All Heavens Strategy Game

Chapter 52. Mineral veins, swamp iron filings, Marshal Tianpeng?!

A few days later, Su Ming went into the mountains again. He was already very familiar with the area and could navigate the paths with ease.

"The weather has been much better these past few days, great mentor, please bless me with a bountiful harvest!"

"No money, no food, but nature will provide it to me!"

The snow-covered forest was so quiet that you could hear your own footsteps breaking through the ice and the songs you hummed.

Su Ming, carrying a hunting bow and holding a broadsword, trekked through the snow-covered Xiaochong Mountain.

Neither the snow nor the cold wind could deter or frighten ordinary hunters, but he relied on his strong physique and internal energy to walk into the mountains without any hesitation.

His sharp gaze swept over every bush, behind a rock, or under a dead tree where prey might be hiding.

Half an hour later, he was completely useless.

An hour passed, and nothing was found.

Wherever I went, it was empty.

"I refuse to believe it! This mountain is so big, and the weather is so cold. Even though there will be far fewer prey than usual on good days, other hunters can't come up the mountain either. I'm the only hunter on this entire mountain. Relatively speaking, my chances of encountering prey shouldn't be too low!"

The weather is cold, and there are few prey.

But there are few hunters in this weather.

Hunters from several villages usually go up the mountain to hunt, but in the past few months, due to the weather, very few hunters have gone up the mountain.

Therefore, when a person goes into the mountains to hunt, the chances of encountering prey are no less than usual.

This is Su Ming's judgment.

So he never gave up.

Instead, they hastily ate their "lunch" and continued their search.

However, after walking for nearly another hour in the afternoon, they still found nothing except a few sets of rabbit footprints that had long since frozen solid.

The creatures in the mountains seemed to have vanished overnight.

With the wolf pack wiped out, it should have been time for other wild animals to become active.

However, the heavy snow that lasted for several days buried all life under a thick white blanket.

Those that could migrate have already left; those that couldn't either hid deep in caves to survive the winter, or—have already become food for even more powerful predators.

Su Ming exhaled a breath of white air, which quickly dissipated in the cold wind.

He looked up and gazed ahead.

The ridgeline of Xiaochongshan Mountain undulates at the horizon, and further ahead lies Dachongshan Mountain, which is higher, more secluded, and denser in forest.

That was a truly wild and untamed land that even seasoned hunters dared not venture into easily.

Legend has it that there are strange trees that have become spirits, singing springs, and black bears that can swallow an entire cow in one gulp.

Of course, the most abundant creatures were various poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, as well as precious medicinal herbs and rare and exotic animals found in remote areas.

Su Ming had no intention of venturing deep into the Great Chong Mountain today.

But the silence of Xiaochongshan forced him to change his plans.

With no money and no meat, if he didn't hunt soon, he'd be eating dirt. His family could endure a life of simple meals without meat, but he couldn't.

"If we walk a little further and still haven't found anything, we'll have to go back empty-handed today."

Su Ming thought to himself, tightened his grip on the bow on his back, and stepped across the blurry ridgeline that separated the two mountains.

Once you enter the Dachongshan area, the environment is noticeably different.

The trees were taller and thicker, with many ancient branches that Su Ming couldn't name intertwined, still cutting the sky into fragments even after the leaves had fallen in winter.

Beneath the snow lies a thick layer of humus, accumulated over countless years, soft and yielding underfoot, carrying a mixed scent of earth and decaying leaves.

The wind seemed to have died down a bit, but the chill was even stronger, a damp cold that came from the depths of the forest, where sunlight could hardly penetrate the layers of branches.

Su Ming became even more vigilant, listening intently to everything around him.

Here, any negligence could be fatal.

After walking for about 15 minutes, there was a sudden noise in a relatively open clearing in the woods ahead.

"Um?

Su Ming's senses were very sharp, and he noticed the movement immediately.

He instantly crouched down, hiding behind an ancient tree that required two people to encircle, and stared intently, holding his breath.

At the edge of the clearing, a grayish-brown animal, resembling a deer but much smaller, was digging something in the snow.

Its ears were unusually large, erect, and constantly turning, making it appear alert yet somewhat—dull.

It's a baby!

Moreover, it looks like a fully grown male baby, and it's quite stout!

At least 70 or 80 pounds!

Su Ming was overjoyed; it was truly a case of finding something without even looking for it!

Although venison isn't as delicious as deer meat, it's still a very good cut of meat. This one looks so plump and juicy; it'll be enough to feed the family for several days!

He slowly took the hunting bow from his back, drew an arrow, and moved with the lightness of a feather brushing the surface of water, making not a sound.

The bowstring was slowly drawn back, and the arrow tip steadily pointed at the baby's neck.

However, just before he was about to release it...

Whether it was because it heard the extremely faint sound of bowstring rubbing or simply out of animal instinct, the cub suddenly raised its head and looked in the direction where Su Ming was hiding!

Eyes facing each other.

The baby's big, round eyes were first filled with confusion, then suddenly filled with terror!

"Yo—!"

""

It let out a short, sharp screech, kicked off with its hind legs, and turned to flee into the depths of the dense forest!

They moved extremely fast, leaving a trail of hurried footprints in the snow.

Su Ming's arrow was on the bowstring, but he did not release it.

He remained in the drawn bow position, watching Baozi disappear into the woods, and slowly lowered the bowstring back into place, putting the arrow back into the quiver.

Then, he did something that would seem unbelievable to any hunter—

Instead of chasing after him, he stepped out from behind the tree, stood in the open space, raised his right hand, and gently waved in the direction in which the child had fled.

Once, twice.

His movements were casual, even somewhat nonchalant.

The forest returned to silence, with only the mournful sound of the wind whistling through the treetops.

After a few breaths, Baozi, who had already run dozens of steps away, suddenly stopped.

It cautiously peeked out from behind a large tree, its iconic large eyes still filled with a mixture of fear and overwhelming curiosity.

It tilted its head, looking at the two-legged beast in the distance that was standing still, no longer chasing it, but instead waving at it.

What does this mean? Are you not going to pursue it anymore?

That waving gesture—was it calling me back?

The criminal's brain was clearly unable to process such complex information.

But its innate, almost foolish, curiosity overcame its earlier fear.

It hesitated, then tentatively took a small step toward Su Ming.

Seeing that Su Ming didn't move, but just stood there and waved his hand.

They took another small step.

The distance was shortened from thirty steps to twenty-five steps, then to twenty steps.

It emerged completely from the trees, its entire body exposed in the open space, its eyes fixed on Su Ming, as if trying to figure out what tricks this two-legged creature was up to.

Fifteen steps.

This distance was close enough for Su Ming's soft hunting bow, which weighed less than one stone.

He was so close that he could see the baby's nostrils twitching slightly from tension, and the veins on its neck throbbing gently with its pulse.

Just as Baozi, out of curiosity, subconsciously took her third step forward and entered within ten steps, Su Ming moved!

Still as a virgin, swift as a rabbit!

Drawing the bow, nocking the arrow, drawing the string, and releasing it—the four actions were completed in the blink of an eye, as fluid as if they had been practiced a thousand times. *Whoosh!*

The arrow whistled as it tore through the air!

The baby's fur instantly bristled!

It was only at this moment that it realized it had fallen into a trap, but it was too late!

I tried to dodge, but the arrow was too fast, too accurate, and too tricky!

"Pfft!"

The dull thud of an arrow piercing flesh.

The arrow pierced precisely into the lower side of its neck. It wasn't a fatal blow like to the heart, but it embedded itself deeply in the muscle and severed some blood vessels!

"Yo—!!!"

A heart-wrenching scream burst forth, ten times more terrifying than before!

The excruciating pain and fear of death completely overwhelmed that ridiculous curiosity.

Baozi, as if his backside was on fire, suddenly stood up, then fell heavily back down. Without a second thought, he ran for his life in the opposite direction from the depths of the Great Mountains, with the trembling arrow shaft around his neck!

Blood gushed from the wound, splattering onto the pristine white snow in a shocking display.

Su Ming did not immediately give chase.

He knew that although the arrow had not killed it immediately, it had penetrated deep enough to see the bone and was near a blood vessel in its neck.

In the frantic escape after being startled, a baby carrying its young will lose blood very quickly and won't be able to run very far.

He carefully put away his bow, determined the direction, and calmly chased after the direction in which the child had fled.

His steps were steady, treading on the intermittent bloodstains and messy footprints left by the baby.

After chasing for about a mile, the bloodstains increased, and the footprints became more and more unsteady and dragging.

Finally, after passing through a patch of low bushes, Su Ming saw the prisoner lying in the snow.

It lay on its side, its body still twitching slightly. The wound on its neck had frozen, but a large patch of snow beneath it was stained dark red.

His eyes were half-open, still filled with the terror and confusion of his dying moments. It seemed that he never understood why the two-legged beast that had beckoned him had suddenly killed him.

Su Ming stepped forward, confirmed that it seemed to have one last breath, then pulled out the dagger and gave it a quick death, ending its final suffering.

These creatures with young are incredibly curious!

"In your next life, don't be so curious."

"If you were a deer or something, you might actually get away, and I wouldn't be able to catch you. What a pity, what a pity you're just a silly roe deer—"

Su Ming muttered to himself as he began to process his prey.

He didn't immediately lift the heavy bundle, but instead observed his surroundings first.

He was deep in the mountains, in an unfamiliar environment, and he had to ensure a safe escape route.

This is a sheltered, low-lying area. Not far away, there seems to be a small swamp. Even in the dead of winter, you can see some puddles that are not completely frozen, emitting wisps of barely perceptible heat, making the surrounding temperature seem a bit higher than on the mountain, and the snow is much thinner.

Su Ming dragged the baby's corpse, trying to find a clean place to perform initial bloodletting. As he passed the edge of the small swamp, his foot suddenly tripped over something hard.

Looking down, there was a dark, protruding object sticking out of the half-frozen mud.

Pushing aside the surrounding snow and dead leaves with my feet, more was revealed—a skeleton.

Judging from its shape and size, it appears to be some kind of large deer. It has been dead for quite some time, and its flesh and blood have long been eaten away or decomposed by microorganisms, leaving only its pale bones half-buried in the mud, almost blending into the dark brown frozen soil.

Su Ming shook his head, not paying much attention.

In the mountains and forests, birth, aging, sickness, and death, and the survival of the fittest, are all too commonplace.

This deer may have accidentally fallen into the swamp, or it may have died from injuries or illness, becoming nourishment for other creatures.

He dragged the swamp across the marshland, found a relatively dry rock, placed the swamp on it, and began to skillfully bleed the animals.

There was no other way; the prey was heavy, and there was a lot of snow and strong winds in the mountains. Carrying the whole thing down would be too tiring and difficult. Draining some blood would reduce the weight and make it easier to carry back. Besides, wild game can be very fishy if it's not bled immediately.

While bleeding the larvae, Su Ming was thinking about how to divide the larvae meat, which parts were suitable for marinating, and which parts could be eaten as soon as possible.

After processing the prey, Su Ming wiped the blood off his hands and was about to find some sticks to make a simple snow sled to pull the prey back when his gaze inadvertently swept over the edge of the swamp where he had tripped earlier, especially the cliff next to the deer skeleton.

It was a not-too-high earthen cliff. Because it was close to a swamp and was moistened by water vapor, its surface was covered with moss and lichen, giving it a dull gray-green color in winter.

At first glance, there was nothing unusual.

But Su Ming always felt that the texture of the cliff face was a bit off.

Unlike the relatively solid rocks or soil he usually encountered, that cliff face looked somewhat loose.

It looks like it has been soaked in water for a long time, and its internal structure has become soft and its surface is covered with tiny cracks.

"This isn't a stone; it looks like some kind of mineral?"

He frowned slightly, put down his work, and walked over with his broadsword in hand.

He gently poked the surface of the cliff with the tip of the knife.

"Rustling sound————"

Several fist-sized, dark red to black pebbles fell to the ground, landing in the mud and snow below.

Su Ming squatted down and used the tip of his knife to poke at the few fallen stones.

The stone is not very hard, and is even somewhat brittle. Its cross-section is uneven, and in the dim light of day, it appears as a dull, rusty iron-red color, mixed with some grayish-white or yellowish-brown impurities.

If an ordinary hunter or mountain dweller saw it, they would probably think it was just ordinary weathered rock stained by minerals, or simply a clod of soil with a lot of mud, and wouldn't give it a second glance.

But as Su Ming looked at these "broken stones," his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

A strange, intense sense of familiarity welled up inside me.

The color—the texture—the fracture—

I'm sure I've seen this somewhere before!

He was certain he had seen something similar before, either in this life or in—his previous life—the information explosion era!

Su Ming subconsciously reached out, ignoring the mud on the stones, picked up a larger one, brought it close to his eyes, and, using the reflection of the snow and the gradually setting sun, examined it carefully, turning it over and over.

The stone was heavy, heavier than ordinary stones.

The cross-section reveals tiny, glittering particles that reflect a dull, metallic sheen at certain angles.

He used his fingernail to scrape the cut surface forcefully, scraping off some dark red powder.

They then struck the stones together, producing a dull, muffled sound that was not crisp.

In my mind, long-forgotten fragments of memory were suddenly stirred up and pieced together!

Illustrations in geography textbooks — scenes of mines in documentaries — science videos occasionally found online — images depicting ancient iron smelting —

"This is----"

Su Ming's calm gaze, which had remained constant throughout, suddenly changed at this moment!

His pupils contracted instantly due to extreme shock and ecstasy!

A surge of hot blood rushed to his head, making his ears ring and his heart pound like a drum!

"Iron ore?!"

His voice trembled slightly with excitement.

That's right! The dark red color, the metallic luster of the particles, the heavy texture, the sound when you tap it—it's clearly iron-containing ore!

Moreover, judging from its color and texture, although the grade may not be high and it contains many impurities, it belongs to a relatively low-grade iron ore.

..

but!

This is iron!

Genuine iron ore!

What does iron mean in this era?

Su Ming held the cold stone, his hand trembling slightly.

He was not a native of this era, but he had long understood the significance of "iron" in this world.

Farmers need iron plows, hoes, and sickles to cultivate the land; otherwise, their work is inefficient and they are at the mercy of the weather.

Craftsmen need iron axes, chisels, saws, and hammers to do their work; otherwise, even the most skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.

Soldiers need iron knives, spears, swords, halberds, and armor to fight; otherwise, what difference is there between them and fighting with their bare hands?

Even in ordinary households, an iron pot, a kitchen knife, and a wood-chopping knife are all important household items, often passed down from generation to generation, repaired repeatedly, and reluctant to be discarded.

The imperial court imposed strict controls on salt and iron.

The casting and sale of iron tools were mostly controlled by the government or a few licensed large merchants. Prices were high, and ordinary farmers often had to pool their money to buy a decent iron farm tool, which they would then share.

Many impoverished families could only afford wooden plows and stone axes, leading a near-primitive lifestyle.

The price of a single iron pot can be equivalent to one or two years' savings for an average farmer!

Iron is productivity! It is fighting power! It is a symbol of wealth and strength!

And now—

Su Ming slowly raised his head, the intense sunlight sweeping across the inconspicuous, crumbling cliff face before him, and then looked at the ground around him.

"If—if there were more than just these few stones here—"

His breathing became heavy. He dropped the piece of pork he was processing and began to carefully search and observe his surroundings.

He first examined the direction of the cliff face and the extent of the exposed sections.

This dark red rock formation extends along the edge of the swamp. Although it is mostly covered by soil, vegetation, and snow, it is intermittent and can be seen that it is not an isolated small area.

Then, he crouched down, almost crawling on the ground, and dug through the snow, turning over the surface layer of dead branches, fallen leaves, and loose soil.

Soon, he made more discoveries.

Below the cliff, in the nearby mud, and even beside some exposed tree roots—he gradually found more pebbles of similar color and texture.

They vary in size; some look like they rolled down from a height, while others are half-buried in the soil, as if they have been naturally weathered and eroded.

He also found some finer, gravelly, dark red particles mixed in with the soil and in the nearby swamp.

Even more, the swamp contained some iron filings and other impurities that might have been weathered and fallen off!

These are definitely not just a few stones that fell by chance!

This is a sign of weathering and exposure of a mineral vein!

Moreover, judging from the extent and quantity of these scattered ores, the scale of this vein is probably quite large!

"An undiscovered iron ore deposit—" Su Ming stood up, looked around at the vast mountains and forests, feeling extremely excited, yet also feeling a surge of pride mixed with immense pressure that suddenly filled his chest.

After the initial euphoria, cold rationality quickly returned.

How should we handle such an important discovery?

It seems there are two paths before us:

First, report it to the government.

According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, if a commoner discovers a mineral deposit and reports it, after verification, he or she will be given a reward, which may be silver, grain, or even a nominal official position.

Then, the government would take over the area, send out miners to build mines, and continuously extract ore, turning it into the government's wealth, the army's weapons, and the ironware of high-ranking officials and nobles.

As for himself, apart from the initial meager reward, he would have no further connection with this mine.

Even because of its proximity to the mines, Sishui Village might be forced to relocate, or be turned into a laborer mining iron ore.

Second, conceal it and keep it for themselves.

What does it mean to have an iron ore mine that no one knows about?

This means that if he has a way to secretly mine and smelt iron, he can obtain a continuous supply of iron!

This iron could be sold privately for a huge fortune.

Although the Great Zhou Dynasty strictly controlled ironware, the demand for iron in the black market never ceased, and the price far exceeded the official price.

This is a highly profitable business.

This iron can also be used to make farm tools, which will greatly increase the efficiency of farming in Sishui Village and increase grain production.

They can create tools to further improve the skills of the village's carpenters and stonemasons.

They could even—if necessary, secretly craft some self-defense weapons, or even—something more dangerous.

Su Ming knew that the Great Zhou Dynasty was not stable. The Great Zhou Dynasty had been established for more than 300 years and was now basically in the late stage of the dynasty. Rebellions were rampant in various places. Even in a small county town like Linjiang County on the northern border, news of rebel armies and bandits attacking cities and seizing land could be heard from time to time, and some destitute people who had fled to the county town could be seen from time to time.

If any trouble breaks out in the future, this batch of iron ore will be the capital for my rapid rise!

Of course, hoarding it privately—the risks involved are also terrifyingly high.

Illegal iron ore mining is a serious crime; once discovered, the consequences, including confiscation of property and extermination of the entire family, are considered lenient.

Given his current status and power, he is simply incapable of protecting such a secret.

It's like a three-year-old child carrying a gold brick in a bustling city—possessing such a treasure is a crime.

If this gets out, your whole family will be in trouble, and that's the least of your worries. Who knows, the whole village might be dragged down with them, spiraling upwards!

Without almost any hesitation, Su Ming had already made up his mind.

"Only a fool would hand it over."

He muttered to himself, his eyes sharp as knives.

Handing it over would only bring a pittance in return, and then you'd watch helplessly as the treasure slipped through your fingers, potentially causing trouble for the village.

While taking everything for yourself carries enormous risks, the potential rewards are equally immeasurable.

This is one of the most important assets he will have for building his future success!

It was his key to changing the fate of himself and his village!

"Now—this news must be kept secret! Not a single word can be leaked!"

Su Ming gripped the iron ore in his hand tightly, as if he were holding onto the hope for the future.

"Until we have sufficient strength and find safe methods for mining and smelting, this secret must remain a closely guarded secret, not even to our mother and elder brother!"

He carefully picked up the few pieces of iron ore that he had just discovered, wrapped them in coarse cloth, and prepared to take them back for careful study.

For the remaining traces, he used his feet to move the snow and fallen leaves back over them, trying to restore them to their original state.

Just as he finished cleaning up the evidence and was preparing to go back and carry the prisoner's flesh away from this place of trouble, a loud "thud!" echoed.

"quack-!"

Not far ahead, in a relatively dense coniferous forest, a sudden burst of chaotic and rapid flapping of wings and the cries of birds rang out!

Dozens of crows and tits that were originally perched in the trees seemed to be disturbed by some great terror. They rushed up into the sky and circled in panic above the forest, crying out shrilly, and dared not come down for a long time.

Su Ming's muscles tensed instantly!

Something is wrong!

It is now deep winter, and most birds either migrate south or stay in their warm nests to reduce their activity. Unless they encounter a fatal threat, they will never easily leave their relatively warm habitats to waste their energy in the cold air.

Such a large-scale flight of birds——————

There's something there! And it's definitely a big one, coming from that direction!

Without a second thought, Su Ming quickly scanned his surroundings and locked onto a large pine tree with a thick trunk and sprawling branches.

Like a nimble ape, he used both hands and feet to climb up a thick horizontal branch more than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) above the ground. He pressed his body tightly against the trunk, held his breath, and stared intently at the direction in which the flock of birds had taken flight.

At the same time, he quickly pulled out the small bottle containing "Tibetan Flavor Powder" from his pocket with his left hand, poured out a little, and haphazardly smeared it on his neck, wrists, and other places where the smell would dissipate.

His right hand gripped the hilt of the broadsword firmly, his fingertips turning slightly white from the force.

coming!

"Snap—crack—splash—"

The heavy footsteps, accompanied by the sounds of tree branches snapping violently and snow being trampled, rolled slowly from afar, like muffled thunder.

The voice was heavy, each step seeming to pound on the heart of the person, making Qi Hao, hidden in the tree, feel the earth tremble slightly.

Immediately afterwards, the outline of a colossal creature slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees.

When Su Hao saw what it was, even with his strong will and having experienced a life-or-death battle with the wolf king, he couldn't help but gasp and his pupils contracted sharply!

Wild boar!

A wild boar!

However, this was by no means the kind of wild boar with at most three or four hundred wrinkles and ferocious fangs that he knew.

The size of this wild boar is so enormous it's breathtaking!

Holy crap, Marshal Tianpeng has descended to the mortal realm?!