In years of famine and drought, their village even rejected fatty meat.

The total amount of silver left behind by Chen Dao and his group was about 10 taels. This was just a drop in the ocean for Chen Dao and his group, but for Cui, these 10 taels of silver were as heavy as a thousand catties.

Judging from Yu Cui and Lü Xiaoyi's thin bodies and their diet, it was clear that the mother and daughter lived a very difficult life, or rather... they were always hungry. With these ten taels of silver, they no longer needed to worry about where their food would come from tomorrow.

When Yu Cui first saw Chen Dao and his group, she knew they were definitely not ordinary people. Whether it was the burly Chen Cheng or the elegantly dressed Zheng Qiuyan and Qing Ying, they were so different from the common, thin, and weak people. Any normal person would know that Chen Dao and his group were definitely important figures.

However, Yu Cui did not intend to gain any benefit from Chen Dao and the others. The reason she entertained them was simply out of kindness.

To Yu Cui's utter surprise, Chen Dao and his group would leave her with such a huge fortune.

Looking at the silver fragments reflecting the sunlight in her hand, Yu Cui felt a heavy weight in her hand. This amount of silver was enough for her and Lü Xiaoyi to live a wealthy life. If they were frugal, it could even last until Lü Xiaoyi grew up.

"thank you all."

Yu Cui gazed in the direction of the prefectural city, murmuring her gratitude to herself.

…………

…………

"Is this the capital of Qingzhou?"

In the afternoon, gazing at the corner of the city that appeared at the edge of my vision, I couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Chen Dao and the others also looked up into the distance, deeply moved.

As the political center of Qingzhou, Qingzhou Prefecture City is undoubtedly a giant city. Its seemingly endless city walls are truly awe-inspiring.

Outside the city, on the plains, there were countless military camps. Because of his excellent hearing, Chen Dao could even faintly hear the shouts of battle coming from the camps.

"That is the Qingzhou Army's garrison."

Zheng Qiuyan said, "The provincial armies in various parts of the Nine Provinces are generally stationed outside the provincial capital to protect its security and to facilitate the dispatch of troops to suppress any unrest in the counties within the province."

As they spoke, they got closer to Qingzhou City, and the scene before them gradually became clearer. Under the city walls, which were over 10 meters high, merchants and pedestrians came and went in an endless stream. Merchants who entered and exited were allowed to pass smoothly after being checked by the guards.

Chen Dao and his three companions dismounted and lined up behind a caravan. After showing their travel permits to the city guards, perhaps because they saw that Chen Dao and his group were riding horses and were not ordinary people, the guards easily allowed the four of them to pass.

"Fabric for sale! Top-quality fabric~ Come and take a look!"

"Candied hawthorn, candied hawthorn, sweet and sour candied hawthorn."

"Sir, would you like to stay at an inn?"

"..."

Upon entering the city, the hustle and bustle hit him, but Chen Dao's gaze was not drawn to the hawkers and shop assistants, but rather to a palace that seemed to be hidden in the clouds at the far end of his vision.

"That's the Prince Qing's residence."

Zheng Qiuyan explained from the side: "This palace was built 500 years ago and was the residence of a prince at that time. Unlike ordinary palaces, this palace is located in the very center of the prefecture city, which is the intersection of the roads extending from the four city gates. Therefore, no matter which direction you enter Qingzhou prefecture city, you can see the Qingwang Palace."

"I see!"

Chen Dao and the other two suddenly realized.

Zheng Qiuyan continued, "Over the past 500 years, the palace has been expanded many times, and its scale has continued to grow. There are rumors that in Qingzhou Prefecture, where land is extremely valuable, the land occupied by the Qingwang Palace accounts for one-tenth of the city's land!"

A look of surprise flashed across Chen Dao's face. Qingzhou Prefecture was a giant city with a population of 50, and a royal palace occupied one-tenth of the land of such a city...

Beneath this royal palace, who knows how much blood and tears of ordinary people are hidden!

"Where should we go now? Should we go straight to the city guard commander?"

Chen Dao put aside his extraneous thoughts and asked Zheng Qiuyan.

Zheng Qiuyan looked up at the sun and said, "Let's find a place to eat and stay first, and then go find Wei Hua tomorrow."

"also!"

Soon after, the four arrived at a restaurant. After handing their horses over to the waiter, they were led inside by a waiter from another restaurant.

The restaurant, named Wangjinglou, was clearly doing good business. The lobby was bustling with activity, and many customers were dining or drinking.

"Guest sir."

The waiter leading the way couldn't help but steal a glance at Zheng Qiuyan, who looked like a fairy, before asking, "Are you here for a meal or to stay overnight?"

"Have a meal first, then check into the hotel."

Without hesitation, Chen Dao said, "Give us two superior rooms and arrange a place for us to eat."

"okay!"

The waiter readily agreed, saying, "Sir, please follow me."

Since there were no seats left in the lobby on the first floor, the waiter took the four of them directly to the second floor. Only then did Chen Dao and the others realize that the second floor was also a place to eat, and the environment was better than the lobby, unlike the noisy lobby.

"Sir, how is this seat?"

The waiter who led Chen Dao and the other three to the window asked.

"can!"

Chen Dao nodded, and then everyone took their seats.

"Hey buddy, what kind of food do you guys have here?"

"There's braised pork belly, braised beef, yogurt jelly..."

The waiter rattled off the restaurant's signature dishes with great familiarity.

Upon hearing the words "Fragrant Milk Pig," Chen Dao felt a nauseous urge to vomit. He had heard of the name "Fragrant Milk Pig" when he was suppressing the Taishan bandits. He knew that this type of pig was raised on human milk and was a favorite meat of some self-proclaimed upper-class people.

However, Chen Dao simply could not accept such food. In an agricultural country like Xia, many people at the bottom of society could not even get enough to eat, and many women did not have enough breast milk to feed their children due to malnutrition...

Meanwhile, those self-proclaimed upper-class people extravagantly fed pigs with human milk, praising the meat as incredibly delicious and possessing a milky aroma...

Chen Dao simply couldn't understand the hobbies of these upper-class people, nor could he do the same things as them.

"Give us 10 jin of braised beef, and a serving of mutton soup and a staple food."

Noticing the change in Chen Dao's expression, Zheng Qiuyan spoke up for Chen Dao.

"okay!"

The waiter didn't notice Chen Dao's expression, responded, and left.

Zheng Qiuyan then looked at Chen Dao and said, "Young Master Chen seems to have a strong aversion to that fragrant pork?"

"Miss Zheng should know the origin of that fragrant pork?"

"know."

Zheng Qiuyan sighed softly.