Seeing the woman in yellow, Cui Hongyu couldn't help but get excited and shouted, "Sister Huang Ying, why are you here?"
Chen Xiaobei carefully observed the woman named Huang Ying. Her tall figure seemed to be taller than him.
Her features weren't exceptionally beautiful, but put together, they were very pleasing to the eye.
Long hair was standard for women of this era, but this Huang Ying surprisingly had short hair, giving her a somewhat unconventional and playful air.
Indeed, Huang Ying tilted her head and smiled, "Are you not welcoming me? Then I'll just leave."
"Welcome, welcome," Cui Hongyu said, quickly stepping forward and taking Huang Ying's hand.
When they stood together, Huang Ying was a full head taller than Cui Hongyu.
Chen Xiaobei mused to himself, looking at them, Huang Ying wasn't just taller than him.
Huang Ying's gaze fell on Chen Xiaobei by the donkey cart, and she said to Cui Hongyu with a grin, "I heard from Zi Yan that you're married."
Cui Hongyu, holding Huang Ying's hand, led her to Chen Xiaobei. "Husband, this is Huang Ying, my good sister."
Huang Ying introduced herself with a smile, "Yes, yes, we were together in the academy, and we studied medicine together."
Oh, so Cui Hongyu had specifically studied medicine, not just from her father. This was a bit of a surprise to Chen Xiaobei.
Shen Ziyan, standing nearby, chuckled, "Alas, it's always the new joys and no old sorrows. Seeing Huang Ying, even I have to step aside."
Cui Hongyu turned to look, and Shen Ziyan deliberately glared, "Alright, could I possibly forget about you?"
Chen Xiaobei saw this setup and thought, three women are a drama, and it's already begun. He'd better stay far away.
With that thought, he quickly called out to Cui Hongyu, "Hongyu, hurry and take them home. I can go to the county town by myself."
Cui Hongyu nodded. "Then I'll take them to the academy to stay first."
Chen Xiaobei felt as if he'd been granted a great pardon and quickly flicked the whip, urging the donkey cart towards the county town.
Just then, Geng Sheng also arrived at the residence of Cui Dana in Cuijiazhuang with two constables.
Upon the arrival of the officials, Cui Dana naturally greeted them with a smile.
He respectfully led Geng Sheng and his men into the reception hall and ordered tea to be served.
Cui San smiled and clasped his fist at Geng Sheng, "Master Geng, I'll arrange for wine and food to be prepared immediately. We'll drink until we drop today."
Geng Sheng, however, cupped his hands slightly and said with a serious expression, "No need for drinks. We should prepare and head into the mountains as soon as possible."
Cui San was taken aback. "Hey, where are we going into the mountains? I gave Master Mao a map, and he can follow that."
Geng Sheng shook his head. "Alas, how can that be? You two, think about it, if the imperial court were to investigate one day and find that the actual boundaries don't match the land deeds, then not only will I be punished, but it's likely that Master Cui will also be reprimanded."
Upon hearing this, Cui Dana quickly plastered on a smile. "Yes, yes, Brother Geng is right. You'll have to work hard today. Cui San, arrange for people to bring plenty of wine and food. You'll eat on the mountain at noon."
"Master Cui, you're mistaken. We'll be going up the mountain together later," Geng Sheng said, looking at Cui Dana with a smile.
Hearing this, Cui Dana was completely dumbfounded. He looked at Geng Sheng doubtfully. "You want me to go up the mountain too? Can't Cui San go?"
Geng Sheng shook his head. "Alas, how can that be? You must go. We'll look together, and you'll have to sign and stamp your thumbprint. Only then will it be valid."
Cui Dana hesitated for a moment. He was already over fifty, and climbing a mountain would be like taking his life.
But when he thought of so many fruits, they were truly tempting.
Fine, for the sake of these fruits, climbing a mountain was worth it.
"Alright, I'll accompany Brother Geng up the mountain. Cui San, have people prepare more wine and food."
Geng Sheng stood up. "Then let's depart now."
Cui Dana quickly changed into more suitable clothing and left his house.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiaobei had arrived in the county town. As he expected, several long-term laborers hired by Cui Dana were selling apples in the market.
However, despite their enthusiastic calls, not many people were buying. After all, apples weren't a necessity.
Although Old Wu still greeted him with a smile, Chen Xiaobei could see that Old Wu no longer had much enthusiasm for selling apples. Perhaps he was only continuing out of politeness.
Regardless, as long as Old Wu continued to help him sell goods, there wouldn't be a major problem. He believed that Cui Dana would soon withdraw from this apple war.
Therefore, after delivering the apples, he hurried to find Hu Fan.
Upon seeing Chen Xiaobei's arrival, Hu Fan maintained a polite demeanor.
"Town Magistrate Chen, what brings you here today?"
Chen Xiaobei smiled slightly, took out a silver note from his sleeve, and placed it directly on Hu Fan's desk.
Seeing the silver note, Hu Fan was startled.
"Town Magistrate Chen, what do you mean by this? Bribery is punishable by the board."
Xiaobei clasped his fist. "No, no, how would I dare to bribe you? Please hear me out."
"The situation is this. Recently, the villagers of our Hetou Village have often gone to Qingniu Mountain to collect medicinal herbs or pick fruits."
"Although these herbs and fruits grow in the mountains, they are ultimately brought to the county town to be exchanged for silver."
"Therefore, I wish to obtain a land deed to place Qingniu Mountain under the name of our Hetou Village, so that we may pay some taxes to the imperial court."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Hu Fan's eyes widened, and he looked at him in disbelief.
"Brother Xiaobei, since the villagers want to enter the mountain, let them. Picking a few fruits and gathering some herbs to sell, how much silver can that fetch? If you obtain a land deed, you'll have to pay taxes properly."
Chen Xiaobei clasped his fist again. "As a person, one must be law-abiding. Besides, paying a little tax will also help to enrich our national treasury."
For Hu Fan, how could he refuse someone who voluntarily offered to pay taxes?
With that thought, he smiled. "Ah, my younger brother is truly noble and upright. Noble and upright! I admire you, I admire you."
"County Magistrate Hu, I would then trouble you to arrange for Qingniu Mountain to be registered under the name of my Hetou Village."
Hu Fan waved his hand. "Not appropriate, not appropriate. This mountain can only be registered under your name. I'll have to collect taxes from you then."
Chen Xiaobei pushed the silver note forward again. "That's fine, it will prevent any disputes. Please accept these for a cup of tea, County Magistrate Hu."
Hu Fan nodded. "I happen to have a topographical map of Qingniu Mountain. Today, we'll complete the county's procedures, and I'll immediately send someone to the capital. In a few days, you'll have the land deed with the official seal of the Ministry of Finance."
Money makes the world go round. One hundred taels of silver bought VIP service. With his village head's official seal and Hu Fan's county official seal, the problem was solved.
Chen Xiaobei had already finished getting his seal stamped, while Cui Dana was still pacing around the mountain with Geng Sheng.
The two came to this apple orchard, and Cui Dana became excited. "Brother Geng, look, these orchards are all mine."