As soon as Xu Jinhuan arrived at the city gate, he heard someone shout in surprise.
Many people who were preparing to leave the city looked puzzled when they heard this.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, I've only ever heard of people receiving city fees. Why are we now being charged city fees?
The soldier guarding the city looked helpless and explained, "Gentlemen, this exit fee wasn't something we added on a whim; it's an order from above."
It is said that because of this year's floods, many places in the south were submerged, and the national treasury was empty. The emperor wanted the people of the capital to take the lead.
This year's taxes have already been raised, and they can't be raised again, so some people have suggested increasing the entry fee to the city and adding an exit fee.
After hearing the explanation from the soldiers guarding the city, everyone was so angry at the person who made the suggestion that they practically gritted their teeth.
"The South is suffering from disaster? But isn't our capital city also suffering from disaster?"
"If it weren't for Mr. Xu's grain shop selling grain at prices that wouldn't increase, forcing other grain shops to lower their prices back to the original level, my family would be starving by now."
"Yes, my family is really unlucky. Our house was flooded, so we thought of going out of town to stay with relatives for a while until the house dries up. Doesn't that count as a disaster?"
"When will Your Majesty be able to understand the plight of the people? Taxes and fees have been rising year after year, and every household is barely able to fill their stomachs."
Now there's another expense; I'm afraid it won't be long before we starve to death in this bustling capital."
Despite their complaints, everyone had their reasons for leaving the capital, so even if they were unwilling, they still paid the fee to leave the city.
Before leaving the city, Xu Jinhuan glanced at the distant palace one last time. Given the old emperor's incompetence, she felt that someone would start an uprising before she even had a chance to rebel.
Xu Jinhuan successfully exited the capital city gates and walked to a secluded corner before withdrawing the invisibility ability from herself and her horse.
Xu Jinhuan patted the head of the Akhal-Teke horse, "Xiao Hong, I'll lead the way with my light-footed skills in a bit. You're in charge of leading Xie Guangbai, understand?"
Little Red snorted, signaling to Xu Jinhuan not to underestimate it. It was the smartest member of its kind, and it wouldn't have come to the capital if it weren't for its gluttony.
Xu Jinhuan stroked the horse's mane again, then turned to Xie Guangbai and asked, "Are you alright riding a horse?"
Xie Guangbai looked at Xiao Hong with longing and said excitedly, "No problem, no problem! I never thought I'd have a day when I could ride a Ferghana horse!"
Seeing that both the man and the horse were alright, Xu Jinhuan used his lightness skill to fly to a tree not far away.
Because the rain had stopped, the floodwaters were receding slowly, so she quickly found a suitable path.
"Little Red, follow me!"
Upon hearing Xu Jinhuan's words, Xiao Hong took off running, startling Xie Guangbai so much that he could only hold onto the horse's mane tightly. He had been so excited that he had forgotten the horse didn't have a saddle.
He had never ridden a horse without a saddle before, and feeling the wind whistling past his ears, he could only squeeze his legs tightly against the horse's belly to try and maintain his balance.
Little Red, the Akhal-Teke horse, was running quite excitedly. Ever since entering the capital, apart from the occasional time Long Wangcai took it out to show off, it could only run a couple of laps, and even then, it was at the speed limit.
It hadn't run properly in ages, but now it could finally run freely and joyfully through the mountains and forests.
The two of them hurried along the road at full speed, and soon they reached the foot of the mountain.
After Xiao Hong came to a complete stop, Xie Guangbai quickly dismounted from the horse, walked to a tree, and began to vomit violently.
Xiao Hong gave Xie Guangbai a disdainful look with her horse eyes. This guy is really hopeless. He only ran such a short distance and he's already vomiting like this.
"Xie Guangbai, are you alright?" Xu Jinhuan asked worriedly, looking at the man who was ashen-faced, had vomited everything in his stomach, and was now vomiting water.
This is the only doctor on the mountain. If something happens to him, she'll have to go through a lot of trouble to find him. Just thinking about it gives her a headache.
Xie Guangbai had no idea what his master was thinking. Seeing Xu Jinhuan's worried expression, he straightened up by leaning against the tree trunk and explained.
"Master, I'm fine. I just haven't ridden a horse in a long time, so I'm not used to it. Now that I've vomited, I feel much better."
After Xie Guangbai finished vomiting, he finally had time to look around. Seeing that Xu Jinhuan was about to go up the mountain, he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Master, is the place you mentioned on the mountain?"
Xu Jinhuan nodded, "Yes, there was heavy rain before, and there was flooding here, so the people around moved up the mountain."
Xie Guangbai understood, and, holding Xiao Hong's hand, followed behind Xu Jinhuan up the mountain.
The two walked for quite a while before they finally saw wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.
"There are so many houses in these mountains? If it weren't for the friendly faces of everyone, I would have thought I had entered a bandit stronghold that a storyteller had told me about," Xie Guangbai said with a smile.
But Xu Jinhuan was sure to surprise everyone with his words: "This is a bandit stronghold."
"Huh?" Xie Guangbai was startled. So his master was a bandit leader?
But Xu Jinhuan continued, "This used to be a bandit stronghold, but I killed everyone except for a brainless leader who now works as a henchman under me."
Xie Guangbai looked surprised, not expecting his master to have such abilities.
Just then, Ma Wencai came out of the kitchen carrying dishes, and he immediately went up to Xu Jinhuan when he saw her.
"Master, why are you only coming back now? Did something happen? Xiaoxiao was so worried when she saw you weren't here this morning that she almost cried."
Xu Jinhuan nodded, "Something came up, and it took a little longer to deal with it. Let me introduce you. This is Xie Guangbai, the imperial physician in the palace. He comes from a family with a long medical tradition, and his medical skills are quite good."
He'll be coming with us from now on. You can introduce him to everyone.
Ma Wencai never expected his boss to be so capable. He said he was going to the palace to bring back a royal physician, and he actually managed to bring the physician to their mountain.
He looked at Xie Guangbai with a bright smile, "Imperial Physician Xie, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? We'll all eat in my room. Come in with me first, and I'll introduce you to the others."
After saying that, Ma Wencai enthusiastically pulled Xie Guangbai into the house.
At this moment, Xie Datou and Li Yichang were already sitting inside the house.
"Ma Wencai, why are you taking so long to serve this dish? Did you steal some?" Li Yichang looked at Ma Wencai suspiciously.
After placing the dishes on the table, Ma Wencai said with dissatisfaction, "Why are you talking so rudely? What do you mean by stealing food? I'm just letting you taste it first!"
"Brother Ma, who's following you?" Li Xiaoxiao asked, looking at the young man who followed Ma Wencai in.
She sniffed slightly, and the tip of her nose smelled of clean medicinal herbs. He must be a good person.
After hearing Li Xiaoxiao's words, Ma Wencai slapped his forehead and said, "Look at my memory, Physician Xie, I'm really sorry. I was so angry that I forgot you were behind me."
"The imperial physician?"
"My sister is back?"
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