Xiao Huzi, hands on his hips, said indignantly, "One penny can buy candy, steamed buns, and so many other things! Why do we have to pool our money to buy this piece of paper?"
He pointed to his classmates, staring into their eyes, "Because they are in pain! In school, if someone mispronounces a word, the teacher will hit their palm with a ruler."
"Go home, and if you don't get an A, you'll slap your hands. Have you ever thought about it? There are so many of us, and only one person gets an A... And you even have the nerve to do that."
He raised both hands high, "Our hands are made of flesh and blood, not wooden stakes! I just don't understand, does entering the private school mean we're no longer your children? How come anyone can hit us??"
Xiao Huzi's words struck a chord with his parents. Wang Jinlian silently stepped forward, covered Xiao Huzi's mouth, and then tucked him under her arm.
"I'm sorry, the child is young and doesn't understand..." After saying that, she turned and left Anzhi Hall.
Each family silently picked up their child and left without taking a single penny from the table.
After everyone left, Zhou Xiaosi entered the shop. "Is Master alright?"
"It's alright... Let's get back to work."
Jin Shanyao stared at the four or five copper coins on the table, feeling uneasy... Money in this world is really hard to earn.
That night, everyone in the Anzhi Hall went to sleep. Jin Shanyao left the cats and dogs to take care of the two children and went alone to Crescent Moon Mountain, Ground Basin Mountain, Gazing Home Mountain, and Chicken Foot Mountain.
Inspect their ley lines, water sources, and soil, then use Spiritual Power to spread grass seeds all over the entire mountain, while also irrigating it with Spiritual Power to prevent all the vegetation from getting sick.
Crescent Moon Mountain is right next to Hat Mountain, Jin Shanyao took the opportunity to visit Xie Chao.
She crept up to the crooked tree and whispered like a ghost, " Xie Chao... Xie Chao... are you asleep?"
Xie Chao was startled and sat up abruptly. Upon seeing who it was, he dared not speak his anger, "Why are you here so late at night instead of sleeping?"
As he spoke, he adjusted his robes, Jin Shanyao sat down beside him with a carefree air. "It's nothing, I just missed you. Did you miss me?"
Xie Chao shifted uncomfortably. "Why would I want to think about you? I'm busy... This mountain is so big, I need to plant medicinal herbs all over it, and I also need to sow grass seeds when the wind blows. I don't even have time to cultivate right now, I just want to go to sleep."
Jin Shanyao. "I knew you were reliable. Look... behind this mountain, there's a Crescent Moon Mountain, which also belongs to our family. Use your Spiritual Power to scan it from time to time, to prevent them from getting sick."
Xie Chao clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly, gritting his teeth as he said, "You came to see me so late at night just to give me more work??"
"Of course not... Do you think I'm that kind of boring person? I came here specifically to tell you to plant more hickory nuts this year, because those people in the capital won't dare to buy lingzhi or mulberry fungus..."
Saying it's too valuable... that's bribery. Pecans don't count... you should plant more, and when Anci goes to Beijing, have him carry two baskets to give away."
Are you sure?
"Of course... the information can't be wrong, the person I asked wouldn't lie to me."
Xie Chao chuckled. "But you look like you're so easy to fool."
" Xie Chao..." Jin Shanyao's eyes narrowed slightly, and she said coldly, "I'll give you one more chance to rephrase your words."
Xie Chao laughed, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything then." He stretched his hand out into the air, and a cloth bag appeared in his palm. "This is for you."
Jin Shanyao surprised, not expecting Xie Chao to give her a gift. She happily accepted it and opened it.
"What's this?"
"Dried matsutake mushrooms... I dried them using my Spiritual Power after picking them, and then sprinkled some seasoning on them. Want to try them? Do you like them?"
Jin Shanyao picked one up and put it in her mouth, her eyes brightening slightly. It was crispy, fragrant, and delicious. "I didn't expect you to be such a good cook. Want some?"
She handed the dried matsutake mushrooms to Xie Chao Xie Chao, who took one and the two of them ate them while gazing at the moon.
What do you plan to do after you release him?
"I'll return to West Long and continue overseeing the local vegetation growth; I want to make up for that severe drought..."
Xie Chao said with a somewhat downcast tone, "Five hundred years later, everything will have changed, and it will probably be too late to make amends."
"No, the land is still the same land, and the seeds have a strong vitality. I believe you will manage West Long very well."
Xie Chao didn't answer the question directly, but instead asked, "And what about you? What do you do?"
"I..." Jin Shanyao gazed at the dark blue sky. Where could a wild deity like her, who had smuggled herself here, go? "I will become a mountain god... and roam freely and domineeringly."
If being a tyrant is your goal, then you have achieved it.
Jin Shanyao at him without a friendly look. "Go to sleep... Remember, plant lots of walnuts... If you need anything, come find me," she said, and disappeared into the night.
Xie Chao stared blankly at the moon, suddenly feeling that his life was very bitter. Why was that?
April is for planting, May is for busy work.
On this day, Qin Baitang brought a boy of about eighteen or nineteen years old to say goodbye.
The boy's name was Tao Yunshan. He had a cold and stern face and clear, bright eyes. He was the one that Jin Shanyao had bought from the matchmaker.
Qin Baitang gently pushed him forward, "Master, this is Xiao Tao. I brought him here for you to take a look and see if he's suitable."
Tao Yunshan lowered his head and called out softly, "Master."
Jin Shanyao. "Have you identified all the medicinal herbs?"
"We've memorized all the varieties we grow ourselves."
Can you treat illnesses?
"I can treat common minor ailments, but not complex ones."
Jin Shanyao and called out towards the counter, " Xiaosi, bring me that bag of medicine from the back."
"Hey..." Zhou Xiaosi responded by pulling out a gray cloth bag and handing it to Jin Shanyao.
Jin Shanyao pushed the bag towards Tao Yunshan, "Sort the medicinal herbs by type, and name and describe the effects of each one."
These were the test questions she used to recruit shopkeepers; they were a mix of real and fake questions, a chaotic jumble of different types.
Tao Yunshan reached out and took out a gall bladder first. "This is pig gall bladder. It can clear heat and moisten dryness, detoxify and improve eyesight, and also relieve constipation."
Then she picked up a root, "Licorice, it invigorates qi, replenishes the middle jiao, clears heat and detoxifies, moistens the lungs and relieves cough... but this is bitter licorice, Anzhi Hall neither buys nor grows it."
Qin Baitang stood quietly to the side, a smile in his eyes, watching his young apprentice sort out the full bag of medicinal herbs, distinguishing the real from the fake without any discernible difference.
Jin Shanyao with satisfaction, "Very good, all correct. You have a sharp eye."
She paused, then said, " Lush Mountain is the foundation of the Anzhi Hall, more important than any other mountain. Since Shopkeeper Qin is willing to recommend you, you must be quite capable. Do a good job, Anzhi Hall will not treat you unfairly."
Tao Yunshan's tense shoulders finally relaxed, and a smile appeared on his lips. "Thank you, Master. I will definitely guard Lush Mountain well."
" Xiaosi," Jin Shanyao her head slightly, "Take Yunshan around to familiarize him with the place."
"Alright!" Zhou Xiaosi readily agreed and led the group out.
Jin Shanyao led Qin Baitang into the study.
He closed the door, his expression softening. " Old Qin, you've gone to a lot of trouble. Tao Yunshan may not be as experienced as you, but he's still quite capable. I'm just worried about you going to the capital alone."
If you encounter any difficulties, be sure to send me a message. If anyone bullies or monopolizes the market... don't confront them directly; protecting yourself is the most important thing."
Qin Baitang smiled amiably, "Don't worry, boss. I'm an old man, what haven't I seen... Besides, we do business within the law, how could we let ourselves be bullied?"
Jin Shanyao at him sideways, "Your fists are stronger than mine? If you've been bullied, just tell me... I have my ways of beating him up."
"Yes, yes, the boss has the bigger fist."
Qin Baitang chuckled. It felt so good to be protected. It reminded him of his deceased mother. Whenever he was bullied, she would always stand up for him and protect him.
The capital city is a crucial place, and his employer sent him there without hesitation. This shows his deep trust in the company, and he must establish Anzhi Hall and live up to his employer's expectations.