a lot of coal hidden under Zhaohua County."

"Are you serious?" Shen Yi suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open.

This time it was Su Tai's turn to be surprised. "You know about coal? Lord Lu and the others don't know anything about it."

Shen Yi sat down next to Su Tai and explained, "I heard it from Deputy General Pan when I was in the military camp. After we suffered a defeat a few days ago, the Marshal asked people to analyze the reasons. Deputy General Pan said that Longxia Kingdom won because its weapons were better than ours. I asked him a question, and Deputy General Pan mentioned coal. He said that Longxia Kingdom used coal for forging and smelting. He also mentioned exchanging coal with Longxia Kingdom, but it was rejected."

In this peace negotiation, the Longxia Kingdom relented and agreed to trade coal. However, the price was exorbitant, making it unavailable to ordinary people, and likely unknown even to minor officials.

Su Tai suddenly realized, "No wonder Lord Lu reacted so calmly."

Lu Tong has never left Lizhou in his entire life, so it's normal that he's not well-informed.

Shen Yi confirmed again, "Wife, is that really coal?"

Su Tai nodded firmly, "It's absolutely true, but I don't know the exact amount. However, based on my understanding, it should be quite a lot. This is a very important matter. You and Lord Lu should discuss it carefully and see how to report it."

That's a coal mine; even the prefect might not be able to make a decision there.

“Alright! I’ll go back to the county office tomorrow, and I’ll also go see Mr. Chu later and try to find him one or two helpers.”

After Shen Yi finished speaking, he immediately went out.

Su Tai finished explaining everything she needed to say and immediately put those other matters aside.

I tiptoed into the main room and saw the twins diligently writing large characters. Shen Yuezhang and Shen Congrong were not there; they had probably gone to Mr. Chu's place.

She nodded in satisfaction and turned to go into the kitchen.

The father and his two sons must have been eating and sleeping outdoors for the past few days, without much good food.

Su Tai thought for a moment, then turned around and killed two chickens to make a nourishing medicinal chicken soup for them, steam a big pot of white rice, make some beef pancakes, braise some pork belly, and then make a cold water spinach salad and a cold bok choy salad. That should be about it.

The chicken soup will have to simmer until evening, but the main dishes can be served first.

Shen Yi led the two children home and, seeing that the food was ready, quickly called the children to the table.

I'll also give the twins a few words of advice while I'm at it.

As dusk approached, Shen Yi made a trip to the Pu family's house in Dahe Town.

Things are different now. Shen Yi is now the county magistrate, so Master Pu doesn't dare to be as casual as before. In order to receive him, he even called out his wife, son and daughter-in-law to pay their respects.