CFGF 11

 

After Cannon fodder Gong started farming, he had HE with the cold male protagonist (CFGF) - c11

Embarking on a journey into the mountains to seek medicinal treasures

~

However, before proceeding with the next step, Jiang Baiye needed to ensure that he was fully prepared.

After the completion of their new home, it offered ample space and comfort, providing protection from the elements. Additionally, they had accumulated enough food to sustain themselves for a considerable period, even if they were unable to obtain high-quality provisions.

Lu Lizhi should have also set aside his animosity towards their family. Jiang Baiye's parents had also withdrawn into their own lives, refraining from initiating any conflicts with Old Jiang's family as they had done in the past.

Furthermore, the entire family had been consuming nutritious grains and delicious meals for over two weeks, resulting in improved physical health. Their once pale and emaciated appearances had transformed, and they now possessed ample energy for their tasks. Crucially, Jiang Baiye's physical condition had also undergone positive adjustments.

Observing Jiang Baiye's daily activities involving various food preparations might give the impression that he was solely focused on taste. However, in reality, he meticulously considered the combination and supplementation of each nutrient. This was done with two purposes in mind: to care for Lu Lizhi, who suffered from malnutrition, and to ensure that Jiang Baiye himself possessed sufficient physical fitness and strength for the upcoming crucial time when he needed to take action.

When observing the villagers, it was evident that not only had their perceptions undergone a significant change, but the overall atmosphere seemed to be improving. Speculative gossip about their family had diminished, and people were no longer making baseless assumptions.

Jiang Baiye was well aware that the time had come for him to venture into the mountains.

As Jiang Baiye's newly constructed house was still in the process of drying, an unprecedented torrential rainstorm descended upon the village that very night, a phenomenon not witnessed for several years. The impact of this downpour was severe, causing significant damage to numerous houses in the area.

The smaller dwellings experienced leaks, while the larger ones had their roofs blown off entirely. Even the cowsheds were not spared from destruction.

The families living in extreme poverty resided in dilapidated thatched huts, much like the conditions Jiang Baiye had experienced in his previous life. Several of these fragile structures collapsed immediately under the relentless rain, leaving the affected families in a state of despair,they screamed and cried helplessly in the rainstorm, but there was nothing they could do about it.

In contrast, Jiang Baiye's family remained composed and out of harm's way. Jiang Dazhu even seized a handful of peanuts and melon seeds, an unusual departure from his usual habit of reclining on the bed. Instead, he sat by the doorway with He Shi, relishing the nocturnal rain and exuding a delightful mood.

"Earlier today, Liu Yi and his eldest son paid a visit to our house. Guess what he said?"

"What?" Hearing about the richest man in the village, He Shi suddenly became spirited.

"After he inquired who built the house, he said that he would introduce Jiang Baiye to his father, maybe he could join his father's work team." Liu Yi originated from a well-to-do family, attracting the attention of both county officials and the government. 

Apart from the proficiency of his accompanying craftsmen in various tasks such as house construction, garden and wall repairs, their collective expertise was further enhanced by Liu Yi's background as a painter. This endowed him with a distinct comprehension of architectural embellishments and spatial arrangements. If it weren't for Liu Yi's sentimental attachment to Qingshui Village, he might have settled down in Fucheng long ago.

"Is Jiang Baiye really going to join Liu Yi's work team?" He Shi exclaimed in astonishment, leaping up in surprise. "Isn't it considered inadequate to become a skilled mason without dedicating more than half of one's life to training in the nearby towns and villages? I even heard that Liu Yi is quite selective and would hesitate to choose even his own kin or nephews if given the opportunity."

However, it was this very person who seemed to "deny his six relatives" (T/N- liùqīnbùrèn- not recognizing one's family (idiom); self-centered and not making any allowances for the needs of one's relatives) and maintained stringent standards for his work team, who unexpectedly extended an invitation to Jiang Baiye?

"Why are you rushing? I haven't finished speaking," Jiang Dazhu whispered, his voice lowered. "Don't argue on behalf of Jiang Baiye. Let him rest; he must be exhausted after working tirelessly for so many days."

He Shi cast a reproachful glance at Jiang Dazhu, recognizing a glimmer of sensibility in this normally carefree family man.

"What I'm trying to convey is that Jiang Baiye wasn't taken aback in the slightest. He appeared as though he anticipated it. He even declined the offer."

He Shi was utterly stunned.

"However, he dispatched Xiao Sanzi and assured them that they could turn to him if any issues arose. Moreover, it's not just Boss Liu who doubted it. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of problems Liu Yi could encounter that would require seeking guidance from someone younger like Jiang Baiye. If a problem couldn't be resolved, why would he approach Jiang Baiye?"

Before he could even complete his sentence, He Shi retaliated with a punch. "It's alright if you don't believe me, but you, as his old man, questioning your own son. Are you still human? Don't tell me you haven't noticed the significant changes in Jiang Baiye recently!"

Both of them harbored doubts and confusion, but due to their unwavering trust and affection for Jiang Baiye, they refrained from asking any questions.

Jiang Baiye hooked the corners of his lips, tucked himself under the quilt, and drifted off to sleep. As for Liu Yi, Jiang Baiye had his own arrangements. As mentioned previously, he had already formulated certain plans, although they would only manifest at the appropriate time.

The following day brought clear weather and noticeably fresher air.

As a spring rain poured generously, moistening the grass and leaves with vigor, numerous seeds hidden in the ground had sprouted.

With the completion of spring plowing, the villagers began seeking various employment opportunities. Some continued cultivating vegetables and crops on their vast plots of land, while others ventured to the town to work at the wharf. The women in the community engaged in needlework to supplement their household income. In fact, even He Shi was once summoned by well-connected elder sisters from the village.

Leading the way was Granny Li. Despite her advanced age, Granny Li possessed exceptional embroidery skills and sharp eyesight. Moreover, her embroidered patterns were innovative and stunning, easily attracting buyers willing to pay five or ten Wen.

Little did He Shi know that there was a specific reason why Granny Li was willing to invite her to embroider together.

During this period, when He Shi purchased rice and vegetables from other households, it brought them a small fortune. They knew that the second wife of the Jiang family wouldn't steal anything, so they were more than happy to sell to her. There was no reason to reject her.

He Shi felt honored, but then she heard Granny Li remark, "You live next to LiZhi's house. It's thanks to you for taking good care of him. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't even know how sick he was."

"Hehe, it's just neighbors helping each other," He Shi responded with a guilty conscience. She was still pondering how to recover the money for Lu Lizhi's medicine. However, now that Granny Li trusted her, it seemed like a fortunate turn of events.

"If you're interested, you can also learn to embroider these patterns. If you sell them at a good price, you won't have to worry about your livelihood," Granny Li suggested, producing a booklet containing various designs—bluegrass, lotus, peach blossoms, gardenia, twigs, and more. It showcased scenes of plums in snow, breezes in bamboo groves, and orchids in deep valleys.

He Shi was quickly captivated by the art. Even as a simple countrywoman, she could perceive the uniqueness and purity depicted in these paintings, underscoring their extraordinary nature.

"All of these were drawn for me by Lu Lizhi before. He is still just a child, but if others treat him well, he would repay them tenfold. Unfortunately, he is also a person in need."

Teaching embroidery was no easy task. Granny Li had a somewhat solitary nature, making it challenging for other women to establish a close connection with her. However, with her guidance, He Shi eventually concluded that Lu Lizhi must have told her something, and it prompted He Shi to let go of those minor losses.

While He Shi dedicated herself to learning embroidery and creating handkerchiefs to sell, Jiang Dazhu immersed himself in carpentry. With the guidance of Jiang Baiye's designs and craftsmanship, Jiang Dazhu held confidence that once he became familiar with them, he could produce these new furniture pieces to sell in a timely manner.

As their family's situation improved, the old Jiang family had distanced themselves from them, and the elderly Mr. Jiang had fallen ill. The work in the fields remained unfinished, and the recently planted seeds were exposed by heavy rainfall. There was still a significant portion of land that had yet to be cultivated.

The old man Jiang's anxiety grew to the point where blisters formed around his mouth, and he angrily sent Lee Shi and Jiang Ling'er to tend to the fields.

Within a few days, the two became so exhausted that they visibly lost weight. They openly expressed that this kind of labor was inhumane. Even the old man Jiang started contemplating how to summon Jiang Dazhu and his wife back to work. With their family possessing ample fields, there was no time to hire additional laborers.

Jiang Baiye, unaware of his plan, swiftly gathered the necessary tools to venture into the mountains.

Due to their family's limited possessions, Li Erniu and his few extravagant and foolish "brothers" continued to supply Jiang Baiye with various tools.

Bamboo baskets, hemp ropes, hatchets, bows and arrows, shovels, sacks, fire starters, realgar powder... He gathered an assortment of protective and collecting tools for the expedition. He didn't mind if he didn't have a particular tool; after all, he didn't intend to venture into the mountains empty-handed.

Based on his previous life experience, after coming to his senses, Jaing Baiye decided to take this shortcut to earn money. Besides the financial aspect, there were important things he sought on the mountains, compelling him to embark on this journey.

When he was almost fully prepared, Jiang Baiye used the excuse of going to town and assured his family that he would return in a few days.

Such absences from home were not unfamiliar to Jiang Dazhu, who didn't even bother to lift his head, indicating his understanding of the situation.

However, as Jiang Baiye approached Lu Lizhi's house, he still hesitated and knocked on the door to summon him outside.

"If I haven't returned after five days, please inform my parents. It's likely that I won't come back," Jiang Baiye stated.

Lu Lizhi, who had been irritated by the interruption while reading, regarded Jiang Baiye with a serious gaze, displaying evident skepticism in his clear yet dull eyes.

Jiang Baiye felt a sense of satisfaction; he appreciated how Lu Lizhi now treated him seriously. The more serious Lu Lizhi appeared, the happier Jiang Baiye became. "Well, I lied to you," he confessed.

Realizing that he held no significance in the eyes of others, Jiang Baiye chose not to degrade himself any further. He turned around, waved his hand, and departed.

This time, Lu Lizhi didn't become angry. Instead, he observed the basket behind Jiang Baiye, catching a glimpse of half a bow, a few arrow feathers slightly exposed, and a faint scent of realgar.

Was this man planning to go hunting?

However, this route didn't lead to the back mountain, where hunting was forbidden due to the scarce prey population.

A thought crossed Lu Lizhi's mind as he raised his head slightly and gazed at the distant mountains enveloped in a layer of mist. They seemed close by, yet undeniably perilous.

The scenery held an undeniable beauty, and even from this distance, one could sense the grandeur and imposing presence of the mountains. How many lives were lost there?

It was madness.

Lu Lizhi pondered, questioning the source of this person's unwavering confidence. Hoping his suspicions were unfounded, Lu Lizhi returned to his room and resumed reading in silence.

However, he soon noticed that Jiang Baiye had indeed left an impact on him. As the first day passed without Jiang Baiye's return and the second day showed no signs of his presence, Lu Lizhi became certain that he had truly ventured into the Daheng Mountain Range...

Water droplets cascaded, creating a spray of mist under the sunlight, while the waterfall gracefully plummeted several feet into a deep pool.

Unbeknownst to anyone, beyond the waterfall, there existed a narrow water curtain that concealed a cave spanning multiple mountains. It served as a relatively safe shortcut with minimal risks.

Suddenly, a tall figure emerged from the water, resting on the pool's edge, gasping for breath.

After a brief moment, Jiang Baiye brushed his wet hair back, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he surveyed the scene before him.

It was a secluded valley, an untouched paradise adorned with abundant vegetation and thriving mountains and forests. Rabbits, pheasants, birds, and even deer moved gracefully, freely exploring the landscape and pecking at the grass seeds scattered on the ground.

However, his focus this time was not on them.

Jiang Baiye wearily emerged from the water, squeezing out the moisture from his clothes. The temperature was slightly chilly. He swiftly gathered a bundle of dead branches and ignited them using the fine velvet scraped from a pine tree.

As he warmed himself by the fire, he inspected the pannier with a lid. Apart from the slightly damp realgar powder, everything else was intact.

Drying off the water from his arrows, he skillfully employed the razor-sharp hatchet to clear a path. Fortunately, this trail was devoid of thorns and vines, but an assortment of herbs flourished in every direction.

That's right, Jiang Baiye's objective this time was medicinal materials.

Since he could remember, Jiang Baiye was aware that his greatest strength lay in his knowledge of various herbs and prescriptions. As a child, he had been compelled by the old man to memorize them, with the intention of passing down the family's ancestral trade to him.

Although he ultimately didn't pursue that path, these herbal remedies remained ingrained in his memory even more firmly than the three hundred Tang poems.

Moreover, medicinal materials in this era were typically costly, and he possessed a range of enhanced techniques for their preparation. Not utilizing these skills would be a significant missed opportunity.

~~~~~

[T/N: Apologies for the lack of updates. I wanted to enhance the readability of my translations for a more enjoyable reading experience. Those who have read the previous chapters may notice a noticeable improvement. I will also revise the earlier chapters to a more polished and refined standard. Thanks for your understanding and I hope you enjoy my translations!]

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