Fang Ling bowed slightly, and asked Huang Jian, "Uncle Huang, do you know anything about this prospecting method?"

Huang Jian replied: "This iron ore has different colors, some are black, some are reddish-brown, but usually the darker and darker the color, the more iron content is, since the child said that it was picked, it is likely to be the iron ore gravel exposed after the rain washes the mountain, that is to say, the open-pit mine may be the majority, only need to use a shovel and shovel to pry open the stone, it should be found." Moreover, as the old saying goes, 'Whoever has a magnet on it, there is copper and gold below', which means that once a magnetic stone is found, there is iron ore underneath it. On the basis of these two points, it is not difficult to inquire. ”

Fang Ling bowed slightly: "This is not simple. ”

Chen Mou said at this time: "What His Highness needs most at present is the people's support and prestige. Therefore, it is best to carry out this inquiry into iron ore in secret, in case there is really a large vein, it is very good, if it is only a little bit, it will not damage the prestige. ”

Fang Ling nodded, and said to Cao Jingyuan: "Then Lord Cao will mobilize the soldiers to defend the city early tomorrow morning, and we will investigate one mountain after another." ”

Early the next morning, the light snow that had fallen overnight stopped.

Fang Ling was eating in the hall, and by the way he discussed some details of today's prospecting with Chen Mou, Huang Jian and others, when the guards outside came to report that the county commanders of Xihe County and Maling County came to visit.

Fang Ling was not surprised by the arrival of the two, the three counties are adjacent, and the news of his arrival in Feng County must have spread yesterday, and it is estimated that the two of them knew about it last night.

At this time, everyone had almost eaten, Chen Mou and the others put away the dishes and chopsticks, and after Fang Ling sat down on the chair, he asked the guards to pass two county orders in.

The county magistrate of Xihe County is named Luo Zhi, in his thirties, and his round face is full of smiles, so that his eyes are narrowed into a slit, his mouth is like a crescent moon, and his cheeks look fat.

The county magistrate of Maling County is named Yu Zhengqi, who is slightly older than Luo Zhi, a little shorter, and his face is thinner, but he also has a flattering smile.

As soon as the two of them came in, they immediately made a big salute, and then said in unison: "Xiaguan Luo and Yu Zhengqi pay a visit to the King of Shicheng." ”

"It must have been very hard for the two of you to come here so early in the morning. Fang Ling said lightly.

Luo Wei hurriedly said: "Thank you Your Highness for your concern, the two officials originally got the news that His Highness came to Fengxian County last night, but they just remembered that His Highness had a long journey all the way, so they didn't come to see him in time, and I ask Your Highness to forgive me for the sin of neglect." ”

"The two adults are so concerned about this king, how can this king blame you?" Fang Ling smiled slightly, different from the cold and arrogant Cao Jingyuan, these two people looked good at first glance, living a leisurely life, and they were all in the same breath.

According to Chen Mou's resume, the Luo family is one of the largest families in Xihe County, Luo Zhi later obtained fame, and was transferred back to Xihe County after serving as a county commander in other places, this person has been an official in Xihe County for ten years, and it is said that he has quite a political achievement.

Yu Zhengqi and Luo Zhi's family backgrounds are quite similar, but they are not from Maling County, they have been officials in Maling County for more than ten years, and they have also made a lot of political achievements, and they are highly respected by local squires and celebrities.