Chapter 245 The money has been spent, this is not a big deal
In the evening, Gu Xixi went to find Master Liu.
Master Liu naturally knew about malaria, but it was the first time he heard that repelling mosquitoes could prevent and treat malaria.
He agreed without hesitation, "Just give me the gentian grass that Boss Gu needs. I will gather it by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
"As for the subsequent delivery, I will also do my best to deliver it as soon as possible."
Gu Xixi bowed and said, "Thank you."
She put down a fifty-liang silver note, just enough to buy the medicinal herbs.
"Mr. Liu, use it to buy medicinal herbs. If it's not enough, come back and ask me for the reimbursement."
Master Liu hastily declined, "Boss Gu predicted this risk for the Northwest Army in advance, found a prescription, thought of a solution, and contributed money and effort. How can I ask you to spend money on just a little gentian grass?"
Gu Xixi said, "The money has been spent, so this little bit is not a big deal."
Master Liu wanted to decline politely, "Boss Gu, please don't make it difficult for me. I'm not paying out of my own pocket. In fact, Lord Mu asked me to do this and left a small stash of money in advance..."
He noticed that Gu Xixi's eyes were becoming increasingly unhappy, so he tactfully swallowed the rest of his words and took the banknote.
"Then I'll keep it for now, and I'll return it to you if I can't spend it all."
Mr. Liu was sweating over the case and almost forgot to mention that person in front of Boss Gu.
Gu Xixi returned to the topic with a friendly expression.
"Remember, one is a prepared herbal medicine that can be boiled in water and sprinkled, or burned, to kill and repel mosquitoes."
"The second type is a sewn medicine bag."
“It can be divided into two categories, large and small.”
"The large medicine bag is made using my master's recipe and can be hung in military tents, beside beds, etc."
"The downside is that it smells too bad and is not suitable for soldiers to wear."
Master Liu listened carefully and nodded, "Indeed, during reconnaissance, infiltration, ambush and other operations, if the smell of medicine is too strong, it is easy for the enemy to detect it."
Gu Xixi said, "So Master and I decided to change the formula and use a few kinds of grass plants instead."
“These herbs are not medicinal materials, as they contain mosquito repellent ingredients, most of which are slightly toxic.”
"Be sure to wear and keep it carefully to avoid accidental ingestion."
She paused and said, "Of course, I will also include instructions and taboos in the package."
Master Liu understood and said solemnly, "Boss Gu, rest assured. When I inform you in the secret letter, I will definitely repeat what you said. I will also tell the escort to explain it to you in person after the goods are delivered to ensure that everything goes well."
As soon as it got dark, Master Liu personally sent Gu Xixi on the road.
When leaving, he bowed, bowed, and performed a solemn ceremony.
Gu Xixi bowed slightly in return, and everything was said without words.
Master Liu knew very well that Gu Xixi's preparations were not groundless worries.
Although he was not proficient in medicine, he was well-versed in history books.
The climate in the northwest is relatively dry, with more cold seasons, and there are few records of large-scale malaria in history.
But now the army has left the northwest and is about to march southeast.
The soldiers who had adapted to the northwestern climate were likely to suffer from acclimatization problems when they arrived at a warmer and more humid area.
Not to mention that it is midsummer and mosquitoes are rampant in the mountainous and water-rich areas, which is very different from the northwest.
Rather than gambling on whether the Northwest Army will be infected with malaria, it is better to take precautions early.
The next morning, Gu Xixi met the rumored matchmaker Zhao.
Different from her stereotypical matchmaker image.
Matchmaker Zhao was not dressed in anything flashy or exaggerated. Her jet-black hair was combed into a simple bun. She wore a moon-white short jacket and a dark lake blue rippled skirt tied around her waist.
Although the years have left some traces on her face, it still remains fair and beautiful.
Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were both a little surprised.
Is this Zhao the Matchmaker?
Isn't it too young?
Matchmaker Zhao was washing clothes in the yard. When she saw guests coming, she put down the washboard and stood up.
"Sister Zhang is here!"
She went up to Aunt Zhang and greeted her warmly.
Gu Xixi observed from the side and thought, no wonder she could become the top of the industry.
At first glance, Zhao the Matchmaker's smile has a unique charm that makes people feel warm inside. But it is just the right warmth, without any aggression.
Isn't it a talent that she can make people feel close to her when they first meet her?
At this time, Matchmaker Zhao looked over to Aunt Zhang and exclaimed in admiration, "Oh my!"
"Both girls look very good, let me guess."
"Well... the one wearing the bamboo green skirt is Boss Gu, and the one wearing the red skirt is Miss He who is staying here as a guest. Is that right?"
Gu Xixi and He Jinglan looked at each other and nodded with a smile.
"right."
He Jinglan joked, "You are much younger than we thought. I think you should call me Madam Zhao instead of Auntie."
Matchmaker Zhao smiled, her eyes narrowed into a pair of crescents, "Hello, Madam Zhao! I like this name."
She smiled at Aunt Zhang and said, "Being called a little girl like that makes me feel at least ten years younger!"
Aunt Zhang said, "Sister Zhao, you are not old at all!"
The women were chatting and laughing, and it was very lively.
Matchmaker Zhao said, "Before daybreak this morning, I went down to the fields and applied the medicine that Boss Xiao Gu gave me."
It was cool outside in the morning, and Gu Xixi didn't want to delay, so she suggested going to the field to check on the buckwheat first.
Zhao Matchmaker's house was not far from the fields.
Gu Xixi took a look and found that it was consistent with her previous judgment.
She said to Zhao the matchmaker, "The medicine I prescribed needs to be used every three days."
"Observe the new shoots at the bottom and the tips of the leaves at the top. If they don't continue to turn yellow, then they are safe."
"If you're still not feeling better after five days, come to my house and see me again."
Due to limited conditions nowadays, the medicine she makes can barely reach half the effectiveness of industrial pesticides of later generations.
Therefore, it is necessary to use the medicine multiple times and observe the changes in the seedling condition diligently.
Matchmaker Zhao took note of it carefully.
Gu Xixi added, "But this seedling disease is very harmful to buckwheat, and the harvest will definitely be affected."
But Matchmaker Zhao didn't care.
"It doesn't matter how much the harvest is, as long as it's there, as long as it's there."
Gu Xixi sighed in her heart.
Looking at the way Matchmaker Zhao is dressed today and the situation at her home, I know that she has made some money as a matchmaker over the years.
As a single woman, she could not eat much food, so she could live a comfortable life without having to farm.
But she worked hard to cultivate the two acres of land.
Is it to help the old friend continue to guard this home?
Is it for the bowl of soba noodles offered in front of the grave every year?
When they got home, Matchmaker Zhao brought a small stool and a pot of drink that she had prepared for the guests early in the morning. The drink contained the wild chrysanthemum hearts that she had picked last autumn and a little rock sugar.
It is just right to eat now after being dried. It has a refreshing and cool chrysanthemum fragrance and a slightly sweet taste that is just right.
She was a little embarrassed, "I know that Boss Xiao Gu has a lot of land, and it's a big business for everyone."
"I only planted half an acre of buckwheat, and you have to make a trip here in person. This is really..."
Gu Xixi said, "Madam Zhao, you don't have to be polite."
“Whether it’s half an acre or dozens of acres, it’s all the same in my eyes.”
"If you watch the seedlings die of disease and do nothing, and waste your efforts and seeds without feeling any pain, are you still a farmer?"
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