Shi Yan went up the mountain once. He had originally intended to return to Xiao Family Town to report to Sun Jian, but when he returned to the inn, he found no one there.
Upon further inquiry, he learned that Sun Jian had been arrested by the officials, and the others had also been captured.
With no other choice, Shi Yan had to sneak back to the outskirts of Hetou Village, intending to find Chen Xiaobei. He had only one purpose in seeking Chen Xiaobei: to find a way to get some silver. After all, in their previous outings, the silver had always been handled by Sun Gui and Sun Jian.
This was akin to a company now, with Sun Jian as the boss, and Sun Gui and Sun Qing as managers.
Therefore, public funds would naturally not be entrusted to ordinary employees like Shi Yan.
However, when they heard that Liu Rumei had moved into Hetou Village, Shi Yan and his companions hesitated.
According to the innkeeper's description, the person who had captured their companions strongly resembled Liu Rumei.
But why Liu Rumei would come to Hetou Village was something he couldn't understand.
Regardless of his confusion, he knew very well that at this moment, it was best to avoid encountering Liu Rumei.
Shi Yan, along with the two men under his command, found a secluded spot to confer. "Shitou, Shiliang, you two heard what Chen Xiaobei said just now, right?"
"Big Brother, we heard."
"Liu Rumei is here in Hetou Village. We must be extremely careful and absolutely avoid running into her."
Shitou frowned, "Big Brother, if Liu Rumei stays for three to five days, what will we eat and drink?"
Shi Yan waved his hand, "Ah, don't worry, we'll find an opportunity to ask Chen Xiaobei for a few taels of silver alone."
"Yes, now, besides finding Chen Xiaobei, we're completely in the dark and have no other options." Shiliang's words were full of helplessness and heartache.
Indeed, as the saying goes, a poor family travels lightly, but on the road, one cannot go far without money.
While the three of them were enduring this anxious wait, Chen Xiaobei had already knocked on Liu Rumei's courtyard gate with Ma Xiaoyi and others.
Chen Xiaobei came in person because he wanted to express his gratitude. After all, Ma Xiaoyi and his group had played a significant role in the construction of the suspension bridge.
Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists and said to Liu Rumei, "If it weren't for Miss Liu arranging for Brother Ma and his men to help, we amateurs would probably not have gotten the suspension bridge off the ground by now."
Ma Xiaoyi appeared a bit embarrassed by Chen Xiaobei's praise, shaking his head with a smile, "Brother Xiaobei, you flatter me."
Liu Rumei also responded with a smile, "Chief Chen, you are too polite. It was just a small effort."
Chen Xiaobei called out to the outside, and Chen Xiaowen and Chen Daqiang carried a wooden bucket inside.
The bucket contained five fish, all over a foot long.
"Miss Liu, there's nothing valuable in the mountains, so please accept these few fish to make soup."
Liu Rumei did not stand on ceremony, thanked him, and had Liu Ce accept them.
After delivering the fish, Chen Xiaobei found an excuse to leave.
After all, Liu Rumei had just moved into the village, and there were many things he needed to explain to Ma Xiaoyi.
Returning to his own home, Chen Xiaobei began to pack, preparing to enter the mountains.
Hearing that he was going into the mountains again, Cui Hongyu was quite surprised. "Husband, the suspension bridge is completed, why do you still need to go into the mountains?"
Chen Xiaobei had already thought of a reason. "The suspension bridge is completed, but we've used quite a bit of houttuynia cordata these past few days and haven't collected any more. I need to go collect some."
Cui Hongyu sighed inwardly. She had indeed been negligent. They had used a lot of houttuynia cordata recently to boil water to clean the tiger's wounds. Even if they didn't sell it, they needed to replenish some for their own use.
"Husband, why don't I go into the mountains with you?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head resolutely at Cui Hongyu's suggestion.
"No, no, you should stay home and embroider with Qiao'er. Going into the mountains is man's work."
In fact, Chen Xiaobei's claim of collecting houttuynia cordata was an excuse. He was still thinking about the large black fish he had caught in the cave yesterday.
Entering the western forest, Chen Xiaobei deliberately took a detour, walking south until he reached the stream between Cui Family Village, then turned to head up the mountain. After walking up for four to five li, he turned north horizontally.
This way, he would roughly reach the area above the cave.
If one were to divide the area, Chen Xiaobei usually went up the mountain from behind the village and then went straight up.
This time, however, he was heading southeast, taking a completely different path from his usual ascent.
This meant he was currently in an area he had never been to before.
It took Chen Xiaobei a full hour to roughly circle to the area directly above the cave.
From here, it was still four to five li to the cave. If there was an underground river, he might be able to find some clues.
However, Chen Xiaobei's thoughts were too simplistic. He searched the area carefully, but found nothing unusual.
He chose a spot in the shade, sat down, and sighed.
"Alas, it seems this underground river is very long. I wonder where its source is, and where its exit is."
Suddenly, he felt something was not right under his backside and he stood up abruptly.
That's right, the stone under his backside was loose.
And after he sat on it, water actually seeped out from underneath.
This was rather strange.
Chen Xiaobei tried to move the stone and found a shallow pool of water beneath it.
With water present, Chen Xiaobei became excited. He then tried to jiggle the nearby stones.
Indeed, the stones were all loose and could be moved.
With a hint of excitement, Chen Xiaobei dug with more vigor. Unconsciously, he moved over a dozen stones, creating a small stone pit.
Now Chen Xiaobei could see clearly.
Water was constantly seeping out from the bottom of the pit.
This indicated that he was very close to the underground river.
However, Chen Xiaobei stopped digging here.
Firstly, he didn't have any suitable tools at hand, and secondly, if he messed up, dug too large an area, or fell in, who knew where he would be swept away to.
Therefore, this matter would have to be revisited with more people another day.
Chen Xiaobei re-piled the stones, made a mark, and then took his bundle to detour and pick houttuynia cordata.
Picking houttuynia cordata was a familiar task, and soon he had two large bags full.
Humming a tune, Chen Xiaobei walked back along the mountain path north of the village. Before he even reached the foot of the mountain, he heard a rustling sound ahead, startling him greatly.
Upon closer inspection, he saw Shi Yan and his companions emerging from the woods.
Chen Xiaobei's heart sank. He instantly remembered the incident where Chen Ping met his misfortune. Could these fellows be planning to harm him?
As he was contemplating, Shi Yan spoke first, his face breaking into a smile.
"Chief Xiaobei, you've been up the mountain, haven't you?"
Upon hearing this tone, Chen Xiaobei breathed a sigh of relief. There was no malice whatsoever, and it seemed they had something to ask of him.
"Ah, it's Brother Shiyan, why are you here?"
"Brother Xiaobei, I've come to discuss something with you."
Shi Yan rubbed his hands, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
"Just say whatever it is you need to say directly." Chen Xiaobei felt more at ease in his heart.