Chapter 4: Born into poverty, how can I allow others to be equally poor?

"What is the most terrifying thing in summer?" The little girl tilted her head and began to ponder

Ah, indeed!

Aren't the villagers coming to pull it out? This thing is actually edible

However, the little girl still wanted to retort

... ...

Hmm, lost a bit of weight, the texture is average! Han Yue commented, grinning mischievously: "Hurry up and get up to serve the food, make sure I eat and drink enough, and then I'll make you some mosquito repellent!"

The Tang Dynasty was an era of mutual assistance among people

Is that so? Han Yue was overjoyed

Of course, when our household's grain supply is insufficient, don't we all eat it

Oh, spending a night? The implications hidden in your words, young lady, are rather profound. You are quite mischievous!

Born into a life of poverty, how can I allow others to share in this misery

My lord, how about we not sleep tonight and spend the night...

"My lord, everyone knows about using mugwort to repel mosquitoes; every household in the village uses it at night..." The little girl’s eyes showed a growing trend of worry and fear. "What is wrong with my lord? Everyone is aware that mugwort is used to repel mosquitoes; why is he showing off this common knowledge? Oh my, could it be that after being beaten by that strong man, he has really become a bit foolish?

Wow! Han Yue stumbled and nearly fell into the stove.

To put it plainly, there is nothing mysterious about it. It is merely a matter of mashing fresh mugwort into a paste, mixing in a small amount of clay, rolling it into thin strips, and shaping it into circles. Then, it is baked over a fire until charred, resulting in a large Tang Dynasty-style mosquito coil. To enhance the fragrance, Han Yue also mixed in some wild fennel and mint. (Do not think these two items are particularly sophisticated; anyone who has been through rural northern areas knows they can often be found in the fields.)

Reaching out to pick up a handful of straw from beside the stove, he held it to the maid's nose and said fiercely: "Smell this, what is it? Do you know what it is used for?"

Oh, these simple and unadorned ancients

Oh, girl, what do you intend to do with that knife in the middle of the night

It is strange

The face-changing became too intense, frightening the young girl to the point where her face turned pale, her eyes brimming with tears. Those round, large eyes were filled with worry, as if she feared that the heavens would transform her previously fierce husband back to his former self.

In later generations, people engage in intrigue and scheming, prioritizing their own interests above all else, regardless of the ownership of the items in question; the first to seize them is deemed the victor. Thus, it has been said that it is an era of cannibalism among individuals

How did it come to be that wild vegetables are allowed to grow all over the place, many of which have already gone to seed and are past the edible stage

During the day, flies fill the plate, and at night, mosquitoes come to bother

Nonsense, which household has white mosquito coils? They lack knowledge

The little girl is innocent and carefree; she does not understand what Kunlun slaves are, nor does she know what the mosquito coil industry trust is, but this does not prevent her from discerning another message from Han Yue's words

Hehehe, if you don't get up soon, things will get even worse

For example, certain things that are both annoying and irritating...! Someone's eyes sparkled, their stubbornness unchanged, and they began to coax again.

"Sir, that is wild chives. Just blanch them in hot water, and they are delicious!" The little girl was busy pulling mugwort and, noticing Han Yue staring blankly at the wild vegetables scattered on the ground, immediately spoke up.

The young girl was taken aback for a moment and hesitantly said: "My lord, can this really be called a game? Dou Dou has never deceived you."

Life is important, but in the eyes of the ancients, there are things in this world that are even more important than life itself

Han Yue felt a burning sensation in his eyes, not knowing why, he experienced an impulse to cry

How is it? Completely natural and pollution-free, much better than those products containing synthetic pyrethroids!

Even future generations know that it is delicious, so the ancients, who referred to wild vegetables as half a year's grain, should not have been ignorant of this, right? What is the situation here

Although this humorous poem is somewhat crude, it excels in being straightforward and easy to understand, to the extent that even someone like Dou Dou, who has not received an education, can comprehend it. The little girl, with her eyes shining brightly, gazed at the mugwort in Han Yue's hand. Suddenly, she leaped with joy, grabbed the kitchen knife from the cutting board, and stood firmly in front of him.

That is the tradition passed down from our ancestors

Seeing the young girl holding a kitchen knife, she dropped a harsh remark and intended to go out. Han Yuesheng, fearing that she might trip, hurriedly pulled her back.

What is the situation? Did people in the Tang Dynasty not eat wild vegetables? This item is non-toxic and delicious, and can even be eaten raw. Han Yue does not believe it, so no one has tried it. As long as someone tries it once, they will know the benefits of this item. How could one allow it to grow so arrogant

Although the craftsmanship is simple, the effect is quite good, especially after it is ignited, the smoke is very faint, yet a subtle medicinal fragrance fills the room. The little girl sniffs around with her delicate nose, her brows raised in delight, and her large, bright eyes gaze at Han Yue from a distance, her gaze gentle and endearing.

Everyone knows that during the Three Kingdoms period, this item was a dominant presence on the dining tables of common people. If one were to claim that people in the Tang Dynasty were unaware of it, no one would believe such a statement

"My lord, is this the mosquito coil? It looks so dark and unattractive!"

Sir, what are pyrethroid chemical products

This is our land, ten acres, all of it! Every time the little girl talks about the land, she has an expression that suggests having you is enough for everything.

How could it be? Borrowing grain must be repaid! Everyone knows our family is poor. In the village, as long as someone isn't completely out of food, if they come to borrow grain from our family, it would be like stabbing them in the back.

After three days of crossing over, Han Yue initially had some resistance to the Tang Dynasty. However, at this moment, he suddenly felt that being able to come to this damned Tang Dynasty was indeed a tremendous blessing from heaven.

How frightening it is, such a lovely little girl, upon hearing just a hint of the possibility of making money, is about to transform into a fierce warrior with a kitchen knife? Can life still go on like this

However, after taking a few more steps forward, the entire person became confused again

Han Yue was somewhat puzzled and, after thinking for a long time, could not figure out the intricacies involved. For the time being, he could only attribute it to the fact that the people of the Tang Dynasty indeed did not recognize it

As night deepens and people settle down, even the living grow weary of the spirits.

Ah, I understand now, my lord! The young girl suddenly realized.

What is wrong with the rascals? Looking at future societies, the more unruly and rogue they are, the more eloquent they become, while good students struggle to attract girls; only those with a silver tongue are loved. In his previous life, Han Yue put considerable effort into attracting women; setting aside his reckless nature, if we only consider the knowledge he possessed, the little rascals might not necessarily be inferior to the scholars from Tsinghua or Peking University.

With a soft cry, the little girl shyly covered her face, her cheeks turning a deep red that reached her ears, and she squatted down, hiding her face.

"Girl, since we have some free time, shall we play a game?"

Regardless of the circumstances, having a virtuous wife at home is like possessing a treasure. The wisdom passed down from our ancestors is indeed profound, and Han Yue believes it should be followed. Have you not seen how even a slender little girl boldly declares her intentions for the night? How can a dignified man like Master Han shrink back like a turtle?

There is nothing more to say! What grows in our fields is our harvest. If we cannot finish it, we can keep it for seeds, and when we are short on food, we can use it as a substitute

A large pile of mugwort was cut, and taking advantage of its freshness, as well as with the intention of practicing, Han Yue just made a plate of mosquito repellent incense. The young couple focused intently on a broken table, conducting a scientific experiment and detailed commentary on the first mosquito repellent product of the Tang Dynasty.

Not only is it dense, but it is also prosperous, with a wide variety of grasses that are simply comprehensive

Vegetables are also life

You come back to me

"But what can be done? When I say it's time to eat, it's time to eat!" Han Yue could not indulge her bad habit. Without saying a word, he pulled her over, raised his arm, and with a loud slap, the girl's little bottom suffered a painful hit. ... Hehe, indeed, inflicting punishment is the most satisfying ...

Do you recognize this thing

Dou Dou, be good and listen. Let us eat first, then we will work!

The values of the common people in ancient times were so simple; I may not live well, but I hope you can live well. I have experienced hunger and know what that feels like, so I do not wish for you to go hungry, as that feeling is unpleasant

"Doudou, what do you think is the most terrifying thing about summer?"

One, two, three, oh my, there are more over there, such a large area, densely packed.

Han Yue noticed that this girl was easily amused, so he quickly changed his expression, softened his tone, and gently explained while holding some hay: "This is mugwort, scientifically known as Artemisia argyi. Never mind the scientific name; you just need to know that I have a way to turn mugwort into a treasure for repelling mosquitoes, and we can sell it for money. Mugwort is everywhere by the river, hehe, little girl, we are going to get rich..."

This confusion was ultimately resolved by Dou Dou

Is this wild chives? Have they all been planted?

"How is it? Are you surprised? Isn't it impressive?" Han Yue said with some pride

What about this shepherd's purse? Do you recognize it?

"My lord, are you saying that you have a way to eliminate the thick smoke produced when mugwort is burned, while still retaining its efficacy in repelling mosquitoes?"

I do not, my lord, you are truly wicked

Um... I don't understand either! In any case, this is how mosquito coils are made

Forget it, this girl is just not suited for romance, let's get straight to the point!

"No, my lord, Dou Dou needs to cook. I heard it very clearly just now; your stomach growled again..." The little girl swiftly tidied up the stove, kneaded the dough, and stoked the fire, bustling about like a little bee

"Ahem, what a good girl." Someone took the opportunity to flatter her. "Now, let our game begin!"

The most frustrating thing is that whenever we cook, the grain in the jar is always insufficient... However, my dear, you need not worry. As long as we cultivate more land and do not sell our property, the grain at home will surely accumulate more and more!

Alright, alright, but my dear husband, please stay a bit farther from the stove, the smoke is quite thick and it will suffocate you

Regardless of the era, successfully showing off in front of girls always brings a certain thrill. Since one is already putting on a show, it must be done convincingly. Han Yue racked his brains once again to compose a poem that fits the occasion

Food is life

Dou Dou is being silent and dazed

"Hmm, I know this is our land, and then?" Master Han transformed into a curious child and continued to ask.

Great Tang, this time, I, Han Yue, have truly arrived

"Then how about we cook while playing games?" Someone persistently continued to tempt.

Well, fine, I will just ask directly! The sages have said that when playing tricks on women, the one who suffers will always be oneself. Han Yue, feeling choked and breathless, decided to abandon the roundabout approach and be straightforward.

The name of this game is Truth or Dare. First, the husband will pose a question. This question is very important, very serious, and purely academic, so you must answer it seriously and cannot be dismissive

It is strange that since Dou Dou knows that shepherd's purse and wild chives are edible, she must have tried all the varieties of wild vegetables in this wasteland. If a little girl knows such things, the adults in the village have no reason not to know them either

This time, Han Yue was thoroughly pleased. After arriving in the Tang Dynasty, he was first robbed and beaten, then ambushed by a dandy, and later deceived Cheng Chumo, only to be looked down upon like a fool for a long time. He faced various setbacks and continuous blows. Now, having finally seized upon an area of ignorance among the Tang people, how could he not show off a bit

To speak of the Tang Dynasty is to speak of grandeur; everything emphasizes the character "great." The vast expanse of mugwort grass stretches endlessly, and one cannot see the end at a glance. How can it merely be described as dense?

"That is because there is no oil and water in the belly; after all, people are not herbivores, and just eating vegetable leaves won't do..." Han Yue responded casually, yet he stared blankly at the wild vegetables.

... ...

It is understandable that this girl, having been afraid of poverty, is exhibiting a bit of impatience, and one cannot blame her for that

Hehe, rest assured, I am not foolish

It is important to note that in later generations, apart from the specially cultivated shepherd's purse, one would hardly find any wild varieties in the fields. When the season arrives, young women and wives carry small baskets and scour the mountains and fields, uprooting them as if they were tilling the soil. Such ruthless methods could even drive rabbits to relocate.

In my memory, during the years of famine, the common people relied on wild vegetables as food. Given how poor Han Family Village is, how could they possibly overlook this patch of wild vegetables

"My lord, please eat your meal. Dou Dou will go cut the mugwort right away, and I guarantee to bring it all back before dawn..." Women are all impatient, especially when it comes to matters related to money; they are neither calm nor modest. Bring it all back? There are countless mugwort plants in the wild mountains and fields of the Tang Dynasty, can you possibly cut them all?

"Borrowing grain? Pulling wild vegetables from the ground counts as borrowing grain?" Han Yue was taken aback by this phrase, stunned for a moment before finally reacting.

He was also unconcerned about the little girl's fanciful thoughts, engrossed in boasting with the mugwort in hand: "How can the methods of others compare to my own? I am aware of that method of using mugwort to repel mosquitoes that you mentioned, with smoke and fire, it is quite suffocating. Whether it can kill the mosquitoes or not is another matter, but the whole person would be left blackened like a ghost, able to perform as a Kunlun slave without any makeup... Hehe, it is precisely for this reason that it is our turn to take advantage of the situation. Dou Dou, listen carefully, I hereby solemnly announce that from today onwards, the mosquito incense industry trust of the Tang Dynasty is officially established. Whether it can kill the mosquitoes or not is another matter, but the whole person would be left blackened like a ghost, able to perform as a Kunlun slave without any makeup... Hehe, it is precisely for this reason that it is our turn to take advantage of the situation. Dou Dou, listen carefully, I hereby solemnly announce that from today onwards, the mosquito incense industry trust of the Tang Dynasty is officially established..."

No more words, get to work

Taking advantage of the night, holding a kitchen knife (a treasured family heirloom in hand, their courage instantly bolstered), the young couple turned right as they left the house and began to cut grass by the riverside

The little girl looked both surprised and somewhat in awe, which made Han Yue feel completely pleased with himself. One could see him standing tall, striking a pose as if looking down from the heavens, waving a handful of straw in his hand, his expression exceedingly arrogant

Raising my head to gaze at the sky, my eyes fixed on the vast firmament, such a magnificent starry night and beautiful scenery. My dear, can we not have a touch of romance? I have put in so much effort to initiate this conversation, and you abruptly shift the topic to food; what is the meaning of this?

In a short period of time, Han Yue discovered several treasures

Han Yue can be certain that it is understandable if no one knows about shepherd's purse, but the abundance of wild leeks everywhere is indeed perplexing

Yes, yes

In a wasteland without an owner, wild vegetables can be freely pulled; in a wasteland with an owner, even if the wild vegetables are inedible, no one will touch them. Unless, of course, you come to borrow from the owner

Is this ? Shepherd's purse? No way, has it grown this tall? The village is so poor, isn't there anyone to dig it up and eat it?" Han Yue gazed at a giant grass before him, its leaves spread out to be as large as two palms. Positioned in the center of a group of grasses, it occupied a prominent place, and its imposing presence that looked down upon the surrounding grasses made one question whether this was still Earth.

The kitchen knife was snatched away and thrown aside. The girl, being so temperamental, often resorts to using weapons. Fortunately, it was just a kitchen knife; had it been scissors, I would have considered striking back.

I know, shepherd's purse is even more delicious than wild leeks, but it doesn't fill you up. Even if you eat until your stomach is round, you'll still be hungry again in a little while

Suddenly, there is an indescribable feeling of emotion within my chest