The cooking smoke slowly dispersed, and the midday sun was a little dazzling.
In the main room, the whole family squeezed together to eat. In the center of the table was a large basin of milky-white stewed snake soup. There were also two large plates of scrambled eggs with toon sprouts, and two plates of shepherd’s purse that had been blanched, then mixed cold with chili and vinegar.
To fool Zhao Xiaobao, the snake meat had been cut into small pieces. They told her it was eel. If she asked again, they would say it was eel. If she kept asking, they would say this was just how their family’s field eels looked, different from others.
Zhao Xiaobao was completely fooled. She happily ate two big bowls. The taste was so good that even after putting down her chopsticks, she kept smacking her little lips. At night, when she slept, she kept mumbling that it was really delicious and she wanted to eat it again.
The next day, they had another good meal: bone soup stewed with radish, pork belly braised with cabbage. The bones and meat were bought by Zhao Dashan from Zhoujia Village the afternoon before. The butcher Zhou had just slaughtered a pig. Half of the pig was kept to sell to nearby villages, and the rest was taken to the town butcher shop.
It was a lucky trip. Zhao Dashan bought a jin of good pork belly and also asked for bones that still had meat on them. They spent a few extra coins than expected.
The old Zhao family’s tradition was: if there is food, just eat it. Why save? They had never seen anyone become rich by being stingy.
After eating well for two days, their stomachs were full of oil and food, and they worked energetically to finish all the farm work in the fields.
They chose an auspicious day. Before dawn, Zhao Dashan carried Zhao Xiaobao, who was still sleeping soundly in the basket on his back, and left the village with his two younger brothers holding torches.
Before leaving, Wang Shi specifically told them that if they could not sell the ginseng at the county town, they should try the prefectural city instead. Ginseng was very valuable and worth the risk of traveling further.
Zhao Dashan had never been to the prefectural city, so he felt uneasy. But fortunately, his two younger brothers were going with him this time, so if anything happened, they had people to discuss with, and he did not feel as afraid.
The journey was long. They were prepared to be away from home for seven or eight days.
All valuable items had been taken out and stored by Xiaobao the night before. They only carried dry food cakes, bamboo tubes for water, and a quilt. They had to sleep outdoors. In spring, the temperature difference between day and night was big, so they were worried Xiaobao would get sick, so they brought enough things. There was no worry about not having space, as long as they avoided people.
The three brothers walked quickly and hardly rested. When they reached the town, the breakfast stalls were still open.
They woke Zhao Xiaobao, who was still drowsy, and took her to eat a bowl of meat noodle soup. Zhao Dashan and his brothers sat aside holding big steamed buns and waited patiently. Luckily, it was not peak meal time, so there were not many customers, and the stall owner did not say anything about them taking up space.
The steamed buns were homemade and stored in the wooden house in the “fairy land.” Their mother said this saved money. If they were hungry, Xiaobao could quietly take them out. The ones they carried now were just for cover. The buns were big and solid, made from coarse grain flour, but very tasty when chewed.
After finishing the meat noodle soup, Zhao Xiaobao was completely awake. She pushed the remaining half bowl to her brothers. Zhao Sandi looked at his elder brother. Seeing no objection, he quickly ate it.
After paying, Zhao Dashan put Zhao Xiaobao back into the basket, and they followed behind a donkey cart heading toward Guangping County.
From Tongjiang Town to Guangping County, it took three hours by donkey cart. This was what Zhao Dashan had found out. The good news was that a cart carrying goods was going to the county today. The bad news was that it did not take passengers. However, if they followed, no one stopped them.
Among the three brothers, Zhao Sandi was the most clever. Worried about getting lost, since walking could not keep up with the cart, he went to chat with the driver. After talking a lot, he even gave the driver twenty copper coins, asking him to slow down a little.
The road from Tongjiang Town to Guangping County was said to be an official road, but it was actually just a wide dirt road that could fit two donkey carts side by side. The road was uneven, and muddy in rainy weather. The driver saw that they could keep up at a decent pace, so he agreed.
Zhao Sandi also found out the driver’s identity. He was from the town’s Ping’an Medical Clinic. After a disaster earlier that year, the only doctor in the clinic had died, and the medicines had been looted by villagers. After the owner learned of this, he planned to close the clinic in Tongjiang Town. They were now moving the remaining property to the county and would no longer do business there.
When the driver talked about this, his previously decent expression turned dark. He no longer had the mood to chat and looked impatient.
Zhao Sandi smiled awkwardly and left tactfully.
He understood that the driver thought the people of Tongjiang Town were ungrateful, acting violently when something happened, even robbing medicines. Such beast-like behavior made people unwilling to help.
They were locals, so the driver naturally disliked them too. Zhao Dashan sighed and said, “There will be no more Ping’an Medical Clinic in town, and no doctor as good as Doctor Lin anymore.”
Since their younger sister was born, they had gone to the town more often. Even small illnesses like sores or catching a cold would be treated at Ping’an Medical Clinic. Every winter, medicine for colds and fever was prepared there, all prescribed by Doctor Lin. Many villagers relied on him. But after the earthquake, no one remembered his kindness, and instead did such terrible things.
Now the clinic was closed. If people in Tongjiang Town got sick or died in the future, it would be their own fault.
No doctor, no clinic—only themselves to rely on.
The journey was very difficult. Perhaps because the driver was unhappy, the donkey cart went fast and slow alternately, almost playing with them, making them suffer but unable to complain.
Fortunately, the Zhao family had one strong trait: stubbornness. Very stubborn. When hungry, they ate buns; when thirsty, they drank water. Their legs never slowed down, and the cart was always in sight, sometimes near, sometimes far, but never lost.
Even walking, they did not fall far behind in those three hours. First, the main road was easier than mountain paths. Second, they were holding back frustration and refused to give in. By late afternoon, under the sunset glow, they finally saw the city gate of Guangping County.
At this time, many people were entering and leaving the gate. Some were carrying goods out after finishing business in the city, others were lining up with donkey carts, mule carts, and even horse carriages to enter the city. It was lively, noisy, and orderly—completely different from Tongjiang Town.
For Zhao Dashan and the others, it was their first time in the county. Everything looked new to them.
They stayed at the end of the line. The donkey cart they had followed had already entered the city earlier.
A carriage came from behind, and they quickly stepped aside. They looked at the driver, but only saw two raised nostrils. The man flicked his whip arrogantly.
Zhao Xiaobao stood in the basket. Seeing her brothers step back, she had no reaction. Her big eyes looked around curiously. Aside from a bigger city gate, better clothes on drivers, and more carts, it did not seem much different from their town.
When it was their turn, Zhao Dashan took out seven copper coins and handed them to the gate guards.
This was the entrance fee. He had already asked while waiting in line. Adults paid two coins, children one coin. Previously, there were also fees for baskets and cargo transport, including cart fees and goods inspection fees. It was messy and expensive. Later, the villagers protested, and scholars even scolded the county magistrate for exploitation. The situation escalated, and the magistrate eventually backed down.
In the end, the county punished some villagers and canceled those fees, leaving only the entrance fee. However, merchants were still charged heavily and had to secretly give money to the guards during inspections, or their goods would be held.
Zhao Dashan noticed merchants doing this. The people around acted as if it was normal, and no one dared to make trouble.
The guards looked them over, especially Zhao Xiaobao, who clearly did not look like a farm child. The brothers became nervous and somewhat unhappy, but in the end, the guards waved them through impatiently.
Zhao Dashan quickly carried Zhao Xiaobao away.
After entering the city, the difference between town and county became obvious.
The town had uneven dirt roads, while the county roads were flat stone slabs, much wider—enough for two carts to pass. People here were more wealthy. More wore silk clothing. Even servants of wealthy families dressed better than those in town. Scholars were also more common, speaking in a refined manner. It seemed school had just ended, and many young students were walking together, shaking their heads as they recited things.
They could not understand what they were saying, only worried their necks might twist.
Originally, Zhao Dashan wanted to walk around the county to check medical clinics and ask which ones were trustworthy, so they could sell their ginseng the next day. But reality was different—the county was more than ten times bigger than the town. After walking until nightfall, they had only barely understood a few streets in the south of the city.
The county was divided like the town: east for the wealthy, west for nobles, south for common people, and north for various low-class professions. Zhao Dashan knew this rule and did not dare go east, west, or north, only staying in the south.
They did see a few pharmacies, but they were all closed.
“Big brother, where do we sleep tonight?” Zhao Sandi asked.
He was carrying Zhao Xiaobao on his shoulders. After entering the city, she refused to stay in the basket. It was too deep for her, and she could not see anything even standing on tiptoe. She kept insisting on walking by herself, but her brothers did not dare let her—she might get lost.
So Zhao Sandi simply let her sit on his neck.
“I already asked. There are seven medical clinics in the county. Ping’an Medical Clinic and Baohe Hall also have branches in the prefectural city… no, it should be that they are originally from the prefectural city and are very famous,” Zhao Sandi said while holding Zhao Xiaobao’s legs. “There’s an inn at the fork ahead. A dormitory bed costs ten copper coins per night, very cheap.”
“When did you ask all this?” Zhao Ertian looked confused. They had not separated the whole way—when did he go ask around?
Zhao Dashan also looked at him, even wanting to take Xiaobao back, worried about him holding her. Zhao Sandi was too restless and might lose her.
“Just now,” Zhao Sandi said casually. When traveling, just ask someone if you don’t know anything. While his brothers were discussing blindly, he had already stopped a candy hawker, bought a skewer, and got all the information out.
“Just now,” Zhao Xiaobao said, holding her third brother’s hair with one hand and the candied hawthorn with the other, cheeks puffed like a small squirrel.
Zhao Dashan: “…”
Wait—when did you two buy candied hawthorn? How did we not know??
After discussion, they decided to go to the inn.
There were only two options left: the inn or an abandoned temple thirty li outside the city where beggars stayed. Staying there for a night was fine, but they had just entered the city and immediately leaving felt uncomfortable, like wasting the entrance fee.
Also, Xiaobao was with them. They could not let her stay in a broken temple—it was dangerous, and their parents would hit them with sticks if they found out.
However, even the dormitory room was not very safe. The three brothers had stayed in such places before when doing odd jobs in the town. One bed could hold more than ten men, and turning over was difficult. The smell was unbearable—sweat, feet, armpits, all mixed together. It made the head dizzy. It was fine for them, but not for Xiaobao.
She was a delicate little girl; how could she stay there?
In the end, they chose the inn but did not take the dormitory. Instead, they took a private lower-class room: eighty copper coins per night, including tea and a bucket of hot water, but no meals. Check-out was at the next day’s Chen hour; otherwise, it would count as another day.
To Zhao Dashan, it was very expensive, but this was already the cheapest and most practical option.
The staff took them to the room. After handing over the key and leaving, he later brought a pot of tea. Zhao Dashan opened it and saw it was no different from the wild tea they picked on the mountain—bitter when drunk. Nothing precious at all.
Well, as expected. How could they be served good tea?
The lower room was not big. It only had one bed and no window. It was probably the worst type of lower room, in a very poor location. The innkeeper likely saw that they were from the countryside and gave them this room on purpose.
There were also better lower rooms. Just next door to them, when the waiter brought them in, a family of three was just opening the door. They could clearly see that the other room had a window facing the backyard, and it could be opened for ventilation.
After walking the whole day, they were already very tired and did not bother arguing about it.
Having no window was actually fine for them—it suited their needs.
They asked the waiter to bring water inside. After everything was done and the waiter left, Zhao Ertian immediately closed the door and even pushed the table against it to block it.
“Xiaobao, take out the flatbreads,” Zhao Dashan said.
Zhao Xiaobao, who was sitting on a chair licking a candied hawthorn stick, nodded. She waved her small hand, and a wooden basin appeared on the bed. Inside were stacks of wild onion pancakes, still warm to the touch.
Each of them took one, rolled it up, and took a bite. Zhao Sandi happily narrowed his eyes and said, “It tastes just like it just came out of the pan.”
“Xiaobao, put the candied hawthorn down first. Where are the eggs your mother cooked for you? Take one out and eat it,” Zhao Ertian said, looking at his little sister with overflowing affection. Bringing Xiaobao along when going out was very convenient—they did not need to drink raw water or eat cold food anymore.
Originally, their mother had wanted to cook a pot of porridge and store it inside, but she was worried it would go bad, so she only made long-lasting steamed buns and pancakes, and specially boiled eggs for Xiaobao.
Back then, when their mother first put eggs into the “fairy land” and took them out much later, she had cooked a whole plate of scrambled eggs. The taste was exactly the same as fresh ones. Their mother had been overjoyed, while Zhao Dashan was confused—he did not understand why she was so happy.
Now he finally understood. He was not as smart as his mother. She had already thought of today. Things stored in the “fairy land” did not spoil easily. These wild vegetable pancakes were still warm after a day and night. What did that mean? It meant that from now on, as long as Xiaobao was with them, they would never have to worry about going hungry when traveling.
If they steamed ten or eight batches of buns in advance, it would last them several meals.
“Second brother, I’m not hungry,” Zhao Xiaobao said, pouting so much she could hang an oil bottle from her lips. She had not eaten candied hawthorn for a long time. Eggs could be eaten anytime, but candied hawthorn would not taste good if left too long.
“Are you hungry?” Zhao Dashan touched her stomach. Along the way, she had been sitting in the basket, eating and chewing non-stop.
“I’m not hungry!” Zhao Xiaobao shook her head. Seeing this, Zhao Dashan let her be.
Each of them ate four or five pancakes, and the rest were quickly put away by Xiaobao while still warm. Their mother had made a lot—not just this basin—but enough for six or seven days. The buns were larger than those sold outside, very solid. Two were enough to make someone half full.
After eating, their energy returned. Zhao Dashan quickly washed Xiaobao up. By the time they finished, it was completely dark.
They discussed and decided that Xiaobao would take her third brother into the “fairy land” wooden house to sleep, while Zhao Dashan and Zhao Ertian would squeeze together outside for the night.
The reason only one person could go in was because Xiaobao could only bring one person in. They had tested it many times at home—only one person at a time. If that person stayed inside and did not come out, then no one else could be brought in next time.
They did not know if it would be possible to bring more in the future, but for now, this was the limit.
Still, they were very satisfied. They even took turns letting Xiaobao bring someone in to sleep. After a night inside, they felt much more energetic the next day. This was their conclusion from testing at home.
When they first cleared land and farmed, they had stayed inside overnight. Even though they sweated, they felt no discomfort at all the next day and were instead full of energy.
Their mother said it was because they were breathing “immortal energy” and were destined to live well. They must protect Xiaobao carefully—she was a living treasure.
They all believed this deeply. So this time, only the three adult men went out, while five children stayed home.
That night passed without incident.
The next day, Zhao Sandi, who had clearly slept better, returned the room key at the front desk. After that, they went to Ping’an Medical Clinic.
Ping’an Medical Clinic was the same chain that had opened a branch in Tongjiang Town. It shared the same owner. Zhao Dashan originally thought they could “keep business within the family.” Even if they were not close, at least they were familiar. As long as the price was not too outrageous, he was willing to sell the ginseng to them.
But things did not go as expected. Although the owner was the same, the shopkeeper and workers were different. As soon as Zhao Dashan explained his intention, a worker sweeping the floor at the door drove them out, rolling his eyes.
“Selling ginseng? Do you even know what ginseng looks like? You think you can come here and scam a clinic?”
Zhao Dashan’s face darkened. He had sincerely wanted to sell it there, but he did not expect such treatment. Even though the town clinic workers were not friendly, they had never looked down on people like this.
Zhao Sandi voiced his thoughts: “Same signboard, same company, but the county clinic is completely different from the one in our town.”
The worker heard this as an insult and angrily swept his broom, sending dust into their faces.
“Your Tongjiang Town is a bandit nest! Don’t think we don’t know what you people are like!”
“You’re accusing people without reason!” Zhao Sandi shouted, face red with anger. “We never robbed your medicines! My eldest brother even helped your people recover stolen medicine!”
A crowd had gathered. The worker sneered and loudly spread rumors about how Tongjiang Town villagers had looted medicines during the earthquake disaster, exaggerating the story.
The crowd began to murmur. Many looked at the Zhao family with unfriendly expressions.
Unable to argue against so many people, Zhao Sandi trembled with anger.
Seeing this, Zhao Dashan knew the deal was impossible. He calmly led his siblings away.
Behind them came a mocking voice: “Country bumpkins who don’t know their place. Don’t waste our time.”
Zhao Xiaobao, sitting on her brother’s shoulder, was accidentally hit by dust and started coughing hard.
Zhao Sandi quickly carried her away.
Next, they went to Baohe Hall.
The shopkeeper of Baohe Hall, a thin middle-aged man with sharp cheekbones and a mustache, received them after hearing they wanted to sell ginseng.
The ginseng had been taken out that morning and carefully stored. It was still fresh, with moist soil on its roots, as if freshly dug up.
After examining it, the shopkeeper said calmly, “It is indeed ginseng, but the roots are damaged. I can only offer eight taels of silver.”
Eight taels.
Disappointment flashed in Zhao Dashan’s eyes.
It was not that he was greedy, but this ginseng was clearly worth more. Even if some roots were broken, it should be at least twenty taels. Eight taels was too low.
His expectation was around twenty-five taels. Anything below that, he did not want to sell.
He could sense the price was deliberately lowered, as if they were certain he would accept.
After what happened at Ping’an Clinic, word likely spread. The shopkeeper clearly knew they had come from Tongjiang Town and were already at a disadvantage.
Zhao Dashan could not understand why the county clinic treated them so badly. He politely said, “Eight taels is too little. We will not trouble the shopkeeper.”
He took back the ginseng, carefully wrapped it, and left with his siblings.
A cold laugh came from behind: “Too ambitious. Let’s see which clinic in the county will buy your ginseng.”
Zhao Dashan was angry but held back and left without turning back.
If you regret it, you can always come back. Eight taels is final,” the shopkeeper said calmly, sipping tea.
After leaving Baohe Hall, they visited several more pharmacies.
The first two showed interest but eventually offered even lower prices—six taels. The others did not even bother looking, also offering six taels or refusing outright.
At this point, Zhao Dashan understood clearly: it was impossible to sell the ginseng in the county.
Unless he sold it cheaply to Baohe Hall.
He realized the situation was like villagers sharing news—once something spread, everyone knew. In this industry, there were no secrets. If one shop offered eight taels, others would not go higher, or they would suffer consequences.
He believed that if they sold it for six taels to small shops, those shops would immediately resell it to Baohe Hall for eight taels.
“Big brother, what do we do?” Zhao Sandi asked anxiously.
“Why don’t we go to the prefectural city?” Zhao Ertian suddenly said.
They had already prepared for that possibility before leaving home. He did not believe such valuable ginseng was only worth eight taels. Even if it was ten or fifteen taels, going to the prefectural city would not be a loss.
Money was hard to earn, and walking a bit more was nothing.
“Let’s go. We leave now,” Zhao Dashan decided immediately.
He quickly went to gather information.
From Guangping County to Qingzhou Prefecture, it took one and a half days by fast horse, over two days by fast donkey cart, and three to four days if slow. Few people walked.
They tried to follow a donkey cart again, but the driver refused unless they paid.
The merchant said the road was dangerous, with bandits and overnight stops. He was traveling with an escort convoy, and only if there was space would he take them along.
So Zhao Dashan negotiated with the escort leader, and they agreed on eighty coins per person.
The merchant who originally spoke to them was furious and stopped talking to them.
But Zhao Dashan was not foolish. Since both cost money, it was better to pay the escorts. At least they would be protected if something happened.
The only regret was not letting Xiaobao bring one brother into the wooden house earlier to save money—but then people would be suspicious if they suddenly appeared in the prefectural city.
In total, four people cost over three hundred coins.
Still, there was a benefit—they did not have to walk anymore.
The escort arranged them on a cart pulled by two strong mules, shared with women and children. The men, including the escorts, all walked except the leader riding a horse in front.
Zhao Dashan felt uneasy about sitting with women, realizing the escort had planned it carefully.
But Xiaobao was excited and immediately tried to climb onto the cart.
A young woman smiled and made space for her.
Zhao Sandi looked at his brother, and after receiving a nod, placed Xiaobao into the gap.
She grabbed the wooden rail and laughed loudly: “Big brothers! The mules run so fast!”
In truth, it was not fast. The convoy was crowded and slow.
At mealtimes, Xiaobao ate warm eggs and buns inside the basket while the others did the same, swallowing quickly without showing that the food was warm.
They walked slowly and camped on the road at night. Escorts kept watch, but Zhao Dashan still insisted on taking turns guarding.
On the fourth day at noon, they finally arrived at Qingzhou Prefecture.
The first thing they saw was a long line of people.
In the county, seeing one horse was rare. In the prefectural city, horse-drawn carriages were everywhere, luxurious beyond anything they had seen.
Even the drivers looked more well-dressed than wealthy people in towns.
They waited nearly an hour at the gate. Security was strict, with six armed guards checking goods carefully.
But ordinary people were allowed in easily after paying the fee.
Inspection was strict but fair.
After checking their belongings and seeing only a quilt and bamboo tubes, the guard still asked questions.
Zhao Dashan carefully showed the ginseng.
The guard glanced at it, then waved them through.
As they entered, even Xiaobao felt the city was better than the county.
The streets were crowded, wide enough for four carriages side by side. Everything looked busy, wealthy, and overwhelming.
The siblings stared in shock, unable to describe it properly. They only knew everything was “so big, so many, so rich.”
After the amazement came nervousness. They suddenly felt their clothes were out of place.
Even though they wore their best clothes, patched in hidden places, they still looked poor compared to everyone else.
For the first time, they felt small and out of place.
Zhao Dashan broke the silence: “Let’s eat noodles here. We’ve come all this way, let’s try the food.”
Zhao Sandi looked embarrassed. “I didn’t mean anything… I just feel like we’re really different from them.”
“It is different,” Zhao Ertian said honestly.
They had never seen such wealth before.
But Zhao Dashan smiled: “What, do you regret not being born here as young masters?”
“No!” Zhao Sandi quickly denied, cheeks red.
They walked on, still overwhelmed by the city’s grandeur, slowly stepping into a world far beyond their village.