He Laoqi couldn't help but admire Hu Fan. "Indeed, Master's words are reasonable. I will go to Hetou Village immediately to ascertain the truth."
With that, he turned to the front hall and said to Chen Ping, "Let's go. I will accompany you to Hetou Village to investigate."
Chen Ping was overjoyed. "Master, then I will go ahead."
Watching Chen Ping leave excitedly, He Laoqi shook his head. "Chen Xiaobei, Chen Xiaobei, what kind of people do you have in your village?"
Hetou Village.
When the yamen runners arrived, Li Dong, as the village defense captain, naturally hurried to greet them.
Upon meeting, he respectfully cupped his fists and asked politely, "We were unaware of your arrival, esteemed officials. What brings you here?"
He Laoqi glanced at Li Dong. "Where is Chen Xiaobei?"
Li Dong blinked in surprise. The tone felt a bit stiff.
He looked at Chen Ping, who stood beside him.
Chen Ping looked smug. "Li Dong, let me tell you, Chen Xiaobei has gotten himself into trouble with the law. It's a big deal, he..." Before he could finish, He Laoqi waved his hand. "Enough. You stop talking."
He then turned back to Li Dong.
Li Dong spread his hands helplessly. "Officials, Chen Xiaobei has gone to the county town and has not yet returned."
He Laoqi nodded and turned to sit on a stone. "Very well, we will wait here for his return."
Li Dong was a bit bewildered by this.
After a moment's thought, he smiled and said, "Officials, why don't you come into the village to rest? I will prepare some tea for you."
He Laoqi did not reply, merely waving his hand.
Li Dong had no choice but to turn to leave. Chen Ping spoke up again, "Li Dong, don't think about sending word to Chen Xiaobei."
This statement hit Li Dong right where it hurt. He had indeed been thinking of arranging for someone to intercept Chen Xiaobei on the way.
However, he couldn't admit it now. "You're talking nonsense. I, I'm not on duty today, I need to go work in the fields."
He Laoqi appeared indifferent. "Alright, you all can disperse."
He Laoqi had his own plans. The reason he waited at the village entrance instead of going directly to Chen Xiaobei's house was that he didn't want to be too overbearing.
Because illegally possessing military weapons was a serious crime, if Chen Ping was lying, he would be the one embarrassed in the end.
Moreover, from his understanding of Chen Xiaobei, Chen Xiaobei would definitely come to see him to clarify the situation.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei was drowsily asleep on the donkey cart. Fortunately, the donkey had been to the county town several times and roughly knew the way.
Thus, the little donkey, pulling Chen Xiaobei, traveled at a leisurely pace and returned to Hetou Village.
Still more than a mile from the village entrance, Chen Ping impatiently shouted, "Look, officials, Chen Xiaobei is back."
His voice was high-pitched and sharp, with a hint of excitement.
Chen Xiaobei vaguely heard his name being called and immediately opened his eyes.
He slowly sat up on the donkey cart.
Seeing him appear, Chen Ping became even more excited. "Look, it's Chen Xiaobei."
He Laoqi waved his hand impatiently. "Enough, I'm not blind."
Chen Xiaobei saw clearly by now that there were yamen runners at the village entrance.
Chen Ping was also standing beside them.
He found it quite strange, wondering how Chen Ping had gotten involved with the yamen runners.
Lost in thought, he arrived in front of He Laoqi.
Chen Xiaobei quickly pulled the donkey cart to a halt, jumped down, and cupped his fists at He Laoqi. "So, it's Brother He. I..."
Before he could finish, he sensed that the atmosphere was not right. He Laoqi's face was stern, without a hint of a smile.
At this moment, Chen Ping beside him couldn't help but laugh. "Chen Xiaobei, you've illegally possessed military weapons. You're finished now."
My.
Chen Xiaobei's heart tightened, and he turned to look at He Laoqi.
He Laoqi nodded slightly. "Illegally possessing military weapons is a serious crime. Do you really have a repeating crossbow?"
This.
Chen Xiaobei was dumbfounded.
For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
He not only had one, but many.
Yes, there was one on the donkey cart right now.
Before the thought had even fully formed, Chen Ping excitedly shouted, "Officials, look! Isn't that one on the donkey cart?"
He Laoqi followed Chen Ping's pointed finger. Indeed, a repeating crossbow was placed on the cart.
With the evidence clear, He Laoqi could no longer try to cover for him.
"Chen Xiaobei, I heard you have ten repeating crossbows?"
Chen Xiaobei looked at Chen Ping beside him, feeling a pang of sorrow and anger. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have gone into the mountains last night.
He spat fiercely and looked at Chen Ping. "You motherfucker, you set me up! If I hadn't taken people into the mountains last night, you would have been eaten by wolves long ago."
Chen Ping let out a cold laugh. "Yesterday was yesterday, today, you're dead."
He Laoqi looked at Chen Ping with disdain. "Alright, don't delay our investigation."
He then sighed at Chen Xiaobei. "Let's go. Take us to retrieve the goods."
Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to lead the donkey and slowly walk towards home.
In his mind, he recalled the advice given to him by Jia Wannian of Hua Hao Tang. It seemed that these things were indeed serious crimes. Chen Ping reported him, and He Laoqi came immediately.
Although Chen Ping's actions were not honorable, he himself had been careless.
Having so many repeating crossbows all at once, causing such a stir, would eventually get out.
Therefore, he couldn't handle this himself anymore. He needed help. Yes, he absolutely had to seek help from the Liu family.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei return, Chen Qiaoer still skipped happily to meet him. "Brother, you..." Before she could finish, seeing the many yamen runners behind him, Chen Qiaoer immediately turned and ran to Cui Hongyu behind him.
Cui Hongyu also frowned.
"Husband, what is this?"
Chen Xiaobei forced a bitter smile. "They're here to confiscate the repeating crossbows. They're military weapons."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu was confused. As a woman, she naturally didn't understand such matters.
"Is there something wrong with that?"
Chen Xiaobei understood that some things were indeed difficult for ordinary people to come into contact with. He turned to He Laoqi and said, "Brother He, please allow me to make some arrangements before I go with you."
He Laoqi made a gesture of invitation and then stood with his hands clasped behind his back at the entrance.
Chen Xiaobei pulled Cui Hongyu into the house. "Hongyu, listen carefully. Repeating crossbows are considered military weapons, and I am accused of illegally possessing them, which is a serious crime. There is only one way to resolve this now."
Cui Hongyu, who was on the verge of tears from worry, immediately pressed, "Quick, tell me, what is the way?"
Chen Xiaobei walked to his bed and took out the waist token given to him by Liu Rumei from under the pillow. "Take this and go find Liu Rumei. She gave me the repeating crossbows. Only she can help me."
Cui Hongyu took the waist token and stamped her foot. "Then I'll go now."
Chen Xiaobei smiled instead. "What's the hurry? He Laoqi and the others are still outside."
"Oh, right. Tell Li Dong later that Chen Ping was the one who reported you. Let him be wary. Also, take Qiaoer with you. If things aren't resolved today, you should go to Da Chun's house tonight. Don't come back."