He dug some ginseng and lingzhi of large, medium, and small sizes, taking them with a bit of soil, and planned to cultivate them all.
The two bundles this time were exceptionally heavy. He carried one in each hand, stopping and starting as he slowly made his way down the mountain.
As he walked, he suddenly heard a wolf howl in the distance.
Hearing the wolf howl, Chen Xiaobei felt a bit surprised.
Logically, wild wolves should have been blocked by that steep, sheer cliff. From his current position, it should have been at least ten to twenty li away, too far for him to hear a wolf howl.
Now that he could hear it, it meant that a wolf had crossed that slope or found another way around.
Thinking of this, his heart grew a little timid, and he couldn't help but quicken his pace.
As he walked, he pondered what he could use for self-defense.
After much thought, he recalled Sun Jian's words from that day, wishing he had brought a repeating crossbow.
However, a repeating crossbow was a weapon, and not an ordinary one. Ordinary shops wouldn't sell it. He would need to find another way to acquire one.
Upon returning home, Cui Hongyu was surprised to see him bring back so much ginseng and lingzhi.
But after hearing Chen Xiaobei's explanation, Cui Hongyu laughed.
"Husband, Qingniu Mountain is not ours. Whoever picks the medicinal herbs on the mountain picks them. Why worry so much?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "If it were just picking a few, it would be nothing. I'm afraid that if they clear the mountain entirely, then no one will have ginseng or lingzhi to use in the future."
Cui Hongyu looked at him, "Then, in your opinion, what do you want to do?"
Chen Xiaobei's expression turned serious, and he slowly stated his plan, "Tomorrow I will go to the county town and buy more flower pots. We'll transplant as many as possible, just in case."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu was first stunned, then a hint of admiration appeared on her face, "Yes, we should get more. If everyone starts searching for ginseng in the mountains, it will be dug up in no time."
Hearing her say this, Chen Xiaobei also realized the urgency of time, "Then I'll go back into the mountain later and get some more."
Cui Hongyu opened her mouth, but in the end, she didn't say anything.
Once Chen Xiaobei made up his mind, not even eight oxen could pull him back.
After eating a little and resting briefly, Chen Xiaobei headed towards Qingniu Mountain again.
As soon as he left the door, he was spotted from afar by Chen Ping, who had been thwarted the day before.
Yesterday's incident with the pheasant, which only brought him four copper coins, had left him very unhappy.
He had intended to stroll outside the village to clear his head, but when he looked up and saw Chen Xiaobei heading towards Qingniu Mountain, he became suspicious and immediately followed.
Bypassing the sentries guarding the foot of the mountain, Chen Ping followed Chen Xiaobei all the way up, straight to the Mountain God Temple.
Chen Xiaobei clearly hadn't considered being followed. His mind was entirely on the ginseng and lingzhi in Hulu Valley.
Entering Hulu Valley, Chen Xiaobei didn't choose the ginseng and lingzhi that were large enough to be sold directly for money. Instead, he focused on the small seedlings, believing that preserving these seedlings would ensure the continuous propagation of ginseng and lingzhi.
He dug dozens of each, filling his bundles to the brim before he stopped.
After thinking for a moment, he dug up two more large ginseng roots and two large lingzhi. He cleaned off the soil and tucked them into his chest. He would sell these tomorrow to buy water vats and fishing nets.
Chen Ping, who had been hiding in the woods, waited until Chen Xiaobei was far away before he quietly crept out and carefully examined Hulu Valley.
He was shocked by what he saw. The ground was covered with ginseng and lingzhi.
Chen Ping stomped his feet in anger. No wonder Chen Xiaobei was building houses and buying a donkey cart. This kid had found a gold mine!
Chen Ping took off his outer coat, filled it with large ginseng and lingzhi, making a bulging bag, and then carried it on his back as he walked down the mountain, pondering as he went.
This was his great opportunity.
Villagers eagerly joined the village guard, many of them simply to follow Chen Xiaobei in growing vegetables and earn a few more copper coins.
If he brought people to dig for ginseng and lingzhi, and sold them for silver, wouldn't that be much better than growing vegetables?
Thinking of this, Chen Ping's heart fluttered with excitement.
Back home, he carefully examined the ginseng and lingzhi he had brought back. Finally, he selected the largest ginseng and lingzhi. Only those that were sufficiently large would be convincing.
As the sky began to darken, he tucked the lingzhi and ginseng into his chest and left home.
However, this time, he didn't go to Chen Sanqiu's house. Instead, he turned and went to find Chen Xiaobo first.
Chen Xiaobo had grown up with him and was one of the earliest members of the village guard. They had a decent relationship.
Therefore, Chen Ping was confident he could persuade him.
As night fell, Chen Xiaobo returned home, and his elderly mother had already prepared dinner.
For them, dinner was just congee made from rice and some wild vegetables, along with a plate of pickles.
As the family of three ate, the elderly mother, Zhao Shi, said, "Xiaobo, your third aunt came by this afternoon. She said that Hongmei from Gaojia Village wants a donkey as a betrothal gift. You..."
Before his mother could finish, Chen Xiaobo interrupted her, "Mother, a donkey costs at least four to five taels of silver. You know our family's situation. Even if we sold everything, we probably couldn't scrape together two taels."
Chen Lao Die, sitting beside them, also sighed deeply, "The Gao family has another brother. I suspect the donkey is mostly for him."
Zhao Shi gave her husband a displeased look, "It doesn't matter who wants it. The old Gao family has made it clear that whoever provides the donkey will have Hongmei married to them."
Chen Xiaobo put down his bowl, "Father, Mother, don't worry. I'm learning to grow vegetables with Xiaobei now. In two years, I'm sure I can save up for a donkey."
Zhao Shi looked at her son, her face anxious, "Two years? Do you think Hongmei will wait only for you?"
"Among the surrounding villages, there are so many young men, you..."
Chen Xiaobo replied unhurriedly with a chuckle, "Mother, there are plenty of girls in the ten-mile radius. If I wait another two years, I..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Shi's eyes widened, "There are plenty of girls, but look at yourself. You'll be twenty after the New Year. If you wait another two years, which girl will want to marry you?"
Alright.
Chen Xiaobo fell silent.
But with his family's circumstances, getting a donkey was simply impossible.
Chen Ping, who was listening outside the door, heard their conversation clearly. Sudan Novel Network.
He secretly rejoiced. An opportunity, wasn't this it?
He first coughed twice, then stood at the door and shouted loudly, "Brother Xiaobo, are you home?"
Hearing the shout, Chen Xiaobo immediately stood up, "It's Captain! Come in quickly."
As he spoke, he went out to welcome him.
Chen Ping chuckled and waved his hand, "I'm no longer the captain of the village guard. From now on, just call me Chen Ping."