Chapter 223: He Knows

Zhao Tieniu is an ordinary refugee, and also a lucky man; not only did he survive the flight from disaster, but he also gained a foothold here and settled down.

And the person who allowed Zhao Tieniu to take root here is his father-in-law, Wu Chong, Shopkeeper Wu.

According to the information collected, before the chaotic times, this person, Wu Chong, was an ordinary merchant who ran a shop in the County Town.

Although his business was not particularly large, it was stable, allowing his family to have enough food and clothing, and he could occasionally provide relief to relatives and friends.

Shopkeeper Wu's wife, Su Shi, was from the town of Shenyi Gu, and the Su Family were also medicinal herb merchants.

The reason this remote place of Shenyi Gu could form a Town was because there was medicinal herb trading here all year round.

When medicinal herb merchants from other places passed through, they would come here to purchase goods.

The merchants here generally only needed to purchase from the mountain folk in the mountains and then resell to the outside medicinal herb merchants.

After the business grew, the local merchants formed the Medicine Gang.

The Su Family, of course, also joined the Medicine Gang.

Five years ago, Shopkeeper Wu's brother-in-law and a portion of the Medicine Gang went outside to conduct large-scale business.

The people in the Town only knew they went to do big business, but in reality, they were taking a boat to collect medicinal herbs from overseas merchants.

The medicinal herb business in the mountains was still too small, and with a bunch of people from the Medicine Gang watching, it could not satisfy their ambition. They heard about the huge profits of maritime trade and formed a team to go south to collect medicinal herbs.

Once ships arriving from overseas docked, the officials of the Shipping Department would immediately board the ships to seal the holds, inspect the cargo, and collect taxes; if they encountered high-quality medicinal herbs, the government would have priority in purchasing them.

Private trading by merchants was strictly prohibited, and violators were severely punished.

But it still could not be completely prohibited.

High risk means high returns.

In a place like Xinzhou, border smuggling was already so serious, let alone maritime trade along the coast.

How did those top-grade overseas medicinal herbs in the hands of wealthy folk merchants come about?

If one can afford the price, there are people willing to take the risk!

Clearly, certain people in Shenyi Gu had designs in this regard.

After succeeding once or twice, the ambition of the Su Family of Shenyi Gu grew even larger; they invested more, borrowed money from relatives and friends everywhere, and threw it all in.

That was exactly when the world fell into chaos.

Those people returned to Shenyi Gu like refugees; their numbers were greatly reduced midway, most of their cargo was lost, and they only brought back a small portion of medicinal herbs.

But even after fleeing back to Shenyi Gu, they did not escape their doom. Not long after, several key figures of the Su Family suffered from evil mutations and met with incidents one after another.

At that time, Shopkeeper Wu's wife, Su Niangzi, was visiting relatives at the Su Family with their two young children; she was also caught in the aftermath and did not survive.

Shopkeeper Wu had purchased a house in Shenyi Gu, but at that time everything was very chaotic, so naturally, he let his wife and children stay at his in-laws'. Who would have thought they would encounter such a disaster!

At that time, the situation in Shenyi Gu was also unstable, and no one went to investigate in detail.

Of Shopkeeper Wu's three children, only the eldest daughter, who had stayed in the County Town to help, survived.

When the father and daughter fled to Shenyi Gu, they only then learned of this tragic news. By that time, the Su Family's house had also been seized by the Medicine Gang.

Because the debts owed by the Su Family had to be repaid, the only person in the entire Su Family who survived and remained was a two-year-old toddler, who was being looked after by a neighbor.

Since the debts could not be repaid, they could only be settled with the house.

Therefore, in Shopkeeper Wu's household, there was only him, his eldest daughter, and his young nephew.

In the two or three years since staying in Shenyi Gu, Shopkeeper Wu had earned some assets again, hired attendants, and chosen Zhao Tieniu as his son-in-law.

Wen Gu looked at the information written on the paper regarding Shopkeeper Wu and the Su Family of Shenyi Gu.

"The able-bodied adults who could manage the Su Family almost all suffered from evil mutations at the same time, harming their family members. The old master of the Su Family was traumatized and soon passed away as well. During that period, the Su Family seemed to be cursed; the old and young died one after another, leaving only a toddler who knew nothing."

When the chaotic times first began, there was a long period of disorder; if there were no sufficient countermeasures, an entire household might have no one left alive.

Therefore, at first glance, no one felt the Su Family's tragic situation was abnormal.

The evil of the Evil Plague was indeed terrifying at that time; even among the brilliant famous doctors, many were struck by it.

Patrol Lieutenant Yang understood a little: "Deputy Envoy, do you feel there is something suspicious in this?"

Wen Gu said: "I'm not sure, it's just an intuition that there should be something here. This Shopkeeper Wu has some ability, but for two or three years he has still only guarded such a small shop; it seems he is also being suppressed, which is why he was in such a hurry to have Zhao Tieniu cling to a famous doctor to add a layer of security."

Handing the paper recording the information to Patrol Lieutenant Yang, Wen Gu said: "Continue to investigate. Investigate in detail what exactly happened to the Su Family at that time, and what Shopkeeper Wu has done over these past two or three years."

"Yes!"

Patrol Lieutenant Yang replied.

Thinking that this assessment had changed its nature due to Wen Gu's influence, Patrol Lieutenant Yang was a bit worried: "I wonder what the attitude of the Jingli Institute and Old Physician Zhan will be regarding the unusual situation of this Entrance Assessment."

At the beginning of the chaotic times, Old Physician Zhan contacted various famous doctors and established the Jingli Institute.

The Institute Head of the Jingli Institute is the one who presided over the assessment, Institute Head Huan; this person commands the affairs of Shenyi Gu.

When Patrol Lieutenant Yang questioned the difficulties faced during the assessment, it was Institute Head Huan he sought out, and he managed to squeeze quite a few good things out of him.

Patrol Lieutenant Yang is not afraid of Institute Head Huan's cold face, but he is a bit worried about Old Physician Zhan's attitude.

Old Physician Zhan's reputation is not something Institute Head Huan can compare to!

Wen Gu, however, said: "Old Physician Zhan might be happy to see this."

Patrol Lieutenant Yang was puzzled: "Deputy Envoy Wen, do you know Old Physician Zhan?"

Wen Gu said: "I have never met him, nor have I been in contact with him; I have only inquired about this old physician's character."

Furthermore, I guessed it from the two characters 'Jingli' in the name of the Jingli Institute that Old Physician Zhan established by gathering famous doctors.

To pacify the plague and chaos, to soothe the hearts of the people.

The two characters 'Jingli' carry a murderous aura. When Old Physician Zhan established the Jingli Institute, he was very determined.

Perhaps, at that time, Old Physician Zhan believed that if they wanted to save the world, it must be they, these famous doctors and holy hands, who would shoulder the heavy burden.

With so many brilliant people gathered together, they would surely be able to think of a solution quickly.

However, this group of famous doctors, while each is indeed brilliant, once gathered together, each has their own thoughts and simply cannot be twisted into a single rope. If forced together, these people are like they are charged with static electricity, exploding and pushing each other further away.

Working together with one heart?

As it stands, it has not yet succeeded.

Furthermore, the local Medicine Gang's power expanded too quickly and was rapidly infiltrated by the Six Great Clans, causing the old Imperial Physician to gradually lose control over them.

Old Imperial Physician Zhan has the heart but lacks the strength, and he is getting on in years; seeing that he can no longer manage these people, he is now relying entirely on his past prestige to suppress them by force!

Old Imperial Physician Zhan must have long been dissatisfied with the current situation of Shenyi Gu, right?

I wonder if Old Imperial Physician Zhan felt a secret joy when he learned of the irregularities in the examination?

On a certain mountain of Shenyi Gu.

Old Imperial Physician Zhan's Residence.

Head Physician Huan walks up the mountain with a dark expression.

Because of the examination incident, he was cornered and questioned by Patrol Lieutenant Yang, and having no other choice, he had to compensate the Patrol Guard Division with quite a few things, as if cutting off his own flesh.

Arriving at Old Imperial Physician Zhan's Residence, Head Physician Huan shows a look of shame on his face: "Master, this Disciple has failed your heavy trust!"

News of the examination at the foot of the mountain had already reached here. Head Physician Huan recounted the important points to Old Imperial Physician Zhan.

Yet Old Imperial Physician Zhan was not angry; he seemed to be in quite a good mood, stroking his completely white long beard: "Very good, very good indeed! Rong Huan of Xinzhou is an interesting lad!"

Head Physician Huan was puzzled: "Master?"

Old Imperial Physician Zhan did not explain, only sighing: "Governance is not easy!"

Even if one's ideas are good, once they are truly implemented, how much of one's original intent can be preserved is beyond control.

Old Imperial Physician Zhan took paper and brush.

Despite his age, his hand was quite steady; perhaps because he was in a good mood, his brushwork was extremely smooth.

After writing, he handed the paper to Head Physician Huan: "Add these to the compensation for Rong Huan."

Head Physician Huan looked at it and said in surprise: "This—"

Old Imperial Physician Zhan did not offer much explanation and waved his hand.

Head Physician Huan had no choice but to reply: "Yes!"

His heart was bleeding even more!

The items Master added were all fine medicinal herbs, and Head Physician Huan was naturally reluctant to part with them!

But Master must have had his reasons for doing this; the one at fault must be someone else!

Head Physician Huan pondered in his heart: Once I go back, I will root out those turncoats!

It is not that he didn't know his subordinates usually took bribes to get things done, but this time, they went too far!

They were caught by someone, and they made a huge scene, causing the nature of the examination to change completely!

Thinking about how, after the examination, he not only had to pay compensation but also face the snide remarks of those noble families, Head Physician Huan felt stifled!

When he looked in the mirror this morning, he felt very dejected.

Before he became the Head Physician of the Jingli Institute, his hair was black and shiny!

Now?

He couldn't even count how much his hair had turned white.

Holding back his anger, Head Physician Huan returned and summoned all his subordinate physicians to reprimand them.

How many times have I said it, let the Six Great Clans fight their own disputes!

Manage your own people! Why are you meddling in things you shouldn't?!

No matter what, it's always us who suffer the loss!

It is not easy for a neutral, small power like Shenyi Gu to maintain its current peace! Stop causing trouble!

On the other side, Wen Gu returned to the Tang Sect the next day.

Not long after, Zhao Tieniu and his father-in-law, Shopkeeper Wu, came up the mountain with compensation.

Zhao Tieniu was very honest; after seeing Wen Gu, he followed the words his father-in-law had taught him beforehand and sincerely apologized for the incident of using a Shield to crowd "Young Master Rong" at the examination site.

As the saying goes, carrying thorns to ask for punishment; although he didn't carry thorns, he carried a large bundle of firewood he had chopped himself, tied up neatly on his back as he climbed the mountain. Firewood is valuable and practical these days.

Therefore, their compensation included not only the gift box Shopkeeper Wu handed over but also the large bundle of firewood he carried.

Wen Gu had tea brought over and invited them to sit: "It's nothing, sit, don't stand."

Shopkeeper Wu carefully watched the expression of the Young Master Rong before him, and seeing that he truly didn't seem to be holding a grudge, he felt relieved.

After the polite pleasantries, Wen Gu asked them: "Have you received any notification?"

He was asking if they had been scouted by any famous physician.

Shopkeeper Wu smiled gratefully: "Several famous physicians have sent medicine boys to inquire."

This was also a process of identity verification. If they were interested, they would confirm the medicine worker's residence, whether there were any anomalies in their identity, and so on.

"That's a good thing; perhaps in a few days, we will be able to see Brother Tieniu on this mountain again," Wen Gu said.

Shopkeeper Wu's smile did not fade, but his attitude was humble: "Ah, I'll take your kind words!"

Confirming that this Young Master Rong truly did not hold a grudge over the incident at the examination, Shopkeeper Wu respectfully asked for advice regarding the daily work of medicine workers.

They talked about how life is not easy, and that Zhao Tieniu being scouted by multiple famous physicians this time had greatly earned face for the family and provided security. Overcome with emotion, Shopkeeper Wu even wiped away tears.

Beside him, Zhao Tieniu listened to his father-in-law's account, and he himself was so moved that he began to sob along.

Such a big, sturdy man, his shoulders heaving as he sobbed, was simply too much to look at.

Shopkeeper Wu:

"

"

He gave Zhao Tieniu a light kick under the table to remind him to mind his demeanor.

Shopkeeper Wu quickly composed his emotions and said with an apologetic face: "I lost my composure! Please forgive me for the offense, Young Master Rong!"

Wen Gu seemed to understand very well and sighed: "It is only human nature."

After exchanging a few polite pleasantries, Wen Gu asked, "I heard from Shopkeeper Wu just now that you were in the medicinal herb business before? I wonder if Shopkeeper Wu might have these few types of medicine?"

Wen Gu handed over a piece of paper, on which several precious medicinal herbs were written, half of which were goods only found overseas.

Shopkeeper Wu took a look, then slightly lowered his head and raised his sleeve to wipe away tears, saying with a bitter smile, "How could small people like us come into contact with these things? If I truly had them, I would have traded them for a position as a street soldier no matter what."

After sitting for a while, Shopkeeper Wu and Zhao Tieniu took their leave and departed.

Li Sihu had been waiting on the side the whole time; since the master had not sent him away, it meant that he was allowed to know about these matters.

Now that there was no one else around, Li Sihu said regretfully, "It seems Shopkeeper Wu doesn't know where to get those rare medicinal herbs either."

Wen Gu said, "He knows."

Li Sihu: "Eh? Master, do you mean he was lying just now?"

Wen Gu said, "He already gave the answer just now."

Those medicinal herbs, even just a little bit, would be enough to trade for a position as a street soldier.

By checking who is in that position, we will know!

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