#16 - Chapter 16 Harvest
Both brothers were skilled swimmers, but they didn't immediately jump into the water upon seeing the large snake. Instead, they cautiously navigated the surface.
They carefully maintained the calmness of the water, trying their best not to create too much disturbance.
Thankfully, the snake was so large that the occasional pieces of soil and rock falling into the water revealed its direction.
Fortunately, the snake was heading in the direction they had come from.
Cheng Feng and his brother felt a weight lifted from their hearts.
They quickly packed up their belongings and hurried back towards Liu Family Village.
Having been frightened inside and out, their physical strength was severely depleted, and Cheng Feng was also carrying a bag of silver and a knife that couldn't be exposed.
The two brothers had no choice but to find a secluded corner away from the main path to huddle in.
While resting, Cheng Feng and his brother examined the contents of the backpack.
The knife was a good one; even after being soaked in water for so long, the blade still had a sharp glint.
The dazzling white silver made the brothers' eyes light up.
Cheng Feng estimated there were over one hundred and fifty taels.
There was also a wooden box with an exceptionally carved exterior.
Cheng Feng carefully put away the silver and picked up the box separately.
With the opening facing away, he used a stick to pry open the box from the back.
There were no poison needles or small mechanisms that triggered.
Seeing his second brother's cautious approach, Lao San secretly pondered.
Cheng Feng reminded him: "It's always wise to be cautious, especially when dealing with unfamiliar things. We can never be too careful."
Cheng Feng frankly said: "If we die because of carelessness, there will be no time to regret it. Being careful is just to protect ourselves from unexpected disasters."
Seeing Lao San's somewhat understanding gaze, Cheng Feng didn't further reinforce the idea of self-preservation.
Instead, he said: "Lao San, we risked our lives to get this back, so we absolutely can't mention it to outsiders, not even to Mom and Dad, understand?"
"Ah? Not even to Mom and Dad?" The honest Lao San asked, confused.
Cheng Feng could only threaten him: "If Mom and Dad knew how dangerous this trip was, you'd definitely get a severe beating to teach you a lesson. If you argue back, you might get beaten even harder. But as long as we don't say anything, if you don't say anything and I don't say anything, we can avoid a beating."
The poor, honest Lao San was thus lured onto his second brother's devious path.
Lao San was only 14 years old!
Cheng Feng had already made a plan in his mind. Lao San was the most suitable for learning martial arts.
For no other reason than his young age, which made him easier to train.
Cheng Feng's future plan was for all three of his brothers to learn martial arts.
Ideally, his parents could also learn a few moves.
But there definitely had to be an order to it.
Cheng Feng would be first because of the panel, and Cheng Lei would be second because of his young age.
This one hundred and fifty taels of silver would be enough for the two of them.
After that, they would see if there were any other channels to earn money.
He was about to come of age.
If he didn't change his identity, he might face the fate of farming or fishing for a living.
In a word, without money, nothing could be done.
But now, the hope was in his hands.
After waiting for a while, the wooden box still didn't show any signs of movement.
Cheng Feng used the stick to turn the box over.
Inside was just a book.
The inside of the box was also lined with cowhide as a liner, and the waterproofing was quite good.
At least the book didn't show any signs of being soaked.
Cheng Feng touched the book, and it wasn't made of ordinary paper either.
It felt like silk and leather.
Cheng Feng knew he had found a treasure.
What else could be treated this way but a treasure?
Looking at the words on it, Cheng Feng was filled with regret.
He couldn't recognize a single character!
He should have learned to read earlier!
He had a mountain of treasure but had to return empty-handed.
Fortunately, there were drawings of little people in the book, and Cheng Feng could only deduce that it should be a martial arts manual related to swordsmanship.
But Cheng Feng was struggling with whether he should learn to read first or learn martial arts first.
Cheng Lei wasn't in a hurry; he could wait another two years.
They found a hidden place to bury the silver and the book, marking the spot.
Cheng Feng's heart finally felt at ease.
This time, everything should be settled.
We all have a bright future ahead!
He instructed: "Lao San, remember, you can't talk about what happened, understand?"
Lao San nodded: "Don't worry, Second Brother."
Indeed, in the half year since Cheng Feng had come to this world, Lao San's performance had been remarkable.
He was obedient and had listened to everything Cheng Feng had said, and he had handled things without any mistakes.
He was resolute. When Cheng Feng was learning archery, the family relied solely on Lao San to fish.
At first, the Cheng family was a little worried.
Later, seeing Lao San do it for three days, Cheng Feng simply let go.
This also allowed Lao San to gradually mature.
There was no other way; the family really couldn't spare anyone else.
But to increase income, they still had to rely on the secret recipe for fish bait, and fishing was the most reliable way.
Cheng Feng even told Lao San small tricks like warming up his body before entering the water.
Trying to prevent anything from happening.
Fortunately, Lao San lived up to expectations, and the family basically never ran out of big and small fish.
As long as they had saved up three fish that could be sold, the eldest brother or Cheng's father would go to town the next morning.
It was still three big coins, which was not a small amount.
These bits and pieces had also accumulated a lot of family wealth.
At least Father Cheng was indeed planning to find a wife for the eldest son by the end of the year.
The Cheng family's days were full of hope, all thanks to the second son's efforts.
The family was also very clear about this.
So Lao San trusted his second brother very much.
He might not have a very accurate concept of money right now, but Cheng Feng didn't intend to disappoint Lao San, and everything was clear and transparent.
In case he said something like a white-eyed wolf: "That silver you got before, I have a share in it too."
Wouldn't Cheng Feng be completely screwed?
Although they had been together for so long and knew that Lao San wouldn't say that, Cheng Feng still wanted to handle things as well as possible so that there wouldn't be any hidden dangers in the future.
In the early stages, everyone would go through it together, clearly and transparently.
The main thing was trust.
What to do with the things in the future, Cheng Feng felt it was too early to say now.
But Lao San's martial arts training must be arranged.
After burying the things, Cheng Feng was still preparing to instruct Lao San, but Lao San took the initiative to comfort him: "Second Brother, don't worry, our family's improvement is all because of you. You can arrange how to spend the money. What are we brothers talking about?"
Cheng Feng was stunned, not expecting to be touched by Lao San's heart and jokingly said: "Aren't you just afraid you won't be able to marry a wife in the future?"
A joyful atmosphere filled the air between the two brothers.
After returning home, the two brothers acted as if nothing had happened.
Continuing their previous lives.
But they both knew that things were different.
Completely and utterly different.
It was a kind of confident demeanor and spirit.
Sure enough, how can you see a rainbow without experiencing wind and rain?
This ups and downs were indeed too exciting.
Cheng Feng reviewed the situation and felt that he should bring Lao San less often in the future, at least he should wait until he was older and had more means of self-protection.
In the early stages, risking his life was understandable.
In the later stages, life was the most precious thing.
As long as the green hills remain, there is no fear of running out of firewood.
It seems that this idea must also be instilled in Lao San in the future.
So that he can keep up with his second brother's level of thinking at any time.
As for the eldest brother, Cheng Feng's main position was that the eldest brother should accompany his parents and protect them.
After all, the eldest son had come of age and was a huge labor force, how could he not make good use of him?
But Cheng Feng also knew that the eldest brother, Cheng Shu, was too honest.
He was truly the kind of honest child.
This was also good. Later, when he and Lao San had made something of themselves, the eldest brother would definitely have a share.
