Chapter 219: Writing a Letter

Shen Yu’an casually handed the deer in her hand to someone nearby. She watched this group of overly enthusiastic people and silently distanced herself by about one meter, saying, “Is Fei Xi here? I need to talk to him.”

“Yes, yes, Daquan, go and call sir Fei Xi for Miss Shen,” someone replied.

With those words, Shen Yu’an was already ushered into the room where she had stayed the last time she had come with Fei Yanchen.

This room belonged to Fei Yanchen, and because he had left, everything inside had been neatly packed up, making it look a bit empty.

However, even if no one was currently living there, these people dared not enter casually. This was why Shen Yu’an had been led here. The place was quite rudimentary, lacking a proper place to host guests, and that’s why everyone directed her to this room.

Still, not everyone felt comfortable entering. Most of the people remained stationed at the doorway.

As Shen Yu’an had just settled down, a cup of tea was brought over.

It was just plain water, and Shen Yu’an took a sip before placing the large teacup back on the table.

The military officer mistakenly thought that Shen Yu’an couldn’t handle their plain water, and he awkwardly scratched his head, saying, “We’re just a bunch of men here, nothing fancy about what we usually eat or drink…”

Shen Yu’an didn’t mind this, but since the military officer had brought it up, she decided to educate them a bit.

“Cool water quenches thirst, but in the future, it’s better to boil the water and let it cool before drinking it. There are bacteria in untreated water, and drinking it can make you sick.”

Hearing Shen Yu’an’s explanation, the men guarding the doorway looked puzzled and asked, “What are bacteria?”

Shen Yu’an explained, “Bacteria are invisible dirty things. Drinking water with too many of them can give you stomach problems.”

Everyone suddenly had a moment of realization. This Miss Shen was indeed the person their master had taken a liking to, and she knew quite a bit.

It seems that in the future, they’ll have to make sure the water is boiled in advance for the brothers.

As they were discussing, Fei Xi, with his plump body, came running over in a slightly unsteady manner.

“Miss Shen.”

With Fei Xi’s arrival, the others all left. Those who needed to patrol continued patrolling, and those who needed to train continued training.

There were nearly a thousand people here, and the deer that Shen Yu’an had brought, no matter how big it was, wouldn’t be enough for everyone to eat.

Shen Yu’an instructed the local cook to dice the meat and make a soup so that everyone could have a taste.

Fei Xi, with his plump face beaming with joy, asked, “Miss, what brings you here?”

Shen Yu’an inquired, “Apart from delivering messages to the bookstore, is there any other way to get messages to the capital city quickly?”

Fei Xi immediately replied, “Yes, Miss. Do you have something urgent to discuss with the master?”

The mine was located in this mountain range, and although few people ventured there, it couldn’t be considered completely safe.

Shen Yu’an gave it some thought and then took out the piece of iron ore she had found.

“I’ve found an iron ore deposit on this mountain,” Shen Yu’an announced.

“Iron… ore!”

Fei Xi was shocked, his words catching in his throat, and he forcefully subdued his excitement.

If there really was an iron ore deposit, it was a significant matter. Even though these were all their own people, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

“Yes, I want to write a letter to Ah’Chen to discuss this iron ore matter. And please find some trustworthy individuals to stand guard there,” Shen Yu’an added.

Fei Xi asked, “Alright, Miss Shen, do you want to write the letter first, or should we go to the location where you found the iron ore and double-check?”

In reality, he wanted to confirm whether there really was iron ore there. He didn’t want Shen Yu’an to make a mistake.

Shen Yu’an glanced at him, his expression so obvious that she couldn’t pretend not to notice.

“Let’s write the letter first. Bring me some paper and a pen,” she replied.

Fei Xi chuckled in a pleading manner, swiftly moved to the desk, pulled out a chair, and laid out the paper.

With a sweep of his arm, he cleared the dust from the chair and ingratiatingly said, “Miss Shen, you write it, and as soon as you’re done, I’ll deliver it to the master. I guarantee there won’t be a moment’s delay.”

Fei Xi was alert and, as soon as Shen Yu’an sat down, he handed her the brush and began grinding the ink.

Shen Yu’an took the brush and started writing. She had already thought about what to write during the journey.

However, before putting pen to paper, she double-checked, “Is the route for delivering the letter safe? If this letter falls into the wrong hands…”

Fei Xi assured her, “I understand the consequences, and I will personally deliver this letter into the master’s hands.”

Though he might appear less sharp compared to Fei Dong on ordinary days, he wasn’t foolish.

Discovering a mine needed to be reported to the imperial court, and since iron was required for making weapons, any news of private iron ore mining would result in severe punishment, even the extermination of nine generations of a family.

Shen Yu’an nodded and began writing earnestly. She wrote three pages, detailing the discovery of the iron ore, inquiring about plans for these deposits, and seeking his opinion. In the end, she asked about his well-being in the capital.

Fei Yanchen had been gone for over a month, and even if he had slowed down the pace due to injuries, he should have reached his destination by now.

After finishing the letter, Shen Yu’an watched as Fei Xi summoned a large eagle. She placed the letter she had written into a bamboo tube hanging from the eagle’s talons. Fei Xi patted the eagle’s head, and it spread its wings, soaring high into the sky, disappearing from sight.

After sending the letter, Shen Yu’an said, “Now, find a few trustworthy individuals, and I’ll take you to the site.”

She thought for a moment and added, “Have them bring some dry rations and just stand guard there directly.”

Fei Xi instinctively saluted Shen Yu’an and went off to make the arrangements.

Fei Xi was quick when it came to getting things done. In no time, he brought over a dozen people, explaining that they were needed for other tasks.

The others didn’t question and, carrying some dry biscuits and a water container, followed Fei Xi.

They didn’t even take a sip of the deer soup that was cooking.

Shen Yu’an glanced at the shabby bags they carried but quickly averted her gaze.

She led the way, heading in the opposite direction of the camp.

After about an hour and a half of walking, Shen Yu’an finally stopped.

Then, without hesitation, the others followed Shen Yu’an and jumped into the two-meter-deep ditch.

Shen Yu’an removed the cover from the hole and let Fei Xi crawl in to take a look.

Thankfully, the entrance to the hole was large enough for Fei Xi’s rotund body to fit through.

Shen Yu’an had chipped off some fragments of iron ore while digging the hole. Felix picked up two pieces and, along with the others who had followed him inside, all widened their eyes in astonishment.