Chapter Fifty-Four: Making Friends with Bandits

  A group of people came to the outside of the cave and looked out, only to see a mountain in the distance with black smoke billowing, it seemed that the fire was very fierce, even the nearby trees were burning. The mountains and fields were filled with a red glow, the fire was raging, and it seemed to be getting worse, spreading uncontrollably. It must have been that official who couldn't find anyone, in a fit of rage he burned down their houses, which led to this big fire, what a disaster!

  Everyone's expression was different, with anger and resentment, as well as sorrow and regret. Now, not only their homes were destroyed, but the lush trees on the mountain might also be burned down! What a pity! The people had settled down on this mountain, making it their home, so how could they not feel a sense of sadness now that their home was gone? Hei Da Ge turned his head and glanced at Qin Dai Xin, seeing that she didn't have any look of excitement, but instead had a hint of sorrow and regret in her expression. At that moment, he made up his mind.

  He walked up to Qin Dai Xin with big strides, clasped his fists and said: "Miss, I'm deeply grateful for your kindness. Although I lost the bet, I'm willing to work for you." Pei Hu didn't know what it meant to "work", but he had heard Qin Dai Xin say that if he worked for her, not only wouldn't he have to sell himself, but she would also provide him with food and shelter, and even give him a salary. He could escape this vagrant life and live an ordinary person's life, with land to farm and rice to eat. Who would still want to be a bandit?

  Moreover, he had already sent someone to investigate and found that the girl was telling the truth. She really wasn't some corrupt official's concubine, but rather a young lady from the Qin family who hadn't yet married. The problem was that she was now being held captive by them, and if word got out, her reputation would be ruined. Now he just hoped she wouldn't change her mind, as long as she still agreed to let him and his brothers work for her, even if it meant being treated like an ox or a horse to repay the debt, he was willing.

  "Right, we'll follow Big Brother wherever he goes." Everyone was excited and unanimously agreed with Hei Da Ge's decision.

  "We would also like to work for Third Miss."

  "Right, right." Everyone echoed in agreement, with high morale.

  A dozen or so people who had returned from outside the cave began shouting slogans inside the small mountain cave.

  It turned out that this big black guy was called Pei Hu.

  Qin Dai's heart looked at these dozen or so brothers, and his heart became happy. He said: "Don't worry, I won't forget what I said. For now, I still have things to do, and I'm afraid I won't be able to arrange for you immediately. However, the life in the future is already thought out by me. As long as you are not afraid of a dull day, I will definitely not disappoint everyone's expectations."

  "We are not afraid." A refined and courteous military advisor walked out and said: "We all fell into this situation unwillingly, some were bullied by evil officials; others encountered disasters and left their hometowns. We all want to live a normal life, no one wants to be wanted by the authorities every day, unable to see the sun!"

  "Yes, I've thought about having a peaceful life too. I'd like to marry a wife and have a bunch of kids. That's much better than being a bandit in the mountains."

  "Liu San, you rascal, what are you saying in front of Third Miss?" Someone from behind gave Liu San a kick, almost knocking him over. It's not that the crowd didn't welcome him, but rather he himself didn't know how to read people. That Tong Si'er, an old acquaintance, wasn't it the same as the Liu San in front of them? Although everyone knew that the two weren't close friends, and Liu San had only carelessly let slip a word, not really intending to betray everyone, but thinking about his foolish face still ignited several nameless fires in their chests.

  Liu San said with embarrassment: "Am I not telling the truth?"

  Everyone saw him show a timid look, and they all burst out laughing, even Qin Dai's heart was infected by this atmosphere, and her mood improved a lot. These people who didn't know each other could work together, go through thick and thin, and it was clear that they were kind-hearted people. After a few days of getting along, she had already seen the lovely side of these people, although they weren't well-educated, came from poor families, and were a bit rough around the edges, but they were more worthy of friendship than those cold-blooded aristocratic young masters.

  "Are you going back to deal with those who want to harm you? Do you need our help?" Hei Da Ge asked.

  Unexpectedly, this big and tall guy is actually rough on the outside but delicate on the inside.

  "It doesn't matter, I'd better handle this myself. With the New Year approaching soon, I wonder how you plan to spend it, do you have any other relatives?"

  The crowd fell silent, each face filled with sorrow and nostalgia.

  "Some have been separated from their loved ones and have had no contact for many years, while others..."

  "We brothers have been together for so many years during Chinese New Year, Third Miss can rest assured!" The military advisor hastily came out to mediate.

  "It's all right, don't worry about us." The crowd echoed in agreement, it had been like this for so many years, they were already used to it.

  Qin Dai Xin knew that everyone had a past they didn't want to recall or face, so she stopped asking and turned to Hei Da Ge: "Now it's not possible to stay on the mountain, what are your plans?"

  Hei Da Ge thought for a moment and said, "Although we haven't committed any major crimes over the years, we've done quite a few corrupt official things. Our target is too big to go down the mountain and into the city, I'm afraid it will attract other people's attention, and for now, I don't have any ideas."

  Qin Dai thought for a moment and asked: "What did we brothers used to do in the past?"

  Hei Da Ge didn't quite understand what she meant, but still answered honestly: "There are people who farm, kill pigs, chop firewood, all ordinary occupations."

  "Alright! Brothers, let's stay on the mountain for a few days first. It's relatively secluded here, and ordinary people can't find this place, so it's safer. Three days later, everyone will go down the mountain in batches and settle down in Taizhou City. I'll be at Zui Xiang Lou for dinner three days later, and then two brothers will meet me there, and I'll arrange everything."

  Everyone who heard her say this felt happy in their hearts, and they would finally be able to live a peaceful life.

  Just then, outside the cave, there was a sudden rumble of thunder, and deafening claps of thunder exploded one after another in their ears. Everyone didn't know what was happening, and they rushed to the entrance of the cave to look out, only to see that the distant sky was densely covered with dark clouds, instantly turning day into night. Suddenly, the sky started pouring down huge raindrops, which grew bigger and more intense by the minute, and in a short while, the fire on the distant mountain top was brought under control.

  Everyone in the cave cheered loudly, this rain came at just the right time. Just as a whole mountain was about to turn into ashes, it suddenly rained so timely, it's really the old heaven with a long eye!

  Bai Hu's excitement was also overflowing, he waved his hand to quiet everyone and asked: "Does the third young lady have any further instructions?"

  This is the real deal!

  Qin Dai Xin took out the silver ticket she had been carrying with her and handed it to Hei Da Ge: "Here is a thousand taels of silver, leave it for you in case of emergency. In the city, everything should be low-key, don't provoke trouble." This thousand taels of silver was exactly the one Qin Cong Wen gave to her. Qin Dai Xin always felt that Qin Cong Wen took out a thousand taels to donate oil lamps not because he was particularly pious, but to appease Su Shi's emotions. But could this thousand taels really soothe Su Shi's grievances and the pain she had endured over the years? Qin Dai Xin thought it couldn't, so using the thousand taels here was more meaningful than donating it to the temple as oil lamps.

  Hei Da Ge took the silver ticket and responded with a "yes", then said: "Although we are bandits, we also know what's good and bad. Miss, you don't hold grudges against us and still take us in, we definitely won't cause any more trouble. You can rest assured, those officials in the city may also know that there is a group of bandits like us, but no one has ever seen us, so it's probably still safe. Except..."

  "Except for the one who is in contact with you?" Qin Dai Xin knew he was referring to Tong Si'er, who was beside Gong Sun Jin.

  "Uh-huh." Hei Da nodded slightly.

  "This matter is left to me, you don't have to worry. Once the matter is settled, I will no longer stay on the mountain. Those yamen can't find anyone, they must have gone down the mountain, but you still can't be careless, and send someone to investigate at any time."

  Hei Da nodded and said: "It's getting dark, how can a girl like you go back alone? It's better to find two brothers to send you!"

  "Alright, we'll send you off!" The military advisor said: "This way, brothers will also feel more at ease."

  These people didn't know Qin Dai Xin's skills and naturally worried about her.

  "No need, bring me a set of men's clothes and lead the horse over, it's best to make our move at night." Qin Dai's heart could already imagine Qin Fengge's disheveled appearance. Just thinking about the fate of these two made her feel that the breath she had been holding in until now was finally released, and she felt a sense of relief in her heart, unintentionally revealing a smile.

  Hei Da Ge Er stared at Qin Dai Xin's smile, and couldn't help but be stunned, it was really too...

  What was it that the military advisor said? Ah yes, it's really too strange!

  P.S: It's a bit late, sorry!