CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63 SELLING MEDICINAL HERBS

The method of preparing medicinal materials varies with the type of herb.

Chickweed, for instance, only needs to be washed and dried. Ge Gen root, however, needs to be washed, thoroughly moistened, then sliced and dried.

The grandfather and granddaughter squatted on the ground, first sorting the herbs in the basket. Then, they began to prepare them.

The grandmother saw the two of them squatting on the ground in a row.

She brought two small wooden stools for them and also brought Zhao Zhitong a small basin of water. Following her grandfather’s example, Zhao Zhitong rolled up her sleeves, squatted on the ground, and vigorously washed the herbs.

Sun Kang didn’t help, instead allowing her to do everything herself with occasional guidance.

After washing the Ge Gen root, it was time to start the moistening process.

Zhao Zhitong then asked, "Grandfather, what’s moistening?"

Sun Kang answered, "Moistening is a water treatment process used when slicing medicinal materials. It involves adding appropriate adjuvants, like water, vinegar, rice wine, liquor, rice-washing water, salt water, or honey water, to moisten the herbs in stages until they are uniformly damp with no dry core."

Zhao Zhitong’s herbs were drying separately in a small basket. Her grandfather said that once the herbs were dried, she could take them to the market and sell them with her Eldest Uncle.

So Zhao Zhitong was very excited.

During the days she waited for the herbs to dry, she talked about them endlessly. Qiao Muchen and Wei Shulan’s ears practically grew calluses from hearing it.

Whenever she got a moment, she would run to her grandparents’ house to see if her herbs were ready yet. Once they were dry, she began to ask when they would go to sell the herbs.

The wait continued until the next day off.

「One day」

Just as dawn broke and the roosters began to crow, Sun Youwei, the Eldest Uncle, arrived at the Zhao family’s home.

Zhao Zhitong, eager to sell her herbs, had woken up very early. As soon as she heard a noise in the courtyard, she climbed out of her little quilt, stood on the bed, and shouted for Sun Mei to dress her.

Once in the courtyard, she saw that her elder brother and younger brother were also up. Their father said that since the children hadn’t been out to see the world before, they could go to the county town for a tour. It was a rare break today, and they weren’t making tofu.

And since her mother was also going, Zhao Zhitong was very happy.

Even though it was summer, the morning was still slightly chilly. Sun Mei spread a small quilt in the cart and lifted Zhao Zhitong into it.

Zhao Zhitong pointed to a small basket at the door and shouted loudly, "Mother, my little basket, my little basket!"

That was where she kept her harvested herbs.

After Sun Mei settled Zhao Zhitong in the cart, she said, "I know, I know. You sit tight first. Your little basket will be put in your Eldest Uncle’s cart. Once we reach the town, I’ll give it back to you, alright? Otherwise, if you carry it, your brother won’t be able to sit comfortably."

"Alright," Zhao Zhitong nodded sensibly. After seeing Sun Mei place her little basket on Eldest Uncle’s cart, she felt reassured.

Zhao Cheng was adamant about not riding in the cart. He insisted, "Uncle, I can walk. I can even help you push the cart."

Seeing his older brother not riding, Zhao Yu also refused. "I can help push too; I’ll help Eldest Uncle push the cart."

Zhao Zhitong pouted, looking at Zhao Yu. "You’re so small, how can you push? Besides, you aren’t quick enough. What if you get left behind? Daddy will have to go look for you again. You better get on; we can sit together."

In the end, Zhao Yu was lifted onto the cart.

「The group set off.」

Even though the road was uneven and bumpy, Sun Mei had spread a quilt on the cart, which made the ride bearable.

This was Zhao Zhitong’s first trip far from home, and she was very excited. She leaned on the cart, stuck out her little head, looking left and right, chattering non-stop about all the fascinating things she saw.

Wanfang Mountain stretched across Anyang County, a land of scenic beauty, reputed for nurturing talent. But in Zhao Zhitong’s eyes, all she could see were the flowers and plants. Soon, she grew tired and began dozing off.

Once Sun Mei noticed Zhao Zhitong had fallen asleep, she took out a winter garment from the basket and wrapped the little one up snugly.

By the time she woke up, they had already reached the entrance to the county town. Looking at the busy entrance and the towering city gate, Zhao Zhitong’s eyes sparkled.

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yu also seemed extremely excited; they had never been to the county town before either.

Once inside the county town, the streets were bustling and prosperous. People thronged in every direction. Roadside vendors sold a variety of items, from cloth shoes and umbrellas to baked flatbreads. Hawkers also walked about, carrying sticks of sugar-coated hawthorns and shouting their wares.

Zhao Zhitong was endlessly fascinated.

Then she started clamoring to get down and walk.

With so many people around, Sun Mei firmly refused, saying, "What if you run off and get lost? Someone might snatch you away and sell you to be a little maidservant!"

Upon hearing about children being sold, Zhao Zhitong was immediately scared.

She suppressed the urge to get down and run around, contenting herself to watch from the cart.

Zhao Dong bought each of the three children a stick of sugar-coated hawthorns.

But it was so sour! Zhao Zhitong only ate a bite before wrapping it in her handkerchief. She asked Zhao Dong to put it back in her basket, saying she would save it for her cousins to eat.

Upon arriving in the county town, they headed directly to a pharmacy. The county town was bustling; there were two large pharmacies and numerous small medicine peddlers lining the streets.

As Eldest Uncle Sun Youwei frequented the town to sell herbs, he knew which establishments offered the best prices, so they headed directly to a pharmacy in the town center.

Zhao Zhitong looked up at the two-story pharmacy with its three-character plaque and pointed. "Miaochun Hall."

Just then, a pharmacy attendant came out. Hearing Zhao Zhitong read the plaque in her childlike voice, he couldn’t help but give her an extra look.

Since Eldest Uncle regularly sold herbs there, the attendant recognized him. "Oh, here to sell herbs?"

Sun Youwei nodded and smiled. "Yes, we’ve just gathered a new batch and finished preparing them."

The attendant led them inside with a smile.

As they entered, they were met with a strong aroma of herbs. Directly opposite the main entrance was the counter, where a middle-aged man stood. Behind him was a row of medicine shelves, each small compartment labeled with the name of a medicinal ingredient.

At that moment, the middle-aged man was dispensing medicine for an elderly man.

Seeing them come in, he directed a nearby attendant to assist them.

"Come, follow me this way."

The attendant led them to a room behind the pharmacy.

Younger Uncle’s herbs were plentiful. Two attendants were inspecting the herbs. One examined and weighed them, calling out, "Panax notoginseng slices, nine taels; Ge Gen slices, eight taels..."

The attendant who had led them in from the entrance was holding a pen and recording everything.

Once all the herbs were checked, the attendant handed Eldest Uncle a string of money and, with a smile, invited him to come again.

Seeing that Eldest Uncle’s herbs were all sold, Zhao Zhitong hurriedly grabbed her little basket, handed it to the attendant, and said in her childlike voice, "Big Brother, look at mine! I have some too!"

The attendant was visibly taken aback, his gaze falling on the little girl looking up at him from below.

Sun Youwei quickly explained, "This is my niece, my father’s newly accepted disciple. She’s just learned how to prepare herbs. Could you please take a look and see if they’re worth anything?"

"Oh, so it’s a little girl!" the attendant exclaimed in surprise, then chuckled. "I thought it was a young gentleman. It’s rare to see a girl learning medicine."