Chapter 81: Before doing anything, Hui Lanzhi must first protect herself...

Not long after, the people who went to investigate came back, bringing with them a dozen men and women whose faces turned pale with fear.

"A group of tea merchants were attacked by bandits. The bandits robbed their goods, and as they were retreating, they ran into another group of bandits. The two groups engaged in a fierce fight, and these people took advantage of the chaos to escape..."

The group collapsed to the ground as soon as they crossed the threshold. Someone whimpered first, as if some mechanism had been triggered. Then, children suddenly began to scream and cry. Men began to cry out in pain, trembling and twitching on the ground. Women hugged children tightly, their suppressed sobs gradually increasing. The elderly also coughed... All the sounds mixed together, revealing a dead despair.

"Mom...I want to go find my mom!"

"My poor old man... that cruel thief had his heart ripped out alive!"

"I've given them all my money, but they... they still won't let my wife go... Why?"

The drug dealers and their companions had long heard about the bandits' cruel deeds. Listening to the survivors' cries, in addition to sympathy and sighs, the anxiety and fear in their hearts increased exponentially: the location of the post house was not remote, but these bandits were able to roam freely. In time, would they extend their claws to densely populated areas?

The innkeeper's face was stern. He asked, "Do you know which two hills these people are from?"

The clerk said, "I only peeked from a distance, but couldn't see clearly. I only saw the vanguard of the bandits charging out from behind, holding a black banner and wearing a black scarf over their faces."

The innkeeper's frown relaxed and then tightened again. He said, "From this perspective, the people who intercepted us do look very much like those from Fubo Village. They're easy to deal with, just paying for the service. But the other group of thieves acted arrogantly and cruelly. I'm afraid they are..."

A female voice suddenly rang out, soft but penetrating all the noise: "It's someone from Jinhu Mountain."

The faces of the drug dealers changed, and they all looked towards the speaker. They saw Lin Meiju standing in front of a wounded person, checking the wound. The wound was crescent-shaped with three extended lacerations. These were the marks left by the ghost claw chain sickle used by the bandit leader Jinhu Bawang in this area.

Lin Meizhu had treated several patients injured by the Ghost Claw Chain Scythe. The wounds weren't deep, but they festered severely, ultimately necessitating amputation. The only explanation for the severity of the deterioration in less than two hours was that the weapon had been coated with poison. The thieves in Golden Tiger Village were undoubtedly ruthless.

Zhang Dashan, the leader of the Golden Tiger Village, was originally from a wealthy family. However, due to the frame-up by his enemies and the incompetence of the government, he and his brothers killed all the more than ten members of his enemy's family in a fit of rage. He was extremely cruel and had gathered thousands of subordinates over the years. Even the government did not dare to confront him head-on.

Several drug dealers, fearing impending disaster, grew increasingly agitated. One of them was Zhang Bosheng, the owner of Huichuntang in the neighboring county. Huichuntang was the largest pharmacy in Jingzhou, and because Huishengtang's business was growing rapidly and threatening to overtake Huichuntang, Zhang Bosheng had always had a grudge against Lin Meizhu, and his words were venomous: "The Golden Tiger Overlord is the most vindictive. This time, they didn't get any profit, and they even got robbed. What if they knew these people had escaped here and came to retaliate?!"

The blue-clothed clerk who had gone out to get the news was filled with anxiety and shame when he heard this. He plopped down on his knees before Lin Meizhu and said, "That was not my intention. They saw me and followed me. I couldn't bear it... Boss, I beg you to punish me!"

Lin Meizhu gently patted the waiter's shoulder to comfort him, and glanced at them one by one. "I know everyone is worried, and to be honest, I am too, but there are more important things right now."

As Lin Meiju started to speak, the chaotic quarrel gradually subsided.

"At least Zhuzi brought a lot of useful information. At least we know that the bandits aren't coming for us. Their main force is still in the northwest. We also know that the two groups are fighting fiercely... The sentries responsible for protection are almost here. As long as we leave in time, we can avoid their attack. What's more..." Her gaze fell on the women and children huddled in the corner, and she changed the subject slightly, her voice full of reluctance: "They are in such a state. If we really turn them away and leave them to die without helping, what difference will we make between us and those bandits?"

Everyone was sad for a moment and no one responded. Even Zhang Bosheng swallowed his complaints.

The woman who had been squatting in the corner weeping slowly stopped crying when she heard this. She stood up suddenly as if she had thought of something, stumbled out, knelt down in front of the drug dealer, and cried, "You are all such kind-hearted people. Not only did you not drive us out, you also distributed medicine to us. You are truly chivalrous. I can never repay you for your kindness even if I work like a slave..." Several other refugees also ran to the front of the hall, knelt down and bowed to express their gratitude, tears in their eyes.

While these people were talking, the owner of the inn drooped his eyelids for some reason, turned around slightly, and seemed to be telling a servant to do something. Zhang Bosheng and the others also avoided his gaze and raised their teacups to drink tea.

The woman's eyes were filled with anxiety. She withdrew her pleading gaze and cast it towards the only person who hadn't turned away. She knelt forward and said, "Madam, please be kind and help me. Send someone to help me find my husband! And my child!"

"He was spotted by the thieves when we were escaping. He deliberately shouted to distract them in order to get me to run. He also took my daughter with him. She was less than three years old and had just learned to speak... We just suffered a flood. Our parents were gone, our home was gone, and our eight-month-old child was gone... We struggled to escape south to seek refuge with relatives and friends, but we didn't expect to encounter such a disaster again! I beg you, please send someone to help me find them! If you are willing to help me, my worthless life will be yours in this life and forever!"

Zhang Bosheng's expression was not pleasant. He ordered his men to hasten the loading, drive the carriage out of the warehouse, and prepare to depart immediately. He felt a little indignant. These refugees had come to Lin Meizhu for help, not for anyone else. Didn't they think she was too kind-hearted? If she agreed to their request, it would be like inviting trouble. Huichuntang would never stop for them!

The woman's hair was disheveled, her face smeared with tears and mud. Her withered fingers tightly grasped the corner of Lin Meizhu's clothes, and she choked with sobs, "If your own flesh and blood were taken away by someone, if your husband's life or death was unknown, wouldn't you feel a heart-wrenching pain? You and I are both women, you must understand!"

Lin Meiju looked at the people kneeling in front of her and begging desperately, pursed her lips tightly and lowered her face.

Qiao Niang hugged Lin Meizhu's legs and cried, "You are a doctor. Aren't doctors supposed to save the dying and the wounded? They are compassionate! Please!"

Lin Meiju stepped back, and two other waiters came forward to separate the two.

Qiao Niang was about to say something else when she heard Lin Meizhu's calm, almost ruthless voice: "I sympathize with your situation and feel sad for you, but I can't let my men snatch food from the tiger's mouth. I'm a doctor, yes, but I'm also their employer. The money I give them is for moving goods, not for their lives. I brought them out, and I want to bring them home safely. I can't let them risk their lives rashly. They also have parents, wives, and children waiting for them at home."

Lin Meiju learned many lessons during her time in the palace, but the most important one was to leave room for self-protection before doing anything.

Shen Changfeng killed slaves instead of innocent people in Yijing Garden, did not reveal his identity when he took revenge in Tianxiang Tower, and chose Zuoshun Gate when he killed the powerful official in anger. He dared not kneel to the King of Chu because he knew that the King of Chu would not dare to issue the killing order in front of Chuqi... He imagined the worst outcome before doing everything and left himself a way out in advance.

She learned his way of dealing with things imperceptibly: before doing anything, you must protect yourself first.

Qiao Niang watched the apothecary gradually walk out the door, watched as the shop assistants and porters escorted the horse-drawn and donkey-drawn carts onto the official road, and the remaining hope in her heart gradually died. She knew she shouldn't ask for anything. These people were willing to help them, giving them a cup of calming tea and some healing herbs. In this chaotic world, they were already doing their utmost. But...but...how could she let go?

Thinking back to her husband and daughter who were in trouble, Qiao Niang's heart ached and she almost couldn't breathe.

Qiao Niang flinched at the stinging pain in her palm, and heard someone softly say in her ear, "It will be a little painful to clean the wound, but it will be healed soon."

Qiao Niang wiped the tears from her eyes and saw someone bending over to bandage her wound. She looked around and saw several men in blue clothes busying around, also treating the wounds and applying medicine.

Lin Meiju bandaged the wound on her palm and gently wiped the scratches on her face with a wet handkerchief.

Qiao Niang turned her face away, avoiding her movement. Lin Meizhu paused, said nothing, placed the wet handkerchief in her palm, picked up the medicine box, and quietly left.

The sound of wheels rumbled in her ears. Qiao Niang rolled her eyes woodenly and scanned the hall. When she passed a green figure, her pupils shrank and she quickly moved her gaze back.

Lin Meizhu leaned against a mud wall, the hem of her clothes stained with yellow mud. She sat on the ground holding a child, about two or three years old. Tears still streaked the corners of the child's eyes, but he remained quiet in her arms. A small hand would occasionally reach up to touch her earlobe, as if to check on her presence. Lin Meizhu, sensing the child's uneasiness, hugged him tighter, her large hand covering the smaller one, bringing it to her lips and pretending to bite it. The child smiled, tears breaking.

Lin Meizhu raised her eyes and saw Qiaoniang looking at her. She understood the puzzlement in Qiaoniang's eyes: Why don't you leave?

Lin Meizhu caressed the child's face in her arms and said slowly, "I examined the wounds earlier. Although they varied in depth, there was no sign of swelling or yellowing, and the victims were all conscious. Perhaps it was because of the hasty action? The Golden Tiger Village thieves didn't have time to apply poison to their weapons."

Qiao Niang's eyes gradually brightened and her breathing began to quicken. In other words, even if her husband was stabbed, there was still a chance of survival!

Lin Meizhu nodded, agreeing with her guess. "If someone hadn't been killed, and if they were still conscious, they would definitely seek help. This inn, located on the patrol route of the garrison sentinels, would definitely be their first choice."

"Half an hour has passed since the incident. This is more than enough time for a normal person to reach the post station, but I think it might take longer for someone with injuries."

"I'll have Huishengtang's convoy escort you... I'll wait with you for a while."