Song Quanzhao's eyes widened immediately, and he asked incredulously, "You really have a way?"
He had already given up hope, after all, those bandits were bandits who had fled from Tianyue Prefecture and had been entrenched for many years, so they must be very experienced in evading the government's investigation and inquiries.
Lin Yan'an was also somewhat surprised, and leaned closer, waving his folding fan, and asked, "Miss, do you have any ideas?"
He couldn't afford to lose his family's goods. The rest was fine, but there were a few valuable items that couldn't be lost. Those were the prized possessions he had prepared for several shops, and whether he could gain face in front of his father depended on those items.
Jiang Yimian met the two pairs of expectant eyes, but only sighed before saying, "You saw it today, sir. Although our families escaped death, we have been living in these mountains, relying on digging wild vegetables and tree roots to survive. The land in the mountains is not easy to cultivate, and most of our families are old, weak, sick, or disabled. Life is very difficult."
Zhao Da twitched his lips. This peasant girl was really audacious, wanting something in return. He was about to reprimand her, but when he thought of the strange and dark dishes on the table, he had to shut his mouth.
They were indeed having a hard time. Although they were government officials, they couldn't ask for help for nothing, especially from people who were already struggling.
After thinking for a while, Song Quanzhao said, "If you can really help me eliminate the mountain stronghold, I will reward you handsomely."
Jiang Yimian almost rolled her eyes at this ridiculous offer. She had only said that she was informing them about the situation in the mountain stronghold, but this guy had turned it into helping him eliminate the bandits.
Good, good, good. As expected of an official, what a dog!
She sighed and said helplessly, "Sir, you know that I am just a peasant girl. How could I possibly have the ability to eliminate bandits? I dare not accept your reward. Only the government can eliminate bandits."
Song Quanzhao's brow furrowed slightly, and after a long while, he smiled and said, "Don't worry, young lady, I won't let you help me for nothing. If the information you provide can really help me eliminate the mountain bandits, I will reward you with forty taels of silver, how about that?"
Forty taels is quite a lot; if a farming family saves every penny, it can support them for more than ten years.
Jiang Yimian sighed, completely ignoring the threat of the other party suddenly claiming to be an official, and said helplessly, "Sir, you know how cunning and cruel the mountain bandits are. I almost paid with my life to know some of their information."
"For the past six months or so, I've suffered a lot hiding in the mountains with three other families. Every day I was afraid that wild animals or bandits would break in, and I lived in constant fear for many days."
She was reminded not to ask for an exorbitant amount, but she didn't care. This person was just trying to take advantage of her, so she couldn't back down and had to secure the maximum benefit.
Song Quanzhao frowned, and after a long while, he finally made up his mind and said, "Alright, if the information you provide can truly help me eliminate the bandits, I will give you one hundred taels of silver, how about it?"
If these bandits can be eliminated, the refugees can be settled quickly, adding another achievement to his political record and allowing him to gain favor with the prefect of Jincheng Prefecture.
Presumably, if the prefect knew that the bandits had been dealt with smoothly, he wouldn't have been stingy with the one hundred taels.
Jiang Yimian was finally satisfied. One hundred taels of silver was neither a lot nor a little, but it was the most silver the magistrate could come up with. If it were any more, things would be more difficult.
However, she still asked, "What will happen to our household registration and land after you eliminate those bandits, sir?"
Song Quanzhao thought for a while before saying, "Those matters are still being arranged. You have a place to stay for now, but I will settle the other refugees before I can settle you."
There are many displaced people in various towns and near the county seat, and he needs to settle them properly first.
There are only a few households on the mountain, and they have houses to shelter them from the wind and rain, so there's not much to worry about.
Seeing this, Jiang Yimian didn't ask any more questions and was about to lead the group away.
Wang Xiaohei excitedly shouted to the group from his own yard, "Sister Yimian, that person has woken up, come and take a look!"
Jiang Yimian was overjoyed and was about to go take a look when she suddenly remembered something and said to Song Quanzhao, "Sir, I saved someone in a small depression a few days ago. I don't know his identity. Would you like to go and take a look together?"
Song Quanzhao frowned and quickly responded.
The group went to Zhao Dashu's house in a large procession.
A pale-faced man lay on the bed in the main room. He had his eyes open and was trying to get up, but he was too weak and fell back onto the bed.
He looked up and his gaze fell on the people outside the door. He paused for a moment, and when he saw Song Quanzhao, he was startled. He tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse and weak. "M-Master."
Song Quanzhao quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Take good care of your injuries. There's no need for formalities. It's so good to see that you're alright. I sent many people to search the area, but we couldn't find any trace of you. I never expected to find you here."
He thought the person was dead and regretted it for a long time.
Zhang Li shook his head and said with difficulty, "This subordinate is useless and has failed to complete the task assigned by the master. Please punish me."
He was discovered before he even infiltrated the mountain stronghold, let alone gather any information; he was lucky to have survived.
Song Quanzhao just smiled and said, "It's alright. It's already good that you're alive. It was my oversight that almost sent you to your death."
At first, he thought they were just ordinary bandits and planned to send someone to inquire about them. But now that he knew they came from Tianyue Prefecture, he knew that sending someone to inquire was tantamount to suicide.
Zhao Da quickly smiled and said, "The lord won't blame you. Luckily you're alright. We were all so worried, thinking something had happened to you."
Zhang Li shook his head, about to say something more, when he felt a sudden discomfort in his throat and began to cough violently.
Jiang Yimian quickly stepped forward, took the other man's pulse, and examined his wounds. Only after confirming that there was no sign of them reopening did she say, "Sir, his injuries are too severe. Let him rest first."
Song Quanzhao glanced at her, nodded, gave her a few more instructions, and then followed the others out.
Zhang Li and Zhao Da had come to Jincheng Prefecture with him, and he had long regarded them as his right and left arms. Now, seeing how badly they were injured, yet still managed to survive, he looked at Jiang Yimian with new respect.
If he had been skeptical of Jiang Yimian's method before, he was now convinced of it to a great extent. A simple farm girl leading so many people to clear land and cultivate crops in the mountains, and also possessing medical skills, her courage and ability were absolutely not to be underestimated.
Moreover, he could tell that the other people in the small depression were led by the little girl in front of him.
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Zhang Li can stay here with you to recuperate. Don't worry, I will cover his medical and food expenses."
Zhao Da was even more excited. His eyes had been red since he saw Zhang Li, and he hadn't calmed down yet. He looked at Jiang Yimian and said, "Thank you, young lady, for saving Zhang Li's life."
Jiang Yimian simply waved her hand and said nothing more. She took a few wild vegetable cakes and two bamboo tubes of water and saw them off.
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