Chapter Nine, Shennong Stream

Indeed, if Mo Can were our child, then Shan Er would have a companion as well

Mo Can's face flushed red, and she instinctively turned her back, provoking a burst of hearty laughter from the boatmen

The night was eerily enchanting, and Mo Can was wandering aimlessly through the fir forest, completely unable to discern the direction, only able to proceed along a narrow path in the woods. It was unclear how long he had been walking when the sound of trickling water reached his ears. Under the faint moonlight, a stream blocked his way.

For thousands of years, the towmen of Shennong Stream have pulled the ropes in the nude, as the swift currents cause the wet cloth garments to cling tightly to their bodies, which not only hinders their movements but also easily causes skin abrasions

After breakfast, Old Gao saw that Mo Can was determined to leave, so he took a backpack and a medicinal hoe from his home and brought him to the Fulaikexuan Inn, where they found a group of herbal gatherers heading to Jiang. They had already prepared their luggage and were about to set off

This group of herbal gatherers is armed, and it is certainly much safer for Mo Can to travel with them, thought Gao Laoda.

At dawn in the East, "Hi, hi yo yo, heh hi hi..." a loud and resonant call echoed from afar, startling Mo Can awake. In the stream, seven or eight naked men, with ropes slung over their shoulders, were struggling to drag a "pea pod" shaped wooden boat.

Along the river, Duhu is a small town with a population of fewer than 1,000 people, characterized by its simple and honest customs. The middle-aged boatman, Gao Laoda, is a local resident.

This is probably Shennong Stream. I have heard from Master Miao that traveling upstream along the stream leads to Shennongjia, while going downstream will take you to Guandu Port dock.

Two young coolies set down their tow ropes and walked to the riverbank, each carrying a person on their back as they waded through the stream. Their demeanor was composed and innocent, just like the mountains and waters around them, simple and natural, which greatly astonished Mo Can.

Mo Can was astonished to discover that the venomous mosquitoes had actually bypassed him to attack others. What was going on? As he pondered this, he walked over to the woodpile, picked up a fire starter, and ignited the bonfire. The flames blazed up fiercely, thick smoke billowed out, and the dark mist gradually receded, eventually disappearing into the dense forest.

Old Master Gao explained that it was sufficient to take the child to the edge of Shennongjia and casually collect some herbs. After much persuasion, they finally reluctantly agreed

"The outside is truly wonderful," said the mountain boy to Mo Can. Ever since he could remember, he could only gaze at the unchanging peaks in the distance through the window. This had been the case for many years, and only when his parents took him outside could he see the village, the streams, and the 'pea pod boats.' "Father and the coolie uncles were all bare-bottomed," he said, bursting into a fit of giggles.

The guards hurriedly gathered dry branches to build a firewood pile, striking flint to ignite the bonfire, but it was too late; the black mist enveloped everyone in an instant

This child is named Mo Can, and he comes from Yunnan. He wishes to go to Shennongjia to gather medicinal herbs, " Gao Laoda told his wife.

Early in the morning, Master Gao was in a hurry to go release the bamboo rafts into the water. Before leaving, he earnestly advised Mo Can not to enter the desolate and uninhabited primeval forest. After gathering the herbs, he should return quickly and stay at his home.

In the glow of the fire, the guards were covered in countless red welts from bites, their faces swollen to the point of distortion, with their eyes squinting into mere slits, making it difficult for them to recognize one another. Everyone sat huddled around the fire, lacking even the desire to eat.

Pharmacist Fu rubbed his swollen face and said in surprise, "Little brother, how come you are completely unscathed?"

"This is not good, it is miasma, quickly light a bonfire," shouted Master Fu.

Hello, hello, hey hey hey... The Xiangjiang folk song has once again resounded

What is the Shennongjia white bear? Mo Can is very curious.

"Little brother, I trouble you to gather some more firewood, as there will be another wave of miasma before dawn," said Master Fu.

Are you leaving? The child opened his eyes wide, and a hint of sadness was reflected in his gaze

Foreman Dou, upon hearing what Pharmacist Fu said, agreed.

During dinner, the woman mentioned that a group of herbalists had arrived from the Lower Jiang Yichang Prefecture in the past few days, staying at the only inn in town, the Fulai Inn. Unlike in the past, they were all armed with swords, bows, and other weapons.

Mo Can rubbed his eyes and looked at these men who were completely unclothed, and asked in surprise: "Uncle, why are you all not wearing clothes?"

Gazing at the strong backs of the boatmen, Mo Can seemed to gain confidence, and thus he took off his shoes and placed them in his bundle, rolled up his pant legs, and jumped into the stream, following them.

A slender rope measures nine zhang and three, passed down from father to son, tied upon their shoulders. Treading through the rocks, no one inquires, who knows the coldness in the hearts of the towmen, hey yo yo. The leading towman discovered Mo Can, halted his song, and called out, "Hey, little child, why are you here all alone? Where is your home?"

"Little brother, you truly have some skills. However, we are already at the edge of Shennongjia. Why not gather some herbs here to take home? We still need to continue deeper into the area," said the leading guard.

In the neighboring room, the woman could not help but shed tears upon hearing her son's laughter

At the foot of the mountain, there are two thatched cottages, with a small vegetable garden in front and an old black dog lying on the threshold. In the Gao family, there are three members: the child named Shan'er, who has been bedridden since childhood, a source of distress for the couple over the years.

Oh, I am surnamed Fu, a pharmacist at the Huimin Pharmacy in Yichang Prefecture. They are all guards of Yichang Prefecture. The old man quietly recounted the events: it turns out that the current Emperor Qianlong is suffering from an eye ailment, and the governor of Yichang ordered the hunting of the bear bile from the white bears of Shennongjia to present to the court. As I am a government pharmacist, my colleagues can prepare the fresh bile on-site.

Mo Can picked up many dry branches and piled them next to the bonfire, enough to last until dawn. He unwrapped his bundle and took out two steamed buns, chewing on one while pondering. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him as he recalled the words of the doctor Ling from Xuzhou City, who had advised him to wear a leather vest when entering the mountains to ward off poisonous insects and miasma.

I am not sure either

The canyon becomes increasingly perilous, with sheer cliffs on both sides, forcing everyone to climb upwards. On the opposite mountain, a grove of dove trees is adorned with pure white flowers that resemble doves poised to take flight, creating a stunning sight

Pharmacist Fu interjected, "Captain Dou, although this young brother is not very old, his physical strength far surpasses that of an old man like me. Moreover, he is naturally unafraid of mosquitoes and is quite clever. Let us take him along; he will not be a burden."

"Hey, it's time to cross the river..." A woman's clear and melodious voice echoed from a distance

Look, there is another little boatman behind us

"That won't do; there are many venomous snakes and fierce beasts inside, it is very dangerous," the foreman shook his head.

Mo Can had not walked far when his clothes were already soaked through. Helpless, he had no choice but to strip off his clothes like the coolies and followed behind completely unclothed

The child smiled faintly, said nothing further, and a hint of sorrow was reflected in their gaze

"Old man, what kind of medicine are you here to collect?" Mo Can asked

Mo Can nodded slightly

There are not many herbs here, and I would like to accompany you into the deep mountains.

In the evening, Mo Can and Shan Er shared a bed. The child was thin as a rake, with sunken eye sockets, evoking pity.

Mo Can thought for a moment and said, "I can go accompany them, as long as I do not enter the deep mountains and old forests, it is fine to gather some herbs nearby."

Should I go to Guandu Port to take a boat back to Yunnan tomorrow morning, or should I ascend the stream to Shennongjia? He gazed at the countless stars in the night sky, pondering back and forth, unable to make a decision for the moment. Perhaps it is better to wait until dawn to decide

Do not linger on the past; by the shore, two women, a sister-in-law and her sister, are frequently waving to the boatmen while carrying bamboo baskets.

"Yes, I am going to Shennongjia to gather herbs." Mo Can had already made up his mind.

Mo Can saw that the boatman had a kind and hearty demeanor, so he replied, "I have come to the mountains to gather herbs. Where are you headed?"

"No." The leader, with a long sword hanging from his waist, interrupted and firmly rejected before the words were fully spoken.

Mo Can walked at the back of the line. Although the mountain path was steep, densely forested, and rugged, he had grown up at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains and often went up the mountain to gather herbs during his apprenticeship. His physique was considerably stronger than that of his peers. Later, he learned the reverse abdominal breathing technique from "Mu's Abdominal Speech Technique," which allowed him to breathe more deeply, making it much easier to traverse mountains and hills.

"Sigh, how long has it been since Shan'er has been this happy?" she said

I see, no wonder the venomous mosquitoes do not bite me. The night before last, while I was in Wushan preparing medicine, despite inhaling the enchanting fragrance from Steward Xue, I still remained alert. Perhaps this shoulder cape played a role in that. He gently stroked the soft gray fur of the shoulder cape, wondering what kind of animal skin it was and how such a thing could be found in his home

Go to the riverside ferry town to deliver goods

Looking from the deck of the boat, the cabin is filled with jars of oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and bags of grain

A group of more than ten herbal gatherers traveled north along the Shennong Stream, entering the vast and towering mountains.

The middle-aged porter approached and asked, "Little child, do you really intend to go to Shennongjia to gather herbs?"

The clear stream splashed onto him, refreshing and cool, bringing Mo Can a profound sense of comfort

Mo Can squatted by the water's edge, scooped up some water to wash his face, and then sat down to rest on a piece of blue stone

The boatman, who appeared to be in his forties, had bronze-colored skin and a strong physique. Upon hearing the words, he laughed and said, "We are boatmen, of course we work bare-chested. It seems you are not from around here, young one."

"Were they taken by the mountain spirit?" Mo Can asked

"Little brother, it is truly not easy for you to come out to gather herbs at such a young age," said the elderly man beside Mo Can, who appeared to be in his fifties, with a kind expression as he initiated the conversation.

"How far is Shennongjia?" Mo Can asked

At dawn, the miasma indeed struck again. Everyone hurried to add firewood to drive away the spotted mosquitoes. Mo Can brought a bundle of damp wild grass and placed it on the flames. In an instant, thick smoke billowed up, causing people to cough incessantly, and the black mist dissipated in the blink of an eye

This is a black mist composed of countless giant and *illustrated* spotted mosquitoes, which, upon sensing the scent of warm-blooded humans, dive down recklessly, landing on their heads, faces, and exposed skin, mercilessly piercing with their bloodsucking stingers. The guards, unable to light a fire, hurriedly slapped with their palms, creating a chaotic scene of "slap, slap, slap".

It is over a hundred miles, after crossing the river ferry, following the stream northward, you will reach the southern slope of Shennongjia. A little child like you cannot go there," the kind boatman advised, then he resumed pulling the tow rope, "Hey yo yo..." chanting a song as he trudged step by step through the stream.

A wave of fatigue washed over me, so I lay down on the large bluestone, fully clothed, and fell asleep

"Mo Can, did you hear that? Adults who go together often do not return, let alone a child like you. Tomorrow we will launch the raft into the water, it would be better to send you back." Old Gao comforted.

"Come aboard the boat, and I will take you across the river." The boatman extended his strong arms and lifted Mo Can onto the boat

At dusk, the team arrived at a sheltered cliff and began to set up camp, preparing to spend the night there. At that moment, a faint buzzing sound reached their ears, which soon grew louder, as a mass of black mist descended upon them.

"That won't do. A group of herbalists went up the mountain before the New Year, but only one person returned, and he was so frightened that he had gone mad. It's truly pitiful," said the woman.

At dusk, the boat docked by the shore, and the boatmen all put on their clothes. Some merchants came to unload the goods. After counting everything, everyone went to a small tavern to drink, while Old Gao took Mo Can back to his home

The locals refer to it as the 'Mountain Bear'. It has a completely white coat, a head as large as a basin, and eyes as red as vermilion, making it extremely rare. Its gallbladder differs from that of ordinary bears, appearing golden, extremely bitter and cold, and it travels through the liver and gallbladder meridians. It is remarkably effective in treating eye ailments and restoring vision.

In the early morning, Mo Can quietly got out of bed, trying not to wake up Shan Er beside him

Upon hearing this, Old Gao smiled and said, "It is merely a legend that there are mountain spirits, yet no one has ever witnessed them with their own eyes. Perhaps those who have seen them have all been eaten."