"Brother Chen Ping, I really can't do this. You also know that I..."
Chen Xiaobei still wanted to explain, but Chen Ping had already held his hand and stood in front of everyone, "Captain Xiaobei, just say a few words to everyone. From now on, the village protection team has nothing to do with me.
"
After speaking, he clasped his fists and bowed to the people present, then turned and left.
When he reached the door, he turned back and said to Chen Xiaobei, "My grandfather said that he would report to the village today. The appointment in the county will be official soon."
I'll go, does the county still need to appoint the captain of the village protection team?
It was so grand. Chen Xiaobei was secretly surprised, but why did he think it was so careless?
Seeing that he was silent here, Chen Daqiang was the first to speak, "Xiao..., Captain, we all listen to you. What do you think our village protection team should do in the future?"
Chen Xiaobei looked confused, but judging from the current situation, he was already being pushed to the top. The captain had to do it whether he did it or not.
"Don't be impatient, let's sit down and talk slowly."
After everyone sat down, Chen Xiaobei looked at Chen Daqiang and said, "Brother Daqiang, tell me first, what does this captain do?"
Chen Daqiang rubbed his hands and looked a little embarrassed, "Actually, actually, it's nothing. I just lead everyone to protect the village. Schedule the shifts. There will be someone on duty at the entrance of the village during the day, and a few patrols at night."
"By the way, you are the captain and you can get paid from the county."
"Is it that simple?" Chen Xiaobei felt a little incredible. For such a simple job, he could get the county's copper coins for free. Would Chen Ping not do it?
At that time, Chen Daming, who was standing next to him, rubbed his hands and said, "Of course, we can't be empty-handed after a year of work, right?"
Only then did Xiaobei come to his senses, "Why doesn't the county pay your wages?"
"No, I won't give it, but Chen Ping will give some at the end of the year..."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei cursed secretly in his heart and shuddered.
This village protection team is so bloody. The team members have no wages, and at the end of the year the leader has to find a way to issue year-end bonuses.
It's really difficult for Chen Ping to persist for so many years.
But I don’t want to throw away my money.
Seeing that he was silent, Chen Xiaobo next to him continued, "Brother Xiaobei, you don't have to take it seriously. It's okay even if you don't pay us wages. After all, we are also from Hetou Village. For the sake of the stability of the old and young men, it's okay to work for free."
Well!"
That's what he said, but of course Chen Xiaobei understood that if he really refused to give or gave less than Chen Ping, these people would really dare to give up.
No wonder Chen Ping got rid of this job so happily.
Chen Xiaobei looked at Chen Daqiang and said, "Okay, I understand. Then according to the order arranged before, just tell me when it's my turn to be on duty."
Chen Daqiang took out a piece of paper from his arms and handed it to Chen Xiaobei.
"This is the order of the shifts. Tomorrow will be your shift during the day. Of course, you don't have to stay at the entrance of the village all day. You can just visit a few times from time to time."
Chen Xiaobei took the piece of paper. It not only showed the order of the shift, but also the grouping of the night shift. The eight people in the night shift were divided into four groups, with two people in each group.
Starting from the second watch, each group patrols for an hour. Of course, this so-called patrol means a circle around Hetou Village.
This arrangement allows the village guards to get a more adequate rest at night. After all, each person only patrols for one round at night, which takes less than half an hour.
In order to facilitate unified action, the village team members will live in a collective dormitory in two rooms under the big locust tree at night.
After seeing off the village protection team members, Chen Xiaobei sat in the yard without moving for a long time.
At this time Cui Hongyu came out with Chen Qiaoer.
Qiaoer's face was filled with joy, and she clapped her hands excitedly, "My brother has been promoted, and he is now the captain."
There was no smile on Cui Hongyu's face, "Husband, it's not easy to be a captain, and the county doesn't give you a salary, so you'll have to find a way by yourself when the time comes."
"Just like in our village, the captain of the village protection team was directly appointed by the landlord Cui Dana, and he asked his family's long-term workers to do this."
Yes, Dana Cui was a well-known big landowner. He served as the captain of the village protection team and received wages from the white men in the county, and then asked his family's long-term workers to become village protection team members. These long-term workers had to work even though they had no money.
But this Hetou Village is different. There are not many rich households in the village, everyone is about the same, so Chen Anbang has no choice but to let his grandson do it.
Every year, some of the salary they receive is given out to appease the village guards.
Chen Xiaobei also scratched his head.
"Yeah, I don't know what they think, why they let me be the captain of the village protection team."
Cui Hongyu frowned slightly, "Husband, do you think it has something to do with those two bandits?"
A word woke up the dreamer, and Chen Xiaobei slapped his head.
Yes, why didn't I think of this?
"Kuyu, you are right. There are hundreds of bandits in Centipede Ridge."
"Although it was Chen Yutian and others who hired thieves to kill me, the bandits were naturally unwilling to let it go when their accomplices were caught. If the bandits find another opportunity to kill me, then Chen Ping and Chen Anbang will not be able to get away with it."
"But if I were the captain of the village protection team, if something happened, I would have to fight bravely against the bandits to protect the lives and property of the villagers."
"If I am killed, maybe the county can give us a big plaque and give you a big red flower."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei's understatement, Cui Hongyu shook his head repeatedly, "Husband, I can't do this job. Before I report to the county, you go and talk to the chief and ask him to hire someone else."
"Besides, you and I can go back to my parents' house for a few days to escape the limelight."
Chen Xiaobei smiled indifferently. Is it still a man to be a coward?
"Kuyu, since they gave me the captain, do you think we can still push him away?"
"This is clearly a trap set for us. We have no way out. If the bandits persist in pursuing us, we can only find a way to solve it."
Cui Hongyu frowned after hearing this, "But we don't know the bandits in Centipede Ridge, and no one can speak to us."
Chen Xiaobei said in his heart that there is nothing I can do about it, but now that I am the head of the family, I have to pretend to be confident.
"I have my own ideas, but for the sake of safety, why don't you take Qiao'er back to your parents' house to stay for a few days."
Hong Yu shook his head, "If your husband doesn't go, then I won't go either. I will stay with you."
After hearing this, Chen Qiaoer also echoed from the side, "Qiaoer also wants to accompany my brother."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "If that's the case, then you are going to Dachun's house tonight."
After speaking, she raised her hand and patted Chen Qiaoer on the head, "Qiaoer must be obedient this time, otherwise there will be no meat buns to eat in the future."
Sure enough, delicious food is still very tempting, Chen Qiaoer nodded obediently.