What a lucky world!

Chapter 178 Those with a kind heart will surely win the world
After taming the horse king, Zhang Mu was not in a hurry to take the herd back.

Since the route had been explored, Zhang Mu simply planned to turn this small valley into a pasture.

The next step of Wuzhai's advance plan towards Qianyuan Mountain can be carried out around the two valleys.

After listening to Zhang Mu's thoughts, Lu Xuanxiu thought for a moment and said, "The problem in the Demonic Python Valley isn't big. After all, if there was a demon beast there before, there shouldn't be any demon beasts nearby."

"But we still need to search this valley to see if there are any monsters lurking."

Zhang Mu thought for a moment and said, "I'll arrange for Ye Hanzhou to come to the back mountain. It just so happens that his martial arts skills are special and he needs to be trained in combat. I'll need Master Lu to look after him when the time comes."

"That kid from Lanling City... I heard he advanced to the middle stage of Nourishing Fluid at the same time as you." Lu Xuanxiu nodded, "Let him come over. I can practice with him on weekdays."

"Thank you, Uncle Lu." Zhang Mu said with a smile.

"No need to thank me!" Lu Xuanxiu waved his hand and continued, "Safety is one thing, but if we want to expand into this area, manpower is also a problem."

“Not enough residents!”

"Go back and discuss this with Wei Wuyou."

Finally, Lu Xuanxiu said, "Don't worry about these horses. I'll send someone to watch over them. The temperature in the mountains is about to drop, so we'll build a shed for them and prepare some food for the winter."

"Well, Uncle Lu is very thoughtful."

……

"What a cunning Lu Xuanxiu!"

After returning to Wuzhai, Zhang Mu told Wei Wuyou what he and Lu Xuanxiu had said, and Wei Wuyou snorted coldly.

Zhang Mu was confused: "Huh? What happened?"

Wei Wuyou pointed at Zhang Mu and said, "What's the problem with manpower?"

"Which winter isn't the time with the most refugees?"

"Spring and autumn are okay. At worst, the land can still grow something. Winter is the hardest to endure. If things really get worse, we have no choice but to sell our children, houses, and land."

"Although tenant farmers don't have to pay taxes, they still have to pay rent to their landlords at the end of the year."

"At this time, if you want to survive or avoid paying rent to your employer, you can only pack up your belongings and go to the nearby big city to make a living."

"Let's send people to set up porridge stalls at various intersections. It won't take much effort to recruit a group of people back!"

Zhang Mu was stunned. "If that's the case, then why is Master Lu still making things difficult?"

"Don't you want to?"

"Why would he be unwilling? He just has his eyes on the money in your arms, a wealthy man." Wei Wuyou said with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Zhang Mu asked.

Wei Wuyou pointed out, "If we drag so many people up the mountain and can't go back to work in the fields right away, we have to wait until next spring, right?"

"Even if it's cultivated land, it'll take a year for the harvest to come, right?"

"Does it cost money to support them during this period?"

"Building a new home, purchasing farm tools, seeds, livestock, and perhaps redividing the village and building foundations, does this cost money?"

"At present, the residents in the back mountains have achieved self-sufficiency, and even if there are subsidies for cottage industries, they don't need too much, so they are still on the right track."

"If we take in another group of residents, it will cost a fortune."

Zhang Mu opened his mouth, a little shocked.

After a brief thought, Zhang Mu said, "How about this? I'll pay 30,000 taels, and the Duke of Wuzhai will add another 30,000 taels to his account. Uncle Wei, please calculate how many people we can recruit!"

The investment in the White Horse Volunteers is not a one-time one. We will use a part of it first and then make up for it later.

Wei Wuyou hesitated for a moment and said, "Do you really want to recruit him?"

"In fact, we can still recruit people after the spring, and we can save a lot of money."

Zhang Mu sighed: "I know."

"I didn't think so much about it at first, but after hearing what you said, Uncle Wei, I started to think more about it."

"Recruiting people now is life-saving!"

"My abilities are limited, and Wuzhai is not a charity, but in this world, I'll save as many as I can!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Wuyou's eyes fell on Zhang Mu, looking him up and down until Zhang Mu felt a little uncomfortable. "Uncle Wei, what's wrong with me?"

"It's okay!" Wei Wuyou smiled and patted Zhang Mu's shoulder. "Don't worry about this. I'll discuss the number of people with Lao Lu in the next two days and send someone down the mountain to take care of it."

After that, Wei Wuyou said again: "By the way, there is something I want to tell you."

Zhang Mu saw Wei Wuyou's relaxed expression and replied with a smile, "Uncle Wei, you go ahead."

"The Canglang Jue has been sold!"

Zhang Mu was stunned for a moment, then reacted immediately.

Two months ago, in order to divert Frost Moon Mountain's attention and relax their pressure on Qianyuan Mountain, he exchanged a fake opportunity for the unique skill "Canglang Jue" from the Opportunity Tower, and used it as bait to lure Frost Moon Mountain into the trap.

"Was it bought from Shuangyue Mountain?" Zhang Mu asked.

"No!" Wei Wuyou shook his head. "It was Shengping Wuzhai. I spent 150 one-coin coins!"

"Shengping Wuzhai?" Zhang Mu thought about it and the number came to his mind.

During this period, he also made up for the information about the surrounding martial arts villages.

There are eight prefectures in Taiping County, and there are thirteen military strongholds in these eight prefectures.

Three of the Wuzhai occupy one prefecture alone, and the remaining ten Wuzhai share the land of the remaining five prefectures.

The three martial arts villages that occupy a single prefecture are Shuangyue Martial Village, Qianyuan Martial Village and Shengping Martial Village mentioned now.

According to the information Zhang Mu had, the strength of Shengping Wuzhai was not as good as the other two. The village chief was in the late stage of Yangye cultivation, and there was also an eagle demon in the village who was comparable to the late stage of Yangye.

"What is our relationship with Shengping Wuzhai?" asked Zhang Mu.

"Not so good." Wei Wuyou shook his head. "They also disagree with the idea of Shuangyue Martial Village forming a Martial Village Alliance, but they didn't dare to take the initiative and just pushed us out."

"He often gives us some tricks on a daily basis."

"He was very careful when purchasing the Canglang Jue this time, but we still noticed it."

Zhang Mu raised his eyebrows: "In that case, let's tell Shuangyue Mountain about this and leave it alone!"

Wei Wuyou smiled slightly: "There's no need for us to spread the news, the people over at Frost Moon Mountain have already found out!"

"I'm afraid this year won't be peaceful!"

"By the way, one hundred and fifty one-cent coins will be delivered to the mountain later."

"The Shanzhai has also put in some effort. In order to set up the scheme, a lot of hidden resources were used, so a portion of it must be handed over to the public account. However, the core Canglang Jue was obtained by you, so the ratio will not be 30:70."

"The exact amount will need to be determined after I discuss it with Thirteenth Lady and Old Lu."

"Yeah." Zhang Mu nodded and had no objection.

……

Shimotsuki Mountain, meeting hall.

"Brother, Shengping Wuzhai is still denying that they have obtained the Canglang Jue..." Yun Zhonghe said viciously, "That old man is not telling the truth at all!"

Sha Tonghai said expressionlessly: "Useless thing, whoever gets the benefit will admit it himself."

"Didn't I tell you to be fully prepared and intercept us halfway?"

"Brother, they sent that eagle demon to pick us up, and we can't fly!" Yun Zhonghe sighed, "I chased for a while, but was thrown off."

Sha Tonghai frowned: "Canglang Jue is related to the future of this village leader's martial arts, and cannot be given up."

After saying this, he stood up and said, "I haven't taken action since I advanced to the Condensed Gallantry Realm. Did I give them some wrong impression?"

"If they don't give it to us, then we'll take it!"

Yun Zhonghe hesitated for a moment: "But that eagle demon is really a bit tricky..."

Sha Tonghai sneered, "If it were in the past, it would have been a difficult situation, but now, this village chief has his own way!"

"Gather the troops!"

"The troops are dispatched to Shengping Mountain!"

(End of this chapter)