Chapter 3: Encounter with Mountain Bandits

"Gentlemen, please hold on for a moment. We are servants of the Wang family from the city. Our master is seated inside the carriage. If you could stop and assist us, the Wang family will certainly reward you handsomely."

"With food and drink provided by others, without fields to cultivate and no hunting to be done, can you survive?" Chen Eren is simple-minded but not foolish, and he speaks with common sense. For them, a farmer is simply a farmer, as destined by heaven.

Cao Chan, however, harbored a different mindset; people of this era still perceive time as something to be squandered, with no one recognizing that time is also a precious resource

Hi, I'm not complaining here." Chen Wan said, putting down his burden as he voiced his grievances

By the way, I haven't asked you yet, why do you still have so many straw sandals left unsold, and are you planning to go home? It's the middle of the day.

The team remains the same, but the atmosphere has become somewhat more lively. The Chen villagers no longer look at Cao Chan with the exposed expressions they once had.

"It's just a cart." Chen Hou, who had been lying on the ground for a while, said with a smile.

"Take a break. Look at your frail body," Chen Wan said with concern to Cao Chan, whose complexion appeared somewhat pale, as he lifted the burden onto his shoulder. Along the way, Chen Wan also recognized another aspect of his sympathy for Cao Chan, which was his physical weakness

With a smile, Cao Chan said: "In the time it takes to sell a few pairs of shoes, why don't I go into the woods to chop some firewood to sell in the county tomorrow"

"Why can't we live like that? Why is it that he was born into a wealthy family while I was born to a farmer?" Facing Chen Wan, Chen Hou did not dare to speak loudly, but he showed no respect at all to Chen E.

Having traversed a harmonious distance of 8 miles, the team leader Chen Dong stopped near a small hill. After rounding this hill, it would take another 10 miles to reach Qinghe Village, where Cao Chan resides

A knowledgeable and reasonable person will be respected wherever they go. The principle that Cao Chan just conveyed has genuinely educated them. In their hearts, their understanding of Cao Chan has naturally improved slightly.

Chen Dong and Chen E also revealed approving glances, their looks towards Cao Chan becoming even more disdainful. Essence is essence; even if a person changes their way of life, they will not change their inner self

"I really can't sit still." Rubbing his head, Chen Hou pondered for a long time with his mouth agape, only managing to utter this one sentence

However, among this group, the only one who welcomed Cao Chan was Chen Wan. Even the shy man, Chen E, cast a furtive glance at Cao Chan, which was clearly unwelcoming.

This question left Chen Wan and the others momentarily stunned, each of them bowing their heads in contemplation. However, this analogy was quite simple; Chen Wan quickly calculated the gains and losses involved. He laughed heartily and couldn't help but pat Cao Chan on the shoulder, saying: "This analogy is great; how come I never thought of it before? Ha ha."

Hehe, the wealthy probably have their own way of living. If one truly becomes rich and noble, there is no need to worry about idleness. Chen Dong, with his broad perspective, said with a smile

Indeed, Brother Dong is insightful. When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten out. Once one becomes wealthy, one will naturally know how to live life.

Oh, it seems there is some movement. Suddenly, the keen-eared Chen Wan exclaimed softly and turned south. The small, monkey-like Chen Hou immediately crouched down to the ground; a person who has been hunting for years can listen to the sounds while lying on the ground

Chen Hou shrank his neck. Since childhood, he had been accustomed to being bullied by Chen Wan, and this time it truly worked. After shrinking his neck, Chen Hou fell silent.

You dead monkey. Are you asking for a beating today? Chen Wan's expression suddenly turned "ferocious," and he made a move to step forward, scaring Chen Hou to retreat three steps. Waving his hands, he repeatedly said, "Isn't it reasonable? What this kid said is reasonable, isn't it?"

"That kind of life is not one we can lead." The shy Chen E, after becoming familiar, was relatively talkative and smiled foolishly at Chen Hou.

Isn't that just giving up halfway? Chen Wan's words received unanimous agreement from everyone, but Chen Hou felt somewhat unconvinced and couldn't help but mutter.

The once debauched scion of a wealthy family is now just a lazy and worthless individual

Cao Chan found a stone to rest his feet. As soon as he sat on the stone, he felt a wave of coolness rising from the soles of his feet, accompanied by a slight itching sensation. Cao Chan realized that this was due to blisters forming on his feet, and he knew without looking that it was quite serious. The round trip to the county town was about thirty to forty li, and having hardly done any work, it was indeed unusual for the tender-skinned Cao Chan not to have blisters.

He used to have people providing for his every need, and now being able to walk thirty to forty miles to sell straw mats is already quite an achievement. Chen Dong, who had a changed impression of Cao Chan, spoke a word of justice for him.

Cao Chan was also indifferent; ever since he borrowed a corpse to return to life, the moment he stepped out of his house after lying in bed for more than ten days, this kind of gaze and displeasure accompanied him.

Cao Chan looked on without surprise, but his expression was serious as he gazed at Chen Hou. He hoped they had not encountered any Yellow Turban rebels or mountain bandits.

An eighteen-year-old strong young man, carrying a nearly empty shoulder pole, can actually become so exhausted even with just a few books.

"It's nothing much. I sold straw sandals and mats all morning. The mats are all sold out, but I still have over ten pairs of straw sandals left. Even if I sit here all afternoon, I might not sell a few pairs, which feels a bit regrettable compared to the time I spent on it," Cao Chan smiled and explained to Chen Wan.

"There are people providing for both food and drink; what a life it is, tsk tsk tsk." Chen Hou heard this and felt a pang of jealousy, saying.

Several individuals come from farming backgrounds, but the current circumstances are challenging. During the off-season, they occasionally go hunting to sell some animal skins and furs, supplementing their household income

Beside him, Chen Wan immediately shouted, "Is it necessary for you to listen? I saw it long ago." Not far away, a horse-drawn carriage was racing towards this direction, with several horses chasing behind.

"Let's go." Chen Wan's expression also changed as he picked up Cao Chan's burden, casually pulling Cao Chan along. The group hurried towards the area flanked by overgrown grass and shrubs.

"Yellow Turban bandits, hurry up!" With just a glance, Chen Dong's expression changed drastically as he shouted. Although several of them were on horseback and appeared to be robbers, their heads were wrapped in yellow turbans, clearly indicating that they were remnants of the Yellow Turban rebels.

Despite the seemingly simple appearance of this stout man, he is quite eloquent, engaging in lively conversation with Cao Chan along the way. As a result, Cao Chan learns that these individuals all share the surname Chen. The stout man is named Chen Wan, which means "worm." The short one is called Chen Hou, while the tall one is named Chen Dong. There is also a shy man with a simple expression who does not speak much, named Chen E.

The disappointment was evident in Chen Hou's eyes; he seemed as if he had taken a stimulant, nearly jumping up. With a slight tremor in his expression, he raised his head proudly and said: "Look, Brother Wanzi, I was right, he is just lazy."

I think you deserve a beating" Chen Wan raised his hand, clenched his fist, and said to Chen Hou with an unhappy expression

"Hi, time is of no consequence. The gentlemen have plenty of time. You might as well sit in the city and sell these pairs of shoes before heading home," Chen Wan said with disappointment in his eyes, sighing at Cao Chan after hearing this.

"Not yet lazy. After squatting at the street stall for an entire morning, I don't want to squat anymore," Chen Hou said with a smile, his eyes carrying a certain depth of meaning.

The city is located several miles away from Qinghe Village, approximately a distance of over ten miles from Chenjia Village. Cao Chan conversed with the simple-minded man as they walked along with the group.

Fur and leather are specifically collected by designated vendors, so it can be dealt with in just one morning. Seeing Cao Chan walking alone, Chen Wan felt a pang of sympathy and invited Cao Chan to walk with them for some company

Listening to Chen Wan's concerned words, Cao Chan did not argue. His body, having indulged in drinking and women in his early years, had long been weakened. After being beaten severely by someone, lying in bed for half a month, he had already become unrecognizable.