Liu Ce couldn't help but give Chen Xiaobei a thumbs up, looking at the expanse of green.
"Brother Xiaobei, you're something else. Daring to plant vegetables during this time, only you could think of it."
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, if you were born in the 21st century, in my country and world, with greenhouses everywhere and lush green in winter, wouldn't you be envious to death?
But these words were meaningless now, so he could only smile and cup his fists. "I'll still have to trouble Steward Liu to help water them. When the vegetables are grown, I guarantee free supply to Liu Manor."
Liu Ce laughed heartily and waved his hand. "It's our duty to work, but free supply is out of the question. If my young lady finds out, she'll scold me to death."
While chatting, Chen Xiaobei demonstrated the key points of watering to Liu Ce one by one. Although Liu Ce had never done farm work before, he was very smart and learned by watching. After seeing Chen Xiaobei teach him about two rows of vegetables, he said cheerfully, "Young groom, go ahead and be busy. Leave this to us."
After sending Chen Xiaobei away, Liu Ce called everyone to get to work.
As everyone was busy, Liu Ziming strode up to Liu Ce and said in a low voice, "Steward Liu, it looks like there's someone over there."
Liu Ce pretended to be unconcerned and secretly looked in the direction Liu Ziming pointed. Indeed, in a thicket in the distance, branches were shaking, and a few figures could be vaguely seen.
Liu Ce frowned. Zhu Meng's remnants were in the mountains. If there were people here, they were likely these scattered soldiers coming down the mountain.
Thinking of this, he said in a low voice to Liu Ziming, "There's only one road down from here. You take a few men back and lie in wait by the roadside to observe the situation. If there are few people, capture them directly. If there are too many, capture one or two for interrogation."
Liu Ziming accepted the order and left.
After waiting for about half an hour, Liu Ziming returned.
"Steward Liu, we've captured three people. They're all Zhu Meng's subordinates who got lost in the mountains and stumbled here."
Three people posed no threat, but this made Liu Ce vigilant. After a moment of thought, he handed over his work to Liu Ziming and hurried back to the village to see Liu Rumei.
"Miss, we were watering Chen Xiaobei's vegetables just now and caught three of Zhu Meng's subordinates coming down from the mountain."
"According to them, they got lost in the mountains and accidentally stumbled there, where we captured them."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei also frowned slightly. "According to Shen Qiang, there are about five thousand people on the mountain. Zhu Ting took two thousand, and if some more leave, there should be at least over a thousand people left on the mountain."
After speaking, he looked up at the majestic Qingniu Mountain in front of him.
"But Qingniu Mountain is vast with countless paths; we can't possibly search every corner."
Liu Ce also sighed, "Indeed. Those on the mountain are all soldiers from outside the region. If they were to wander down like those three, it would be fine. But if they get lost in the mountains and eventually freeze or starve to death, that's entirely possible."
Liu Rumei understood Liu Ce's meaning and sighed.
"Yes, if they become desperate from hunger on the mountain, they could do anything."
"So, tomorrow you'll take five hundred men up the mountain. Bring plenty of supplies, and light more fires at night. If they see the fires, they might come looking for them." Su Dan Novel Network
Liu Ce nodded. In this era, this was the only way. After all, Zhu Meng's subordinates were still soldiers of their Da Cang kingdom. They couldn't just leave so many people on the mountain.
Moreover, having them on the mountain posed a great threat to Hetou Village.
As the sun began to set, Hu Fan, still somewhat tipsy, left Hetou Village. He grabbed Chen Xiaobei's hand and repeatedly said, "Brother Xiaobei, you must keep your word and send the fish and apples to the county town tomorrow."
After seeing Hu Fan off, Chen Xiaobei turned around, his smile gone.
Taking advantage of the darkness, he quickly called for those in the village who had nets to go to the river and catch fish. After all, he only had a few fish left in his fish tank, which wouldn't be enough to sell tomorrow if sent to the county town.
As for the apples, he still had to wait for Chen Dachun and the others.
It wasn't until it was completely dark that Chen Dachun and his group finally returned, their faces beaming with joy.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei, Chen Dachun called out from a distance, "Brother Xiaobei, we're back!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded. With their return, his worries finally subsided. At this moment, Chen Yangzhi quickly stepped forward.
"Brother Xiaobei, we had an unexpected harvest today."
"While picking fruit, we also captured a few prisoners. They were all scattered subordinates of Zhu Meng, and we stumbled upon them."
He gestured to the rear as he said this, and at the end of the group, several people were tied together, heads bowed, standing there in silence.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart sank.
Careless, he had been too careless.
Fortunately, Yang Chun and Yang Zhi, who were martial arts practitioners, had gone with Chen Dayong and the others today. Otherwise, if only these village guards had encountered these three, it was hard to say what would have happened.
Suppressing his inner panic, Chen Xiaobei had Yang Zhi take the prisoners for their personal custody. After making all the arrangements, he turned to find Liu Rumei.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei's urgency, Liu Rumei remained calm. She poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Chen Xiaobei. "Brother Xiaobei, don't rush when facing matters. Speak slowly."
"Chen Dachun and the others went up the mountain earlier and encountered three of Zhu Meng's subordinates. They've brought them back."
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei frowned. She had thought that Liu Ce's encounter in the afternoon was just a coincidence, but Chen Dachun and the others encountering them on the mountain indicated that there were quite a few scattered Zhu Meng soldiers on the mountain.
If that was the case, relying solely on Liu Ce to lead men up the mountain to light fires and signal might have little effect. Many soldiers might have already scattered in the foothills.
"Brother Xiaobei, to be honest, Liu Ce and his men also captured a few in the foothills this afternoon. I suspect many soldiers from the mountain are heading down. We need to be vigilant about this."
Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment and had an idea. "Can we send these captured soldiers back up the mountain to find their companions?"
Liu Rumei's eyes lit up. "That's a good idea. I'll handle this."
"No, let's go together and persuade these soldiers to go back up the mountain as quickly as possible."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei went together to see the captured prisoners.
These soldiers clearly recognized Liu Rumei and fell to their knees, begging for mercy.
Liu Rumei sighed. "I don't want to kill you, I just want to discuss something with you."
Upon hearing this, the soldiers eagerly agreed, "Miss Liu, please command us. We will do anything within our ability."
Liu Rumei nodded. "There should still be quite a few of your companions on the mountain, shouldn't there?"