The man in the melon-skin cap smiled apologetically. “Forgive my ignorance. I knew little of Young Master Wang’s talents, but your explanation has truly broadened my horizons. Still, what does this building have to do with today’s discussion on controlling the Yellow River and building canals?”
“How could it be unrelated?” Wang Chao rolled his eyes. “If I may guess boldly, my young master invited you here to test whether anyone among you is clever enough to grasp the significance of this building. Asking you to volunteer for the Yellow River project is both an opportunity for you to amass wealth and a way for him to find capable partners for his plans.”
The elderly man with the jade thumb ring laughed dryly and sneered, “You’re quite the loyal dog for the Wang family, always eager to glorify your master. If this project is such a great opportunity, why hasn’t your master summoned Wan San to handle it?”
“Idiot!” Wang Chao retorted. “You call yourself a local gentry, yet you can’t even recognize the hints right in front of you.”
The woman in the snow fox fur hurriedly pulled on the jade thumb ring man’s sleeve, urging him, “You’re in Young Master Wang’s territory—say no more, lest you bring trouble upon yourself.”
The woman in the snow fox fur scarf turned to Wang Chao and said, “Young man, what you said makes a lot of sense. Could you explain further? What hints has Young Master Wang given us?”
Wang Chao, his face flushed with frustration, paused before replying. “Over the past few years, my young master has not only planted trees and transformed the desert into an oasis but has also ordered every household to raise long-haired rabbits and hunt mountain goats and hyenas. Does anyone here know the reason for this?”
The man in the jade-adorned melon-skin cap responded, “At first, we locals didn’t understand the reasoning, but recently, we’ve come to realize it. Wild mountain goats eat grass by pulling it out by the roots, destroying the plant’s root systems, so they must be eradicated. Hyenas hunt by wiping out entire dens, never sparing even the young, so they, too, must be eliminated. Only then can the plants and animals in the desert oasis thrive and flourish. As for raising long-haired rabbits, they consume little grass but produce valuable fur every year, which has many uses. When released into the wild, the rabbits also become a source of food for carnivores. Young Master Wang has great foresight and a comprehensive strategy. He deeply understands the balance of nature. In just two years, he has turned this barren desert into a place with trees, shade, and thriving wildlife. A few more years, and this place will be full of life and renewal.”
Hearing the praise for Wang Cang Hai, Wang Chao’s expression softened slightly. He added, “The principle of balance—one thing diminishing while another grows—is the hint my young master has given you all. You ask me about his character? Well, I’d say it’s ‘absolutely uncompromising.’ Since he was young, my master has been proud and stubborn. Once he sets his mind to something, no one can stop him. It’s only natural for a genius to be a bit headstrong. My young master loves doing what others can’t, taking paths no one dares to tread. If he’s decided to tackle the Yellow River, he’ll make sure it’s controlled for centuries, free from flooding, before he considers the task complete.
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