Chapter 118: Guests from Outside the Mountains

w words, "The matter of Wang's third son has caused quite a stir. Everyone says a few words of sympathy for him. You should be more cautious and prudent in your actions.""Besides, the eldest and secon...A man emerged from behind the tree, in his thirties, dressed well but seemingly habitually bent over as if a servant or attendant.

Perhaps he had suffered some hardship in the mountains. His face was blue and purple from the cold, his coat and trousers were torn and ragged, and though he still held an axe in his hand, it seemed as awkward as a pen in his grasp.

Li Laosan and his companions instinctively retreated, huddled together, raising their farm tools in their hands and shouting, “Who are you Where did you come from”

The man's eyes were full of fear and confusion as he carefully examined Li Lao San and his companions. He then replied, "I came from outside the mountains, I am a refugee. Who are you What are you doing here"

Li Lao San and the others let out a collective sigh of relief. It wasn't bandits after all.

"We also fled here, but we went into the mountains a long time ago. Are you alone"

Before the man could respond, there was a cough from behind the tree, followed by the emergence of a man and two women.

A woman, dressed like a maid, was supporting a middle-aged woman who wore fine clothes.

Another man was in his forties, though ragged, there was a hint of scholarly air about his brows and eyes.

Li Laosan and the others were even more surprised. In this deep mountain forest, where could such a noble person... a scholar... have come from

A beautiful woman coughed incessantly, looking quite ill. The middle-aged scholar was very anxious and stepped forward to bow to Li Laosan and the others.

"Fellow countrymen, are you folks from around here I'd like to ask if there's a doctor in the village. We're refugees who have fled our homes and desperately need a place to stay. Could any of you do us a favor"

"Only four of you" Li Laosan asked cautiously. The middle-aged scholar quickly nodded, "Yes, we almost threw away all our carriage luggage outside the mountains. We walked for four or five days without seeing any people, and we really couldn't hold on any longer. Fortunately, we met all of you."

Li Laosan hesitated for a moment, instructing a villager to go back and report the news first, then he led the four people out of the woods. But the chopping knife in his hand was always tightly gripped, never let go...

The beautiful woman was so ill that she could hardly walk. The middle-aged scholar, who had initially been somewhat reserved, eventually disregarded his propriety and took turns carrying the beautiful woman with the maidservant.

Thus, after walking for a while, the group of people returned to the mountain stream.

The village head and Li Lao'er had already brought seven or eight villagers waiting, they lit a bonfire, of course, also brought axes and sickles.

Although villagers had sent word in advance, everyone was still guessing until they actually saw the four outsiders.

Because these two men and two women really didn't look like bandits disguised as mountain robbers, and the illness of that beautiful woman was indeed very serious.

The middle-aged scholar didn't expect so many people in the mountain stream, he was also taken aback. After carefully examining the several caves on the mountain and the village chief and others, he stepped forward to speak.

He still did not reveal his identity, only saying that he was a refugee, seeking a doctor and temporary lodging.

And he commanded the servant and those with him to deliver up every sword that was in their hands.

The villagers, seeing this, of course couldn't make things difficult for them any longer, but they didn't mean to let them into the cave either.

They were ushered into a simple shed that had been hastily erected for the occasion. The snow inside was cleared, and a fire was lit, making it more comfortable than being exposed to the wind and snow outside, though it wasn't luxurious by any means.

In each cave, the elderly, women, and children all peeked out from behind their curtains, secretly looking down.

The Li family was no exception. Jia Yin was even more curious, but unfortunately, she had only glanced at it for a moment before being carried back by Tao Hongying.

The wind at the entrance is strong and can easily give you a headache.

Zhang Shenyi was getting old and didn't want to be bothered. After recovering from a cold last time, he became even more afraid of the cold.

He put on a wolfskin coat and a wolfskin hat, huddled himself into a ball, and reluctantly climbed down the soft ladder.

When he entered the shed, he saw the beautiful woman and the middle-aged scholar. He was so startled that he couldn't speak for a long time.

The middle-aged scholar was also surprised, carefully identifying himself before tentatively asking, "But... are you Zhang, the divine doctor of Jishi Tang"

"The venerable doctor Zhang coughed twice, quickly adjusting his lopsided wolfskin hat. “It is indeed I, but I wonder how Mr. Wen… came to be here”

But the middle-aged scholar didn't have time to say much, he grabbed his arm and pulled him in front of the beautiful woman.

"Doctor Zhang, please take a look... Madam Cui caught a cold before entering the mountains. She's been having a fever on and off along the way. She's taken pills, but they only provide some relief and haven't worked very well."

Zhang Shenyi shook his head, muttering softly, "How did you two end up together In this chaotic world, anything can happen."

The middle-aged scholar's face was not good, he sighed and replied, "It's a long story, the divine doctor should save people first."

The great physician Zhang felt the pulse of the beautiful woman and, after finishing, straightened his back and said.

"It's not a serious illness, just a common cold that lingered for too long. But you still need to take medicine and tonics for six or seven days, and recuperate well for a while."

Having said that, he still asked, “Where are you going Does anyone meet you”

The middle-aged scholar shook his head, a hint of complexity in his expression. "We were driven into the mountains by barbarians, with nowhere to go and no one to respond. If this place is convenient, could we possibly stay here for a few days"

Master Zhang spread his hands and turned to the villagers, “I can’t make the decision. Let’s hear what everyone has to say.”

When the village head and villagers learned that Zhang, the divine physician, knew the visitor, they immediately put their guard down.

After all, Dr. Zhang has saved countless people along the way and is deeply respected by everyone.

These people are known to him, and they probably aren't bad people. Besides, they came here alone and don't pose any threat to the group.

But if we leave them here, the cave will be full. How can we accommodate them all

Perhaps seeing the villagers' distress, the middle-aged scholar signaled his attendant to take over the package. He then took out two five-liang silver ingots from it and presented them with both hands to the village head.

"Mister, we are both lost and wandering souls. Please do us a favor. We have nothing but a little silver. If any of you kind folks would be willing to lend us a cave, this is our offering as thanks. Even the smallest one will do!"

The village head quickly waved his hand, refusing to accept the silver.

"Mr. Wen, you're too kind. It's not easy being away from home. It's only natural to lend a helping hand. Besides, you know Dr. Zhang, so you're practically family. Keep the money. Let me arrange things for you first."

Speaking, the village head beckoned over two men from the village, namely Wu Sanniang's and Sun Er's husbands.

They were good friends and this time they chose to stay in the smallest cave together.

"Why don't you temporarily give up the cave and see where everyone wants to squeeze in."

Uncle Wu San and Sun Erge didn't refuse either. They were a family of three, and they didn't have much luggage, so it was easy for them to move anywhere.

Mr. Wen insisted on stuffing the silver into the village chief's hand, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, elder brother. This silver is a must. If you could get us some hot water, that would be even better, even if it's just by bartering."

The village head thought about it and accepted, giving one silver ingot to both Wu Sun's families and another directly to Li Laoer.

"Second brother, your family has the most abundant food and supplies. When you go back, tell your mother to take good care of Mr. Wen and his companions. Let them eat with your family these few days!"

Li Laoer agreed, but he wouldn't give money. For Zhang Shenyi's sake, they would have to take care of him a little more.ht. Not to mention anything else, life here in Xin Cun has been getting better and better, all thanks to the County Lord's blessings. Everyone is hoping that we can be just as prosperous and lively as...