Chapter 281: A big move to gather information

The area outside Fengzhou City, which had been ravaged by the flood, was in ruins, but people were coming in and out of the city gate from time to time, obviously the Hu dogs were driven to the north of Zhuo River. No matter how difficult life was here, Fengzhou was much better than before, and it was slowly recovering.

Li Yaoguang and Ji Mo paid the entrance fee and entered the city. What they saw was a very desolate city. Most of the demolished houses had not been rebuilt, and many shops on the streets were closed.

Fortunately, there was a branch of Qijitang in the city, which had not yet closed its business, so Ji Mo took Li Yaoguang there directly. On the way, they happened to pass by the inn where she and her uncle had stayed. So they had to pass by Madam Du's tea stall.

Seeing her, Madam Du was so happy that she didn't care about the few scattered customers and hurried over to talk to Li Yaoguang about the past. Li Yaoguang also learned from him about the changes in Fengzhou City after her disappearance.

As for the information she wanted to know, Madam Du knew nothing about it, which made Li Yaoguang very regretful.

After bidding farewell to Madam Du and leaving Chaliao, Ji Mo saw that she was in a bad mood, and comforted her with concern: "It's not that easy to find the murderer. If you kill someone, you naturally have to hide."

Li Yaoguang sighed, "Oh, I know." But the problem is: "The incident happened suddenly that day, and the flood came suddenly. Although there were many people on the city wall, I couldn't see them clearly because I was chasing them. I can't remember any of the faces I met. I can't guarantee that there were witnesses at the time, and I'm not sure if they saw the situation at the time. Even if there are people who know some clues, we can't be sure whether they have left Fengzhou. Brother, do you think I came here in vain?"

"Silly!" Ji Mo couldn't help but rubbed Li Yaoguang's furry head, "Don't worry, since it's here, just make the best of it. As long as you've done it, there will be traces. If you promise it, as long as the price is high, you won't have trouble finding clues."

"really?"

"That's natural, we'll see."

Li Yaoguang was brought back to the Qijitang branch in Fengzhou City by Ji Mo who was full of confidence, because his other senior brother was in charge and he was not there. In addition, Fengzhou City was trapped and defended that day, so the supplies here were basically consumed. What's left now can barely maintain the survival of the hall. They dare not do business because there are not enough supplies.

Just when he was worried, the steward was overjoyed to see the young master coming.

Upon learning that the young master wanted them to open for business and provide free treatment to patients just to ask for a piece of information, the steward looked miserable. He led Ji Mo and Li Yaoguang to the empty secret vault and expressed regret that he could do nothing.

Li Yaoguang also felt very sympathetic towards the manager, thinking that he had collected so many supplies in the valley, which belonged to his father and brother, so wouldn’t they be useful now?
He secretly tugged at the person in front of him, indicating that she could move, which immediately earned him a glare from his father and brother, who understood what he was doing.

Li Yaoguang immediately became obedient and listened to her father and brother, who gave the manager authority and address and asked him to go to the nearest stronghold to transport supplies and replenish inventory as soon as possible.

Oh my, you don’t know, at that time the manager’s old face was smiling like a chrysanthemum, he was so happy!
They immediately organized manpower and transportation by horse and carriage. Within three days, Jibaotang in Fengzhou City became prosperous.

On the next day after all the supplies were stored in the warehouse, someone in Fengzhou City rang a gong along the street, and the people who stayed in the city heard someone shouting all over the street.

"My fellow men and women in Fengzhou City, Jibaotang is back in business. To give back to our new and old customers, we will provide free consultations for three days starting today. Folks who are sick or in pain can come and consult us. We will not charge any consultation fees or give us free medicine. This is only for these three days. No more after the expiration date."

The loud voices spread one after another. In less than a cup of tea, all the people in Fengzhou City knew the good news, and it was even spreading at a very fast speed to places outside the city where there were still population gatherings.

Now everyone was mobilized. Everyone knew that Jibaotang was capable of protecting Fengzhou City. During the war, all the doctors were military doctors. Facing such a dangerous situation, they didn't know whether they would live or die, so they didn't care about their illnesses. After the war was settled and the army left, the doctors returned to the hall. Unfortunately, there was no medicine left in Jibaotang, so the doctors couldn't save people even if they had skills.

Now, not only has Jibaotang reopened, but it is also offering three days of free medical consultations, providing not only medical treatment but also free medicines. Oh my God, this is such great news, it's like pie in the sky!
For a time, regardless of whether they were sick or not, everyone lined up at the entrance of Jibaotang. This was a big deal and even alarmed the government, so the government sent clerks to patrol the entrance to maintain order. No matter what, this was also an achievement for being an official.

Ji Mo, who was presiding over the free clinic behind the scenes and even personally participated in the consultation, naturally would not mind these things.

What he cared about was whether the people in front of him could recognize the two portraits he had painted based on Li Yaoguang's memory; and whether the patients and their families could answer the questions raised by the doctor and the boys beside him.

Of course they had to answer, and they were very proactive. After all, they didn't have to pay for the treatment. No matter if they were patients or their families, whether they were looking at portraits or answering questions, they all told everything they knew.

Even with such a generous gesture, Li Yaoguang, who had been waiting by Ji Mo's side and personally serving as a medicine boy for his father and brother, actually did not hold out hope. Seeing that the three-day free clinic was about to end and Ji Mo, who had no news at all, was ready to wave his hand and grant another three days, a turning point occurred in the second half of the day.

When an old man who collected dung came to see Yao, he saw Xu Miaoniang's portrait. The old man said that he had seen this person in the city and pointed out the house where he had seen her enter and exit.

This news was a great gain for the two of them. They immediately found the place, but after inquiring, they found out that the courtyard had already been deserted.

Ji Mo did not give up. He walked around the courtyard and knocked on the door of the next courtyard. He used money to pry open the mouth of the old woman who came to open the door. After identification, the old woman pointed at Xu Miaoniang's portrait and nodded.

"I have never seen this man's wife, but I can recognize the woman in the portrait even if she is burned to ashes. When General Shen led the reinforcements to Fengzhou City, someone suddenly moved into the next yard. This woman was the one who often went in and out of the next yard at that time. I secretly observed that this person looks like the maid of the arrogant girl next door."

"Maid?" Could it be that Xu Miaoniang sold herself into slavery without his knowledge?

Just as I was thinking about it, Ji Mo beside me asked: "I wonder if you know the name of the owner of the next yard? Do you know where they went later?"

The old woman shook her head. "That's unknown. My family is poor, but the family next door is a wealthy one. Their yard has been empty for a long time. After they moved in, they didn't pay any attention to us neighbors. They are usually very arrogant, and it's hard to talk to the maids and servants. If it weren't for the arrogant and domineering woman in the painting who injured my little grandson and refused to apologize, leaving a deep impression on me, I wouldn't know if you two came to ask me today."

"Oh, that's how it is……"

It seems like we have found a clue, but in fact we still know nothing.

It would be a lie to say that he didn't feel regretful. Ji Mo could only bow to the old lady to express his gratitude, call Li Yaoguang, and plan to go back to Jibaotang to ask if there were any new clues.

Li Yaoguang turned around angrily and tried to leave, but the child who had been huddled by the door and had just been coaxed by two pieces of rock candy from Li Yaoguang suddenly reached out and grabbed Li Yaoguang.

"Brother, brother, Bao'er knows, Bao'er knows! The owner of the fierce yard next door is surnamed Huang, and they live in Turtle Castle."