Chapter 361: Two Jars
Following Wang An's order, the group set to work again, digging into the ground.
The entire Lesser Khingan mountain range was vast, and the depth of the permafrost layer varied.
From south to north, the permafrost gradually deepened.
In the village, because there was less vegetation, the permafrost layer was generally around 2 meters deep.
However, in these mountains, because there were so many trees and the layer of fallen leaves and grass was thick, the permafrost was generally only about 1.5 meters deep.
This time, they had only dug a bit over a meter deep—not yet reaching the permafrost—when they encountered something again.
With a muffled "thud," someone's ice pick smashed into a hard object buried in the soil.
"Holy shit, what was that sound? Is there something down there?"
"There's definitely something. My ice pick felt like it hit a rock."
"It's not a rock; it looks like a basin or a jar or something. Look, the soil seems to be sinking in; it's hollow underneath."
"Quick, where's the shovel? Clear the top layer of soil and see what we hit."
"Coming, coming!"
Soon, after the soil was cleared away, a fragment of a jar emerged.
"Those with picks, widen the mouth of the hole! It's too narrow; I don't dare push too hard."
"Alright, pick's coming!"
Then, the rhythmic "bang, bang, bang" of picks striking the earth rang out.
Normally, this kind of digging was done in rotation, but this time, they dug from three directions simultaneously.
After a while, the person with the large spade began shoveling deeper.
Immediately following, those with ice picks and shovels coordinated to dig even further down.
It had to be said that this kind of work required people with great strength and sufficient numbers; otherwise, this frozen-solid earth would have been impossible to move.
After nearly another two hours, a deep pit roughly 1.5 meters in diameter and 1.5 meters deep was forcibly carved out by the group.
The object in the center of the pit bottom was now fully revealed to everyone.
It was two jars.
To be precise, they were two identical terracotta jars, though the top of one had been smashed, revealing items wrapped in waxed paper.
Both jars were about 40 centimeters tall and 30 centimeters in diameter, with a relatively uniform thickness from top to bottom.
Wang An jumped down to the bottom of the pit, crouched low, and using the strength of his waist, hoisted the intact jar up.
The bottom of the jar had passed the permafrost layer, so it wasn't frozen in place.
As he lifted the jar, a surge of joy instantly hit Wang An.
The weight of the jar was not light at all—it weighed roughly eighty to ninety catties; it was dead heavy.
Wang An guessed that the jar contained either gold or silver; otherwise, it could not possibly be this heavy.
After carrying this jar out, Wang An tried to lift the broken one.
However, with just a slight effort, the jar shattered completely, and the bundles wrapped in waxed paper scattered across the bottom of the pit.
Just by looking at the shape of the waxed paper bundles, Wang An knew that what was wrapped inside was all money!
Furthermore, the money had been packed tightly into the jar, although the jar hadn't been filled to the brim.
Consequently, Wang An pulled out the flour bag he carried with him and began packing the waxed paper bundles into it while counting them.
Not one more, not one less: exactly 40 bundles. If they were all filled with "Big Unity" ten-yuan notes, that would be a full 40,000 yuan!
What did 40,000 yuan mean in this era?
One had to realize that Ninth Brother was merely a small-time boss dealing in "home-grown opium balls."
Setting aside the contents of the other jar and counting only the cash, this was already a considerable sum!
Seeing the contents of the jar, the others naturally had their guesses, but no one dared to speak up.
Although they were all relatives, once they entered the mountains, regardless of age or seniority, everyone had to listen to the *Batou* (leader).
After packing all the waxed paper bundles, Wang An climbed out of the pit.
After a moment's thought, Wang An looked toward the group.
It was evident that in everyone's eyes was an irrepressible excitement and thrill.
This was all money!
Seeing that everyone, including his father, remained silent, Wang An said with a smile
"There are no outsiders among us. Let's decide: do we split it now, or split it when we get home?"
After Wang An finished speaking, he waited a moment, but still, no one spoke.
Wang An understood immediately. Everyone wanted to split it now; if anyone had the idea of waiting until they got home, they certainly would have spoken up.
However, Wang An was very understanding of this. Everywhere in the world, when it came to money, the rule was "safety once it's in the pocket."
Anyone would feel that only the money in their own pocket truly belonged to them.
Everyone's thoughts were the same.
Wang An didn't hesitate further and poured all the waxed paper bundles out of the flour bag.
Then, Wang An said cheerfully, "Come, come, time to split the money, hahaha..."
Hearing Wang An's words, everyone's faces lit up with smiles as they gathered around him.
Whenever they entered the mountains—whether for grazing, calling, or hunting—the payout was calculated per person, not per household.
After all, every individual was a unit; everyone contributed effort when working, and everyone faced danger together.
Therefore, splitting the money was a very simple matter.
Without needing anyone else to help, Wang An tore open the waxed paper bundles himself, giving one to each person, one by one.
After everyone, including Wang An himself, received two stacks of "Big Unity" notes, there were 12 unopened waxed paper bundles left.
Then, Wang An distributed them again, two people at a time.
Finally, 5 bundles remained, which was 5,000 yuan.
After everyone received another 2,000, the remaining unallocated money was 2 stacks and 200 yuan—that is, 2,200 yuan. Wang An stopped dividing there.
At this point, excluding the remaining 2,200 yuan, everyone already had 2,700 yuan in their hands.
Wang An said with a laugh, "These last bits are mine, alright? Hahaha!"
Hearing this, Wang Dashu said happily, "Of course it's alright! We've already gotten a bargain here."
After Wang Dashu spoke, the others chimed in in agreement.
In these mountains, everyone consciously followed the rules of the wilderness.
Although Wang An had done almost no physical labor, as the *Batou*, no one could deny that his contribution and merit were the greatest in ensuring everyone received this money.
After finishing the distribution, Wang An pointed to the intact jar and told the group
"This one should be full of good stuff, definitely more valuable than the 'Big Unity' notes in our hands. But we don't have time to split it now; let's do it at home, alright?"
In truth, everyone had been speculating about what was in the jar, but as long as the *Batou* didn't give the word, no one would open it.
Hearing Wang An say this, everyone suppressed their curiosity and agreed
"No problem, we've got nowhere to put it anyway, haha."
"Exactly. With these two stacks of 'Big Unity' notes in my pocket, it already feels like they're in the way."
"Well, I don't mind them being in the way. Why don't you stuff them in my pocket instead?"
"Get lost! I'll stuff you in my pocket in a minute."
Hahaha... everyone burst out laughing.
Whether they were laughing because of the joke or because of the two stacks of "Big Unity" notes in their pockets remained to be seen.
(End of Chapter)