But the world has a saying that goes, "Treat money as if it's mere dirt."
After De Sheng Chang made the announcement, the noisy crowd didn't rush forward. In fact, they even took a few steps back.
Eighteenth Jin raised his eyebrows.
An elderly man stepped forward.
"You speak such words that it's like killing us," he said with agitated emotion. "Miss Jun came here to give us vaccinations, and it's because of this she encountered misfortune. It's only right for us to go find and rescue Miss Jun, how could we take your money?"
As he spoke, he raised his hand and patted his face.
"Young man, this is like slapping our faces," he said.
With the fall of his words, cries from the surrounding people rose up one after another.
"Yes, indeed."
"How could we take money for this?"
"It's because of us that Miss Jun is in trouble."
The shouts swelled like a surging tide.
"That's right, having both money and moral integrity, pretty good, pretty good," Eighteenth Jin said with a half-smile.
"Look, this is the spirit of the people of Qingyuan Prefecture!" Prefect Zhou also said excitedly, while instructing the scribe beside him, "Make a note of this."
The scribe hurriedly acknowledged the task.
General Peng also beamed with pride.
It was Miss Jun who encountered trouble in their jurisdiction, and if word got out that people from Qingyuan Prefecture only helped in exchange for money, their reputation would be tarnished.
Lei Zhonglian and the others were somewhat surprised but also grateful.
"Miss Jun's troubles are not your fault, and we understand your intentions," Lei Zhonglian said, sincerely giving his respects again. "It's also a gesture of our goodwill."
"Then let's do it this way," the Shopkeeper from De Sheng Chang suggested. "Nobody take the money now, but when someone brings news, we'll pay then. Think of it as a token for your efforts."
He pointed to the winnowing basket on the table as he spoke.
"The money will be left right here."
Then he bowed to the crowd again.
"Please, everyone, don't refuse anymore. Miss Jun is very important to us," he said as he raised his sleeve to wipe away tears. "Let us spend the money for peace of mind."
His crying was truly heartfelt; the moment he heard the news, he wished he could have died then and there.
If something happened to Miss Jun in Qingyuan Prefecture, then his career as a shopkeeper would be over.
The onlookers also began to shed tears.
"We all know how important Miss Jun is," the elder turned around and said to the crowd with a trembling voice. "With a divine doctor like Miss Jun among us, our descendants can be blessed. If the medical skills of such a divine doctor as Miss Jun are passed down, our generations of offspring will also be blessed."
He raised his hand as he spoke.
"Let's all go and inquire quickly. We must find Miss Jun, and we must ensure her safety. If those bandits want money, we can each contribute one copper coin to gather enough, as long as they release Miss Jun. Whatever they want, we'll give," he said.
The crowd on the street roared in agreement, dispersing to the sides like a tide.
General Peng and the Magistrate standing at the edge of the street were nearly squeezed into the crowd, but with the assistance of the soldiers' guard, they managed to move out of the way, watching the dispersing crowd. One could imagine that the news would also spread in all directions.
Although such an incident was not commendable, if Miss Jun were to be successfully rescued, it would undoubtedly become a beautiful tale in Qingyuan Prefecture.
Of course, this was provided that Miss Jun was safe and unharmed.
Thinking of this, a heavy stone seemed to press down on Prefect Zhou's heart.
"You better save some face this time," he turned his head and said coldly to General Peng.
General Peng's face darkened by three shades and just as he was about to say something, he saw the chaotic crowd part suddenly as if cleaved by a sword, making way for a procession of people.
General Peng felt a jolt of alertness.
"Oh dear mother, why have these fellows come too?" he said.
What fellows? Prefect Zhou followed his gaze, and his expression instantly stiffened.
The previously noisy street gradually quieted down, the clip-clop of horse hooves sounding especially clear.
As about a dozen Jinyiwei approached, both Prefect Zhou and General Peng looked very uneasy.
Could it be that they were going to be taken down just like that?
The Jinyiwei parted, and someone rode through on horseback. Seeing this person, General Peng's eyes bulged and his mouth gaped open.
This one, isn't this guy Miss Jun's guard? Why has he donned a set of red... pah, a flying fish uniform.
So, Miss Jun actually has Jinyiwei as guards.
Miss Jun sure is capable indeed.
Eighteenth Jin can't be bothered to care what General Peng thinks.
"General Peng, call my men over as well," he said. "Can we start working now?"
General Peng and Prefect Zhou both came back to their senses.
"We can, we can." Prefect Zhou hurriedly said, and then looked at Eighteenth Jin, "How should I address this lord?"
"That's not important," Eighteenth Jin said, spurring his horse forward, "Finding Miss Jun is what's most important."
Watching the Jinyiwei follow him as they left, Prefect Zhou let out a sigh.
How could it not be important? It's clear all the Jinyiwei from the Hebei west route heed his commands; this unfamiliar face must hold significant importance being able to mobilize the Jinyiwei of the Hebei west route.
Did he come from the capital? Did he come because of Duke Chengguo? But why would he linger here instead of going northward? Just because he heard that Miss Jun was missing?
The more Prefect Zhou thought, the more confused he became.
"Who is this person?" he asked General Peng. "It seems like you are well acquainted with him."
General Peng glared.
"Don't insult me, you're the one who's well acquainted with the Jinyiwei," he said.
It was rather presumptuous for someone of his status to speak to Prefect Zhou that way, but Prefect Zhou couldn't be bothered to care.
"Hurry up and get to work, everyone else is all set," he said, and with that, he walked away with a flick of his sleeve.
General Peng looked at De Sheng Chang's people on the street explaining to the public and then at the fearsome Jinyiwei speeding away.
Things have really livened up now.
"Call the people," he shouted loudly, mounting his horse, "Call the people, let's go."
......…
Miss Jun picked up the bowl and used her chopsticks to soak up the last piece of pancake in the meat soup, drained the bowl of its contents, and then set the bowl and chopsticks down.
All the plates and bowls laid out on the table were now squeaky clean.
"I've finished eating," Miss Jun said, even patting her belly, just like a child contented after indulging in delicious food.
The women standing beside her were still in a state of shock.
Was this young girl really that hungry, or was she just too carefree?
Ever since she entered the village, she did not exhibit any restraint; she really acted like a guest, and a regular one at that.
"Sorry for the simple meal, Miss Jun," Xia Yong's wife said.
Truth be told, the food wasn't that great; and if this was what they served to guests, one could only imagine what their daily meals were like.
Miss Jun stood up.
"Let's start the vaccination," she said.
There weren't many people in the village; judging from what she had seen upon entering, there were only twenty to thirty people, with even fewer children. The smallpox vaccine collected along the way was sufficient.
After the last child was vaccinated, it was just noon. Miss Jun turned to Xia Yong's wife.
"Are there any other children?" she asked.
Xia Yong's wife shook her head.
"No more," she said, and then took out a piece of red paper, "According to what you said, Miss Jun, children who reached one-year-old and under thirteen, these are all we have."
This notice must be the announcement about the vaccination from Qingyuan Prefecture that General Peng said was stolen.
It turns out she was being watched as soon as she entered Qingyuan Prefecture.
It must be because of the vaccination. Besides inviting her for vaccination, could there be other questions they want to ask her?
Miss Jun pursed her lips.
But before they asked, she had questions of her own.
"Actually, those who are above thirteen and below seventeen or eighteen can also be vaccinated," she said. "Adults can as well, the reason it wasn't mentioned is because children are more vulnerable, and the vaccine is limited in quantity, so it's prioritized for their use."
Xia Yong's wife and the others in the yard nodded and uttered oh in agreement.
"So, do you have any children here who are over thirteen and under seventeen or eighteen?" Miss Jun asked.