sbdcsierra Chapter 323 He performed a great service
Chapter 323 He performed a great service
“Indeed, otherwise those people might cause some trouble.” Li Xiangyang said after taking a deep breath of fresh air. “You stay here and guard the exit; I’ll go back and bring them out.”
Wang Ergou frowned: "Do you want me to come with you?"
Li Xiangyang patted him on the shoulder: "No, what if the exit disappears again?"
Wang Ergou understood Li Xiangyang's consideration and nodded: "Okay, I'll keep watch here. Be careful."
Li Xiangyang crawled back into the dark cave and, using the light of his flashlight, retraced his steps.
The cave was winding and deep, but fortunately, no strange phenomena occurred.
When he finally returned to the cave entrance, Shen Chengye and the others were pacing anxiously outside.
"They're still here. I thought you guys went back to digging for gold."
Upon seeing this, Li Xiangyang said with some surprise.
Shen Chengye gave him a complicated look: "Is there really a way out over there?"
Li Xiangyang sneered: "If I didn't, why would I have come back?"
The team members exchanged glances, and one of them whispered, "Captain, I think we should go with him."
Shen Chengye didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "What about Wang Ergou?"
“Wait at the exit,” Li Xiangyang said bluntly. “I’ve told him to guard it, in case the exit disappears again.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Shen Chengye's eyes, but he quickly masked it: "Alright, then we'll go with you."
Li Xiangyang turned and led the way, with Shen Chengye and the other team members following closely behind.
The group entered the cave again, where only a few beams of flashlight light flickered in the pitch-black passage.
Along the way, someone muttered a complaint: "This place is really eerie. Luckily, we're not completely destitute. If we just wait patiently for ten years, ten years later..."
Shen Chengye said sternly, "Shut up! Keep this to yourself. Once we're out of this cave, anyone who leaks this information will face the consequences."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Li Xiangyang remained silent, but quickened his pace.
Finally, a glimmer of light appeared ahead, and the end of the cave was in sight.
Wang Ergou breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Li Xiangyang and Shen Chengye's group emerge intact.
"We're out! We're really out!" a team member shouted in surprise, rushing out of the cave and basking in the sunlight.
The others followed closely behind, all showing expressions of relief at having survived a close call.
Only Shen Chengye stood at the cave entrance, looking at the distant mountains and forests with a complicated expression.
"What's wrong?" Li Xiangyang asked.
Shen Chengye shook his head: "It's nothing, I just feel it's a pity. Are you really planning to report this kind of place? If you don't speak up, and we don't speak up, no one can get in. Even if they do, they'll be trapped. Such a huge gold mine, are you really not going to reconsider..."
Li Xiangyang gave him a meaningful look: "It's good enough that you came out alive. Greed knows no bounds."
Seeing his determination, Shen Chengye stopped talking, his face full of anger at his lack of ambition, but there was nothing else he could do.
The valley was picturesque, and everyone except Shen Chengye was in high spirits.
“We need to determine our location,” Li Xiangyang said, taking out a compass and letting out a sigh of relief. “The compass is working normally now; it seems we’re no longer affected by the magnetic field.”
Shen Chengye walked over and glanced at the compass: "Which way?"
Li Xiangyang observed the sun's position and the surrounding terrain, and made a judgment: "If we head northeast, we should be able to find Forest Farm No. 16."
And so, the group began their long journey home.
The mountain road was rugged and the journey was not easy.
On several occasions, they had to take a detour because the mountains ahead were too steep.
As dusk fell and darkness descended, the group had no choice but to set up camp in a relatively flat area.
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou sat together by the campfire, talking quietly.
"Really report it? I think Shen Chengye is right, if we don't say anything..."
Wang Ergou asked in a low voice, glancing at Shen Chengye not far away.
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "It must be reported. There are no secrets in this world. Indeed, if it's not reported, perhaps no one will find out in the short term, but in the long run, as soon as one person reveals their wealth..."
In the dead of night, everyone except the person on night watch was asleep.
Despite knowing that Li Xiangyang's analysis made sense, Wang Ergou still felt heartbroken whenever he thought about it and couldn't sleep all night.
This is still considered to have benefited. If one were to enter a treasure mountain and arrive empty-handed, one can imagine how great the disappointment would be.
……
The group continued their journey early the next morning.
As they continued forward, the terrain gradually became familiar.
"Xiangyang, look over there, isn't that the mountain we passed on the way here?"
"Finally, I've seen a familiar place," Wang Ergou said excitedly.
Li Xiangyang squinted and looked around: "That's right, we're almost there!"
Everyone's spirits lifted, and their pace quickened involuntarily.
After traveling for about two more hours, the group finally saw Forest Farm No. 16.
In the forest, Zhou Yongnian was anxiously talking to several search and rescue personnel.
Upon seeing Li Xiangyang and his group, Zhou Yongnian froze, staring at them in disbelief: "They're back! That's wonderful! Director Zhao was frantic; he'd already organized three search and rescue teams!"
Li Xiangyang smiled and said, "Sorry, Uncle Zhou, I made you worry. I ran into a little trouble, but I'm back safely."
Zhou Yongnian immediately ordered people to prepare hot water and food for them, and at the same time sent someone to inform Director Zhao.
In the forest farm's conference room, Director Zhao listened to Li Xiangyang's report, his hands trembling with excitement: "You mean there's strong magnetic field interference in Black Mountain?"
Li Xiangyang nodded: "That's right, the magnetic field there is unusually strong, causing compasses to malfunction and making people easily disoriented."
“Most importantly,” Wang Ergou added, “there is a high probability that it contains abundant iron ore resources.”
Director Zhao and Zhou Yongnian exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
"This is a major discovery!" Director Zhao slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "I'll report this to my superiors immediately!"
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou did not mention the gold mine, only saying that they had suspected the discovery of a rich iron ore deposit.
That's already a significant contribution; as for the gold mine, let them discover it themselves.
"Comrade Li Xiangyang, Comrade Wang Ergou, you have made a great contribution!" Director Zhao said excitedly.
That evening, the forest farm specially hosted a banquet to celebrate their success.
Shen Chengye and his entourage were also invited to attend, but the atmosphere was noticeably awkward.
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhou Yongnian pulled Li Xiangyang aside for a toast: "Good lad, I knew I hadn't misjudged you! When we get back, I'll immediately apply for a generous bonus for you. With your contributions, it's enough to be reported as a model case. The higher-ups will definitely take it very seriously, and you'll receive a substantial bonus and commendation."
Li Xiangyang smiled and clinked glasses with him: "Uncle Zhou, you're too kind! The credit and such are too insignificant to a small farmer like me. For me, being able to return home safely and live a peaceful life with my wife is more important than anything else."
Zhou Yongnian laughed heartily: "That's right, that's right! The young couple has been separated for so long, it's truly time for them to reunite. I'll arrange a car to take you back first thing tomorrow morning! Don't worry, what's yours will be yours, not a penny less."
While pouring the wine, Zhou Yongnian pulled Li Xiangyang aside.
"Xiangyang, I'd like to take you to the Forestry Bureau, what do you say?"