After hearing Zhou Quan’s words, Ma Biao shook his head, “An alliance is only temporary. The princess already has the ambition to usurp him, so how can she live under his rule long-term?”
“Yes, so His Highness the Crown Prince is in a very difficult situation now and cannot think of any better solutions,” Zhou Quan was clearly more optimistic than Ma Biao. “We’ll take it one step at a time. Once we’ve dealt with the Imperial Advisor together, the matter between the siblings will be their own affair.”
“Right, His Highness’s intention is to try not to exterminate the Lotus Cult Leader completely. It would be good to keep one alive to negotiate with the princess.”
Ma Biao nodded, “I’ve noted it down. I will do my best to follow the Crown Prince’s orders.”
“Very well, then I shall take my leave.” Zhou Quan and Ma Biao clasped their hands in farewell and, with the carriage and donkey cart, returned to Hetou Village.
Meanwhile, in Hetou Village, Chen Xiaobei had already gathered the villagers and begun a large-scale sowing of green leaf vegetables.
In addition to green leaf vegetables, they had also planted a lot of radishes and cabbages.
With the germination rate as a reference, Chen Xiaobei had a clearer idea when sowing the seeds.
Chen Dachun and a few other families combined had dozens of acres of land, most of which were planted with cabbage and radish.
Cabbage and radish were Chen Xiaobei’s best choice for surviving the winter in his past life.
He recalled how in winter, they practically ate cabbage every single meal.
With a little bit of meat, sometimes a few lamb bones, some tofu, stewed over the stove for half an afternoon – the taste was simply divine.
Squatting by the field, Chen Xiaobei was lost in thought about the future.
Suddenly, a villager shouted loudly.
“Quick, look, there are fish!”
Several villagers gathered around the not-so-wide stream. Someone even rolled up their trousers and jumped in. The stream was not deep, only about knee-high.
After a flurry of activity from several people, two large fish, nearly two feet long, were pushed ashore from the water.
Seeing these two large fish, Chen Xiaobei’s mind raced.
This was the first time he had seen fish in this stream.
And such large fish. He immediately thought of the cave where Sun Jian and the others were held, and then of the underground river.
Chen Xiaobei suddenly slapped his head.
Hadn’t he gone into the mountains a few days ago looking for the missing floodwaters?
That’s right, he should go and check out that place while he had the time.
Yes, he would go into the mountains tomorrow.
So, he had to finish the work on the vegetable fields today.
As he was thinking, Chen Xiaobo, a member of the village guard, ran over in a hurry.
“Brother Xiaobei, Brother Xiaobei, more people have gone into the mountains, and there are quite a lot of them.”
“Oh, do you recognize them?” Chen Xiaobei was slightly surprised.
“No, I don’t. They are wearing commoner clothes and claim to be going into the mountains to gather herbs.”
Going into the mountains to gather herbs at this time was clearly just an excuse.
Chen Xiaobei didn’t pay much attention to it. Since there were no people from his Hetou Village on Green Ox Mountain, and Chen Dayong and the others were by the Dragon King River, they probably wouldn’t reach that area even if they were gathering herbs.
“Let them go into the mountains if they wish. We don’t need to bother with them. Just make sure they don’t damage the ginseng and lingzhi when they come down.”
Taking this opportunity, Chen Xiaobei called everyone over.
“I will also be going into the mountains tomorrow. I discovered a large opening in that gorge, and the floodwaters from the mountains flowed out from there. We’ll go down and see what kind of magical place it is.”
Upon hearing about venturing into the mountains for exploration, everyone immediately became eager and ready.
Villager Chen Sanliang’s eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to ask.
“Are you talking about following that gorge all the way forward, into a large forest, Village Chief Xiaobei?”
Chen Xiaobei nodded, “Yes, right in a large forest.”
A look of joy appeared on Chen Sanliang’s face. “I know the place you’re talking about. When I was young, I went down there with my father. We walked about a mile forward, and it was dark and gloomy. I didn’t know what was inside, so we didn’t dare to go any further.”
Chen Xiaobei smiled and said, “This time, we’ll go with more people. We’ll explore it thoroughly sooner or later.”
“Alright, everyone, put in some more effort and finish all the work in the vegetable fields today. We’ll go into the mountains together tomorrow.”
Hearing that there was more work tomorrow, everyone responded with even greater enthusiasm.
After all, this was daily labor, and they would get paid for each day they worked.
While everyone was working with great fervor, in Cui Village.
Cui San returned in a hurry.
As soon as he entered the gate, Cui San began wailing loudly.
“Master, I’m back.”
Hearing his cries, Cui Dana, leaning on his cane, came out from the main house and stood at the doorway, glaring fiercely. “Cui San, why the hell are you crying? I’m not dead yet.”
Cui San finally stopped crying, wiped away the pathetic tears he had forced out, and quickly stepped forward, reaching Cui Dana’s side. He knelt down and hugged his leg.
“Master, I’m so glad to see you. Do you know? I almost didn’t get to see you again.”
Seeing Cui San crying so bitterly, Cui Dana was very surprised.
“Alright, stop crying. Tell me what happened first.”
“Didn’t I tell you to stay in the capital for a few more days? Why are you back so soon?”
Cui San then pointed and stood up, his voice choked with tears. “Master, it’s not that I didn’t want to stay, it’s that someone wouldn’t let me stay.”
Cui San, wiping away his tears, recounted his encounter. “Master, you tell me, they had a knife to my throat. How could I dare to go back? I had to run back quickly.”
After listening to Cui San’s account, Cui Dana remained silent for a long time. He looked up at the sky for a while before letting out a long sigh.
“Alas, I underestimated Chen Xiaobei. I didn’t expect there to be someone in the capital to cover up for him.”
“Forget it, forget it. I think we should just let this matter go. After all, the fruits on the mountain aren’t worth much silver.”
Cui San, however, stopped crying. “Master, we can’t just let Chen Xiaobei off so easily. I have an idea!”
Cui Dana turned to look at Cui San. “Your future general is coming back. What other ideas do you have? Unless you can see the Emperor and get him to issue an imperial decree to have Chen Xiaobei beheaded.”
Cui San chuckled, “Master, I don’t have that ability. If I can’t deal with Chen Xiaobei, I can deal with someone else.”
Someone else?
Cui Dana was taken aback. He stared at Cui San, not speaking.
“Master, isn’t Cui Fugui from our village? He’s Cui Hongyu’s biological father, Chen Xiaobei’s father-in-law.”
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Cui Dana’s face. “Oh, then tell me, what method do you have?”
“Master, what would happen if Cui Fugui misdiagnosed a patient and caused their death?”
Cui Dana frowned upon hearing Cui San’s words. “Even so, it still has nothing to do with Chen Xiaobei.”
“But what if we frame Cui Fugui for treason? That’s a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan.”
Hearing this, Cui Dana repeatedly waved his hands. “That’s not wise, not wise. How could a country doctor in the countryside commit treason? No one would believe it!”
“Master, three people can make a tiger. The more you say it, the more people will believe it.”