Chapter 700 - Finding a Mine
With Zhu Junyang's special ability, he naturally could tell that there was something bothering his second brother for all this time, causing the rift between them. In the past, he didn't wish to investigate further. Perhaps they now had the opportunity to repair these misunderstandings.
Zhu Junxi patted his shoulder and grinned, "After arriving in the army, I've encountered more people from all walks of life and my views of the world have gradually broadened. From that, I've become more understanding. Now, you have your own career and family and I have my own direction to work hard at. If I still act like a child, striving for the favoritism and love of our parents, wouldn't that be silly?"
"Second Brother, as parents, it's hard not to spend more time and attention on the weaker and more troublesome child. In actuality, I have always envied you and Eldest Brother the most. If I had the choice, I would rather be like all of the other children and have a carefree and happy childhood. I'd be able to act spoiled and willful in front of our parents." Zhu Junyang looked at the young lady who was smiling as brightly as the flowers around her. His eyes gentled considerably--Thank the Heavens for allowing him to meet the only hope he had in this lifetime.
Zhu Junxi also looked in the same direction as his younger brother and saw two young ladies, laughing loudly. His lips curved up into a smile as he said, "Let's go! I know where the wild pigs here like to hide. Your archery skills are good, so let's bring a wild pig back. Didn't Younger Sister-in-law say that she knows how to make meat floss and jerky ah? Without any meat, how can she make any?"
"The two of you sure know how to order people around! My wife and I just arrived here and we're being pushed into hunting wild pigs and making jerky." Although complaints flowed out of his mouth, Zhu Junyang didn't stop walking forward. The two brothers headed deeper within the jungle.
In the mottled darkness of the forest, the sound of Zhu Junxi's laughter could be heard, "What's wrong? Are you feeling bad for your wife? Don't worry ah, we won't have your wife do a thing. General Mu has several female soldiers under her command who are more than capable. Your wife only needs to flap her lips and it'll get done."
By the time Han Xiaomu finished eating half a box of meat floss and devoured the few remaining dried apricots that Xiaocao had left, the two brothers came back carrying a large wild pig that weighed around three hundred to four hundred catties. For lunch, the meat from the wild pig had been divided up. Half of it had gone to add on a dish to the high ranking soldiers and Zhu Junxi's personal aides. The rest had been allocated for preservation. A large portion was going to be used to make jerky while a smaller portion was going to be made into meat floss.
The next morning, Xiaocao followed up on her promise and used some simple tools and ingredients to make some meat floss bread and meat floss pastries. The southwest was hot and humid, making it difficult to keep food for long. Han Xiaomu finished devouring these new goodies in the span of two meals. She even begged Xiaocao shamelessly, asking her for the method to create these breads and pastries. She was planning on having one of her female soldiers who was good at cooking learn these recipes. As for herself, she was someone who even needed molds to make acceptable looking cookies, so she knew that she wasn't up to par for this.
Zhu Junyang and his wife rested at the army camp for two days before they left for the border next to Myanmar. Over there, Wisdom Jade Pavilion's Manager Zhang had come to an agreement with one of the princes there and he was able to buy a jadeite mine. The jadeite mined from that spot was quite good. However, the mine was on the smaller side and had been previously used before Wisdom Jade Pavilion bought it. Thus, the supply of jadeite coming out of there was gradually not enough to fulfill the shop's needs in the capital.
