Chapter 67 Big Yellow
When Lin Changning returned home, Shilang forced him to drink a bowl of bitter medicine that made his tongue numb.
There was no other reason than that a malaria outbreak had occurred in Fengyang. When he brought his men back, he specifically emphasized washing their hands before meals. After the group returned, no one showed any unusual symptoms. Qi Rong was ultimately afraid that the malaria would spread to the garrison, so he isolated them at home and only allowed them to go on duty after three days if nothing happened.
Lin Changning's return made Shilang extremely nervous. He took her pulse and gave her medicine, only feeling relieved after confirming that she was alright.
After taking a bath, Lin Changning picked up her sword and began practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard. In martial arts, if you don't progress, you fall behind. She had never slacked off in modern times, and she certainly wouldn't now.
The sword given to her by the commander was made by a master craftsman; its blade gleamed with a cold light, like a pool of autumn water. After wiping her sword, Lin Changning vowed to practice her swordsmanship. The blade danced, stirring up a cloud of dust, and the silver light exploded. The sound of it cutting through the air was particularly abrupt in the courtyard. The sword flashed, and every move seemed to carry the force of a thousand pounds. After a whooshing sound, Lin Changning's phoenix eyes suddenly sharpened like knives, cleaving the flying object in two.
"Ouch! You little brat, my Sterculia foetida fruit!"
Lin Changning turned his head and saw Old Liu standing at the door holding a golden puppy, staring at the dusty apple on the ground with a frustrated expression.
Lin Changning quickly sheathed his sword and picked up the apple that had been split in half on the ground: "You scared me, Old Liu. I thought I was about to be attacked by a hidden weapon."
He then drew water from the well and washed the apple, which had been split in half, saying, "Okay, it's clean now, you can eat it."
Old Liu, holding his dog, sat down in the yard as if they were old friends: "Eat this, it's for you."
Lin Changning didn't stand on ceremony and shared half with Shilang, then started munching on the apple himself: "It's pretty sweet, Old Liu, where did you get it? You probably can't buy apples right now."
Old Liu shook his head, a smug look on his wrinkled face: "It was given to me by the young master. While you were gone, the young master often went over to help me with chores."
Lin Changning responded and then looked at the dog in Old Liu's arms with interest: "Old Liu, where did you get this puppy? It looks very energetic."
As if in response to Lin Changning's words, the golden puppy with black bean eyes stared at Lin Changning's face and barked several times.
Lin Changning took the furry dog from Old Liu and petted it a couple of times.
The puppy was just an ordinary mongrel, covered in golden fur. The whole dog looked like a fluffy yellow cotton ball, soft and fluffy to the touch.
The little puppy had pointed ears that drooped down on either side of its head. It sat obediently on Lin Changning's lap, its ears twitching slightly as it turned its head and looked up at Lin Changning with its puppy-dog face. Lin Changning was completely charmed by its cuteness.
"Isn't it fun? I specially went to my friend's house to catch it. He gave me a bottle of good wine. The little rascal is very energetic and well-behaved. He's perfect for playing with the young master."
The puppy rolled over in Lin Changning's arms, its two bright black eyes, like two obsidian stones, staring at Lin Changning with a bewildered and curious look. After a while, it sniffed the scent of Lin Changning's wrist with its little nose, and while sniffing, it opened its mouth and licked Lin Changning's palm with its wet tongue. After licking, it raised its head and whimpered, its thin little tail almost leaving a blur behind it.
Lin Changning covered his mouth with his sleeve: "It is indeed a good dog, but good grandpa, don't you think my yard is missing something? Like a guard dog, Little Yellow?"
Old Liu raised an eyebrow: "You brat, you're just a kid to be fooled, what do you want!"
After saying that, she reached out to snatch the dog, but Lin Changning was so cunning! Old Liu had just gotten up when she darted far away, saying, "I'll take the dog, Uncle Liu! I'll buy you roast chicken later!"
One ran and the other chased, until Old Liu was panting heavily in the yard before Lin Changning finally stopped.
"You brat, if you want to catch it, go catch it yourself! Competing with a little kid like that, don't you feel ashamed?!"
Lin Changning, without blushing or panting, held the puppy and shook its little paws at Old Liu, saying, "It's not shameful, it's not shameful. What's shameful compared to the dog? Right, Mr. Liu? Hahahaha."
Old Liu laughed in exasperation: "You, you!"
Lin Changning chuckled and said, "Master Liu, this dog is destined for me, so give it to me. An'an can catch another one."
Old Liu sat back down on the stone bench, took a sip of tea, and said, "Dream on! This is the only litter we've had. That old dog can catch rabbits, and my old friend treasures it dearly. I had to beg and plead to get this one."
Lin Changning stroked the dog's head and said with a grin, "Anyway, An'an comes over every day, so it's the same if I leave it here."
Old Liu sighed helplessly and cursed, "You brat!"
After humming, he pulled out a small paper packet from his pocket and unfolded it mysteriously: "Kid, you're in luck. I heard there's malaria and plague in Fengyang. There's a medicine man here who sells miracle drugs, so I brought you a dose. You can't go to the garrison these days, so this is perfect. Take it with water before bed tonight and take it for three days. I guarantee you'll be healthy and immune to all evil!"
Lin Changning took the paper package and saw a grayish-white pile of powder tightly wrapped inside. Old Liu's cloudy eyes showed affection as he gestured for her to take it. Lin Changning hesitated for a moment before accepting it.
Old Liu must have been scammed...
After receiving the paper package, Lin Changning hesitated for a moment before asking, "How much did you spend on it?"
Old Liu said smugly, "That medicine seller insisted on one string of cash, so I took three small packets, negotiated the price with him, and finally paid him two strings of cash."
"......"Why does this routine sound so familiar?
It would be embarrassing for this old man if we exposed him, since two strings of cash would be enough for him to buy wine for more than half a year.
Lin Changning was both amused and exasperated, feeling a mix of sadness and gratitude. This old man was usually so stingy, sipping his liquor bit by bit whenever he got a little. To be tricked out of so much money like this was truly a huge waste of his resources.
Lin Changning took out a small silver ingot from his pocket and stuffed it into Old Liu's arms: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Master Liu, but it's not appropriate for you to pay. I'll pay for it myself. Master Liu, please keep some money for your drinks."
Old Liu took the silver and stuffed it back into Lin Changning's arms: "Go away, go away, I have money to buy wine, I don't need you to help me. Alright, keep the dog, I should go back."
After saying that, he stood up and walked towards the door. Lin Changning had no choice but to get up and see him off. The old man waved his hand, put his hands behind his back, and slowly walked into the city.
After watching Old Liu leave, Lin Changning sighed, called out Shilang who was studying medicine inside the house, and took out a small paper packet.
"Shilang, this was sent by Master Liu. He said it can prevent malaria. Can you help me see what it is?"
Shiro nodded, took the paper package, unfolded it, first rubbed it between his fingers, then put a little in his mouth and tasted it, saying, "It's Guanyin clay."
Lin Changning asked, puzzled and slightly doubtful, "Can it cure malaria?"
Shiro shook his head and said, "No, but it can alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea. It can help with constipation."
Lin Changning then asked, "Is this thing worth two strings of cash?"
Shiro looked at Lin Changning as if he were an idiot: "Three coins is too much."
"......
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