When Li Mao'er saw this, his heart was filled with immense joy. Was his luck finally about to turn?
Indeed, a tree dies when it’s moved, but a person thrives!
Although this single old cow wouldn't solve any substantial problems, for them, it was certainly a good omen.
"My Lord, I'll take people to go!"
Even though Zhou Ding was from a scholarly background, at this point of starvation, he couldn't afford to be so reserved.
If he didn't try to seize the opportunity, perhaps even if they did intercept something later, it wouldn't be his turn to eat first.
These few short days as a bandit had truly been a bitter experience for him.
This was the first time in his life he had tasted hunger, and to fill his stomach, all notions of benevolence and righteousness had long been cast aside.
"Hahahaha, you rascal, you truly are a born scoundrel! Since you've already said so, then you take a few brothers and bring that cow over for me!"
When they had interacted before, Zhou Ding had been the aloof county magistrate.
Li Mao'er understood that even though this fellow had fallen on hard times and ended up in his clutches, the fellow still harbored resentment from the bottom of his heart.
Seeing this fellow actually volunteer to lead men to rob, he felt a peculiar sense of excitement at this moment and agreed without a second thought.
Seeing Li Mao'er agree, Zhou Ding, without hesitation, picked out more than ten of the fiercest-looking bandits and then led them towards the ox cart.
"You there, young fellow, stop!"
This was Zhou Ding's first attempt at robbery, and he was actually a little nervous. For a moment, he didn't even know what he was supposed to say.
Under the mocking gazes of the bandits, he could only close his eyes and shout.
However, his shout seemed to have no effect, as the young man driving the ox cart acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to drive the ox cart forward.
"Damn it, chase them!"
Seeing the prize about to slip away, Zhou Ding cast aside all pretense of scholarly integrity, rolled up his sleeves, and dashed after them.
Fortunately, it was just an ordinary ox cart. After chasing for less than two li, Zhou Ding had already blocked the ox cart.
"Sir, what business do you have?"
To Zhou Ding's surprise, the young man driving the cart showed no panic and asked him as if nothing was amiss.
"That, that..."
Now it was Zhou Ding's turn to be speechless. He had studied the sage's teachings for most of his life and served as an official for most of his life.
He usually made a show of his presence even when going out, and now he actually had to come out to rob.
Life's twists and turns were truly miraculous. Even for a hardened rogue like Zhou Ding, at this moment, he didn't know what to say.
"Understood, esteemed sir, please wait a moment!"
Seeing Zhou Ding's troubled expression, the young man seemed to understand something immediately. He jumped off the ox cart, rummaged through a basket behind him, and with a smile, took out half a wild vegetable bun, placing it in Zhou Ding's palm.
"I!"
Zhou Ding's face turned extremely peculiar. This was utterly ridiculous, treating him like a beggar!
"This is what I had left from lunch. Please, esteemed sir, do not despise it!"
After the young man spoke, he jumped back onto the ox cart, turned, and prepared to leave.
"I, I..."
"Hahahaha!"
...
Listening to the laughter from behind, Zhou Ding's face alternated between green and red.
He never dreamed that on his first outing to rob, he would end up with half a wild vegetable bun!
"Bastard! Stop right there!"
After enduring the humiliation for a long time, Zhou Ding angrily threw the wild vegetable bun on the ground, turned, and chased after him again.
"I am truly sorry. Times are difficult now. When I left home today, my mother prepared only this much for me. If it is not enough, then I can only ask you to find another solution!"
Seeing Zhou Ding's ashen face, the young man seemed to understand something and said with a smile again.
"I am not a beggar! Robbery!"
As he uttered the word "robbery" at the end, Zhou Ding's clenched teeth gave him a rather imposing aura.
The scene fell silent. The strong men behind, who had been watching the spectacle, acted as if nothing had happened.
They gathered in small groups, eager to see what tricks Zhou Ding would pull.
After all, the young man driving the cart looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old.
Although he was over seven feet tall, he was too thin, and his refined face looked like that of a scholarly prodigy.
Furthermore, he was driving an ox cart, so these men were not in a hurry to act. How fast could an ox cart, no matter how formidable, possibly be?
"Esteemed sir, please don't joke. From your appearance, you must be accustomed to a life of luxury. How could you possibly engage in such a risk-free business?"
The young man smiled again, looking at Zhou Ding's earnest expression.
"Damn it, leave the ox cart and get lost before I change my mind!"
The young man's words made Zhou Ding's face flush.
However, at this moment, he was in a difficult position. With the laughter from behind him, he knew that if he couldn't overcome this obstacle today, he might be bullied even more in the future.
"What if I refuse?"
As the young man spoke, he cast another slightly shy smile at Zhou Ding.
"Refuse?"
"That's right. This ox was borrowed from Old Uncle Zhang next door, so I apologize!"
After speaking, the young man cupped his hands towards Zhou Ding again, then sat back on the ox cart, completely ignoring him.
"I don't care if it's borrowed or stolen, whatever I fancy is mine!"
Zhou Ding was becoming frantic. He reached towards his waist, only to suddenly realize that he had been too hasty in choosing his men and had forgotten to bring a weapon...
Awkwardness, extreme awkwardness.
"According to procedure, shouldn't you make a move now?"
The young man looked at Zhou Ding thoughtfully, asking with a puzzled expression.
"Why do you have so many questions? Get lost!"
The young man's words made Zhou Ding feel both ashamed and angry. Who was the robber here?
Since he hadn't brought a weapon, he could only raise his fist and lash out at the young man's face.
"That's more like it! This time, you made the first move!"
As Zhou Ding swung his fist, the young man showed no intention of dodging. Instead, he moved his face an inch further to the left.
"Is this fellow perhaps out of his mind?"