Xiao Cui nodded, "I've noted it down. I'll do my best."
"Oh, and it seems the Imperial Preceptor is planning to move against Liu Rumei. Miao Qingfeng himself came to discuss it."
The Lotus Cult Leader smiled slightly, "Excellent. I'll spread this news, and we can sit back and watch the tigers fight."
With the silver notes in hand, Da Lao Hei headed straight for the county town. There was a government-run bank there where he needed to exchange the five thousand taels of silver notes for smaller denominations.
Once the silver was exchanged, he could feast, drink, and live it up for a while.
As they were walking, the donkey cart suddenly stopped. Yang Chun leaned over and whispered into Da Lao Hei's ear, "Brother, isn't that your nephew?"
Da Lao Hei had been lying on the cart, his eyes half-closed in a semi-sleepy state. Hearing Yang Chun's words, he slowly opened his eyes and shifted his body to look ahead.
Indeed, a few constables were escorting over a dozen prisoners. The prisoners' hands were bound, and their feet were shackled, clanking with every step. Their pace was naturally slow.
Walking at the very front was his nephew, Chen Ermao. Looking closer, he saw Chen Ermao's father, Chen Yutian, and Chen Yutian's wife, Madam Jia, among them.
Seeing this scene, Da Lao Hei sighed, "Alas, they're to be exiled."
Just then, Chen Ermao, walking at the forefront, spotted Yang Chun. "Uncle Yang Chun, please save me!"
Being recognized, Yang Chun felt a bit awkward. *You're about to be exiled, how can I save you?* he thought.
Hearing this, Da Lao Hei suddenly sat bolt upright.
Yang Chun flinched and hastily whispered, "Brother, don't do anything foolish."
After speaking, Yang Chun raised his voice and said to Chen Ermao, "Knowing you were leaving today, your uncle specifically came to see you off."
Upon seeing Da Lao Hei, Chen Ermao became even more excited.
"Uncle, Uncle, you're here too."
Da Lao Hei jumped off the cart and started to walk forward. Yang Chun once again whispered, "Brother, stay calm."
Da Lao Hei nodded slightly, reached into his chest, and took out some broken silver. He walked up to the leading constable with a genial smile. "Gentlemen, you've worked hard."
As he spoke, he pressed the broken silver into the constable's hand.
The constable understood his meaning and motioned for the procession to stop. "Go on, but don't take too long."
Da Lao Hei walked forward, glanced at Chen Ermao, and then went directly to his sister, Madam Jia.
"Elder sister, you've suffered."
Madam Jia looked at Da Lao Hei, her eyes welling up with tears, and sighed deeply.
"Alas, it's all my fault. Not only did I fail to discipline my son, but I also did something foolish. Being exiled today is the punishment I deserve, the punishment I deserve!"
It could be said that prison was indeed a good place; in just a few days, Madam Jia had profoundly realized her mistakes.
Da Lao Hei nodded, then turned to Chen Yutian.
Chen Yutian's expression was dejected. He paused for a long time before slowly speaking, "If you can see Chen Xiaobei, please give him a message for me. I've wronged him."
"Also, please tell Chen Anbang, the village chief, that my house is to be left to Chen Xiaobei."
At this point, Yang Chun beside him spoke, "You've been inside for a long time and don't know the situation outside. Chen Xiaobei is now the village chief of your Hetou Village."
Chen Yutian was momentarily stunned. After a long while, he let out a self-mocking, bitter laugh and shook his head. "It's all fate, all fate."
Da Lao Hei nodded. "Don't worry, I'll deliver your message. However, I can't guarantee if Brother Xiaobei will want your house."
Chen Yutian looked at him with astonishment. "You… you called Chen Xiaobei 'brother'?"
Da Lao Hei was also taken aback for a moment, then grinned. "Yes, yes. Brother Xiaobei, we know each other very well. I'll definitely deliver your message."
If Chen Yutian were alive today, he would surely understand that his actions perfectly fit the saying: "Startled from a deathbed, the clown is none other than oneself." Or, "Words that shock the world lead to death, a single red bloom climbs over the wall."
However, Chen Ermao and the others mentioning Chen Xiaobei earlier had indeed reminded Chen Da Lao Hei.
If it weren't for Chen Xiaobei, he wouldn't have gotten this five thousand taels of silver.
As they walked towards the city, he discussed with Yang Chun, "Yang Chun, do you think we should properly thank Chen Xiaobei for all this silver we've received?"
"Brother, didn't we give him a sheep? Besides, we haven't lost out to him."
Da Lao Hei shook his head. "Alas, we did give him a sheep, but if it weren't for a twist of fate, Chen Xiaobei might have already become a ghost at the hands of Yang Dazhi and the others."
"It's all thanks to that hateful Chen Ermao twisting the truth."
Hearing Da Lao Hei's words, Yang Chun understood that a certain matter weighed heavily on Da Lao Hei's mind.
"How about, according to our mountain stronghold's rules, we give Brother Xiaobei a separate portion?"
This suggestion struck a chord with Da Lao Hei. He chuckled, "Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking."
"Let's give him two hundred taels. Anything more, and the brothers might gossip."
The two entered the county town, exchanged their silver, and then made a large purchase in town, filling a whole donkey cart with good wine and delicacies.
When it couldn't hold any more, they finally stopped and left the city, heading straight for Hetou Village. Although it was a bit out of the way and a detour, it was closer than returning to the stronghold and then making another trip.
Chen Xiaobei, however, was feeling a bit down today. The fish tank had been set up, and the three large snakes had been placed inside.
Chen Xiaobei then realized a problem: what would he feed these three living ancestors?
He remembered seeing snakes eat frogs, mice, and other small animals when he was younger.
But where would he find such things? Frogs were rare and difficult to catch nowadays, and while there were plenty of mice, he couldn't catch any himself.
After much thought, Chen Xiaobei came up with a bold idea: he would experiment with feeding them fish to see if the snakes would eat them.
He spent half the morning by the river and managed to catch over a dozen fish.
He picked out a fish about half a foot long, tied a thin rope around it, and then slowly lowered it from a tree branch.
About two feet from the bottom of the tank, one of the snakes suddenly raised its head and bit the fish halfway down its body.
Then, with three swift movements, it swallowed the entire fish.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei felt a surge of joy. *Good, this is a good start.*
Fortunately, the snakes weren't greedy. Each village then received one fish and quietly lay there, digesting slowly.
*Good, this way the feeding costs will be much lower, and I can sell them for a good price later.*
Just then, Chen Xiaobo arrived, his face beaming with happiness.
"Brother Xiaobei, Brother Xiaobei!" Seeing his overjoyed expression, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but smile. "Brother Xiaobo, what's made you so happy?"
Chen Xiaobo chuckled, "Brother Xiaobei, I'm getting married in a couple of days. You must come and have a wedding banquet."
No wonder he was so happy; he was getting married.