Chapter 210: Chapter 210: Brief Biography
Going into the mountains to gather herbs has now become one of the main sources of income for the people of Li County.
Living by the mountains, living by the water. Li County is actually a good place, with endless deep mountains within its territory. Where there are mountains, there are trees; one can go into the mountains to cut down trees for building houses, gather dead branches for warmth in winter, and hunt or gather wild fruits when food is scarce.
In the past, there were two dens of bandits in Li County, ruling the mountains as their own. The people dared not easily enter the mountains for fear of being robbed and killed. Now that the Commandery Princess has wiped out the bandits, and with County Magistrate Cai sending Government Officials to accompany for protection, the people’s courage has grown, and enthusiasm for heading into the mountains is high.
Of course, not everyone can enter the mountains. Firstly, those younger than twenty or older than forty are not allowed to enter. Secondly, those who are weak and lack stamina are excluded. One must also go to the county government-designated pharmacy to learn and recognize more than ten types of herbs before entering the mountains.
The most important rule is not to delay farming activities.
With so many criteria, the number of people qualified to join the herb-gathering team is very few. Today, County Magistrate Cai gathered thirty people, with Tang Yamen Runners and over a dozen other Government Officials accompanying to protect the people.
When the people arrived, they learned that the Commandery Princess would be joining them in the mountains, and they were all excited. As soon as the Commandery Princess appeared with her trusted aides, the people spontaneously knelt and bowed: "The common people greet the Commandery Princess."
"Long live the Commandery Princess!"
Their voices varied, uneven, yet all carried sincere devotion and admiration from the heart.
Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Everyone, rise. I have long heard about the people of Li County going into the mountains to gather herbs. Today, I will join you to see how you work daily. Please don’t be nervous or restrained; just act as you normally do."
The people looked toward County Magistrate Cai.
County Magistrate Cai was a truly good official, without a trace of pretentiousness, tirelessly working for the livelihood of the people. Describing him with the phrase "loving the people like one’s own children" is no exaggeration. The people didn’t care about County Magistrate Cai’s background; they all loved their County Magistrate dearly.
"Listen to the Commandery Princess. There’s no need to be afraid. Just go about looking for and gathering herbs as you usually do," County Magistrate Cai smiled and said, "Today, I will also go into the mountains with you."
Only then did the people feel at ease, continually agreeing in a bustling manner.
To ensure the safety of the Commandery Princess, Song Yuan and Liu Hengchang also went into the mountains. However, having all eight hundred trusted aides go into the mountains seemed a bit too much.
Jiang Shaohua selected a hundred trusted aides to accompany them, while the others were split, with half staying at the foot of the mountain to respond and the other half scattering into the forest, trying to hunt down ferocious beasts. This would also provide more safety for the people going into the mountains in the future.
Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong both followed into the mountains, except Lu Cong, who was left at the foot of the mountain.
Watching the Commandery Princess lead the group into the mountains, Lu Cong felt a deep sense of regret once more.
For the past three years, he wallowed in self-pity and suffering, wasting his time. If only he had practiced horse riding, archery, and learned some boxing, he wouldn’t be so dismissed by the Commandery Princess, unable to even accompany her into the mountains... Just thinking about it brought tears!
...
"When was this path through the mountains created?"
Jiang Shaohua asked casually with a smile as she walked effortlessly.
Despite County Magistrate Cai’s dark and thin appearance, he was actually quite strong, striding briskly along. He replied with a smile, "It was opened last year during our first trip into the mountains. I led the Yamen Runners to create this path. Due to frequent travels, it has become wider, now wide enough for three people to walk side by side."
Jiang Shaohua praised, "County Magistrate Cai indeed works with great dedication."
Chen Jinyu, who was behind them, laughed and chimed in, "When we return, I want to write an article, called ’The Biography of County Magistrate Cai.’ I’ll copy it ten times and send it to each county, so all county magistrates can learn from County Magistrate Cai."
Involvement in competition is the drive and source of motivation.
Jiang Shaohua immediately agreed, "That’s a good idea."
County Magistrate Cai felt a bit embarrassed and modestly declined, "How can this be justified? What I’ve done is just my duty, not worthy of such praise from the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua knowingly smiled, "Are you worried about your colleagues being envious or resenting you?"
County Magistrate Cai was very honest with the Commandery Princess: "Indeed, a bit. The Commandery Princess may not be aware that when I was at the Prince Mansion more than a month ago, everyone I encountered spoke with an odd tone. More than one sought me privately for ’advice’."
"County Magistrate Cui, County Magistrate Gao, and County Magistrate Lei, right?" Jiang Shaohua casually said with a smile.
County Magistrate Cai sheepishly rubbed his hands and said with a laugh, "I knew I couldn’t hide this little matter from the Commandery Princess."
Jiang Shaohua smiled warmly and said, "Don’t worry, with me backing you, the most they can feel is envy and resentment, but they can’t do anything to you. What they might criticize privately is just your origin. But now, you’re also a proper scholar, with the official appointment documents from the Ministry of Personnel that arrived before the end of the year."
"You are the County Magistrate of Li County. Even if you leave Nanyang County one day and go elsewhere, you can continue to serve officially."
"You stand boldly and proudly; there’s nothing to fear."
With slightly tearful eyes, County Magistrate Cai nodded heavily after a moment, "Everything the Commandery Princess said, I will remember."
So, this ’Biography of County Magistrate Cai’ must be written and written splendidly, with appropriate embellishments. Chen Sheren immediately began planning it in his mind.
Suddenly, a commotion arose ahead; the trusted aides responsible for clearing the way had encountered a python and cut it into several pieces.
"Reporting to the Commandery Princess, the python is non-venomous. Commander Liu suggested that we bring the python’s meat and roast it for lunch."
Women naturally fear soft-bodied creatures. Hearing the word ’python,’ Chen Jinyu got goosebumps on her arms and couldn’t help but rub them.
Jiang Shaohua wasn’t afraid of snakes, but she wasn’t particularly interested in eating snake meat either. She casually said, "This small matter, just let Commander Liu handle it."
Seeing Chen Jinyu still secretly trembling, Ma Yaosong hurriedly comforted her in a low voice, "Don’t be afraid, Sheren Chen. With so many people, even if there were a snake den ahead, we could flatten it."
As soon as the word ’snake den’ reached her ears, Chen Jinyu felt her scalp tingle: "Oh, you jinx, don’t say such dreadful things."
Her fierce yet timid demeanor was extremely endearing.
Ma Yaosong suppressed his laughter and stopped teasing.
After more than an hour, they reached the usual herb-gathering area. Thirty people were divided into ten groups, with three in each group and two Government Officials following each. Jiang Shaohua instructed the trusted aides to spread out and follow.
"The mountains are full of treasures," County Magistrate Cai said with a smile, "but unfortunately, there are many beasts deep in the mountains. The furthest the people dare to go is halfway up the mountain when gathering herbs. They don’t dare to go any further inside."
"Continuing to gather herbs like this isn’t sustainable. I plan to open a medicinal field at the foot of the mountain this year to plant some common and easy-to-grow herbs."
Jiang Shaohua concurred, "That’s a good idea. It doesn’t take up farmland, and it provides a stable source of income."
As they were speaking, an unexpected event occurred.
A thunderous tiger’s roar suddenly echoed through the mountains, shocking everyone.