Daily life of farming and supporting a family on the ancient Loess Plateau

“What you say makes a lot of sense! Oh, right, girl, there’s something I didn’t tell you beforehand, and I’m really sorry!” Granny Huang remembered that she hadn’t told Ji Yongling about Guo Bilan, so she quickly explained.

"Oh? What is it? What do you need to discuss with me and get my approval for? Ji Yongling asked with a puzzled smile.

She couldn't fathom what Huang Daopo could possibly need her approval for.

Huang Daopo sighed and briefly recounted her complicated relationship with Madam Guo, then described Guo Bilan's situation in detail.

After listening to Huang Daopo's words, Ji Yongling looked her over and said, "Judging from what you've said, Guo Bilan probably has the same illness as Xiuqin, but it's hard to say. After all, endocrine disorders... goiter are very complicated! There are many diseases with similar symptoms, and I dare not make a diagnosis without seeing the specific person."

Right, given the grudge between you and Madam Guo, now that you've gained her trust and taken your revenge, why go to all this trouble to introduce Guo Bilan to me for treatment?

Guo Bilan's illness hasn't improved, which means Madam Guo will continue to suffer. Wouldn't that make you happier? Have you reconciled with Madam Guo, or are you simply having a sudden burst of kindness and preparing to become a great philanthropist?

Granny Huang shook her head, gave a bitter smile, and looked at Cuiling, saying, "These days, I've come to a realization: the feud between Madam Guo and me is a blood feud that can never be resolved. However, one thing at a time, and I don't want to involve the next generation of children in my personal grudges."

The culprit was Madam Guo, the woman who owned the embroidery shop. Guo Bilan did nothing wrong; I simply considered her a wealthy pilgrim.

Ji Yongling raised an eyebrow: "Quite insightful, quite enlightened!"

"Hey, what's all this talk about understanding or enlightenment! We're just forced by life!" Huang Daopo pointed to the women in the courtyard and said, "Look, I have several mouths to feed in my courtyard now. They'll starve if they don't have money! I was thinking that if you could cure Guo Bilan, she would definitely give me a lot of money since I introduced her to the miracle doctor."

"What a pity, we won't get that reward! Madam Guo doesn't recognize your abilities, so that's the end of it. But I still need to make things clear to you, lest you complain that I sold you out and get angry with me if Guo Bilan really comes looking for you for treatment later, that wouldn't be good!"

Ji Yongling smiled and said, "I wouldn't be angry! But I don't want to deal with such difficult people, no matter how much money they have! I was born in a loess kiln and grew up on a loess slope, and I just like to squat in the village and interact with the farmers."

"These are important people, you can't afford to offend them, so it's best to avoid them if possible, and not associate with them at all. If any important people need medical help in the future, please don't introduce me."

"Yes, I know! I won't introduce anyone without your permission from now on!" Granny Huang nodded apologetically.

Seeing that Granny Huang was now so sensible, Ji Yongling asked with a smile, "Then, regarding your grudges with Madam Guo, and that embroidery shop woman who was the middleman, haven't you thought about taking revenge on her? Or have you become so enlightened that you no longer hold grudges against these people and things?"

Huang Daopo gave a wry smile and said, "It's impossible not to hold a grudge! I'm not a true Taoist practitioner, how could I forget these hatreds and resentments, especially seeing... Ah, never mind, I won't say anymore! Don't think that when you first met me I seemed very fierce, actually I'm just a useless person!"

To paraphrase what you said earlier, I can only bluff people in front of farmers. In front of truly ruthless people, I'm just a paper tiger, easily punctured and utterly useless!

Besides, revenge isn't that easy! In the past, even getting to see Madam Guo was difficult, let alone gaining her trust! Now, I've managed to get close to her and take my revenge, which is already quite an achievement, especially since I used some things I learned from you. Otherwise, this revenge would have taken forever..."

Ji Yongling shook his head: "Revenge doesn't necessarily mean taking someone's life! Sometimes, loss is more painful than death. For the woman who owns the embroidery shop, taking away what she values ​​most is probably more painful than killing her!"

"What do you care about most?" Huang Daopo pondered.

Then, she shook her head and smiled, "What this woman cares about most is her precious son and the embroidery shop's business. The child certainly can't be harmed; I'm not that wicked. As for the embroidery shop's business... I don't have the ability to go to Qingzhou Prefecture and steal their business!"

"It doesn't have to be robbery! It could be a legitimate method, like competition from other businesses, causing her shop to go out of business naturally!" Ji Yongling suggested with a smile.

Granny Huang sighed, "Alas, if I had that ability, I wouldn't have become a gossipy old woman, I wouldn't have made an enemy of you, and I certainly wouldn't have become a villain!"

Ji Yongling glanced at the Three Pure Ones enshrined in the main hall of the temple, lowered his eyes, and said, "Mortals are all 'demons.' Where is the clear line between good and bad, kindness and evil? A person can be both good and bad at the same time, and a good person can turn bad at any time. It's just a matter of different perspectives and interests!"

Huang Daopo squinted at Ji Yongling, smiled and said, "I think you have a knack for wisdom. What you just said is somewhat similar to the Taoist principles of 'existence and non-existence give rise to each other, difficulty and ease complement each other, long and short define each other, high and low depend on each other.' Why don't you come and cultivate Taoism with me from now on!"

Ji Yongling chuckled and said, "What kind of path are you cultivating? The righteous path, the evil path? The black path, the white path? You can't save the common people, and you can't save yourself either. I might as well set up my own sect and create my own path to relieve suffering and distress!"

Huang Daopo didn't feel embarrassed at all. She smiled and said, "Then go ahead and create one. It would be best to create a sect or religion that is only for women. I'll be the first to support you!"

"Why would you want to support me?" Ji Yongling raised an eyebrow.

Are they supporting her in a rebellion?

“However, speaking of saving lives, if Guo Bilan comes to Ningping County to see me for treatment, I will treat her. After all, you helped me before, so I will treat her illness out of respect for you! Of course, the premise is that the consultation fee must be sufficient!” Ji Yongling changed the subject.

Granny Huang shook her head helplessly and said, "You girl, you're so materialistic! You think if you're paid enough, nothing else matters? Then why do you say you don't associate with important people! Only important people have money!"

Ji Yongling smiled and said, "That's not true! Money isn't everything. Although I may be materialistic and love money, I also have my pride! I won't treat everyone who offers me money. It also depends on whether we click or I'm in a good mood! If we don't click or I'm in a bad mood, no matter how much money you offer, I won't care!"