You are unlucky and I am tough

The county magistrate has arrived, and the person who reported the news to the village head shouted all the way, and the whole village was in an uproar.

The common people, who had been digging for food in the fields all their lives, had never seen an official before. When they heard that the county magistrate was coming, they were all excited and scared.

There were many people busy working in the farmlands on both sides of the main road of Chengjia Village. When they saw the carriage of officials leading the way, they crawled to the side of the road, knelt on the ground and dared not look up.

The child was ignorant and wanted to run over when he saw so many people entering the village, but he was forced to kneel on the ground by the adults in his family.

The county magistrate's carriage was very ordinary, but the officials leading the way and the guards with swords on both sides gave the carriage majesty. The villagers did not dare to look at him directly, for fear that they would offend their parents and be punished by the officials with swords.

Cheng Lizheng was not walking fast, so he was carried by his son to run to greet them. Many people followed behind him, and Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang naturally came as well.

If they guessed correctly, the county magistrate should be looking for them.

At a distance, Cheng Lizheng got off his son's back and hurried forward with a crutch.

Master Lin, who was sitting with the coachman, knew Cheng Lizheng and asked the carriage to stop.

Cheng Lizheng stepped forward and knelt. "I greet the County Magistrate. I apologize for not welcoming you. I hope you will forgive me."

Seeing the village head kneeling down, everyone else also knelt down.

Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang had no choice but to kneel down reluctantly. It was hot and their clothes were thin, so their knees hurt when they knelt on the roadside. They were speechless as to why the county magistrate had to make such a grand ceremony and even had to have the whole village kneel down to welcome him.

Master Lin jumped out of the car first, then the curtain was lifted and the people inside walked out.

Seeing villagers kneeling on the ground all around him, County Magistrate Zheng frowned slightly and quickly walked over to help Cheng Lizheng up.

"Cheng Lizheng, please stand up. All the villagers, please stand up as well."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Shuang immediately stood up, rubbed his knees, and then looked up at the official of Qushan County.

He looked to be about thirty years old, quite tall, fair-skinned and well-proportioned, with no major flaws in his facial features. He was wearing an official uniform and a black gauze hat, which gave him the dignity of a superior, and was quite consistent with her expectation of a good official's appearance.

"Li Zheng Cheng, I heard that a miracle doctor appeared in Chengjia Village and cured the headaches of all the villagers."

County Magistrate Zheng said to Cheng Lizheng directly, "I came here today because I wanted to see that miracle doctor."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Lizheng immediately turned to look at Cheng Shuang and waved.

Cheng Shuang stepped forward and bowed slightly. "I, Wei Cheng, would like to greet the County Magistrate. I don't dare to call myself a miracle doctor, but I'm just lucky enough to have him as my master."

County Magistrate Zheng looked at Cheng Shuang with surprise and said, "I didn't expect Madam Wei to be so young. Youth is good. Madam Wei's kindness and medical skills are a blessing to the people of Qushan County."

Cheng Shuang smiled, "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, are so kind."

Lawyer Lin, who was standing next to the magistrate, was sweating profusely, but he still tried to use his sleeves to shield the scorching sun from the county magistrate's head.

He suggested, "Sir, it's too hot outside. Let's find a place to sit down and talk."

Cheng Shuang knew that this official was here for her today, so she said, "Why don't you go to my house for a cup of tea? It's not far ahead."

County Magistrate Zheng was thinking the same thing, so he nodded and got on the carriage.

The carriage soon stopped at the door of the bamboo house. County Magistrate Zheng got off the car and entered the yard with Lawyer Lin. Except for Cheng Lizheng who accompanied him in, the other villagers only dared to watch from afar and talk in low voices.

Things like "The county magistrate is so young", "The county magistrate is quite good-looking", "The government is so powerful" and so on.

It was a hot day, and my brothers and sisters were all at home. When they heard the noise in the yard, they ran out and saw a man in official uniform, looking at the bamboo house with his hands behind his back. They were so scared that they didn't dare to go forward.

Wei Qinglang went over and quietly told them to go back to their rooms, then invited everyone into the main room.

Cheng Shuang went to get some water. County Magistrate Zheng sat down and looked at Wei Qinglang. Remembering what the village heads had said that morning, he smiled at him and said, "This must be Mr. Wei, right? I heard that it was Mr. Wei who led the villagers into the mountains to look for medicine. The mountains are complex and full of dangers. Mr. Wei is a capable man."

Wei Qinglang bowed, "I don't deserve it. I, Wei Qinglang, greet the County Magistrate, Master Lin."

County Magistrate Zheng looked at Wei Qinglang and thought to himself that this young couple was of good appearance and their temperament was not like that of ordinary villagers. They were indeed extraordinary people who could lead a team into the mountains and be accepted as a disciple by a genius doctor.

"No need to be so polite, Mr. Wei." County Magistrate Zheng appeared very friendly. "I have come here today to ask for your advice. You all don't need to be so polite."

Cheng Shuang brought out a few bowls of water and placed them in front of the people.

"Thank you."

County Magistrate Zheng took it and drank it all in one gulp, and Cheng Shuang gave him another bowl.

Master Lin also drank half a bowl of water and then spoke, "Li Zheng Cheng, Madam Wei, and Mr. Wei, the story is this: this morning, several village heads from Li Village and Zhao Village came to see you. They told you something, implying they needed help from the government. However, they were a little excited and couldn't speak clearly, so you came here in person to find out what's going on."

County Magistrate Zheng also said, "Since I took office three years ago, I have been familiar with the situation in each town and village. I know that people in several villages around Chengjia Village in Goutou Town suffer from headaches, which occur once or twice a month. I have also summoned doctors from the city for a consultation, but they are also helpless.

The village heads said that Madam Wei cured over 700 people in the village with just one move. I can't believe it, and I'm afraid it's just a rumor, so I came here to verify it. If you have anything to say, just speak up. I won't blame you if it's just a rumor."

"Your Excellency, County Magistrate, this is not a rumor." Cheng Lizheng said seriously, "The headaches of our villagers have indeed been cured. I was the first one to receive treatment, and there have been no recurrences in the past two months."

County Magistrate Zheng was surprised. "Then what can I do to help Madam Wei cure all the sick? From what they say, I need to send people into the mountains to find medicine?"

The village heads did not dare to say that they could not afford the money for the medicine, so they wanted the county magistrate to send someone to help find medicine. They said that the medicine for treating the disease was only available in the mountains, and they wanted to send someone to find it. In addition, they were afraid of the county magistrate and were nervous and scared. They spoke in a jumbled and disorganized manner, and the more County Magistrate Zheng listened, the more confused he became.

"Please listen to my detailed explanation, sir."

Cheng Shuang sat down next to Wei Qinglang and told him the whole story. She first explained the prescription in detail and what medicinal materials were needed. She then learned that the villagers could not afford to buy Gastrodia elata, so she chose to take people into the mountains to look for it.

Then there was the problem she faced after starting treatment. Even if the Gastrodia elata was solved, many families still could not afford the 700 coins for the medicine.

If Cheng Lizheng had not selflessly lent out all his family's money, half of the villagers would not be able to afford medicine.

It was because of the situation of the villagers in several nearby villages that she advised several village heads to seek help from the government.

After hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng first praised Cheng Lizheng, then pondered, "Madam Wei is indeed clever. If we can find enough Gastrodia elata, the most important problem will be solved, and the rest of the difficulties will be solved. But I don't know where to find so much Gastrodia elata."

Cheng Shuang said, "Qushan County has many mountains. If we send more people to search deep in the mountains, especially in dense forests with tall trees, we might find it."

Mr. Lin listened carefully and thought to himself that if this matter was done well, it would be of great benefit to the county magistrate's official reputation.

He looked at Wei Qinglang and said, "As for finding the medicine, why don't you let Lord Wei assist the government and lead the team into the mountains to find the medicine?"

Wei Qinglang frowned. He had gone into the mountains to look for medicine for the whole village before because of his fellow villagers and because he wanted to attract the attention of the county magistrate. Now he was asked to look for medicine for so many people, he refused to do it. He would be exhausted to death.

He was about to open his mouth to refuse, but Cheng Shuang took the lead.

"Sir, my husband is alone and can't handle everything. It will take forever to find him."

Cheng Shuang looked at County Magistrate Zheng. "There are herbalists in Qushan County who know the growing habits of Gastrodia elata, but they might not dare to go into the mountains alone to search for it. If someone could accompany us and ensure our safety, they could definitely lead the team because of their experience in the mountains. Wouldn't that be much quicker than having my husband toil away on his own for years?"

Cheng Lizheng was sweating coldly. Master Lin naturally heard that this was a rejection and was a little unhappy.

"Madam Wei, this is the order of the county magistrate. Even if it takes eight or ten years, your husband must obey it."

County Magistrate Zheng frowned and looked at him, "Master Lin, I asked you to come with me, not to show off your power."

Master Lin's expression froze, and he lowered his head. "Yes, sir."

Cheng Shuang and Wei Qinglang looked at each other. They didn't expect that this county magistrate had such a good temper.