Chen Xiaobei hesitated for a moment before finally saying a few polite words.
"The great village chief is too kind. Please tell me if you need anything. As long as I, Chen Xiaobei, can do it, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Big Lao Hei laughed heartily, "How can I let Brother Xiaobei risk his life? This matter is quite simple. I want to go to Qingniu Mountain and ask Brother Xiaobei to help find a guide."
What? Go to Qingniu Mountain?
Chen Xiaobei's heart sank.
What was going on?
Yesterday, Sun Jian and his group wanted to go to Qingniu Mountain, and today Big Lao Hei also wanted to go to Qingniu Mountain. Moreover, it seemed that Liu Rumei and her people were also active on Qingniu Mountain.
What secrets were hidden on Qingniu Mountain?
Seeing his silence, Big Lao Hei continued, "Brother Xiaobei, don't worry. As long as you take us up the mountain, I will definitely treat him well."
This was something that had to be done regardless of the cost!
Judging by this, the secret on Qingniu Mountain became even more intriguing.
But now was not the time to inquire about this matter.
Chen Xiaobei could only pretend to be helpless and shake his head, "To be honest, there is an old saying in our village: 'Do not go past the mountain god temple when going up the mountain.'"
"There is a mountain god temple twenty miles into the mountain. I can take you there, but no one has ever gone further in, and I dare not."
Big Lao Hei couldn't help but laugh, "Brother, don't worry, as long as you take us up..."
As he spoke, he stretched out his hand with his fingers spread apart, "As long as you can take us on a tour of Qingniu Mountain, I will give you this amount."
"Fifty taels."
Damn it.
As expected, it was always the same, to make big money, you had to do something unconventional.
Able-bodied men worked themselves to death for five small coins a day, but guiding people around Qingniu Mountain would earn fifty taels of silver.
In his previous life, he would have gladly gone for even five taels, let alone fifty.
But now, it was different. He had already promised Sun Jian that he would take them around Qingniu Mountain, and now Big Lao Hei wanted to go around again.
Alas, if only he could open a travel agency and form a tour group for the two of them, earning double the money, wouldn't that be great.
Of course, this was just wishful thinking.
"Great village chief, it's not that I don't want to do it, and I really want to earn your fifty taels of silver, but honestly, I have never been to Qingniu Mountain. If we get lost and something happens, I, I would be letting you down."
Big Lao Hei smiled and shook his head, "You don't have to worry about that. I will send a few capable brothers to follow you. Don't worry, they will definitely protect your safety."
Chen Xiaobei was also speechless. He really couldn't understand. Why did Sun Jian and Big Lao Hei insist that the villagers of Hetou Village must be familiar with Qingniu Mountain?
As far as he knew, few people in the village dared to go to Qingniu Mountain. If he hadn't been forced, he wouldn't have dared to go either.
Of course, this was largely related to the legend of ferocious beasts on the mountain. Right, he had also seen the remains of a mountain goat, and it was indeed badly gnawed. Therefore, it was indeed lucky that he had not encountered any fierce beasts during his many trips into the mountain.
"Great village chief, I..."
Big Lao Hei directly raised his hand to stop him from saying more, "Alright, Brother Xiaobei, you continue with your work. We will go into the mountain after you have finished repairing this house."
This was very reasonable, completely different from his impression of mountain bandits.
After speaking, Big Lao Hei stood up.
Thank heavens they were finally leaving. Chen Xiaobei accompanied him with a smile and saw them off to his doorstep.
Big Lao Hei waved his hand, and a subordinate untied a cloth bag from his horse. It looked quite heavy and he carried it to Chen Xiaobei.
There was a live creature in the bag, as it kept moving.
"I came in a hurry and didn't know what you might be lacking."
"So I brought you a sheep."
My heavens.
The subordinate nimbly untied the rope of the bag, and sure enough, a mountain goat was revealed.
In times like these, a sheep was a considerable item. Big Lao Hei was truly generous.
"Great village chief, this is not appropriate, is it? I can't accept a reward without merit."
Big Lao Hei patted his shoulder affectionately, "I've decided to be your brother."
After speaking, he laughed heartily and leaped onto his horse, "I'll come back in a few days."
Watching the group of mountain bandits leave, Chen Xiaobei was stunned. Li Chun, Da Yong, and the others behind him were dumbfounded.
The legendary Big Lao Hei, a ruthless killer.
Yet, this villain acted like a neighborly elder brother in front of Chen Xiaobei, speaking humbly and with a smile, even giving him a sheep at the end.
Chen Da Yong's mind was quick. He snapped back to reality.
Chen Xiaobei was amazing.
He could establish connections with both the Liu family in the county town and the mountain bandits of Bugongling.
If he could rely on such a powerful figure, he would no longer have to worry about being bullied in the future.
Yes, he had to cling to this big tree.
There were many ways to cling to a big tree, but there was only one way to fawn over Chen Xiaobei.
That was to join the village guard and become Chen Xiaobei's subordinate.
During the lunch break, Chen Da Yong chuckled and approached Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, I want to discuss something with you."
Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but frown. Hearing the word "discuss" now made him have a reflex reaction.
Sun Jian said he wanted to discuss with him, but he had no choice. Big Lao Hei said he wanted to discuss with him, but he also had no choice.
"Brother Da Yong, let's be clear beforehand, I may not be able to do it."
Chen Da Yong smiled obsequiously, "You will definitely be able to do this. Don't worry, it's very simple."
"Alright, then tell me what it is?" Chen Xiaobei looked at him suspiciously.
"Brother, I want to join the village guard and contribute to our Hetou Village."
This was somewhat unexpected for Chen Xiaobei. He didn't expect Chen Da Yong to make this request.
Chen Xiaobei's mind flashed through several thoughts. He didn't have much of a problem with other things, but there was one point that made him a little apprehensive: the village guard members were to receive year-end bonuses.
But then again.
Didn't he happen to want to reform the work model of the village guard? If there were enough members, it would provide a possibility for such a change.
"Brother Da Yong, joining the village guard is not impossible, but as you know, with our village's conditions, there won't be much wages at the end of the year, and there might even be nothing at all."
Hearing this, Chen Da Yong laughed, "It's nothing. I just want to contribute to our village. As for wages, it doesn't matter."
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment and finally nodded, "Alright, since you think so, then you can join."
What Chen Xiaobei didn't expect was that once Chen Da Yong started, he couldn't stop.
Soon, the craftsmen and laborers present all expressed their desire to join the village guard, and even some of the young and strong men from the village came looking to join in the afternoon.
In just one day, the village guard became the most popular job in Hetou Village.
By the time work ended in the afternoon, Chen Xiaobei counted on his fingers. There were now over twenty village guard members.