After Ye Lanfeng and Jin Yuguang left, Mu Cheng returned to the hall and voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind all along.
"Brother Han Yan, why are you so generous? Aside from their regular pay, you even gave them an extra twenty percent bonus. I just inquired, and the Yuan Family used to pay them a monthly salary of ten thousand taels of silver." After taking a sip of tea served by the maid, Mu Cheng asked Mu Hanyan in wonder.
For ordinary guards, a monthly salary of ten thousand taels was already exorbitant. Yet these swordsmen were not weak, and even the Yuan Family, known for its ruthlessness, dared not pay them too little.
But it was precisely for this reason that the Yuan Family’s mine struggled, nearly to the point of being unsustainable.
Was Mu Hanyan not worried about the consequences of his generosity? Could it be that the old habits of a prodigal son, frivolous and overly generous, were resurfacing because he had more money than he knew what to do with?
"If I did not offer such attractive terms, how could I keep them here?" Mu Hanyan said indifferently.
"Why keep them here?" Mu Cheng was even more puzzled.
"You’re not unaware of the wolfish ambitions the Zhao and Zhou Families and other clans have towards our Mu Family, are you? Sooner or later, they will make a move against us. Yuan Tianbo might be a bit foolish, but he wasn’t wrong in one regard — a common man is not at fault for possession of a precious stone, but it becomes his crime. Do you think they will idly watch us take over such a Meteorite Gold Mine? Updates are released by noⅴelfire.net
"The moment Yuan Tianbo lets the news slip out, who knows how many people would come to cause trouble, both overtly and covertly.
"These individuals are quite capable. If I link their fates to the mine’s, they will loyally stay at the mine. Anyone daring to cause trouble in Little Pond City will be severing their last hope – wouldn’t they fight desperately?" Mu Hanyan said with a slight smile, full of confidence, and spoke in a grave tone. As for these concerns, she didn’t hide them from those present. There was no need to mention Wu Qiuyun and Yan Yuchu; they were absolutely trustworthy.
Mu Hanyan has always harbored worries about the Zhao and Zhou Families and other clans, not sure if they would act preemptively. This Meteorite Gold Mine was crucial to the Mu Family’s future – not a single mistake could be afforded. Retaining those individuals was, in fact, secondary; the primary goal was to ensure the mine’s security.
"So that’s the reason." It suddenly dawned on Mu Cheng, who had to admit he had not thought that far ahead.
Wu Qiuyun also looked at Mu Hanyan with admiration. He had guessed some of Mu Hanyan’s intentions, but knowing that he had been predetermined to be the Young Master seven years ago, had started to get involved in the family business, and had even neglected his cultivation because of that, it was not strange for him to think of these things. However, Mu Hanyan, a so-called playboy and a master at the Great Swordsman Level, could think so far ahead instead of solely focusing on cultivation – this took him by surprise.
"But in doing this, our expenses will be way too high. Considering that the Meteorite Gold Mine is not only difficult to mine but also extremely challenging to refine, we might end up spending more than we earn," Mu Cheng shared his concern after some thought.
"That is indeed a problem," Mu Hanyan admitted, resting her chin on her hand, looking resigned.
While retaining those swordsmen meant that the Meteorite Gold Mine’s security was nothing to worry about, if they continued to refine and identify ores like the Yuan Family did in the past, the Alchemy Liquid’s expenditures were also enormous. Even if the mine was profitable, it would still be considered inessential, useful and yet burdensome. Worse, mismanagement could potentially bankrupt the Mu Family.
"Hey, why is it acting up again? It works one moment and doesn’t the next – what’s going on here?" Just then, Ling Baobao’s voice could be heard.
There he was, squatting in a corner with a pile of raw stones in front of him, continuously making hand gestures. However, the Light Pattern Flames in his hands flickered inconsistently, no longer able to refine Meteorite Gold Ore as smoothly as before.
"How could I have forgotten this guy - now there’s a way." Mu Hanyan slapped her forehead, her mind suddenly enlightened.