Chapter 31

Mrs. He’s family.

After taking five doses of the medicinal decoction prescribed by Xu Yi, Mrs. He found that the stiffness and numbness in the back of her neck improved a lot as soon as she sat down.

As soon as she felt comfortable, Mrs. He was thinking about her unfinished embroidery work again.

However, she still remembered Xu Yi's words and did not dare to sit for a long time. While sitting with a pot of tea, she got up and walked around to move her body. She learned the massage method Xu Yi gave, pinched her arms and the back of her neck, and then raised her arms to climb higher.

In just one breath, the fatigue on her arms dissipated, which surprised Madam He. Although her behavior was a little inelegant, the effect was so good.

She thought that there was still some flour left over from making pasta for Brother Qiu last time, so she planned to wait for Xu Yi to come home and make a bowl of pork noodles and bring it to Xu's house.

Xu Yi was still on Jin'e Mountain. Almost every kind of wild Chinese medicinal materials on the mountain had been picked up by Xu Yi.

His favorites are Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, etc. These are commonly used medicines and are used in many prescriptions. They are also widely used, so it is good to store more.

The bamboo basket I carry is only half full every time, and this time is no exception.

After digging out all the medicinal materials, Xu Yi wanted to check out the agarwood tree he encountered last time. He remembered the location. After walking for about half an hour, he saw the marks left after the last fight with the wild boar. The time was very close and the broken bushes had not yet grown up.

Xu Yi knelt down and touched the moss covering the bottom of the broken shrub. The moss was emerald green in color, with thin stems attached to wooden pillars and stones. It felt slightly slippery and slightly moist.

Xu Yi didn't dislike it. He took out a small jar, took out a machete, scraped off the top layer of moss with the back of the knife, and put it into a clay jar.

After doing this, Xu Yi carried the bamboo basket and walked inside. After walking for another ten minutes, he finally saw the agarwood tree.

No new agarwood has grown from the incense mouth where the incense was taken last time. The rest of the agarwood is still on it and has not been damaged by wild beasts. Xu Yi checked around the area of ​​more than ten meters and found no new agarwood trees.

Such a lonely tree, the creatures in nature are really wonderful.

I don’t know if there was a seed brought by a bird from somewhere decades ago. It fell here and took root and sprouted. After experiencing wind, frost, rain, snow, insect pests and diseases, it grew into such a tall and tall tree today.

On the way back, Xu Yi deliberately chose a path that he had never walked before.

The secluded path could only accommodate one person walking on it. The wild grass and fern leaves on both sides swept over his knees. The moisture from the leaves wetted his trouser legs. After Xu Yi walked for a while, the backs of his hands became wet.

The sun outside does not affect the humidity in the shade at all. The moisture here is strong and the number of ferns is gradually increasing.

Among the ferns, many can be used as medicine. Xu Yi saw golden retriever fern, black fern, horseshoe fern, etc.

He picked a few more horseshoe ferns. It can treat bruises, stop bleeding, and can also treat poisonous snake bites. It is a very useful fern medicinal herb. [Note 1]

Xu Yi often goes up the mountain, so he can prepare more herbs like this.

Among other fern herbs, some of the whole plant can be used as medicine, and some of the rhizomes can be used as medicine. Xu Yi carefully separated them out, and tied them up separately to avoid mixing them together. At this time, the hemp rope brought up the mountain will be useful.

After filling the bamboo basket, Xu Yi had to go down the mountain.

...

"Xu Xiaolang, why did you pick so many medicinal materials today?"

After getting on the bullock cart, the young man who was traveling with him looked at the filled bamboo baskets and showed envy. This Xu Xiaolang is really powerful.

Handlebar had eaten Xu Yi a boar head for nothing before, and his attitude towards Xu Yi was far worse than before.

He praised next to him: "Xu Xiaolang is a doctor. He can treat people and diagnose their pulse. He just digs some herbs. Naturally, he is unmatched by others."

There was a strange face sitting in the bullock cart today. Hearing this, his eyes moved away. Looking at Xu Yi, he saw such a young face, and there was more thought in his eyes.

Xu Yi said: "I came across some medicinal herbs when I was going down the mountain, so I picked some more."

As he spoke, his eyes moved down and landed on the young man's exposed calf.

On the sun-drenched skin, there are several wounds caused by insect bites. Some are new, and some have been bitten for a while. The bitten areas are red and swollen, and the surrounding skin shows a strange purple-red color. If you are not careful, Look, you can’t see it yet.

Qingzhuang noticed his gaze and said nonchalantly: "There are many mosquitoes in the mountains in summer, which is very annoying. No matter how hard you try to get rid of them, you can't get rid of them. No, I got bitten a few more times."

"Is it itchy? "Xu Yi asked.

The man was stunned for a moment. He didn't understand why Xu Yi asked this, but he still answered honestly: "It's a little itchy. When I go back in the evening, grab a handful of grass and stir it into juice. Apply it overnight and the itchiness will go away."

Xu Yi pursed his lips . : "This ordinary grass has no anti-itching and pain-relieving effect. If you feel better, it is because the temperature has been lowered and the itching will not continue. However, after the next day, the itching will still be unbearable. Over time, it will form a prurigo rash. "

Qingzhuang opened his mouth...

He was stunned. He was just bitten by an insect. In the past, it would heal on its own after a while, so there was no need to worry about it.

"Young man, are you bluffing? Let's sell those herbs."

At this time, a voice suddenly came in.

Xu Yi and Qing Zhuang turned to look at him at the same time, and found that he was a person with no sense of existence, with an ordinary face without any memory points.

Xu Yi was silent, was this person here just now?

"Ahem." The man felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Xu Yi. He cleared his throat and said, "I'm just reminding you. I don't mean to say nonsense to you."

Xu Yi smiled and said, "It's okay."

Qing Zhuang also spoke. He said: "You have misunderstood Xu Xiaolang. Xu Xiaolang is not one of those bachelors who are used to deceiving others [Note 2]. He is really capable."

The man: "..."

Why is this man so naive?

Qing Zhuang was still talking about Xu Yi's great achievements: "Last time, you didn't see it! Xu Xiaolang was able to kill the first two hundred kilograms of adult wild boar alone. He was so brave and knew so many Chinese medicinal materials. , I can't lie to anyone."

"Yes, is this officer afraid that he has been deceived before?" asked Qiezi Shi.

Only then did this man realize that he might have wrongly blamed this young man.

He quickly apologized to Xu Yi and said, "It's my humble opinion. I hope you don't blame me."

"It's okay."

Xu Yi still had the same two words. He turned his attention back to Qing Zhuang. He had walked with Qing Zhuang more than ten times and knew that this man was honest and honest. He reminded him: "Insects on the mountain are poisonous, so you'd better pay more attention." "

That's what Xu Xiaolang said." Qing Zhuang chuckled and asked, "How should I pay attention? My wife and I only use grass for dressing.

" After a while, he dug out a bundle of thick roots and herbs.

This is the body he just dug out from the back of Yinchao Mountain.

Guanzhong is a kind of Dry fern, and the rhizome part can be used as medicine. It can be dried and sliced ​​for consumption, or it can be ground into powder for external application. It is often used for hemostasis, wind-heat cold, febrile rash, insecticide and detoxification, etc.

Xu Yi digs it because it can kill insects.

The insecticide here is not to poison the pests, but to kill hooks, roundworms, tapeworms and other parasites that live in the intestines.

Spring and summer are the main growth periods. Parasites at this time thrive, mostly in rivers and other water sources.

Nowadays, people don’t like to boil water and drink it. When they are thirsty, they hold water by the river and drink it into their stomachs. Occasionally I have a stomachache, and I think it’s because I’ve eaten something bad, but it could also be parasites.

In the countryside, there are often people who suddenly suffer from diarrhea that never goes away. They are rolling on the floor in pain, but they don’t know the cause.

Later, the pain became unbearable, diarrhea turned into liquid, and many people died of dehydration.

This young man works at the foot of the mountain all year round and drinks mostly water from the river. In addition to the rash-like appearance of the insect bite, there was also a reddish-purple color caused by the parasites attached to the intestines.

Qingzhuang asked confusedly: "What is this?"

Xu Yi simply said: "This is Guanzhong, a kind of Chinese medicinal material. It is slightly poisonous and cannot be eaten in large quantities, but it can cure the bite on your leg." "

People who don't understand pharmacology have a very vague grasp of the amount. He was told not to eat too much. Sometimes he felt that one and a half pounds was not too much, so Xu Yi did not intend to give him the whole bundle because he wouldn't use that much.

He took out one of the thick ones, handed it to Qing Zhuang's hand, and said: "When you go back, soak it in water for two nights. When it becomes soft, you can cut it into thin slices and put a few slices in the boiling water." Drink."

Qing Zhuang listened carefully and asked, "How long will it take?"

Xu Yi said, "Drink it for three days."

Qing Zhuang said, "That's a big pill, you can't finish it in three days."

Xu Yi was silent . , and said to him: "Family members can also drink it together, but children can only take one piece. If they are younger than a child, don't drink it."

The person next to him who had interrupted before couldn't help but asked: "Xu Xiaolang, this medicine is really good for treating insects." "Is it a bite? Then why don't you apply it on the wound but take it?"

Xu Yi raised his eyebrows and asked the key point.

The reason why the young man had to drink to the public instead of smearing the wounds was naturally because of the parasites in his body.

If he has parasites on his body, there is a high probability that his family members will have parasites, which is why the whole family should take it together.

"Taking it can relieve swelling and itching, isn't it said that you can cut it into slices and drink it all? Just dry the rest, grind it into powder, mix it with wine and apply it on the red and swollen areas. After a few times, it should be all gone."

Qingzhuang was delighted . , asked happily: "Then the bitten place will no longer itch?"

"Yes." Xu Yi nodded.

The man next to him quickly asked: "Xu Xiaolang, are you willing to give me one? I'm willing to give it to Xiaolangjun at the price."

Xu Yi shook his head: "Guan Zhong is poisonous, I'm sorry I can't give it to you."

The man smiled bitterly: "I'm not curious about the purpose of this medicine, but I have a relative at home who was bitten by an insect. It hasn't healed yet, and a pustule has developed. Even after pricking it and applying medicine, it can't be cured."

Xu Yi knew this person as soon as he heard it. It is a local allergy to insect poison. There will be lumps at the bitten place. After the lumps disappear, vesicular rashes will develop. In severe cases, pustules will develop.

But without seeing anyone, he dared not make a conclusion.

Xu Yi thought carefully and said: "The symptoms you mentioned cannot be cured by this medicine, and it will be useless if I give you the medicine."

"Then what medicine should I use? I hope Xu Xiaolang can teach me." The man saluted solemnly and said sincerely call out.

"I say this official has a very nice tone. Xu Xiaolang is a doctor. How can I just teach you how to use medicine?" After listening, Chezizi said unhappily, "If you are sincere, you should ask Xu Xiaolang to come to your home for medical treatment." , instead of asking for medicine here."

The handlebar words made his cheeks and ears turn red.

He covered his face with his sleeves in shame. He was over 30 years old. He had to ride in a bullock cart and was scolded, which made him a little unable to hold his head up.

But thinking that it was his old mother who was bitten by bugs at home, he had no choice but to be shy and ask Xu Yi to come to the house for consultation.

He was also ill and sought medical treatment in a hurry. It was actually because of the pustules that the old mother couldn't sleep well some days, and she looked much older.

Xu Yi agreed, but he had to go home first.

He needs to change his clothes and unload the bamboo basket.

Naturally, the man didn't hesitate and gave Xu Yi his home address and his last name.

The man's surname was Zheng. He told Xu Yi that it was his old mother who was bitten by insects and did not recover. She was 50 years old this year.

After Xu Yi got the basic information, he said he would come to the door with a medicine box the next day.

After going back and forth, the ancient city wall appeared in front of everyone.

When Yanting County arrived, people on the bullock carts got off one after another.

Qing Zhuang hurried home with a stick of medicine. His family lives in Waigou Village outside the city, only three miles away from the county seat, very close.

The whole family relied on him to work in the temple on Jin'e Mountain, earning more than ten pence a day. Today, in addition to bringing money, he also brought a strange rhizome, which made his wife confused.

"What is this?" she asked Qingzhuang in confusion.

"Madam, Xu Xiaolang gave this to me. He said it was used to treat the bite wound on my leg." Qing Zhuang explained, grabbing the stick, "This thing is poisonous, so don't touch it. I know How to do it?

"Is it poisonous? Is it for eating or for wounds?" His wife came over and asked.

Watching him diligently scoop a ladle of water from the earthen vat, take the wooden basin he usually used for washing clothes, and put the roots in it to soak.

"I have to soak until the water is changed tomorrow." Qingzhuang chuckled and took her hand, "Madam, I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat at home?"

"I still have some of the mushy vegetables I cooked for you at noon. I'll give you some." bowl."

"Okay, by the way, madam, the water must be boiled before you can drink it." Qing Zhuang thought of Xu Yi's instructions and shouted in the direction of the kitchen.

"Burn? Where do you get so much firewood to boil water? It's inconvenient to boil water. There is so much water in the tank that I can't give you a drink?"

His wife asked in confusion as she brought out a bowl of vegetable paste.

Qingzhuang said: "It was Xu Xiaolang who said that the insect bites on our legs never healed, and it was caused by drinking unboiled water."

His wife: "..." It was Xu Xiaolang again.

Who is this Xu Xiaolang? ! When I came back from work last time, I mentioned this person from time to time, saying that if he could kill a wild boar by himself, he might also be able to cure diseases.

She asked out her doubts.

"Yes, Xu Xiaolang is a doctor."

...

When Xu Yi arrived at Shijing Lane, the people working in the fields in Shijing Lane also came back with hoes.

When they met Xu Yi, they all shouted "Xu Xiaolang is back" enthusiastically. Faced with these familiar faces that they could not name, Xu Yi exchanged a few words with them one by one.

"Xu Xiaolang dug so many herbs today?"

"Xu Xiaolang, have you had dinner yet?"

"Xu Xiaolang, do you still have the Xiaoshi pills you made? I've finished eating the ones at home, and I want to buy them from you."

"... ..."

Because they are all familiar people, the residents living in Shijing Lane buy Xiaoshi pills from Xu Yi at wholesale prices, with a pack costing only ten cents.

However, Xu Yi also explained that this price is only available to them and cannot be mentioned to outsiders.

If he knew someone had spread the word, he wouldn't sell it to that person.

As soon as they heard that they could not buy it when they went out, they all said they would not say anything. Later I learned that Jishitang on West Street also sold this "Chen's Xiaoshi Pills" and the price was twice as expensive, so I didn't even dare to say anything.

I'm afraid that if too many people know about it, it won't be their turn to buy Xu Xiaolang's Xiaoshi Pills.

Two people who wanted to buy Xiaoshi pills followed Xu Yi home. Xu Yi invited them into the yard, put down the bamboo basket, went inside the house, and took out two packs of Xiaoshi pills.

He said calmly to the two uncles: "One pack for each person, ten cents."

"Easy to talk about."

The two of them quickly paid for it, and then winked and whispered to Xu Yi, would the price of these Xiaoshi pills go up?

When Xu Yi went outside the city today, he heard his colleagues talking about Xiaoshi Pills and knew that Xiaoshi Pills had spread in the county.

He was not surprised to see them looking at him with wide eyes. He nodded and said: "The price will not increase. Whenever you want it, it will be at this price."

The two of them were happy and thanked Xu Yi before leaving.

After they left, Mrs. He came over with a bowl of hot pork noodles.

Pork noodles, as the name suggests, are pieces of meat stuck on a skewer and spread on top of the noodles, making it look like a mountain of meat.

This is a famous noodle dish in restaurants in Yanting County. Usually the meat slices are mutton, and rarely beef. However, beef is not easy to eat, and only wealthy families have the opportunity to taste it.

Mrs. He bought ordinary pork shank meat, cooked it and cut it into thin slices, then mixed it with precious peppercorns and soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is expensive. If it weren't for Xu Yi's gratitude, Mrs. He wouldn't be willing to go to the spice shop to buy so much.

"It smells so good. Madam He, what delicious food did you make?" Xu Yi ate dry steamed buns with water for lunch, and he was already hungry.

Mrs. He said with a smile: "I made some meat noodles. Go and wash your face quickly and come over to eat, otherwise the noodles will be lumpy later."

Xu Yi was not polite and ran to wash his face and hands, and also changed out of his dirty clothes. .

It was not completely dark yet, and with the afterglow of the setting sun, Xu Yi saw peppercorns hanging on the slices of meat, and the unique spicy aroma of peppercorns rushed into his nose.

After coming here for so long, Xu Yi tasted spicy food for the first time, and his appetite was instantly whetted.

Even the tingling peppercorns were chewed up and swallowed. After eating, his mouth was numb and red, as if he had applied lipstick.

Madam He was seen covering her mouth and laughing.

Xu Yi was rarely embarrassed and scratched his head and said, "Mrs. He, wait a minute, I'll wash the dishes for you."

"No need." Ms. He took the dishes and chopsticks and said with a smile, "There's no need for you to wash the dishes. Look at you. You eat it so happily, it seems you like spicy food."

Xu Yi nodded sincerely.

This level of spiciness was just right with the spiciness he could eat in the past. If it was Sichuan food from a previous life, it wouldn't work. He could only eat slightly spicy food.

"But pepper is expensive. If you want to eat it next time, I can buy some dogwood and ginger and make spicy soup for you." Mrs. He said.

Xu Yi then remembered that there were no chili peppers in the Song Dynasty at this time. But people in the Song Dynasty loved spicy food, and some even disliked spicy food. They would use spicy ingredients such as ginger, onions, garlic, dogwood, pepper, mustard greens, etc. to satisfy their love for spicy food.

The pork noodles cooked by Mrs. He today are the predecessors of husband and wife's lung slices and beef noodles in Sichuan cuisine.

...

Xu Yi has a lot of work to do tonight.

The water in the pottery pot had been exposed to the sun for two days and had reached the bottom. Xu Yi scooped it out with a wooden spoon. The water at the bottom became turbid and filled with precipitated saltpeter.

It seems that after two more days of drying, the saltpeter should be scraped out again.

He moved the pottery pot into the kitchen. There was dew outside the courtyard at night, so leaving the pottery pot outside would only prolong the drying time.

Then, he took out the small jar containing today's moss and poured the moss inside onto the disc dustpan.

Then put the dustpan on top of the small stove. This stove was used by Xu Yi to boil water. Now it is just suitable to put the dustpan on it. He lit a fire in the stove and planned to dry the moss spread on it.

He bought this dustpan in the market to make medicine. After the outer layer is burned to prevent insects, it is also very convenient to bake the medicine over an open fire and will not burn easily.

Xu Yi moved a small stool and observed the dryness and wetness of the moss while paying attention to whether the fire below was extinguished.

After more than an hour, the moss was finally dried. Xu Yi took out the Hui Yi Trough [Note 3], threw the moss in, held both ends of the grinding plate, and finely ground the moss inside into powder.

Xu Yi put the ground moss powder into a clean small jar, sealed it, and placed it in the second compartment of the medicine box.

This layer of grids contains all external medicines.

At present, the external medicines put in have not been taken out and used.

But Xu Yi didn't care. He glanced outside the window. It was quiet outside the courtyard, with a clear breeze and a bright moon. It's time to wash up and go to bed.

Tomorrow, he will make a medical appointment.