"Chirp—"
Just as the large gray bird was about to pounce on Shen Ruobing, the Sky-Breaking Eagle descended from the sky, extending a sharp claw and instantly locking onto the bird's throat.
*Thud!*
The bird was thrown violently to the ground. It flapped its wings, struggled a few times, and then lay dead.
Shen Ruobing's face drained of color. She sat down on the ground, hugging herself and muttering, "I'm scared to death, I'm scared to death. What kind of bird was that? It looked like it wanted to devour me alive!"
Cheng Xiaofan walked over and pulled her up from the ground. He said, "Ruobing, don't be afraid. This is a beech bird. It's not a very significant threat to humans!"
The so-called beech bird is also known locally as a forest guardian bird. However, it doesn't guard all trees, only beech trees.
Beech trees are deciduous trees. In spring, they produce small, pale yellow flowers. They are unisexual, monoecious, and bear small, triangular fruits after flowering.
Beech birds are particularly fond of beech fruits.
Generally, beech birds are large. An adult bird can weigh over ten pounds. Its flesh is tender and delicious. In the past, for mountain foragers, it was a rare delicacy.
However, beech birds are agile and react exceptionally quickly. If a mountain forager lacks experience, it's very difficult to catch them.
Generally, beech birds are very protective of their habitats.
Beech birds have very sensitive senses. This particular beech bird, instead of attacking the newcomers, inexplicably targeted Shen Ruobing. It was clear that it had detected a peculiar scent emanating from her.
It seemed to sense that Shen Ruobing's arrival might pose a threat to the beech trees in the forest, and thus jeopardizing its own survival, prompting its attack.
This also indicated that Shen Ruobing had achieved a certain level of attainment in craftsmanship, otherwise, the beech bird would not have been able to detect such a scent from her.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately explained to her why the beech bird had attacked.
"Actually, beech birds are very timid. Once they see a companion killed, other beech birds will no longer dare to threaten humans."
"This beech bird is simply too foolish! It didn't even notice the aerial overlord, the Sky-Breaking Eagle, and lurked nearby. It was practically asking for death!"
He weighed the beech bird in his hand and chuckled, "This beech bird weighs at least twelve pounds. We'll have a delicious meal at noon today!"
Hearing this, the heavy stone that had been weighing on everyone's hearts finally lifted.
Shen Ruobing patted her chest and said, "I only knew about beech trees. This is my first time encountering a beech bird. It seems we startled them!"
"Encountering a beech bird in a beech forest is a good thing!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "Beech birds like to perch on high branches, and they particularly favor choosing high-quality beech forests as their long-term dwelling places."
"This indirectly indicates that the quality of the beech trees here is exceptionally good."
Shen Ruobing smiled and replied, "Following behind Master Cheng, I truly gain a lot of knowledge."
"In my previous company, beech wood was used quite frequently. Compared to precious woods, although beech is not considered a luxurious timber, it was extensively used in traditional Ming and Qing dynasty furniture."
"Generally, beech furniture is primarily in the Ming style. Its design and craftsmanship are basically the same as those of hardwood furniture like Huanghuali, possessing considerable artistic and historical value."
Cheng Xiaofan nodded upon hearing this and said, "You're right. Well-made beech furniture is very marketable."
"This kind of beech tree is abundant in the hundred-thousand-li mountains of our Zhuxi Village. When we officially start the factory, we can consider using more of this kind of wood."
Looking around, in this vast expanse of beech forest, many beech trees lay fallen on the ground, with lengths often exceeding thirty meters.
These fallen beech trees could be sawn according to their dimensions and transported by helicopter.
According to Cheng Xiaofan's vision, they would later build a Zhuxi Village Famous Wood Exhibition Hall. At that time, they would select one specimen from each of the fallen precious woods in the hundred-thousand-li mountains and transport them to the exhibition hall for visitors to admire.
Some precious woods, nearly a thousand years old, lying in the primeval forest, having endured wind and rain, contained the essence of centuries, their value immeasurable by mere money.
Although beech is not a particularly renowned wood, it is undoubtedly a classic species and could also be displayed in the exhibition hall.
Such an exhibition would serve as an indirect promotion for Shen Ruobing's furniture company's products.
When Cheng Xiaofan shared his ideas with those present, they all clapped their hands in admiration.
"Master Cheng, your idea is truly brilliant! We can build the exhibition hall right away!" Shen Ruobing exclaimed excitedly.
Compared to Shen Ruobing, Bai Yiling maintained a smile of admiration for Cheng Xiaofan.
Her man didn't need much verbal praise. Let others do the flattering.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan chuckled, "This matter of the Zhuxi Village Famous Wood Exhibition Hall, I'll leave it to you and our goddess Bai to handle."
"Later, when we have time, I'll prepare a map of the growth areas of precious woods in Zhuxi Village's hundred-thousand-li mountains, along with some pictures, and hand them over to you!"
"Oh, that would be wonderful!"
Shen Ruobing said excitedly, "Master Cheng always thinks things through more thoroughly than others!"
"I truly admire you!"
"..." In front of my goddess Bai, aren't you flattering him a bit too excessively?
After all, you are good sisters. Can't you consider other people's feelings while flattering him?
However, being sweetly flattered by beautiful women (does that phrase have a double meaning?) is truly a pleasure!
"Ah, look, here's Blood Beech!" Just then, an engineer under Shen Ruobing exclaimed in surprise.
Following the direction of his finger, in the central area of the beech forest, a large patch of Blood Beech grew, distinctly different from the common beech.
The so-called Blood Beech is a variety of beech, yet it possesses a striking difference: its wood is crimson, its grain exquisite, and its overall color vibrant and opulent.
The reason Blood Beech is immediately identifiable is its exposed roots, which are bright red and highly conspicuous.
Blood Beech also has different grades. High-quality Blood Beech not only has a deep red hue but also emits a pleasant fragrance.
The top-grade Blood Beech is called "Bao Xi Ju" (报喜榉), meaning the red color signifies auspiciousness. Encountering a top-grade Blood Beech is believed to herald good fortune.
The moment Shen Ruobing spotted the patch of Blood Beech, she rushed over in surprise, kneeling on the ground and caressing a large fallen tree, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Heavens! I never thought I'd encounter the legendary Bao Xi Ju here!"
"Today has made me so happy! The legendary Bao Xi Ju, I've finally found you!"
She tightly embraced the top-grade Blood Beech, her tears falling onto the tree.