Chapter 45: If it doesn’t work

“Aiyo, you all don’t know, I just went to Shen Fulang’s house and hadn’t even sat down before Zeng Saozi from next door came over to chat and laugh. We drank a bowl of soup together, and not even a quarter of an hour later, Zeng Saozi suddenly got really bad off!”

She started vomiting and having diarrhea, making a huge commotion.

She was clutching her stomach, crying out in pain, her face pale as paper. It scared both me and Shen Fulang half to death!

Chen Shi came over, ignoring Fan Father’s grumbling, and immediately told the family about what had happened.

Juner saw Chen Shi’s mouth was so dry she could barely speak, so she brought over a bowl of rice soup for her.

Chen Shi was terribly thirsty, and finished it all in one gulp.

Fan Shoulin, hearing how dangerous it sounded, stopped complaining and hurriedly asked, “What happened? Was it something with the water?”

Chen Shi replied, “That’s what Zeng Saozi said too. But both me and Shen Fulang drank a whole pot of the same water, and nothing happened to us. Maybe her body was already unwell, and it just happened to act up at that time. It really scared Shen Fulang—so we rushed to her house and called people over to carry her to bed. She was screaming from the pain.”

“There’s no Caoyi or Da Fu in our village. If we want to get someone to take a look, we have to go all the way to the Town. There’s no cart at home, and if we walk, who knows how long it would take? Everyone was so anxious, running around in circles, saying we should go trouble Zhao Laosi to make a trip. But who knew, when we got there, he wasn’t home, and even after lunch, he still hadn’t returned from the Town.”

“She nearly got killed by the pain! Her husband was so anxious, he said if there was no cart, he’d carry her to the Town himself. But then, by luck, he ran into Xu Yang on the way. Xu Yang saw how anxious he was, sweating all over, and asked what was wrong.”

“When Xu Yang heard what happened, he didn’t say another word, just went home to get the cart ready and took her straight to the Town.”

Kang He listened quietly, then asked Chen Sanfang, “Is she alright now? Have you heard any news?”

“She’s fine now, just a stomach illness. The Da Fu gave her an injection and some medicine, and after taking a dose, she started to recover.”

Chen Shi said, “Shen Fulang was so worried. I stayed with them, waiting until they came back and told us she was alright before heading home. That’s why I was delayed until now.”

Thinking of what happened today, Chen Shi still felt a lingering fear. “Tomorrow I’ll bring a few Ji Zi over to Zeng Saozi’s house. Today was truly frightening.”

Fan Shoulin sighed. “Ever since Gong Dafu from our village died, we haven’t had a Caoyi for years. If something happens, a sudden illness, there’s not even anyone who can come in time.”

“Remember that year when Xia Chuntian from the Xia Jia struck his calf with a hoe? The blood was everywhere, and they couldn’t get a Da Fu for ages. Though he survived, he’s been limping ever since. Such a strong young man—what a pity.”

“It’s not just the Xia Jia. Remember Wang Pozi who sells pickled vegetables? She fell ill in bed, and even though they called a Da Fu from the Town, she was gone before he arrived.”

Chen Shi and Fan Shoulin went over all the villagers who had fallen ill or suffered mishaps over the years and hadn’t gotten timely treatment, feeling a deep sorrow in their hearts.

Farming families have it rough. When someone gets sick or hurt, they’re reluctant to spend money on a doctor. And when things get desperate, they don’t care about money anymore, but still can’t get timely treatment.

That night, everyone ate their evening meal in a somber mood.

At night, a few bright stars hung in the sky. Kang He helped carry pig feed to feed the piglets.

Fan Jing split a few bundles of firewood and tossed them under the stove. After working for a while, most of the food in his belly had settled. He took a bath and went back to his room to rest.

“Are you thinking of becoming a Da Fu in the village?”

The two of them lay on the bed. Fan Jing noticed that Kang He had been quiet all evening, and guessed he had something on his mind.

Kang He turned his head toward the person beside him and smiled. “So our Ajing can read minds now?”

Fan Jing knew he was teasing and didn’t argue.

What Kang He said wasn’t wrong. Before, Fan Jing only ever thought about where to set traps to catch wild animals, or whether it would rain the next day—if it rained, he’d sleep in a bit and wait for the sky to brighten before heading up the Mountain; if it was clear, he’d leave before dawn.

He couldn’t hold too many things in his head at once.

He always prioritized matters of livelihood. There was no room for extra thoughts about what others were thinking.

Ever since Kang He came into the family, he always found ways to earn money that they never could before. Life became a bit more comfortable, and they even bought livestock and land they’d never dared buy before.

It wasn’t just the two of them making money. Kang He also found ways for the rest of the family to earn money.

His father and Chen Shi hadn’t asked him for money in a long time.

A while back, the family ran short on rice, and Chen Shi used her own money to buy half a dan of millet from another villager who had extra.

It must have been when he and Kang He were up on the Mountain, because he didn’t know about it until he went to the Chawu to get a basket and saw the pile of millet. He only learned about it after asking Juner.

Before, the family wouldn’t even buy this much grain. Even buying a packet of salt would be such a big deal that the whole family knew about it.

Openly or secretly, everyone expected him to contribute.

He didn’t blame them. Life was hard, and aside from the little they got from the fields, there wasn’t anything else. It wasn’t anyone’s fault—just the poverty.

People change with their circumstances.

He realized he had become idle, with more time to spare.

Kang He saw he wasn’t speaking and his expression darkened a little. “I haven’t thought about it that way.”

“It’s just that, after hearing Dad and Mom talk about all this today, I felt a bit uncomfortable inside. Today it happened to someone else, but if our own family gets sick or hurt and there’s no Da Fu in the village, we’ll run into the same problems.”

Kang He said slowly, “But with my shallow knowledge of medicine, I’m not good enough to be a Da Fu. For my own family, maybe I could help in a pinch, or diagnose something in an emergency, but to make a living from it and take people’s money—I wouldn’t feel right.”

“If I studied for a few more years with a proper master, maybe I could become a Caoyi. But at my age, it’s a bit late to start learning.”

Fan Jing replied, “If you really want to, just find a Da Fu to apprentice under. I’ll take care of things at home.”

Kang He was touched. He knew Fan Jing was afraid he’d give up his own dreams just to support the family.

“That’s not it. Honestly, I don’t have a strong passion for medicine. If I did, I would’ve started long ago.”

Fan Jing saw he was serious and didn’t press further.

Kang He leaned over and kissed Fan Jing’s ear. “You really are my brother, always thinking of me.”

He felt very happy that Fan Jing cared for him.

Fan Jing was a bit ticklish but wasn’t in the mood for that kind of thing. They’d just bathed, and the weather was hot—unlike the cold of early spring, now even a little movement would make them sweat.

If they did anything, they’d have to sneak around like thieves. He’d never thought there was anything good about living in the Mountain, but at times like this, he’d have a few stray thoughts.

Kang He saw that Fan Jing wasn’t responding to his teasing and slipped his hand under Fan Jing’s clothes.

“I didn’t eat enough at dinner.”

Fan Jing glanced at him. “Who told you not to eat your fill?”

Kang He grinned wickedly. “I was thinking there was something better waiting for me.”

Fan Jing realized he meant himself and thought this man really had a sharp tongue.

He muttered, “We’ll get all sweaty. Wait until we’re up on the Mountain.”

“Who knows when that’ll be? Are you trying to starve me to death?”

Kang He said, “A man’s prime doesn’t last long. If I don’t make the most of it while I’m still strong, in the future even if you beg me, I won’t be able to.”

Fan Jing shot Kang He a sideways look. He’d never met a man who went on about how he might not be able to perform in the future.

Kang He saw Fan Jing’s cold face and felt like teasing him even more. “If I really can’t do it one day, would you cheat on me?”

“……..”

Fan Jing kicked Kang He. “I wouldn’t cheat. I’d bring him right to your face.”

Kang He yelped in pain and was about to rub his leg when he heard what Fan Jing said. He choked with anger. “I never knew you were so heartless!”

Fan Jing didn’t want to bother with him anymore.

But Kang He clung on, pulling a jar of ointment from under his pillow. “I was just joking. You actually took it seriously. I wanted you to try this.”

“You always say it’s dry and hurts. Today I picked up some Yatuo and also got some Yao Yougao at the Yao Pu. They said it’s cooling and soothing. If it works, we won’t have to suffer anymore.”

Fan Jing grabbed Kang He’s hand and asked, “The Xiao Ge’er at the Yao Pu gave it to you?”

“Mm.” Kang He said, “What’s wrong?”

Fan Jing thought of the Xiao Ge’er, who looked young and probably wasn’t married. He wondered why Kang He and the boy had talked so long and even gotten these things.

He wasn’t thin-skinned, but still felt a little awkward about it. He couldn’t help but say, “You really don’t mind asking about anything.”

Kang He laughed. “What’s there to mind? Da Fu have seen everything, dealing with tricky cases all day. Helping people is a relief for them.”

“You’re embarrassed, but they’re already old hands. Mentioning a couple’s matters is nothing to them.”

Fan Jing didn’t say anything—he really didn’t know much about these things.

“So are you going to use it or not? If not, let’s just sleep.”

Kang He lay down, pretending to lose interest.

But Fan Jing picked up the Yao Yougao. “How do you use it?”

Kang He immediately scrambled up. “I’ll help you.”

The next day, Fan Jing woke up a bit late. The sun was already high in the sky.

He got out of bed and saw that Kang He was already gone.

His waist was sore.

That stuff worked, but it made Kang He lose all restraint.

He thought to himself that later, around noon, he’d have to get Kang He to give him a massage, or else he wouldn’t be able to split any firewood.

After breakfast, Chen Shi went to the Town to sell the batch of Ruo Tou Vermicelli she’d made. She was in good spirits today, and the two girls went with her.

Fan Father went to work in the fields as usual.

Kang He and Fan Jing stayed home, cleaning out the rabbit pens. The rabbits were getting big—after three months, they were ready to be sold for meat.

“Rare to see you two at home. Lucky I ran into Second Uncle Fan and asked after you.”

From the courtyard came a voice. Kang He saw it was Xu Yang.

He was carrying a three- or four-jin Qingyu, its mouth tied with a straw rope.

Kang He called him into the house and poured him some tea.

Xu Yang was there to return the money he’d borrowed—three hundred copper coins. He laughed and said, “You two are really easygoing. I owed you for so long and you never asked. Next time I need money, I’ll come to you again.”

Kang He laughed. “I know you can run, but your temple can’t. If we need silver, we’ll come knocking at your door.”

They chatted for a bit, and Kang He asked about Zeng Saozi’s situation from yesterday. Both of them sighed over it.

After about a cup of tea’s time, Xu Yang said the weather was good and he was busy—he needed to hire a long-term laborer to help work his land.

The Xu family had a house in the Town, and the whole family no longer lived in the countryside. Only a big old house was left, looked after by two old family servants.

Now that Xu Yang was back, he wanted to get the household back in order, but he couldn’t manage it alone and didn’t want to neglect the fields, so he needed help.

Kang He accepted the Qingyu and invited Xu Yang to come for dinner in the evening.

Xu Yang hadn’t meant to get a free meal—the fish was caught when he was cleaning up his family’s abandoned fish pond. He’d sent an even bigger one to Yuan Ge’er.

But when he heard Kang He was going to cook himself, he agreed.

It had been a while since the family had made a good meal, so with Xu Yang coming, Kang He decided to make it extra plentiful.

He made pickled vegetable and Ruo Tou stew with Qingyu, cold tossed Ruo Tou Vermicelli, and several fresh garden dishes. He slaughtered a duck that had stopped laying eggs—duck blood, duck offal, duck meat—enough to make several dishes.

Chen Shi came back with the two girls in the afternoon, happy that all the Ruo Tou Vermicelli had sold out. She was even happier to hear Xu Yang was coming for dinner.

She took out the Songhua Eggs that Fan Fu Lang had made for her earlier and helped Kang He prepare the meal.

The Songhua Eggs were cleaned of the mud and ash, and when the shells were cracked, the eggs were tender and glistening, with white patterns like snowflakes—truly beautiful.

Cut open, the golden yolk was rich, and the Songhua Egg was soft and smooth.

Kang He thought they were excellent and figured Shen Fulang’s skill in making Songhua Eggs was indeed impressive.

Kang He told Chen Shi that Shen Fulang had agreed to help them make Pickled Duck.

“He was happy to do it when I asked him. He wouldn’t even take our money. But I wouldn’t have it. We agreed on twenty-five coins per batch, but he said it was too much.”

Kang He was relieved. “Shen Fulang is capable. It’s a good thing if he’s willing to come again.”

Chen Shi understood what he meant and smiled. “He’s not the petty type. I told him we’d sell the Pickled Duck and give him a share, and he was just happy to help.”

“This morning, when I was selling Ruo Tou Vermicelli, lots of people came asking about Pickled Duck.”

Kang He replied in agreement.

That night, with a whole table of dishes, it felt like New Year’s. The whole family was happy, and Fan Father brought out his wine.

Xu Yang drank with Fan Father, the two of them enjoying several bowls.

As he picked up food with his chopsticks, Xu Yang felt the duck was fragrant, the fish soup was delicious, and after a few bowls of wine, he didn’t even need to eat anymore.

He said, “Jing Ge’er, where did you find such a good son-in-law? Even his cooking is top notch!”

Fan Jing, for once in a good mood, clinked his cup with Xu Yang. “Don’t use flattery to dodge the wine.”

Xu Yang laughed. “I wouldn’t dare drink with you. You can really hold your liquor.”

When Xu Yang and Fan Xin were young, they once stole Fan Shoushan’s wine. The two boys took a sip, found it spicy and unpleasant, and decided to play a trick on Fan Jing by pretending it was boiled water.

But Fan Jing drank it and actually liked the taste.

Still, he didn’t let the prank go and gave them both a good beating.

The two boys ran around clutching their heads, feeling wronged—why could Fan Jing drink, but not them? They insisted on a drinking contest.

The three of them drank several bowls of watered-down wine, ended up red-faced and dizzy, and fell asleep on the haystack.

When it got dark and the kids still hadn’t come home, the two families searched everywhere with torches, thinking they’d been kidnapped.

Fan Father remembered the story. “Little troublemakers—always up to mischief together.”

Xu Yang laughed. “If I get drunk tonight and sleep on the Tian Kan, at least I won’t have my grandfather and father coming after me with sticks. But no one from home will come pick me up either!”

Kang He listened to Fan Jing’s childhood stories and was amused. He picked a piece of fish, removed the bones, and put it in Fan Jing’s bowl.

He said, “I always thought Big Xin looked so honest and gentle. How did you end up beating him? Seems he wasn’t so well-behaved as a kid.”

Fan Father and Chen Shi laughed. “Yang, when will you let us come to your wedding feast? You and Big Xin are the same age, both still unmarried. Us uncles and aunties are getting anxious.”

Xu Yang laughed it off. “Whenever Big Xin gets married, I’ll get married too.”

Chen Shi knew a bit about Xu Yang and Yuan Ge’er, so she didn’t say anything more.

After that, Xu Yang and Kang He got much closer, and they could often be seen together—their relationship noticeably closer.

By early May, Kang He helped Chen Shi make hundreds of Pickled Duck and Songhua Eggs. They didn’t have enough ducks at home, so they bought more from others, just like they did with Ruo Tou.

At first, Chen Shi didn’t dare make too many, afraid she’d lose money.

But when she sold Ruo Tou Vermicelli, so many people asked about Pickled Duck, and Zou Fulang even ordered forty Pickled Ducks, asking for them to be delivered once ready.

Besides that, there were other scattered orders, and by the time she added it all up, she’d already sold eighty by reservation alone.

There was no way to keep up without making more.

She was willing to spend the money, since Ruo Tou Vermicelli was selling well—just like the Ruo Tou in the winter month.

A pound of Ruo Tou sold for only three coins, but Ruo Tou Vermicelli took more work and was fresher. A handful of wet vermicelli, packed in a big pottery bowl, half a jin sold for five coins—much more profitable than Steamed Bean Curd.

It was just a lot of work. Making Steamed Bean Curd was easy, but making vermicelli was delicate work, taking two or three hours and leaving your arms and neck sore.

But after a day of selling at the Town, stringing together the heavy copper coins at night, she felt it was all worth it.

In May, Kang He and Fan Jing were getting ready to go up the Mountain. After spring, the breeding season was over and it was a good time for hunting.

They planned to stay on the Mountain for a while, since after summer, the autumn harvest would come, and they’d have to help at home.

Before heading up, they went to the Town to get supplies.

There was enough rice and flour at home, but they needed some common medicines for illness and injury.

The two of them went to Qingfang Zhu Ping Pharmacy, where they’d gotten medicine before. From a distance, they saw a crowd gathered out front, not sure what was happening.

Kang He pulled Fan Jing along to take a look. The pharmacy wasn’t open, but two men in yellow cloth shirts were shouting at the door, “A heartless killer, unworthy of being a doctor! How can there be such a black-hearted Da Fu?”

“Our family always treated him with respect, everyone saw it. Every time we invited him over, it was in a sedan chair. And this is how he repays us—he killed our Miss! Such a young girl, a living life gone!”

“If you’re not afraid to die, then go to Zhu Ping Yao Guan for treatment! Maybe you’ll die even faster…”

Kang He only understood part of what was being said, but could tell something had happened.

The people around were all talking at once, but none of them seemed to know the details.

At that moment, Fan Jing tugged on Kang He’s sleeve. Kang He looked at him questioningly, and Fan Jing motioned with his chin.

Kang He looked in the direction indicated and saw, in a side alley, a Xiao Ge’er with a small bundle, trying to sneak away onto the main road.

That was the Xiao Ge’er from the Yao Pu, the one who’d given him the Yatuo last time.

The two of them quietly followed.

“Ge’er, did something happen at the pharmacy?”

The Xiao Ge’er was startled by the two tall figures blocking his way, almost dropping his bundle. He recognized their faces but couldn’t remember who they were.

He said, “Who are you? Why are you blocking my way? I’ll call the authorities if you don’t move!”

“Don’t worry, Ge’er. We just came to the Yao Guan for some medicine, but saw the crowd and wondered what was happening. We’ve received Zhu Da Fu’s kindness before—he even bought our herbs from the Mountain.”

Hearing this, the Xiao Ge’er burst into tears. “From now on, this pharmacy probably won’t be able to open. You’d better find another Yao Guan.”

“Why not? My Fu Lang had a toothache recently and got medicine here—it worked wonders.”

The Xiao Ge’er said, “My master had been treating Sun Yuanwai’s family in the City for a long time. Not long ago, their Miss fell ill and got some medicine from our pharmacy. My master warned her not to mix it with certain other medicines, but she went to another pharmacy and got the conflicting medicine anyway. She took both, and within hours, she was gone.”

“Sun Yuanwai wouldn’t let it go, insisting it was our master who killed Fei Xiaojie. They went to the yamen and sued, but the County Magistrate didn’t convict our master. Still, the Fei family wouldn’t accept it and hired people to make trouble at our door every day. The yamen officers, being in Sun’s pocket, don’t care.”

“People who don’t know the truth believe their accusations. We can’t out-argue the Fei family, and my master was so angry he’s been bedridden for days. I was just going to buy some soup and fruit for my master.”

Kang He frowned. “How can people be so unreasonable?”

The Xiao Ge’er wiped his tears.

“They’re powerful in the County, unlike us—just ordinary folks trying to make a living. We’ll just wait for my master to recover, then leave this place.”

Kang He asked, “Where will you go?”

The Xiao Ge’er shook his head.

“I don’t know. We were refugees who ended up here. Over the years, we managed to build up the pharmacy, but my master is kindhearted, never overcharges, and often lets people buy on credit. We never saved much money.”

“This place is rented. Now that trouble’s come, the landlord wants to take it back. Even if we want to stay, we can’t.”

“Sorry, I can’t talk anymore. I need to go buy food for my master.”

Kang He didn’t try to stop him. He and Fan Jing helped shield the Xiao Ge’er so he could get onto the main road safely.

“What a pity for such a good Da Fu and pharmacy. I even saw people bringing him Ji Zi as thanks last time.” Kang He sighed, thinking how this wasn’t much different from how they’d been bullied by Chen Yushun in the countryside.

No matter where you went, there were always troubles.

Fan Jing didn’t say anything, but he felt the same way deep down.