Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei intended to go to Xiaojia Town, Huang Ying clamored to go along. In the end, they had no choice but to indulge her.
As she walked with Chen Xiaobei towards Xiaojia Town, Huang Ying, true to her name, buzzed around Chen Xiaobei with endless questions.
"Brother Xiaobei, what else can your 'zha huo' be used for besides firecrackers and landmines?"
"Brother Xiaobei, can you teach me how to make other things too?"
Facing the chirpy Huang Ying, Chen Xiaobei helplessly spread his hands, "Little sister Huang Ying, we'll talk about things like going to Xiaojia Town after we get back to Hetou Village."
After much coaxing, Huang Ying finally quieted down.
Arriving at Xiaojia Town, Chen Xiaobei headed straight for the Sihai Inn. Feng Xiaoyue seemed pleasantly surprised to see him.
"Brother Xiaobei, you're here! Please, come in and sit." Feng Xiaoyue ordered someone to prepare wine and food while leading Chen Xiaobei into a nearby private room.
After serving them tea, Feng Xiaoyue sat down and asked with a smile, "Brother, what brings you here today?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed, "Alas, all the villagers in our Hetou Village are holed up on Wuguling Mountain. Besides cutting wood, there's nothing else to do. We can't keep going like this."
"So, I've come to town to see if there's anything else we can do."
Upon hearing his words, Feng Xiaoyue smiled instead, "Brother Xiaobei, you're sitting on a gold mine and don't even know it."
"If you have nothing to do on the mountain, then make charcoal! Every winter, we use a lot of charcoal here."
Making charcoal. Hearing this, Huang Ying couldn't help but chuckle.
"Oh, little sister Xiaoyue, that reminds me. When I was practicing with my Master in the mountains, we used to make a lot of charcoal every autumn for heating in winter."
Chen Xiaobei looked at her doubtfully, "So, you know how to do it?"
Huang Ying nodded, "Yes, of course. I can teach you later."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Alright, it's a deal then."
He then turned to Feng Xiaoyue, "We'll make some for you first, and you can see if it's suitable."
As they were talking, a commotion was heard from outside, followed by a clattering sound.
Feng Xiaoyue's expression changed, and she quickly got up and went out.
Chen Xiaobei and Huang Ying exchanged glances and also stood up to follow.
They saw that the two tables of guests who had been dining there had suddenly started fighting for some unknown reason.
Feng Xiaoyue could only stand by and patiently try to mediate, "Please, gentlemen, stop fighting. Stop!"
But once a fight broke out, who would pay attention to her pleas?
Seeing the fight escalate, with even the surrounding tables and chairs being knocked askew, Huang Ying couldn't stand it any longer. She let out a sharp cry and strode forward.
As the two men were brawling, she grabbed each of them by the shoulder. With a slight exertion of force, the two struggling men felt a sharp pain in their arms and simultaneously cried out in surprise, stopping their fight.
Seeing someone intervening, the other brawlers also stopped and turned to look at Huang Ying.
Feng Xiaoyue seized the opportunity and called out, "Gentlemen, please stop fighting. Can we talk things out?"
To Huang Ying's left was a red-faced man. He pointed at the man in white on his right, "Insignificant cur, how dare you bellow in front of me."
The man in white retorted aggressively, "Zu Chong, what are you so proud of? Isn't it just oil pressing?"
The red-clothed man immediately shot back, "That's still better than your Han City family's generations of selling iron pots."
Seeing the two men still locked in a verbal spar, Huang Ying let out another sharp cry, "Gentlemen, please listen to me. Whatever your conflict, you are in my sister Xiaoyue's restaurant now, and you'll have to pay for anything you break."
Upon hearing Huang Ying's words, Zu Chong patted his chest, "I'll pay. Name your price."
Unexpectedly, Han Cheng on the other side also thumped his chest loudly, "Why should you pay? I'll pay! Miss, please tell us, how much is it?"
Seeing their eagerness to pay, Huang Ying couldn't help but burst into laughter.
She never thought these two would be so amusing.
At this moment, Feng Xiaoyue spoke up. She bowed to the two men again, "Brother Zu, Brother Han, please do me the honor of having a cup of tea with me."
Zu Chong and Han Cheng exchanged glances and then both snorted dismissively through their nostrils.
Chen Xiaobei was also somewhat surprised by their behavior. These two seemed to be natural enemies.
Feng Xiaoyue led the two men back to the private room where Chen Xiaobei was, apologizing, "Brother Xiaobei, I brought them here without your permission. Please forgive me."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, gesturing for them to sit down, "Gentlemen, please be seated."
The two men looked at Chen Xiaobei with bewilderment, as if to say, "We don't know you at all."
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, "Oh, my name is Chen Xiaobei, and I'm from Hetou Village."
Upon hearing his self-introduction, Han Cheng burst into laughter.
Han Cheng laughed and clasped his fists, "So it's Village Head Chen. My apologies, my apologies."
Chen Xiaobei looked at Han Cheng with surprise, as if to ask, "Do you really know me, or are you just being polite?"
Sensing Chen Xiaobei's hesitation, Han Cheng smiled again and said, "Zhang Xiu, the carpenter, is my cousin. He's praised you quite a bit."
So that's how it is. He never expected to encounter a relative of Master Zhang here.
Han Cheng then glanced smugly at Zu Chong, as if to say, "I know him, do you know that?" Zu Chong could only glare; this time, he had no recourse.
Chen Xiaobei took the opportunity to raise his teacup, "Gentlemen, could you give me some face and agree to drink and eat peacefully here at the Sihai Inn from now on?"
Han Cheng laughed heartily, "No problem, no problem. Village Head Chen, please rest assured, if you dine at Sihai Inn in the future, my name will be useful."
Zu Chong on the side was clearly resentful and snorted coldly, "Hmph, will your name be more useful than mine, Zu Chong's?"
Chen Xiaobei then realized he had been so engrossed in talking to Han Cheng that he seemed to have neglected Zu Chong. The latter appeared to be somewhat unbalanced.
With this thought, he picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Zu Chong, raising it with a smile, "Brother Zu is right, of course, your name is more useful."
With a few soothing words, a smile appeared on Zu Chong's face.
Chen Xiaobei chatted with them for a few more sentences. Seeing that the animosity between the two was gradually dissipating, Feng Xiaoyue seized the opportunity and said, "Brothers, let's go outside and eat and drink as usual."
Watching Zu Chong and Han Cheng leave, Chen Xiaobei gave a wry smile and shook his head.
Dealing with such guests was truly troublesome for business.
Huang Ying frowned even more, "It's only because Sister Xiaoyue is so good-tempered. If these two had encountered me, I would have kicked them out long ago."
"Alright, alright. Harmony brings wealth. Let's eat something and then go out for a stroll."
At noon, the Sihai Inn was still doing booming business. In a short while, it was already full.
It was evident that the Qingniu County garrison's influence on Xiaojia Town was extremely limited; people seemed to feel no sense of war.