Deng Qing's eyes lit up. That seemed like a promising way forward.
Compared with risking his life on the battlefield, going into the mountains to gather herbs sounded safer, at least.
He glanced at the two sections of battlement he was responsible for, then asked, "But I've been assigned to guard the wall. I come up at the hour of the Dog every day and can't leave until the hour of the Dragon. If I keep that schedule, how will I have any energy left to gather herbs?"
Big Brother Zhao smiled. "Don't worry. If I brought it up, I've got a solution. Hire someone to cover your shift. Pay two mace of silver a day, and someone will guard the wall for you."
Deng Qing froze. "You can do that?"
"Why not? If they welded everyone to the wall, who'd have time to go out?"
Big Brother Zhao jerked his chin toward the Garrison Soldiers dozing along the wall. "Mind you, you can't just drag in anyone. Someone has to agree to take your shift, then you complete the paperwork and get approval from above. Only then does it count."
Deng Qing considered this for a moment, then asked, "Setting the substitute aside, where exactly is the Desolate Soil? I walked here today and saw nothing but mountains and army tents."
Big Brother Zhao turned and pointed beyond the wall. "In those mountains. There's a designated entrance, guarded by people from the Command Center."
Deng Qing looked where he pointed but could see only the dark bulk of the mountains.
"Do we have to enter the Desolate Soil to gather herbs?"
"No. We aren't qualified to go in yet."
"Then what does Blazing Sun Grass have to do with the Desolate Soil?"
"We can't get through its entrance, but