Chen Hansheng stood in his bedroom, leaning against the window, and lit a Zhonghua cigarette. In the dim room with only the oil lamp, the red dot of the cigarette changed brightness as he inhaled.
Karanda didn't like this smell and sat far away by the bed. But she knew that every time this happened, it meant that Chen Hansheng was troubled.
Chen Hansheng sometimes closed his eyes, sometimes looked into the distance, as if he was constantly thinking about something in his mind. Finally, he took a few deep breaths, exhaled a wisp of mist, and said, "There was a story in our hometown called 'Hongmen Banquet', which later became a phrase, 'No Banquet Is Good'."
"Is it the story about inviting people to dinner and then murdering the guests?" asked Kalanda.
"Smart! Others don't know how smart you are underneath your aggressive appearance." Chen Hansheng gave her a thumbs up and then told her the story of the Hongmen Banquet again.
After listening to this, Kalanda said, "Such stories are not uncommon here. Especially the nobles in remote areas are really capable of anything. People who believe in fists will always solve problems with fists. By the way, someone once hired our mercenary group to be the 'axemen' in that story."
"You must have refused?"
"No, what we want to cut is not good stuff. I am a mercenary, why don't I accept it? But later the other party didn't come at all." Kalanda said with a worried look on his face, "Are you worried that the Baron's banquet is a trap?"
Chen Hansheng shook off the ash from his cigarette and said, "The Baron must have bad intentions. In a town with less than 2,000 people, including merchants, making 40 or 50 friends means you know everything. I know that both of the Baron's sons have returned, not only by themselves, but also with their companions. The magicians have people from the Red Lotus Tower, and the Baron's son-in-law has also brought a capable team. In such a small town, there are 20 to 30 warrior mages at once. Who do you think this is for?"
"However, what I have been thinking about over and over again is whether I should take this opportunity to take action. Once we do, we will have stirred up a hornet's nest. Many forces around us will be offended, and there may be wars on several fronts. The pressure will not be small." When Chen Hansheng said this, he stared blankly at the Baron's Mansion in the distance outside the window and forgot about the cigarette in his hand.
Kalanda came to him, also leaning against the window, looking at him and said: "I think you don't know enough about the virtues of the nobles. If you show enough power and make people feel that there is no benefit to be gained, they will not avenge a noble who has lost power."
Chen Hansheng stared at her for a while, as if he had received some kind of encouragement. He put out his cigarette butt and closed the window. "We still have more than a day, which is enough time for us to get ready. Now call everyone to a meeting! I didn't weave the straw sandals for this month for nothing!"
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The next day, Wang Xiaofeng walked into Lina's yard as usual, then put the grass he had picked on the ground, and saw Lina walking towards him with a worried look on her face.
"That's what?" He saw that Lina did not help move the grass as usual, but stood beside him with her hands clasped together.
"Are you... preparing to do something?" Lina asked hesitantly.
"Hmm? Why do you say that?"
"I..." Lina hesitated for a while, "I saw the fire in your yard was lit until very late last night."
Wang Xiaofeng looked around, closed the gate, and asked curiously, "Why are you staring at our hotel at night?"
Lina lowered her head and said, "I watch it every day, since you came here."
Wang Xiaofeng didn't understand at first, but when he saw Lina's face starting to turn red, he finally came to his senses. He said awkwardly, "Yes, there are some things, but you are a woman with a child, so just stay at home."
"It's the Baron, isn't it?"
"What brings you to mind the Baron?"
"Don't think I'm stupid! Although I don't know as much as you do, I have listened to you talk about principles for so many days. I also joined the mutual aid society and the women's association. Everyone knows that you are here for the Baron, and everyone knows that the bad Baron will not let us live a good life. It's just that the time has not come yet."
Wang Xiaofeng suddenly realized that he had always underestimated these local people. Yes, when it comes to such human nature, who could be more stupid than who
"Haven't you always told me one thing? The Baron and I have a grudge! I, I must do something."
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Mareno was helping old man Dominic chop wood again.
Dominic looked at him for a long time and said, "If you have something to say, say it now. If you have to fart, fart now."
"What?"
"Your accuracy when chopping wood today was only half of what it usually is. Either you hit your head while walking and got stupid, or you really have something on your mind to say," said Dominic.
"Yes, there is something!" Mareno nodded in admission.
The old man snorted coldly and turned into the bedroom.
Mareno was confused by his actions. He shook his head and continued chopping wood.
More than ten minutes later, Dominic appeared again. But what surprised Mareno was that he appeared at the door wearing leather armor and holding a long sword.
The equipment on the old man looked a bit old, but it was obviously maintained over the years. Mareno even noticed that there was an obvious patch on the right leg of the leather armor, sealing a large crack. This should be where Dominic was injured on the battlefield, right
"I haven't done it for a long time. I'm really looking forward to it." The old man touched the sword and swung it forward with force. The long sword, with a white halo of fighting spirit, passed across the tip of Mareno's nose and split the firewood in half.
——————
Situations similar to these two families were happening in many local residents' homes. For the first time, many members of the working group were no longer theoretical, but realized from reality what they had done and what kind of rewards they had gained in this month's work. Even though Chen Hansheng had expected this, he was surprised by the initiative and agility of these townspeople.
In the hotel, Suova said seriously, "Mayor Chen, don't worry, I will do a good job of working with the members of the mutual aid association. We may not be as knowledgeable as you, but we know who is good to us and who is the real bad guy. You don't need to say anything more, just tell us what to do. We will never be vague about what you want us to do. I know that no matter what we do with you, it is for ourselves, so that we can live a better life!"
Doris on the side also said: "Yes. Although our Women's Association is still small, there is no problem for the sisters to do some logistical work. In this month, we really understand a lot of things that we didn't understand before. We understand why we live."