“Chen Ping ge, I really can't do it, you know my situation…”
Chen Xiaobei wanted to explain further, but Chen Ping had already taken his hand and stood before the crowd. “Captain Xiaobei, please say a few words to everyone. From now on, the village guard team has nothing to do with me.”
With that, he cupped his fists in a salute to those present and turned to leave.
He stopped at the doorway and looked back, saying to Chen Xiaobei, “My grandfather said you are to report to the township today, and the county appointment will be official soon.”
What, does the village guard captain need a county appointment?
Chen Xiaobei was secretly surprised by the formality, yet it felt so casual.
Seeing that he remained silent, Chen Daqiang spoke first, “Xiao… Captain, we’ll listen to you. You tell us, how should our village guard team operate from now on?”
Chen Xiaobei was completely bewildered, but given the circumstances, he felt he was being pushed onto the stage. He had to be the captain whether he wanted to or not.
“Um, everyone, please don’t be in a hurry. Let’s sit down and talk slowly.”
After everyone was seated, Chen Xiaobei looked at Chen Daqiang. “Brother Daqiang, tell me first, what does a captain do?”
Chen Daqiang rubbed his hands, looking a bit embarrassed. “Actually, actually, it’s nothing much. Just lead everyone to protect the village, arrange shifts. Someone is on duty at the village entrance during the day, and we patrol a few times at night.”
“Oh, and you’re the captain, so you can receive wages from the county.”
“Is that all?” Chen Xiaobei found it hard to believe. Such a simple job, and he could even get money from the county for free. Would Chen Ping not want it?
At that moment, Chen Daming, standing nearby, rubbed his hands and said, “Well, well, of course. We can’t work all year for nothing, right?”
Xiaobei finally came to his senses. “Why doesn’t the county give you all wages?”
“No, they don’t. It’s just that Chen Ping gives a little at the end of the year…”
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei cursed inwardly and muttered.
This village guard team was so melodramatic. The members didn’t get paid, and they had to rely on the leader to figure out year-end bonuses.
It was really tough for Chen Ping to have persisted for so many years.
However, he didn’t want to throw away money for nothing either.
Seeing his silence, Chen Xiaobo, standing next to him, continued, “Brother Xiaobei, you don’t need to take it too seriously. Even if we don’t get paid, it’s fine. After all, we are all people of Hetou Village. For the peace of our elders and youths, we can work for free.”
That’s what he said, but Chen Xiaobei knew that if he really didn’t pay or paid less than Chen Ping, these people would truly quit.
No wonder Chen Ping had so readily handed over this job.
Chen Xiaobei looked at Chen Daqiang. “Alright, I understand. Then, according to the previously arranged schedule, let me know when it’s my turn to be on duty.”
Chen Daqiang took out a piece of paper from his怀 and handed it to Chen Xiaobei.
“This is the shift schedule. Tomorrow during the day is your shift. Of course, you don’t have to stay at the village entrance all day. Just check in a few times from a distance.”
Chen Xiaobei took the paper. It not only listed the shift order but also the night patrol groups. The eight members on the night shift were divided into four groups, with two people per group.
Starting from the second watch, each group would patrol for an hour. Of course, this so-called patrol was just a round around Hetou Village.
This arrangement allowed the village guard members to get more rest at night. After all, each person only patrolled once a night, which took less than half an hour.
For unified operations, the village guard members would live in collective dormitories in the two rooms under the big locust tree at night.
After seeing off the village guard members, Chen Xiaobei sat in the courtyard for a long time without moving.
At this moment, Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer came out.
Qiaoer’s face was full of joy, and she clapped her hands excitedly. “Brother has been promoted! Brother is the captain!”
However, Cui Hongyu’s face was not smiling. “Husband, this captain position is not easy to fill. The county doesn’t provide a salary, so you’ll have to figure everything out yourself.”
“Like in our village, the village guard captain was directly held by the landlord Cui Dana. He made his long-term hired hands do this job.”
Yes, Cui Dana was a famous landlord in the area. He held the position of village guard captain, received a salary from the county for free, and then made his hired hands become village guard members. These hired hands, though they received no money, had to do the work.
But Hetou Village was different. There weren’t many wealthy households, and everyone was more or less the same. Therefore, Chen Anbang had no choice but to have his grandson take the position.
Each year, the salary received by the grandfather and grandson had to be partly distributed to appease these village guard members.
Chen Xiaobei was also scratching his head.
“Yes, I don’t know what they were thinking, making me the village guard captain.”
Cui Hongyu frowned slightly. “Husband, do you think it has something to do with those two mountain bandits?”
Her words were like a wake-up call. Chen Xiaobei slapped his forehead.
Yes, why hadn’t he thought of that?
“Hongyu, you’re absolutely right. The mountain bandits in Wugong Ridge, there are over a hundred of them.”
“Although Chen Yutian hired assassins to kill people, the mountain bandits would naturally not stand idly by when their accomplices were arrested. If the mountain bandits find another opportunity to kill me, then Chen Ping and Chen Anbang would be implicated.”
“But if I become the village guard captain, and something happens, it would be seen as bravely fighting the bandits and protecting the lives and property of the villagers.”
“If I were killed, perhaps the county would even send us a grand plaque and you a red flower.”
Seeing Chen Xiaobei say it so lightly, Cui Hongyu shook her head repeatedly. “Husband, you can’t take this job. Before you report to the county, go and talk to the village head and ask him to find someone else.”
“Also, you should come back to my parents’ home with me for a few days to lie low.”
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly. Was he a coward or a true man?
“Hongyu, since they have entrusted this captaincy to me, do you think we can refuse it?”
“This is clearly a trap set for us, and we have no way out. If the mountain bandits continue to pursue us, we can only find a way to resolve it.”
Cui Hongyu listened, her brows furrowed. “But we don’t know the mountain bandits of Wugong Ridge, and no one can speak for us.”
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself, I have no solution either, but now that I am the head of the household, I have to pretend to be confident.
“I have my own ways. However, for safety’s sake, why don’t you take Qiaoer back to your parents’ home for a few days?”
Hongyu shook her head. “If husband is not going, then I am not going either. I want to stay and accompany you.”
Chen Qiaoer, hearing this, echoed from the side, “Qiaoer also wants to accompany brother.”
Chen Xiaobei nodded. “If that’s the case, then tonight you will go to Dachun’s house.”
After speaking, he raised his hand and patted Chen Qiaoer’s head. “Qiaoer, you must be obedient this time, or you won’t get any steamed buns in the future.”
Indeed, delicious food was a great temptation. Chen Qiaoer nodded obediently.