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Chapter 307: Matching Testimonies

Yan Huaiwen feigned surprise, “You invited him, so shouldn’t you be the one to pay the consultation fee?”

Yan Lao’er was taken aback, “Huh? I really have to pay?”

Seeing the amused look in his brother’s eyes, he understood immediately, “Brother, you’re teasing me!”

Yan Huaiwen laughed, “Young Doctor An cured the epidemic in Crouching Tiger. Magistrate Tian won’t let him go unrewarded.”

“I thought so,” Yan Lao’er muttered, “But even if we pay Young Doctor An, it doesn’t matter. He went to Crouching Tiger, which led to the changes in the formula. He’s a great benefactor to us. Brother, you were able to return home early, thanks to him. He also helped us speak today, allowing us to sell the medicine smoothly. It’s only right to prepare a generous thank-you gift for him.”

“Brother, I heard people say Gufeng wants to transfer people from Crouching Tiger to help. Is that true?” Yan Lao’er remembered and quickly asked.

Yan Huaiwen nodded, “Magistrate Tian has agreed.”

Yan Lao’er asked, “Who will go? We have so few people in Crouching Tiger, and with the autumn harvest approaching, how can we manage?”

Yan Huaiwen just smiled at him without speaking.

“Brother, it won’t be you, will it?” Yan Lao’er swallowed hard.

Yan Xiangheng also widened his eyes, then furrowed his brows.

“Father, is Master Tian really sending you?”

“What? You can all go, but I can’t?” Yan Huaiwen replied with a question instead of an answer.

Yan Lao’er shook his head, wanting to say something but giving up. After a sigh, he said seriously, “Brother, I’ll go with you. I’m still holding a position at the yamen, let Master Tian assign me too. The two of us together, I’ve been to Gufeng several times and have some understanding of the situation.”

Yan Huaiwen asked, “Then tell me, why has Gufeng struggled to control the epidemic for so long?”

Yan Lao’er frowned, “Various reasons. Initially, the groundwork wasn’t laid properly, and people were settled too densely, leading to person-to-person transmission. Later, as more people died, everyone became frightened, and even those who weren’t sick got scared into illness, scrambling to take medicine regardless of its suitability.

With so many people falling ill, Gufeng’s manpower was insufficient. They couldn’t even supply enough food, let alone medicine. More people sneaked out to find food, and at that point, it became unmanageable.

Only when good news came from Crouching Tiger did Gufeng start to learn, but they didn’t quite grasp it, doing things half-heartedly.

By the time we left, although Gufeng had changed the formula, they ran out of medicine, and there weren’t enough people to brew it…

In short, there were problems everywhere, pitfalls at every turn.”

Yan Xiangheng added, using Da’an Village as an example, “When we went there, at least we gave them a place sheltered from wind and rain, left them some cooking utensils, and chopped some firewood.

The rice and flour we brought relieved their immediate needs.

Dad, the refugees outside Gufeng City came seeking refuge. They had no food or drink on the way, and upon reaching Gufeng, they couldn’t replenish their supplies, so their food was running out.

The people cooking porridge in Gufeng… weren’t very diligent. People weren’t getting enough to eat, and over time, their health deteriorated.

Uncle is right; not all the sick are infected with the epidemic. There are other illnesses. The doctors did separate them, but… the refugees don’t cooperate, unwilling to leave their families to be resettled elsewhere.”

Yan Huaiwen said, “As the weather cools, those remaining outside won’t last long.

What you both are saying points to one thing: the officials in Gufeng have lost the trust of the refugees. That’s why this time, not only do I have to go, but Magistrate Tian will also go personally.”

Hearing that Master Tian would also go, the uncle and nephew felt much more at ease.

After washing up, Yan Lao’er started preparing the meal.

Each person had a big bowl of noodle soup, along with a sizzling, oily salted duck egg, which was delightful.

Once they finished, the three people outside came in.

Yan Yu watched her father eat with relish, touched her own little belly, and felt a bit hungry after just having porridge for dinner.

“Dad, I’m not full. I want some noodle soup too.”

Yan Lao’er sighed, quickly finished his bowl, and got up to prepare more.

Yan Yu asked Big Sis Daya if she was hungry, but Daya quickly shook her head.

Then she looked at her mother. Li Xuemei thought for a moment and said, “Make a bit more, and I’ll have a couple of bites.”

Wow!

Even the leader was hungry!

Yan Lao’er worked even faster, and soon two small bowls were placed in front of the mother and daughter.

Yan Huaiwen asked more about Gufeng, and Yan Xiangheng answered one by one.

The mother and daughter ate happily, while Yan Lao’er, worried about the saltiness, diligently added pickled vegetables for them.

Suddenly, Yan Huaiwen asked, “Tianyou, where did you get that old medical book?”

Yan Lao’er was dumbfounded by the question.

“What? What medical book?”

Yan Yu almost choked, thinking, “Uncle, couldn’t you wait until tomorrow to ask? They haven’t even coordinated their stories yet!”

Li Xuemei remained calm, “It’s those few books you brought back before, all tattered and worm-eaten.”

Yan Lao’er opened his mouth in surprise, looking both confused and uncertain, “Is there really such a thing?”

This time, Yan Huaiwen truly believed Xiao Er’s words, thinking even Tianyou himself might not remember.

However, Yan Lao’er quickly realized what was going on and slapped his forehead, “Oh right, look at my memory. It’s been years, and I forgot all about it. Brother, what’s up with the book?”

He looked at his brother in confusion.

Yan Huaiwen: …

Feeling a bit weary, he no longer wanted to ask where it came from, suspecting it was a place he didn’t want to hear about.

“It’s nothing. I want to show the medical prescriptions Xiao Er copied to Young Doctor An. They’re useless in our hands, but if he can use them as a reference, that would be good,” Yan Huaiwen said.

Yan Lao’er immediately replied, “I have no objections. Brother, you decide.”

…

When the family of three returned to their room.

Yan Lao’er hurriedly closed the door.

“Oh my heavens, you two didn’t coordinate in advance. Did I say anything wrong?”

“No, no, Dad, you did great,” Yan Yu quickly reassured her father, “Don’t worry, Dad. Uncle doesn’t take those prescriptions seriously. Just remember my story.” She repeated what she had told her uncle.

“Dad, you really hit the mark. That reaction just now was perfect! So genuine!” Yan Yu sincerely praised.

Yan Lao’er felt relieved and laughed heartily, “At first, I didn’t react, but when I remembered, I thought saying less would be better. It’s good; this matter is settled.”

Li Xuemei said, “We’re all tired. Let’s get some sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

Yan Lao’er agreed, “Indeed, tomorrow I’ve arranged to go up the mountain with the Qi Family Three Brothers. The village banquet¹ requires each household to contribute dishes. How can we miss out on big slices of pork? We have to prepare it!”

“Huh?” Yan Yu, who was making her bed, looked up and said, “But Dad, we also planned to sell mooncakes in Yongning tomorrow. We’ve made two fillings, red bean paste and salted egg yolk. Today, Uncle even bought the oil paper for wrapping them.”

Yan Lao’er: …

“How did this clash happen? Are the mooncakes already made?”

(End of chapter)

Translator’s Notes