Hu Fan smiled and nodded, "Brother Chen, I heard it's your big day. I didn't have much time to prepare anything, just a small token of my appreciation. Please don't mind."
As he spoke, he gestured behind him.
Behind him was a carriage, from which a constable jumped down and presented a gift list.
It was some silk and satin, plus fifty taels of silver.
For a county magistrate, fifty taels of silver was quite a sum, at least for an honest official.
Chen Xiaobei walked a few steps with Hu Fan. Hu Fan's eyes immediately fell on Liu Rumei.
Upon hearing of Hu Fan's arrival, Liu Rumei rushed out to greet him. After all, Hu Fan was the local official, and she had been entrusted by Cui Hongyu to manage this wedding, effectively making her the chief organizer.
Liu Rumei stepped forward and paid her respects to Hu Fan.
Hu Fan quickly returned the bow, "Miss Liu, please don't be so formal. How can you..."
Liu Rumei explained with a smile, "Chen Xiaobei is like a brother to me. It's only natural for a younger sister to help organize her brother's wedding."
Hu Fan was surprised by this statement but then burst into laughter, "Good, good! Brothers are good!"
With that, Liu Rumei invited Hu Fan into Chen Xiaobei's new home.
Looking at the brand-new house, Hu Fan couldn't help but nod, "This house is well-built, spacious and impressive."
This was just politeness, and Chen Xiaobei smiled and let it pass. He knew Hu Fan likely had other matters to discuss.
Soon, someone served tea.
After taking a sip of tea, Hu Fan finally changed the subject, "Brother Xiaobei, I heard that before the army arrived, you were busy delivering vegetables and selling fish to the county town every day."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, but now it's late autumn, and the vegetables haven't grown yet. There are still some fish, though."
"Yes, I heard you also sent a type of fruit called 'apple,' is that right?"
Chen Xiaobei silently gave him a thumbs-up. He had to admit, Hu Fan's intelligence gathering was thorough; he knew his background inside and out.
"You are correct. There is indeed a fruit called apple on Qingniu Mountain. I sent some to the city before the army arrived, and then paused."
Hu Fan nodded, "Now that Zhu Meng's people are gone, the lives of the common people must gradually return to normal. Vegetables, fish, and fruits should still be delivered."
Chen Xiaobei again gave Hu Fan a thumbs-up.
Hu Fan was truly a diligent and benevolent official.
It made sense. Zhu Meng had caused so much trouble for so long that the people's lives were bound to be disrupted.
Moreover, as Old Wu, the vegetable seller, had said, there were already few green vegetables in autumn and winter, and with the disruption, it would be even harder to buy them in the market. Thinking about it now, it was indeed difficult for Tian Wen to procure so many vegetables so early in the morning.
"Magistrate Hu, please rest assured. I will arrange it immediately. Everything will be as usual starting tomorrow."
Chen Xiaobei immediately went to find Chen Dachun and instructed him to lead a team to the mountain to pick apples, and to pick as many as possible. As the weather grew cold, the apples on the mountain might freeze if frost hit.
Chen Dachun thumped his chest, "Don't worry about this, I'll take care of it. We'll have the fruit down before dark."
Not long after leaving Chen Dachun's house, he saw Yang Zhi and Yang Chun. After these two brothers recognized each other, they became inseparable, like they were tied together.
After greeting Chen Xiaobei, Yang Zhi took out a silver note from his pocket.
"Brother Xiaobei, this is a small gesture from our Vermilion Bird Gang. It's not much money, please accept it."
Chen Xiaobei repeatedly waved his hands, "No, no. How can I accept your money? I'm already very happy that you came to have a drink and support me."
"No, the money should be given, and the drinks should be had. By the way, I have dozens of men under me. See if there's anything I can help you with."
Chen Xiaobei smiled and waved his hand, "There's nothing to do. You just wait for the drinks."
As they were speaking, Chen Dayong and a few other village guard members walked over, each carrying a basket, ready to go up the mountain to pick apples.
Yang Chun was the first to notice this and stopped Chen Dayong, smiling as he asked, "Brother Dayong, what are you going to carry?"
Chen Dayong did not hide anything and explained that he was going up the mountain to carry apples.
Hearing this, Yang Chun's eyes lit up. He nudged Yang Zhi and said, "Brother Xiaobei, we're idle here anyway. We can help you carry some fruit down from the mountain. Otherwise, we'll feel quite stifled just eating idle food all day."
Alright, since they volunteered, Chen Xiaobei didn't refuse.
From a distance, the Old Ancestor saw these people carrying baskets and heading up the mountain with the villagers. He was surprised and pulled Chen Xiaobei aside, asking in a low voice, "Xiaobei, they are people from the martial world. Isn't it inappropriate for them to do this kind of farm work?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, "There's nothing inappropriate about it."
"If they are willing to do it, then let them. If not, I won't force them. They will be leaving in a while anyway."
The Old Ancestor could only nod helplessly.
"By the way, Old Ancestor, Magistrate Hu has arrived. I've invited him to stay for a banquet at noon. You must go and keep him company."
"Yes, yes, it's an honor for Hetou Village to have the County Magistrate visit. I will definitely go. I will definitely go."
Soon, it was noon.
Tian Wen certainly lived up to his reputation. He and his men prepared a sumptuous banquet.
Hu Fan politely declined a bit and then took his seat.
Hu Fan came in his personal capacity, so Mao You, He Dali, and the others did not come. Chen Xiaobei naturally understood that these people would come sooner or later, but Hu Fan's generous gift would make their own offerings seem insignificant, so they chose not to accompany him.
The dishes were served, the wine was poured, and the Old Ancestor, with a smile so wide his wrinkles could catch flies, raised his wine glass and said to Hu Fan.
"Magistrate Hu, your presence is an honor to Hetou Village. Taking this opportunity, I, an old man, will offer you a toast first."
Hu Fan waved his hand, "You mustn't say that, elder. I am benefiting from Brother Chen Xiaobei's good fortune. If it weren't for his wedding, I wouldn't have had the chance to come to your village for a drink."
With that, their wine glasses clinked, and they drank it all down.
Chen Xiaobei did not join the feast. According to custom, the elders of the family would entertain the guests first, and the groom would only offer a toast at the end.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei was not in the village but was taking a few people to inspect the cabbages and radishes he had planted.
When Zhu Meng's army was stationed there, someone had watered them every few days, so the cabbages and radishes had grown exceptionally well.
But now that Zhu Meng's men were gone, this task had fallen to him.
Fortunately, Liu Ce had brought enough manpower, and Liu Rumei had also left a thousand soldiers. Since they had nothing else to do, helping with some work was a good way to pass the time.