Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

The scene outside Gaoyang City weighed heavily on Zhang Jingwei's heart. For nearly two weeks, the once-empty fields had been swarming with the "living dead" sent from villages along the Sangshui River, causing widespread grief. While the antidote developed by Sun Yaolang, after a long period of seclusion, had proven effective, rescuing half of the people from their mortal state, the aftermath of this disaster was even more devastating. Even those already frail, even after being cured of the poison, could not withstand the devastating toll. Nearly every household along the Sangshui River was in mourning, and the incessant sound of suona (suona) horns day and night was a terrifying sight.

The air was filled with the smell of medicine, wailing, and the smoke of burning incense and paper, which was so oppressive that it made people feel breathless.

Wang Ergou hurried through a low, makeshift medical shed and found Zhang Jingwei, who was frowning and examining a medicine barrel. He lowered his voice and said, "Young Master, Pharmacist Sun has tested this new batch of Beijing herbs and says...they're not as effective as before."

Zhang Jingwei suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot: "Is the herb wrong?"

"The ingredients are correct, but the preparation temperature is woefully off!" Wang Ergou's face was filled with indignation. "The pharmacist said this is simply a semi-finished product, rushed out in a hurry! The potency is only 60% to 70% of its original value at best! If we keep using it like this, those who have just recovered a little won't be able to handle it!"

Zhang Jingwei's face instantly turned gloomy as water, and he punched the wooden stake next to him hard: "Cheng Cheng! This bastard! I have already increased the price by 30%, and he still dares to fool me with this inferior product!" His chest heaved violently, and he was obviously very angry.

Wang Ergou added worriedly, "For the next batch of medicine, the military trade route is already useless. We have to rely on this line. Master, if the next batch is still this kind of stuff... it will be a disaster! Many people will die!"

Zhang Jingwei forced himself to calm down, took a deep breath, and said with a hint of fatigue and helplessness: "I understand. I... I will write to my teacher and see if he can find a way to deal with it in Beijing and urge Cheng Cheng to at least... at least get the herbs for me!" This was one of the few solutions he could think of.

Wang Ergou nodded, but looked hesitant, as if he had something else to say.

Zhang Jingwei was upset at the moment and said impatiently, "What else? Don't hesitate, I'm busy, tell me!"

Wang Ergou rubbed his hands, his expression a little strange: "Master, this matter... is not easy to discuss here. Please move on and take a look at the big tent."

Zhang Jingwei irritably threw his hands up: "What a fuss! Lead the way!"

The two walked one after the other through the busy and mournful medical and patient area and arrived in front of the central army tent that served as a temporary command post. Wang Ergou took the lead and lifted the heavy door curtain for Zhang Jingwei.

The scene inside the tent made Zhang Jingwei stunned.

The previously empty tent was now crammed with people! A quick glance revealed at least twenty or thirty of them. Most wore threadbare jackets or coarse cloth, their faces pale and their bodies thin. Many still bore the frailty of having recently recovered from illness, but their eyes were unusually bright, all fixed on Zhang Jingwei.

Seeing him come in, these twenty or thirty men actually knelt on one knee with a "swish" as if they had been trained, clasped their fists and saluted. Although their voices were a little uneven due to weakness, they were filled with astonishing determination:

"Owner!"

Zhang Jingwei was completely confused by this scene and looked at Wang Ergou in confusion: "Ergou, what...what's going on?"

The man kneeling in the front raised his head. There was a noticeable scar on his face, but his eyes were the most determined. His voice was hoarse but clear: "Master! I am Ding Xu, a lowly soldier from Chongzi Pass! My abominable commander was corrupt and withheld food and wages. My brothers and I can't survive! Eight people at home are waiting for food. I really have no way to make a living. That's why I... I was bewitched and found those damn Taoists. I donated my body to test medicine, just to exchange for a few buckets of food to survive... I didn't expect to turn into that monster!"

His voice choked for a moment, then became strong again. "For the past two months, I've been unconscious. My mother, wife, and children...all...all starved to death! What's the point of saving my life?! I wanted to just bang my head against the wall and die! It was Lord Wang who told me that it was you, Master, who went through all kinds of trouble to get the antidote and saved us all! Lord Wang said that if we have nowhere else to go, we can come to you, Master! So I asked around and made some arrangements. These brothers are all like me, poor people whose families were destroyed by corrupt officials and that evil drug! All we have is our strength and this worthless life that should have been gone long ago!"

Ding Xu kowtowed, his forehead slamming heavily on the dirt. "If you don't mind, Master, we're willing to repair your house and build walls, and do all the dirty work! I just want to repay you for saving my life!"

The people behind him also roared in unison, pleading with tears and blood: "We are willing to repay the kindness!"

Zhang Jingwei looked at the faces that had glimmers of hope rekindled in despair, feeling a mixture of emotions. He stepped forward, wanting to help Ding Xu up, his voice slowed down. "Ding Xu, and all the villagers, I saved you because I'm the fatherly official of Gaoyang! You are the people of Gaoyang. How could I, Zhang Jingwei, sit idly by and watch you suffer such a great disaster? I have never sought any reward from you! Get up, go home, and live a good life. That's the best way to repay me."

Ding Xu refused to get up. He raised his head, tears in his tiger eyes: "Go home? Master, we have no home anymore! The house collapsed long ago, the land is barren, and all our relatives are gone! In this big world, where is there a place for us to stay?!" He straightened his spine suddenly, and his voice suddenly rose with a determination to burn his boats: "If Master does not abandon me, Ding Xu is willing to lead all the brothers to die for you! We will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"We are willing to die!" The roar of the crowd sounded again, echoing in the tent, shaking people's hearts.

Zhang Jingwei frowned, his tone becoming serious: "Nonsense! Your lives were rescued from the brink of death by Sun Yaolang with great difficulty! You should cherish them! Live for yourself, not for me or anyone else!"

Wang Ergou, who was standing nearby, saw this and leaned close to Zhang Jingwei's ear, whispering, "Master, most of these people are from military families and have been trained. They're much stronger than ordinary refugees. We're in need of people right now, so why not... accept them in first?"

Zhang Jingwei glared at him and lowered his voice to scold him, "That's easy for you to say! Where would I get so much money and food to support such a large group of people?!"

Wang Ergou insisted, "Young Master, think about it. We have too few spies and secret guards at our disposal right now! If we had enough reliable people to carry out your 'plan', perhaps... we could actually accomplish it much sooner! This is an opportunity!"

Zhang Jingwei fell silent, his gaze once again sweeping over the group of frail yet piercing men below him. He placed his hands behind his back and paced the tent for a few steps, appearing extremely embarrassed. "Even if I agree, my small abode won't be able to accommodate so many people!"

Wang Ergou's eyes rolled, and he immediately had an idea: "Master, how could you forget? Isn't there still that empty 'Gaoyang Tower'? It's big enough!"

Zhang Jingwei immediately shook his head and rejected the idea: "No! I have another use for Gaoyang Tower. I plan to convert it into a county school in the future so that all the children in Gaoyang can go to school! How can I use it to house them?"

Wang Ergou advised, "Young Master, after the downfall of the three great families in Gaoyang, there are plenty of vacant houses! You want to build a county school, so you don't need a building like that! Resettling these people is the most important thing right now! Besides, if they have a place to shelter from the wind and rain, they will be able to recover their strength faster and serve you better, right?"

Zhang Jingwei stopped, looked at the men kneeling on the ground, then looked at Wang Ergou, and finally let out a long sigh, a sigh filled with helplessness and a sense of compromise forced by the situation. He turned to the leader, Ding Xu, and asked, "Hey... your name is Ding Xu, right?"

"Yes! Master!" Ding Xu responded loudly.

"You...how many people like you are there now?" Zhang Jingwei asked.

Ding Xu thought for a moment and replied, "Master! Including the leaders present here, there are about a hundred people who are willing to follow us to the death! There are also some who are waiting and watching. If the master is willing to take them in, the number can be even greater!"

Zhang Jingwei pondered for a moment and then asked, "Can you read?"

Ding Xu's face showed a trace of shame. "My Lord, most of them have only studied elementary school for a few days. They can recognize some simple characters and write their own names. They can read notices and documents, but they are not good at advanced things."

Zhang Jingwei nodded, seemingly determined. "Alright. Ding Xu, before dinner, prepare a detailed roster for me. Remember everyone's name, background, and specialties. From now on, you will all live in Gaoyang Tower."

Upon hearing this, Ding Xu was instantly overwhelmed by immense ecstasy and excitement! He kowtowed once more, his voice trembling: "Thank you, Master, for taking me in! Ding Xu will definitely live up to your trust! Brothers, thank you, Master!"

"Thank you for taking me in!" The earth-shaking roar sounded again, this time filled with hope of survival and determination to die.

Zhang Jingwei looked at the excited group of men, but his face showed no joy. He just waved his hand and said to Wang Ergou, "Ergou, you will arrange the specific resettlement. Remember, keep them under control and don't disturb the people."

"Yes, young master!" Wang Ergou agreed quickly.

Zhang Jingwei turned and walked out of the tent. The sunlight outside was a bit glaring. He squinted his eyes, looking at the still busy medical tent in the distance and the quiet village beyond. The heavy pressure in his heart seemed to increase a little.