After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

After the waiter brought up the dishes and hot water, Zhang Liang said to him, "Okay, we'll call you if we need anything. You can go down first."

After hearing Zhang Liang's words, the waiter nodded and left the room.

After the waiter left, Zhang Liang and his friends sat down at the table and had dinner. Compared with the days before when they had to sleep in the open air, today's meal was considered sumptuous.

After dinner, Zhang Liang's expression became serious. He cleared his throat and began to discuss business with Zhong Tian and others.

He looked around at everyone present and said, "We are now approaching the Nanman region, so in order to solve the miasma problem, Master Zhong and I will go buy the herbs needed for the antidote tomorrow."

Having said that, Zhang Liang turned his gaze to Qin Youlan and the others, and said gently, "As for my sisters-in-law and Sister Xueqing, I will send a few Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to protect you tomorrow. Please see if there is anything you need to purchase."

Hearing this, Wang Yuehan shook his head slightly and said with a smile: "Uncle, there is no need to bother with this. We can handle it ourselves."

Zhang Liang nodded, respecting Wang Yuehan's opinion, but still insisted: "No matter what, safety comes first. I will arrange for people to secretly protect you."

Qin Youlan also spoke up, "Yes, Yuehan, it's always better to be prepared. We also need some time to buy some daily necessities."

Seeing that everyone said so, Wang Yuehan no longer insisted and nodded in agreement.

After finishing the discussion, Zhang Liang said to Qin Youlan and the others, "We've pretty much finished discussing this. I think everyone must be tired after a long day of traveling. Let's go back to our rooms and rest for a while."

Hearing his words, everyone nodded in agreement.

Qin Youlan stood up and said to Zhang Liang with a smile, "Then we'll go back first. Uncle, you should get some rest too."

Zhang Liang nodded and watched them leave the room.

After a while, Zhang Liang was the only one left in the room.

He walked to the window and looked at the bright moon in the night sky. After looking for a while, he lay down on the bed.

The next morning, Zhang Liang got up early at daybreak.

After changing into clean clothes and packing up his belongings, Zhang Liang prepared to go to the market with Zhong Tian to purchase the herbs needed to make the antidote.

When I walked out of the inn, there was a hint of coolness in the early morning air. There were few pedestrians on the street, with only a few early risers setting up stalls.

Zhang Liang turned his head to look at Zhong Tian and the others beside him, and said with a smile: "I think it's still early, why don't we go have breakfast first."

Zhong Tian smiled when he heard this and nodded in response: "I will listen to you, my lord."

So, a few of them walked towards a roadside stall.

Although this stall is not big, it looks clean and tidy and exudes the tempting aroma of food.

The stall owner was a kind old woman who greeted them warmly: "Dear guests, what would you like to order?"

After ordering a few baskets of meat buns and a few bowls of hot porridge, Zhang Liang and his friends found a place to sit down and waited quietly for breakfast to arrive.

After a while, the old woman brought steaming buns and porridge.

Zhang Liang picked up a bun, took a bite, and immediately a delicious taste spread in his mouth.

He nodded with satisfaction and said to Zhong Tian, ​​"The buns here taste good."

After hearing Zhang Liang's words, Zhong Zheng immediately picked up a bun and ate it while agreeing, "Yes, it is indeed delicious. My lord, please eat more!"

Looking at his son who was wolfing down his food, Zhong Tian rolled his eyes at him and wanted to cover his face. After all, it was too embarrassing, as if he hadn't eaten for several days.

Following the principle of out of sight, out of mind, Zhong Tian looked at Zhang Liang and asked, "My Lord, how was your sleep last night?"

Zhang Liang took a sip of porridge and replied, "Not bad, but I had some things on my mind and didn't sleep well."

Zhong Tian nodded in understanding: "Don't worry, my lord. Everything will be fine. After purchasing the herbs today, we will be able to make the antidote as soon as possible, and then we will be able to deal with the miasma."

When Zhang Liang heard his words, he smiled and nodded.

Just then, a thin figure passed by the stall.

He was a man who looked weathered. Although he was thin, he walked steadily and his eyes revealed an indescribable determination and vicissitudes of life.

When the man appeared in front of the breakfast stall, the busy old woman suddenly stopped what she was doing and a smile as bright as the sun instantly appeared on her face.

She looked up at the man and called out to him, "Hey, isn't this Mr. Song? Good morning! You've come at the right time. My buns are fresh out of the oven."

"Have you had breakfast yet? If not, come over to my place and I'll treat you. My buns are famous for their delicious flavor!"

Faced with this sudden enthusiasm, the man known as Mr. Song simply smiled and shook his head, then politely declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Aunt Li."

"I've already eaten, but I'm glad to see that your business is booming."

After saying this, Lord Song looked at Zhang Liang and frowned.

Because he saw nobility and a hint of aura in Zhang Liang that didn't belong to him.

After looking at Zhang Liang, Lord Song nodded gently to the old woman as a farewell, then took a step forward and continued walking forward.

Zhang Liang and his companions who were having breakfast heard their conversation and at the same time slowed down their movements, slowly moved their spoons away from their mouths, and their eyes met at the same time. Without saying anything, they understood each other.

Then Zhong Tian smiled and waved to the old woman, and then said: "Auntie, can you please come over here for a moment? I have something to ask you, is that okay?"

When the old woman heard this, she still had that warm smile on her face. She didn't stop the work in her hands. She just tidied it up a little, then walked quickly over and stood in front of Zhang Liang and the others' table.

"Gentlemen, what do you want to ask me? Feel free to ask. As long as I know something, I will tell you everything."

Zhong Tian nodded and asked, "Aunt, we just heard you call the gentleman passing by 'Sir Song'."

"Can you tell us who this Mr. Song is? I feel that your tone is full of respect when you mention him."

The old woman did not hesitate and said cheerfully: "The man just now was our current governor, Lord Song Wensong."

Zhang Liang frowned slightly when he heard this.

At this time, Zhong Zheng took over the topic, his tone filled with confusion and curiosity: "I heard that the prefect named Song Wen exploits the people all day long and squeezes their wealth. Why are you still so kind to him, Auntie?"

After hearing Zhong Zheng's questioning of Lord Song, the smile on the old woman's face gradually faded, replaced by a serious and dissatisfied look.

She looked at Zhong Zheng with a piercing gaze, her tone undeniably firm: "Who told you that Lord Song was a corrupt official? How could he be such a person? You can't slander him like that! Otherwise, I will be furious with you!"

Seeing this, although Zhong Zheng felt unwilling, he still told everything he saw and heard at the city gate, including how those yamen runners extorted the people.

He thought these words would change the old woman's mind, but he didn't expect that after hearing the old woman, she just sighed deeply, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"My child, you only see the tip of the iceberg."

The old woman spoke slowly, her voice carrying a hint of vicissitudes and helplessness.

"The extortion by the yamen runners you mentioned does exist."

"But you can't lump all officials, especially Lord Song, into the same category."

"Those actions are often perpetrated by wealthy individuals and corrupt officials who exploit their power to oppress the people and enrich themselves."

"But Lord Song is different. He's really kind to us common people and treats us like family. The clothes he wears are often full of patches, and the vegetables he eats are all grown by himself."

"How can you completely reject such a good official who is honest and self-disciplined and cares about the people just because of some bad apples around him?"

The old lady said a series of words just to tell them what a good official Song Wen was.

Zhang Liang smiled and nodded after hearing her words, then said, "We understand. Thank you, Auntie. If I hear anyone say something bad about Mr. Song again, I will definitely refute him."

After Zhang Liang finished speaking, the old lady nodded in satisfaction.

At this time, Zhang Liang fell into deep thought.

He realized that this seemingly peaceful southern barbarian region was actually undercurrents.

The image of Song Wen became complicated in his mind. What kind of person is he?