An elderly man with graying hair dropped to his knees on the grass with a thud.
His thin body trembled slightly, and hot tears streamed down his weathered face. Looking out over the boundless grasslands before him, he found the mingled bitterness, sweetness, hardship, and joy in his heart beyond words.
This was not the homeland where his family had lived for generations, yet it was a new home filled with hope.
As one of the refugees, this old man had actually been fortunate. He had followed his family south for a thousand miles, suffering extortion from officials and attacks by bandits along the way. He had fallen ill and gone hungry, yet still survived to reach their destination.
Along the way, he had witnessed far too much death and ugliness!
Around the old man, a temporary camp was beginning to take shape.
"Grand Tutor Wang, allow me to introduce someone."
Inside a tent, Qin Qingxuan smiled as she introduced a plain-looking middle-aged man to Wang Chen. "This is Yu Zhirong, the second shopkeeper of the Fuqing Chamber of Commerce."
The middle-aged man immediately bowed respectfully to Wang Chen. "This humble one is Yu Zhirong. Greetings, Lord Grand Tutor!"
"No need for formalities."
Wang Chen reached out and helped him up. "Shopkeeper Yu, you have worked hard on this journey. Your efforts in receiving and providing relief to the refugees have rendered great service to Great Liang. I will report this to Your Highness Qingyun and see that the Fuqing Chamber of Commerce is credited for its merit."
"Thank you, my lord!"
Yu Zhirong looked delighted. "To be of service to the Grand Tutor and Your Highness is also Fuqing's good fortune!"
Looking at the young Grand Tutor before him, who possessed Heavenly Talent, Yu Zhirong felt extremely conflicted.
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