Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 85 The Divine Physician Sun Simiao!

Even though the sweet potatoes had only been planted for two days, Xiao Ran still went to check on them.

This is very important; there can be no mistakes.

With the two little princesses away, Third Sister liked to follow Xiao Ran around, accompanying him wherever he went.

None of these have sprouted yet, and they don't need any treatment.

I was just looking around.

"Woof woof woof!" Little Black suddenly barked.

Hearing Xiao Hei call, Zhang Er Ya and San Niang also looked around in their usual way.

Someone must be coming.

Xiao Ran was the same. He saw a figure slowly walking towards him on the ridge of the field not far away. The steps were not fast, but very steady.

The man was leading a dusty little donkey with an old wicker basket slung over its back. A worn-out raincoat hung from the edge of the basket, and a straw hat was hanging askew on the side of the basket. Underneath, neatly bundled herbs were visible, along with a heavy wooden medicine box with its edges worn smooth.

"This person seems to be from out of town, not from the village, or even from nearby." Xiao Ran had never seen anyone like this before.

During the period of building the house, Xiao Ran met many people from the three villages.

“Hmm, I’ve never seen it before.” Zhang Erya nodded as well.

They soon arrived at the old house and saw that Xiao Ran and the others had stopped walking.

Only when you get closer can you see clearly that he is an old man with white hair and beard, as if covered with a layer of frost, but he combs it neatly and holds it up with a wooden hairpin.

He wore a faded coarse cloth short jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing thin but well-defined forearms that exuded a strong and resilient air.

Xiao Ran's first impression was that he was physically too robust and in good spirits.

He's more energetic than many young people, even though he's clearly an old man.

Xiao Ran and his companions walked over, and the old man smiled kindly.

"Young man, excuse me for bothering you!" the old man said with a smile.

Sunlight fell on his face, and even the deep wrinkles around him seemed to radiate a smile. His eyes narrowed into two crescent moons, exuding an indescribable kindness.

The voice was not loud, but clear, like a mountain stream, soothing to listen to.

"Sir, what is it?" Xiao Ran asked.

As you get closer, a faint, refreshing scent of herbs wafts over—not the typical medicinal smell, but rather a blend of dried mugwort, mint, and honeysuckle, with a warm, sun-dried fragrance. It's not overpowering; instead, it makes you feel refreshed and even the air feels crisper.

Xiao Ran liked the taste of herbs for the first time.

The little donkey brayed softly, flicked its tail, and the medicine basket on its back swayed, revealing half of a medicine hoe inside, its wooden handle gleaming from being rubbed.

The old man raised his hand to stroke his white beard, his smile deepening. He pointed to the wicker basket on the donkey's back: "I'm an itinerant doctor. I usually carry my medicine basket around, collecting herbs and making my own ointments and pills. They're good at treating colds, coughs, and sprains."

"I've traveled quite a distance these past few days, and my provisions are almost gone. Seeing the lively atmosphere in this village, I thought that if you don't mind, young man, I have some commonly used medicines here, all brewed from herbs I picked myself. They're very effective. I'd like to exchange the medicine for some food. Is that alright?"

Xiao Ran suddenly realized, "Of course, there's no problem, sir. We've moved to a new house and don't live here anymore. There's no food here, so we'll go to your house and get some for you."

The elderly person made a good first impression, so it's only right to help.

Itinerant doctors practice medicine and help people, and they all have a good reputation.

"Yes, yes, thank you, young master!"

Xiao Ran pushed his bicycle toward the pool. "Sir, may I ask your name?"

The old man, leading the donkey, laughed heartily when asked his name, his beard twitching slightly with the laughter: "My surname is Sun, my given name is Simiao, I'm just an old man who travels the world. If you don't mind, young man, just call me Old Man Sun, no need for so much formality."

He spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary, without a trace of boasting or deliberate concealment, just as naturally as the old man at the village entrance who repairs shoes giving his name.

Xiao Ran stopped in his tracks, looking surprised.

Sun Simiao?

Zhang Erya didn't know this name, but it was very familiar to Xiao Ran.

"So it's the legendary Doctor Sun!" Xiao Ran was both surprised and delighted.

Sun Simiao had previously refused the high-ranking official position and generous salary promised by Emperor Wen of Sui, and later Li Shimin did not retain him either.

They focus on treating patients and researching various herbs.

I have no interest in high-ranking official positions, generous salaries, or riches and honors.

Sun Simiao laughed, "I didn't expect that the young master would know this old man. I dare not accept the title of divine doctor."

"I know more than I do! I've heard about your deeds long ago. So many people are scrambling for official positions and wealth, but you travel the world with your medicine basket, giving up high-ranking positions, riches and honors, and preferring to lead your donkey in the mountains to treat the people."

“There are plenty of people in this world who want to be officials and enjoy life, but someone like you, who gives up wealth and honor and focuses on saving lives, treating patients along the way, and even exchanging medicine for people to fill their stomachs... that is true benevolence of a doctor.”

Xiao Ran wasn't just flattering him; he genuinely admired him.

He truly practiced medicine to save lives, and his medical writings have had a profound influence.

Sun Simiao was a person who made outstanding contributions to medicine.

In this field, you can count on one hand the number of people who can rival Sun Simiao.

"Young master, you flatter me. These are merely my duties."

During their chat, the group arrived at the pond.

Sun Simiao could tell that this was newly built.

Everything, including the roads, the yard, and the houses, is new.

"Sir, please!"

"Okay, okay," Sun Simiao said, leading the little donkey into the courtyard.

Seeing the location of the house, Sun Simiao also didn't understand why it had to be built in such a place.

The house is indeed very nice, but the location is really strange.

Back in the main room, Zhang Erya brought over some pastries and poured Sun Simiao a glass of water.

"Sir, please!"

"Alright, alright, thank you, young master!" Sun Simiao usually wandered around and lived a hard life, but he could recognize that these pastries were all top-quality sesame cakes and expensive flower cakes.

He picked up his water glass, took a sip, and then started eating the pastries without any hesitation.

"Sir, you've just arrived here, so you must be staying in the area for a while!" Xiao Ran could guess that Sun Simiao was going to treat the locals and sell some medicine in exchange for some food.

"That's exactly what I was thinking. I'll take a look at the patient and gather some herbs while I'm at it," Sun Simiao said.

The nearby Zhongnan Mountain has many medicinal herbs.

"Sir, if you have no other plans, please stay here!" Xiao Ran invited Sun Simiao.

Sun Simiao initially thought Xiao Ran's clothes and hairstyle were unusual, but he didn't expect Xiao Ran to be so enthusiastic.

Xiao Ran wanted to keep Sun Simiao, whose medical skills were unparalleled in this era.

There's probably no one better than him.

Sun Simiao was also a master in the field of health preservation.

The fact that he is so healthy and energetic at his age is the best example.

Another important point is that gunpowder did not exist at that time; it was invented by Sun Simiao when he was refining elixirs.

Gunpowder was originally a medicine, and even Sun Simiao never imagined that it could be turned into a weapon.

Now we hope that Sun Simiao can develop gunpowder.

Sun Simiao put down the sesame cake in his hand, raised his hand to stroke his white beard, and looked at him with a gentle and sincere gaze, carrying a hint of elder's kindness: "Thank you, young man. I am new to this place and really have nowhere to go!"

“I’m used to wandering around and shouldn’t bother you. But this place is near Zhongnan Mountain, where there are many medicinal herbs and many villagers. It’s a good place to see doctors. If I could borrow a roof from you, young man, I could gather some good herbs and also see doctors for the villagers. It would be a win-win situation.”

"I'll just have to trouble you for a few days, young master!"

Xiao Ran smiled upon hearing this, waved his hand, and said in a light and earnest tone, "What are you saying, sir? What do you mean by 'inconvenience'? This house has just been built, and there are plenty of empty rooms. Your presence here will bring some life to the place."

"You treat patients wherever you go. How many villagers are waiting for you to see them and save their lives? Take the nearby villages for example, which family doesn't have a headache, fever, or sprains?"

"If you stay, you can not only gather herbs, but also help everyone suffer less. That's the most important thing." "I'm just lending you a house to stay in and providing you with a couple of meals. Compared to your meritorious deeds of healing the sick and saving lives, what is that?"

"Besides, it's a blessing for our area to have a doctor like you here. Just stay here comfortably and don't stand on ceremony with me."

"Saving lives and healing the wounded is a virtuous act; what's a little favor I do? It's settled then!"

"Okay, okay," Sun Simiao quite liked Xiao Ran's personality.

Zhang Erya prepared a room in advance.

The beds and bedding inside are all new and have never been used.

Since he had agreed to stay, Sun Simiao ate something, drank some water, and unloaded the things off the little donkey.

Many of the medicines were taken out and aired out.

Zhang Erya led the little donkey into the cowshed and fed it some hay.

The cowshed was built quite large, and could easily accommodate several donkeys.

Zhang Erya had previously wanted to go out to work, but Xiao Ran wouldn't let her.

There are so many things to do at home, and Xiao Ran really doesn't want to do them.

I'm currently helping to organize these medicinal herbs.

Sun Simiao gave Zhang Erya and San Niang each a sachet.

"Second Mistress, Third Mistress, please keep this with you."

"No, no, sir," Zhang Erya said, too embarrassed to accept the money.

"It contains some herbs, things to carry around to repel mosquitoes and other insects, nothing rare."

"Second Mistress, Third Mistress, please accept this!" Xiao Ran said with a smile, "It smells quite nice."

Xiao Ran also has one.

Having multiple elderly people in the family makes everything feel different.

After finishing her work, Zhang Jinhe strolled over again.

"Young master, second wife." Zhang Jinhe didn't recognize Sun Simiao either.

Xiao Ran gave a brief introduction.

"Old sir!" Zhang Jinhe called out respectfully.

Such itinerant doctors are highly respected.

"Jinniang, this is a good opportunity to talk to the people in the village. If they need medical treatment or to buy medicine, they can come here for a checkup."

It's most appropriate to notify the villagers, especially Zhang Jinhe's family.

“No need for that. The old man will just go for a walk in the village later. There’s no need to trouble him,” Sun Simiao insisted, and Xiao Ran didn’t say anything more.

After tidying up, Sun Simiao took his medicine kit and the group went into the village.

Go directly to Zhang Mingde's house. The old locust tree is in the center of the village, so it's not far for anyone to get there.

It's quite convenient!

Zhang Jinhe couldn't possibly go and call out himself; he had to find a few children to go door-to-door to inform them.

When Zhang Mingde learned that Sun Simiao was an itinerant doctor, he also gave him a warm welcome.

Zhang Jinhe had someone bring over a lot of pastries, as well as several dried persimmon cakes.

The pastries were nice, but not quite as good as those at Xiao Ran's house.

What attracted Sun Simiao was the persimmon cake, or more precisely, the persimmon frost on top.

These have also been scraped off; there aren't many left.

"Hmm? Old village chief, how is this made?" Sun Simiao picked up the persimmon cake.

"This? It was made by young master Xiao Ran. He also taught people in the nearby villages how to make it. It tastes quite good. Please try it, sir." Zhang Mingde spoke of Xiao Ran with great pride.

Although they are not related by blood, Xiao Ran is now from Kaolao Village.

As a village head, I have some connections, more or less.

Xiao Ran and the others did not come in; they stayed outside looking at the persimmon cakes.

Let the two elderly people chat.

Soon, Sun Simiao and Zhang Mingde left the main room with the persimmon cakes.

Zhang Mingde pointed and said, "They've been drying for a long time, but the rest are still a bit lacking. Only some of them are okay."

Sun Simiao moved closer to Xiao Ran and the others, staring intently at the persimmon cakes drying in the sun.

"Young master, why is there so much frost on it?" Sun Simiao asked curiously.

“The old gentleman was talking about persimmon frost!” Xiao Ran picked up a persimmon cake. “You can knead it every day while it’s drying, and it will gradually form.”

"Persimmon Frost, that name is quite fitting!" Sun Simiao was delighted to have discovered this by chance.

"Jinniang, could you give me some of this persimmon frost?" Sun Simiao really didn't have the money to buy it.

“The old man won’t take it for nothing; he’ll give me medicine in exchange,” Sun Simiao said.

“Sir, we promised to give these persimmon frosts to others. We don’t have too many, but a little shouldn’t be a problem.” Xiao Ran understood that Sun Simiao wanted to get some to take back for research.

"Not too many, just three or five persimmon cakes will do," Sun Simiao said.

“No problem, I’ll get them right away.” Zhang Jinhe picked out a few good ones.

“Every household in the village is drying their plants, and there are quite a few in the two nearby villages as well, but they were all booked in advance by the noblemen from Chang’an,” Zhang Mingde explained.

It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's that I promised someone else.

Other villagers also arrived one after another. Zhang Jinhe was very thoughtful and even sent someone to inform Wang Shen.

When Wang Shen found out, people from Xinhe Village and Qujiangchi Village would also come.

When encountering itinerant doctors, most families will buy some commonly used medicines.

Even if you don't have money, you can exchange it for food.

Most of the time, it was grain and such, which Sun Simiao was happy to accept, as these things were useful.

They were already planning to exchange medicine for food.

Zhang Mingde had someone bring over a table and other items and placed them under the big locust tree, and he sat down next to it.

Sun Simiao's first diagnosis was of Zhang Mingde.

Although Zhang Mingde was not as robust as Sun Simiao, he was not seriously ill and had no problems.

Xiao Ran was also watching from the side.

When Sun Simiao took a pulse, he was very skilled and calm, as if there was no difficult or complicated disease he did not know.

Sun Simiao traveled around practicing medicine for many years, and the medicines he carried were mostly for common folk ailments, using ordinary ingredients but effective in treating the symptoms.

Convenient to carry and store, these are mostly powders, ointments, or pills that you collect and prepare yourself; you can easily take out a few from your medicine box.

The most common remedies are cold and flu powder and ginger drink, which are used to treat colds, headaches, and fever caused by wind and cold.

There are also blood-activating ointment and fracturing powder for treating sprains, bruises, swelling and pain.

Peppermint balm and comfrey oil for treating mosquito bites and minor burns.

In other places, people bring food to treat illnesses, but in Kaolao Village, they give money, which surprised Sun Simiao.

Knowing that ordinary people have it tough, Sun Simiao charged very low fees, making him very approachable, as he didn't want to get rich from it.

Just make sure you have enough to eat; you don't need to buy medicinal herbs, as you gather them yourself.

Therefore, drug prices are generally low.

(End of this chapter)