After more than a month of long journey, they finally saw the important town of Puyang. Compared to Changsha, Puyang looked like a giant. The city walls that were seventy to eighty feet tall made Zhang Feng understand why Cao Cao had failed to take down Lu Bu several times in a row. The gray city walls looked even more lifeless under the ravaging sunlight, but it did not feel as friendly as Changsha.
A group of soldiers at the gate looked listless, just like the withered trees and flowers under the scorching sun. Most of them did not even wear leather armor, only clothes that were drenched in sweat. Some of them even dozed off against the wall of the city gate with their halberds in their arms.
The only one wearing leather armor saw Zhang Feng and the others coming and quickly went forward to stop the car. He stretched out his hand and asked for five gold coins from each person. A few black and long nose hairs extended from his huge lion nose, making people wonder if his nostrils were smelly.
Unless he had no other choice, Zhang Feng was not used to using his father's identity to pressure others. Seeing this scene, he only waved his hand in disgust, asking Zhang An to pay the tax. The small officer received the heavy copper coins with a smile and tiptoed. The leather armor on his body that looked like a large woman's undergarment also jumped.
Just as Zhang Feng was about to enter the city, the colonel saw that there were quite a number of people in the convoy. The heavy carriage had left a deep mark on the ground. He thought that it was a merchant group that had bad intentions.
"Hold on, Governor Qiao has ordered that in order to prevent any thieves from sneaking into the city, we have to search every carriage carefully.”The captain gulped as he turned around and said to the group of weak ruffian soldiers,"Hurry up and search with me!"
Governor Qiao? It should be Qiao Mao, right? The fool who had rushed to fight Dong Fatty with the other seventeen troops had provoked the Governor of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, and was killed on the spot. Such an idiot could only raise such soldiers. Zhang Feng could tell at a glance that this small school was just trying to get more money. In comparison, Changsha, which was governed by Zhang Ji, was far more honest.
When the group of old soldiers who only knew how to bully the young saw a fat sheep coming to their door, their spirits were instantly lifted as if they had taken drugs. One by one, they clamored for everyone in the car to get out of the car and slowly walked over with their halberds raised.
Huang Zhong raised his saber and shouted,"You reckless people, how dare you offend the Grand Marshal's family! If anyone steps forward, hand over your heads!”
Although Wang Yue did not have an official position, after staying in the Grand Commandant's Office for a long time, which official would be lower than a fifth-grade official? Besides, he was a seventh-grade official in front of the Prime Minister. He had long since stopped treating himself as an ordinary person. He looked coldly at these small characters and did not even bother to open his eyes.
On the other hand, Wen Pin and Huang Xu, who had acknowledged Zhang Feng as their big brother, had a strong temper. They cooperated with each other and drew out their ring-head sabers. One on the left and one on the right, they formed a stance on both sides of Zhang Feng. They really wanted to have a good fight and see how much they had improved under the guidance of Zhang Feng and Wang Yue these days.
When the colonel heard the word "Grand Commandant", he wilted. The anger from his big nose became even thicker, and he instantly became three inches shorter. He said with a trembling voice,"Is…is there any proof?"
Zhang Feng took out a gilded name card from his bosom and threw it over coldly. Coupled with the title of the Grand Marshal's family, it was extremely like the style of a dignitary.
The small officer caught it in a flurry. Just looking at the golden cover, he believed it 100%. At that time, other than high officials, who would dare to use a gilded name card? It was even more impossible for merchants with low status.
He pretended to look at it, but he couldn't read at all. He respectfully raised the name card above his head with both hands." I didn't know you were the family of the Grand Commandant. I hope you can forgive me for my offense."”
Zhang Feng did not even look at him. He snorted and said,"It's fine if you don't want it. Can we enter the city?"
"Of course, of course."”When he turned around to face his subordinates, he had already transformed from a chicken into a tiger. He roared,"Get out of the way! Are you all courting death with me?"
The ruffians came slowly but retreated quickly. He stood straight on both sides of the suspension bridge, allowing the sweat to flow down his body.
When Zhang Feng entered the city, the big-nosed major wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and shouted,"Be more spirited and look at me more clearly. Don't cause trouble for me again. Be careful not to skin you alive!”
Puyang was a famous city for a time. Its business and population were among the top in the current era. However, after Zhang Feng entered the south gate, he found that this city, which should have been far richer than Changsha, was lined with rows of refugees with symbols on their heads. In front of them were a few broken bowls that were half missing. The scene made Zhang Feng and Zhang Ji feel very jealous.
"Such a big city is not as good as my small Changsha County!”Zhang Ji shook his head and stroked his long beard.
"This must be because the officials here are incompetent and can't make a living for the people. Because of this, I and Zhongjing brother will take over the heavy responsibility.”Zhang Feng said.
Seeing a huge convoy passing by, the refugees squeezed into the convoy like crazy, just like the scene in Nanyang. They hugged their babies, who were only a few months old, or children who were seven or eight years old. Their gray eyes flickered with hope again. They only wanted these nobles riding tall horses in front of them to use a few copper coins to buy the only flesh and blood they could sell in exchange for some rice that could only be eaten for a few days.
Some people were even pushed to the back of the crowd and were so anxious that they jumped and shouted,"Sell yourself!" For a moment, several heads with straw flags stuck in them rose and fell in the human wave, like gourds pressed in the water.
Zhang Feng was full of energy. His words were like thunder, and the noisy scene immediately quieted down."Everyone, everyone, I have just arrived and have yet to find a place to settle down. Why don't we wait until tomorrow? Today you must be very sad, I will send people to buy some gruel to share with you, okay?”
There was a short silence in the crowd, and then they loudly agreed. Everyone thought that Zhang Feng's previous words were just excuses. When they heard him say that he wanted to open the porridge and put in the food, they were happy again.
Zhang Feng ordered Zhang An to buy some food and porridge. He set up a porridge stall here and repeatedly told him to make sure that the porridge was not thin or dry. If it was too thin, it would not be enough to satisfy his hunger. If it was too dry, he was afraid that the refugees would choke if they did not eat for a long time.
Zhang Ji praised repeatedly, saying that Zhang Feng's thinking was very logical and suited the medical theory.
When the crowd heard this, they all made way for Zhang An. Seeing Zhang An take the money from Zhang Feng and leave, someone asked loudly,"May I ask your name, little benefactor? I dare not forget the kindness of saving my life. I should repay you with a knot of grass and a ring of grass.”
Zhang Feng was full of pride as he laughed out loud."This is just a small matter. Zhang Feng of Luoyang is one of them.”Amidst the incessant kowtows, it gradually faded into the distance.
Zhang Ji's family and several apothecary apprentices were among the group. Zhang Feng rented two courtyards that were close to each other before he could barely accommodate all of them. However, he ordered that the herbs and books were not to get out of the car. He wanted to find a place to settle down tomorrow.
Then he ordered Wen Pin to take his name card and run to the prefect's manor to put it in. He thought that Qiao Mao's ability was average and his brain was stupid. He reckoned that he would take the initiative to see him. Although Wenpin was young, his mouth was eloquent. This kind of matter was much more assured to him than to the carefree Huang Xu.
Although it was already past the time of Arabia and should be six or seven in the evening, Qiao Mao had heard that the son of the Grand Commandant had arrived and had actually come. However, Zhang Feng was using his father's name, and he had no official rank. Logically speaking, he should still have to kneel before the prefect.
But at that time, uh, it seemed that since ancient times, they had always valued the background of the other party, right? Qiao Mao did not care that he was old and was the official prefect appointed by the court. He ran over to see Zhang Feng.
"Greetings, Lord Prefect!" Although he was arrogant, he still had to put on a facade. Zhang Feng saw Qiao Mao running over with a big belly that looked like he had been pregnant for six months. He was wearing a proper red summer court dress. His fat face and forehead were covered in oil. He was trembling and did not fall off. Such a hot day was tiring for him.
Fatty Qiao quickly smiled and helped him up."I don't dare, I don't dare. Can I be a little more arrogant and call you my nephew?”
"As you wish." Wang Yue on the left and Huang Zhong on the right. Looking at the cold expressions on their faces, they knew that they were not to be trifled with. This son of the Grand Commandant really had the bearing. Qiao Mao thought, secretly wondering why Zhang Feng was looking for him.
"When Feng left the capital, my father once said that the prefect was well governed and ordered me to come personally so that I could learn a thing or two from the prefect. However, when Feng arrived today, he saw that there were many refugees in Puyang City. He didn't know why.”
When Qiao Mao heard this, the cup that sizzled in his mouth no longer had any taste, and he began to complain,""Nephew, you don't know, but Jizhou is suffering from a drought this year. Tens of thousands of refugees saw that Puyang is rich and abundant, so they came in groups. I couldn't bear to drive them away, so I made a fool of myself.”
When Zhang Feng heard that, he reminded him,""Xiang Wen will appoint the Yellow Sect. If…" What he meant was that if those eunuchs exposed the gathering of refugees to the higher-ups, they would be in trouble.
Qiao Mao was also a little worried when he heard this. Those ball-less eunuchs only knew how to do things behind their backs!”This swearing made it seem like Zhang Feng was on his side. He knew that Zhang Wen's group of officials and eunuchs had always been enemies, so he wasn't afraid that Zhang Feng wouldn't stand on his side. He stood up and said,"I have to give them some benefits to shut their mouths."”
Zhang Feng said hesitantly,""I see Puyang as a prosperous place and it is a good place to spend my days. My father is willing to live here when he is old. If the Great Guardian finds a good place, I am willing to take in these refugees!”
Qiao Mao was overjoyed. At that time, the lives of refugees were like ants. Which fool could see as far as Zhang Feng and treat people as treasures? He immediately patted his fat trembling chest and boasted,"If that's the case, leave this matter to this old man.”He calculated in his heart. He was just getting a piece of land and not giving it away for free. He could take advantage of it for free. These troublesome bumpkins would save him from worrying about whether they would mutiny or snatch food. He would leave it all to Zhang Feng, this cheap nephew! He was still a young man after all. How childish. He had raised so many clay legs. Could it be that he could cut the meat and marinate it for the New Year?
He immediately took his leave and happily lifted the hem of his robe. He jogged all the way and hummed some obscene words. Huang Zhong, who had sent him off, did not even bow.
Huang Zhong saw the fat man get into the sedan chair and came back to Zhang Feng.""Why does my lord need such a flatterer!”Zhang Feng picked up the teacup that had been bubbling for a long time and could still emit a faint steam. He leisurely took a sip and said,"People are all useful. It's just that different people use them in different ways. There were some things that were more effective and simpler to ask for help from such people than those who thought highly of themselves.”
Wang Yue had his eyes closed, as if he had not heard anything. It was as if he had fallen asleep.
If I also wear these clothes, there will be a city of people who can listen to my orders, wouldn't it be great!
However, when would he have to wait? Is this mysterious young master also using me in his own way?
——
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。