Xiaoyaoshanjun

Chapter 171: Greed for Vanity
The convoy moved along the road.

They passed several restaurants in villages and towns on the way, but the group of people showed no intention of stopping.

After walking for two or three hours, the convoy arrived at the city gate.

Going through this door is the real city.

There are soldiers guarding the gate, and there are roadblocks that can be placed in the middle at any time to deal with bandits who try to break through.

It is the hottest summer day now and most people don't want to work. Even those who stand guard stand in the shade of the doorway.

Whenever this happens, it is inevitable that people will be blackmailed, bribed, and made things difficult for others.

Perhaps it was because at that time, all the leaders who had a little power had taken off their clothes and were taking a nap in the room far away to enjoy the cool air, so they would not endure such hardship.

The ones who work hard are the lower-level veterans and recruits. It is true that they don't want to work at this time, but they will not let everyone pass through the doorway. They have to work hard to earn some money.

Especially for cars owned by small businesses, some extra tributes are always necessary, otherwise problems can always be found.

Whether it is arresting someone or imposing a fine, sometimes it can be big or small.

Mei Zhongao and Mei Xiuzhu are afraid of this group of people.

I’m not that afraid at normal times, but the more I’m hurt and bullied, the more I’m afraid of this group of people.

These people are not strong in martial arts, but they can easily attract more soldiers, bandits and officers.

If the movement is big, you have to keep honoring many people.

Otherwise, there will be no place to stand.

Ordinary people in the underworld kill civilians but not officials. After killing civilians, the government is too lazy to take care of the matter.

If the people do not report, the officials will not investigate; even if the people report, they will not be able to find the cause.

Killing an official is a big deal and he will definitely be brought to justice.

Most ordinary people do not dare to kill anyone. If they kill someone, they will have no place to stand and will be retaliated by their fellow villagers and the other family. After escaping from their hometown, they will be alone and helpless, and their life will be worse than death.

But if killing someone is okay, you won't be held accountable, and there is a group of people protecting you, then naturally you won't be afraid.

Those martial artists who dare to kill people are either homeless orphans, or they are protected by a group of people and are not afraid of retaliation.

Mei Zhongao is not afraid in his own territory because he has people to take care of him, friends and brothers, high-ranking officials he has made friends with, and many martial arts sects to help him.

There are not many of them here in Hanyang Province, and now that they are seriously injured, they dare not cause any trouble.

Even a small gatekeeper would not dare to offend him.

Two gatekeepers came out from the ventilated city gate and looked at the huge carriages in front of them.

"Who are you? Where are you from?" the soldier asked politely.

The servant of the Bai Lian family led the way. After hearing the soldier's question, he cursed, "Get lost! You are so blind that you don't even recognize us!"

"My master is an inner sect disciple of Yanxia Mountain, and this time he is visiting the Princess's Mansion!"

The young soldier guarding the gate was a little unhappy and wanted to say something.

An old soldier nearby smiled and said quickly, "It turns out to be the Taoist priest's car. Please come in! Please come in!"

The veteran quickly looked at the people behind him and said, "Open the door!"

The city gate, which originally only accommodated a few people, was soon fully opened.

The nearby gatekeepers also stood obediently on both sides and did not ask why some cars and people had blood stains on them.

The Taoists in Yanxia Mountain are not easy to mess with. They are soldiers of low status and are not even as good as dogs in front of the powerful people in the city.

When beating a dog, you have to consider the owner. There are so many soldiers, it doesn’t matter if a few of them die.

The long convoy quickly passed through the city gate passage.

Tian Buli was still meditating and practicing in the car. It was still an hour's journey from here to the Princess's Mansion, so it would probably take a while.

In the past, people would give the gatekeeper some money as a reward every time they entered or exited, so that it would be more convenient in the future.

But it is no longer necessary now.

Because there is no need to think about the future.

The same thought also appeared in Mei Xiuzhu's mind.

"Dad, no matter where we are in Yuzhou or on the way here, we have to make some arrangements. We have to give some money when we enter the city, but now we don't have to give any money."

Mei Zhongao didn't say anything. His wife beside him said, "Silly child, we have already given ten carts of gifts. Of course, there is no need to give this small amount of money."

Mei Xiuzhu thought differently.

"Mom, you only think about the money we gave you once, but you forgot that when you hired a tutor to teach me, you gave me a lot of money and kept paying me every time."

"Even when my father was running a business, he had to take care of everyone from top to bottom. It didn't mean that if he showed his respect to the county magistrate, he didn't have to show respect to the patrol officers. He was just supporting a large family."

Mei Xiuzhu no longer looked at the prosperous city and passers-by outside the window. As she lowered the curtains, her vision instantly became much higher.

Mei Zhongao was in a bad mood. He was stabbed several times and was still listless after applying healing medicine. The bumpy carriage and the worries in his heart prevented him from getting a good rest.

"Don't be so vain. We will be staying at your grandfather's house for one or two months this time. After you go in, don't always compare everything. Get along well with others. Your senior brothers are unreliable. Fortunately, your brother is less of a worry, otherwise..." Mei Zhongao forced himself to stay strong and asked for various things in advance.

Mei Xiuzhu defended herself, "Dad, you should have a good rest and stop talking. I wasn't born greedy and vain, but I just can't stand being compared to others every time."

When Mei Zhongao was about to say something, he heard voices outside.

"Master Mei, my master wants to know if you have a place to stay?"

Mei Xiuzhu quickly lifted the curtain and looked at the maids outside the carriage.

Mei Xiuzhu said: "I haven't found an inn yet, I'll go find one to stay in later."

The maid said, "My master has a friend whose house is empty and no one lives there. He wants to ask if you would like to stay there. It can accommodate a hundred people."

Mei Xiuzhu breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay! I'll follow the Taoist's instructions!"

Mei Zhongao in the car also acquiesced to this arrangement and did not continue to go to the Princess's Mansion.

After a while, Tian Buli got out of the carriage.

Mei Zhongao's daughter Mei Xiuzhu came down and said politely to Tian Buli: "Master, my father is not in good health and my mother is taking care of him. I would like to thank you for your help on behalf of my father!"

Tian Buli smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. Those people are not only planning to take your life, but also mine."

Tian Buli didn't say much about this matter. He didn't feel guilty or regretful for causing trouble to others, but he didn't really ignore it either.

Don’t think too much about it, but just give some help within your ability.

No matter how small the matter is, the heart will be shackled.

If you really want to do something for the people wholeheartedly, you should kill the emperor and become the emperor yourself, instead of being a dog official for the emperor, or practicing Taoism and seeking immortality.

Tian Buli never pursued moral perfection. Whether he died at the hands of a woman in his previous life, or lived as a landlord with many wives and concubines in this life, all of these were part of human nature rather than moral progress.

However, his moral standards are still very high, and he provides a lot of care to the Mei family.

"This is the Hu family's house. Mr. Hu Yuwei and I are very good friends. Mr. Hu taught me how to read and write."

"Mr. Hu has gone to another place to serve as an official, and there is no one living at home, so you can just stay here."

When Mei Xiuzhu heard that it was an official's home, she quickly said, "How can this be good? Let's just stay at an inn."

Tian Buli smiled and said, "No need to refuse, just stay here. This house is not easy to clean if no one lives there for a long time. You can just help clean it up. It's fine to stay here until the New Year. Mr. Hu and I have a good relationship. If he has no place to live, he can stay at my house!"

Mei Xiuzhu also needs a safe place for her father to recuperate, as her father’s injuries are not suitable for him to continue walking.

"Thank you, Taoist priest. I wonder what position Mr. Hu holds?"

"He is a Jinshi, and now he is a county magistrate. He just became a county magistrate two years ago, so he should be promoted."

Tian Buli recalled that Dou Niang herself didn't know the answer to this question, so he couldn't get any information from her.

Apart from Hu Yuwei, most of the Hu family members were ordinary people. Dou Niang, Hu'er and Bao'er didn't even know how many officials there were in the county government and were very vague about official affairs.

When Mei Xiuzhu heard that it was the residence of a Jinshi, she became even more nervous. "If people like us from the Jianghu live in Lord Hu's mansion, we might make it dirty. We absolutely cannot do that. We'd better stay at the inn."

How could a group of common people live in the house of a Jinshi?

Tian Buli saw that these people would rather stay in hotels and inns than in the compound.

"The inn is crowded and messy, not suitable for recuperation. Your father is seriously injured, so it's better for you to stay inside. After you move in, those bandits won't dare to bother you anymore. On the contrary, if you stay in the inn, it will be easier for people to know where you are."

"Especially since you guys are carrying a lot of valuables and supplies, don't run around. Just stay here. Mr. Hu's concubine is the daughter of a city patrol officer. No one will harass you after you stay here."

When Mei Xiuzhu heard what Tian Buli said, she thought for a few seconds and then nodded seriously.

"Thank you for your kindness, Taoist Priest!!"

Tian Buli smiled and said, "This is not a favor at all. You can just go in and stay. I will ask for some healing medicine from the Princess's Mansion and have someone send it over. The most important thing is to save your life first."

Mei Xiuzhu said quickly: "Your Excellency, I have been so kind to you that I cannot repay you. I am willing to give you a generous gift to express my gratitude!"

Tian Buli waved his hand, "No need, money is something outside of my body, I don't need it, those ten carts are enough, I accepted those ten carts of things for others to see, otherwise I can't protect you."

"You can keep the rest for yourselves and give more compensation to those who died. That's all I ask."

Mei Xiuzhu nodded and said, "Yes! I will definitely live up to the Taoist's trust!"

Tian Buli greeted the Hu family's gatekeeper.

Fortunately, although they had not met each other many times, the Hu family's gatekeeper knew the relationship between Tian Buli and his master, so he opened the door and let those people stay.

Tian Buli quickly went to the Princess's Mansion.

Mei Xiuzhu and others did not dare to live in Hu Yuwei's courtyard, and they all lived obediently in the places where servants and guests should live.

This yard is actually just a little bit bigger, and many places are very ordinary. It is far inferior to the Mei family's old house. It is like the difference between an ordinary citizen and a multi-millionaire's home.

But as long as you know that this is the home of a Jinshi master, you will definitely show the proper respect. This is no longer a matter of money.

Greedy and vain, who isn't greedy? Everyone is greedy.

(End of this chapter)