Chapter 218: with translation of chapter title

Chen Dafu

An Qinghe, Chen Dafu

He Jinglan smiled and said, "The thieves haven't even made a move yet, and the weapons they hid have already been eradicated by you in advance—indeed, that is a great merit."

Chen Dafu let out a long sigh, "I thought it was something, you all stare at me one by one, but I'm scared."

He lifted his sleeve and wiped his face twice, saying, "Recently everywhere is on guard against thieves; our Chen family village is the same, except our village has a little path hidden in a remote corner, relying on a heavenly pit, it's treacherous, basically no one walks it—who would have thought that just the night before last, two reckless bandits sneaked in."

Fortunately, the patrollers spotted them as they climbed over the wall and caught them; upon inspection with a lantern, they turned out to be half-grown kids. Upon questioning, the two had heard that bandits were active nearby, had looted some grain, and, against better judgment, were tempted, so they just wanted to scrape together a bit of cash.

An Qinghe furrowed his brows, "Stealing chickens and dogs, muddying the water to catch fish."

He Jinglan glanced sideways, "This time, they didn't make a mistake."

An Qinghe continued, "Even more absurd, after daybreak they handed the little thieves over to the government office; upon entering that vermilion-lacquered gate, the courtyard was filled with bound people. Hearing the jailer complain, in just the past three days, the number of thieves caught is almost too many to keep locked up."

Everyone stared wide-eyed.

Qin Dasao exclaimed in surprise, "Before the wheat harvest, I even went to the city to sell a batch of medicinal herbs; back then I didn't feel it was this chaotic. How did it suddenly become like this?"

Gu Xixi said calmly, "It's not a sudden change; rather, those who intend to cause trouble in the chaos have long been restless, they've been observing and probing, and once this mindset accumulates to a certain point, it erupts all at once."

The attack on Huachi Du Cun village today is also a manifestation of declining public order in these troubled times.

Chen Dafu heaved a deep sigh, "I just don't understand—this chaotic world is the doing of those above; what does it have to do with us ordinary folks? Everyone should just go about their daily lives, so why are we also getting dragged into the chaos?"

Several people fell into contemplation.

Gu Xixi looked at the pile of things on the ground, "There aren't many decent weapons; they're just pieced together from odds and ends—it seems this gang of bandits is rather short on resources."

"Without these, they'd probably have to fight bare-handed."

She lifted her head and scanned the few people, "In my view, we should also take action."

An Qinghe and He Jinglan instantly became energized.

He Jinglan: "There are ready-made weapons here; I'll pick one!"

An Qinghe: "I've read the criminal statutes of the Great Undertaking Dynasty; killing bandits incurs no murder liability!"

The two's eyes blazed, like hungry ghosts awaiting a feast.

Qin Dasao silently covered the two children's eyes, thought for a moment, then switched to covering their ears.

"It's too brutal; the children can't hear, can't hear."

Gu Xixi glared at her two friends, "Do you two have to be so excited? This isn't a game."

"Especially you, He Jinglan—have you ever fought? Killed someone?"

"Don't go around fighting and killing all day."

The two lowered their heads under the glare.

"... Oh."

"Got it."

Gu Xixi turned to the most normal person present, "Uncle Chen, I need to go check the situation at the village entrance; please trouble you to notify each of the brothers individually and gather everyone together."

"Although those people have no weapons and may not dare to force their way in, we still need to stay alert."

"First, you're each scattered in the wheat fields working; if bandits sneak in, a lone person would be unsafe. Second, over here we need you to keep watch—if you see the enemy side with many people, rush to call for help; don't engage head-on."

Chen Dafu solemnly nodded, "What about the wheat harvesting work?"

Gu Xixi said, "Put it aside for now; harvesting wheat isn't as important as lives."

She knew the hired workers were looking forward to this wheat harvest, and she gave a light smile to reassure, "Don't worry, the village is just this size; seeing it through will take at most an hour or two."

Chen Dafu said solemnly, "Understood; I'll distribute these weapons to everyone later for self-defense."

Gu Xixi laughed, "It's free anyway—use them as you see fit."

She also solemnly said to An Qinghe, "Brother An, you've had several experiences fighting bandits; could you please stay here to take my and Qin Dasao's place, and also keep Uncle Chen company?"

An Qinghe immediately objected instinctively, "No, there's danger at the village entrance; I can't be away from your side……"

Before he could finish, he already received a fierce glare from Gu Xixi.

An Qinghe resentfully closed his mouth.

Gu Xixi showed an extremely gentle smile, "Can… I…?"

An Qinghe broke out in a cold sweat like rain, pitifully nodding, then nodding again.

On the way back, Gu Xixi strode quickly with an axe in hand, arranging as she went, "Jinglan, you take Qinger and Shitou home; sister-in-law, you……"

Qin Dasao said, "Dogwa's father is surely already there; I also need to go help at the village entrance."

She said this while waving the long sword she had just picked up, full of vigorous vigor.

He Jinglan complained, "We're all women; why can you go while I have to bring the kids home?"

Gu Xixi said, "This is also a responsibility; now the village isn't peaceful, who can guarantee that no lone bandit has sneaked in? You can't just let them go back on their own, can you?"

Shitou said with high spirits, "Sister Xixi, letting Sister Jinglan take Qinger back is fine; you can't be without a man protecting you."

Xiao Qinger glanced at her brother Shitou, spoke sensibly, "Then Qinger also wants to protect!"

He Jinglan, who isn't unreasonable, lightly tapped the heads of the two little rascals, both annoyed and amused, saying:

"You two just don't cause trouble; when encountering bad people, children should seek adult protection—otherwise, what are we adults for?"

Shitou still wanted to struggle.

He Jinglan gave no room for negotiation, "Shut up, don't even think about it. You two little rascals, if you don't head back soon, Elder Sister Meng and Auntie will worry."

As they reached the fork and were about to part ways, He Jinglan still felt some worry for Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi told Qin Dasao she wanted to give a couple more reminders.

Gu Xixi stepped forward and whispered in He Jinglan's ear, "Rest assured, I won't be in any danger. Don't forget we still have people hidden in the dark; they're definitely stronger than that rabble."

"When you go home, just lock the courtyard gate from inside; the old and young in the household will rely on you to guard them."

He Jinglan gave Gu Xixi a deep look, "You also rest assured."

At this moment, no one could be seen outside; presumably, anyone able to go out and move about had all gone to the village entrance.

Only Gu Xixi and Qin Dasao remained.

Qin Dasao laughed, "Besides needing to send the two children back just now, you actually also wanted to find an excuse to send Miss He away."

Gu Xixi's lips curled, "I must protect her."

There are three reasons; the first, naturally, is Gu Xixi's sisterly affection for He Jinglan.

Looking closer, He Jinglan is not a person from this village, and she does not have the experience and strength that An Qinghe does.

There's no need to let her risk her life for Huachi Du Village.

As for the rest…