novelraw Chapter 291 - 283: Underground City Plan 3
Chapter 291 - 283: Underground City Plan 3
For the common folk, perhaps the Han Family is out of reach, but to Cheng Xiaoxiao, everyone is just two eyes, one nose, and one mouth, no different from each other.
What princes and aristocrats, aristocratic families; they all rely on their ancestral foundations. If a family wants to last long and prosper, it must produce excellent leaders at least every other generation; otherwise, it’ll decline within three generations.
Take the current Han Family, a second-tier aristocratic family a century ago. Why is it now struggling to even maintain a third-tier position? It’s because Han Xifeng’s father and grandfather were mediocre and couldn’t carry forward the family business. Instead, they squandered whatever foundation was left, leaving only an empty shell and a mess for Han Xifeng.
Speaking of which, Han Xifeng is an arrogant person, but not blindly so. At crucial moments, he seems able to pinpoint the exact spot and turn danger into safety.
Externally, he’s a somewhat capable and strategic head of the family. Internally, though, he’s hampered by so much internal strife that his five-point advantage is reduced to just three.
In modern business terms, it’s like being surrounded by too many clingy relatives who occupy most resources and positions, achieving nothing while lining their own pockets. With such parasites, even the mightiest tree would eventually be gnawed away.
You can’t just replace someone, because as soon as you mention it, you’ll have aunts and cousins giving grief and lectures.
This is likely the case with Han Xifeng. The elders in the clan are of special status, highly positioned, and each one is eloquent enough to leave you speechless.
They have experienced this countless times while fleeing, to the point where it’s commonplace. Each time, when the Han Family wants to vent but can’t, Cheng Xiaoxiao hears about it as a joke from the system. But of course, that’s their family issue. She just grins it off.
If Han Xifeng weren’t so arrogant and proud, if he could let go of his prejudices, he might actually become a decent talent with some nurturing.
Often, choices are made in a single thought, as are good and evil, depending on how the person chooses.
Of course, admiration aside, disapproval remains disapproval. Especially with so many dragging them down, if she weren’t really short of hands, she wouldn’t consider them.
"Since the Han Family Master has no objections, let’s continue discussing the underground city construction.
I’ve already figured out the solutions to everyone’s concerns and worries. We’ll first build the residential area while the rest can follow gradually.
If it’s just the residential construction, with our current manpower, we can complete it within a month. As for excavation tools and such, I’ll prepare them for everyone, so there’s no need to worry.
We also have a temporal advantage. From my observations, the temperature in the mountains is much higher than outside, and it gets even warmer the deeper we go. So if we build the underground city in the inner mountains, we’ll still have time."
"Building the underground city in the inner mountains might be unwise. I’ve heard there are swarms of large beasts in the inner parts, and if we encroach on their territory, we’ll be attacked and driven out," Niu Lizheng expressed his concern.
"Haha, large beasts? There must be a lot of meat on them. We are lacking meat right now. I hope they come!" Cheng Beiniu laughed heartily. With so many people on their side, any beast would be caught easily.
Niu Lizheng was taken aback and then realized he was being narrow-minded. He’s farmed his whole life and occasionally needed to go to the mountains to chop wood or find wild vegetables or herbs, always fearing a run-in with big beasts. He recalls a time when a villager led a beast down the mountain, causing havoc to homes and poultry. Villagers were scared witless, and for two or three years, no one dared to go up the mountain.
But now it’s different. Many in the 132th Regiment are skilled in martial arts, and Yang Fan’s team is large. There’s no need to fear any beasts.
"Sorry, I was mistaken."
"No worries, Brother Niu. You should just hope and pray for wild animals in the deep mountains so we can feast, haha!" Cheng Beiniu felt his hands itching and stomach empty; he craved meat.
Niu Lizheng, originally named Niu Qinghe, is 45 years old, not too old. Since they’re soon to be in the same team, Cheng Beiniu jokingly calls him Brother.
"Cheng Xunwei, you’re too kind. How could I possibly deserve to be called Brother by you?" Niu Qinghe dared not see him as a junior, as he’s the Patrol Team Captain, highly skilled in martial arts, and well-respected in the 132th Regiment.
"No need for formalities, Brother Niu. Soon we’ll be working under the same leader, so we’re all the same. We don’t do hierarchies and distinctions here. It’s all about ability; whoever earns more work points and contribution points deserves respect."
Cheng Beiniu’s light-hearted words were like a thorn in Han Xifeng’s heart, making him extremely uncomfortable, yet unable to react.
Niu Qinghe, aware of this, had no hesitation in joining the 132th Regiment.
"Hmm, I’ll lead the squad and strive to be part of Mr. Cheng’s team as soon as possible."
Everyone in the 132th Regiment affectionately calls Cheng Xiaoxiao "Captain," while outsiders respectfully call her "Commander Cheng." It somehow became a tacit form of address.
"Hey, hey, you guys, enough! We’re all still in the evaluation period, each showcasing our own talents. Maybe we’ll join the team first." Lu Jingtian nudged his sidekick Fang Zheng, "Right, brother?"
"Sister Xiao is about to discuss serious matters. It’s not time for jokes." Fang Zheng glared at his friend, then looked at Cheng Xiaoxiao, "We need to determine the location first, then start digging tunnels, right?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao nodded.
"Some time ago, a mineral mountain was discovered in Dingzhou, and local tycoons greedily mined it. It wasn’t long before the tunnel collapsed, burying many workers. If we dig hastily without talent in this area, the risk would be tremendous."
Brother Fang is right; an unexamined mountain is indeed risky to dig into, but we have skilled craftsmen in this area. Such a minor issue isn’t one at all."
Fang Zheng was surprised; he didn’t expect the 132th Regiment to have such talent. It’s hard not to be amazed.
"We’ll set off early tomorrow to find a suitable location. Also, Uncle Genzi, you’ll have to get busy."
Saying this, she smiled at the troubled Cheng Genzi. She had already handed him the drawings, giving a three-day deadline.
"Xiao, such a tough task, can you extend it a few more days?" The satisfaction of making skis and sleds vanished; the elevator platform seemed far too challenging.
"It’s out of our hands. We’re racing against time and must work tirelessly. Don’t worry, if there’s anything unclear, feel free to discuss it with me."
"I’ll do my best," Cheng Genzi said with little confidence.
"Additionally, the logistics must keep up. The Life Department needs to expedite making dry rations. Workers need hearty meals to have the energy to work and ensure the progress of the underground engineering."