Chen Xiaobei bid farewell to Liu Rumei and returned to the inn with mixed feelings. It was evident that Liu Rumei was willing to accept giving up everything, even having her father become a monk, but Liu Yuanwen still seemed to have reservations and couldn't make up his mind.
Of course, he couldn't be blamed for this. Anyone facing fame and fortune would find it difficult to make such a resolute decision; it required time and patience to wait for the right opportunity.
Xiao An's actions were swift. The next morning, an altar was erected outside the west gate. Taoist priests and monks took turns chanting scriptures and performing rituals, making the riverside a lively scene.
As the altar was set up, public opinion gradually began to shift.
The influence of the books hidden in fish bellies was completely offset. People's daily discussions about visiting the river now centered on the presence of monsters and the Emperor's summoning of eminent monks and priests to perform rituals.
This narrative left Chen Xiaobei feeling quite dejected. What made him even more depressed was that amidst these internal and external troubles, Feng Xiaoyue fell ill.
Seeing Feng Xiaoyue lying in bed, her sallow face withered and frail, Chen Xiaobei felt a pang of heartache.
Although Lami had invited the best doctor from the capital, who prescribed medicine for Feng Xiaoyue, it seemed to have little effect.
Lin Yang knew that Feng Xiaoyue's illness was a matter of the heart, and medication would likely be of little benefit. To help Feng Xiaoyue recover, he had to rescue her father.
Returning to his room, Chen Xiaobei sat down, appearing at a loss.
Huang Ying saw this, poured a cup of tea, and placed it beside him, asking softly, "Husband, the doctor has already seen her, so you shouldn't worry too much."
Xiaobei sighed, "Sister Xiaoyue is suffering from a heartache. If her father cannot be rescued, I'm afraid she won't get better."
Hearing this, Huang Ying's heart stirred. She recalled what the Lotus Cult Leader had said before leaving.
She wanted to tell Chen Xiaobei the truth, but then she remembered the Lotus Cult Leader's other words: if Chen Xiaobei were to help Feng Xiaoyue so greatly, Feng Xiaoyue would surely pledge herself to him. Would she herself be neglected then?
Huang Ying was deeply hesitant. Seeing her silence, Chen Xiaobei spoke up, "Huang Ying, what's wrong? You seem to be hesitating, is there something you want to say?"
Huang Ying repeatedly shook her head. "No, no. I just feel Sister Xiaoyue is quite pitiful. She..." She trailed off with a sigh. Chen Xiaobei didn't think much of it and followed Huang Ying's lead, saying, "Yes, it's already difficult for one person. In Xiaojia Town, she's also taking care of so many homeless orphans, and on top of that, she's running around for her father's affairs. It's not easy for her."
The more Chen Xiaobei spoke like this, the more conflicted Huang Ying felt. She could only find an excuse and leave the room.
At this moment, Liu Ce and Liu Tie arrived, both looking anxious. The erected altar outside was making the public opinion against Liu Xiangnan even more unfavorable.
"Brother Xiaobei, what should we do? Those monks and priests outside are saying there are monsters in the river. Our hidden books in fish bellies have only made Marquis seem even more guilty."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but sigh. Indeed, this was the importance of controlling public opinion.
The common folk were easily swayed by such things. Whoever seized the initiative held the advantage, and it would be difficult for him to regain control now.
"Brothers, don't worry. We must also wait for a suitable opportunity. Since they can set up altars and perform rituals, we will disrupt their rituals."
Chen Xiaobei pondered for a moment and came up with a plan.
He hurried to find Yang Zhi. Upon entering, he asked Yang Zhi, "Brother Yang, do you still have that fish medicine?"
Yang Zhi nodded. "Of course, I do. I can get you as much as you want!"
"Great! Brother Yang, listen to me. Tonight, you will again place the fish medicine at the east, west, north, and south gates."
"I want to see whose rituals are more powerful, or whose medicine is more potent, Brother Yang Zhi."
Hearing this, Yang Zhi, Liu Ce, and Liu Tie's eyes lit up. This was indeed a good idea.
As long as the fish shoals continued to appear, and in all directions, it would prove that the monks' and priests' so-called rituals were ineffective. As long as the rituals were ineffective, Chen Xiaobei and his allies would have an opportunity.
"Brother Xiaobei, while the method is good, if the fish shoals appear every day, the common folk will eventually grow tired of it."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "That's true. If we only focus on the fish, it might become monotonous." Sudan Novels Network.
"That's not difficult either. As long as the fish shoals continue to appear, those monks and priests will naturally retreat. The Emperor will surely find someone else to perform rituals. I will take care of it then, I have my own way of dealing with it."
Hearing this, Lardo couldn't help but give Chen Xiaobei a thumbs-up.
"I didn't expect Brother Xiaobei to understand the arrangement of formations. Tell me quickly, what formation techniques do you know?"
What techniques? Chen Xiaobei thought to himself that in his previous life, he had read many martial arts stories, which often spoke of things like the Azure Dragon on the left, the White Tiger on the right, the Vermilion Bird in front, and the Black Tortoise behind.
As he thought of this, Chen Xiaobei remembered climbing to the peak with the Crown Prince and others. That Daoist Master Taiping had once mentioned setting up a Four Spirits Formation to protect the dragon脉, with the Azure Dragon on the left, the White Tiger on the right, the Vermilion Bird in front, and the Black Tortoise behind.
So, it seemed this world also believed in such things.
After listening to his explanation, Lardo beside him exclaimed, "Alas, as you say, these four mythical beasts are all rare creatures. Where will we find them?"
"Yes, who has ever seen a Vermilion Bird? And there isn't even a mountain within a hundred-mile radius. Where will we find a tiger?"
Hearing them mention this, Chen Xiaobei's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh, I'm truly... holding a golden plate and begging for food. These things are all available in my hometown! The tiger can be the White Tiger, and a few large snakes can be the Azure Dragon. I also have a large turtle at home. As for the Vermilion Bird, two pheasants can serve the purpose."
Didn't he have all four mythical beasts right here?
With this thought, he couldn't help but get excited and said to Lardo, "Leader, immediately write a letter to Yang Chun..."
Only after Chen Xiaobei had made all his arrangements did Liu Ce and Liu Tie stand up and bow deeply to him together. "Thank you, Brother Xiaobei, for your help. When this matter is concluded, we will surely repay your great kindness with our lives."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand and smiled. "There's no need to be so polite. Since we are brothers, why be so formal?"
"When I go to visit the prison, there is one more thing I need your help with. According to the Heir Apparent, there is a villager named Chen Ermao imprisoned in the cellar of the Marquis's mansion. He is a villager from my Hetou Village."
"I hope you two can visit him at night and bring him some food and drink, especially to make sure he doesn't starve to death."
The reason Chen Xiaobei asked them to bring food and drink instead of rescuing Chen Ermao was mainly because he considered the current situation to be chaotic enough. Having him released now might only add to the confusion.