Chapter 663: Cotton is a flower too! [Two-in-one]
Dr. Dong had assumed his partner would be an old acquaintance, but instead found a complete stranger. Seeing the man's limp, his professional instincts kicked in, and he asked, "How long has Luan Hucao been injured in this leg?"
Luan Xin remained calm when questioned.
"It's been about ten years, I can't remember exactly."
Dr. Dong stroked his beard: "I have been a doctor for most of my life. I dare not say that I can cure all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases, but I have some experience in medicine. If Luan Hucao does not mind, how about letting me take a look? I can prescribe some medicine to help you get better."
Faced with Dr. Dong's enthusiasm, Luan Xin did not refuse, but thanked him in a low voice: "In that case, I will trouble you, Dr. Dong."
When Dr. Dong saw Luan Xin's injured leg, his expression changed visibly. A brief examination revealed the extent of the damage his leg had suffered. His leg, rarely exposed to sunlight, had fair and delicate skin, and the grotesque, twisted wound resembled a centipede crawling across it.
The burns covered his calves, especially the calves, where they were the most severely burned. The most shocking area was his knees, where the skin and flesh were jagged and a large portion of the flesh was missing. Luan Xin, however, seemed unaffected and smiled gently: "This ugly appearance must have frightened Dr. Dong."
Doctor Dong said in a deep voice, "As a doctor, what kind of wounds haven't I seen? This is nothing. Luan Hucao, your leg is not as simple as the lord said, that it was just broken by a carriage." What kind of carriage wheel comes with a scalding hot water attack after running over someone?
Further examination revealed that he had also ruptured his hamstring.
This was mostly due to human intervention. The leg was only lame, not completely useless, thanks to Luan Xin being a scholar with a refined and cultured mind. He had ample literary energy flowing through the meridians of his leg, nourishing it constantly. If it were an ordinary person, this leg would simply be useless.
Luan Xin's expression shifted slightly.
He said, "Because it is a matter from long ago, I did not tell you the details, my lord. After all, so many years have passed."
Dr. Dong sighed deeply as he looked at his legs.
He blamed himself, saying, "It's because my medical skills are inadequate..."
Alas, if the ways of medicine in this world could be as miraculous as those of literature and martial arts, perhaps there could be miracles that could completely cure these old ailments.
but--
"Luan Hucao, are your enemies still alive?" Although he couldn't heal Luan Xin's leg, Shen Jun could eliminate Luan Xin's enemies. Judging from the extent of Luan Xin's leg injury, it must have been a painful memory that could drive anyone to despair.
Killing the enemy can be considered a way to heal the knot in one's heart.
The topic was too far off, and Luan Xin almost didn't react. After understanding what Doctor Dong meant, he shook his head and said, "I don't know, but since such a scourge has survived for a thousand years, it must still be alive..."
Dr. Dong nodded: "It's good that you're alive."
He added, "Only by living can one have the chance to take revenge with one's own hands!"
It would be too easy for the enemy to die so easily.
He turned to write a prescription for Luan Xin to treat the injury. Although it could not completely cure the leg injury, it could relieve the pain on rainy days.
"How can Dr. Dong be so sure that Xin's injuries weren't his own fault? Perhaps Xin deserved this fate?"
Luan Xin lowered his eyelids slightly, concealing the emotions in his eyes.
His voice was extremely flat, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
The old physician Dong picked up his pen and began writing without looking up: "If Luan Hucao were that kind of person, why would Lord Shen recruit you? Lord Shen is a kind man, and so are the civil and military officials under her command. Since she trusts you, I naturally trust you as well. Is Luan Hucao right or wrong?"
Luan Xin never expected the answer to be like this.
At the same time, there was a slight hesitation.
"...Does the old physician think that our lord is a kind person?"
"Of course! If she isn't, then who could be?"
Knowing that Luan Xin was a newcomer and unaware of Shen Tang's formidable achievements, Dr. Dong proceeded to enthusiastically educate him on Shen Tang's diligence and love for the people. He recalled how, when she was forced to transfer to the remote and desolate Longwu County, the common people of Heyin County saw her off for miles.
If one is not deeply loved by the people, how can one receive such treatment?
Doesn't that make someone a good person?
"I've lived most of my life, and what I hate most are those who arbitrarily start wars for their own selfish desires, leaving the people destitute wherever they go. A doctor painstakingly saves one person, while they kill ten, a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand people with a single stroke of their knife... Shen Jun is completely different from them." If it weren't for this, the old physician Dong, who should be enjoying his retirement, wouldn't still be following Shen Tang around at his age, and painstakingly helping her train apprentices.
Pray that a few people generate electricity for love.
And what about Dr. Dong?
Luan Xin listened attentively without interrupting.
Having gained experience from the general health check-up in Longwu County, Dr. Dong was very familiar with the entire process. However, due to a lack of manpower and time, he was unable to send people to each village to notify them, so he had to go there in person, which naturally reduced efficiency.
Fortunately, Shen Tang did not inquire about the project's progress.
After several days of work, they had made some progress, registering five people: two men and three women. The three girls were all quite young, just beginning their education, while the two boys showed some potential for cultivation, but were past their prime. The oldest was fifteen, and his wife had been married for six months. Knowing the situation, Dr. Dong didn't offer any discouraging suggestions like enlisting the two boys…
These days, who would want to join the army unless they're desperate?
Luan Xin was a scholar under Shen Tang. Doctor Dong tacitly acknowledged that he knew the whole truth, but did not tell him the real purpose of the "physical examination" nor that the selected female rulers could cultivate.
Seeing Luan Xin staring intently at the three names on the list, he joked, "Luan, the Registrar, have you taken a liking to these talented individuals? I think these three children are all quite clever. If you teach them properly, they might be able to secure a place in the Registrar's Office in a few years. Wouldn't that make things easier for you, Registrar Luan?"
As an outsider, Dr. Dong saw things clearly.
The civil and military officials under Shen Tang's command were two extremes. The former were full of high-end talents, with a complete lack of middle and lower-level personnel; the latter were mostly young talents, but youth meant lack of experience and low cultivation, and they were only barely passable by taking advantage of Chu Jie.
The promising talents selected by Longwu County, who are still in their early years at the academy, have already been divided up by Chu Yao and Qi Shan.
This shows just how severe the manpower shortage is.
"Listen to my advice, strike first and you'll be left with nothing," said the old physician Dong with a chuckle. "Typical examples are Lin Lingde, the head of the Lin household, and Yu Weiheng, the clerk of the Judgment Office. These two ladies are truly promising. They can help Chu Gongcao and the others with their work now, and in a few years they'll be able to shoulder the main responsibility. Such promising talents are hard to come by, and once you find them, you can't let others snatch them away."
Luan Xin closed the book and set the letter aside.
He said, "Once upon a time, there was a female student."
The old doctor Dong inquired, "What is his natural talent like?"
"She was of above-average talent. Although she was not as talented and learned as Lin Hucao, she was quite perceptive. It's just a pity... one wrong step led to another. She was entrusted with a task, but no one taught her anything."
Dr. Dong said, "That's a real pity."
He also stopped trying to persuade Luan Xin to take on a student.
Lately, Luan Xin has truly witnessed the "corporate culture" of Shen Tang's side—poverty and 007. Note: Poverty refers to Lord Shen Tang, and 007 refers to all personnel.
This was the first time he had ever seen a lord use the energy-intensive "Three Hearts, Two Minds" technique, just to have two more energy avatars of himself handling government affairs together. Gu Chi and the others were used to it, and were even led astray by Shen Tang. This also led to Luan Xin greeting Liao Jia at the entrance of the government office, only to find Liao Jia talking to a strange woman in the council hall.
"Justice has returned; have we reaped any rewards today?"
Luan Xin tried hard to suppress the twitching at the corner of his mouth.
"We've found one person; the letter was just at the door..."
Liao Jia said, "It's my incarnation running an errand."
"This is such a waste of literary talent."
Liao Versailles asked in return, "Is that so?"
Luan Xin: "..."
He forgot.
The literary scholars under Shen Tang's command have either already mastered their literary arts or are more than halfway through their construction; even youngsters like Lin Feng have laid the foundation. Apart from Xun Zhen, a spendthrift who is a dragon when he has money and a worm when he doesn't, no one has ever worried about literary talent.
They were all very generous.
Liao Jia was still sighing: "There will be war after the spring planting next year. Time is of the essence, so I have no choice but to resort to this."
At first, Liao Jia also rejected this kind of "corporate culture," but if even martial artists could go and farm, what was the point of scholars being so noble? With their lord taking the lead, Chu Yao and the others followed suit.
As a newcomer, Liao Jia could only "do as the Romans do".
I must say, it's quite efficient.
Luan Xin: "..."
He vaguely understood why his lord had told him to trust himself; in this situation, he could only trust his own abilities!
Who is this queen?
Luan Xin rejected this attempt to fit in and changed the subject.
The woman bowed to him.
"This humble woman, Shen Zhi, greets Lord Luan, the Registrar."
Having given birth, Shen Zhi had lost some of her girlish naiveté and innocence, gaining instead a more composed, mature, and alluring air. Coupled with her refined literary talent, this added a touch of elegance and composure. Shen Zhi had not yet entered officialdom, nor was she an official under Shen Tang; she could only refer to herself as a "commoner." However, Luan Xin, having learned about Shen Zhi from Lin Feng, dared not neglect her, for her abilities were sufficient to secure a core position in the Ministry of Revenue.
"When did Lady Shen arrive?"
Chen Zhi replied, "I haven't been here long."
She had come to report to Shen Jun, but Shen Jun wasn't there. It just so happened that Liao Jia was on duty today, so they chatted for a bit. She and Liao Jia met through flowers; they shared the same hobby, and the latter often bought fresh flowers from her. Over time, they became friends.
Liao Jia said, "Just in time for justice. Take Yaohe to the Household Affairs Office. Lingde has been waiting anxiously for her these past two days."
Lin Feng would send someone to ask Shen Zhi every few days if he had arrived yet.
Shen Zhi smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Luan Hucao."
Luan Xin nodded slightly: "No trouble at all."
Lin Feng wasn't working at the Household Registration Office at the moment, but in the fields. Half of the Household Registration Office's private land was allocated for cotton cultivation, and she simply built a thatched hut near the land to live in. Shen Zhi, with her keen sense of smell, immediately caught Lin Feng's scent upon arrival.
"How many days has it been since you last bathed?"
Lin Feng raised his arm and sniffed it.
"You can smell that too? It's only been three days..."
Because of water shortages, the cold weather, and the lack of perfume shops in Sibao County, bathing has become a problem. Ordinary people only bathe once every ten days or so. Lin Feng, being a clean person, also bathes every three or four days.
With added fragrance and powder to mask the smell, ordinary people couldn't detect it at all.
Chen Zhi said, "It'll taste good after three days."
She makes a living by her nose.
A keen sense of smell is essential for accurately distinguishing various scents.
"Is this the cotton mentioned in Shen Jun's letter?"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shen Zhi turned his gaze to the neatly arranged cotton plants in the field. In terms of appearance, aside from their color-changing characteristics, the cotton blossoms weren't particularly striking and wouldn't have caught the eye of Shen Zhi, who cultivated countless exotic plants. But Shen Zhi knew that these unassuming things could save countless lives.
Lin Feng said, "Mm."
She led Shen Zhi and Luan Xin to another field.
The cotton seeds here have just sprouted and broken through the soil.
“This is the field you’re looking for, Yaohe, give it a try.”
Lin Feng watched nervously.
According to current intelligence, Shen Zhi's Scholar's Way can only promote the growth of flowers and plants. Previously, she was asked to try promoting grain seeds, but the seeds didn't budge. The word "cotton" was coined by the lord; although the name includes "flower," will the Scholar's Way even work...?
Lin Feng was unsure of himself.
Even Chen Zhi had no idea.
Only Shen Tang firmly believed that the way of the scholar could lead to success!
Chen Zhi stood on the ridge of the field, holding a pale yellow monogram in both hands. Skillfully, he channeled his limited literary energy into his palms and activated it. Instantly, a light, resonant hum rang out, and the surrounding energy of heaven and earth became vibrant and energetic…
Luan Xin didn't say a word throughout the entire process.
Only then did he raise his hand to look through his fingers.
He murmured softly, "The wind is picking up."
This is no ordinary wind.
The wind carried a gentle yet vigorous vitality. In his eyes, countless specks of the earth's energy swayed gently with the breeze, blowing over the tender cotton seedlings that were peeking out. The seedlings stretched their bodies, striving to grow upwards and take root downwards.
After watching for a while, he asked Lin Feng with a hint of doubt, "There is something I don't understand. I wonder if Lin Feng could enlighten me?"
Lin Feng regained his composure: "Luan Hucao, please speak."
"This Lady Shen's abilities seem to be similar to Lin Hu Cao's. If it's just a simple matter of facilitating childbirth... forgive my frankness, but her literary talent is weak, so she won't be of much use." It would be better to send two more literary scholars to ensure Lin Feng has ample literary talent.
Who knew—
"In terms of usefulness, Feng is far inferior to Yaohe. We can't do without either of them." Lin Feng wasn't being modest; he was stating a fact. "Luan Hucao, do you know that Yaohe can easily grow rare and exotic flowers and herbs that are only recorded in historical documents? Can you guess why?"
Luan Xin gave up thinking and chose the reference answer.
Why?
Lin Feng said, "If Yao He likes a peony with a deep color, her scholarly way can guide that peony's descendants, making the petals deeper in color with each generation. If Yao He likes a lotus with twin blossoms, the scholarly way can achieve the same. Choosing the best is of utmost importance, isn't it? My lord said that the cotton grown here isn't good; the bolls are too small and easily susceptible to disease..."
Luan Xin was shocked; his pupils dilated.
"What Lin Hu Cao means—"
Lin Feng gave the standard answer: "If the lord wants a high-quality cotton variety with many bolls and resistance to diseases, then Yaohe is the only choice."
At first, everyone was somewhat uninterested when they learned that this scholar's method could only be used to promote the growth of flowers and plants. However, Chen Zhi was easily satisfied and was eager to start a great beauty business. The first customer was Liao Jia, who came to order flowers. Liao Jia was a picky customer and had conditions regarding the size and color of the flowers.
Somehow it reached the ears of the lord.
The lord slapped his thigh.
Heartbroken: [You lot, what a waste! Such a wonderful skill, and you only use it for planting flowers...]
_(:з」∠)_
Seeing this line means it has been corrected.
P.S.: Cotton really does flower. The flower color changes from white to pale yellow, pink, red, and even purplish-red. After the flower withers, cotton bolls will grow. When the cotton bolls mature, they split open, and inside are the cotton fibers, which is what we commonly call "cotton".
P.S.: Shen Zhi's scholarly way, when used correctly, is a divine skill. However, apart from Tang Mei, no one else realized this; Shen Zhi was only thinking about planting flowers and selling rouge and flower dew later _(:з」∠)_
(End of this chapter)
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