Seeing business walking in, the broker hurried forward. "Which one has caught the eyes of you two? Shall I introduce them to you?"
Dong Si pointed at the women. "What did they do before?"
The broker glanced at the women. "They used to work as cooks for a family. The meals they make are quite good."
Dong Si frowned. "Then how did they end up in the slave market?"
The broker explained, "Didn't bandits enter the city half a month ago? They robbed that family of all their wealth. How could they afford to keep servants now? They had no choice but to sell them all."
Saying this, he pointed to a middle-aged man nearby. "He was their carriage driver."
He then looked at a few young men and women standing nearby with their heads bowed. "These few were also male servants and maids from that household."
Dong Si nodded and spoke to the group, "Raise your heads."
The group raised their heads without hesitation.
Jiang Jin looked at these people, then at Dong Si. She had to admit that he indeed had an eye for people; this group looked like gentle and mild-mannered individuals.
Of course, their true nature would only be known after interacting with them in the future, but for now, the first impression was decent.
Seeing that Jiang Jin didn't speak, Dong Si knew she wasn't opposed, so he began to ask for the price.
One of the women suddenly knelt down. "I beg you, Master, please buy my son as well. He is very obedient and can do anything."
Beside her stood a six or seven-year-old boy. Seeing his mother kneel, he followed suit and knelt too.
Fearing that he might upset Jiang Jin and Dong Si—this was a big deal, after all—the broker stepped forward and kicked the woman. "Don't you know the rules? Is it your place to speak?"
After saying that, he explained with an apologetic smile, "They are mother and son. If you noble guests buy all of them, I can throw in this little boy for free."
A six or seven-year-old child couldn't do much work yet. Aside from wealthy households that bought them to train for a few years before using them, most masters wouldn't choose this kind.
Jiang Jin looked at the boy. "Do you run fast?"
Her group's journey might not be very safe. If such a small child couldn't run fast, he could easily lose his life.
Everyone froze, not understanding why she would ask such a question.
The woman also looked a bit stunned, but she answered honestly, "Fast, my son runs fast. He can help me tend the fire and do chores. He is very capable."
Jiang Jin nodded. "Alright."
Dong Si haggled with the broker and finally bought the entire group of nine people for 10 strings of coins.
Jiang Jin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, thinking that the price was cheaper than what Dong Si had mentioned before.
But on second thought, it made sense. With wars happening everywhere, there were plenty of people outright robbing servants, so naturally, servants were no longer worth much.
The two of them bought another six young and strong men in the slave market.
Jiang Jin had no other choice. She currently had few people, and if she bought too many and couldn't control them, it would be troublesome.
After all, the main fighting force of their team right now was just her, Zhou Sui, and Xie Nanxiao.
Yun Yu and his companions definitely had significant combat strength too, but although they were traveling with her now, they might not necessarily work for her.
Furthermore, today's situation was special. If they bought too many people and got stuck trying to leave the city, the loss would outweigh the gain.
By the time they returned to the medical clinic, it was already late afternoon. Yun Ci's medicine had been prescribed for five days and was all packed up. They were just waiting for Jiang Jin to return so they could leave.
The old man at the clinic looked at Jiang Jin, hesitating to speak. Seeing that Jiang Jin and her group were about to leave, he finally couldn't help but say, "My lady, please wait."
Jiang Jin turned back to look at him. "Is there something the matter?"
The old man hesitated for a moment but still asked, "May I ask why you suddenly decided to leave?"
Jiang Jin said solemnly, "I suddenly remembered an urgent matter at home, so I am leaving in a hurry."
The old man secretly ground his teeth. This young woman was not very old, but her words were completely watertight.
He bowed and asked, "Pardon my presumption, but could you tell me where you are heading? To the south?"
Jiang Jin shook her head. "I am heading north."
The old man was stunned, not expecting Jiang Jin to go north. He pondered for a moment and asked, "Are you going to Shu County? Do you know that Shu County is also within the territory of Magistrate Gao of Lin County?"
Jiang Jin continued to shake her head. "No. If you have something to say, Doctor, just say it directly."
Not feeling awkward about having his thoughts seen through by Jiang Jin, the old man said, "I am Mu Zhuo. I am being so presumptuous today solely to survive."
As he said this, he looked at Jiang Jin. Seeing no change in her expression, he knew he had guessed right. "You have also noticed that something is wrong with Lin County, haven't you?"
"Half a month ago, Lin County suffered a bandit raid. All the wealth in our clinic was robbed, and... a medicine boy died."
"This is not the first time Lin County has suffered a bandit raid. Every half a month at the shortest, or three months at the longest, bandits come to Lin County. And tonight, there should be movement in Lin County again."
Jiang Jin raised an eyebrow. "So, Doctor Mu, what is your intention?"
Mu Zhuo finally made up his mind. "May I travel with you, my lady? In return, I am willing to treat old Mr. Yun for free."
Jiang Jin gave a half-smile. "Doctor Mu, do you even know where I intend to go, yet you want to travel with me?"
Mu Zhuo's expression was complex. Knowing that Jiang Jin had seen through his thoughts, he decided to be completely honest.
"I trust old Mr. Yun. I had the honor of seeing the General of Agile Cavalry a few times in the past, so when I saw him earlier, I recognized him."
At first, he actually didn't quite dare to confirm it. After all, he looked completely different from the majestic general riding on a horse that he had seen before. But thinking about the situation at the border, it all made sense.
He was well aware that staying in Lin County meant death sooner or later; it was just a matter of when the blade would fall.
Since that was the case, he might as well take a gamble. Although he didn't know this young woman's identity, seeing the attitude General Yun and his companions had towards her, it was clear she was not simple.
Jiang Jin looked him up and down and asked, "Are you sure you want to travel with us, Doctor Mu?"
Mu Zhuo nodded solemnly. "Yes."
To be honest, Jiang Jin was very tempted. Having a doctor in the team was absolutely necessary; it could save lives at critical moments.
As for whether Mu Zhuo had any ulterior motives, it didn't matter. If there really was a problem, she could just get rid of him when the time came.
She stated her terms: "Fine, but you won't just be treating old Mr. Yun for free. If our team has any needs, you must also help, Doctor Mu."
Overjoyed, Mu Zhuo hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Jiang Jin instructed, "Then pack your luggage as quickly as possible. We must leave the city before the gates close."
