Chapter 25: Waiting for the Hare
After reaching an agreement with the old village chief, Li Yuanjing returned home without feeling particularly uplifted. Just as he was about to examine the old spinning wheel his mother had used for many years, Zhang Kun and his companions hurried over.
Especially Zhang Kun, who clearly had something urgent to discuss. Li Yuanjing asked Yuniang to take several women and distribute grain to the men who had helped, then pulled Zhang Kun into the house and asked, “Brother Zhang, what’s happened? Why are you so anxious?”
Zhang Kun quickly recounted to Li Yuanjing what Zhao Zengjin had overheard. Tonight, Xue An and Hou Wu were planning to make a move against him!
“Those damned dogs!” Li Yuanjing’s expression darkened with anger. Xue An and Hou Wu were truly persistent pests.
But Li Yuanjing soon calmed himself. Getting flustered now would only disrupt his plans—indeed, the most foolish thing he could do.
He hastily produced roughly an ounce of silver and pressed it into Zhang Kun’s hand: “Brother Zhang, this is your reward for today’s news. We’ll settle the account for wolf hunting after everything’s done. For now, go and fetch Zhao Zengjin for me!”
“Master, this…” Zhang Kun had not expected such a generous reward and tried to refuse, but Li Yuanjing, citing Zhang Liang’s illness, convinced him otherwise. Zhang Kun had no choice but to go outside and call for Zhao Zengjin.
Soon, Zhao Zengjin arrived, shy and clever, greeting Li Yuanjing politely. Li Yuanjing smiled, handed him five hundred coins, and said, “Old Zhao, we grew up together as brothers. Take this money—I’ll spare the extra words. If you’re willing to work with me from now on, I’ll pay you the same monthly salary as Brother Zhang. What do you say?”
“Yuanjing—no, Master, I am willing to serve you loyally!” Zhao Zengjin exclaimed with delight, immediately kneeling to bow to Li Yuanjing. Even though he had anticipated some reward for his risky actions, he could not contain his excitement when it arrived.
Li Yuanjing helped him up, smiling: “Old Zhao, are you afraid of tonight’s matter? Will you dare to help me? If we get through tonight, you’ll be handsomely rewarded tomorrow.”
Zhao Zengjin had fought alongside the old village chief against bandits before—he wasn’t foolish, and Li Yuanjing’s regard and generous offer made his choice clear.
He nodded vigorously: “Master, not a single man in Quanzi Village is a coward! Just tell me what you need!”
Li Yuanjing burst out laughing, giving Zhao Zengjin a hearty slap on the shoulder. “Alright, Old Zhao, go and let your wife know you’ll stay here tonight. But not a word about tonight’s matter must escape! Understood?”
“Understood!” Zhao Zengjin nodded like a pounding pestle.
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After sending Zhao Zengjin off, Li Yuanjing grew calmer, his mind settling on a plan. He went outside to join Yuniang, currying favor with the men who had helped, making sure each received grain. He had Zhang Kun stay with Yuniang and the men outside to chat, while he went to find the old village chief.
“That wretched brat!”
“Truly an ungrateful wolf!”
“If I’d known, when his parents died, I should have driven him out of the village—then we wouldn’t have this trouble today…”
The old village chief was furious upon hearing the news, grabbing his knife and ready to act. Li Yuanjing hurried to restrain him, whispering, “Uncle, this is an extraordinary matter—the fewer people who know, the better. I need your help.”
The old chief, seasoned and wise, immediately understood. “Yuanjing, what’s your plan?”
Li Yuanjing, confident, leaned in to whisper his strategy. When the old chief finished listening, his eyes widened in admiration, and he gave Li Yuanjing a thumbs-up. “Yuanjing, reading books really does make a difference!”
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With the old chief, Zhang Kun, and Zhao Zengjin on his side, Li Yuanjing felt secure and began preparations. As darkness fell, his home was nearly ready.
At the gate, at the entrance, on the earthen kang in the house—Li Yuanjing had set up simple yet effective traps, such as trip wires.
Additionally, he had several packets of lime powder at hand. He couldn’t recall which online novel he'd read it in, but in that story, the protagonist always carried lime powder and various poisons, even for dealing with petty thugs. It might seem sneaky, not exactly honorable, but it was a highly reliable way to ensure safety.
After years of hardship and struggle in the modern world, Li Yuanjing understood human nature thoroughly. Poor fools who care about dignity are beyond saving and will never succeed. Those streamers who call you “Daddy” or “Big Brother”—their monthly earnings dwarf anything you could hope for. Once you have money, status follows naturally.
A hero—who needs to ask about origins?
Once everything was arranged, Li Yuanjing had Zhang Kun and Zhao Zengjin hide in the house, while he, the old chief, and Yuniang huddled in the small east kitchen outside.
This way, the resources were allocated wisely.
After all—
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Both Zhang Kun and Zhao Zengjin were young and strong, in their prime, and with the traps and advantageous positions in the house, even if Xue An and Hou Wu brought ten men, Zhang Kun and Zhao Zengjin could hold the line initially.
The old village chief was experienced and quick to react. As for Li Yuanjing, that went without saying.
Thus, when Xue An and Hou Wu’s men arrived, Li Yuanjing and the old chief could respond quickly and alert those inside.
If the enemy really brought a large group—over a dozen—Li Yuanjing and his team could retreat using the terrain and call for help from the village.
However, based on Li Yuanjing’s experience, Xue An and Hou Wu would never bring too many people for such a shady business.
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“Brother, I’m… I’m a little scared…”
Time ticked by. In the blink of an eye, it was already the beginning of midnight, and the village had fallen silent.
Inside the small east kitchen, despite Li Yuanjing wrapping Yuniang warmly and covering her with dry straw, the oppressive atmosphere was unavoidable. Yuniang unconsciously pressed close to Li Yuanjing, murmuring softly.
Li Yuanjing gently stroked her back, kissed her cheek, and reassured her: “Yuniang, don’t be afraid. With me here, no one will hurt you. I swear on my life.”
Beside them, the old village chief watched the pair with a smile. “Yuanjing, after the New Year, you should marry Yuniang. It would ease this old man’s heart.”
“Village chief…” Yuniang’s face blushed instantly.
Li Yuanjing smiled and nodded. “Uncle, I’ll follow your arrangements.”
Suddenly, a faint but distinct sound echoed from the trap Li Yuanjing had deliberately left by the earthen mound outside the courtyard wall.
The three instantly tensed.
Li Yuanjing quickly mouthed to the old chief: “They’re here!”
The old village chief narrowed his eyes, nodding firmly to Li Yuanjing, signaling him not to act rashly. They would first observe how many had come before making a move.