So now, Chen Anbang had no other choice.
Chen Xiaobei, oh Chen Xiaobei, you really had good methods.
After sighing, he looked at Chen Ermao and the others, and hated them to the point of grinding his teeth.
In his opinion, Chen Ermao was stealing the property of his grandson, Chen Ping.
"Alright, Chen Ermao, you've heard me. Chen Xiaobei will be lenient with you regarding the roadside robbery, but what about the theft? Do you admit to it?"
"We admit it."
"We admit it."
Chen Ermao and the others hurriedly expressed their agreement.
Chen Anbang nodded and looked at the families of Chen Ermao and the others. "You can all get up now."
"As I said earlier, those who commit wrongdoing will be severely punished."
"Considering your sincere repentance, your names will be temporarily retained within the clan. However, tomorrow you must be escorted to the county yamen. Oh, and Xiaobei, you will accompany them tomorrow and explain the situation clearly to the magistrate."
Chen Anbang was also very shrewd. He didn't handle the matter according to family or clan rules, but instead handed the three over to the county magistrate.
This once again passed the buck to Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei secretly lamented that Chen Anbang was indeed an old fox, handling matters without any loopholes, and pushing the ungracious task onto himself. This was forcing him to concede.
No, he had no way back.
Chen Ermao was a man of his word, as could be seen from when he paid off his gambling debts.
Therefore, if he let Chen Ermao go today, he would still cause trouble for him tomorrow.
Then let the county magistrate decide Chen Ermao's fate tomorrow.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei's silence, Chen Anbang knew that this was the best that could be done tonight.
"Chen Ping, tie these three brats to the big tree at the village entrance and send them to the county yamen at first light tomorrow."
As everyone gradually dispersed, Cui Hongyu tentatively asked Chen Xiaobei, "Why don't you go and talk to the village head and let them go?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "Letting the tiger return to the mountain will bring endless trouble."
At this moment, Er Shen Xioumei also walked over. "Hongyu, don't be afraid. I'll go with you to the county yamen tomorrow. We'll at least make these brats lose some skin."
Meanwhile, at Chen Anbang's house.
Chen Ermao's mother came again, holding Chen Anbang's hand, crying and sobbing. "Second Uncle, you can't just stand by and watch. Will it be good for Ermao to be sent to the county yamen?"
Chen Anbang sighed. "I don't want to, but as you saw tonight, Chen Xiaobei's stolen property is something he won't let go of. We are not in the right."
"Second Uncle, what is your relationship with Chen Xiaobei, and what is your relationship with my father? How can it be the same? Please be merciful."
As she spoke, she quietly took out a cloth pouch from her sleeve, which jingled with a clinking sound.
Chen Anbang knew it contained copper coins, and by the looks of it, there were at least a few dozen.
"Alas, I understand your concern for your child."
"How about this? Go back and prepare some travel money and a couple of clothes for him, and send him away tonight. Let them hide until things blow over before returning."
The next morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, a shocking piece of news spread throughout the village.
Chen Ermao and the other two, taking advantage of the guards' drowsiness, had broken free of their ropes overnight and escaped without a trace.
Upon hearing this news, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but give a wry smile.
He knew that Chen Ermao's escape was definitely not due to the guards' drowsiness. However, it was true that this time, after escaping, Chen Ermao would not dare to return for a while.
Therefore, he had to speed up his pace of earning money and become stronger as soon as possible. Otherwise, the revenge that Chen Ermao would bring upon him next time would be even more intense.
He got up early and went to the barren land behind his house to check on the vegetables he had planted. The seeds had already sprouted small tender shoots. After all, the weather was hot, and they germinated quite quickly.
However, how could growing just this small patch of vegetables be enough?
He still had to find ways to do something else.
While he was lost in thought, someone greeted him from the side. "Oh, Xiaobei, you're up so early."
He looked up and saw Li Dong, who was heading towards the river with a fishing rod and a fish basket.
"Oh, Brother Li Dong, going fishing so early again!"
Chen Li Dong's expression became somewhat helpless. "Alas, those two fish from last night were stolen by some scoundrel in the chaos. I'm coming early to try my luck."
Watching Chen Li Dong walk away, Chen Xiaobei's mind recalled what he had told him last night: a dead fish half a foot long could be exchanged for a copper coin, and a live one would double the price.
But fishing was too slow. He remembered a powerful tool for catching fish from his rural hometown.
That was a cast net.
The net was shaped like an umbrella, with several openings on the sides and bait placed inside.
Fish that smelled the bait would enter through the openings, but once inside, it would be difficult for them to get out.
Yes, he would use this method.
Chen Xiaobei became excited as soon as he thought of this.
Chen Xiaobei ran home, instructed Cui Hongyu and Qiao'er, took out dozens of copper coins, and headed towards the county town. As he walked, he pondered that traveling back and forth on foot was truly tiring. Once he made a fortune, the first thing he would do was buy a donkey cart.
Chen Xiaobei entered the county town and asked around. First, he went to buy an umbrella.
There were no ready-made cast nets, so he had to make one himself. Thus, using an umbrella as a frame was quite suitable.
After asking around, he found a shop selling umbrellas ahead. Just as Chen Xiaobei was about to enter, several women came out laughing. The leader was Liu Rumei.
Seeing Liu Rumei again, Chen Xiaobei was no longer flustered. He quickly moved aside.
But he never expected Liu Rumei to have an excellent memory. She had already remembered this poor boy whom she had only met twice.
"Oh, it's you! What are you doing here?"
"Greetings, Miss Liu. I'm here to buy an umbrella." Chen Xiaobei appeared calm, neither subservient nor arrogant.
Xiao Qing, who was beside her, looked at Liu Rumei's lapel. "Miss, let's go."
From Xiao Qing's eyes, Chen Xiaobei saw a hint of disdain. Come to think of it, why shouldn't they look down on him?
Liu Rumei smiled and said, "Do you, a grown man, know how to pick an umbrella? How about I help you pick one!"
He really didn't expect this Miss Liu to be so enthusiastic.
Chen Xiaobei repeatedly waved his hands. "No need, no need. I wouldn't dare trouble you, Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei, however, turned and walked into the shop. "Shopkeeper, bring out a few umbrellas for me to look at."
Seeing Liu Rumei so approachable, Chen Xiaobei secretly sighed, truly a good person. May good people have a peaceful life.
Speaking of which, he really wasn't good at picking umbrellas. He didn't know the craftsmanship of umbrellas in this era.
Liu Rumei picked out an umbrella and brought it to him. "Is this one good?"
"Yes, yes, this one is perfect. Thank you, Miss Liu."
Liu Rumei smiled and turned to leave.
After she left, Chen Xiaobei finally came to his senses and hurriedly asked the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, how much is this umbrella?"
The shopkeeper smiled slightly. "Three copper coins will do. You know, you were very lucky today to have met the benevolent Miss Liu."