Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

Taking advantage of the crowd's high spirits, Gu Mingyue cleared her throat.

"Now that everyone agrees, let's officially name it."

She glanced around at the sea of ​​heads in the courtyard.

"From today onwards, our organization will be called: Pujitang Expressway Business Division."

The courtyard was quiet for two seconds.

"Pujitang? High...Highway Road Division?"

Old Ma repeated the words, chewing them over.

Although I recognize each character individually, something just doesn't feel right when they're put together.

"Boss, what does this name mean?"

"It means we're a road repair company," Gu Mingyue explained. "Professional road repair, legal fees."

"Oh—" The bandits suddenly realized and nodded in unison.

"Highway Road Business Division! What a great name!"

"From now on, we're legitimate professionals!"

"Working for the boss is a promising career!"

Gong Huo stood beside the carriage, watching the bandits who had just been robbing them but were now excitedly waving their arms and legs, and his lips twitched.

Tao Zhi looked completely dazed.

Gu Mingli walked over and patted his sister on the shoulder.

"Alright, Mr. Gu, head of the highway division. Have your employees finished getting excited? We need to get down to business."

"What important matter is it?"

"Mining, huh?" Gu Mingli tapped the treasure map in his hand.

"The disinfectant is the main focus. The road can be repaired slowly, but the disinfectant must be ready as soon as possible. We cannot be ambiguous about what we promised the King of Qi."

Gu Mingyue stopped laughing and nodded.

"Let everyone rest tonight. We'll set off to prospect for minerals first thing tomorrow morning."

Less than half an hour after Gu Mingyue finished speaking, Xiong Erzhang rushed over to report.

"Boss! The brothers have discussed it and want to slaughter a pig to welcome you!"

Gu Mingyue was stunned for a moment.

"You even have pigs?"

"Only one left."

Xiong Er rubbed his hands together, his tone tinged with reluctance.

"It was originally saved for the New Year. But the brothers said that the chief is more important than the New Year."

Gu Mingyue initially wanted to refuse.

But when she saw the group of men behind Xiong Erdang staring at her expectantly, she swallowed her words.

It would be impolite not to accept someone's kind offer.

"Alright, then kill them."

The whole village instantly became lively.

The women dug out dried Sichuan peppercorns and coarse salt that they had stored for more than half a year.

Several burly men carried a large, dark iron pot and placed it on the stone stove in the center of the courtyard.

Smoke rose, and the aroma of meat quickly filled the entire hilltop.

That pig wasn't big, weighing at most a hundred pounds.

But for the mountain village, which had been starving for more than half a month, this was already a feast.

The children circled around the iron pot, drooling all over the ground.

Several elderly people sat in the sun by the wall, their faces full of long-lost smiles.

Gu Mingyue sat on the stone steps at the entrance of the council hall, watching this scene.

The pork stew was ready in the yard just as the sun dipped below the ridgeline.

Xiong Er, the second head of the household, personally brought out a large bowl of roasted pork and placed it in front of Gu Mingyue.

The meat chunks were marbled with fat and lean meat, a rich, dark brown color, and steaming hot.

Although the seasonings were simple and the presentation was rough, it smelled delicious.

"Boss, please eat first!"

Gu Mingyue didn't stand on ceremony. She picked up a piece and tasted it; the meat was stewed until tender and flavorful, indeed quite good.

"That's quite a skill. Who made it?"

"Me! Hu Si."

A round-faced man poked his head out from the kitchen, his face covered in grease and smoke, and he looked smug.

"I used to work as a cook in a restaurant down the mountain for three years! After the restaurant went out of business, I went up the mountain to become a bandit."

Gu Mingyue remembered this face.

A bandit who can cook will be useful later.

During mealtimes, the courtyard was as lively as during the Chinese New Year.

About a hundred people sat around a long table that had been pushed together, drinking from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat.

Xiong Er, carrying a bowl, offered rice wine to each of his brothers, his voice so loud it startled the crows on the hilltop.

Gu Mingli sat in the corner, with a bowl of white rice and two pieces of meat in front of him.

Yi Shi squatted down next to him, holding a rough porcelain bowl bigger than his face, eating with his mouth full of oil.

"Young master, this meat smells delicious!"

Gu Mingli glanced at him.

"Aren't you a shadow guard? How could you let your guard down in this situation?"

Yi Shi chuckled.

"Don't relax. My attacks are swift and deadly, my blade is incredibly fast."

Gu Mingli looked down.

Good heavens, Yi Shi's left elbow was indeed resting on the hilt of the knife.

They can eat and kill simultaneously.

"...I give up."

Yi Wu didn't eat.

He squatted on the village wall, looking down at the mountain roads in all directions.

The moonlight was cool and clear, and the pine trees rustled in the breeze.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on his knees, his gaze never leaving the winding path at the foot of the mountain in the distance.

Suddenly, his ears twitched.

There was some commotion down the mountain.

It looks like a group of people have arrived.

Heavy breathing, hurried footsteps, and hushed conversations drifted up from the mountain valley to the southeast.

Yi Wu stood up and placed his hand on the hilt of his knife.

A moment later, a group of figures appeared in the moonlight.

Number 20 or 30, dressed in rags, with their families in tow.

A tattered flag was flying in front, with the word "white" crookedly written on it.

They are from another mountain stronghold.

Yi Wu jumped down from the village wall and landed in the courtyard.

"Someone's coming."

Xiong Erdangjia was quite drunk when he heard Yi Wu's words and sobered up a bit.

He staggered up the stockade wall, glanced outside, and grunted.

"They are the brothers from Baishipo on the next mountain."

He turned and shouted into the yard.

"Open the door! It's one of us!"

As soon as the gate opened, the people of Baishipo poured in.

The leader was a bald, burly man with a full beard, carrying a little girl of about seven or eight years old on his back. The little girl was fast asleep, nestled on his shoulder.

As soon as the bald, burly man entered the courtyard, he smelled the aroma of meat, and his nostrils twitched twice.

"Old Ma! You guys slaughtered a pig?!"

"Shh, keep your voice down." Xiong Erdangjia pulled him aside and explained the situation in a few words.

The bald, burly man's eyes widened.

"You mean, there's some young lady who gives you a monthly allowance? Two taels of silver per person per month? And she provides room and board?"

"Absolutely true." Xiong Er patted his chest. "The chief is sitting inside right now."

The bald, burly man handed the little girl on his back to the woman beside him and strode towards the council hall.

Upon reaching the door, he saw Gu Mingyue holding a bowl and drinking soup, and he immediately knelt down.

"Boss! I'm Baldy Liu from Baishipo! I have thirty-two men with me, all of whom are under your care!"

Gu Mingyue almost choked on the soup.

She put down her bowl and sized up the bald man.

How did you know I was here?

"The news travels fast!"

Baldy Liu was so excited that he kept rubbing his hands together.

"Old Ma... oh, no, several of Xiong Er's brothers are related to our village."

"Someone just came over the mountain with news. They said something about the big boss, monthly wages, and road repair fees. As soon as the brothers in our village heard that, they all came!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another commotion arose outside.

Another group of people arrived.