Chen Xiaobei nodded repeatedly. He understood the logic, but when faced with the reality, who could truly remain steadfast?
He also knew that he was now the pillar of this family. He had to pull himself together.
With that thought, Chen Xiaobei nodded slightly, looking at Cui Hongyu, then at Chen Qiao'er and Du Juan.
"Hongyu, you're right. We can only live well to honor Huang Ying."
Cui Hongyu nodded and quickly served Chen Xiaobei another bowl of soup.
"Husband, drink more. Brother Dayong and the others will come for you tomorrow."
Chen Xiaobei took the bowl and took another large gulp.
Just then, the two dogs in the corner suddenly became alert, whimpering low growls towards the entrance.
This was a warning that someone was coming. Chen Xiaobei put down his chopsticks and stood up to greet them at the door.
Indeed, before he could reach the door, the Old Ancestor was already standing there, leaning on his cane.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei approach, the Old Ancestor nodded. "Xiaobei, I know it's a bit heartless for me to come to you now, but so many people in the village are pinning their hopes on you."
"Old Ancestor, I know. I know everyone is waiting for me. Don't worry, I'm fine now."
The Old Ancestor then tapped his cane. "There's something I've thought over and over, and I feel I must tell you. The soldiers who remained have emptied the military supplies and left."
"It's said that Guo Chuan, their leader, said they were going to the capital to find Miss Liu and the others."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart sank. That was nearly a thousand people. Marching to the capital to find Liu Rumei was clearly giving the Emperor an excuse to seize power.
"Old Ancestor, how long have they been gone? I didn't encounter them on my way here?"
"They left early the day you returned to the village. I originally intended to tell you after a couple of days, but I felt uneasy about it, so I decided to tell you sooner."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, this matter could cause great trouble. We must stop them as soon as possible and prevent them from entering Wannian City."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xiaobei hesitated. But who could he send? The only one among them skilled in martial arts was Du Juan, but Du Juan was only a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl. She might not be able to persuade Guo Chuan.
Then, should he go himself?
Chen Xiaobei was a little hesitant, but if he didn't go, who else could step forward?
The Emperor was already wary of the Liu family. If so many people suddenly appeared looking for Liu Rumei, it could easily cause new complications.
After a dozen brief thoughts, Chen Xiaobei finally decided to take Du Juan and chase after these people, and they would travel through the night.
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's plan, Cui Hongyu fell silent.
She knew the seriousness of the matter. But with Chen Xiaobei and Du Juan, one unskilled in martial arts, the other a mere child, the risk of them pursuing was indeed too great.
Moreover, if they caught up and caused any disturbance in the capital, Chen Xiaobei would have no one to send back for support.
With this in mind, Cui Hongyu said to Chen Xiaobei, "Take a few more people. It's too dangerous for just the two of you."
The Old Ancestor also spoke from the side, "Yes, take a few more people. I'll call Brother Dayong and Brother Daqiang over."
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment and finally agreed. In fact, the number of people was less important than giving Cui Hongyu peace of mind.
Soon, Chen Dayong, Chen Daqiang, Chen Xiaowen, and five or six other village guards were summoned.
Each of them had a bundle slung across their shoulders, indicating they were ready to depart.
After a few brief words, Chen Xiaobei led the group on their way.
According to the Old Ancestor, these people had left early yesterday. With so many of them walking, not riding horses, they could have covered at most two to three hundred li in two days.
This distance could be covered by Chen Xiaobei and his group on horseback in one night. However, the most crucial problem now was how to find them.
Chen Xiaobei led everyone forward, running for thirty to forty li before starting to pay attention to the forests and abandoned temples along the road.
After all, with nearly a thousand people, a small area wouldn't be able to hide them; they'd need a large forest.
As they hurried on, dawn began to break, painting the sky with a faint white hue.
Calculating the distance, they had already chased nearly three hundred li. Chen Xiaobei estimated they had covered enough ground, but there was still no sign of such a large group.
At this point, everyone began to lose heart. Chen Dayong couldn't help but say to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, I think we've probably gone in the wrong direction. Walking on foot, how could they cover this much distance?"
Chen Xiaobei also pondered inwardly. If they were ordinary people, two days for three hundred li would indeed be the limit. But these people had been soldiers, so they might be able to travel a bit further. Therefore, they had to continue chasing.
After hearing Chen Xiaobei's explanation, Chen Dayong and the others agreed.
After drinking some water, eating some food, and a brief rest, they continued to chase forward.
Unknowingly, they had traveled another fifty li when they reached a crossroads.
The intersection was large. On each of the four corners, there were thatched-roof houses. One was a noodle shop, with a large pot steaming on the stove. Another was a bun shop. The other two were closed, their purpose unclear.
Looking at the steaming buns and noodles, the group felt their legs grow heavy. After all, they had been running non-stop until now, having only eaten a little that morning, and their energy was quickly depleted.
Chen Xiaobei understood their feelings. "Let's eat and drink here for a while and rest," he said.
Chen Xiaowen and the others cheered and rushed to the noodle stall. It was understandable; in the early winter, a bowl of hot noodles was more appealing than several meat buns.
Chen Xiaobei looked at the shopkeeper outside and had an idea. While waiting for his "saozi mian" (noodles with minced meat sauce), he smiled and asked, "Shopkeeper, may I ask if you've seen a large group of people pass by in the last two days? Hundreds or even thousands of them."
The shopkeeper shook his head gently. "No, no."
"If so many people had passed, I would have sold dozens, even a hundred bowls of noodles."
Well, visible business was always a good indicator. Chen Xiaobei smiled helplessly.
While eating noodles, Chen Xiaobei discussed with Chen Dayong, "Brother Dayong, I estimate we've gotten ahead of Guo Chuan and his men. Let's wait here for a while. If no one shows up by noon, we'll head straight for Wannian City. What do you think?"
Chen Dayong nodded. "This is truly bizarre. Where could a thousand people go? There's no trace of them along the way."
"Yes, we can only wait here," Chen Xiaobei sighed.
"Little Brother Xiaobei, I think they are waiting right here. Look over there," Chen Dayong pointed to the two unlit thatched-roof houses opposite them.