CHAPTER 120: CHAPTER 120: A GOOD HOME IN HARSH LANDS

Daxia occupies less than one-fifth of the land in the world, with a total of four counties and thirty-seven cities.

The capital is named Qianyang, located within Neishi County.

Neishi County, as the core heartland of Daxia, has six cities, and the appointments of the city guards are made by imperial decree.

The place Old Yuan chose this time, to be precise, is not outside Qianyang City, but one of the six cities in Neishi County, Yunyang.

Of the six cities in Neishi County, if any city has the worst environment, it would undoubtedly be Yunyang.

After Yuan Yindi gave a detailed analysis of the six cities’ characteristics to her father, Old Yuan still chose Yunyang, the worst environment, as their residence.

In Old Yuan’s words, it’s called "harsh environment is good for settlement."

"My grandfather is indeed a wise man!"

Yuan Bao was truly shocked when he heard his grandfather say, "harsh environment is good for settlement."

In Yuan Bao’s knowledge of history, there was such a wise person, Sun Shuao.

As the Prime Minister who assisted Prince Chu, one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period, Sun Shuao died young, and before his death, he particularly advised his son not to accept Prince Chu’s generous rewards but instead pointed out a not-so-good territory for his son as a fief, which eventually became the land held by the Sun Family for generations.

His grandfather’s notion has quite a similar essence to that of this ancient sage.

Where the capital is located, with good mountains and waters, many people surely compete for it.

For their family, without background or wealth, the most suitable way of survival under the feet of the Son of Heaven is to be cautious and prudent, to keep a low profile.

The land of Yunyang is just right for their family.

Although settling in this harsh environment will initially be quite arduous.

But then, isn’t there me?

Yuan Bao has already conducted experiments and indeed can bring good fortune to his family.

So, starting with a harsh environment is also quite good.

...

As the New Year approached, the Yuan Family finally reached the vicinity of Yunyang City.

With a letter obtained from Wei Shifeng through Yuan Wangdi and Yuan Laidi, the Yuan Family successfully settled in Beishan Village, outside Yunyang City.

Beishan Village, backed by rolling mountains, has a stream two steps wide gently passing in front of the village.

The villagers rely on the mountains for sustenance.

The fields are mountainous terrain, primarily growing millet, wheat, and beans.

Millet, which is also called yellow rice, comes in large and small grains and is quite palatable.

Wheat has a somewhat inferior taste, generally more for brewing wine. Of course, in ordinary family homes, this is also just food.

Wheat can be milled into flour for making bread. But in ordinary family homes, it’s only on holidays that they indulge themselves with a bit of fine bread, most of the time, the wheat bran is mixed in meals.

Beans refer to various types of pulses.

Of course, the vast mountains offer various wild game, but the premise is having the skills to hunt.

Unfortunately, Yuan Zhaodi and Yuan Yindi lack such skills.

Yuan Pandi can, but going into the mountains alone is too dangerous.

If Yuan Wangdi and Yuan Laidi were home, these two brothers are quite adept at hunting.

"Dad, is this really a good place to settle?"

Earlier Yuan Yindi thought his father had foresight, but after learning about the specific conditions here, he felt that their family’s future life might be tough.

"Not good to settle?"

Old Yuan rolled his eyes at his son, "The houses are already built, and the grain is quite cheap too!"

"What else could you possibly be dissatisfied with?"