Chapter 68 Setting up tents outside the city for self-rescue

Chapter 68 Setting up tents outside the city for self-rescue

Jiang Yutang's combination of praise and criticism effectively eased the guards' expressions considerably.

Seeing that the other party's attitude had softened, she pressed her advantage and made a suggestion: "We also know that it is indeed risky to let everyone into the city. How about this, we don't stay in the city, but set up temporary tents in the open space outside the city, so that the sick refugees can be isolated and treated first. This will not threaten the people in the city, and it will also prevent the disease from spreading. What do you think of this?"

The city gate guard frowned, looking troubled: "This is not something we can decide. Setting up tents means distributing food, herbs, and winter supplies, all of which need to be reported to and approved by our superiors. We can't make that decision ourselves."

"But we can't wait that long!"

Someone in the crowd shouted urgently, "If we wait any longer, the sick person really won't make it!"

Jiang Yutang took a deep breath, stepped forward half a step, and said in a firm voice, "I will pay for the tents and the supplies. The county will not have to pay a single penny. I only ask that you officials be lenient and help us make arrangements as soon as possible."

The guards looked at her in surprise, their eyes full of disbelief.

Where would an exiled refugee get so much money?

Jiang Yutang turned to retrieve the silver notes she had hidden on the cart, but when she looked back, she saw Jiang Songzhi handing her a heavy cloth bag.

She paused for a moment, then looked at her family behind her. Jiang Shengan nodded gently, and her brothers also gave her signals with their eyes, indicating that she could use it without worry.

Jiang Yutang felt a warmth in her heart, took the cloth bag, opened it and took out several silver notes of considerable value, and handed them to the head escort: "This money should be enough to set up tents and purchase supplies."

The escort took the silver note, his eyes filled with more apprehension as he looked at her.

Jiang Yutang quickly explained, "These silver notes were obtained by my daughter through bartering on the road; they are not dirty money."

Just then, Cheng Daier suddenly stepped forward and took out a fine silver hairpin from her sleeve. It was one of the few valuable items she carried with her.

She handed the silver hairpin to the escorts, her tone still carrying a hint of arrogance, but now tinged with pleading: "Besides that, I would also like to ask you gentlemen to prepare some hot food for us. The refugees have been traveling for many days and are already starving and freezing. They need to rest well to withstand their illness. I hope you can be kind to us."

On one side were silver notes brimming with real gold and silver, and on the other, a beautiful woman pleading for her return. The guards exchanged glances, finally gritting their teeth and nodding: "Alright! You wait outside the city, I'll go report right away and give you an answer as soon as possible!"

Having said that, he dared not delay, and with the silver notes and hairpin in hand, he hurried into the city.

As the escort officer's figure disappeared behind the city gate, the refugees finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably.

After the escorts left, the surrounding refugees cast grateful glances at them.

A few righteous refugees rummaged through their belongings and found the only valuable things they had.

Some were half a piece of broken silver, some were family heirlooms of small jade pendants, and some were silver bracelets left by their mothers. They walked quickly to Jiang Yutang and the others and handed them over with both hands.

"Thank you both, ladies and everyone else, for saving our lives. These things are worthless, but they are a small token of our appreciation. Please accept them."

Cheng Daier frowned, waved her hand, and said indifferently, "No need, it's just a small favor."

Jiang Yutang, however, stared at the items they handed her, her gaze lingering for a moment on several well-preserved jade pendants and bracelets.

These items might not have been considered rare treasures in ancient times, but if brought back to modern times, they should fetch a good price.

Without any hesitation, she stepped forward, took the items, carefully tucked them into her bosom, and said softly, "Then I'll accept them without further ado. Thank you all."

As her fingertips touched the cool texture of the jade pendant, a pang of sadness welled up in her heart: she wondered when she would be able to return to the modern world, and whether she would have the chance to bring these things back with her.

Before I could wallow in sadness, I heard the old doctor arguing behind me.

The large number of sick refugees not only needed plenty of clean drinking water, but also relied heavily on herbal medicine to control their illness. However, the herbal medicine could not be taken for free, and the old doctor was pulling at the escorts, demanding payment.

"We only have enough silver for ourselves, where would we get extra money to buy herbs for the refugees?" the fat escort shouted impatiently. "Their lives or deaths are none of our business!"

"Is that something a human being should say?"

The old doctor was so angry that he blew his beard and glared: "These refugees are still living, breathing people! As officials of the court, you should communicate with your superiors when you need their help. If you don't have money, go ask for it! You can't just stand by and watch them die!"

The three escorts passed the buck to each other, none of them wanting to take on the trouble.

The county magistrate was already afraid of cholera spreading, so he might not agree to allocate funds to buy herbal medicine. It would be a waste of their time to try to persuade him.

Seeing that they were unmoved by his words, the old doctor angrily flung his sleeves and turned to leave.

Seeing this, the escorts, fearing that no one would treat the refugees, quickly changed their tune: "Alright, alright! We'll go and talk to them! We'll go report to the magistrate right away!"

The old doctor stopped and turned to look at the crowd: "There are too many patients. I can't handle it all by myself. I need to find a few helpers. Who's willing to come?"

Jiang Yutang's eyes lit up, and she immediately volunteered, "Doctor, let me help you!"

She paused, looked at the guards beside her, and took the opportunity to make a request: "However, I have a request. I hope that you, sir, can remove the chains from my feet and my family's feet. It's inconvenient to do things with chains on, and if it delays medical treatment, it will be worse."

The three judges exchanged glances and, without much dispute, agreed.

The top priority now is treating the refugees; unlocking the chains is a minor matter. Moreover, since the Jiang and Cheng families are willing to contribute money and effort, they can't afford to make things difficult for them anymore.

Gao Jiecha took out a key and stepped forward to unlock the chains on the feet of the Jiang brothers and the Cheng family members.

The chains clattered to the ground, and Jiang Yutang stretched her long-neglected ankles, feeling a sense of relief.

She looked at the old doctor, her eyes resolute: "Doctor, shall we begin now?"

The old doctor nodded and led her into the city: "Come with me, I'll teach you how to identify symptoms and prepare herbal medicine. You have to be quick, don't delay."

Cheng Lanzhou watched Jiang Yutang's busy figure, then glanced at the chains on the ground, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

He turned to Cheng Daier and Lin Shi and said, "I'll go help too." He couldn't afford to miss any more information if Jiang Yutang chose this moment to meet with the mysterious person.

When Jiang Huaiyu heard that Cheng Lanzhou was also going, she worried that Cheng Lanzhou might bully her younger sister when they weren't looking, so she quickly said, "I'm going too!"

Hearing footsteps behind her, Jiang Yutang turned around and saw the two people following behind her. Cheng Lanzhou looked straight ahead without meeting her gaze, while Jiang Huaiyu stared at the back of Cheng Lanzhou's head with a look of suspicion.

As the sun completely set, the bonfire was rekindled in the open space outside the city.

After the tents were set up and fires were lit, the sounds of boiling water and cooking could be heard, and the originally despairing atmosphere was gradually replaced by a glimmer of hope.