Old things in Nancheng

In the main room of the Wang family compound in the west of the city, there was a faint smell of medicine. The maid handed the freshly decocted soup to Mrs. Zhang, her eyes were full of worry.

"You go and wait outside, be careful about your errands, and don't be lazy just because the lady is sick." Mrs. Zhang instructed softly.

"Slaves don't dare, our main room is under your watch, there is nothing wrong with it, it's just the outside..." The servant girl said anxiously when she heard some rumors.

"Outside? Don't worry, there won't be any trouble, the butler knows it well." Mrs. Zhang waved her hand to make the little maids back down, and carefully carried the medicine into the inner room.

On the bed in the inner room lay Lin Zhilan with a pale face. Although she was ill, she still refused to rest and was always worried about Prince Mo who was far away.

"Miss, drink the medicine." Mrs. Zhang persuaded.

"Grandma Zhang, put it aside for now." Lin Zhilan said weakly.

"My lady, drink the medicine while it's hot." Mrs. Zhang insisted.

"I don't want to drink." Lin Zhilan shook her head lightly.

Mrs. Zhang helplessly put the medicine bowl on the small table, looked at Lin Zhilan who had lost her spirit, and sighed.

Ever since news of the battle in Xingyuan Mansion came, Lin Zhilan was so worried that she fell ill overnight.The doctor said that although Lin Zhilan's illness was caused by the warming of the earth and the invasion of wind and evil, but the busy work and hard work for more than half a year was also an important factor for the accumulated illness.Wang Zimo is Lin Zhilan's spiritual pillar, now that her life and death are uncertain, Lin Zhilan will not be driven mad.Overwhelmed with worry and anger, the illness came on violently. Lin Zhilan was young, and as long as she took good care of her for a while, she would be cured.

It's just that Lin Zhilan didn't want to take medicine to rest, and she thought wildly every day. This disease has never been cured.

"Ma'am, this old slave can talk to you." Mrs. Zhang knew that only by untying Lin Zhilan's knot in her heart could she recover from this disease.

"Grandma Zhang, sit down, it's all up to you to take care of me these few days."

"Where are you talking, my lady? You have treated me and my servants very kindly, and we are all thinking of your kindness in our hearts."

Lin Zhilan pulled out a very faint smile, and forgot to answer what Mrs. Zhang said.After all, she was transmitted from later generations, and treats her servants just like later generations treat her subordinates, unlike the master of a wealthy family who does not treat servants as human beings.She doesn't beat and scold casually, and respects the personality of the servants. The people in this mansion, especially Xingyuan Mansion and the new buyer, are glad that they followed the right master.

Now that Lin Zhilan was ill, the people below were very panicked and worried about her health, they only hoped that Lin Zhilan would get better soon, so that everyone would have a backbone.

"The old slave was born in Xingyuan Mansion and grew up in Xingyuan Mansion. For most of his life, he gave it to Xingyuan Mansion. When we were young, our Xingyuan Mansion was relatively stable and prosperous. The people could eat enough, and we could save a few dollars all year round. Money. Later, the Great Song Dynasty died, and the good days of our Xingyuan Mansion are gone forever." Mrs. Zhang recalled the past and said with emotion.

"Grandma Zhang, tell me about the war over there." Lin Zhilan asked curiously.

"The old slave is about to talk about this with the lady. In the past few years, half of the year has been at war. In the past few years, we could not win the battle. Fortunately, the city of Xingyuan Mansion was so strong that the gold thieves were not able to win." It succeeded. Later, Marshal Wu Jie came and drove the gold thief back, and Xingyuan Mansion was saved." Mrs. Zhang spoke of Wu Jie with admiration on her face.

"What about General Yue Feiyue?" Lin Zhilan had never heard of Wu Jie, but only knew of Yue Fei who served the country loyally.

"General Yue is guarding Xiangyang, and General Han Shizong, who is also a brave general who is used to fighting, is guarding Jiankang. My wife has also heard that the emperor is currently in Jiankang, and I am afraid that he will come to our Lin'an mansion soon."

Lin Zhilan listened carefully. She felt that Mrs. Zhang was not simple. It was rare for a woman to know so many things in the Song Dynasty.

"A few days ago, the Wang family came to report that the Xingyuan Mansion was in danger, and the lady fell ill after being frightened. But in the eyes of this old slave, the lady does not need to listen to such rumors, and the Xingyuan Mansion will not lose anything." Mrs. Zhang confidently Said.

"Why? There are rumors outside that Xingyuan Mansion can't be defended." Lin Zhilan asked hastily, this is what she is most concerned about right now.

"Marshal Wu is there, Xingyuan Mansion must not be lost." Mrs. Zhang really trusts Wu Jie blindly.

How could Lin Zhilan accept this reason? She didn't just get sick by being frightened casually.Some time ago, Wang Zimo sent money and people, and mentioned in the letter that he was planning to escape from prison. Lin Zhilan believed that Wang Zimo would never be indiscriminate, and Wang Qinian had already sent many people to Xingyuan Mansion. He heard that it was not very accurate, but also eight or nine points accurate.

Seeing Lin Zhilan's disbelief, Mrs. Zhang continued: "Let's not talk about Marshal Wu for the time being, but Xingyuan City. The walls are five feet high and wide enough to run horses. Fighting a war, so there are a lot of troops stationed, food and grass are sufficient, relying on the terrain advantage that one man guards the pass and ten thousand men cannot open it, how can you not defend it?"

"Grandma Zhang knows so many things." Lin Zhilan couldn't believe that these words came from an illiterate old woman.

"I don't know this, but I just talked about it when I was in charge of the house, and I just listened to it. Although he failed many times, he has worked as a small official in the yamen for many years, and he is quite familiar with Xingyuan Mansion. The old man Before the slave left, the head of the family said that the young master treated him with kindness, and he wanted to do business for the young master there. When the young master finished his sentence, he would come back with the young master. Think about it, my lady, the young master is wise, and the old man The slave masters have experience, if something happened to the Xingyuan Mansion, why didn’t they plan to escape early, why did they only send me and other family members here?” Married and married, Mrs. Zhang has lived with shopkeeper Zhang for more than 30 years, and she is used to trusting shopkeeper Zhang. Every word, including white lies.

But Lin Zhilan couldn't believe all of these words, but she listened to one of Mrs. Zhang's words, that is, Wang Zimo is smart.Regardless of whether it was planning for a rainy day or forced by the situation, it has not been a day or two for Wang Zimo to plan to flee. He is accompanied by loyal people such as shopkeeper Zhang, and people sent by Wang Qinian to help him. With Wang Zimo's current ability, Lin Zhilan I believe that Wang Zimo's chance of success is not small, even if he can't escape, he won't just sit and wait for death in the prison camp.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhilan felt relieved, and Mrs. Zhang's blind obedience also gave Lin Zhilan confidence invisibly.

But the situation in Xingyuan Mansion is not what Mrs. Zhang imagined, and it is actually the moment of life and death.

In the inner room of Caishengzhuang, Wang Zimo, Jiang Shangpei, shopkeeper Zhang, Wang Fulai and other confidantes were all lined up. Everyone was silent and the atmosphere was extremely depressing.

Today, it has been nearly a month since the war broke out, and the Jin soldiers suffered heavy losses, but the Xingyuan Mansion suffered even more losses.According to Prince Mobu's eyeliner in the army, Xingyuan Mansion is now dead, wounded, and has only 8000 to [-] soldiers. The defense equipment is exhausted, and there are no soldiers around. Marshal Wu is leading the guards. The [-] pro-army in Chengdu rushed to the rescue, but the road to Shu was difficult, and it would take at least half a month. With Xingyuan Mansion's current combat readiness alone, it would be impossible to guard against the arrival of reinforcements.

It's time to leave, Wang Zimo thought in his heart.

"Master, Xiaoliang is back." Shopkeeper Zhang reported.

"Call him in quickly."

Xiaoliang, Wang Zimo's personal servant, has no father or mother, only his elder brother. His eldest brother, Xiaopin, was sent to Zhao Xian's residence by Wang Zimo to find out information. is working.

Xiaoliang entered the door, panting due to running, and couldn't speak for a while, Wang Zimo personally poured him a bowl of warm tea, and he drank it in one gulp, then managed to breathe evenly, and hurriedly reported: "Master, My brother spread the news that the Zhao family will withdraw from Xingyuan City tonight."

"Tonight?!" Everyone couldn't help being shocked.

The Zhao family is the largest grain merchant that provides military rations to the Xingyuan Mansion. Even their family has evacuated so hastily, it seems that their own side has to move immediately.

"It's not just the Zhao family, my brother heard that in the past few days, many officials in the Xingyuan government office have sent their family members out of the city, and the nobles in the city are also well prepared. Thirty percent have already withdrawn. I have to leave in the next few days." Xiao Liang said.

Wang Zimo nodded, looked at everyone, and said calmly: "Steward Wang, is our arrangement in Xiaoyang Village ready?"

"If you go back to my lord, the food, supplies, carriages and horses are all ready." Steward Wang is now a staunch supporter of Wang Zimo, and he is not dissatisfied with Wang Zimo's orders.

Wang Zimo nodded in satisfaction, then looked at shopkeeper Zhang, and asked, "Treasurer Zhang, can we dispose of the silk money in the village?"

"The little one picked the best silk and satin, and handed it over to Manager Wang to transport it to Xiaoyang Village. The silver on the cabinet was all exchanged into the bills of Tongren Bank. Now, there is nothing valuable in the village except for some ordinary silk and satin."

"Has it been discovered by other accountants?" Wang Zimo asked cautiously.

"They can't care about the affairs of the village, they are all running for their master now." Shopkeeper Zhang said with a faint smile, sighing in his heart that Wang Zimo's vision is accurate, and if he acts now, it will be a free gift of money.

"Brother Jiang, look, what else do we need to prepare, if not, we will leave tomorrow night." Wang Zimo asked.

"Brother is a great talent, there is nothing to say about being a brother." Jiang Shangpei felt that Wang Zimo had already planned carefully enough, and everyone around her was used to the extreme by her. Money, supplies, and routes were all under her control.

Wang Zimo is afraid of death. In the face of death, it's no wonder that the small universe doesn't explode.

"Since that's the case, then go down and make the final preparations. I just want to say a word, don't let the slightest news about this matter, until I escape from the sky, I, Wang Zimo, will be a grass knot, and I will live up to it in this life! "Wang Zimo bowed his hands to everyone and bowed to the end.

"Since we have lived and died together, how can we say thank you? I, Jiang Shangpei, have won Prince Mo's brother. I am very lucky in this life. Regardless of life or death, I will never forget each other."

"I'm Zhang Bucai, and I can't repay you for the kindness of my master, but with my broken body, I run for my master."

"I, Wang Fulai, have been entrusted by the second master, and I am fortunate to be able to help the second young master. The second young master is the hope of my royal family, and I will serve you with my body!"

"Live and die together, share wealth and honor!" Wang Zimo smugly saluted everyone again.

Everyone returned the gift one by one. In the inner room, there was a lot of pride. In the lifetime, it is so grand and intense to have a group of like-minded people to do a big event together, a major event that concerns life and death.

Everyone went out to make their own preparations, Wang Zimo left Xiaoliang behind, and said with concern: "Your brother will stay with the Zhao family, so you don't have to worry about it for the rest of your life. At that time, I sent your brother to Mr. Zhao for the purpose of inquiring about news, The second is to find a good place for him, the Zhao family is noble, and the third master Zhao is a benevolent person, so you don't have to worry about it."

"My little brother and my elder brother have never cared about this matter. My brother saved my brother's life. I dare not forget the kindness of a meal." Xiao Liang knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

"Get up, now, I just want to ask you, do you stay here or come with me?" Wang Zimo asked.

"Master, don't you want to be young?" Xiao Liang asked incredulously, he thought that he would be with Prince Mo in this life.

"Where is this word. The family members of shopkeeper Zhang and others have gone to my hometown. They must go with me. You are a native of Xingyuan. I just don't know if you are willing to leave your hometown and go back with me." I look at the wealth here, but you know that my status is embarrassing, and my property in my hometown is meager. If you follow me, you may not be able to live a good life." Wang Zimo said with emotion.

"I don't want to be rich, I just want to stay with my master and serve him for the rest of my life." Xiao Liang knelt down again to show his loyalty.

"Forget it, in the future, I will have a bite to eat, and I will never let you go hungry. Get up, go back and pack your things, and get ready to go."

The setting sun reflected the desolate streets, and the city was still full of shouts and killings. Wang Zimo sat concentrating on it, always feeling that it was not safe enough, the journey was far away, and accidents were unpredictable.

Half a cup of tea time passed, Wang Zimo suddenly opened his eyes, and shouted to the outside: "Xiaoliang, quickly call Brother Jiang and Shopkeeper Zhang!"