Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

These scholars are the most annoying. They nag and spout grand theories all the time. You can't argue with them, and you can't fight them. Once they get on your nerves, it's like having a leech stuck to you.

Fortunately, he acted quickly, having Lu Qian and Fu An lift Chen Dong up, and with Gao Yi's help, he mounted his horse and galloped away.

"Young Master Gao, listen to me one more time!"

"You have good intentions; know that a prodigal son's return is more precious than gold!"

"You've realized your mistake, young master!"

……

Gao Zhao ignored him, spurred his horse and rode away, faster and faster, while Chen Dong's voice grew fainter and fainter until it disappeared into the wind!

After walking a while longer, Gao Zhao stopped and turned around to see food stalls by the roadside. A sign next to the stalls read: "No more than fifteen coins per serving!"

The tantalizing aroma of roasting filled Gao Zhao's nostrils. Ignoring what was being roasted, Gao Zhao pulled a wad of cash from his purse and tossed it over, "One serving, please!"

"Alright!" The stall owner happily picked up the money, quickly filled a large portion, and handed it over.

Gao Zhao took a look and saw that they were all kinds of internal organs such as liver and kidneys. He didn't mind them, picked up a piece with a bamboo skewer and chewed it. The taste was not bad!

I'm still a bit weak, so eating some offal is a good way to replenish my energy.

This body changes after forty. Before, I had no appetite at all and could only eat with difficulty. But now I have an appetite, as if my body functions have been awakened and I have started to take supplements on my own. This is a good thing!

He finished the meal and was still a little unsatisfied, but he restrained himself, as his current physical condition did not allow him to overeat and drink.

Just as he wiped his mouth, Lu Qian and the other two ran over one after another, "Young Master, we've shaken off that scholar!"

"Good!" Gao Zhao nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "You didn't hit him, did you?"

"No!" The three shook their heads decisively. These students, from the Imperial Academy to the county and prefectural schools, were all troublemakers and the most difficult to deal with.

Don't be fooled by their frequent verbal and physical altercations, which have even forced the imperial court to enact special laws to regulate them. If anyone dares to mess with them, they can cause a huge uproar!

"If the young master wants to teach him a lesson, I can find a few imperial students to do it!" Gao Yi, clutching the front of his clothes, stepped forward to express his loyalty.

"No need, no need!" Gao Zhao waved his hands repeatedly, thinking to himself, "You're quite the troublemaker, making them fight each other. I'm amazed you could come up with that."

Then, noticing his strange behavior, she asked, "What's that in your pocket?"

"Money!" Gao Yi spread his shirt to reveal a pile of copper coins, exclaiming happily, "I counted them, more than three strings of cash! We've hit the jackpot!"

Gao Zhao ignored the money-grubber and waved his hand, saying, "It's a reward for you all, divide it among yourselves!"

"Okay, sure!" Gao Yi was overjoyed and quickly thanked him, then handed out the money in handfuls.

Gao Zhao stared at the unmoving panel and cursed the three men inwardly for being heartless and treacherous. "Once I've used you all, I'll teach you a lesson and show you how much kindness I've shown you!"

Lu Qian glanced at the meager amount of money he had received, which probably wasn't even a single guan (a unit of currency), but he couldn't be bothered to argue. He crossed his arms and said, "Young Master, what do we do next?"

Gao Zhao did not answer, but turned his gaze to Fu An, who was arguing with Gao Yi over money.

Sensing his gaze, Fu An immediately stopped, clasped his hands, and said, "Young Master wishes to bestow favors upon those who know gratitude, but I believe it is inappropriate to do so within the city. It would be better to do it outside the city!"

"Yes, yes!" Gao Yi stuffed the copper coins into his pocket and stepped forward to echo, "Although there are poor people in the city, as long as they are willing to work hard, they can always make a living. At the very least, they can be idlers on the street and get some leftovers to fill their stomachs."

But those poor households outside the city are in a terrible predicament. They're facing a food shortage and have no rice to cook. If they don't borrow money for the seedlings, they'll truly starve to death!

Fu An was already upset because he had been taken advantage of when they were dividing the money, and now that he heard this guy daring to speak ill of him, he was furious and raised his fist to punch him.

Gao Yi ducked behind Lu Qian, then poked his head out and angrily shouted, "You scoundrel! How dare you be so disrespectful in front of the young master!"

"Alright!" Gao Zhao snapped, interrupting the two, and waved his hand, saying, "What you say makes sense, so let's do it your way and leave the city!"

The three agreed and led the way north, passing through the old Fengqiu Gate and arriving at the outer city. There they saw a rainbow bridge spanning the river, with taverns and teahouses lined up on both banks, and various performances taking place in the market, accompanied by the deafening sounds of flutes and drums.

As the group walked along the official road, even Gao Zhao, who considered himself well-traveled and knowledgeable, was shocked by the bustling scene, especially the brothels along the Bian River, which he longed to visit!

Once I've recovered, I definitely have to come back here to visit!

Unbeknownst to him, Gao Zhao's desire for gratitude points had grown even stronger!

Upon reaching Nanxun Gate, one first encounters two layers of barbicans. Once outside the gate, the first thing that comes into view is a moat more than ten zhang wide, with willows swaying both inside and outside the moat.

After crossing the moat, Gao Zhao suddenly looked back. The city walls were towering, about four or five stories high, with ramparts and battlements every hundred paces, making them look imposing!

He just couldn't understand it. Even if the Jurchens attacked this city, and the defenders were a bunch of pigs, they still wouldn't be able to take it down!

Moreover, you have a million soldiers and civilians in your city!

This can lead to the emperor being captured! That's utter nonsense!

After a moment of distraction, Gao Zhao continued walking forward. The road was bustling with carriages and horses, and merchants from all over the country were bringing goods from all over the world to Tokyo!

This is just one road into Tokyo. The other land and water routes are just as busy, like blood vessels that transport the wealth of the world into the heart of the Song Dynasty!

After traveling several more miles, one can see fertile plains, crisscrossing paths, scattered villages, and the sounds of chickens and dogs. There are men singing on the river, ladies strolling among the paths, and two or three fishing boats moored by the water, casting nets to catch fish, leisurely and content!

Gao Zhao felt as if he had entered a paradise. He dismounted and walked under the weeping willows by the roadside, as if he were walking in a painting.

After traveling another mile or so, they arrived at a village. Just as they reached the village entrance, Gao Yi, with a wide grin, shouted at the busy villagers, "Where is your village head? Quickly tell him to come and pay his respects to my son!"

Seeing Gao Zhao dressed in fine clothes and riding a magnificent horse, the villagers naturally dared not neglect him, quickly bowed, and hurried away.

A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in coarse cloth and slightly overweight hurried over. As soon as he approached, he bowed and said with a fawning smile, "Greetings, gentlemen. May I ask what business you have with this old man?"

Gao Yi shouted again, "Old man, you're in luck! My son has taken pity on you and come to your village..."

"Speak properly!" Gao Zhao scolded, then stepped forward and said gently, "Old man, we're here to offer our love and support. It's the lean season right now, so are there any villagers lacking food or clothing?"

The village chief was stunned for a moment, then he understood the intentions of the group. They were just bored and wanted to give away money. These rich people loved to do this to gain a good reputation.

However, for the poor people, it was a timely help. His face lit up with joy and he was about to express his gratitude, but before he could speak, he suddenly remembered something, hesitated for a moment, and shook his head.

"No?" Gao Zhao noticed the change in the village chief's expression and looked suspicious.

"No...no..." The village chief's eyes flickered, and his smile was stiff.

Gao Zhao stared at him, and a word suddenly popped into his mind: "Land annexation!"

His face turned cold, and he pointed at the village chief, shouting, "Looks like I've been too lenient with you! Beat him up!"