Chapter 232 – Sending Word of Safety

Yan Lao’er had come out for two reasons: first, to check on the charcoal burning, and second, to talk to Qi Wu about building doors, windows, and furniture.

To his surprise, the amount of charcoal produced had exceeded his expectations. Qi Da and Qi Wu had even built a wooden platform to elevate the ground and thrown up a makeshift shelter.

“Doors, I can manage,” Qi Wu said. “But windows and cabinets and all that… Yan Lao’er, you sure you don’t want them to look a little nicer?”

He was very aware of his own craftsmanship—neat and pretty weren’t in his skill set.

“My family doesn’t fuss about appearances. As long as it’s sturdy and practical, that’s good enough. But Qi Wu, you and your brothers can’t just push yourselves like this because you’re strong. There’s no end to chasing money. If you wear yourselves out, then what? I think we should forget about going into the mountains for medicinal herbs. Just charcoal and scented soap are more than enough to keep us busy.”

Yan Lao’er couldn’t help but feel for his brothers.

If he weren’t around to keep an eye on them, Qi Da and Qi Wu would probably keep the kilns burning nonstop. The more charcoal they made, the more wood they needed to cut—and every single log had been felled by those two, one swing of the axe at a time. Heaven knows how much they’d exhausted themselves while he wasn’t looking.

“This charcoal business… I’m thinking it can’t just be the four of us anymore. We need to bring in more hands to share the load.”

Qi Wu only said, “Yan Lao’er, we’re not tired. Really. Not tired at all.”

Yan Lao’er sighed. He could see straight through Qi Wu’s honest, stubborn heart.

The boy just couldn’t bear to let go of work that brought in money.

He wasn’t one to argue, so all he could do was keep insisting they weren’t tired. But how could that be true?

Yan Lao’er started hauling the sacks of charcoal onto the ox cart himself, refusing to let Qi Wu lift a finger.

He was panting from the effort, but when he looked back at Qi Wu—who was squatting off to the side, watching him pitifully like a big abandoned dog on the verge of tears—he couldn’t help but laugh.

He walked over and squatted down in front of him.

“Qi Wu, we’ve started making money now. We’ve sold charcoal, and scented soap is selling well too. Once I do the math, I’ll divvy up the silver and give you your share. We’re not aiming to be filthy rich—just enough to eat and wear decent clothes. That’s enough, isn’t it?”

Qi Wu thought it over, then gave a slow, earnest nod.

Yan Lao’er gave him time to process before continuing. “Now think: if you wear yourself out, you’ll end up needing a doctor. And medicine doesn’t come cheap. Plus, it’s bitter. No flavor like home-cooked rice, right?

Everything’s piled up all at once, that’s why we’ve been spinning like tops. But even when you’re busy, you have to find moments to take it easy. Understand?”

Of course Qi Wu understood—Yan Lao’er was telling him to slack off a little.

“Yan Lao’er… my fourth brother still hasn’t gotten married,” Qi Wu muttered, eyes dropping to the ground.

There it was—the real weight on his heart: his fourth brother’s marriage.

Yan Lao’er nearly choked on his own breath.

“Qi Wu, how much do you think it costs to get married these days?”

Qi Wu answered seriously, “I’ve been asking around, Yan Lao’er. If the girl’s decent, you’re looking at least five taels of silver.”

Yan Lao’er stared at him. “That was Qishan prices, and before the famine too. Haven’t you asked around recently?”

Qi Wu froze, then slowly shook his head.

“You should ask your mother. See if there’s anyone over on the west or north side of the village that’s caught her eye. You and Qi Si are about the same age. Isn’t it time to start looking for matches?”

Yan Lao’er thought about how young the brothers still were. It felt wrong to have to think of wives and children already, but in times like these, what choice did anyone have?

Qi Wu shifted uncomfortably, muttering, “I’m still young. Gotta find one for my fourth brother first.”

If Yan Lao’er hadn’t spent so much time with them, he might’ve missed the subtle signs that the kid was blushing.

Had his face gotten darker again? Maybe it was the charcoal smoke.

He thought of Qi Si’s face—weathered and wind-chapped, dirt-smudged, tired.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Yan Lao’er realized that the ones who had worked these two boys to this point… were no one else but himself.

“Come on. You’re coming home with me.”

Qi Wu dragged his feet, reluctant.

“There’s still a pile of charcoal here. I’ll stay and keep watch.”

Yan Lao’er snapped, “Watch what? There’s nobody here in broad daylight and nothing’s ever gone missing. Why would something happen in the dead of night? Get on the cart and go home to bed.”

Qi Wu climbed on slowly, none of the usual energy he had when working.

Yan Lao’er cracked the whip and got Sanbao moving as soon as he was seated.

Along the road, he kept nagging. “If I’m not home, I’ll have Xiao Er or your sister-in-law keep an eye on you. No more sleeping out here at night. No more burning too many kilns. No more chopping down so much wood.”

He’d made up his mind to bring in more help. But judging by Qi Wu’s reaction, he could already imagine how Qi Da and Qi Si would take it. He’d have to tread carefully—couldn’t rush this. It would take time.

Once they were back in the village, Yan Lao’er only lay down for a moment before getting up again.

The cart still held some charcoal. He didn’t bring any of the scented soap, but he did take the carefully wrapped ginseng with him.

He made a round through the brick kiln, selling most of the charcoal. They agreed he’d come back the next day to collect bricks. Then, with the rest of the charcoal, he headed to Yongning City.

He visited several apothecaries to ask about the price of ginseng and also inquired about medicines for epidemic diseases.

The answers he got were sobering—medicine for the epidemic had skyrocketed in price, and even with money, supply was scarce.

The ginseng? Shops were offering between thirty-seven and forty taels, a bit higher than when he last asked.

Clearly, the epidemic was driving up overall demand, and prices for all medicinal goods were climbing.

Yan Lao’er thought it over for a long time but couldn’t bring himself to sell.

According to his daughter’s plans, once their rafts could move along the river, they would start buying grain up and downstream.

Upstream, places like Longxing and Fengming were mountain towns—wild ginseng might be more common there, and harder to sell at a good price. But if they went downstream to Changping, or even all the way to Linhai Prefecture, they might find better buyers.

While in the apothecaries, he also took the chance to ask about Gufeng’s situation.

Word was, like Crouching Tiger City, Gufeng had shut its gates tight. The sick inside the inner city had already been relocated and placed in isolated areas.

No one knew exactly what was going on with the refugees outside the city walls. Some said more than half had died. Others claimed they’d been taken to remote areas for treatment. Still others said the refugees had scattered, fleeing toward Changping…

The rumors contradicted one another, yet spread like wildfire. It was impossible to tell what was really happening in Gufeng.

Yan Lao’er made another trip to Huimin Hall.

Doctor An had been away for several days at his request, and Yan Lao’er figured the man’s family must be worried. Since he was passing through Yongning anyway, he thought he’d drop by to let them know he was safe.

The senior physician on duty recognized him at once and grabbed hold of him, urgently asking about Doctor An.

Yan Lao’er had to explain for quite a while before the old doctor finally let go. Then the shopkeeper and apprentices crowded around him.

Yan Lao’er: “You don’t need to do this. He’s not running away, I swear.”

They meant no harm—just wanted to ask how their young master was doing, where he was now, and what the situation in Crouching Tiger City was like.

Yan Lao’er answered each question, especially the one about the city’s patient dispersal and quarantine process, which he described with care and detail.

The shopkeeper asked him to wait a moment. An apprentice ran out and didn’t return for nearly forty-five minutes. When he finally came back, panting and out of breath, he handed over a bundle and asked Yan Lao’er to deliver it to their young master.
(End of Chapter)