Chapter 444
Mo Jiuye also felt there was no need to dwell too much since He Zhiran had already said that.
"Alright, tomorrow you take me up the mountain to buy movable housing," he said.
Not only that, He Zhiran intended to take this opportunity to purchase all the daily necessities they might need all at once, such as quilts, pots and pans for cooking, etc.
When it came to taking He Zhiran up the mountain, Mo Jiuye really felt bad.
Especially when he saw her huge belly, the guilt in Mo Jiuye's heart grew stronger and stronger.
He had thought that after settling down in the northwest, his wife would be able to live a good life, but instead, she had to worry about the family with a big belly.
Particularly since he had to take her up the mountain tomorrow. It should be known that the place where those soldiers lived was not halfway up the mountain or anywhere close.
Even without using his lightness skill, it would take him more than an hour to walk there.
But he couldn't go without his wife either.
After all, he needed the space in her bracelet to shop on Taobao.
Seeing his distress, He Zhiran stood up in front of him and walked around a few times.
"Don't worry, husband. Although my belly has grown a bit bigger, it won't hinder my movement at all. As long as you take good care of me along the way, there will definitely be no problem," she said.
He Zhiran really didn't feel like being pregnant was a big problem. She had seen many women in her previous life who worked up until it was almost time to give birth.
Why shouldn't she be able to do what others could?
Moreover, she was a doctor herself. No one understood her physical condition better than her.
The two little ones in her belly had always been safe and sound, and her body was fine as well.
It was just a mountain; as long as they were careful, nothing would happen.
Mo Jiuye also figured there was no avoiding taking his wife up the mountain this time. As long as he was there, he would definitely not let any harm come to her or the children. After chatting for a while as husband and wife, seeing that it was getting late, they entered the space to rest.
The next day, Mo Jiuye left before dawn, calling some men to go busy themselves in the melon fields.
Only after Tang Mingrui was satisfied hauling away several cartloads of large watermelons did he return to the quadrangle courtyard.
He had just walked to the second elder's door when Sixth Bro called out to him.
"Ninth Bro, Eighth Bro just got back and went to report what happened yesterday to Father and Mother. Everyone is waiting for you to come discuss countermeasures."
Discuss countermeasures?
What good countermeasures were there?
There was only what he and his wife had talked about last night - hoping Eldest Bro could bring people back soon from the south, and once an army was built up, even if Emperor Shunwu sent thousands of horses and troops, there would be no need to worry.
Mo Jiuye entered the second elder's room to find all his brothers neatly seated on both sides except Eldest Bro who had gone south.
They looked as serious as back in the border when the commander-in-chief gathered everyone to discuss countermeasures against the enemy.
When Mo Jiuye stated his opinion, not a single person, including Mo Qing, disagreed. After all, no one could come up with a better countermeasure.
Finally Mo Qing spoke up.
"From today onwards, we Moes will patrol in shifts. If anything or anyone suspicious is discovered, it must be taken seriously," he said.
Mo Yunfeng immediately stood up.
"Father, leave this matter to me. I will arrange it right away."
At present, the Moes were not lacking in manpower either.
With Liang Hao and the other four, plus the 30 plus medicine men saved by Tao Ran taking turns patrolling, there would be no issues.
On Fifth Bro's side, he continued leading people to manufacture explosives. By now they were completely familiar with the process and the speed of production had also increased significantly.
It was believed that by the time Mo Yuance returned from the south with people, they would at least be able to distribute two bombs per person.
Of course, they would continue production until the amount was completely sufficient before stopping.
At the same time, Mo Chuhan also reported the news from the government office.
Meng Huaining had conducted overnight interrogations and the truth had already come to light. It was just as Mo Jiuye had guessed - Xue Fan would not foolishly confess his true purpose for coming to the northwest. The testimony he gave Meng Huaining was that he intended to sabotage the cold rabbit business of Tang Ji Restaurant.
By doing so this way, he was not helping the Moes cover anything up, but hoping his crime would be lighter. As long as he was not executed on the spot after questioning, people from the capital would come to his rescue as soon as they got the news.
But his wishful thinking was wrong. After being thrown into jail at midnight, he was delivered to the King of Hell by Mo Chuhan without knowing what hit him.
As for this, Meng Huaining also turned a blind eye, and only announced externally that Xue Fan had suddenly died in his cell.
Fortunately, Mo Chuhan mastered his murder technique so none could find out Xue Fan had been killed.
Mo Chuhan's method of murder was very special. He inserted a silver needle into a certain death acupoint on the top of Xue Fan's head. To not leave any traces behind, after Xue Fan had breathed his last, Mo Chuhan took out the needle again.
Not even the most skilled coroner would be able to detect anything with such a murder technique.
It was the same for the dead assassin, but his life and death would not get anyone's attention in the first place, let alone any investigation.
As for those arrogant bullies, they did not truly participate in this matter after all, so they were sentenced to three years imprisonment then released.
Although Chen Wu had also been used, he was still an accomplice, thus sentenced to one year imprisonment.
As for Wang Lin, even though he only did it under coercion due to his impoverished situation, he had killed with his own hands in the end.
Considering he was forced, Meng Huaining did not sentence him to death, but rather exile to do hard labour in the Western regions for life, unable to leave.
After hearing these people's sentences, Mo Jiuye did not actually object. But those thugs were still Xue's men in the end.
Once the Xues discovered something amiss, they would surely send people to investigate.
Therefore, the safest method was still for them to shut up as well.
The Mo brothers were not random killers; to slay the Xue's men and those assassins were reasonable.
Although those thugs were not righteous people either, the Mo brothers would not simply take their lives.
In the end, it was still Mo Jiuye who obtained the wits-robbing drug from He Zhiran and passed it to Eighth Bro.
Eighth Bro was originally let off to rest by Meng Huaining since he had worked overnight at the government office.
But considering the potential threat those people posed to the Moes, Eighth Bro did not intend to rest for even a moment. Clutching the medicine packet, he headed back to the government office.
With the family matter discussed, only then did Mo Jiuye take He Zhiran along to go up the mountain. They only told Madam He they were going out for a walk.
Madam He was happy her daughter and son-in-law were affectionate and supported the couple going out together.
All the way there, Mo Jiuye kept a tight hold on He Zhiran's hand, and his walking pace accommodated her as well.