General of the Heavens

Chapter 100 Savage Valley [Seeking Recommendations]

The excavation of the tomb of Empress Xiao of the Liao Dynasty is underway. Wang Pangzi and Hu Ba spend their days digging soil at Niuxin Mountain and have no time to raid other tombs.

Furthermore, with Ning Chen watching them from the sidelines, the two dared not make any small moves. Moreover, Ning Chen even moved into the old Party Secretary's house under the pretext of being considerate of his subordinates.

Hu Bayi and Fatty Wang were almost spitting blood...

Fortunately, after gathering the entire village's labor force, along with strong young men from the surrounding villages, the initial excavation of Niuxin Mountain was completed.

The rest should be left to the professionals.

Hu Bayi and Fatty Wang didn't need to do any of this. After thinking it over, they realized they couldn't wait any longer; they had to at least recoup their investment.

The two invited Yanzi's father to join them for drinks and conversation, and Hu Bayi casually asked, "Are there any ancient noble tombs still in these mountains?"

Yanzi's father said, "You guys are just being reckless. Grave robbing is no joke. Our village has had a few young amateur grave robbers before."

They went to a legendary place to dig for graves and seek gold, but something happened to them, and everyone's fate is unknown.

"Sigh, Yanzi's second uncle is one of them. I only know the general location of that legendary place, but I've never dared to go there."

Nowadays, people in the mountains are not so disgusted with tomb raiders, and some of them have even done the job of digging up graves themselves.

Some people don't even think that tomb raiding is immoral; on the contrary, they sometimes treat it as a side job that can generate income...

Hu Bayi pressed for details, asking where that legendary place was and what dangers it held, but Yanzi's father refused to tell him.

"We understand what you're saying, but Uncle, the archaeological team took so many good things away. We can't just stand by and watch, can we? Tell me, what noble tombs are around here? Let's make a fortune together."

Yanzi's father lit his old Yabuli pipe again, took a few puffs, and then said, "As for ancient tombs, there are none nearby except for Niuxin Mountain."

However, if you go north from here through Tuanshanzi into the mountains, it's a five-day journey. At Heifengkou on the China-Mongolia border, there is a place called Yerengou (Wild Man Gully).

That area is full of tombs of the Jin dynasty's princes and nobles, but it's a remote place where savages are said to roam. Do you two dare to go there?

The two had heard of the name Yerengou before, but they didn't know there was an ancient tomb there. As for the dangers in the deep mountains and forests, there were far too many.

"Dare! What's there to be afraid of!"

Hu Bayi and Fatty Wang were determined to leave, and even Yanzi's father couldn't stop them, so he stopped trying and just kept telling them to be careful...

The two went to prepare their tools, planning to set off the next day, but they were caught red-handed by Ning Chen as soon as they stepped out the door. Fatty Wang shrank back, looking a little scared.

Hu Bayi looked at Ning Chen and said seriously, "Chief, we're planning to go hunting tomorrow. Do you want to come?"

"Hunting? Wild animals can't be eaten!"

Ning Chen still can't figure out why that idiot wanted to eat bats, forcing him to stay home and play King of Glory to climb the ranks.

"It's better that you're not going, Chief. The mountains are too dangerous, there are plenty of tigers, leopards, wolves and jackals... By the way, Chief, do you have any instructions for coming here?" Hu Bayi asked, rubbing his hands together.

Ning Chen said calmly, "That's how it is. The archaeological research work at Niuxin Mountain has basically been finalized, and I don't need to personally direct it anymore."

But recently I heard from the old Party Secretary that there's a place called Wild Man Gully near Black Wind Pass, which used to be the burial ground of a noble family from the Jin Dynasty. This is a very important clue for us archaeologists, and we absolutely have to go check it out... Hey, why do you two look a little pale?"

"Ah, my kidneys... oh no, my stomach hurts..."

"Young people must exercise restraint. I'm here to inform you to prepare. Tomorrow, the three of us will go to Yeren Valley for an investigation."

Ning Chen smiled and said to the two of them.

Fatty Wang cried, "Chief, please spare me! We were forced to dig dirt on our very first day here. We finally managed to get a day off, and now we have to go back to work..."

"Then let's give a subsidy of one hundred yuan per day."

Hu Bayi's lips twitched. This was ridiculous. How many times had this happened? It was too much of a rip-off. Did they really think they could get away with a hundred yuan?

"Chief, where did you say we were going again, Savage Valley? How could someone of your status go to such a dangerous place?"

"But don't worry, your safety is in our hands. We'll make sure you have a comfortable inspection!" Fatty Wang said, changing the subject.

Hu Bayi: "..."

Hu Bayi grabbed Fatty Wang and pulled him aside, saying, "Fatty, are you fucking obsessed with money? You think you can get rid of us with just a hundred yuan?"

Fatty Wang smiled mysteriously: "I'm not stupid, Lao Hu. Didn't you hear what Yanzi's father said? Yerengou is in Heifengkou, on the China-Mongolia border!"

It would take more than ten days to go back and forth, and he doesn't understand. If we trick him into going back and forth for another ten days, it would take a month or two!

We can earn over six thousand yuan then, isn't that easier than tomb raiding? Learn from me, I'm a businessman too!

For some reason, when Hu Bayi heard what Fatty Wang said, he thought it made perfect sense. "A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence"—that seemed to be true, huh?

"Yes, Director Ning, I'll follow your instructions!"

Although the two were whispering, Ning Chen was no ordinary person. He had mastered Chen Yulou's unique skill of identifying dragons by listening to mountains, so he heard everything they were saying.

"Those two idiots are just unbelievable..."

Ning Chen shook his head: "I'm not a professional, so I'll leave the preparations to you guys. Also, we need a local guide, preferably a hunter. The salary will be the same as yours. Remember to find one later."

When Yanzi's father overheard Ning Chen casually mention that it would cost a lot of money, he thought to himself, "Hu Bayi is right, city people are stupid and have too much money."

However, Yanzi's father was genuinely good to Hu Bayi and Wang Pangzi, even allowing them to bring along all the mastiffs they kept in the village.

The so-called mastiffs are not ordinary domestic dogs; they are top-quality hunting dogs bred using methods similar to those used in the breeding of poisonous insects.

First, you need a female dog with excellent bloodline, who gives birth to nine puppies at the same time. Then, you lock them in a dugout without food or water.

They were made to fight each other, and the only one that survived was a mastiff. Because of the special breeding method, this mastiff is extremely fierce by nature.

Finally, Yanzi's father recommended Yingzi as a guide. Although Yingzi was only nineteen, she was a rare Oroqen hunter.

Although Yanzi's father was somewhat envious of the 100 yuan daily wage Ning Chen mentioned, Yingzi's skills were indeed top-notch, and she was a sharpshooter!

Therefore, it cannot be considered embezzlement.

In reality, although Ning Chen doesn't need anyone to protect him, what's the point of those three grown men going out to hunt in the wild?

Teamwork makes the work easier...

Bringing a young, beautiful, and capable girl along on a mountain trip would make it less boring, right?

Before setting off, Hu Bayi asked Yanzi to prepare a birdcage, glutinous rice, black donkey hooves, a crowbar, and a large bucket of vinegar.

Ning Chen looked at him and thought to himself: He's very professional...

P.S.: Please add to your favorites and recommend!

(End of this chapter)