Chapter 59

Before the village could decide if they should continue entering the mountains, another big piece of news was exposed.

The reason why Liu Dazhuang was delayed was because he had discovered a ginseng. In order to express his apology, Liu Dazhuang was willing to share this ginseng with everyone. However, the problem was, who would enter the mountain to dig for it?

That was the place where the tiger and bear had appeared. At that time, even the villagers in the village heard their loud roars during their fight.

Even though wealth moved people’s hearts, no one dared to go into the mountains to dig.

Hence, Liu He went to look for Mu Shi and said, “After this commotion passes, I want you to bring Da Zhuang and the others into the mountains. After you dig out the ginseng, sell them for money to distribute to the villagers.” At this point, Liu He said with a sigh, “After all, it was my son who caused everyone to be startled and even put Ah Ling in danger.”

Liu He had already planned to give a portion of the money to the Mu father and daughter when the money arrived. Firstly, it was to calm them down after the shock they suffered, and secondly, it was to reward them for bringing the villagers into the mountain.

However, Mu Shi said, “It’s not Dazhuang’s fault. My child is too bold.” There was also Fang Zhuzi’s egging on.

Mu Shi did not like Madam Fang-Liu, nor did he like Fang Zhuzi. When he was young, Fang Zhuzi was the one who took the lead in bullying him. This time, because of his delay, his daughter fell into danger. Mu Shi had already made up his mind not to let Mu Yangling enter the mountains again this year.

“Don’t worry, Village Chief. When the mountains quieten down in two days, I’ll bring them into the mountains.”

Liu He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Mu Shi agree.

Mu Shi turned around and went back to settle the score with Mu Yangling.

Mu Yangling was lying on the bed in shame, covering her head with the blanket. Little Bowen sat obediently on the bed, patting the blanket gently with his small hand, comforting his sister with his actions.

Shu Wanniang also sat at the side, holding the medicine in her hand. “Let go. I’ll help you apply the medicine.”

Mu Yangling said gloomily under the blanket, “No, it doesn’t hurt.”

“How can it not hurt when your father didn’t control his strength? I’m your mother, and you’re still shy? Let go quickly.” Shu Wanniang tried to pull it away but failed. She said angrily, “Do you want your father to beat you up again? I can’t blame your father for beating you up. You’re too stubborn. Instead of running for your life, you actually went to lure the bear and tiger away. Do you think you’re a rabbit? The bear can turn you into minced meat with a slap. Do you know that you almost scared me to death?”

Mu Yangling lifted the blanket and said, “Mother, I did the calculation in my heart. I just had to climb up the tree before they came over. Alright, even if I’m stubborn and did something wrong, Father can’t spank me. I’m already a big girl.” Mu Yangling glared and said, “Mu Bowen, what are you laughing at? Do you believe that I won’t spank you?”

Little Bowen hugged his butt with both hands and looked at his mother aggrievedly. “Mother—”

Shu Wanniang glared at her daughter and tugged at her pants. “Take it off. I’ll apply the ointment for you.”

Mu Yangling tugged at her pants tightly and shouted, “I’m really fine, really. Mother, I’m really not lying to you. Father didn’t use much strength!”

Just then, Mu Shi came in from outside. Shu Wanniang quickly stopped and stood up. “You’re back? What did the village chief want to talk to you about?”

Mu Shi fixed his gaze on his daughter and said, “Dazhuang found a ginseng in the mountains. I promised to bring them into the mountains in two days.”

Mu Shi looked at his daughter and snorted. “I came to tell you that you’re not allowed to enter the mountains again this year.”

Mu Yangling opened her mouth wide and protested. “Why? Father, at most, I won’t go as deeply into the mountain as you guys. I’ll just stay in the periphery, okay?”

“No,” Mu Shi said. “In the past, I thought you were a cautious person, but this time, you’re too bold. To think you dared to use yourself as bait. Are you tired of living?”

Every time he thought of this, Mu Shi would get angry.

Why had he been so assured to let his daughter enter the mountain alone?

Other than his daughter’s outstanding skills in hunting and animal tracking, it was also because of his daughter’s cautious personality.

Ever since she was young, whenever she encountered danger, she would make a prompt decision and successfully choose the right way to escape. There were several times when Mu Shi avoided some danger because he was with his daughter.

His daughter was even more cautious than him.

However, his daughter, who was cautious and cherished her life, actually ran to be bait.

This made Mu Shi angry and jealous. To think his daughter treated the villagers better than him, her father.

Oblivious to her father’s thoughts, Mu Yangling only pestered him and said, “Father, I’m not bringing the villagers into the mountain just so that they can live a better life, but it’s also to reduce the number of rabbits.” Mu Yangling said solemnly, “Father, since you go deeper into the mountains than us every day, you must know that there are too many rabbits in there. There will be even more next spring. When the grass in the mountains is depleted, the rabbits can only go down the mountain to eat crops. If everyone suffers, Father, do you think we can live well?”

Mu Yangling looked at Shu Wanniang’s stomach and said, “Mother will give birth in winter. Baby Brother will only be three months old at the beginning of spring next year. Bowen also has to go to school. Father, I don’t wish to let my younger brothers suffer.”

Mu Shi immediately relaxed his firm attitude.

Mu Yangling held his hand and said, “Father, I won’t bring my uncles in too deep. We’ll just go east and circle around the periphery. What do you think?”

Mu Shi snorted and said, “Let’s see what’s going on in the forest first.”

Mu Yangling heaved a sigh of relief when she saw him soften his tone.

That night, wolf howls came from the forest, and a few tiger roars came from afar. Other than the children, all the adults in Nearhill Village were wide awake until dawn.

The commotion they heard during the day was enough to scare everyone out of their wits.

Mu Shi kept his eyes open, a burning sensation in his heart.

As he usually went more deeply into the mountain than his daughter, he knew the situation better than her. If the rabbits in the periphery were in groups, then rabbits could be seen everywhere in the depths of the forest.

The rabbits deeper in were not as fat as the ones outside. The rabbits in places where grass was scarce even showed signs of hunger and thinness.

He had seen traces of ferocious beasts in the mountains. They seemed to be storing food for the winter. In the past, although animals also had to prepare for the winter, they had never been so crazy and anxious.

Mu Shi vaguely remembered his father saying when he was young that animals on the grassland were the most spiritual. Their perception of danger was much more accurate and early than humans.

Mu Shi could only think of one possibility that could make animals store winter food so urgently.

Mu Shi reached out to touch his wife’s stomach. Sensing the child gently kick his hand, his wife frowned in discomfort. Mu Shi’s heart ached. There were likely bad times ahead for his children.

No matter what happened outside, he had to support his wife and children. At the very least, he had to ensure that they did not have to worry about food and clothing.

Having made up his mind, Mu Shi hugged his wife and closed his eyes before falling asleep.

Two days later, Mu Shi realized that the forest had become much quieter. Only then did he bring Liu Ting, Liu Dazhuang, and the others to dig for the ginseng.

Fang Zhuzi made a fuss about tagging along, arguing that he was also one of the people who had discovered the ginseng.

Liu He only snorted coldly and did not stop him.

The ginseng was still there, and Mu Shi did not know how to dig it up. Fortunately, he had brought a hoe with him. There were many people, so he simply dug down around the ginseng and dug up a large piece together with the surrounding soil. Then, he slowly peeled off the soil, and the entire stalk of ginseng appeared intact in front of him.

The ginseng had already taken on a human form. Everyone squeezed together and exclaimed, “How old must this ginseng be?”

“At least 50 years old, right?”

“Gotta be older than that. I think it’s at least 180 years old?”

“Bullsh*t. If it’s been 180 years, why hasn’t anyone discovered it when it’s in the periphery?”

“Alright, alright. No one knows for sure anyway. We’ll find out when we bring it to town and ask.”

Mu Shi put away the ginseng and said, “I’m afraid this thing won’t fetch a high price in town. Let’s take it to the county.”

“That’s right. There’s only one medicinal shop in town, and it’s the He family’s. Their family even suppresses the price of grains bought from us, let alone ginseng. I think it’s better to go to the county. Although it’s a little far, we’d have many more choices.” Hearing Liu Yuan put it that way, everyone agreed.