Riding the [Luma Horse], Hua Kai headed south in a straight line.
No matter if they encountered mountains, rivers, or forests, the [Luma Horse] and Hua Kai could easily cross them. In just over an hour, he had traveled close to two hundred li.
The terrain gradually turned uphill. Hua Kai rode the [Luma Horse] over several hills and entered a plain.
This was a high mountain plain. Hua Kai had heard the family members talk about this place before.
This mountain was called Ma Ping Mountain, also known as the Flat Top Mountain. The legends said that this was where the dragon head of the Central Plains was. The terrain was flat and had an area of over a hundred thousand mu. In the past, the Yan Kingdom had built a city here.
But the Donghu Kingdom had broken through many times, and Ma Ping Mountain was often harassed. In the end, all the people were forced to leave.
After traveling twenty li, Hua Kai saw that other than the lack of water on the top of the mountain, it was a good tunnel.
Ma Ping Mountain was surrounded by natural barriers. There were not many paths down the mountain. This way, even if the Donghu cavalry came, it would be difficult to attack. If there were more checkpoints on the mountain path, Ma Ping Mountain would be a safe city.
Even more importantly, this was the westernmost position of High Willow Commandery, adjacent to the Dongling Mountain Range. Usually, people would not pass through here. If the Hua Family occupied this place, they could develop this place as a stable base.
The more Hua Kai thought, the more tempted he was. Ma Ping Mountain could feed a hundred thousand horses. If he could move the [Alfalfa Spirit Grass] here, this would be the best natural horse farm.
Thinking of the [Pegasus Farm] in his space, Hua Kai decided that after the Hua Family moved into High Willow City, he would secretly move some of the people, horses, and livestock. Then he could put all the things that the Hua family could not show to others here.
After passing Ma Ping Mountain, they started to descend. After a few hundred li, they entered the Thousand Mountain Forest. This forest was about thirty li wide. If they went east, they would have to travel another three hundred li. Hua Kai rode the [Luma Horse] and flew through the air. He only stopped three times before he crossed the forest with the [Luma Horse].
When night fell, Hua Kai arrived at Bo County, which was at the border of Qi and Qi. It was only about 50 kilometers away from Leling City. He saw that the city gate of Bo County was closed, so he rode over the city wall and entered the city.
Unexpectedly, when he landed, he saw a group of patrolling soldiers standing not far away from him. He looked at the patrolling soldiers and smiled. The patrolling soldiers were stunned for a moment, then turned around and left as if nothing had happened.
This was a smart move. There was no one in the entire county who could ride a horse over the eight-meter-high city wall.
If they angered Hua Kai, not to mention their own lives, the entire Bo County might be in danger.
Hua Kai saw the other party turn around and leave quickly. He rode [Luma] to the streets of Bo County.
Although this county only had a population of about 6,000 and was considered a small border town, there were still many caravans coming and going during this season. The streets were quite lively. Hua Kai found an inn to stay in.
The next day, before dawn, Hua Kai got up and rode [Luma]. Before the city gate opened, he once again crossed the city wall and ran all the way to the South Pole.
When he passed by Linzi City, Hua Kai handed the detailed topographic map of Leopard Jade Pass to the master craftsman of the Lu Family. After paying the deposit for the design, he left Linzi City. In less than two hours, he returned to the entrance of Fort Wah Ka.
The wheat in the fields outside Fort Wah Ka was growing vigorously. The people were weeding in the fields. He walked past the first stone bridge to enter Fort Wah Ka and saw a few Hua family Household Servant collecting the bridge toll.
Seeing that Hua Kai had returned, someone recognized him and happily went back to Fort Wah Ka to report.
Hua Kai walked past two large bridges and three small bridges before arriving at the entrance of Fort Wah Ka. At this time, there were already many people waiting for him at the entrance of Fort Wah Ka.
After leaving Fort Wah Ka for more than a year, there seemed to be more people.
Under the crowd's escort, Hua Kai entered the fort. Looking at the rows of pavilions and the people on the streets wearing colourful clothes, he felt as though he had entered the city of his previous life.
After entering the fort, his mother and grandmother cried non-stop. Outsiders thought that Hua Kai had been away for too long and they missed him dearly. No one knew about the dangers that Hua Kai had experienced in the past year.
Not long after Hua Kai returned to Fort Wah Ka, the news quickly spread to the various aristocratic families in Guang County.
In the Geng Family Manor, Patriarch Geng paced around the living room when he received the news that the Hua family had returned. Ever since he decided to withdraw from the Five Great Aristocratic Families, there wasn't a moment where he didn't regret it.
"Patriarch, the Tai Family, Ren Family, Jia Family, and other aristocratic families in the city heard that the Hua family had returned. All the patriarchs immediately went to Fort Wah Ka. The Huang Jia, Yue Jia, and other aristocratic families outside the city have almost arrived." Geng Peng reported to Patriarch Geng.
Initially, Patriarch Geng thought that only by staying in Guang County, his family's porcelain business could grow stronger. Following the Hua family to Gaoliu Prefecture was uncertain of their future and they had to give up the Qi market. After thinking about it, he felt that even without the Hua family, his family's porcelain business would not have any conflict with the new aristocratic families. Therefore, he decisively gave up following the Hua family and helped the Tai Family to become an aristocratic family.
However, before the Hua family could really leave, the entire Guang County began to fall into chaos. In order to fight for their own interests, the new aristocratic families were constantly competing with each other. The original powers in Guang County were also affected.
"What did the Lu family say?" Patriarch Geng frowned and lowered his head.
Geng Peng was very disappointed with the attitude of his family. At this time, the other party was still thinking about how to curry favor with the new aristocratic families in Guang County. The Lu family was one of the new sixth-grade aristocratic families in Guang County. They controlled more than half of the transportation and retail businesses in Guang County. The Geng family's porcelain sales channels had been cut off for three months. Now, the Geng family's porcelain kiln had not been opened for more than a month!
"The Lu family replied that the Geng family's porcelain is too expensive. If you want to sell it, the Lu family will buy it at 20% of the price. In the future, the Geng family will not sell it to anyone!" Geng Peng said.
"The Lu family's appetite is really big!
They took so many things from us and in the end, they said that our porcelain is better than the celadon in Chu County. The price is too high. The entire Qi market is in short supply. I will give 20% of the price to the Lu family. Is this their charity? "Patriarch Geng said angrily.
Geng Peng did not say anything. He quietly listened to Patriarch Geng's complaints and unwillingness.
But now, they were just an ordinary family. The Lu family could talk to them because of their special porcelain skills. Otherwise, why would the Lu family care about an ordinary family like them?
"Is there any news from Zihuan recently? In this year, he has become more distant from our Geng family!"
Patriarch Geng mentioned his son-in-law. In the past, they had a good relationship with the Hua family. Hua Zihuan would often send people to tell them about the Hua family. This allowed them to understand the entire Guang County and even the entire Qi market. Their family had been developing rapidly.
Now that their only way out was blocked, they were at a loss for the future of their family. Now that they met their former allies, no one was willing to pay attention to them anymore. The status of the Geng family in the entire Guang county had fallen to the lowest point.
"Fourth master has gone to High Willow County. I heard that he is in charge of the large and small affairs of High Willow City. The Hua family in High Willow County has no relationship with the independent county. I heard that they have built dozens of sections of the Great Wall to protect the people of Yan. They have won several battles with Donghu," Geng Peng lowered his head and said.
In three years, the Geng family had received great support from the Hua family. Over two thousand people joined, four in the Mortal Realm, and over sixty in the Qi Transformation Realm. Geng Peng had entered the Mortal Realm in recent years. His ability to manage the family was gradually showing. He was the most prestigious member of the Geng family.
"I understand what you mean!
We have already taken that step. It is not so easy to repair our relationship with the Hua family.
Although the Hua family patriarch has just returned, the businesses in High Willow County have been distributed by the families. If we decide to follow the Hua family to High Willow County now, we may not get anything, "Patriarch Geng lowered his head and said.
"Patriarch, I don't think the situation is as serious as you think.
Staying in Guang County or going to High Willow County with the Hua family does not mean that we have betrayed the Hua family. After all, the Hua family did not force all the subordinate families to go with them, right? "Geng Peng calmly analyzed.
Patriarch Geng thought for a while after hearing this and nodded for Geng Peng to continue.
"Since we are still subordinate to the Hua family, why don't we discuss with the Hua family when we encounter problems?
This year, the Hua family must be dissatisfied with us, but I feel that the Hua family will not easily give up on the Geng family. After all, you are Fourth Master's father-in-law! "Geng Peng continued.
"Then I will go to the Hua family this time?
Hua Jiazhu must have returned this time to make the final arrangements for the migration. If we go with the Hua family now, I don't know if it is too late? "Patriarch Geng hesitated.
"Patriarch, I think that is not important. Even if we do not get anything, as long as we have the craftsmanship of making ceramics in High Willow County, we will have a firm foothold. We will concentrate on making ceramics and nothing else. For the sake of Fourth Master's face, no one will make things difficult for us. I think that is enough!" Geng Peng looked at Patriarch Geng and said.
"Ai!
You see it clearly. At that time, I was old and dim-sighted. So what if we stay in Guang County and earn more money?
Without the Hua family's protection, we are just a piece of fat meat. If we cannot turn all the benefits into strength, what is the use of earning more money?
I will go to Fort Wah Ka now and be scolded then be scolded!
After we reach High Willow County, our family will rely on Zihuan. After this matter, you can make your own decisions. When we reach High Willow County, I will pass the position of Patriarch to you. "Patriarch Geng said in a deep voice.
At this time in Fort Wah Ka, all the subordinate families had gathered together. They rushed over as soon as they heard that Hua Kai had returned home.
It was not easy for the entire family to move from Guang County to High Willow County. They needed to roughly distribute the duties and rights of each family in High Willow County and arrange the migration matters.