Arriving at the woods opposite, Cheng Xiaofan discovered that the vines and plants covering the buildings were a thick layer, making it impossible to discern the true appearance of the structures without clearing these obstacles.
Fortunately, Cheng Xiaofan had specifically prepared a machete when he came. He took out the machete and began hacking at the vines and plants.
Taoqibao and Potianying were not idle either. They each lunged forward, using their mouths to grip the vines and other materials, and pulled them aside.
This eagle and dog seemed born for such tasks, their movements exceptionally swift. In a blink of an eye, they cleared away half of the thick layer of debris covering the buildings.
Only then did Cheng Xiaofan realize that the buildings were made of stone.
Stone windows, stone doors, stone tables, stone benches – everything was present.
The ground was also paved with stone slabs, with various weeds growing in the cracks.
"Everyone, this is truly beyond my expectations. On the side of White Python Lake, I've discovered the houses where my ancestors lived!"
Cheng Xiaofan said with emotion, "These houses are all built from stone!"
"I can't imagine how my ancestors lived in seclusion here back then!"
"Streamer, search these houses thoroughly. Perhaps your ancestors left some treasures for you here!"
"Yes, they must have left something behind when they evacuated!"
"It is said that after the state of Eastern Wu was destroyed by the state of Wei, the Imperial Seal of Eastern Wu was lost. Perhaps it can be found here."
"God, what the eyes see is what one gets. If you find any treasures, give me half!"
Instantly, bullet comments flooded the live stream, with everyone saying something different.
In the blink of an eye, everyone's focus shifted back to these houses.
These stone houses had peculiar designs, with roofs covered by stone slabs over ten meters long and wide, resembling some flat-roofed houses of today.
The question was, what tools did the Eastern Wu soldiers who lived in seclusion here back then use to mine these stones?
These houses looked very simple, yet both the walls and the stone furniture inside were carved with exquisite patterns.
Besides flowers, birds, fish, and insects, there were also harmonious depictions of animals and humans.
What astonished everyone even more was that when their gaze followed Cheng Xiaofan's camera to another room, they found that the four walls were painted with scenes of common folk preparing delicious food.
Some depicted couples grinding soybeans to make tofu with stone mills, others showed farm women brewing osmanthus glutinous rice wine, some illustrated how to make steamed rice cakes using rice, and others showed men pickling various preserved vegetables.
On the side of each picture, the process of making various dishes was carved, along with detailed recipes.
Above the front wall of this room, three large characters were carved: Canteen!
"Haha, thanks for your good wishes, I've finally found treasure here!"
Cheng Xiaofan said happily, looking at the calligraphy and paintings carved on the wall, "Our Zhuxi Village has always been poor, but everyone in the village, men and women alike, are masters at preparing food. Now I finally understand that this tradition has been passed down from our ancestors."
"Although some secret recipes for preparing delicacies have been lost, they are all completely recorded here. This is the most precious asset of our Zhuxi Village!"
"Later, I will organize these and, at an appropriate time, develop a few local specialty food products to market. They will surely be bestsellers!"
As soon as he finished speaking, bullet comments instantly flew across the live stream.
"What the eyes see is what one gets. When the streamer develops these specialty foods, I must be the first to taste them for free!"
"Streamer, can you take some time to organize these recipes? I'm willing to pay three hundred thousand to buy them!"
"I'll pay six hundred thousand for your recipes!"
"I'll pay one million!"
"I'll pay 1.2 million!"
…
The discussion suddenly went off-topic.
The live stream had turned into a gourmet recipe auction!
Sell them?
Of course not!
"Thank you all for your support. I will absolutely not sell the things left by my ancestors without authorization. They belong to all the people of Zhuxi Village!"
Facing the camera, Cheng Xiaofan smiled calmly and said slowly, "Today's live stream ends here. See you tomorrow!"
"What, streamer, do you have any sense of professionalism? Going off the air so early?"
"Please, God, don't go off so soon, let me feast my eyes on your handsome demeanor a bit longer!"
"Alright, streamer, we'll see each other in our dreams tonight!"
"Mwah, God, let me give you a kiss!"
At this moment, Cheng Xiaofan was carefully examining the pictures and text on the wall depicting food preparation, becoming more excited the more he looked. Some seemingly very simple ingredients, when combined with the secret recipes of his ancestors, became classic local delicacies.
He took out his phone and, standing next to the wall, photographed them one by one.
When he had time, he would organize these pictures and texts.
Cheng Xiaofan decided not to tell Luo Changsheng about discovering White Python Lake and the ancestral relics for the time being.
Luo Changsheng was a highly respected elder in the village who had always been concerned about the legendary White Python Lake. If he knew Cheng Xiaofan had found it, he would surely insist on coming to see it.
The problem was that Cheng Xiaofan couldn't fulfill his wish.
Setting aside whether Potianying could carry two people in the sky, with Luo Changsheng's age, he simply wouldn't be able to sit securely on Potianying.
He didn't want seeing White Python Lake to cost the old man his life!
After leaving the Canteen, Cheng Xiaofan found the "Farming Room" in the adjacent stone house. The carvings on its four walls primarily depicted scenes of agricultural life.
Such as plowing fields, drawing water with a noria, transplanting rice seedlings, autumn harvest, weaving, fishing, and so on.
The general content was to educate future generations that no matter their environment or position, they should never forget that farming is the most arduous occupation in the world, and only their hard work provides food and clothing.
Similarly, Cheng Xiaofan photographed these pictures and texts.
He believed that other buildings should still be found along the banks of White Python Lake.
Also, such a large lake must harbor various fish species.
Now, Cheng Xiaofan had no worries about his spatial pond not being able to hold fish fry. He could directly introduce the immortal fish from it into White Python Lake.
Looking to the future, the goal was to create a passage from Zhuxi Village directly to White Python Lake and develop it into a tourist attraction.
It seemed that there were too many things to do in the future.
The young farmer suddenly felt immense pressure!
The setting sun cast a golden glow, and twilight began to gather.
The evening breeze carried a hint of ruggedness, and the sound of pine trees rustling was incessant.
The ripples on the lake surface flashed with patches of golden light.
If he could build a small bamboo boat here, sit on it and fish occasionally, enjoying a moment of leisure amidst the beautiful lake and mountain scenery, it would truly be idyllic.
At this thought, a ding sounded in his mind, and a line of information appeared…