Chen Xiaobei was first excited by the words, a five-foot long snake, a tiger, and a hundred-year-old turtle. He had them all, except for the bird with red feathers. All the others were readily available.
But then he thought, it was precisely because the bird was rare that it would fetch a high price. If he admitted to having it ready, he wouldn't be able to demand a high price.
"Old Wu, tell him later that we mostly have these things on Green Ox Mountain, but they require some effort to acquire. So, you need to raise the price a bit more for me."
Upon hearing his words, Old Wu couldn't help but burst into laughter. "I see you, kid, have fallen head over heels for money. Alright, I'll help you raise the price a bit more."
Chen Xiaobei waved goodbye to Old Wu with a smile. At first, he was quite pleased, thinking that his well-kept zoo for so long could fetch him several thousand taels of silver. How wonderful that would be!
However, as he walked a short distance, Chen Xiaobei's expression turned stern. He repeatedly pondered the mentioned items.
Snakes, in his previous life, people wouldn't usually refer to snakes by name; they'd call them small dragons.
The most important thing was the bird with all red feathers.
What kind of species was it? He suddenly smacked his forehead.
Wasn't this the Vermilion Bird?
Oh my. Chen Xiaobei snapped back to reality.
If the large snake was a dragon, then the four items represented the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and the red-feathered bird was the Vermilion Bird.
He then recalled a conversation between True Man Taiping and Liu Rumei on Green Ox Mountain.
True Man Taiping wanted to set up a Four Symbols formation and mentioned the Azure Dragon on the left, the White Tiger on the right, the Vermilion Bird in front, and the Black Tortoise behind.
It was understandable if True Man Taiping sought these four items.
But Steward Cao was merely the steward of Zhao Yi, a local gentry in the county.
Chen Xiaobei also remembered Old Wu mentioning that Zhao Yi's wife, Madam Sun, came from a family of officials in the capital.
If he connected these dots, it became even more intriguing.
Unconsciously, he arrived at the county office. Chen Xiaobei first found a secluded spot, changed into his brand new official uniform, and requested an audience with Hu Fan.
After the meeting, Chen Xiaobei exchanged pleasantries and then got straight to the point. "County Magistrate Hu, I have an urgent matter to report to you. Chen Lidong, the captain of the village defense in Hetou Village, has suddenly died in an accident."
In those days, death was a common occurrence.
Hu Fan feigned concern and asked a few questions. Chen Xiaobei offered a perfunctory reply, merely stating that he had slipped and fallen while climbing the mountain.
"Xiaobei, the position of village defense captain cannot remain vacant. Who do you think is suitable for this role?"
Chen Xiaobei cupped his fists. "I believe Chen Dachun is capable of undertaking this important responsibility."
Hu Fan noted down Chen Dachun's name.
"Alright, I've made a note of it. You can make the arrangements upon your return. By the way, go to Steward Fang and request some compensation for the family."
With this matter settled, a weight lifted from Chen Xiaobei's heart.
Logically, he could also apply for recognition of Chen Lidong's merit, but the matter on Green Ox Mountain was not yet resolved, and it was inconvenient to disclose certain things.
All the way, Chen Xiaobei had been pondering why Steward Cao wanted these four items and whether it had any connection to Green Ox Mountain.
Ultimately, he decided to inform Liu Rumei after returning to the village and have her investigate Zhao Yi's background.
Upon returning to the village, Chen Xiaobei did not go home directly but instead turned to find Liu Rumei.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei, Liu Ce appeared pleased. "Brother Xiaobei, I actually have something I wanted to discuss with you."
Chen Xiaobei smiled slightly. "What a coincidence. I also have something I wish to discuss with you."
As they spoke, they proceeded to meet Liu Rumei.
Upon seeing Liu Rumei, Chen Xiaobei recounted Steward Cao's search for these four items in the county town.
Liu Rumei clearly had the same realization as Chen Xiaobei.
"They are trying to set up a Four Symbols formation!"
"Yes, Miss Liu. I also find Steward Cao's request very strange. I heard that Zhao Yi's wife, Madam Sun, comes from a prominent family of officials in the capital. Perhaps you could investigate his background."
After hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei couldn't help but smile. She glanced at Liu Ce.
Liu Ce cupped his fists and said to Chen Xiaobei, "You are correct. Madam Sun's father was Sun Haoran, who once held the position of Sima of the Ministry of Revenue."
"The Madam Sun you mentioned is Sun Haoran's concubine-born daughter, otherwise she wouldn't have married Zhao Yi."
"Sun Haoran has long since retired to his hometown. His eldest daughter married Zhu Meng, the Grand Marshal of the Imperial Guard."
"Zhu Meng's dealings with the Imperial Advisor have been going on for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei finally understood. Zhao Yi's brother-in-law, Zhu Meng, was the Grand Marshal of the current dynasty, and the Grand Marshal had dealings with the Imperial Advisor. This meant that the four items would eventually end up in the hands of the Imperial Advisor.
It seemed the Imperial Advisor was also planning to set up this Four Symbols formation, which made things rather interesting.
Liu Rumei looked at Chen Xiaobei, her expression becoming much more serious. "If you were to acquire these four items, do you think you could succeed?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "The others are manageable, but as for the Vermilion Bird, despite climbing the mountain so many times, I have never seen a bird with all red feathers. I have seen pheasants with colorful plumage, though."
"Oh, so you mean the other items..."
"I have the other items," Chen Xiaobei said casually. But Liu Rumei's heart was filled with joy. If they could all obtain these four items, True Man Taiping would not have to laboriously lead people up the mountain to set up a Four Symbols formation.
Thinking this, she said to Chen Xiaobei, "How much silver did I offer for these items? I will repay you later."
Chen Xiaobei, however, shook his head. "No, I'm not selling."
His response caused Liu Rumei to glare at him. "You."
Chen Xiaobei changed his tone. "If Miss Liu needs them, please take them. Xiaobei will not ask for a single cent."
This statement was clearly beyond Liu Rumei's expectation. She was momentarily stunned, and a hint of tenderness appeared in her gaze towards Chen Xiaobei.
Seeing this, Liu Ce quickly coughed and said, "By the way, Brother Xiaobei, there is something else I need to tell you. Miss, perhaps you should say it yourself."
Liu Rumei then regained her composure. "Oh, it's like this, I suspect there is a problem within our ranks."
Liu Rumei then repeated her analysis to Chen Xiaobei.
Chen Xiaobei listened and nodded slightly.
Liu Rumei's reasoning was sound.
The accurate tracking of Liu Ziming and Liu Ziliang's movements clearly indicated that someone had known their whereabouts in advance.
"Alright, then in two days when I go up the mountain, I will handle this matter."
Liu Rumei looked at Chen Xiaobei, her voice full of emotion. "Thank you, Chief Chen. If not for your great assistance, Rumei might still be on Green Ox Mountain, unable to descend."
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly. "Alright, Miss Liu, there's no need to be so polite. I'll be going now."
Watching Chen Xiaobei walk away, a complex expression appeared on Liu Rumei's face.
Xiao Qing, seeing this, asked in surprise, "Miss, what is wrong with you today? The way you looked at Chen Xiaobei just now seemed unusual."
Liu Rumei sighed. "Just now, when I offered to buy his animals, he said he wouldn't take a cent."
"You know, if he transported them to the county town, he could easily get several thousand taels of silver from Zhao Yi."