31: Layout of Yu River Valley

Wu Guohua nodded, looking at the distant mountains. There, a red sun was rising, casting golden rays across the land.

After eradicating the Black Wind Stronghold bandits, the Wu Family reaped huge rewards, obtaining around six thousand taels of silver, as well as an eighth-grade Secret Manual and a seventh-grade Secret Manual.

Not only that, but on the way to Black Wind Stronghold, Wu Guohua also discovered a hidden valley, Taro River Valley, through which a small stream formed by a mountain spring flowed, and fertile land could be cultivated on both sides.

"Grandfather, our Wu Family's strength is still not prominent, but we must plan for a retreat early. In case of an unforeseen event, we need a hiding place.

Currently, I have two plans: one is to train villagers, using purple potatoes to cultivate a group of martial artists who will serve us in the future.

Secondly, I want to cultivate some land in Taro River Valley to plant some high-value medicinal herbs and secretly prepare a hidden cave."

Wu Guohua found Grandfather Wu Jiulong and told him his ideas, believing that his Grandfather would understand his thoughts and plan for the Family's long-term future.

"Guohua, it's hard for you to think so far ahead; you're much stronger than your three fathers. Go ahead and do whatever you want; the whole Family is your backing. I'll make time to visit Taro River Valley another day," Grandfather said, nodding while smoking.

The morning mist, like gauze, enveloped the mountains behind Wu Family Village. Wu Guohua, carrying a bamboo basket and holding a firewood knife, walked alone on the rugged mountain path.

The dew had dampened his trouser legs, and the chill seeped through his straw sandals into the soles of his feet, but he was oblivious, concentrating on finding the hidden path he had discovered a few days ago.

Turning past a steep cliff, his vision suddenly opened up—a tranquil valley surrounded by mountains appeared before his eyes.

A clear stream gurgled through the valley, and on both banks were flat, fertile alluvial lands. The morning light filtered through the thin mist onto the water, creating shimmering ripples, like scattered silver.

"This is it," Wu Guohua murmured to himself, naming the place "Taro River Valley." He put down his bamboo basket, took out the tools he had prepared, and began to measure the land.

The east bank of the stream was higher, suitable for developing into a medicinal field; the west bank was wetter, suitable for planting Spiritual Rice; and deep in the valley bottom, there was a natural rock cave that, with a little modification, could serve as a storage room or even a refuge.

"Two years... should be enough," Wu Guohua calculated, as the wooden stakes in his hand were hammered one by one into the soil, marking out the future furrows.

When the sun was high, Grandfather Wu Jiulong appeared at the valley entrance, leaning on his pipe. The old man narrowed his eyes, surveying this hidden valley, and a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"A good place," Grandfather exhaled a puff of smoke, "It's only twenty li from the village, but it's hidden enough."

Wu Guohua quickly went to meet him: "Grandfather, what do you think of my plan..."

He explained the development plan for Taro River Valley in detail: planting valuable medicinal herbs like ginseng and Solomon's Seal on the east bank; trial planting Spiritual Rice and spiritual wheat on the west bank; and converting the rock cave at the bottom of the valley into a storage room and emergency shelter.

Most importantly, this would serve as the Wu Family's secret base, known only to core Family members.

"You think very far ahead," Grandfather tapped his pipe on a stone, "But... relying only on our own people, I'm afraid we won't be able to handle it."

Wu Guohua was already prepared: "I plan to select a few reliable young people from the village, train them into martial artists using purple potatoes, both to strengthen the village's defense and for our own use."

Grandfather pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you trust that boy from Widow Zhang's Family?"

Wu Guohua was startled, then remembered the scrawny boy named Tie Zhu. When Zhao Zhilin was pressing for debt, Widow Zhang had wanted to sell him, but the Wu Family had helped.

Later, Tie Zhu often came to the Wu Family to help; although he was only twelve, he was diligent and sensible.

"Tie Zhu... we can try," Wu Guohua nodded, "And also the second son of the Li Family in the east of the village; he's also an honest person."

"I'll handle this," Grandfather decided, "You focus on managing this Taro River Valley."

In the following days, the Wu Family outwardly carried on as usual, but secretly, they acted separately.

Grandfather, under the guise of a "village protection team," selected twenty half-grown boys aged eight to twelve, feeding them purple potatoes daily and teaching them basic boxing techniques.

These farm children had never eaten their fill before, but now they could not only eat their fill but also practice martial arts, and each of them was grateful and utterly devoted to the Wu Family.

Wu Guohua, on the other hand, went to Taro River Valley alone every morning to reclaim wasteland and repair the rock cave. To avoid attracting attention, he dared not use animal power, relying entirely on his own hands and simple farm tools.

But how could the physique of an eighth-grade martial artist be ordinary? With one hoe stroke, the hard mountain soil turned over like tofu; a hundred-jin heavy stone could be lifted with one hand.

Day after day, Taro River Valley gradually took shape.

The five mu of medicinal fields on the east bank were already taking initial form, and Wu Guohua carefully planted valuable medicinal herbs such as ginseng, Solomon's Seal, and Gastrodia elata, which he had transplanted from his home.

These medicinal herbs thrived under the nourishment of the medicinal field, and some even began to show characteristics of spiritual plants.

In the three mu of paddy fields on the west bank, the Spiritual Rice seedlings were lush green, gently swaying in the breeze.

What pleased him most was the rock cave at the bottom of the valley. After renovation, the cave was dry and ventilated, divided into two rooms, front and back.

The front room stored farm tools and grain, while the back room was arranged as a simple dwelling, complete with a stone bed and stone table. The cave entrance was cleverly concealed with vines, making it difficult for outsiders to discover even if they approached closely.

On this day, Wu Guohua had just returned from Taro River Valley when he saw Tie Zhu and the Li Family's second son running over, panting.

"Brother... Brother Wu!" Tie Zhu gasped, "The village... someone's here!"

Wu Guohua frowned: "Who's here?"

"The County... County Magistrate!" the Li Family's second son added, "He also brought soldiers and said he wants to see you!"

Wu Guohua's heart tightened. The County Magistrate's sudden visit, could it be that news leaked from the Liu Family?

Not long after, outside the Wu Family courtyard gate, a sedan chair indeed arrived, and more than a dozen soldiers stood holding swords.

The villagers watched from afar, discussing animatedly. Wu Guohua straightened his clothes and followed behind his Grandfather and father to greet them.

Inside the main hall, County Magistrate Zhao Mingde and Grandfather sat opposite each other, drinking tea.

"Your Excellency has graced our humble abode; we are sorry for not coming out to meet you sooner," Wu Guohua stepped forward and bowed respectfully, but inwardly he was vigilant.

The County Magistrate stroked his beard with a smile: "This official has come here, firstly, to commend your merit in eradicating Black Wind Stronghold; secondly..." He lowered his voice, "His Excellency Commander Wang Zhiwu is very interested in the purple potatoes you grow."

So that's it! Wu Guohua's hanging heart relaxed considerably. It wasn't the Liu Family seeking revenge, but the potatoes that had attracted attention.

"Your Excellency flatters us," Grandfather said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "They are merely some coarse country grains, not worth mentioning."

"Ah, Elder Wu, you are too modest," the County Magistrate waved his hand, "His Excellency Commander tasted dishes made from your potatoes and praised them highly. He specifically ordered this official to... discuss long-term procurement."

Wu Guohua and Grandfather exchanged a glance. This was both an opportunity and a risk.

If they could establish a connection with the Commander, they would naturally gain a powerful patron; however, the secret of the potatoes might also be exposed.

"We are grateful for His Excellency Commander's favor," Wu Guohua carefully chose his words, "It's just that these potatoes are difficult to cultivate, and the yield is limited..."