Chapter 17: The Eldest Son

After two days of planting, Wan Changsheng went up the mountain daily to collect herbs. Ping’an insisted on following him, and he had no choice.

Meanwhile, Meiniang stayed at home to make summer shirts. It was already early April, and in a little over a month, it would be time to wear summer clothes.

Their area was slightly northern, and it began to get cold after October. The weather warmed up after March, with harsh winters and quick springs.

After a few days, the herbs in the western foothills were indeed scarce. If he were alone, he could venture a bit further, but with a child, he didn’t dare take the risk.

He could only take Ping’an to the western mountain, which belonged to the village, so no one would say anything.

Even so, he avoided passing through the village and took the small path through the southern mountain directly to the western mountain. However, this meant they wouldn’t be able to return home for lunch. They would leave in the morning, carrying some flatbreads and water, and wouldn’t return until the afternoon.

After half a month, both father and son had lost some weight, but they had also made significant gains.

Wan Changsheng estimated that the surplus herbs collected in this half-month could sell for seven to eight taels, not including a few small ginseng plants they had transplanted from the vegetable patch.

These ginseng plants weren’t particularly old—around ten years—but even so, each could sell for ten taels, and three would fetch thirty taels.

All of these were found by his son.

The other herbs weren’t worth much, but there were still some decent Astragalus and similar herbs, mostly discovered by Ping’an.

This amazed Wan Changsheng; it seemed his son was not only intelligent but also a little lucky star.

The ginseng was only temporarily transplanted. He planned to sell it in the county tomorrow, as he didn’t feel safe leaving it in the vegetable patch. Besides, planting it for a few years wouldn’t yield much; if it died, that would be a significant loss.

Before dinner, Wan Changsheng prepared the herbs he would take to the county the next day. He intended to dig up the ginseng just before leaving and planned to take several rice bags, as they needed to buy food. The remaining supplies at home wouldn’t last half a month.

In the coming days, he would focus on planting crops. The daytime temperatures were rising, and the mountains were filled with grass. With snakes and insects appearing, the snake and insect medicine he had might not be very effective anymore.

He could occasionally go out alone, but he definitely wouldn’t take his child with him.

Moreover, the herbs available in the foothills during this season were becoming harder to find. If they were to search, they would either have to go deeper into the mountains or to other areas.

Ping’an insisted on going with him to the county, as for the time being, he wouldn’t be following him up the mountain. His parents wanted him to stay home and study and write.

His father would take the time to teach him to recognize characters in the “Baicao Collection” or the “Thousand Character Classic,” but there were still quite a few characters he didn’t recognize. Those he didn’t know wouldn’t pose much of a challenge.

However, to learn these characters openly, he would have to ask Doctor Sun for help.

Meiniang said, “Husband, will it be inconvenient to take Ping’an with you to buy food tomorrow?”

Wan Changsheng shook his head. “It won’t be a problem. The cart can carry four to five hundred jin without issue, though we won’t be able to lay down any bedding.”

“Then it’s settled. Ping’an, when you get to the county, don’t wander off. Stay close to your father.”

At Baicaotang.

Doctor Sun looked at the three small ginseng plants that Wan Changsheng had brought out and couldn’t help but marvel at his good fortune in discovering such good herbs in the foothills.

“Changsheng, your luck is quite good. While the age is a bit low, they are still good herbs. For the three plants, I’ll give you thirty taels. The rest aren’t worth much, but the Astragalus looks good; let me calculate for you.”

Wan Changsheng simply smiled, keeping quiet about the fact that it was his son who found the herbs. It was better to remain low-key.

“Thirty-seven taels and nine, let’s make it thirty-eight taels. Go to the counter over there and get the money.”

“Thank you, Doctor Sun.” Wan Changsheng took the note and walked towards the counter.

Seeing that there weren’t many people around, Ping’an eagerly said, “Uncle Sun, there are some characters in the book that I don’t recognize. Could you teach me?”

Doctor Sun laughed, “Little Ping’an, come over here.”

Doctor Sun first explained each unfamiliar character to Ping’an and then tested him on the ones he had looked over in the past few days.

Wan Changsheng watched his son with a beaming smile, filled with joy. This child went mountain herb hunting with him during the day and then, after dinner, he taught him a few pages of characters. In the evenings, Ping’an would read for an hour.

With such progress, he couldn’t help but think that since it was already late April, and the private school wouldn’t break until the end of June, perhaps he should send the child to the teacher as soon as he returned, so as not to waste any more time.

Suddenly, he noticed a young man of similar age at the corner, watching his son with great interest.

That gaze made him feel inexplicably worried, and he hurried over to his child.

“Not bad, this child is impressive. How old is he?”

Doctor Sun stood up and smiled, “Young Master, this child is over seven years old and has an incredible memory.”

“Such a memory is something to be proud of.”

 “Ping’an, come here,” Wan Changsheng called.

“Doctor Sun, thank you for your help. We’re leaving now.”

Seeing that they were about to leave, Sun Sichen quickly interjected, “Uncle Jian, what’s this about?”

Doctor Sun could tell that the young master liked this child. He smiled as he introduced them, “Wan Changsheng, who served under my cousin for seven years. After retiring, he has been collecting herbs to sell to Baicaotang. He’s quite a good person.

Changsheng, this is the eldest son of Baicaotang. He is skilled in medicine and straightforward. He just arrived here yesterday.”

Hearing Doctor Sun say this, Wan Changsheng felt he couldn’t just leave.

Doctor Sun had previously told him that Baicaotang was the top pharmacy in the Great Zhou, with branches in all thirty-two provinces. Almost every larger county had a Baicaotang, making it a well-known establishment.

The medicinal herbs and farms were numerous, and the army received about sixty percent of its supplies from Baicaotang.

The founder of Baicaotang, Old Master Sun, was nearing seventy but remained vigorous. His son was also skilled in medicine, regarded as a national treasure. Besides managing Baicaotang, he devoted himself to teaching his grandsons.

The most formidable of them was the eldest son of the Sun family, who oversaw all the herb supplies and personnel arrangements. At just under thirty, he was constantly refining his medical skills and was willing to travel great distances for rare prescriptions.

This young man must be that eldest son.

“Wan Changsheng, we should be about the same age. I’m called Sun Sichen, twenty-seven this year.”

Wan Changsheng replied, “You’re a year older than me. I’m Wan Changsheng, from Wanjia Village.”

“Ha, we’re close in age. How about this, Brother Wan, let’s chat in the back courtyard?”

Wan Changsheng felt a sinking feeling. Did he want to take an interest in his son and make him a little assistant or apprentice? No, he had to ensure his child received an education.

“Alright.” If he didn’t agree, the young man might take his son away. Given his high status, it would be rude to refuse a conversation.

As he reached for his son, Wan Ping’an’s small hand had already been taken by Sun Sichen.

The back courtyard was spacious, with six or seven rooms and a small hall, clean and filled with a pleasant herbal aroma.

Ping’an liked the environment very much.

Before long, someone brought tea and snacks.

“Brother Wan, please enjoy the tea. Ping’an, these snacks are delicious. Feel free to eat as much as you like.”

Ping’an thanked him, his voice clear and calm.

Sun Sichen was even more pleased. “Does Ping’an like medicine? How much of this book have you read?”

Ping’an replied, “To Young Master, I really like medicine, but I study this book mostly to collect herbs. I’ve read forty pages, and I asked Uncle Sun about all the characters I didn’t recognize today.”

“Oh? Can I test you, Ping’an?”