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

Zhang Liang turned around and looked gently at the old man selling candied haws. He asked softly, "Old man, excuse me, but why are your candied haws so expensive?"

The old man was slightly stunned when he heard this, then he opened his mouth, as if he wanted to explain something, but in the end he just sighed, with a trace of helplessness and vicissitudes in his eyes.

He said slowly: "Young man, I don't want to sell it so expensively. But if I don't sell it so expensively, I won't be able to survive."

Hearing this, Zhang Liang frowned slightly, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

"What do you mean, old man?"

The old man spoke slowly, his voice heavy and helpless, "It's all because of the taxes. If I don't sell it so expensively, I won't even be able to pay the taxes."

After hearing this, Zhong Tian frowned and asked, "Old man, I heard that the governor here is a good official. The taxes are so high, doesn't he make any changes?"

The old man sighed, his eyes revealing a deep sense of powerlessness: "Lord Song is indeed a good official, and he has also made efforts to reduce our burden."

"But the four major families here are too powerful. They pretend to obey Lord Song's orders but secretly disobey them. They control the city's resources and power with one hand, so what can we small merchants do?"

After saying this, the old man slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with helplessness about the current situation and worries about the future.

When Zhang Liang heard the old man's words, he shook his head helplessly, and an indescribable heaviness surged in his heart.

He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say to comfort the old man who had experienced so much. In the end, he could only whisper a few words of comfort, and then left the stall with Zhong Tian and Zhong Xueqing.

After they had walked away, Zhang Liang said in a deep voice, "These aristocratic families are like leeches sucking the blood of the people, while the court turns a blind eye. This kind of world is truly chilling."

Zhong Tian thought for a moment after hearing his words, then said, "My Lord, when I was purchasing herbs before, I heard that two of the four major families here once followed Daqian Taizu to conquer the country, but are now in decline."

"But they still rely on their old power to commit evil."

After hearing her father's words, Zhong Xueqing said indignantly, "Even though these people have fallen on hard times, they can still exploit others! It's really unfair!"

After she finished speaking, she took a vicious bite of the candied haws in her hand, as if she regarded the candied haws as those aristocratic families and wanted to vent her anger on behalf of the common people.

After swallowing the candied haws in her mouth, Zhong Xueqing looked at Zhang Liang with some confusion and asked, "Brother Zhang Liang, those people's ancestors were obviously from poor families, why did they become like this?"

Hearing Zhong Xueqing's words, Zhang Liang stopped and turned to look at her with a complicated emotion in his eyes.

Zhang Liang looked Zhong Xueqing in the eye and explained in as simple and understandable terms as possible: "Xueqing, people sometimes change, not because of their background, but because of the choices they make and the environment they live in."

"Some people, after gaining power and wealth, forget their past suffering and become greedy and selfish. They begin to use their power to oppress others, simply to maintain their own status and interests."

Zhong Xueqing nodded, not quite understanding.

Zhong Tian pursed his lips, feeling extremely emotional.

After Zhang Liang and his companions had been wandering around for a long time, they heard from many people that they admired the prefect Song Wen, as well as expressed their resentment towards the four noble families that were oppressing them.

Zhong Tian said with emotion: "If the lord had such talents under his command, he might be one step closer to his great cause."

Hearing Zhong Tian's words, Zhang Liang nodded in agreement.

After walking around the city, Zhang Liang and his friends prepared to return to the inn to rest for a night and then leave tomorrow.

As soon as he returned to the inn, Zhang Liang saw his third sister-in-law Zhong Shu coming out of the room.

When Zhong Shu saw Zhang Liang, she smiled and greeted him, "Uncle, you're back."

Hearing her words, Zhang Liang smiled and nodded, responding: "Yeah, I'm back. The city is really lively today."

Qin Youlan and the other two who were in the room also came out when they heard the noise outside.

They curiously asked Zhang Liang if anything interesting happened while they were shopping.

Zhang Liang looked at their expectant eyes, smiled and began to tell them about what he had seen and heard today.

He mentioned the bustling crowd in the market, the old man selling candied haws and his helplessness and bitterness, and what Zhong Tian said about Song Wen and the four major families.

Just as they were chatting in the room, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Then, a voice sounded from outside: "Excuse me, are you in there?"

Hearing his words, Zhang Liang frowned and opened the door.

Seeing the innkeeper standing outside with an anxious and slightly frightened look on his face, Zhang Liang knew that something might have happened, and it was something bad.

So he asked, "Boss, what do you want to talk to me about?"

After hearing Zhang Liang's words, the shopkeeper became even more nervous. He then said to Zhang Liang, "My dear brother, it's not me who's looking for you. It's someone from the Liang family who's looking for you."

There was a slight tremor in his voice, and he was obviously frightened by the reputation of the Liang family.

Hearing his words, Zhang Liang felt a little confused. After all, he had only been here for two days, so how could he be related to the Liang family, a local aristocratic family?

But he soon realized that perhaps this was related to their purchase of medicinal herbs this morning.

Thinking of this, Zhang Liang narrowed his eyes and secretly thought of a countermeasure in his mind.

Zhong Tian, ​​who was standing by, saw Zhang Liang not saying a word, and immediately became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

He was worried that it would be disastrous if the Liang family caused trouble for him because of this matter.

So he asked, "Little brother, what's wrong with you? The Liang family is still waiting downstairs."

Zhang Liang was interrupted from his thoughts by the shopkeeper's words. He came back to his senses and said to the shopkeeper with a smile, "I understand, shopkeeper. Please go down first and tell him to wait for me. I'll be down soon."

Hearing Zhang Liang's words, the shopkeeper showed an embarrassed expression on his face.

Noticing this, Zhang Liang smiled and said, "It won't be too long. If he really can't wait, let him leave first."

Seeing Zhang Liang's insistence, the shopkeeper said nothing more and nodded, "If that's the case, I'll go and make my reply.

"But young man, please don't delay too long! After all, we are a small shop and can't afford to be disturbed!"

After giving the reminder, the shopkeeper turned around and prepared to leave.

However, just as the shopkeeper took a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Zhang Liang, and said with a hint of concern in his tone: "Young man, you should be careful later. This Liang family is not a good family."

Zhang Liang was slightly stunned, then nodded gratefully and responded, "Thank you for your reminder. I will be careful."

Seeing this, the shopkeeper seemed to feel relieved and turned to walk downstairs.

After the shopkeeper left, Zhang Liang went back to his room.

Qin Youlan and others sitting in the room heard the conversation between the two.

Third sister-in-law Wang Yuehan said with some concern: "Uncle, the Liang family suddenly came to our house, they might have bad intentions!"

Hearing her words, Zhang Liang nodded seriously: "I understand this point."

Fourth sister-in-law Zhao Ruoruo also said to Zhang Liang: "Uncle, you must be careful later."

After hearing their words, Zhang Liang said, "I understand. Sisters-in-law, please wait for me here for a while. I will go and meet this so-called Liang family now."

After saying that, he left the room.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Liang found Zhong Tian and told him about this.

After discussing for a while, the two walked downstairs.

On the stairs, Zhang Liang said to Zhong Tian, ​​"The Liang family coming to our door this time is definitely not a good thing. We must be careful."

Zhong Tian nodded in agreement, then said, "Yes, I know from the people that the Liang family has always been arrogant and domineering."

"My lord, we must be careful later."