In Vain
Zhoulang was eager to venture into the vast mountains the very next day, fervently persuading his father, "Just look at the valuable treasures that Manbao has discovered before - not a single one was worthless." The few privet trees in the mountains, which were dried by your eldest and second brothers last year, fetched nearly a liang of silver. And the mountain yams growing in our fields, not to mention the ginger Manbao plans to cultivate - our entire year's earnings from the fields cannot match these. "This Chinese rhubarb might even be more lucrative."
Manbao nodded vigorously, for she reasoned that since the herb was already extinct in the future, it must be tremendously valuable.
"But we cannot neglect the work in the fields." In half a month, it will be time to reap the wheat, followed by the beans - all the way until August, perhaps even September. "I fear that you, elder brothers, and yourselves may not have the time to spare."
Zhoulang volunteered immediately, "Father, my sixth brother and I will go." "We are young and have limited tasks at home, but searching for Chinese rhubarb would be within our abilities."
The elder Zhou pondered this, as tilling and shoveling the soil was arduous work, and the younger fifth and sixth sons were unaccustomed to such laborious tasks. While venturing into the mountains posed no issue, he hesitated.
After some deliberation, he shook his head and said, "If these were our own mountains, I would readily allow you." But that patch of land was allotted to the Dali village, and they are not the most amicable. "Young ones, you may encounter trouble if you cross paths with them."
It would be best for the eldest, fourth, or third son to accompany them.
Struck by this realization, the elder Zhou's eyes gleamed, "Very well, then." Tomorrow, the fourth shall lead the fifth to make the trip. If they succeed, you two may take turns with the third and sixth. And remember, do not fear the Dali folk. The divided land is not their permanent property - you are merely foraging in the mountains, which they cannot prevent.
The brothers acquiesced.
Manbao expressed her regret, "It's a pity the mountains are so far, or I would go after school."
The others chuckled, silently grateful that the distance was sufficient to preclude bringing an additional child along.
Keke also lamented, "Although the researcher has not yet analyzed the entry results, I have already recorded its basic data." If the host were to leave, I could provide scans. My energy reserves have accumulated greatly, allowing me to steadily scan a radius of one hundred meters around me.
This scanning process would consume minimal resources since it aligns with Keke's core function, and the costs could be reimbursed by the Encyclopedia Hall, requiring no expenditure from the host.
But the single person-single system pair could only sigh wistfully, as they believed that Manbao's main priority should be her studies.
Alas, Keke had long wished to find Manbao a comprehensive encyclopedia on flora and fauna, but it seemed that this era lacked such a comprehensive work.
Oblivious to what they had missed, Zhoulang and his brother cheerfully set out the next day with backpacks and hoes in hand.
Manbao, still yawning from her late-night reading session with Keke, lazily waved goodbye to her elder brothers, wishing them success.
While not a guarantee, well-wishes were still considered an auspicious omen upon departure.
When Manbao returned from school that afternoon, Zhoulang and Zhouliu trudged back, dejected. Manbao hurried over to inquire, "Fourth brother, did you find it?"
Zhoulang gestured towards the backpack, and Manbao hurried to inspect it. Little Qian nearby chuckled, "They didn't find Chinese rhubarb, but they did bring back a basketful of mushrooms."
"That's not bad either," said Qian. "Mother has instructed your second brother to take some goods to the county town to sell." She and Father are also considering sending him with some Chinese rhubarb to inquire about the price at the apothecary. If it's worth selling, they'll have all of you search again.
Since Zhoulang and the others had searched all day without success, it was clear that this item was not easy to locate. Therefore, Elder Zhou and Qian decided to assess the market value before investing more labor into the endeavor. If the price was deemed unworthy, it would be preferable to return to the dependable work of fertilizing and tending the crops.
Manbao nodded, "Alright, but be sure to tell second brother not to sell it if the price is too low. I'll take it to Elder Bao's and make some Chinese rhubarb ointment."
Manbao considered this a splendid idea and happily shared it with Qian, "Elder sister-in-law, Chinese rhubarb ointment and cakes are so delicious." If only you knew how to make them.
Qian smiled and said, "Delicacies made with such precious ingredients are beyond our means." However, we can certainly send some to the Bai family.
Upon hearing this, Qianer emerged from within, chuckling, "Indeed, I had forgotten." Manbao, please take two pieces to the Bai family tomorrow. This Chinese rhubarb is very rare. I'm sure they don't get to enjoy it often.
Manbao nodded, as she had only partaken of it twice before.
The next day, Zhouer took the goods to the county town, while Manbao placed two pieces in a bamboo basket to bring to the school. Bai Shanbo eyed the basket curiously.
Manbao pushed the basket towards him, saying, "This is for you."
"Why are you giving me tree roots?" Bai Shanbo asked, perplexed.
"These are Chinese rhubarb," Manbao explained.
Bai Shanbo, being Manbao's good friend, immediately exclaimed, "Chinese rhubarb ointment and cakes?"
Manbao nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! Take them home and have your cook prepare them." "If it's not enough, we have more." "I'll share some with the teacher later."
She added, "It was the teacher who first told me this was Chinese rhubarb."
Bai Shanbo, aware of the rarity of this ingredient, asked, "Where did your family acquire this?"
If possible, his family could acquire more items to keep in storage, ready to be used whenever desired.
"We found it in the mountains." It was so difficult; my fourth and fifth brothers searched all day yesterday without success. I happened to chance upon it the day before.
"Could we try growing it ourselves?" Bai Shanbo suggested.
Manbao pondered this, "It seems to resemble mountain yams, yet it is a fungus." I wonder how one would cultivate it?
Bai Shanbo examined the Chinese rhubarb closely but could not see any similarity to mountain yams. Keke was similarly perplexed.
Scratching his head, Bai Shanbo suggested, "We can experiment with different methods to see if we can make it sprout, and then plant it in the soil." Or, we could excavate some of the soil in which it was discovered and attempt to cultivate it that way, considering you mentioned it is a fungus.
His gaze fell upon the Chinese rhubarb in the basket as he mused, "It would be wonderful if we could cultivate our own supply."