Chapter 21: Erqiang’s Request

“Wife, you must have been waiting anxiously,” Wan Changsheng hurriedly hopped off the cart.

Meiniang smiled, “I only arrived a moment ago. This mule is so tall and strong.”

Wan Changsheng was somewhat proud, “I had good luck today. I sold the donkey cart for ten taels and added fifteen taels to buy this mule cart. It’s expensive, but the mule is only three years old and is just right for use.”

Meiniang sighed, “I also spent four taels and two cents. I dare not spend any more. Husband, it’s getting late. Let’s go to Baicaotang.”

…

The homes of the three He brothers are nestled against Qingstone Mountain. The mountain is much larger than the West Mountain behind the Wan family’s home.  He Village has no herbalists; only occasional herbalists from other villages come here. As soon as they ascended the mountain, Ping’an discovered many medicinal herbs.

“Big Uncle, Big Cousin, Second Cousin, this is Atractylodes macrocephala. It can regulate the spleen and stomach, stop vomiting and diarrhea, aid digestion, and nourish the body. The price at the pharmacy is decent, but it’s not particularly precious.”

Daqiangzi watched his eight-year-old younger cousin speak so knowledgeably, finding it incredibly rare. The father and son discovered many similar herbs nearby.

Ping’an carefully taught them how to harvest herbs; he didn’t plan to do much himself today.

Erqiang followed behind his cousin. On the way up the mountain, he overheard his cousin casually mention that his future master knew martial arts, which made him itch with anticipation.

He deeply admired strong individuals, but where would a country boy find someone to teach him? Without a master to guide him in martial arts, any effort would be in vain.

He heard that the county’s escort agency/security firm taught martial arts, but the condition was signing a ten-year contract.  For ten years, he would have to serve the escort agency. The first three years would offer little pay, but the later years would have better treatment, though the risks would also be greater. His family would never agree, and besides, he was afraid of death.

At this moment, he was not interested in collecting herbs.

“Ping’an, does your master need a young apprentice, or a medicine boy? Could you ask your master to take me with you? I want to learn martial arts with you.”

Ping’an was surprised for a moment. Martial arts? Oh, earlier on the mountain, his second cousin said that if he had martial arts skills, he could reach the top of the mountain in a flash. Ping’an had replied that his future master knew martial arts and could teach him. He hadn’t expected that his cousin, three years older, had taken it to heart.

“Second Cousin, I’ll mention it to my master later. If it’s possible, I’ll take you along.” He thought it shouldn’t be difficult. Having someone familiar by his side would prevent loneliness in the future.

Erqiang grinned, “Cousin, you’re so kind.”

Ping’an blinked, “Second Cousin, don’t mention this for now. Let’s find herbs first, otherwise, if we get scolded, I won’t be able to help you.”

Erqiang was overjoyed and smiled. As long as his cousin’s master agreed, his family would certainly be willing. Baicaotang was the largest medical hall in the county. Following someone like that, how could they possibly suffer losses?

His younger uncle had only worked as a clerk in a general store for a few years. Last year, the whole family pooled their resources to open a small general store for him in town, spending all their savings. Now, it was starting to make a small profit.

Over the next hour, Ping’an taught them to identify over a dozen herbs. Autumn and spring were the seasons for harvesting herbs, and few people came to this mountain. He Zilin and Daqiangzi’s  baskets were almost full.

Erqiang felt a little nervous when he saw his father’s sideways glance. He steadied himself and began to search for herbs as his younger cousin had taught him. He wasn’t afraid of his mother or his grandparents, but he was somewhat apprehensive of his father. His father was a man of his word. If he angered him, what if he wouldn’t let him go with his cousin?

“Ping’an, drink some water. Do you want to go back for lunch? Are you hungry?”

“Big Uncle, let’s search for another hour. After we go back, I’ll teach you how to dry and sort the herbs. It’s best to dry the herbs on the same day you pick them, otherwise, the quality might be affected, and they won’t sell for a good price. We can’t go to the pharmacy every day to sell them. My father said the pharmacy in town doesn’t give good prices, and they don’t even accept some herbs.”

“Alright, let’s go back later.” He Zilin felt a little troubled. If they were to sell herbs in the county in the future, they would have to go two or three times a month. They had an ox cart, which was durable but slow.

It seemed they would have to buy a small donkey to pull the cart. A donkey and cart would cost quite a bit, and their family had no money left.

Actually, his brother-in-law had mentioned trading the donkey for a mule that morning, but they couldn’t afford it. They couldn’t get something for nothing. His brother-in-law’s marriage to his sister had already cost twenty taels; even if they killed him, he couldn’t bring himself to ask for more.

“Big Uncle, look, this golden honeysuckle is the best. We can pick it in the afternoon. The pharmacy likes the unopened buds, and we can use the fully opened ones to make tea at home.”

He Zilin nodded. He knew about honeysuckle, but he didn’t know about this distinction. He thought the fully bloomed ones were the best.  Every profession has its own tricks, as the saying goes.

Ping’an unexpectedly discovered several wild goji berry trees laden with small red berries. He almost forgot; May was the season for harvesting goji berries.

“Big Uncle, these red berries are called goji berries. They nourish the yin and kidneys, brighten the eyes, and moisten the lungs. They can be sold, and the whole family can drink them. They’re a good thing.”

He planned to pick a lot. He could give some to his master as a gift; he couldn’t afford anything expensive. Besides, it’s not about the value of the gift, but the thoughtfulness behind it.

“Ping’an, these can also be sold? There are quite a few of these on our mountain,” Daqiangzi said excitedly.

“Cousin, let’s pick more of the well-grown ones. Big Uncle can find a way to transplant some to the vegetable garden later.”

“Big Uncle, is it too late to transplant them now? It’s almost May.”

He Zilin nodded, “It is a bit late, but everyone is busy farming these days, and there are few people on the mountain, so no one will know we’re picking these. After the new year, after the first month, I’ll bring your cousin to transplant them.”

That would work.

The four of them each picked from a tree. Ping’an’s small hands moved quickly. He had also collected a lot of herbs today. Later, he would exchange some of the goji berries with his uncle, enough to give some away and keep some for himself.

His hands were moving, but his mind was on his second cousin’s matter. He had set his heart on it. In this life, he was only seven years old, and he still wanted a playmate.

Erqiang was eleven years old, quick-witted, and honest. Having grown up together, he could be kept by his side when he grew up.

But how should he tell his master?

They were leaving early the next day. Even if his master agreed, would he have to come back to pick up Erqiang? Or should he have his uncle take Erqiang, along with his luggage, so he could leave directly? If not, his uncle could bring him back.

He silently chose the latter in his heart.

He could just tell his master that he would raise Erqiang himself. But raising Erqiang wouldn’t be enough with only twenty or thirty taels, especially not for a year or two.

It seemed he had to talk to his master beforehand the next day.  He wouldn’t lay down the law, but he should be able to occasionally collect herbs to exchange for money, right?

Ping’an relaxed. That’s how it would be. He would take Erqiang, but he would maintain financial independence. In his previous life, he was very wealthy. His income was envied by his colleagues, and he was frequently invited by major hospitals to give consultations and lectures.

This wasn’t for nothing.

Different professions are like different mountains. In this life, he still wanted to follow the path of medicine, striving to become someone people looked up to. A good physician was no worse than a high-ranking official, after all, human life is valuable, and no one dares to offend a famous physician.