Chen Dayong and others crowded forward and pinned Chen Dachun down without ceremony.
Someone else went to Chen Xiaobei's house and fetched a rope, tying Chen Dachun up securely.
"Brother Xiaobei, let me go, quickly let me go."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "Brother Dachun, I won't stop you if you want to gamble, but you can't sell family belongings anymore. You've lost all the one thousand taels of silver in less than a month. Haven't you realized your mistake yet?"
Chen Dachun panted heavily but remained silent, showing he had regained a sliver of reason.
"Brother Dachun, you can gamble if you want, but you have to earn the money yourself."
"Coincidentally, I'm taking them up the mountain to repair the iron cable bridge tomorrow."
"You can come with us. Once you earn the money, you can do whatever you want."
After speaking, he turned to Chen Dayong and said, "Keep an eye on him. Find two people in the morning to carry him up the mountain."
"Oh, and I'll pay the wages for the people carrying him, fifty copper coins each."
Returning home, Cui Hongyu was puzzled, "Husband, why are you carrying him up? Can't he walk?" Su Dan Novel Network
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "I'm afraid he'll run away midway. So, not only do they have to carry him, but they also have to blindfold him. When he reaches the canyon, he won't be able to return even if he wants to run. This way, he'll be able to work there with peace of mind for a few days. After ten days to half a month, he'll slowly let go of this obsession."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu felt a trace of respect for Chen Xiaobei. This was like a doctor, curing a person's illness.
Of course, it was a cure for a psychological ailment, the disease of always wanting to get rich quick.
After discussing Chen Dachun's matter, Chen Xiaobei also instructed Cui Hongyu. He would go up the mountain and make arrangements before returning, and he didn't know how many days he would be away. He asked her to be careful and to always observe the condition of the several large snakes.
Do not lift the wooden lid casually. If he doesn't return for four or five days, then consider feeding the snakes. For the next few days, there's no need to worry about them.
"Also, the village is selling vegetables these few days. Please help keep an eye on things. Chen Xiaowen and Chen Xiaobo are going to deliver them for the first time. Ask them to be careful and not to make mistakes with the weight."
"And I'm still burning lime in the woods to the west. Go and keep an eye on it, and add firewood from time to time. It needs to burn for at least three days and three nights."
Chen Xiaobei explained everything that needed attention, point by point.
After he finished speaking, he turned and went out.
With so many village guards leaving with him, the village's strength would be weakened. He had to go and greet Yang Zhi, asking him to visit and check on things from time to time. If any emergencies occurred, they could lend a hand.
By this time, several temporary thatched sheds had been erected in the four-mu field.
These people had no other entertainment at night but to light torches and drink.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Yang Zhi enthusiastically poured a bowl of wine and offered it to him.
"Brother Xiaobei, have a drink."
Chen Xiaobei smiled, took it, and gulped it down.
"Brother Yang Zhi, we have to go into the mountains tomorrow to build the iron cable bridge. I don't know how many days we'll be back."
He didn't need to say it explicitly. Yang Zhi naturally understood his meaning and chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll have people keep an eye on the village. If anything happens, I'll take care of it for you."
Indeed, Yang Zhi was a smart person.
"Thank you, Brother Yang. When we return from the mountain, I'll organize people to build houses for you."
Strictly speaking, building the iron cable bridge wouldn't require many people. When it came to building their houses, many craftsmen and laborers would be needed. Therefore, many of those carrying the iron chains into the mountains would return within the next day or two at most.
The next day, at the first light of dawn, the village of Hetou became lively again.
Some were up to harvest vegetables, while others were heading to the village entrance to prepare to carry iron chains. Due to the long distance, they had to set off early.
As for carrying Chen Dachun, this glorious and arduous task fell upon the shoulders of Chen Dayong and Chen Daqiang.
Even more ridiculously, Chen Xiaobei took a hood and put it directly on Chen Dachun, making Chen Dachun cry out in distress, "Brother Xiaobei, what are you doing? What are you doing?"
Chen Xiaobei chuckled, "Ah, Brother Dachun, you don't need to worry about anything. Just sleep well. I'll take it off when we reach our destination at night."
The iron chains were carried, and food and water were prepared.
Lidong took the lead, guiding everyone towards Qingniu Mountain.
In the darkness outside the village, Liu Ce stood with his hands behind his back. Behind him were his brothers Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang.
Watching Chen Xiaobei, who was at the back of the group, disappear into the jungle, Liu Ce slowly said, "You two take turns watching here. With such a commotion, Sun Jian will definitely come. We need to find their hiding place as soon as possible. Don't make any mistakes this time."
Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang agreed, "Please rest assured, as long as Sun Jian comes, we will definitely not let him slip away so easily."
After making the arrangements, Liu Ce quickly turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Watching him leave, Liu Ziliang found a rock and sat down, "Hah, I never thought my brother and I would be assigned to surveillance duty one day."
Liu Ziming looked at him, "Alright, stop complaining. It's just surveillance, what's there to be resentful about?"
"Hah, I mean, don't we have inside agents around Sun Jian?"
Liu Ziming, who had already sat down, suddenly stood up and looked around vigilantly.
Seeing his reaction, Liu Ziliang smiled slightly, "Hah, look how scared you are. It's dark all around, where is anyone?"
Liu Ziming lowered his voice, "Don't talk nonsense like this again. If the inside agents could pass on information, would we need to do this?"
"Alright, alright, I won't say it. You've been talking for so long, and no news has come from the inside agents. Could they have been dealt with?"
Liu Ziming shook his head slightly, "Alas, the situation is unclear. It's best to be careful lately."
In the village, after breakfast, Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er took fishing nets to the riverbank, preparing to catch fish.
The first cast was empty, and the second was empty. After waiting for half an hour, it was still empty. After three consecutive empty casts, Cui Hongyu couldn't help but frown.
Even Chen Qiao'er felt something was wrong, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, why can't we catch any fish?"
However, Cui Hongyu suddenly remembered something. The fortune teller Cui Banxian often muttered, "Every net is empty, a perpetual lamp in the house."
A perpetual lamp naturally referred to one lit for the deceased.
Thinking again that Chen Xiaobei had gone into the mountains today, her heart sank.
Cui Hongyu stood up and looked at the sun shining on Qingniu Mountain, a patch of verdant green, full of life.
She suddenly laughed at herself.
How many times had Chen Xiaobei gone in? And with so many people, how could anything happen? She was really overthinking.
Cui Hongyu reeled in the fishing net, took Chen Qiao'er's hand, and said, "Let's go home. Sister-in-law will teach you to read."