Zhao Laosan was in a dilemma, repeatedly attempting to speak but stopping short, wanting to refuse, yet he and his wife had just solemnly promised their benefactor.
But the benefactor wanted him to lead all the villagers in continuing to mine. Even disregarding his own ability to persuade the villagers, the fact that the mined copper ore had to be handed over directly to the benefactor and not to the Court was something unlikely to be accepted by any villager.
The grave crime of treason and extermination of a family, who dared to try it lightly.
Even if the benefactor could provide enough food for them to endure the harsh winter, what then?
These copper billets were meant to be sent to the Ministry of Industry's Coin Casting Workshop for processing and smelting, finally cast into copper coins, which was related to the Court's economic lifeline. If pursued, they might be blamed for the entire village's demise.
"What's this, regretting so soon?" Cheng Xiaoxiao teased.
