Bai Shan stopped quickly and didn’t say much.

As the carriage reached the entrance of the camp, Liu Huan ran over eagerly and stared at the boxes on the carriage, asking, "Did you really find the treasure?"

Bai Erlang: "Aren’t you tired from running?"

Liu Huan pursed his lips and said, "Don’t mention it. I wanted to stay and rest because yesterday was exhausting, but I couldn’t rest today either."

With Manbao not around, Zhou Liru grabbed him as a temporary worker. Although Yin Huo also helped, no one dared to exhaust him. So, he still didn’t get to rest today, but at least his legs weren’t shaky.

He looked intently at Bai Erlang, "Did you really find the treasure?"

Bai Erlang nodded and started boasting shoulder to shoulder about their discoveries today.

Manbao was even more straightforward. She directly opened the box she was holding to show Mr. Zhuang and the others the jewels within, saying, "These are mine."

Zhou Liru’s eyes widened in amazement.

All the items were placed in the open space in the middle of the camp, and Governor Duan called people to take inventory and keep records, so they could be divided later.

It wasn’t possible to give all the gold and silver to Bai Shan and his team — Governor Duan wanted all the gold and silver for himself, while giving them the other items.

Did he lack fabric and jewels?

Of course not. Soldiers had no use for these items; only money could directly buy medicinal materials, food, and pensions.

So, while they were taking inventory, Governor Duan discussed with Bai Shan about exchanging the goods for the three portions of money they should get.

Bai Shan refused, indicating that they weren’t really lacking clothes and jewels, and because they were heading to the Western Regions for official business, not trading, carrying so many items would be inconvenient; money was the most convenient.

The two talked back and forth for about half an hour, and then Governor Duan sighed, "Because of the smallpox this year, many merchants didn’t go to the Western Regions, and merchants from there bypassed this place, so Liangzhou can’t digest so many goods, and merchants passing through might not buy much, depressing the prices."

Bai Shan said nothing, and Governor Duan glanced at him and continued, "Alas, my soldiers are used to hardships, and those with all their limbs are fine with a bite to eat, but what about those in the medical tents missing arms and legs?"

Bai Shan said, "Lord Duan, even if the gold and silver are three-tenths less, the jewels you are given are quite valuable, like that cat’s eye stone worth a thousand gold coins. With this money, not just this year, but even the next year or the year after, there should be no problem sustaining the soldiers, so why worry at this moment?"

"The cat’s eye stone is valuable, but how many people can afford it?" Governor Duan smiled, "At least among the merchants I know, no one can swallow this stone themselves. From what Young Master Bai said, Lord Zhou’s older brother also likes to go back and forth between the grasslands and the capital, surely he knows many rich merchants and dignitaries, I wonder if he..."

Bai Shan then laughed, "You know, because Zhou Man is an Imperial Physician, their family currently deals in medicinal materials; this stone alone is worth the cost of ten shipments back and forth. From what I know about Fourth Brother Zhou, he probably wouldn’t handle it." Yeah, right.

But Governor Duan doesn’t know, he frowned, if the capital for ten trips equals ten years of capital, it seems this Zhou Liru’s business isn’t very big.

So...

Governor Duan was already quite happy seeing the truly valuable cat’s eye stone, but now he’s worried about selling it.

However, he wasn’t too worried, after parting with Bai Shan he went to find the steward left in the rear to discuss how to sell the loot.

Bai Shan also gathered his companions together and invited Mr. Zhuang to preside over the meeting to collectively discuss the sale of the loot.

"Everyone gets a share of this three-tenths."

Liu Huan and Yin Huo hadn’t expected that they would have a share too, and paused in surprise before saying, "That’s too kind of you."

Bai Shan glanced at them and said, "What’s there to be shy about? You both provided labor and resources, so it’s only natural for you to get a share. Not only you, but Assistant General Nie and his people should get theirs too."

Liu Huan blinked in confusion, he knew Yin Huo contributed, after all, except for a few family guards and protectors left guarding him, others from the Yin Family followed Assistant General Nie to eliminate bandits.

But he...

Liu Huan couldn’t help but quietly ask Bai Erlang, "What did I contribute?" He didn’t know.

Bai Erlang glanced at him and said, "Haven’t you been busy in the medical tents for the past two days?"

Liu Huan was stunned, "That counts?"

Bai Erlang said, "Of course it counts, but Bai Shan negotiated it, so he’ll get the most, Manbao next, then us, Assistant General Nie should also get quite a bit, as he’s put in a lot of effort."

That’s calculated later. Bai Shan is always fair, so he’ll definitely divide it well, they needn’t worry, but...

"I don’t want fabrics, those silk and brocade, though they feel nice and the colors look fine, the patterns are too old-fashioned."

Bai Shan glanced at him and said, "Alright, I’ve noted it down."

Yin Huo thought for a moment and said, "I want jewelry, don’t need anything else."

Liu Huan was curious, "Why do you want jewelry?"

Yin Huo glanced at him and said, "I have six sisters."

Liu Huan suddenly realized and began thinking, "I also have a grandmother, but those jewels are too bright, not suitable for my grandmother, the fabrics aren’t either. You said there were spices, right? My grandfather and grandmother both like those. Can you give me some spices?"

"Don’t even think about it," Bai Shan pointed to Bai Erlang, "the spices are his personal contribution."

Hearing that the loot found in the mountain personally belonged to the individual, Liu Huan’s eyes lit up and he immediately pulled Yin Huo, "Let’s also head to the mountain tomorrow."

Zhou Liru was tempted too, "Little aunt, if I find something, is it also mine?"

"As long as it’s not treasures shared by the bandits."

Zhou Liru’s eyes brightened, "Great, I’m going too."

Mr. Zhuang reminded them, "Don’t divide too many goods; try to convert them to gold and silver. Too many packages are difficult to carry."

Bai Shan agreed.

Bai Erlang then turned, "I heard you say to Governor Duan that you’d send people back to Xiazhou."

Bai Shan shushed him, "That’s to trick him, keep your voice down."

They hadn’t even passed Yumen Pass yet and already encountered cavalry thieves; who knows how dangerous the road ahead would be, how could he divide his men to return to Xiazhou?

Everyone: ...

Bai Shan said, "We’ll settle it like this, I’ll try to give everyone gold and silver or things they can carry."

Liu Huan was curious, "What sort of other things?"

Bai Shan glanced at him and said, "You’ll know in a few days."

The next day, the team going up the mountain treasure hunting was even bigger, even Assistant General Nie joined them.

Liu Huan and the others wanted to experience the thrill of finding treasure in the bandit hideout, especially since any hidden items they found would belong to them personally.

So they eagerly headed to the bandit lair.

As soon as they went in, they were stunned; even Bai Shan and Manbao were taken aback to see that many of the buildings inside were half-collapsed, and several courtyards had walls pushed halfway over.

Governor Duan was surprised too, but quickly comprehended, glancing at the personal soldiers.

The personal soldier lowered his voice to explain, "The brothers think they like to hide private money in the walls, so..."

His voice wasn’t loud, but Bai Shan and the others nearby heard it clearly, leaving them somewhat speechless.