The old man looked Chen Xiaobei up and down and cupped his fist in greeting. "Young man, is this your vegetable patch?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, elder. It's my family's vegetable patch, but if you want to catch wild rabbits, feel free."
The old man chuckled. "To be frank, I've already caught over a dozen here. Winter's coming, and it's hard to find food on the mountain, so the rabbits have all set their sights on your patch."
"I just hide in that woods and release the dogs when I see wild rabbits coming."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei smiled. In his past life, he had heard an idiom called 'waiting for a rabbit by the stump.' This old man was doing a version of 'waiting for rabbits by the vegetable patch,' and catching several a day.
"However, I've only caught one so far today. I suspect the rabbits won't dare to come anymore after this. In a couple of days, I'll have to move to a different spot. Since you're here, I'll give this rabbit to you."
With that, the old man handed the still-warm rabbit to Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "Elder, you worked hard for this. Please take it back."
"Ah, I already have over a dozen at home. We'll have enough to eat this winter."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand again. "No need, elder. My name is Chen Xiaobei, I am..."
Chen Xiaobei was about to introduce himself when the old man's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing his name.
"You, you are Chen Xiaobei, the village head of Hetou Village?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded gently. "Yes, I am the village head of Hetou Village. Elder, where are you from?"
"I'm from Maojia Village to the south. You can ask around; I, Mao Laoda, never owe anyone a favor."
Hearing about Maojia Village, Chen Xiaobei was a bit surprised. It was at least twenty li from Hetou Village to Maojia Village.
For the sake of his stamina, he couldn't accept this rabbit.
"Elder, you've traveled a long way. I really cannot accept this rabbit."
Mao Laoda chuckled. "Village Head Chen, you look troubled sitting here. Have you encountered any problems? Would you care to tell this old man about it?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "It's nothing, elder. Just some minor matters. I wouldn't want to spoil your good mood."
"Ah, what kind of talk is that? It's fate that we met. Although this old body can't do heavy labor, perhaps I can offer you some advice."
Fine, since it had come to this, Chen Xiaobei wanted to vent his frustrations. He pointed to the large patch of cabbages in front of him. "Alas, the sales channel for these cabbages was confirmed, but there was a sudden change. I'm afraid I won't be able to sell them all quickly, and the weather is getting colder."
"There's no place to store so many cabbages, and they'll freeze if left in the ground."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei's troubled expression, Mao Laoda smiled.
"You've come to the right person for this. I'll tell you a good place."
He pointed towards Qingniu Mountain.
"See that cliff by the river?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "I see it."
"Climb up from that cliff. There's a cave up there."
"That cave is a treasure trove. Your cabbages, if stored there for half a year to six months, I guarantee they won't spoil."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei looking skeptical, Mao Laoda smiled again. "Strictly speaking, I shouldn't tell you. It's my secret spot. I still have dozens of game animals hanging there, salted and dried. They won't spoil for a year. Whenever I want to eat, I just come and take one."
So that was it. Chen Xiaobei finally understood why Mao Laoda had traveled over twenty li to hunt in this area – for convenient storage.
Looking at the location, he couldn't recall anyone ever mentioning anything special about the cliff. The villagers probably hadn't been up there either, unaware of its hidden secrets.
It made sense. People only came here to farm. Who would bother climbing a seven or eight zhang high cliff for adventure?
Chen Xiaobei bowed to Mao Laoda. "Thank you, elder. I was just worrying about this, and you've solved a big problem for me!"
"Ah, ah, ah, don't say that yet. Come with me, I'll take you to see it."
Mao Laoda said, put his little finger in his mouth, and blew a whistle. Another dog ran out from the woods. Good heavens, three big dogs following a thin old man – the scene was quite something.
Mao Laoda waved, leading Chen Xiaobei and the three dogs into the woods.
They walked along the base of the cliff for a short distance. Mao Laoda scratched vigorously at an inconspicuous spot, and with a clatter, an iron chain appeared. Mao Laoda pulled the chain and smiled at Chen Xiaobei. "Grab the chain and climb up. There's a path about two zhang up."
At this sight, a memory flashed through Chen Xiaobei's mind of his encounter in Hulu Valley. Qin Gang and his group had also found their way out by means of ropes.
They were remarkably similar.
At this moment, Mao Laoda turned to his three dogs and said, "You three stay here and guard. No one is allowed to come near. I'll take Brother Xiaobei up to see."
The three dogs seemed to understand. They immediately spread out a few zhang in three different directions and lay down in the grass.
Mao Laoda shook the chain and began to climb. He was agile, and with a few movements, he was up.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but marvel. Such agility, let alone for an old man, was comparable to that of an immortal hermit.
Climbing up was a bit more difficult for Chen Xiaobei. After all, he wasn't as skilled as the elder, but thankfully, he was young and had gained some experience recently.
After climbing over three zhang, the so-called path was merely a narrow track.
In some places, traces of human effort could be faintly seen. Mao Laoda proudly said to Chen Xiaobei, "See? I paved those spots bit by bit."
Chen Xiaobei naturally had to offer praise. "Elder, you are amazing. How much effort did that take?"
"Ah, I have plenty of time," Mao Laoda said, half-jokingly. He walked ahead of Chen Xiaobei. After another ten-odd zhang, the ground became slightly wider.
Walking a few more zhang, they finally reached the cave Mao Laoda had mentioned. The entrance was very small; one had to crouch down to get in. No wonder it couldn't be seen from the foot of the mountain.
However, once inside, the cave was a different world.
A cool breeze could be felt, but it wasn't biting or harsh.
Instead, it was refreshing, cool but not cold.
Walking further in, the space suddenly opened up.
This large stone cave was as big as a basketball court, with a height of over one zhang.
Good heavens, not to mention the cabbages from his vegetable patch, even more could fit in here.