Chapter 19

As the sky gradually brightened, a thin layer of mist floated over the tranquil pond, enveloping the world in a white haze, making it seem as if one were in a fairyland.

On this beach that had been awake all night, the once noisy atmosphere was now replaced by a festive air. Dozens of large round tables were squeezed into the sand, surrounded by mountains of supplies. They were already filled with new and old strongmen from the mountain stronghold.

"Jiangu, Jianye, you've been busy all night! Come, have some water first!"

The woman speaking was Li Si's wife, Ma Shi. The two she called "Jiangu" and "Jianye" were none other than the two grandsons of the village elder, Wang Lun, Ma Jiangu and Ma Jianye.

Speaking of the Ma family, they were one of the prominent families in Xixi Village. Their ancestors had settled in the village during the Later Zhou Dynasty, so unlike other small families that gave their children humble names, these two children were given grand names at birth. According to the family genealogy, they belonged to the "Jian" generation. Thus, the old grandfather, hoping for his grandsons to become dragons, named them "Jiangu" and "Jianye."

If one were to trace their bloodline, Ma Shi and these two young men were somewhat related. Although they were beyond the fifth generation, the two boys always respectfully called her "Sister" when they met her.

At this moment, seeing Ma Shi hand them water, the two young men's faces showed a hint of shame. They stammered, "Sister, we were wrong in the past. When Xiao Baozheng bullied you, we didn't help much..."

Ma Shi stopped them, stroking their heads and said, "Jiangu, Jianye, don't always feel guilty! You were young, and if it weren't for you reporting the news that night, I and your brother-in-law wouldn't have escaped! On the mountain, besides my brother-in-law and nephew, you two are my only family! Let's not talk about the past, drink the water! Remember not to eat too much later, be careful your stomachs can't handle it. In the future, there will be plenty of food for you!"

The two young men, who were still somewhat nervous about their surroundings, nodded and drank the water. After putting down the porcelain bowls, they looked at the tables piled high with delicious food and wine, and instinctively swallowed their saliva. Jianye, with a childish tone, asked, "Sister, do you and your brother-in-law eat like this every day on the mountain?"

"Not every day, but we had a feast yesterday afternoon, and it even made your nephew feel full!" Ma Shi smiled, looking at the child in her arms, her face radiating deep maternal love.

"My goodness, it's like celebrating the New Year every few days!" Jianye exclaimed. Seeing this, Jiangu glared at his brother, his stern gaze seemingly scolding him for being overly excited. Jianye then quieted down.

At this moment, the child playing in his mother's arms noticed the brothers' actions. The restless Jianye reached out to pinch his nephew's chubby cheeks and said to Ma Shi, "Sister, you don't know how heroic your brother-in-law was last night! The corrupt Baozheng and his son knelt on the ground like dogs, bowing to your brother-in-law. In the end, he killed them with one stroke each, and the villagers felt a great sense of relief!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Shi's tears suddenly fell. Jiangu and Jianye were immediately alarmed and hurried to comfort her. The others at the table, who had grown up together in the village, also helped to console her. The child in Ma Shi's arms reached out to wipe her tears, saying in a baby voice, "Uncles are bad, scaring my mom!"

"What's wrong, crying like this?" Li Si, who had been out, walked in and saw his wife with her head down, tears streaming down her face. He quickly asked. The young men at the table, seeing Li Si return, immediately stood up, calling him "Brother Si" warmly. After witnessing the thrilling scene not long ago, they had already regarded Li Si as a remarkable figure, and some even secretly saw him as a role model in life.

"Brother... Brother... Sister, it's our fault. We mentioned your killing, and it scared Sister!" Jiangu and Jianye hung their heads, admitting their mistake.

"Big Sister, I killed our enemies, who caused us so much suffering. Why should you cry for them?" Li Si scolded.

Hearing this, Ma Shi quickly wiped her face and said, "I'm crying for my grandparents, not for the villains!"

Seeing his wife angry, Li Si immediately became subdued, smiling apologetically, "I was too abrupt, Big Sister, don't be angry!" After seeing everyone at the table looking at him, his face turned red, and he coughed, saying, "Eat, everyone, eat! Don't be shy, they started eating over there, why are you waiting?"

These young men, around seventeen or eighteen years old, had been drooling over the steaming delicacies on the table, but were too nervous to reach out. Li Si's belated encouragement sounded like music to their ears, and they immediately started eating, stuffing their mouths with the best chicken legs and beef. Some even poured wine for their neighbors, imitating the way their elders sipped wine during the New Year, taking small sips of the wine in their bowls.

The atmosphere quickly became lively, and the people at the nearby tables, who were also new to the mountain, followed suit.

Li Si stood up, picked up a chicken leg, and gave it to his child, then put some food in his wife's bowl. He then said to everyone at the table, "Little brothers, after the meal, help the stronghold store the grain, and then you can rest! From now on, follow me, Li Si, and if you have any problems, come to me!"

Ma Shi, hearing her husband's tone, felt uneasy and pulled on his sleeve, whispering, "What are you saying? What do you mean by 'follow you'? If the elders of the stronghold hear this, they might say you don't know the rules."

Li Si laughed and sat down, explaining to his wife in a low voice, "You don't know yet! Do you think the chief called us over for nothing? I'm now a headman in the stronghold, and the chief even toasted me just now!"

Ma Shi was stunned, her face showing disbelief. At that moment, a few people came to the table, each carrying dishes. Everyone thought they were kitchen staff and ignored them. Only Li Si was surprised, quickly standing up and bowing to one of them, "How can I let Brother Zhou serve the dishes himself? I'll do it, I'll do it!" He then took the new dishes and placed them on the table.

Zhou Zhi, who had come specially, chuckled, picked up an empty bowl, filled it with wine, and handed it to Li Si. He then poured himself a bowl and raised it, "Brother, don't be too formal! I'm sorry I didn't go down the mountain last night; otherwise, I would have seen you take revenge on your enemies! Come, let's drink to your revenge and your promotion!"

Li Si tried to refuse, but Zhou Zhi had already finished his drink. Seeing this, Li Si quickly drank the watered-down wine. Zhou Zhi then patted Li Si's shoulder and said, "We are both valued by the chief, so don't let him down! When you have free time, we should visit each other more often!"

Li Si repeatedly agreed, and Zhou Zhi laughed, said a few polite words, and called out to his sister-in-law to enjoy her meal before leaving.

Seeing this, Ma Shi finally believed her husband's words, her face beaming with joy like a blooming flower, and she started chatting with Li Si non-stop.

Before long, a man who looked like an accountant, accompanied by two subordinates, carried a large chest to the table. Ma Shi thought he was there to toast her husband, fearing that Li Si might be rude, quickly stood up and offered him wine. The accountant was surprised, quickly took the wine, and said, "Sister, you're too kind, I can't bear it!" He then drank the wine and said to Li Si, "Headman Li, are these all your subordinates? I'm here to register their names, please make it convenient for me!"

Ma Shi's face turned red, realizing it was just a routine task, not a special visit for her husband. She quickly stood up with her child, making room for the accountant to sit down. The accountant smiled, bowed to Ma Shi, and sat down, preparing paper and pen, asking everyone to report their names and writing them down. After finishing, he called his subordinates to open the chest, and a bright white light shone, revealing neatly arranged silver ingots and strings of copper coins, causing a chorus of exclamations.

"Headman Li, here are 129 taels of silver and 350 copper coins. Please take good care of them!" The accountant handed the pre-weighed silver to Li Si.

Li Si was surprised, "Is this tonight's reward? Why so much?"

The accountant chuckled, clearly used to such reactions, and explained, "You went on a military expedition, and according to the ratio, you earned 14560 copper coins. As a headman, you get double, so you actually receive 29350 copper coins (770 copper coins equal one tael). Additionally, the chief specially rewarded those who made great contributions, and you are one of three new headmen, so you receive an additional 100 taels. In total, you receive 129 taels and 350 copper coins. Headman Li, please sign here!"

Li Si was taken aback, but somewhat embarrassed, "I... I can't write!"

The accountant, prepared for this, said, "A fingerprint will do!" He then handed over the ink and showed Li Si where to place it.

As Li Si was placing his fingerprint, the accountant turned to Ma Shi, who was standing with her child, and said, "Sister, you also have 11 taels and 100 copper coins. Please sign here as well!"

True to their relationship, Ma Shi's reaction was the same as Li Si's. She was stunned and exclaimed, "I have some too?"

The accountant, being patient, smiled and explained, "Of course! Not only you, but all the family members who helped in the kitchen last night received a reward. If you're willing to continue helping in the kitchen, you can register with Headman Zhou in the kitchen and continue to receive rewards. The chief has instructed that participation is voluntary and not forced!"

Ma Shi was delighted and said, "Willing, willing! Even without the reward, I'm willing! The chief avenged our family and treated us so well, I would work like a horse to repay his kindness!"

The accountant, a confidant of Chief Zheng Qian, knew the details of the night's expedition and didn't say much more, nodding in understanding. He then asked Ma Shi to place her fingerprint, which she did, mimicking her husband's actions. The accountant collected the paper and had the subordinates bring out the other silver and copper coins, saying to Li Si, "Headman Li, time is tight, I won't delay you! Here are 88 taels of silver and 800 copper coins. The eight new brothers here, like your sister,