Chapter 175: Traveling With Family
Shang Wan also tried picking some herb seedlings from the mountain and planting them in the spiritual field. Their growth speed was about the same as directly sowing seeds. The difference was that starting from seeds would yield a herb tree at harvest, while starting from seedlings would not. The medicinal effects and taste were similar.
Spending the same amount of time, planting seedlings could only be harvested once, but planting seeds could yield a tree, multiplying the harvest by N times. Even a fool would know which to choose.
If not for the fact that growing ginseng takes at least three years to start, and there was too little spiritual field in Shang Wan’s space, she would have to clear out a piece of spiritual field to plant ginseng no matter what.
A century-old wild ginseng could be worth a thousand gold. Put it up at an auction, and the price would be even higher. If she really grew it, would she still worry about having no silver?
However, the reality didn’t allow it. With the space’s flow rate not yet accelerated, Shang Wan didn’t plan to let ginseng occupy a piece of spiritual field for long.
Shang Wan raised her hand and patted Shi Tou’s shoulder. “Don’t be down. Starting tomorrow, you and Yuan Yuan will reclaim land together and take over that plot at the foot of the mountain.”
Figure out the situation, then boldly get to work.
She wanted to become a major herb planting household!
“Sis, calm down.” Shi Tou glanced at the sun overhead. Reclaiming land in this weather would be deadly. Even if he could handle it, Yuan Yuan couldn’t.
“I’m very calm,” Shang Wan said. “You go in the morning and evening. Come back when the sun gets intense. Animals aren’t stupid. Who would work for you under the blazing sun?”
“But sis, reclaiming that whole plot at the foot of the mountain would be at least thirty mu of land. Where would we get that many seeds? Even if we had seeds, we don’t have that many hands.”
“Manpower isn’t an issue. If people aren’t enough, animals will make up for it. As for seeds…” Shang Wan thought for a moment and estimated based on the space’s situation. “By the time you finish reclaiming all the land, it should be about right.”
Seeing that Shang Wan was serious, Shi Tou quickly turned to look at his brother-in-law. Could this really work?
Lu Chengjing pondered for a moment and said, “The Imperial Court encourages land reclamation. If you can reclaim it without letting it go to waste, the government will reward you with an ox, farm tools, and seeds. But reclaiming the entire plot at the foot of the mountain all at once without hiring anyone would be too eye-catching.”
Their family only had four people who could count as laborers, and none were strong laborers. Such an anomaly would definitely attract the villagers’ attention, and who knows what ghostly rumors might spread. It wouldn’t be worth the loss.
Shang Wan had been a bit carried away earlier, but with the two stopping her, she also realized the problem.
Haste makes waste. They still had to take it step by step.
“The sour plum drink is ready.” Chu Xu poked his little head out from the kitchen and shouted.
“Coming.” Shang Wan agreed, then said to Lu Chengjing and the others, “Handle the herbs first. We’ll talk about land reclamation after Yuan Yuan comes back.”
The little one was the main force for land reclamation. Whether she understood or not, she needed to have a sense of participation.
The three sped up their hands’ movements, placing the washed herbs in the bamboo basket to air dry. Once the water droplets on top dried, they would proceed to the next step.
The sour plum drink was served in white small bowls, with a bright red color and a sprinkle of dried osmanthus on top to add fragrance.
The taste was sour and sweet. After being chilled with well water, it was cool but not icy. After a few sips of sour plum drink, the summer heat throughout the body completely dissipated.
“Ha~” The four held porcelain bowls and sat in a row under the eaves. The through breeze blew, making them feel refreshed all over, and they couldn’t help but sigh.
“Delicious.” Chu Xu finished one bowl and ran back to the kitchen by himself to get another small bowl.
Xiao Huan worried he would drink too much and get an upset stomach, so she quickly reminded him, “Last bowl. No more drinking. It’s time to eat soon.”
“Okay.” Chu Xu nodded and sat back next to Shi Tou. He looked up at the sky and asked puzzledly, “Why hasn’t Yuan Yuan come back yet?”
Yuan Yuan was afraid of heat. Normally at this time, she should have ridden Xiao Hui back already.
“It’s cooler in the mountains than outside. She might have fallen asleep somewhere.” Shang Wan was very reassured about her own cub. “If she doesn’t come back in half a shichen, I’ll go to the mountain forest to find her.”
Chu Xu still had lingering fears about going into the mountains and didn’t want to run into the mountain forest again in the short term, so unusually, he didn’t clamor to go along.
Shi Tou turned to look at him and reached out to wipe the soup juice from the child’s face. “Didn’t your elder brother say in the reply letter that he would come pick you up as soon as possible? It’s been several days. How come there’s not even a sign of them?”
Chu Xu was stunned. His fair little face drooped, and his tone was low. “Are you chasing me away?”
“Of course not.” Shi Tou hurriedly waved his hands. He had really just asked casually.
Chu Xu glanced at him. His pair of amber cat-like eyes were full of doubt.
Shi Tou patted his head. “I was just worried they might run into trouble on the road, like encountering mountain bandits or something.”
Chu Xu: “…”
The others: “…”
Seeing Chu Xu’s expression worsen, Shi Tou quickly added, “It might not be mountain bandits. Maybe assassins.”
“Assassins too?!” Chu Xu, who had just been frightened by assassins, instantly teared up, and his good mood from drinking sour plum drink was gone.
“No, no assassins.” Shi Tou hurriedly denied. “Maybe… maybe…”
He couldn’t come up with a “maybe,” so he simply covered his mouth with his hand. He’d better shut up.
“Aunt Shang.” Chu Xu teared up and snuggled next to Shang Wan like a small animal seeking comfort.
“Didn’t you write in your letter about encountering assassins?” Shang Wan raised her hand and rubbed his fair little face, kneading it like a dough ball. “You said your elder brother is smart, so he must be prepared. Even if he encounters assassins, he won’t be afraid.”
Chu Xu’s little heart that had been lifted settled back down. He held the small porcelain bowl in one hand and dragged the small bench over with the other. His little body stuck close to Shang Wan and wouldn’t leave.
Shang Wan rubbed his little head, her almond eyes curving slightly.
—Fat baby to rub and pinch, the feel was just so good.
Lu Chengjing narrowed his eyes. Why did he suddenly find this child so unpleasant?
He reminded, “After finishing the sour plum drink, it’s time to go back to the study room to copy books.”
Chu Xu blinked. “Not finished.”
There was still half a bowl left in the small bowl.
Lu Chengjing opened his mouth, but before the words came out, a clatter of hoofbeats approached from far to near and stopped outside the door.
“Open! Door!”
The soft and glutinous little voice accompanied by domineering knocks on the door—Yuan Yuan was back.
Chu Xu’s eyes lit up, and he trotted over to open the door.
“Yuan—” Before the word was out, Chu Xu was knocked backward by the fawn that jumped in. If Shang Wan hadn’t timely reached out to support him, the young master’s butt would have suffered.
“Mom!” Yuan Yuan rode on Xiao Hui, her eyes sparkling. Her little finger pointed to the group behind her. “One! Deer!”
The cub had perfectly completed the task mom assigned!
Behind her, a group of deer of all ages, with families in tow, all opened their round, innocent yet silly deer eyes and stared at Shang Wan.
Shang Wan: “…”
Was this one head? This was clearly a whole herd!
No wonder she came back late. It wasn’t easy for the deer herd with families to come down the mountain.
She raised her hand and rubbed her brow. “Cub, did you rob a whole deer herd?”
Yuan Yuan blinked and pointed her little finger behind her. “One! Deer!”
She had even brought back the does—no single one left. What was wrong with that?
Shang Wan: “…”
“Sis, are we raising deer?” Xiao Huan walked over and saw the group of deer outside the door. She opened her mouth in shock.
Shang Wan looked at her. Little sister, you really dare to think. Let them grow freely on the mountain. When wanting to eat, just hunt one—wouldn’t that be great? Why bother raising so many?
