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

Chapter 87: The Price of Persimmon Frost is Astounding!

When Sun Simiao took the book, his fingertips touched the cover first, and then he suddenly paused.

The paper was as smooth as satin, unlike the rough texture of ordinary hemp paper, and unlike the softness of silk books; it had a smooth and solid feel to the touch.

He looked up at Xiao Ran, his white eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before he was drawn to the three neat characters on the cover.

He was even more stunned when he turned the pages of the book.

The characters inside are as small as fly heads, yet each stroke is so neat and precise that it looks as if it were carved on, without any of the crookedness or ink blots found in handwritten copies. Even the line spacing is even and uniform, as if it had been measured with a ruler.

Throughout his life as a doctor, he had seen handwritten medical texts kept in royal collections and folk medicine formulas, but he had never seen such a "well-organized" book.

It seems not to have been written by a human, but rather as if it were a neat creation of nature.

“This…” He gently stroked the pages with his fingertips, his tone filled with disbelief and admiration, “Young master, this book is so… exquisite.”

Xiao Ran didn't explain, because he couldn't explain it. Besides copying the same thing, Xiao Ran couldn't print it himself.

It took Sun Simiao a while to come to his senses, his gaze falling on the illustrations and text on the pages of the book.

The figure in the picture is relaxed and graceful, with movements as fluid as flowing water. Sometimes the shoulders are relaxed and the elbows are dropped, and sometimes the hands are turned and turned. Each movement conveys a sense of "relaxed but not weak, soft but firm".

Sun Simiao turned the pages one by one, his brows gradually relaxing, and a deep sense of inquiry emerging in his eyes.

Upon seeing the sentence, "Tai Chi originates from Wuji, is the mechanism of movement and stillness, and is the mother of Yin and Yang," Sun Simiao paused, stroking his beard. After a moment of contemplation, he looked up at Xiao Ran, his tone filled with a sense of regret for not having met him sooner: "This technique is deeply in line with the way of health preservation."

"The old man practiced guiding exercises in order to 'expel the old and take in the new, and harmonize qi and blood,' while this 'Tai Chi Chuan,' though seemingly slow, actually seeks stillness within movement in every movement."

“This ‘cloud hands’ movement, with the waist like a cart axle and the hands like flowing clouds, appears to be in motion, but the mind must remain focused on the dantian. Isn’t this exactly ‘the body moves while the spirit remains still’?”

He then pointed to the picture of "Wild Horse Parting Its Mane" and continued, "Ordinary methods of strengthening the body often seek 'forcefulness,' which easily depletes qi and blood. This method, however, emphasizes 'overcoming strength with softness,' flowing like water and going with the flow."

"The body's Qi and blood flow like rivers; blockages lead to illness, while unobstructed flow brings health. This principle of not overexerting oneself or engaging in reckless activity aligns perfectly with the fundamental health preservation principle of 'following nature.'"

Turning to the "Closing Posture" page, the figure in the picture has his eyes slightly closed and his breath is long and deep, which is somewhat similar to the closing posture of his morning exercises.

Sun Simiao sighed: "What's even more remarkable is the 'harmony of Yin and Yang.' Within a single move, there is both the sinking 'Yin' and the expansive 'Yang'; each breath in and out subtly aligns with the rhythm of heaven and earth."

"This is not just about physical training, but also about cultivating one's 'nature'—finding balance between movement and stillness in the mind and spirit, which is more effective than any tonic."

"Grandpa, what do you think of this book? Can practicing this also help maintain health?" Sun Simiao said a lot, but Xiao Ran didn't quite understand.

Sun Simiao stroked the pages of the book, his gaze falling on the phrase "Taiji generates Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang generate the Four Symbols," and sighed softly, "The principles in this book are originally in line with Taoism."

"'Wuji begets Taiji', which corresponds to 'Tao begets one' and 'Yin and Yang complement each other', which corresponds to 'one begets two'."

“Even the ‘following the trend’ in the moves reveals the true meaning of ‘following the natural way’—the ‘Tao’ hidden in the classics has been incorporated into every gesture, which is truly rare.”

"A great book! A great book!"

Sun Simiao looked at Xiao Ran with a gentle yet firm gaze: "Practicing this will naturally improve your health. Don't rush it or try to be too strong. Just practice slowly, and your Qi and blood will flow smoothly, and your mind will be at peace. It's more comforting than any tonic. However, you have to practice it every day to see results."

"Grandpa, I understand!" Although he still didn't quite understand, he seemed very impressed.

"Young master, may this old man take a look at the book?"

"Of course there's no problem. I didn't look into it much beforehand."

I glanced at it before and didn't find it very interesting.

Mainly because I can't understand it.

There's definitely no problem with what Sun Simiao said.

Back in the courtyard, Zhang Jinhe came out and said, "Old sir, the young master has had breakfast!"

"Good! Old man!"

Sun Simiao thought it would be a little later, since most people only have two meals a day, and the first meal wouldn't be too early.

The breakfast situation was better than Sun Simiao had expected. He spent most of his time traveling around the countryside and knew what the meals of ordinary people were like.

"Where is the old village head?" Sun Simiao asked.

“Grandpa, Grandpa got up late this morning, let’s eat first, we’ll save some for Grandpa,” Xiao Ran said.

"I'm used to it, I can't get up in the morning," Zhang Jinhe said with a smile.

Sun Simiao nodded and said nothing more.

"Young master, the persimmon frost is almost ready. Should we tell Wu Niang and the others?" Zhang Jinhe asked Xiao Ran.

Unable to contact Li Lizhi, Xiao Ran could only turn to Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin's house.

"I'll ask Liu Lang to pass on a message later. Wu Niang and the others are also quite anxious to get the persimmon frost."

After the house was built, Zhang Jialin's previous work became unstable.

I'm currently idle, helping with farm work at home.

I don't know exactly how to find Zhang Jinhe; it'll have to be arranged by Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran could only write a letter and have Zhang Jialin take it to the Duke of Su's mansion, asking Cheng Yaojin or Cheng Tiehuan to help convey the message to Li Lizhi.

The price for delivering the letter was the same as for delivering roasted chestnuts and persimmon cakes, so Zhang Jialin was happy to take on Xiao Ran's job.

Sun Simiao was not idle either; he began to organize the medicinal herbs.

The little donkey doesn't need any care; Zhang Dalang and Zhang Erya will take good care of it.

Xiao Ran wasn't interested in these things before, but because of Sun Simiao's visit, he started to become interested in medicine.

While Sun Simiao was sorting and drying the herbs, he would also talk to Xiao Ran and the others about the names and uses of the medicinal herbs.

One after another, more villagers came looking for Sun Simiao.

Sun Simiao originally intended to prepare enough medicine to go to the area under the big locust tree, but since many people knew that Sun Simiao was at Xiao Ran's house, they simply came looking for him.

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya moved the desk and other equipment out into the courtyard to make it easier for Sun Simiao to treat patients.

The number of people is exactly the same as yesterday.

It seems there aren't many itinerant doctors around; we won't encounter one for a long time.

In this era, it's quite difficult for ordinary people to get medical treatment.

Sun Simiao, a master of traditional Chinese medicine, did not treat nobles in Chang'an because of his high official position and generous salary. Instead, he went to the countryside to treat ordinary people. He was truly remarkable.

I admire you from the bottom of my heart!
Sun Simiao's medical skills were superb, and even high-ranking officials, nobles, and members of the imperial family like Li Shimin treated him as an honored guest.

Duke Su's Mansion
Cheng Chumo was overjoyed to receive the letter, exclaiming, "Father, Sister!"

"What are you shouting about!" Cheng Yaojin stepped forward.

"Father, a letter has arrived from Kaolao Village. It says that the young master asked my sister to help him pass it on to Fifth Sister, Princess Chang Le!"

"Did the young master give it to me?" Cheng Tiehuan also heard this.

"Yes, it is to be handed over to Princess Chang Le!"

Cheng Tiehuan took the letter. "It should be time to go to Kaolao Village. I'll head to the palace now!"

"It's probably about the persimmon frost. Judging by the time, it should be ready soon," Cheng Yaojin muttered to himself.

Although Cheng Tiehuan didn't like scraping persimmon frost, he liked going to Kaolao Village.

The letter was delivered immediately; no one needed to go there.

Delivering it in person would take longer.

Li Zhengdian

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang looked at the photos and talked about Kaolao Village, still very happy.

"I wonder if the persimmon frost is ready yet. It should be ready soon!" Princess Yuzhang also liked to visit Kaolao Village.

"There were a few rainy days before, so it will probably be slower."

Yu Shu entered the Lizheng Hall. "Your Highness, your letter!"

"My letter?" Li Lizhi took it and glanced at it. The familiar printed font made her lips curl into a slight smile. Li Lizhi eagerly opened it. There were only two sentences inside, the gist of which was that it was time to scrape the persimmon frost.

"Sister, what makes you so happy?" Princess Yuzhang also noticed Li Lizhi's smile.

"It's time to scrape the persimmon frost, Mother, are you going?" It had been agreed beforehand that Li Lizhi would definitely go to Kaolao Village.

Persimmon frost is useful for treating qi-related ailments.

"Sixth Sister, you can go. It's not appropriate for me to go too often," Empress Zhangsun shook her head.

"Shall we go there today?" Princess Yuzhang asked.

"Okay, Sizi Fanyin, change your clothes and get ready to go play with Third Sister and Little Black."

Upon hearing Li Lizhi's words, the two little princesses were overjoyed and ran with the palace maid to change their clothes.

"Mother, how much should we pay for the persimmon frost in the village?" They had only said they wanted it, but hadn't specified the price.

The villagers agreed largely because of Xiao Ran's influence.

They were very grateful to Xiao Ran for the tax exemption, as well as for the persimmon cakes. They naturally agreed when Xiao Ran said he would leave the persimmon frost.

"There's too much. It will take you all a lot of time and effort to collect it. Let's ask the villagers to help. We'll give them one coin each, including the money for the persimmon frost and their wages!" Empress Zhangsun suggested.

This amount of money is nothing to the royal family, but it is a considerable income for the people of Kaolao Village.

As previously agreed, Zhang Huaicai sold the persimmon cakes two for one coin, while Zhang Jinhe bought them for three for one coin.

Scraped persimmon frost cost one cent each; such a price was unimaginable.

There was no other way; the persimmon frost was effective for Empress Zhangsun's illness.

It can't be obtained from other places; it's only available in Kaolao Village, Xinhe Village, and Qujiangchi Village.

“Alright, Mother, the young master doesn’t have a horse, but he’s already learned to ride one. He doesn’t lack anything else. How about we send him two good horses?” Li Lizhi asked.

"Your father should prepare this; your mother doesn't understand it either." Empress Zhangsun definitely wanted to give Xiao Ran the best.

"Okay, I'll go find someone to ask Father right away!"

Upon hearing that it was for Xiao Ran, Li Shimin was very generous and let Li Wu choose the best one.

Zhang Anan is too busy to go, so Li Wu and Cheng Tiehuan will go to Kaolao Village with the princesses later.

There's no need to go to the old house anymore; just go directly to the pond.

As soon as I arrived at the pond, I saw a lot of people there; it was very lively.

"Your Highness, there seem to be a lot of people here!" Cheng Tiehuan reminded him.

Li Lizhi lifted the curtain and looked around. "It must be someone from the village who wants to see the young master. It's alright."

The carriage stopped directly at the entrance of the courtyard.

When someone saw a carriage approaching, they told Zhang Erya.

Upon hearing the carriage, Zhang Erya and Zhang Jinhe knew what was going on, and the two went out to greet it.

Seeing Li Wu and Cheng Tiehuan beside the carriage brought him joy.

The little princess couldn't wait to get down, exclaiming, "Aha~"

"I'm back again~"

"Little Sizi!" Zhang Jinhe called out.

Third Sister also came out with Little Black, and was overjoyed to see her friends.

"Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, please come in!" Zhang Erya said with a smile.

Although horses were prepared, a lot of pastries were also brought, which were given to the two little princesses as gifts for Third Sister.

This way of putting it is easier for everyone to accept.

The letter sent in the morning arrived before noon, and Princess Li Lizhi of Yuzhang came to deliver it.

"Second Aunt, what's all this commotion about?" Princess Yuzhang naturally took Zhang Erya's arm.

“An old man came to the village; he’s a traveling doctor, and everyone comes to see him and buy medicine,” Zhang Erya explained.

Entering the courtyard, I found it even more lively.

They lined up in perfect unison, with Sun Simiao at the very front.

When Li Lizhi saw Sun Simiao, she and Princess Yuzhang exchanged a glance.

Sun Simiao had previously treated Li Yuan and Empress Zhangsun, and Li Lizhi was acquainted with Princess Yuzhang.

"So it's Mr. Sun!" Li Lizhi smiled, this was an unexpected delight.

"Does Fifth Sister know the old gentleman?" Zhang Jinhe asked.

“I’ve met the old gentleman before when he treated my parents,” Li Lizhi said.

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya did not know each other, nor did Zhang Mingde.

However, Xiao Ran recognized him, which Zhang Mingde and Zhang Jinhe did not understand.

Why would Xiao Ran, who had just returned from the Western Regions, know about Sun Simiao?

Xiao Ran also went over, "Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, please come inside!"

"Okay!" Li Lizhi nodded.

As she walked towards the main room, Li Lizhi made a point of going to Sun Simiao's side and greeted him, "Old sir, I didn't expect to meet you here at the young master's place!"

Sun Simiao then looked at Li Lizhi, the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty, whom he remembered and remembered well.

"Fifth Sister, do you know the young master?" Sun Simiao was surprised that Xiao Ran knew the princess.

"Yes, I know you. I'm here today because I need your help, young master."

Li Lizhi didn't say much. Sun Simiao was very busy, and there were many people waiting.

"Sir, please go ahead with your work!"

"Good good!"

The group entered the main room and sat down. Li Lizhi said, "There's too much persimmon frost. Sixth Sister, we're scraping it too slowly. Young Master, Jinniang, could you please help us out and tell the villagers that they'll give us one coin for every persimmon frost we scrape?"

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya were startled.

Previously, Zhang Erya worked at Zhang Jinhe's house and only received six coins a day for meals.

These days, you get a penny for scraping a persimmon cake, including the persimmon frost and labor cost.

"So tall?" Xiao Ran thought it was tall.

You can actually scrape many times a day.

"The main reason is that persimmon frost is rare; it's not found in other places, and it is indeed effective in treating qi-related ailments," Li Lizhi explained.

Xiao Ran knew that Li Lizhi wouldn't accept things for nothing, but he didn't expect her to give so much.

"I'll send someone to inform them to bring the dried persimmon cakes over so that the young master can have them baked here," Zhang Jinhe said, getting up to make the arrangements.

It's not that I don't trust others, but there's not much persimmon frost, and it would be a waste to spill it. It would be better to bring it to Xiao Ran.

The villagers were shocked when they heard the price.

Many people thought they would be satisfied to sell three persimmon cakes to Zhang Jinhe for one coin, but they never expected that three persimmon cakes would now be worth four coins.

The frost on the persimmon is more valuable than the dried persimmon.

Fearing they might miss out and no one would want them, they took the dried persimmons to Xiao Ran's house.

(End of this chapter)