La Erduo expressed his gratitude, "Brother Xiao Bei, thank you so much. I feel uneasy about making you spend money."
Xiao Bei smiled indifferently, "It's nothing, nothing. I was heading to the county town today anyway, and I knew you guys liked to drink, so I bought some back."
La Erduo took out a porcelain bottle from his embrace, "Yang Zhi told me that a few days ago he put some medicine in the water to lure fish, and you were very envious."
Saying that, he extended the porcelain bottle forward.
This was an unexpected surprise. Chen Xiao Bei thought the medicine would be hard to obtain, but he didn't expect La Erduo to hand him a large bottle so readily.
"Thank you, leader. We'll head back now."
As Chen Xiao Bei walked out of the thatched hut, he could clearly feel that the people of the Vermillion Bird Gang were now even more enthusiastic towards him.
Yang Zhi walked with Chen Xiao Bei for a while and said somewhat sheepishly, "I knew you were busy a few days ago, so I didn't dare to bother you with questions. When can our houses be built?"
This question made Chen Xiao Bei feel a bit embarrassed, "This is my fault. I was busy building the rope bridge on the mountain recently. I'll speak to Da Chun and have him bring the craftsmen."
He also gave two barrels of wine to Liu Ruo Mei before returning home.
After drinking a few mouthfuls of water, he went to find Chen Da Chun.
He also brought some rapeseed seeds.
Seeing Chen Xiao Bei, Chen Da Chun's family was extremely welcoming, especially his second aunt, Xiu Mei, who quickly brought a bowl of water to Chen Xiao Bei.
"Brother Da Chun, I'm here to discuss something with you."
Chen Da Chun scratched his head a bit sheepishly, "Ah, what's there to discuss? Just tell me what you need."
Chen Xiao Bei smiled calmly, "That won't do. It needs to be a discussion."
"For the four acres of land, Yang Chun and the others will be staying for a while longer. They want to live in stone houses."
Before Da Chun could speak, his second aunt, Xiu Mei, chimed in, quickly responding, "No problem, no problem. You can rest assured about this. Da Chun will definitely handle it."
As she spoke, Xiu Mei winked at Da Chun.
Chen Da Chun quickly nodded in agreement, "Brother Xiao Bei, you can rest assured, I will do a beautiful job for you."
Yes, not only did he have to build a house for Yang Zhi, but his own house, the leveled foundation, hadn't been touched yet.
This job couldn't be given to Da Chun; it had to be given to Li Dong. He couldn't appear too biased.
...
One noon, a few uninvited guests arrived at Centipede Ridge.
Da Lao Hei was drinking with Yang Chun and others in the mountain stronghold when a subordinate rushed in. Su Dan Novel Network.
"Reporting to the Great Chieftain, a young woman has come down, saying her name is Xiao Cui."
Upon hearing the name Xiao Cui, Da Lao Hei couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Excellent, with Xiao Cui'er here, we have another profitable business."
"Quick, invite her up to the mountain stronghold."
The subordinate who delivered the message hurried out and returned after a short while. Behind him followed Xiao Cui, dressed in plain clothes, with a basket slung over her arm, looking like an ordinary peasant woman.
Xiao Cui entered the meeting hall and courteously bowed to Da Lao Hei.
Da Lao Hei stroked his beard and chuckled, "Xiao Cui, there's no need to be so formal, please sit."
Xiao Cui, however, did not sit down. Instead, she reached into her basket and took out a letter.
"Great Chieftain, please take a look at this first."
Hou Liu stepped forward to take the letter and respectfully handed it to Da Lao Hei.
Da Lao Hei opened the letter, which contained only a portrait of a young, handsome gentleman.
"This person's name is Liu Yuanwu, and he is from the capital."
"His head is worth ten thousand taels of silver."
Da Lao Hei was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Miss Xiao Cui, tell us, why is this person's head so valuable?"
Xiao Cui smiled charmingly, "Great Chieftain, if you speak like that, you'll break the rules."
"Just tell me whether you accept the job or not."
Da Lao Hei stared at the portrait for a while, then passed it to Yang Chun.
After looking at it, Yang Chun looked up at Xiao Cui, "As far as I know, there is a Duke of the State in the capital named Liu Xiang Nan. His eldest son is Liu Yuanwen, and his second son is Liu Yuanwu, correct?"
Xiao Cui smiled charmingly, "Brother Yang is right. He also has a young daughter named Liu Ruo Mei, who lives in Qing Niu County town."
Yang Zhi turned to Da Lao Hei, "Brother, I fear we may earn the money but not live to spend it."
At this moment, Xiong Fei beside him couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Yang, I think you're more timid than the point of a needle. What do you mean we'll earn the money but not live to spend it? In this day and age, the bold get rich and the timid starve. Let's take the job, what's there to fear?"
Hou Liu also seized the opportunity to chime in, "Exactly, ten thousand taels of silver is enough for us at Centipede Ridge to live luxuriously for a lifetime."
Da Lao Hei looked at Yang Chun, then at Xiong Fei and the others, and was momentarily indecisive.
Seeing this, Xiao Cui took the opportunity to say, "Since the Great Chieftain doesn't want the job, please return this portrait to me."
Then she looked at Yang Chun, "Only the Great Chieftain and Brother Yang have seen the portrait today. If any news leaks out in the future, don't blame Xiao Cui'er for being merciless."
Da Lao Hei reluctantly folded the portrait and put it back in the envelope, but then looked at Yang Chun with anticipation.
"Brother Yang, why don't we still take it!"
"Yes, take it, take it."
A group of subordinates chimed in noisily.
Seeing this, Yang Zhi silently stood up.
Da Lao Hei understood his meaning clearly; Yang Chun was withdrawing, which was equivalent to abstaining.
As Yang Chun left, Da Lao Hei shook his big head and chuckled, "Good, Miss Xiao Cui, I'll take this job, but I want another two thousand taels."
A slight smile appeared on Xiao Cui's lips, "An extra two thousand taels is acceptable, but I want the head."
"Alright, deal." Da Lao Hei slammed the table.
Xiao Cui took another item from her basket and pushed it forward, "As per the old rules, a deposit of two thousand taels. If he is still alive within three months, then this is a breach of contract."
"Don't worry, I understand the rules!" Da Lao Hei raised his hand, and Hou Liu quickly stepped forward to receive the silver notes.
"Great Chieftain, I'll point you to a clear path. Liu Yuanwu will surely come to Qing Niu Mountain. You know what to do now, right?"
After saying that, Xiao Cui turned and left.
As she left, the entire gathering hall turned into a sea of joy.
Hou Liu picked up a wine jar and poured a bowl of wine for Da Lao Hei, smiling, "Great Chieftain, we are familiar with Qing Niu Mountain. We've been there more than once with Chen Xiao Bei."
"Since he, Liu Yuanwu, is going to Qing Niu Mountain, we will act there."
Da Lao Hei smiled and nodded, "Yes, that's right. Tomorrow, a few of you will go to Qing Niu Mountain again and greet Chen Xiao Bei. We need to patrol the mountain."
...
The sun was setting, and smoke was rising from every household. At this time, Carpenter Zhang arrived again. Seeing him, Chen Xiao Guang was very polite and offered him a stool to sit down.
Carpenter Zhang handed over a cloth bag containing seven or eight apples.
"We don't have anything rare at home, so I brought a few fruits for Qiao'er to eat."