26: Chapter 26 Five Hundred Cash

After the villagers dispersed, Mo Shoutian put away the "wild herb records" and returned home.

Liu Chunmei was clearing the table, and upon seeing Mo Shoutian, she brought over the meal she had saved for him.

Mo Shoutian had just eaten a few bites when Liu Chunmei asked:

"Are you not going to the west side of the village?"

"I'll go later."

Then Mo Shoutian placed the booklet on the table and explained the matter of collecting herbs while eating.

After listening, Liu Chunmei said:

"It really won't do to have them all sent to our home; Xiaochuan usually Cultivates in his room. With people coming in and out of the house all day long, Xiaochuan won't be able to Cultivate in peace. If someone were to happen to see something and spread the word, it would be troublesome."

Mo Shoutian nodded:

"I still have to lead the men in practicing with the heavy crossbow, and I'll be going into the mountains in the future. It's impossible for me to stay home every day to collect herbs."

"That's why I want to find someone to help."

"Who do you want to find?"

"Mo Xiaoer's wife."

Liu Chunmei thought about it:

"Mo Xiaoer's wife would actually work. Her family lived quite comfortably when she was young, and she spent a few years learning characters under a teacher, so she can also do some simple bookkeeping. Later, her family's fortunes declined, and she married into Mo Family Village."

"Moreover, Xu Qiuniang is meticulous in her work, and since her home is close to ours, it is indeed suitable."

Mo Shoutian also felt that what Liu Chunmei said made sense, and nodding, he said:

"I plan to give her five hundred wen a month."

"Five hundred wen is quite a lot."

"Collecting herbs, weighing them, and keeping accounts—once it gets truly busy, these tasks are not light either."

Liu Chunmei nodded.

"I'll go call her over."

Not long after, Xu Qiuniang brought Xiao Niuzi over.

As soon as Xiao Niuzi entered the courtyard, he asked first:

"Where is Brother Xiaochuan?"

"Your Brother Xiaochuan is sleeping."

After Liu Chunmei finished speaking, she called over Nannan, who was playing with stones under the eaves.

"Xiao Niuzi, this is Nannan."

Xiao Niuzi looked at Nannan:

"I am Xiao Niuzi, let's play together, okay?"

Nannan did not reply, only timidly leaning closer to Liu Chunmei's side.

Liu Chunmei smiled and said to Nannan:

"It's alright, Nannan. Xiao Niuzi is very well-behaved."

After hearing Liu Chunmei's words, Nannan then nodded at Xiao Niuzi.

Seeing that the two children were playing together, Liu Chunmei then brought Xu Qiuniang into the house.

Mo Shoutian didn't beat around the bush and directly explained the matter.

"In the future, I want the villagers to send the herbs they gather directly to your home."

"You can help me look at them according to the booklet. Put the ones you recognize in separate places, and leave the ones you don't recognize for now, and we'll talk when I get back."

"You also need to weigh them and clearly record how many catties each person brought."

Xu Qiuniang glanced at the booklet on the table.

"Brother Shoutian, I do know how to read characters, but I don't know herbs. What if I make a mistake and ruin things for you?"

Mo Shoutian said, "You don't need to recognize everything."

"For the ones you aren't sure about, don't weigh or record them yet, and don't throw them away either. Put them aside separately, and I'll look at them when I get back."

"Also, I will give you five hundred wen in wages every month."

Xu Qiuniang was stunned for a moment.

"Five hundred wen?"

"Isn't that too much?"

"It's not given to you for nothing."

"With so many people delivering herbs, weighing, bookkeeping, drying, and looking after them will all have to be done by you alone, so this five hundred wen is not given to you for free."

Xu Qiuniang looked at the "wild herb records" on the table, and her eyes gradually turned red.

Ever since Mo Xiaoer died, her life had become increasingly difficult, and coupled with Xiao Niuzi being so young, it was even harder.

Now having five hundred wen every month was something she wouldn't even dare to imagine.

She turned her face away and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"Brother Shoutian, I can do this work."

"I will definitely keep the accounts clear and won't underreport even a single ounce of herbs."

Liu Chunmei said:

"Don't think that we are just taking care of you out of charity. If you do the work well, these five hundred wen are what you deserve to take."

Mo Shoutian handed the "wild herb records" to Xu Qiuniang.

"Keep this booklet with you for now."

"There is only this one copy in the village. Don't let anyone take it away, and don't ruin it. If anyone wants to read it, you can turn the pages for them to see."

Xu Qiuniang received the booklet with both hands.

"I understand, Brother Shoutian."

After the matter was discussed, Xu Qiuniang took Xiao Niuzi and returned home.

At this time, Mo Shoutian had finished his meal and went back to the west side of the village.

When he arrived, Mo Chunhe and Mo Qingshi were practicing the retreat route after luring the beasts.

Mo Chunhe ran back from a distance, and when he reached the front of the heavy crossbow, he stepped aside to the left.

Mo Qingshi was a few steps slower than him, and upon reaching the spot, he ran to the right, not colliding into each other like they did yesterday.

The people beside the heavy crossbow did not all turn their heads to look at them, each guarding their own position.

Mo Changlin walked to Mo Shoutian's side.

"Today is much smoother than yesterday."

"After practicing for another two days, we should be able to go into the mountains and try it out."

Mo Shoutian said:

"Let's get proficient in what needs to be practiced first."

Over the next two days, everyone went to the west side of the village every morning.

Moving the crossbow, mounting the crossbow, and drawing the string became smoother and smoother, and Mo Chunhe and Mo Qingshi also memorized the left and right retreat routes.

On the evening of the fourth day, Mo Shoutian felt that the practice was just about enough.

After discussing among themselves, a few of them decided to head into the mountains early tomorrow morning.

The next day, before dawn, Mo Shoutian loaded the heavy crossbow, six crossbow bolts, ropes, dry rations, and injury medicine onto the cart.

The others also brought their spears, hunting knives, and bows and arrows as they hurried over.

Liu Chunmei left Nannan in Mo Xiaochuan's care, and following the cart herself, she prepared to send them to the foot of Baitou Mountain.

At this time, quite a few people had gathered around Xu Qiuniang's doorway.

Some people held a handful of leaves in their hands, some carried freshly dug grass roots, and another person hugged a large clump of vine grass with mud on it.

Xu Qiuniang picked up the herbs brought by the villagers one by one, identifying them by comparing them with the illustrations in the "wild herb records".

A bamboo basket had already been placed by her feet, filled with herbs that she temporarily could not recognize with certainty.

Mo Shoutian stopped the cart and watched for a while.

Upon seeing him, Xu Qiuniang hurriedly stood up.

"Brother Shoutian, I can't be sure about these few types."

"Leave them for now, we'll talk when I get back."

Mo Shoutian looked at the people at the doorway holding grass roots and leaves, and couldn't help smiling.

A few days ago, these people couldn't even recognize a few types of herbs, but now it seemed as though they couldn't wait to dig up all the grass on Baitou Mountain.

Without delay, he drove the cart and continued walking towards Baitou Mountain.

Baitou Mountain was only five or six li away from the village, and it didn't take long to reach the foot of the mountain.

Everyone lifted the heavy crossbow off the cart and distributed the crossbow bolts, ropes, and dry rations.

Liu Chunmei stood beside the cart, watching them pack their things properly.

"Be careful once you enter the mountains."

"If you can't catch anything, just come back. Don't risk your lives for the sake of prey."

Mo Xiaohu smiled and said:

"Sister-in-law, don't worry, we've been practicing for several days."

Liu Chunmei glanced at him.

"What you practiced on were trees; large beasts can run and can also hurt people."

The smile on Mo Xiaohu's face faded.

"I know, sister-in-law."

Liu Chunmei looked towards Mo Shoutian again.

"Come back early."

"Mhm."

Mo Changlin had already walked ahead to check the mountain path.

Four men lifted the heavy crossbow, while the others carried the crossbow bolts and their usual hunting gear on their backs, following him deeper into the mountains.

Mo Shoutian looked back and saw that Liu Chunmei was still standing by the cart.

He didn't stop, and soon followed the others into the mountains.