Returning to this home that felt both familiar and strangely new, Liu Hao was filled with curiosity. He decided to walk around the estate and take a look.
Halfway through his tour, he suddenly frowned.
"Uncle Cao, it seems the security of our estate is rather weak."
From what he had observed, there were only around fifty household guards in the entire Liu residence.
For such a large estate, that was clearly not enough.
Cao Zhengchun immediately bowed.
"My lord is wise and observant. In recent years, the Yellow Turban rebellion has thrown the land into chaos. Although the court suppressed it, many surviving soldiers fled and turned into bandits. Not far from here, there is already a group of brigands robbing merchants in the hills. I was planning to recruit more strong guards to ensure my lord's safety."
Liu Hao nodded.
However, he still felt a little regretful.
With his current wealth, he could be considered a prosperous landowner. But at most he could recruit around five hundred private soldiers.
If he wanted to accomplish great things in this chaotic age, money was an unavoidable problem.
Making money would have to be his next priority.
When it came to wealth, the richest person in this era was the emperor himself.
Selling official positions and noble titles had brought him unimaginable fortune.
Even the eunuchs of the Ten Attendants in the palace were incredibly wealthy.
"My lord! Something terrible has happened!"
A maid rushed into the courtyard in panic, breathing heavily. She nearly tripped as she ran.
Liu Hao's heart tightened.
"What happened?"
"There… there is a large group of refugees outside the gate!"
"How many?"
"In the hundreds, I think," the maid answered nervously, her face slightly flushed.
Refugees in this era were desperate people who could barely survive.
Once they lost hope, they might easily turn into bandits.
Liu Hao remained cautious.
"Go call the steward and gather all the household guards. Then open the gate so we can see what is happening."
He paused for a moment before adding,
"And prepare some porridge."
The maid quickly ran off to carry out the orders.
Soon afterward, Liu Hao walked to the gate with Cao Zhengchun and the household guards.
The large red gates creaked open.
When Liu Hao saw the scene outside, he inhaled sharply.
A massive crowd stood outside the estate.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Hundreds of people.
Their clothes were ragged.
Their faces were pale and hungry.
Many of them clearly had not eaten for days.
At that moment, the system's voice sounded again.
System Notification:
Mission Triggered — Shelter the Refugees.
Reward:
Hundred Blossom Immortal Wine.
Hundred Blossom Immortal Wine
King-tier treasure. Refined from the essence of countless flowers. It preserves youth for ten years. Anyone over the age of twenty-eight who drinks it will appear ten years younger.
"A King-tier treasure?"
Liu Hao's eyes brightened.
"For women, that's practically a miraculous elixir."
As expected, the system's mission rewards were extremely generous.
Outside the gate, the refugees had already become restless.
Seeing the master of the estate appear, they began shouting desperately.
"The Yellow Turban bandits destroyed our homes!"
"We have nowhere left to go!"
"Please, my lord… give us some food!"
The crowd quickly descended into chaos.
Cao Zhengchun's face darkened.
"You miserable peasants! What does your misfortune have to do with my lord? How dare you disturb the Liu estate! You deserve death!"
He was about to attack when Liu Hao quickly stopped him.
Liu Hao raised both hands.
The crowd gradually quieted, as if his presence alone carried a certain authority.
He spoke calmly.
"Is there a leader among you? Step forward and speak."
The refugees pushed someone forward.
An elderly man.
Beside him stood a tall young man and a young woman.
The woman had a delicate and gentle appearance.
The young man, though dressed in worn clothes, stood tall and strong. His arms were powerful, and his posture was steady.
The moment Liu Hao saw him, his gaze locked onto the man.
His heart trembled with excitement.
If this isn't Zhan Zhao… who else could it be?
Remembering that the system had said Zhan Zhao would come to serve him soon, Liu Hao already understood the situation.
"May I ask your name, elder?"
Liu Hao stepped forward politely and helped the old man up.
The old man was startled by such courtesy.
"My name is Zhan Huan. I come from Qingzhou. I once managed a tavern, but when the Yellow Turban rebels attacked the county, everything I owned was taken. I had no choice but to flee with the villagers."
He then pointed to the two beside him.
"This is my nephew, Zhan Zhao. His courtesy name is Xiongfei. And this is my daughter, Zhan Yun."
The old man hurriedly pulled them both forward.
"Kneel and greet the lord."
The three of them bowed respectfully.
"I heard that the master of the Liu estate was recruiting servants," Zhan Huan said carefully. "So I brought the villagers here to seek refuge… I didn't expect so many people would follow."
He looked embarrassed.
Liu Hao smiled gently and helped them stand.
"No need for such formalities. Zhan Zhao, Miss Zhan Yun, please stand."
Then Liu Hao looked at the crowd.
The refugees' eyes were filled with desperate hope.
After a brief pause, he spoke slowly.
"The estate does need to recruit servants…"
"But we cannot take in so many people."
Zhan Huan immediately fell to his knees again, knocking his head against the ground.
"If that is the case, please at least take in my daughter and my nephew. I will lead the villagers to the capital and find another way to survive."
Liu Hao shook his head with a faint smile.
"The capital is heavily guarded. Refugees like you will never be allowed inside."
That was the truth.
In this era, refugees were everywhere.
A group of several hundred people would be driven away before even approaching the capital.
Zhan Huan's face turned pale.
Zhan Zhao suddenly stepped forward.
"My lord, I have some martial skill. If you are willing to shelter my family, I swear I will serve you with my life!"
In this era, warriors valued their promises more than anything.
Once such a vow was made, it was never taken lightly.
Liu Hao narrowed his eyes and smiled inwardly.
You were already destined to be mine.
But outwardly, he showed hesitation.
"Please rise, Zhan Zhao."
He sighed softly.
"I am not worthy of such loyalty. However… seeing so many people suffering like this is difficult for me to bear."
"I do have an idea."
"Let me share it with you, Elder Zhan."