Liu Rumei nodded and called for people to carry Li Tong down the mountain. As they walked, Ma Biao asked Liu Rumei, "Li Tong has been captured. Can we withdraw from here now?"
Liu Rumei shook her head. "The stage is set, how can we give up halfway? Let's wipe out Centipede Ridge in one go and get rid of this lingering threat from Qingniu Mountain. Otherwise, how can Hu Fan sleep soundly?"
Ma Biao bowed. "There are still two more. Once they are all captured, we can then go after the pawns ahead. What are your thoughts, Miss?"
Liu Rumei nodded. Since Li Tong was captured, the others were no longer a threat. They could handle the operation as they saw fit.
Liu Rumei led a few people down the mountain. It took them more than half an hour to reach the foot of the mountain and reunite with Hu Fan.
When Liu Rumei arrived, Yang Chun and Zhang Qian were already waiting.
Zhang Qian saw Liu Rumei and stepped forward to report, pointing to a sack on the cart behind him. "As Yang Chun said, we've captured a girl named Xiaocui."
Liu Rumei frowned. "What can a little girl do? She's just a messenger. Have you found out who is behind her?"
"Don't underestimate her just because she's a young girl. She's very tight-lipped. We used some methods, but she hasn't said a word. She's still unconscious. We can question her slowly after we return."
Liu Rumei nodded. With this little girl, they would surely find the mastermind behind the scenes. This was considered a small gain.
As they were speaking, a fast horse galloped over. It stopped in front of Hu Fan, and the rider dismounted. "Reporting to Your Lordship, two bandits were captured in the back mountain. One is called Da Lao Hei, and the other is Xiong Fei. They are being escorted here."
Hu Fan's gaze shifted to Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei looked at Yang Chun.
Yang Chun understood Liu Rumei's intentions and nodded slightly.
Only then did Liu Rumei say to Hu Fan, "County Magistrate Hu, we must eliminate evil completely. I have already ordered an attack on the Centipede Ridge stronghold. Would you like to join the fun?"
Hu Fan understood Liu Rumei's meaning. It wasn't about joining the fun. Liu Rumei was offering him the credit. He had to repay this favor.
"Alright, I will lead my men to围剿 the stronghold. I'll leave the interrogation of the two bandit leaders to Miss Liu."
Hu Fan was very clever and knew that Liu Rumei's interrogation methods were effective, so it was better for him to keep his distance.
It was enough for his功劳簿 to record the annihilation of the bandits and the capture of the murderers of Liu Yuanwu.
Meanwhile, in Hetou Village.
Chen Xiaobei sat in front of a water tank where he raised turtles, silent.
Liu Rumei had mobilized all her forces, taking away all of Yang Zhi's men as well.
Liu Rumei's men had privately told the village guards that they were going to Centipede Ridge.
Hu Fan had also led his troops out, clearly all in pursuit of Liu Yuanwu.
Hu Fan must also be heading to Centipede Ridge. That's right, thirty li past Xiaojia Town was Centipede Ridge.
As he thought of this, his heart clenched.
Could Da Lao Hei have done this foolish thing?
Upon closer thought, there really was a Da Lao Hei.
He was someone who acted without regard for consequences, just like when he sent people to kill him for Chen Ermao's sake.
Seeing him frowning with worry, Cui Hongyu stepped forward and asked softly, "Husband, has something happened?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed slightly and recounted the situation with Hu Fan from beginning to end.
Cui Hongyu said softly, "I think this is at most a coincidence. As long as Miss Liu catches the real culprit and clarifies the matter, our suspicion will be cleared."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "That's true, but it's too much of a coincidence. I'm not worried about anything else, only Cui Dama. He has always held a grudge against Qingniu Mountain. If I complete the land deed and this matter is exposed, it will become a problem even if it wasn't one before."
Now, Chen Xiaobei suddenly regretted confronting Cui Dama. If he had waited a few more days, things might have been better.
If a murder case were exposed, perhaps Cui Dama would have given up on the idea of the land deed.
Cui Hongyu smiled and helped Chen Xiaobei up. "Alright, let's go. We'll go pick up Qiao'er from school."
Chen Xiaobei looked up. The sun was already setting in the west. In the blink of an eye, another day was coming to an end.
Qiao'er was very happy to see Chen Xiaobei picking her up from school. She skipped over to him, smiling and saying, "Brother, brother, today we learned three characters. I'll write them for you when we get home."
Qiao'er's appearance brought Chen Xiaobei temporary joy.
What made him even happier was that as they passed by their new house, Li Dong smiled and told him that the work was nearing completion and that he could come to inspect it when he had time.
Chen Xiaobei looked at Cui Hongyu. "Let Hongyu come over to see it when she has time."
Cui Hongyu waved her hand. "No, no. Husband, I'll go home and cook. You go and see it yourself."
Qiao'er added from the side, "Brother, brother, don't forget to look at my room. Make sure it's sturdy."
Chen Xiaobei nodded and followed Li Dong into the courtyard. Indeed, Li Dong and his team had done a good job. The courtyard was paved with bluestone slabs. Although the ground wasn't perfectly flat, it was considered rare for that era.
The rooms were also paved with bluestone slabs, but they were much flatter, indicating meticulous polishing.
Chen Xiaobei nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. You've all worked hard."
Li Dong patted his chest. "Ah, this is nothing. As long as you're satisfied."
Chen Xiaobei inspected the main house and then the east and west wing rooms. Of course, even the outhouse he had roofed was made exquisite by Li Dong.
He was very satisfied with everything.
"Brother Li Dong, tomorrow, please call Zhang the carpenter to make a few more pieces of furniture for me. I don't plan to move anything from my current house except for the two beds."
Just as he was speaking, a village guard rushed over.
"Xiaobei, Village Chief, hurry up and see. Chen Ermao is back."
What?
Chen Ermao was back?
Chen Xiaobei looked incredulous. Hadn't Chen Ermao been sentenced to exile? He had only left a few days ago, so how could he be back?
Li Dong was also surprised to hear this. He put down his tools.
"Let's go, Brother Xiaobei, we'll go and see together."
When they arrived at the village entrance, Chen Ermao was pacing back and forth. The village guards were preventing him from entering the village, which surprised him greatly.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei and Li Dong arrive, the village guard spoke. "If you have something to say, tell Village Chief Xiaobei!"
Chen Ermao's eyes widened in surprise as he pointed at Chen Xiaobei. "What did you say? What is Chen Xiaobei?"
The village guard glanced dismissively at Chen Ermao, then proudly said, "Chen Xiaobei is the village chief of Hetou Village, and Chen Li Dong is the captain of the Hetou Village guard. What do you have to say to them?"
"No, then, what about Chen Ping and Chen Anbang?"
"They, they both died long ago."
Chen Ermao felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Chen Anbang and Chen Ping were dead. Now that Chen Xiaobei was the village chief of Hetou Village, was there any way for him to survive?
But since he had come, he had to press on.