Cui Hongyu returned home with Chen Qiaoer, calmed her emotions, and began to seriously teach Chen Qiaoer calligraphy.
While writing, she suddenly heard someone knocking at the door. Looking up, she saw Sanqiu.
Chen Sanqiu had been very low-key since Chen Ping's accident, almost never participating in any village collective activities, so Cui Hongyu rarely saw him on weekdays.
After all, her husband was the village head, so he still had to attend to welcoming and seeing off guests.
"Brother Sanqiu, please sit down," Cui Hongyu greeted, offering him a stool.
This stool was pieced together from the wooden boards of an old bed. It was said that Chen Xiaobei had some talent in handicrafts.
Chen Qiaoer also came into the house and placed a cup of water on the stone table, "Brother Sanqiu, have some water."
Chen Sanqiu sat down, took a sip of water, and asked with a smile, "When will Brother Xiaobei be back?"
Cui Hongyu smiled and said, "There's no definite time. He might be back today, or perhaps tomorrow."
"Brother Sanqiu, if you have something to say, just say it directly."
Chen Sanqiu hesitated for a moment, then finally stammered, "Well, I heard that a school was built in our village, and they are going to invite a teacher from the county. I, Sanqiu, am not talented, but I came to recommend myself to Brother Xiaobei."
So that was it.
Cui Hongyu smiled and nodded, "Alright, when Xiaobei returns, I will tell him to come and find you."
Upon receiving such a reply from Cui Hongyu, Chen Sanqiu beamed, "Good. We are all from the same village, so it doesn't matter if the tuition is more or less."
Cui Hongyu suddenly understood that he had come for this reason. However, Chen Xiaobei had explicitly said that the village children would attend school for free.
But out of politeness, Cui Hongyu did not reveal this and courteously sent Chen Sanqiu away.
At this time, Chen Xiaobo drove his donkey cart to Xiaojia Town.
He had already delivered goods yesterday, and he had a list. So, delivering again was straightforward, and everything went smoothly.
He arrived at an inn and was carrying vegetables inside when he suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder.
Turning around, Chen Xiaobo was slightly surprised to see Chen Ping.
"Brother Chen Ping, why are you here?"
Chen Ping appeared very enthusiastic, patting Chen Xiaobo's shoulder affectionately, "Why are you in Xiaojia Town?"
"Oh, it's just that the village planted some vegetables, so I came to Xiaojia Town to sell them. By the way, Brother Chen Ping, why are you here?"
Chen Ping sighed, "Alas, I offended Chen Xiaobei, and I couldn't stay in the village. So I had to come here and work at that inn over there, boiling water and tidying rooms for them."
Chen Xiaobo smiled slightly, "Hey, Brother Chen Ping, what you did was indeed not right. But then again, we are all from the same clan. What's so much hatred? Go back and apologize to Brother Xiaobei, and I think it will be over."
"Now Brother Xiaobei is leading everyone in fishing and farming, and everyone is working happily."
The speaker had no intention, but the listener was attentive. The more Chen Xiaobo said this, the more resentful Chen Ping felt.
But outwardly, he did not show it, "Brother, it just so happens that I'm off today. Since we've met, stay here for lunch. I'll treat you to drinks, and we'll have a good chat."
Chen Xiaobo had no idea of Chen Ping's ulterior motives and reluctantly agreed.
Chen Ping enthusiastically helped Chen Xiaobo deliver the vegetables and then they sat down at a small restaurant.
It was a bit early for lunch, but the shopkeeper was used to it. Several cold dishes were served quickly.
After three cups of wine, Chen Ping began to speak cryptically, "You just said that Chen Xiaobei led everyone in fishing and farming. It seems everyone is very motivated."
Chen Xiaobo chuckled, "Yes, yes. Today he's taking people into Qingniu Mountain again. Someone offered a high price to help build a suspension bridge. To build a suspension bridge in the mountains, wouldn't we be the ones using it? And someone is paying money for it, where can you find such a good thing?"
Yes, to build a suspension bridge in the mountains for a high price.
Chen Ping also found it unbelievable, "No way, could there be a gold mine in our desolate mountains?"
Chen Xiaobo chuckled, "Whether there's a gold mine or not, I don't know. But these days, people are coming in waves to the mountains. We don't know the exact reason."
Chen Ping couldn't help but laugh, "You're bragging to me again. How can so many people be running into the mountains?"
"You don't believe me? Let me tell you, even the mountain bandits from Wugongling have been there more than once. Oh, and that Yang Zhi has even settled down in Sìmǔdì. Why? It's definitely to go to Qingniu Mountain!"
"There's also someone named Sun Jian. Ah, right, this suspension bridge is being built by Sun Jian and his group."
Sun Jian?
Chen Ping's mind quickly flashed through the Sun Jian he knew.
"Are you talking about that Sun Jian with a beard and a foreign accent?"
Chen Xiaobo nodded, "Yes, yes, it's him. I didn't expect you to know him too."
Chen Ping appeared very calm, "Alas, it's nothing. He just happened to be staying at our inn. I've had a few conversations with him when I delivered water to him every day."
"By the way, how is your wife? I heard that everyone got some money from selling wolves. Have you found a wife yet?"
Chen Ping changed the subject, and Chen Xiaobo let it go. But Chen Ping did not.
After eating and drinking his fill, Chen Ping returned to his lodging and fell into deep thought.
Chen Xiaobei was thriving in Hetou Village, and now he was leading the villagers into the mountains to undertake a major project. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him to shake Chen Xiaobei's influence.
But then again, how could he know if he didn't try?
He needed to figure out why Sun Jian was building the suspension bridge and then act accordingly.
At this time, Chen Xiaobei and his group had reached a spot three li away from the canyon, where there was a patch of woods.
Although the woods were not particularly dense, they were sufficient for resting in the summer.
Ma Xiaoyi then showed a more professional side. He said to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, we will be staying here for some time. Why don't we work a bit harder and cut down more trees to fence off an area? It will be safer to sleep at night."
His proposal was immediately met with a response from everyone, and they began to divide their tasks. The branches cut by the artisans led by Ma Xiaoyi were as thick as an arm.
Then, using large iron nails, they fastened the branches between two trees.
Two branches were crossed and nailed between every two trees.
Some thinner branches were then nailed in the gaps.
They were building a fence wall out of branches.
Seeing Ma Xiaoyi's operation, Li Dong couldn't help but look suspicious.
He pulled Chen Xiaobei aside and whispered, "Brother Xiaobei, tell me the truth. Are they really hired artisans?"
Chen Xiaobei had no reason to lie to Li Dong, "They are artisans, but they were sent by Liu Rumei, and they don't charge any wages."