"But Brother Seven, Yang Zhi is skilled in martial arts, and those two women are no pushovers. Won't we be asking for trouble?" Liu Mazi stammered, dumbfounded.
Old Hu Qi chuckled, "From what I know, there's a place in Xiao Family Town that specializes in helping people get out of trouble. As long as we pay them enough silver, someone will do the job."
"But, but we don't have much money either." Liu Mazi exchanged a look with Cao Bei, a worried frown creasing his brow.
"I'll figure out the money. You two get ready, we'll leave together later." With that, Old Hu Qi stood up and walked out.
Outside the door, Old Hu Qi looked around. All the members of the Vermilion Bird Gang were asleep, and the gang leader La'erduo's room was also dark.
Since the stone houses weren't built yet, they were still living in simple thatched huts.
Old Hu Qi took out a section of bamboo from his怀 (huái - bosom/pocket), fiddled with it for a while, and then quietly inserted it into La'erduo's room.
Soon, white smoke filled the air. La'erduo, deep in slumber, was completely unaware.
Old Hu Qi listened carefully, making sure La'erduo in the room had fallen unconscious. Only then did he begin to painstakingly dig a hole in the thatched wall, little by little.
Once the hole was large enough, Old Hu Qi crawled directly through it.
He fumbled around La'erduo's body and pulled out a few silver notes from his怀.
By the faint moonlight outside, he estimated the total to be around ten thousand taels of silver.
That was enough.
Old Hu Qi then returned the way he came, through the hole.
Quietly tiptoeing back to his own lodging, Old Hu Qi lowered his voice and said to the other two, "My two brothers, we have money now. We'll head to Xiao Family Town tonight."
...
The next morning, Yang Chun was awakened by La'erduo's shouts.
He rushed in and saw a large hole in the wall. "Brother, what happened?"
La'erduo sighed, "I don't know what happened. I slept so soundly last night. Oh, and a few of my silver notes are missing."
"We've been robbed!" Yang Zhi stomped his foot in anger.
Suddenly, he slapped his forehead as if he had understood something, turned around, and shouted, "Assemble, everyone assemble!"
The drowsy members of the Vermilion Bird Gang, still half-asleep, threw on their clothes and stumbled out. Yang Zhi's gaze swept over them, and sure enough, Old Hu Qi and the other two were missing.
Yang Zhi strode forward, reaching their room and kicking the door open with a bang.
The room was empty. Not a soul was there.
"Bastards, three bastards!" Yang Zhi cursed, stomping his feet in fury.
After listening to his explanation, La'erduo let out a helpless sigh. "Alas, three fools. They're angry with us."
"Don't worry, Brother. I'll lead men to chase after them immediately. We'll bring those three scoundrels back, even if we have to chase them to the ends of the earth."
Just as Yang Zhi was about to turn and leave, La'erduo called out to him.
"Alright, they're our brothers. Taking some silver and leaving isn't much. Since they don't want to stay, let them go."
"But, Brother, if all our brothers leave like they did, just because they feel wronged, what will happen to the Vermilion Bird Gang in the future?" Yang Zhi was clearly unwilling to accept this.
"The future!" La'erduo couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "Our strength is greatly depleted now. After we kill Sun Jian and avenge our fallen brothers, we'll return to the Kingdom of Tuguo to recuperate and recuperate."
From La'erduo's words, Yang Zhi heard a sense of dejection, a profound sadness and helplessness.
Fine, let it be.
Early that morning.
Hétou Village was bustling with activity.
Yesterday, Chen Lidong had announced that anyone who wanted their children to study could bring them today, and adults who wanted to learn to read could also come.
So, some villagers ate breakfast early and led their children here, while others, intending to learn themselves, hurried to see what was happening.
Chen Xiaobei and Cui Hongyu walked hand in hand with Chen Qiao'er, bringing her to school.
At this moment, Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan stood by the doors of two separate classrooms, warmly greeting the villagers.
Behind Shen Ziyan, the words "Children" were written, indicating that her classroom was for teaching children.
And behind Huang Ying, the words "Adults" were written, meaning villagers could come here to learn.
Chen Qiao'er saw Shen Ziyan and rushed forward with a smile. "Sister Ziyan, starting today, I'll call you Teacher."
Shen Ziyan smiled slightly and flicked Chen Qiao'er's nose with her finger.
"Alright, then you have to study hard. If you don't learn, Teacher will have to spank you."
Watching the seven or eight children jumping and playing inside, Chen Xiaobei smiled.
Children were the hope of Hétou Village.
Meanwhile, Huang Ying's room was even more crowded, with over a dozen people seated.
Many villagers had come just to join in the excitement.
Seeing this scene, Chen Xiaobei felt like laughing. But no matter what, even if they were just here for fun, it was good for them to recognize a few more characters.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei approach, Huang Ying waved to him. "Village Chief Xiaobei, please say a few words to the villagers first."
Yesterday he was Village Chief Chen, and today he was Village Chief Xiaobei. Huang Ying's close address indicated that the severe punishment of Old Hu Qi last night had its effect.
Chen Xiaobei didn't decline. He nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll say a few words."
As everyone saw Chen Xiaobei enter the room, they immediately fell silent.
Chen Xiaobei surveyed the crowd, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice, "My fellow villagers of Hétou Village, I know some of you are here just to watch the fun, and of course, some of you are sincerely here to study and learn to read."
"Here, I'll state the rules upfront. Once Teacher starts the class, no one is allowed to make noise. Listen carefully to the lecture. Even if you want to join in the fun, you must stay quiet."
"You must diligently practice the assignments given by Teacher. If you fail to complete the assigned homework for three consecutive days, don't come anymore."
"Don't worry, Village Chief Xiaobei. We will study hard." Someone shouted loudly.
The rest of the crowd naturally chimed in their agreement.
Seeing their slightly excited faces, Chen Xiaobei nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, now I will introduce to you our Teacher, who has been invited from the county town. Her name is Huang Ying, and from now on, you will call her Teacher Huang."
"Hello, Teacher Huang."
"Hello, Teacher Huang."
Chen Xiaobei took the opportunity to make a welcoming gesture to Huang Ying.
Huang Ying then walked to the podium with a smile.
After walking to the podium and nodding to everyone, Huang Ying picked up a piece of chalk from the table.
She quickly wrote her name on the blackboard.
Perhaps because she was not yet fully accustomed to it, her chalk writing was a bit stiff, but it was evident that her foundation was good.
"This is my name."
With things moving smoothly on this side, Chen Xiaobei quietly withdrew and went to check on Shen Ziyan's side.
Outside Shen Ziyan's classroom window, quite a few parents had gathered, peeking inside.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei coughed. "Disperse, everyone disperse. If you surround the place like this, how can Teacher lecture?"