Just as Wu Dahai and his group arrived at the Chen family home, Old Man Chen and his family rushed back as well. Old Man Chen anxiously asked, "Dahai, has the price of grain really dropped? By how much?"

Wu Dahai said happily, "Yes, I've already inquired. Early this morning, the price of grain in the town and the county seat dropped by one coin, but it's still the same price."

Old Man Chen said excitedly, "It's good that the price has dropped! It's good that the price of grain has dropped!"

Uncle Zhou asked, "Are there many people buying grain in the town and county now?"

Wu Dahai said, "There are more people buying grain than usual, but I've already had someone guarding the grain shops in town. If we want to buy, we can just go there and buy."

Old Man Chen said, "Let's go, let's hurry and buy grain! Let's bring all the family members who know how to bargain. Second son, go to the village chief later and tell the villagers whether they want to go or not."

Chen Lao Er said, "Okay!"

After Chen Lao Er returned, Chen Kai said, "Second Brother, can you help me fence off an acre of paddy field? I want to use it to raise fish."

Chen Lao Er advised, "These fish are not easy to raise. It's better to catch fish than to raise them."

Chen Kai said with a smile, "It's alright, Second Brother. Help me fence off an acre of paddy field. In the paddy field for raising fish, we need to disinfect it with quicklime first. Dissolve the quicklime in water and sprinkle it all over the field."

"We can release the fish fry in a few days. Once they're released, we just need to feed them twice a day."

Raising fish is great! Fish is rich in protein, lecithin, vitamins, and various minerals. It's a good way to supplement your family's diet.

After thinking for a while, Chen Lao Er said, "Alright then! I'll get it for you later."

Chen Lao Er went off to do his work, and Chen Kai found Chen Nong and asked, "Chen Nong, do you know of any plant that tastes spicy and can be used as a seasoning in cooking?"

Chen Nong said, "Yes! Scallions and ginger are just that, but they're so expensive that people in the countryside don't eat them."

Chen Kai said, "No, besides these, are there any other plants that taste spicy?"

Chen Nong shook his head blankly, then suddenly said, "I think I've heard people say that the dogwood on the mountain is spicy, but no one here has ever eaten it. We use it to ward off evil spirits."

Chen Kai excitedly replied, "Okay! I understand."

How could he forget the dogwood? In China's thousand-year history, dogwood has played a very important role as a pungent ingredient, and is the main source of "spicy" in the six flavors. However, because dogwood is mostly wild and difficult to harvest, and the processing is relatively complicated, dogwood gradually disappeared from the kitchen after chili peppers were introduced to China and used as a condiment.

The entire dogwood plant has a strong fragrance, and its tender buds and fruits can be used as spices to "remove the odor of food." In addition to its use as a spice, it also has antibacterial and disinfectant effects. In ancient times, dogwood was also used in sacrifices, as an ornament, for medicinal purposes, and as a talisman against evil spirits.

There are several types of dogwood, including Evodia rutaecarpa, Cornus officinalis, Cornus officinalis, etc.

Evodia rutaecarpa has other names: Qu Yao Zi, Fu La Zi, Cha La, and Chou Pao Zi.

Evodia rutaecarpa has the effects of warming the middle jiao, relieving pain, regulating qi, and drying dampness. It is often used to treat symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, acid reflux, headache due to jueyin syndrome, vomiting and diarrhea due to cold in the internal organs, abdominal distension and pain, menstrual cramps, and diarrhea at dawn.

Evodia rutaecarpa has a strong, aromatic scent and various pharmacological effects, including stomachic, antihypertensive, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, mosquito-repellent, insecticidal, and antiviral properties.

Chen Nong said that the item used to ward off evil spirits was this kind of Evodia rutaecarpa.

Cornus officinalis is also known as: Rouyu, Zaopi, Yaozao, Shanyurou, etc.

Cornus officinalis has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, astringing essence and qi, and consolidating deficiency and collapse. It is often used to treat dizziness and tinnitus, soreness of the waist and knees, impotence and seminal emission, enuresis and frequent urination, excessive sweating and collapse.

In addition, Cornus officinalis can also stop bleeding and treat women's weakness and excessive menstruation. It can be used in combination with Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica sinensis, and Paeonia lactiflora. Therefore, Cornus officinalis is also a commonly used medicine for gynecological diseases.

Other names for *Evodia rutaecarpa* include: Red Aralia elata, Red Aralia elata, Large-leaved Aralia elata, Kernel Aralia elata, Aralia elata 'Cijiangmou', 'Jiangmou', Yuejiao, Maoyuejiao, and Niaobu.

Both the root bark and the bark of the dogwood tree can be used as medicinal herbs. They are pungent and bitter in taste, neutral in nature, and slightly toxic. They possess the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, clearing the meridians, promoting blood circulation, and dispersing blood stasis. They can be used to treat symptoms such as rheumatic bone pain, and swelling and pain from falls and injuries. Its tender buds and leaves can be eaten raw in salads or stir-fried, its fruits can be used as a seasoning, and its seeds can be pressed for oil. Due to its large leaves, coarse thorns, and unique shape, the dogwood tree is also suitable for landscaping and ornamental purposes.

Since ancient times, dogwood has been used as both food and medicine. Before chili peppers were introduced to China, it was one of the main sources of spicy spices in Sichuan cuisine. Ancient Sichuan people called it "Ai Zi". By the mid-Ming Dynasty, dogwood had become a widely used seasoning in Sichuan food.

Although Chen Kai thought of using dogwood to make spicy food, dogwood flowers from August to September and fruits from October to December. Where could he find it now? There was no one with any in stock at home. How long would he have to wait?

Suddenly, Chen Kai remembered that Chen Nong liked to collect things, and whether they could eat spicy fish today depended on his nephew, so he asked expectantly, "Chen Nong, don't you like to collect strange and unusual things? Have you ever collected dogwood, the kind used to ward off evil spirits?"

Chen Nong thought for a moment and said, "I've collected them. Grandma said they can be used to ward off evil spirits, so I collected a lot. I dried them and stored them away. Uncle, do you want to use them? I'll go get them for you."

Chen Kai said with a smile, "No, I don't want that kind of dogwood. Have you ever collected any fruits similar to dogwood, with thorns on the tree and from a relatively tall tree?"

Chen Nong thought for a long time before saying, "It seems so."

Chen Kai said excitedly, "Then hurry up and take me to get it!"

Chen Nong said, "Alright, let's go get the tools."

Chen Kai asked in confusion, "What tools do you need?" They're just going to get something, why would they need tools?

Chen Nong said with a smile, "Uncle, I've kept all the useful things I've collected at home, and the useless ones are hidden outside, so I'm going to take a hoe to dig them up."

“If I leave them at home, my grandparents will throw away those useless things. They don’t allow me to bring messy things home, saying they take up space.”

Chen Kai said speechlessly, "Alright then, let's go get the hoe."

Not long after, they went to find where Chen Nong had hidden his things.

Upon arriving at their destination, Chen Nong stopped and said, "This is it, but I need to think about where to hide them. Before, because of digging field mouse burrows, a big hole was dug here, so I hid some useless but reluctant things in the field mouse burrow and then buried the hole."

Chen Kai sighed helplessly. He really didn't know what to say about his nephew, so he sat down on the grass and waited for Chen Nong to dig the things out.