Releasing these people again would be a mistake if the villagers of Hetou Village were to suffer.
"But Hongyu, if that's the case, we'll be caught up in this turmoil, and we'll sink deeper and deeper," Chen Xiaobei was still worried.
"All of your people are in our Hetou Village. Even if you want to stay out of it, can you?"
Hearing his words, Chen Xiaobei also sighed.
It was true, he was already involved, and it was too late to extricate himself. Since that was the case, he could only firmly stand with the so-called righteous army in Cui Hongyu's words.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Liu Rumei was slightly surprised. It was clear that Liu Rumei looked haggard. It was understandable; who wouldn't be upset after the death of a loved one?
"Miss Liu, I'm here because there's something important I need to tell you."
Chen Xiaobei got straight to the point and told her about meeting Sun Jian in the county town.
Liu Rumei's brow furrowed as she listened.
"I understand. Thank you, Chief Chen."
Liu Rumei showed no particular reaction, which left Chen Xiaobei feeling a little disappointed. Was this news not important?
What Chen Xiaobei didn't know was that as soon as he left, Liu Rumei immediately ordered Xiao Qing to open the map of Qingniu Mountain again.
"Miss, you've looked at this map countless times," Xiao Qing couldn't help but say.
Liu Rumei, however, shook her head. "But this time it's different. Do you know what Sun Jian's return means?"
"Miss, you mean the National Preceptor sent him?"
Liu Rumei nodded. "Yes. Think about it, Sima Wushuang has never been to Qingniu Mountain. He needs someone to guide him, and Sun Jian would be the most suitable candidate."
Hearing her analysis, Xiao Qing felt enlightened. "Miss, if they come, they will definitely go to the summit of Qingniu Mountain to find the dragon脉."
Liu Rumei nodded. "Yes. It's a shame we don't have someone like Li Tong. Otherwise, if we ambushed them on the steep slope outside, it would be twice as effective with half the effort."
Hearing her sigh, Xiao Qing pointed to the location of the iron chain bridge. "Then let's guard the iron chain bridge here. If they can't reach the summit of Qingniu Mountain, they won't be able to find the Dragon's Eye."
Liu Rumei sighed. "That makes sense, but I'm worried that if we go up the mountain now, we might already be behind. They may have already occupied the iron chain bridge."
"Then what should we do?"
Liu Rumei pondered for a moment and came up with an idea. "This matter still requires Chen Xiaobei's involvement."
"Let Chen Xiaobei go to the iron chain bridge under the guise of laying planks. Our people will mix in and first see what's going on."
"Last time it was Ma Xiaoyi who went. If Ma Xiaoyi goes again this time, won't it arouse suspicion?"
With the plan decided, Liu Rumei personally came to find Chen Xiaobei.
After meeting, there were no pleasantries. Liu Rumei got straight to the point, hoping Chen Xiaobei would go up the mountain, saying she would send people to assist. She also frankly admitted that she primarily wanted to check if there were any ambushes around the iron chain bridge.
Chen Xiaobei fully understood Liu Rumei's feelings. She had seen her second brother ambushed and killed, so she was naturally wary of ambushes.
This also indicated that Liu Rumei very likely had plans to go up the mountain recently.
Thinking of this, he might as well just come clean.
"Miss Liu, are you worried that Sun Jian has set up an ambush at the iron chain bridge?"
Seeing that Chen Xiaobei had pierced the veil, Liu Rumei generously admitted, "At this point, there's no need to hide it. Sun Jian is on the opposite side of me."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Alright, I understand. I'll organize the men now, and we'll go up the mountain tomorrow."
After sending Liu Rumei away, Chen Xiaobei immediately rushed to Old Carpenter Zhang's house to see how many wooden planks had been made.
Of course, it wasn't that all the wooden planks had to be made. After all, construction wouldn't be completed in just a day or two. His main purpose was reconnaissance, so seven or eight people would carry two or three planks each, fix them in place, and then return. It would serve two purposes.
As expected, Old Carpenter Zhang had only made less than fifty planks. After all, they needed thick planks, and such good materials were not very common in this era, so it naturally took some effort to find them.
After confirming the number of wooden planks, Chen Xiaobei went to find Li Dong again.
"Tomorrow we have to go to the iron chain bridge to place some wooden planks and also check the environment around the bridge."
Upon hearing this, Li Dong volunteered to lead the men, but Chen Xiaobei stopped him.
"No, you stay behind. Guarding the village is equally important. Recently, more and more people of unknown identity have been coming to our village. You must be vigilant."
"Also, Chen Ermao has returned. You must keep an eye on him and don't let him run around. I always feel uneasy about this kid."
It had to be said that Chen Xiaobei's intuition was correct.
Regarding Da Lao Hei's death, Chen Ermao, as his nephew, showed some filial piety. He dug a hole in the woods west of the village, buried him, and even piled up a small grave.
While he was busy with this, he heard someone call him from behind, "Ermao, brother Ermao!"
He turned his head and saw Chen Sanqiu approaching.
Chen Sanqiu was holding a wooden plank. "Brother Ermao, I don't know your uncle's full name. Everyone calls him Da Lao Hei, so I can only write Da Lao Hei on it."
Chen Ermao was illiterate, and the five characters on the tablet were like heavenly script.
"It's written 'Tomb of Da Lao Hei,' so that his relatives can find him if they come in the future."
Chen Ermao bowed to Chen Sanqiu emotionally. "Thank you, Brother Sanqiu."
Chen Sanqiu waved his hand. "Brother Ermao, your uncle died unjustly. Do you want revenge?"
His words stunned Chen Ermao. "Brother Sanqiu, what do you mean?"
"What do I mean? Alas, many things have happened in the village recently. You don't know."
"Chen Xiaobei first became the Village Protection Captain, but within a few days, the Village Chief Chen Anbang died of poisoning, and Chen Xiaobei became the Village Chief. But after being the Village Chief for not long, Chen Ping died, his entire family was wiped out. Isn't it strange?"
Chen Ermao clearly didn't know about these things. He looked confused.
"These are not important. I'll tell you something big. Chen Xiaobei just obtained a land deed for Qingniu Mountain from the county a few days ago. But guess what? As soon as he finished processing it, the second son of the Protector of the Nation, Duke Liu, Liu Yuanwu, was shot and killed on Qingniu Mountain. Isn't that a coincidence?"
"But what does this have to do with Chen Xiaobei?"
"Alas, you won't understand it in a short while. Think about it, wherever Chen Xiaobei appears, people die. He's not a village chief, he's a devil."
"If he hadn't sent your parents to the county jail, would your parents have died on the road during their exile?"
Mentioning his parents again touched Chen Ermao's sore spot.