Chapter 24: Life Will Get Better

After returning to Changgu from Fuchang City, Wei Renshi was given two strings of coins by Zheng, the village chief, who explained that they were deposits from several nearby villages for plow-making.

“Uncle Zheng, you take care of this. Tomorrow the carpenter and blacksmith will be back, I’ll instruct them on how to make the plows, and then tell you how to assemble them. Afterwards, I’ll just wait for the profits,” Wei Renshi said. “As for the seasoning business, I actually plan to cooperate with the Jiao family. Uncle Zheng, would you like to join? If you’re interested, we can invest together.”

Zheng was momentarily surprised. “You could easily run the seasoning business yourself. Why share the profits with others?”

“I don’t want to bother managing it. I’d rather be a hands-off boss. There are plenty of things I need to do, and I don’t want to spend extra effort on these,” Wei Renshi replied with a smile. “Besides, Jiao Haiqing made a good point earlier. I’m still a scholar by status, and regardless of what happens in private, it’s not convenient for me to handle such affairs openly.”

“That’s true. With your abilities, you shouldn’t be entangled in trivial matters,” Zheng said.

“So when the Jiao family brings over their management plan, if I approve, I’ll hand the business over to them,” Wei Renshi continued. “If you want to be involved, let me know sooner rather than later.”

“I think I’ll pass,” Zheng shook his head, sighing. “My brother has made a living outside and keeps inviting me to bring my nephews over. I’ve always refused, and my nephews, having spent so much time with me, have also delayed leaving. Now, there’s not much keeping me here. Staying in Changgu is pointless; in a year at most, I’ll take my nephews and seek out my brother.”

Wei Renshi was caught off guard, seeing a bitter smile on Zheng’s face. He hesitated, then asked, “Is it because of my mother?”

Zheng seemed resigned and answered candidly, “With your talent, you’re bound for greatness. When that happens, your mother will be honored because of you, and as a mere farmer, I wouldn’t dare come close.”

“To be honest, my mother is still young, and I don’t mind,” Wei Renshi replied.

Zheng shook his head, smiled wryly, waved his hand, and left.

Wei Renshi sighed and returned home.

At home, the grand lady was sewing, with Xi’er learning beside her. Seeing that it was still early, Wei Renshi said to Xi’er, “Xi’er, bring a basket and come out with me.”

“My son, you’ve just returned and are heading out again? You haven’t settled down to study lately. Don’t neglect your lessons,” the grand lady said, concerned.

“Don’t worry, mother. I know what I’m doing. I’m just going to gather some herbs and will be right back,” Wei Renshi answered, taking Xi’er with him as he left.

The best jiaogulan grows in the south, and while it does exist in the Central Plains, it’s not as effective. But since he couldn’t go south now, he’d have to make do with the local variety.

This season was when jiaogulan flourished. Picking some for Jiao Haiqing to brew as tea was very effective against “the three highs.”

In Wei Renshi’s memory, jiaogulan only became widely known in the Ming Dynasty, initially as a wild vegetable used during famine, not as a medicinal herb. Therefore, it probably couldn’t be found in pharmacies during this era.

Jiaogulan thrives in shady, moist places, preferring loose, fertile soil. It could be found in areas with little sun: woods, valleys, field ridges, watersides, in front of or behind houses, beside mountain paths, at the base of rocks—any damp and shaded environment.

Wei Renshi wandered with Xi’er, searching these damp spots, and indeed found quite a lot.

He even found some five-leaf varieties by the shaded riverbank, which delighted him.

He carefully picked them, noted the location, and planned to return in autumn when they were sturdier to take cuttings and transplant some to his own home.

The seven-leaf and nine-leaf kinds were best, but the environment in Changgu probably couldn’t produce them, so they were nowhere to be found.

After searching for a while, they gathered a good amount. What made Wei Renshi even happier was discovering that elm seeds were now edible!

He’d been so busy making seasonings lately that he hadn’t noticed the elm seeds had already turned green.

“Xi’er, catch!” Wei Renshi broke off a branch and tossed it to Xi’er below.

Xi’er watched nervously. “Be careful, sir!” She stripped the seeds from the branch, and soon her basket was full.

Elm seeds are wonderful—sweet and tasty, delicious steamed on their own or combined with meat to make a savory stew.

The pair, baskets full of elm seeds, headed home. Xi’er, thrilled to be gathering food, skipped along, suddenly pointing out, “Sir, look! There’s toon sprouts here too!”

Toon sprouts have their own unique flavor. In later years, Wei Renshi liked to make fragrant toon paste to dip bread in—a true delicacy.

They picked a good amount.

By the time they returned, not only were all their baskets full, but Wei Renshi had even woven a few extra from branches, which were also stuffed.

“Ha! Tonight, you don’t need to lift a finger. Let me handle everything,” Wei Renshi declared, cheerful after his foraging.

He carried the baskets to the kitchen, Xi’er happily went to help, and the grand lady, seeing their joyful faces, felt her spirits lift. She smiled, shook her head, and continued mending.

Jiao Haiqing had sent over a lot of goods; selling the unneeded items had provided enough for the family to live comfortably for some time.

With future income from the seasoning business, their days were looking up.

Wei Renshi was in high spirits, humming as he skillfully prepared the meal.

Soon, he had a table full of dishes ready.

The grand lady looked in surprise at the spread. “When did you learn to cook, my son? Did you really make all of this?”

Wei Renshi smiled without answering, placing several dishes into her bowl. “Mother, try it.”

She took a bite, eating elegantly, then exclaimed, “It’s even tastier than what I make! Where did you learn?”

“Sir makes such delicious food!” Xi’er chimed in.

Xi’er didn’t need to stand at the table; both the grand lady and Wei Renshi treated her as family.

“Mother, from now on, we won’t need to worry about food or clothing. With me here, our days will get better,” Wei Renshi spoke quietly, but his words were steady and confident, inspiring trust and peace.