Chapter 9 Settlement

  After the first purple air between heaven and earth was swallowed into Chen Jiu's abdomen, Chen Jiu's eyes slowly opened, a purple light flowing back and forth in them, slowly disappearing.

  Looking at the sleeping fatty and Zhong Shu, Chen Jiu quietly got up, but a foul smell on his body was soon caught by Chen Jiu.

  Looking at the greasy layer on his body, Chen Jiu lightly revealed a smile and walked towards the riverbank. The grease was detestable, but it didn't make him feel disgusted, because it represented the start of washing and shaving.

  The river water in the early morning is still a bit cold, no, it should be said that it's bitterly cold, but how can I bear this layer of foul smell to meet people?

  "With a splash" Chen Jiu jumped into the river without hesitation, remembering that a great man from his previous life liked winter swimming. Chen Jiu was about to embark on the path of cultivation, and although he said his body was weak, how could he be inferior to that great man?

  Splish splash, splish splash, scrubbed again and again, only then did I walk ashore and change into new clothes.

  During this time, two unlucky fish disturbed Chen Jiu's bath and were thrown ashore by Chen Jiu without hesitation, becoming breakfast.

  Chen Jiu returned when Baozi was still fast asleep, but Zhong Shu had already woken up. Chen Jiu nodded and then lifted the fish in his hand, suddenly saying: "How did thieves come last night? The treasure is gone!"

  The fat man suddenly jumped up like a carp: "What, the treasure is lost."

  The fatty looked around, then let out a sigh of relief after seeing the intact package, but couldn't help smiling awkwardly when he saw Chen Zhong and Chen Jiu's teasing glances, before sitting down in embarrassment.

  Taking advantage of the remaining charcoal from last night, the fire was quickly lit up. The two fish were just enough to whet everyone's appetite, but now several people didn't have the heart to stay here any longer and couldn't wait to leave this sinful place with a few more legs.

  Three people traveled eastward, passing through countless villages, and finally arrived at a remote village with about 300 households.

  This road is dusty and hurried, with several people's clothes covered in dust. At this time, seeing the village deep in the mountains, several people walked quickly.

  A burst of dog barks awakened the villagers, and Chen Ji's frail figure appeared in front of a wooden door, knocking "bang" "bang" "bang" several times.

  A voice of an elderly woman came from inside "who".

  "Grandma, we are just passing through your village and are weary from the journey. May we stay for a night and wash up?" Chen Jiu was 15 or 16 years old at this time, but because he was thin and weak-looking, his voice sounded like that of a young child.

  The creaking door opened with a "creak", revealing a face that had been weathered by wind and frost.

  The old lady looked at the three of them and nodded: "Come in."

  This wooden house is very simple, with only simple pots and pans, as well as a few separate rooms.

  "I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of our guests. My humble home is simple, and I hope you won't mind."

  Chen Ji shook his head: "Auntie, we are lost merchants who were robbed by mountain bandits on the way. We've been traveling in the wind and dust for a long time, and it would be good to change our clothes."

  As he spoke, he took out a silver ingot and handed it to the old lady. This family didn't look wealthy; they were all big-bellied Hans, and after this meal, the grain in their house would probably be depleted.

  Seeing the old lady hesitating, Chen Jiuxiao smiled: "Auntie, this is our intention. If you don't accept it, we can't bother staying here either."

  The old lady smiled after putting away the silver.

  Chen Jiu glanced at the fatty: "You go boil some water, everyone needs to clean up now."

  After chatting with the old lady for a while, Chen Jiu learned that her sons and daughters had all gone to work in the city and would not return until half a month later.

  Before long, the water was ready, Chen Jiu being the youngest, he took a bath first.

  After washing, it's really different, feeling refreshed and comfortable all over.

  Chen Jiu looked at Chen Zhong and Pangzi, with his hands behind his back: "I think this small mountain village is not bad, why don't we settle down here?"

  Zhong Shu had no opinion, Xiao Pang was the one among the three who had the least human rights and had no right to speak.

  After dinner, Chen Jiu looked at the old woman: "Auntie, is this mountain village still peaceful? Are there any bandits around?"

  Bandit

  The old woman smiled: "The security here is still good, the governor's army is stationed not far away, where would any bandits dare to take root?"

  Chen nodded: "It's good this way, we've made some money over the years, but it's too chaotic outside, who knows when we'll lose our lives. The mountain village looks nice, I was thinking of settling down."

  The old woman glanced at the three of them: "This settlement is easy to say, this mountain village has nearly a thousand people, and it's not lacking in you three."

  Chen Jiuxian smiled and said: "Auntie, what do you think of these two partners of mine?"

  The old woman looked at the sly-looking little fatty and Chen Zhong, who had a honest face, under the lamp light, and smiled: "One is cunning and the other is loyal, how did these two extremes get together?"

  Chen Jiu said, "......".

  Chen Zhong said "..."

  Little fatty said "......".

  Chen Jiuyi calmed down and smiled: "Auntie, these two relatives of mine have suffered a lot with me over the years, and this family business has not been successful. I'm worried about them, so I've been thinking of finding a good match for them."

  "As for this betrothal gift, the matchmaker's fee is indispensable."

  On one side, Chen Zhong and Xiao Pangzi were stunned on the spot. No one expected that this guy would start finding wives for the two of them before he had even settled down.

  The old woman smiled at the corner of her mouth: "This thing is easy to handle, just leave it to me. There are still a few young girls in this village who are worried about getting married."

  He looked at Chen Zhong and Xiao Pangzi who were both red in the face.

  The old woman apparently took the two people's unease as shyness.

  After a few people rested for a day, the old woman invited a man in his 40s to come over. Looking at Chen and the other two, the man smiled: "Are you three planning to settle down in our village?"

  Chen Jiuzai stood up, looking at the old woman, and obviously knew the identity of the person in front of him: "I've seen Village Zheng".

  Muramasa took out a book and then found a brush: "The prefecture has regulations, if there is a new household to settle down, it must be registered, but this kind of thing is strict on the surface and loose on the bottom, it's not a big deal".

  Chen Jiu gave a wink to the little fatty, and then the little fatty took out a silver ingot from his bosom: "Please ask Village Chief to help with some arrangements".

  Muramasa didn't refuse, after putting away the silver he looked at the three of them: "You can find a place in this village to start building a house, if you're afraid of trouble, there's someone in the village who wants to move out, you can buy the house along with the mountain land."

  Chen Jiu nodded again and signaled for Xiao Pangzi to take out a silver ingot: "Please, sir, would you be so kind as to help us with this matter?"

  Muramasa glanced at Chen Jiu, this kid is quite good.

  "I'll go back and tell them that you can move tomorrow, and for today, just stay at the old lady's house," said Nakamura, and then he hurriedly left.

  Obviously after receiving benefits from Chen Jiudeng and others, he helped a few people with their affairs.

  Chen Jiu looked at the distant Village Zheng and then at Old Madam: "Thank you, Granny, for taking care of me."

  The lady shook her head: "This is nothing, as for marriage let's talk about it when you've made up your minds".

  When it comes to marriage, Chen Zhong and Xiao Pangzi don't have much objection. Both of them are not young anymore, and being able to marry a good girl from a respectable family is definitely a happy event. As for marrying a noble lady from an official's family, that's just unthinkable - they wouldn't even consider someone like you, a country bumpkin.

  "Once things settle down, the past is just that - the past. Don't get involved in anything illegal or you'll ruin the peace and quiet we've finally got."

  Xiao Pangzi and Chen Zhong both nodded.

  But Xiao Pangzi's next sentence almost choked Chen Jiu to death: "Xiao Jiu, you've brought us a daughter-in-law, what about you, we can't let you be alone".

  Chen Jiu gave him a cold glance: "Just live your life well".

  The fat boy swallowed the corn cake with a sullen face and then took a sip of water, burying his head to eat bitterly.

  Alas, Chen Ji let out a long sigh. The habits of eight years were about to change, and he was at a loss as to what to do next, looking around in all directions.

  "Please recommend and collect it."