CHAPTER 370: CHAPTER 367: FIRST PRIZE

Hei Dan didn’t really like the Capital City. If it were in Chen Family Village, when the village needed a banquet, they would step forward to help.

Now that Sister was hosting a banquet for the ladies, they had to stay outside the wall due to the rules, and Zigeng had a hard time getting in by posing as Sister’s younger brother.

To tend to so many people, Sister and Zigeng must be extremely busy.

Even though they couldn’t enter the courtyard, Hei Dan and the others were still worried, so they stayed under the corridor outside the wall, listening to the commotion inside.

At first, when Sister said she wouldn’t write poetry, Hei Dan became anxious. Later, when the poetry meeting was delayed, and someone mentioned the Chen Family Village in that tone, Hei Dan knew they were bullying Sister.

What’s wrong with Chen Family Village? In the past, they didn’t have enough to eat. After Sister came to Chen Family Village, she also ate coarse rice, but it wasn’t because she didn’t have the Silver Coin to buy rice; it was because she wanted to take care of the entire Chen Family Village, ensuring everyone had enough to eat.

Later, the situation improved after selling herbal medicine, and everyone started eating rice. During the wartime, they ate coarse rice again because they wanted to save military supplies for the soldiers going to the Eight States.

What’s wrong with that? Quite the opposite, he thought this was something they could proudly tell everyone; the Chen Family Village is just that incredible.

People always said that the Capital City’s people were learned from a young age, but now Hei Dan thought those words were false.

Filled with indignation, Hei Dan blurted out the things Sister taught him. Isn’t this poetry? Mr. Dongli had heard it before and said it was better than many poems.

Hei Dan’s voice was naturally loud, and even beyond the wall, everyone could hear it clearly.

After a moment of silence.

Meng Changshu laughed, "This poem is good, just like Liangchen’s painting."

Li Ruchu also nodded, with a bit of admiration in her eyes as she looked at Xie Liangchen, "Did Miss Xie teach this poem?"

Xie Liangchen smiled, "How is it a poem? I wrote this to make it easier for everyone to learn about herbal medicine."

Miss Yan silently recited it once, "Ginseng, Poria, Angelica, Coptis... all are common herbs." Then compared them to the herbal paintings by Xie Liangchen.

Miss Yan recalled her earlier contempt for Miss Xie and felt even more ashamed.

After hesitating for a moment, Miss Yan said, "Just now, Miss Xie asked for our help... is it related to these herb paintings?"

Xie Liangchen nodded, "I would like to ask everyone to help me draw herbal paintings together."

Miss Yan’s eyes lit up at these words, looking at those herbal paintings again. Besides their realistic depictions, they also detailed the uses of the herbs, which was quite comprehensive. If they were to draw all the herbs currently usable, it would indeed require considerable manpower.

Xie Liangchen continued, "We also need to find a knowledgeable herb expert to review them. If there are any mistakes, they can be corrected in time."

Li Ruchu replied, "My uncle once worked at the Imperial Hospital. He retired home last year due to age. I’ll ask my uncle; perhaps he can help."

Meng Changshu said, "If Mr. Li agrees, it will be twice as effective with half the effort. He still has many students working at the Imperial Hospital."

Miss Xu heard this, finally found a chance to speak, "If so, the Imperial Hospital can draw these herb paintings themselves. Why bother relying on others?"

Meng Changshu slightly raised her eyebrows, "Then why aren’t there such books available on the market now? Everyone has read pharmacology books, which mostly detail descriptions in text. To find someone to paint them, how much Silver Coin would that require? How much effort would it take to depict them?"

"Any booklet from the Imperial Hospital takes at least seven or eight years, sometimes ten years, decades. Liangchen paints herbal illustrations for the public to recognize and collect herbs. We can draw them as needed for the people, not necessarily wait until a full book is compiled. If making a book is desired, that’s for later and doesn’t conflict with the present matter."

Li Ruchu said, "Precisely, teaching the people to recognize herbs can’t always rely on the Imperial Hospital to draw illustrations, and hiring someone to draw also costs a lot of Silver Coin. While we’re idle at home, why not draw more? They might come in handy in the future and count as an effort."

It is certainly better than staying at home, writing poetry line after line.

Miss Xu wanted to counter, but didn’t know where to start, feeling a blockage in her chest, unable to move up or down, leaving her distressed. She didn’t know. She grew up in the Capital City, with good things readily available, preferring the Imperial Physicians over ordinary doctors, reading quality books over hand-copied miscellanies, having never seen those rural villagers, naturally unknowing of these things.

Moreover, what’s so great about this? Who knows if it would be useful? At least these rigid things being painted won’t be praised, nor will it showcase one’s talent.

As Miss Xu was contemplating, some other ladies stepped forward to take a look, agreeing to try drawing according to Xie Liangchen’s drafts.

Xie Liangchen was surrounded by the crowd, chatting and laughing, her smile making Miss Xu feel exceptionally glaring.

"Didn’t Miss Xu also say to do something for the Eight States’ people?" Miss Yan, deeply invested in calligraphy and painting, didn’t notice Miss Xu’s current demeanor, "Let’s first draw the common herbs from the Eight States and have Liangchen take them to the Eight States; they’ll come in handy."

Miss Xu usually felt that Miss Yan was gentle and oblivious to worldly matters, but now found her particularly annoying. Yet, she couldn’t say "useless" now. This cold water poured down was all on her.

Miss Xu nodded, "It is indeed a good idea."

The two young ladies from the Cao Family had long fallen silent.

Miss Yan continued, "I think the winner of today’s poetry meeting should be Miss Xie. Such a masterpiece is rare."

A few ladies nodded in agreement, naturally watching Miss Xu’s expression.

Miss Xu felt a lump in her throat but nodded naturally, "Miss Yan is right; indeed, Sister Chen has taken the lead."

Li Ruchu said, "After the poetry meeting, we all need to contribute to the Eight States’ people, living up to Liangchen’s efforts in organizing this poetry meeting."

Xie Liangchen looked at Miss Xu, "We must also thank Miss Xu for this poetry meeting, fortunately having her help."

Miss Xu showed a faint smile, "Sister Chen is too kind."

Just as Miss Xu finished speaking, Miss Yan noticed something odd, exclaiming softly.

Everyone’s eyes turned to Miss Yan, who gently lifted the paper, "What’s underneath the table?"

Xie Liangchen laughed, "It’s the wool felt we make in Zhenzhou. It’s hard and perfect for supporting underneath the paper for writing. The wax paper we’re using today doesn’t bleed ink. If it were ordinary paper, the wool felt underneath could absorb any ink seeping through."

Upon hearing ’wool felt’, Miss Xu’s heart raced again, recalling Xie Liangchen’s extended stay in the fur shop.

Could it be that today Xie Liangchen not only showcased the pink wax paper from Zhenzhou but also intended for everyone to envy Zhenzhou’s wool felt?