"All right, Brother Yang Zhi, you should get up. Don't delay Hongyu in saving people," Chen Xiaobei said, causing Yang Zhi to instantly spring to his feet. "Yes, yes, hurry and save him."
Cui Hongyu stepped forward and carefully examined Lar Do's injuries, ultimately determining that his head had been hurt.
Seeing that Cui Hongyu had confirmed the injury, Yang Zhi became anxious again. "Brother Xiaobei, please save my elder brother. I, Yang Zhi, am willing to be your ox or horse to repay your great kindness."
Chen Xiaobei turned to look at Cui Hongyu, his eyes full of inquiry. He needed to be sure that Cui Hongyu had confidence in dealing with the injury.
Cui Hongyu nodded slightly. "I'll go and get the medicine."
With that, she turned and walked back home.
Chen Xiaobei made a gesture to Chen Dayong, who immediately followed.
Cui Hongyu returned home, picked up her brush, and wrote a prescription. She handed it to Chen Dayong. "Go to Hua Hao Tang in the county town and say that this prescription was written by me. Jia Wannian will know what to do."
Meanwhile, under the large locust tree, Yang Zhi approached Chen Xiaobei again, presenting a gold ingot as soon as they met.
It was about two taels.
According to the saying that one tael of gold is worth ten taels of silver, this was worth twenty taels of silver.
"Brother Xiaobei, please take care of my elder brother. My brother and I need to leave for a while."
As he spoke, Yang Zhi's expression became serious. "If we don't return, please tell my elder brother that we have gone to investigate the truth. I suspect we have been betrayed."
After speaking, the two brothers bowed to Chen Xiaobei and then turned to leave.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei felt an urge to reveal Sun Jian and his group. However, the words caught in his throat, and he suppressed them.
Chen Xiaobei's reason ultimately triumphed over his emotions. He had to adhere to his principle: no one was to know that he had contact with any other party.
But as the saying goes, even if business fails, goodwill remains. He couldn't tell them the truth, but he could offer them help.
"Brother Yang, please wait a moment."
Chen Xiaobei turned to Chen Xiaowen and said, "Go and fetch the donkey cart. This will make the journey easier for Brother Yang Zhi."
Yang Zhi's expression was filled with gratitude again. He bowed to Chen Xiaobei in thanks. Watching the two of them depart, Lidong, who was standing nearby, also looked worried. "Brother Xiaobei, I don't think we should get involved in this matter."
Chen Xiaobei sighed. Did he not know that? "Yes, I don't want to get involved either, but we can't just stand by and watch someone die."
Lidong shook his head. "I'm worried that Yang Zhi will bring trouble to our village."
Chen Xiaobei knew this too. "That's why we must become stronger as quickly as possible to deal with these bigger troubles."
With that, he took out the two silver notes from his pocket and, along with the gold ingot, handed them to Lidong.
"Take these and find a way to get some iron tools."
Lidong hesitated. "I've been out of the army for many years. I can only try to contact old acquaintances to explore the possibilities, but I can't guarantee if I can get them."
Chen Dayong had already driven away the village's donkey cart, and Chen Xiaobei had lent his own donkey cart to Yang Zhi. Therefore, Lidong had to rely on his own two feet.
Yang Zhi and his brother Yang Bo entered Qing Niu County town and headed straight for the Liu Manor.
Upon hearing that Yang Zhi, the second boss of the Vermilion Bird Gang, was seeking an audience, Liu Rumei was quite surprised.
"Shouldn't they be ambushing on the mountain? Why are they here to see me?"
Liu Rumei received Yang Zhi and Yang Bo solemnly in the reception hall.
As soon as they met, Yang Zhi angrily asked, "Miss Liu, we were ambushed as soon as we entered Qing Yun Mountain. What is going on? I demand an explanation!"
Liu Rumei's heart sank. What she feared had come to pass.
She widened her eyes in disbelief. "That's impossible. The news of your entry into the mountain was strictly confidential."
After speaking, she looked up at Liu Ce.
Liu Ce also spread his hands innocently. "Young Miss, I can assure you that the only people who knew about your movements were my lady and myself. Absolutely no one else knew."
Yang Zhi snorted. "So, you're saying you suspect one of our own people did it."
Liu Ce looked at him coldly. "Is there no possibility of that?"
Yang Zhi suddenly stood up, pointing at Liu Ce. "You dare to slander our Vermilion Bird Gang!"
Yang Bo, standing beside him, also said angrily, "My elder brother was blind back then. He shouldn't have taken this job."
Yang Zhi glared at Liu Rumei, his words cold and measured. "Is this also your attitude?"
Liu Rumei's expression turned serious. She cupped her fist and bowed to Yang Zhi. "Leader Yang, I am also very distressed by what has happened. Please rest assured, I will investigate thoroughly and give you a satisfactory answer."
"I hope you keep your word," Yang Zhi snorted, grabbed Yang Bo, and turned to leave.
After Yang Zhi left, Liu Rumei fell into deep thought.
Liu Ce clasped his fists and said in a deep voice, "I believe it must have been an insider who leaked the information."
Liu Rumei sighed softly. "But you need to provide evidence!"
Liu Ce pondered for a moment. "Miss, shall I go to Qing Niu Mountain to see what the situation is?"
Liu Rumei nodded slightly. "Let's go. We'll go together. I can't feel at ease staying here."
Just after noon, Liu Rumei and Liu Ce arrived at Hetou Village.
Liu Rumei's arrival was within Chen Xiaobei's expectations. He had indeed considered that if Yang Zhi's group had been sent by Liu Rumei, then Liu Rumei would definitely come to him for the truth.
Under the large locust tree, Chen Xiaobei explained the situation in broad strokes. Of course, to protect himself, he omitted the part about discovering Sun Jian's group setting up an ambush. He began his account from finding Yang Zhi unconscious and explained his reason for going up the mountain as gathering medicinal herbs.
Liu Rumei did not comment on this reason. Instead, she changed the subject. "Could you please have Chief Chen arrange for someone to take us up the mountain to take a look?"
Chen Xiaobei could not refuse the request of his benefactor. Moreover, he decided to go himself. Only in this way could he prove that he was open and had nothing to hide.
"Then please wait a moment, Miss Liu. I will go home and make arrangements."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei walk away, Liu Ce could no longer contain himself and said in a low voice, "Miss, I suspect Chen Xiaobei is lying."
Liu Rumei looked at him with a questioning gaze. "What do you mean?"
"Miss, Liu Tie was also injured the last time he encountered him."
"This time Yang Zhi was injured and he encountered him again. Do you really think it's just a coincidence?"
Liu Rumei frowned slightly. She instantly understood Liu Ce's meaning.
"Are you suspecting that Chen Xiaobei is playing both sides?"
"Yes. Only this can explain why Chen Xiaobei has gone up the mountain repeatedly yet emerged unscathed."
Liu Rumei pondered for a long time and sighed softly. "Fortunately, I didn't bring the Crown Prince's decree to him today. There's still a chance to rectify the situation."