LGSLAW : Chapter 18 – Selling Vegetables

At this time, the vegetable garden was lush and green, quite pleasing to the eye.

 

Although there was no longer a need to hide things from Yang Dalang, growing vegetables didn’t need to wait for several months or even a year. For slow-growing crops like onions, bitter gourds, purple eggplants, and Chinese cabbages, he could use the magic soil to speed up their growth whenever he wanted to eat them. However, with Yang Datong’s frequent visits to help, thanks to Dalang’s prior arrangements, Miao He’s workload was significantly reduced. The vegetables he had planted earlier were now sprouting green leaves.

 

The bok choy and napa cabbage intended for sale were ready for harvest. However, Yang Dalang didn’t appreciate Miao He’s enthusiasm. A fair and soft little Ger going alone to town to sell vegetables might get bullied by thugs, and Yang Dalang naturally opposed it.

 

“Wait until I recover, then go.”

 

“But then we won’t have any income for the next few months. Although we still have some silver, you also need to repay debts, right? Selling some vegetables will give us peace of mind.”

 

Thanks to the lesson from his mother, Miao He had convinced Yang Dalang to clear their debts despite any previous agreements to avoid being attacked by envious villagers once they acquired the mountain. After clearing the debts, the twenty taels of compensation had dwindled to just six or seven taels.

 

Yang Dalang still shook his head. “Money is a small matter; people are important.”

 

In truth, living on six or seven taels of silver for three months was quite manageable.

 

Not to mention they still had a large bag of rice and flour and didn’t need to buy more.

 

But Miao He remained unwilling. After all, he had meticulously cultivated these vegetables and was confident in their quality. Should they only eat them themselves? Especially since they preferred eating the vegetables grown in the magic soil…

 

Moreover, in Miao He’s plan, his vegetables were meant to be high-end products. Initially, they would be hard to sell, but he believed that those who bought them would become repeat customers. As long as he slowly built up his business, the high-end route would be sustainable. The initial promotion period was unavoidable, so why not start early to build a reputation?

 

“What if I go with Second Aunt Yang?”

 

“Second Aunt Yang is busy with the children; she has no time.”

 

“What about Qing Aunt? She said I could ask her for help if needed.” Miao He refused to give up.

 

“Qing Aunt going doesn’t help.” Indeed, Shi Ruqing was more delicate and quieter, unlike the robust and broad-minded Second Aunt Yang.

 

Miao He grew anxious. “You must not believe in the quality of my vegetables! I’ll pick some for you to see. You’ll understand how wasteful it is to let them go unsold!”

 

Even the usually contented Da Bai, curled up on Yang Dalang’s lap, raised its curious little head, glancing back and forth between them.

 

Amidst their argument, someone called from outside. It was Dr. Ji from town for a follow-up visit. This time, Ji Guang, the young apprentice who watched over the clinic, also came along.

 

Miao He quickly invited them to the backyard. Ever since acquiring the reclining chair in the backyard, Yang Dalang had spent most of his time there, except for sleeping or when it rained. Da Bai had found its favorite resting spot on Yang Dalang’s lap. Even Dr. Ji, upon seeing the chair, was full of praise.

 

“No one has thought of making a chair like this. Very good, very good. It allows for eating and taking medicine without moving too much and provides proper rest. Where did you order this chair? Having a couple in the clinic would be very convenient,” Dr. Ji said, stroking his beard and nodding frequently.

 

Ji Guang, excited, touched everything, saying, “Yes, Master, it would save a lot of effort. And for the female patients, it’s tiring for their attendants to help them up. I can’t lend a hand either, just watching makes me anxious.”

 

“It was made by Dalang’s younger brother. The craftsmanship is excellent and sturdy. The clinic definitely needs one! I’ll take you to his workshop later,” Miao He immediately recommended Yang Datong.

 

“Haha, that’s good, that’s good.”

 

After some small talk, Dr. Ji began seriously examining Yang Dalang’s injury. Although it had only been six or seven days since they returned to the village, the short period warranted caution in case the journey from town had caused complications. Upon examination, Dr. Ji was amazed.

 

“How does this feel? Very painful?” Dr. Ji pressed on a spot.

 

Yang Dalang paused. “Slightly.”

 

“And here?”

 

“The same.”

 

“Try raising your hand?”

 

Yang Dalang tried, showing no signs of pain.

 

Dr. Ji inquired, “How about now, any pain?”

 

“Still slight.”

 

Dr. Ji hummed in surprise, circling Yang Dalang and tapping various spots with strange metal rods. He asked about Yang Dalang’s recent medications and diet. Hearing that Miao He frequently made ginseng tea and ginseng chicken soup, he seemed to understand but still appeared puzzled.

 

After pondering alone for a while, Dr. Ji finally sighed in amazement. “This is the first time I’ve seen such rapid recovery. Brother Yang must have an exceptionally strong constitution.”

 

Yang Dalang paused and nodded.

 

“I’ve seen a few with extraordinary talents. Brother Yang is likely one in a million.”

 

Yang Dalang’s expression remained unchanged. He had experienced bone fractures before; such injuries were not uncommon for hunters. He knew that his recovery had never been this fast. The village doctor, Lin Shu, had never mentioned it either. The only difference now was undoubtedly Miao He’s magical soil.

 

Yang Dalang cast a glance at Miao He, who was eagerly asking, “Does this mean Dalang is recovering well? No major problems? If he takes good care, there won’t be any lasting issues like rheumatism?”

 

“Hehe, indeed. With good care and a proper diet, he might recover in two months instead of three. But you know about rheumatism?”

 

“I’ve heard the elders mention it. Isn’t it said that old injuries lead to rheumatism?”

 

“With proper care in the coming months, it can be avoided.”

 

Miao He nodded repeatedly. “Got it, got it.” Turning to Yang Dalang, he added, “Did you hear that? The doctor said you still need good care and proper food. We’re out of roosters. Tomorrow, I’ll go to town to buy more!” This indirectly suggested selling vegetables.

 

Yang Dalang, seeing Miao He’s transparent intentions, wondered how he had managed to hide the magical soil all this time.

 

Relieved that there were no major issues, Miao He enthusiastically invited them to stay for lunch. Initially, Dr. Ji declined, but when they went to find Yang Datong and found he was out, Dr. Ji agreed to wait at Miao He’s house.

 

Miao He then picked some bok choy and napa cabbage from the backyard and cooked a pot of rice.

 

That day’s lunch featured dishes like chicken giblets stir-fried with bok choy, egg-fried bok choy, garlic-fried napa cabbage, and spicy napa cabbage, along with a chicken bone broth with cabbage. The table full of vegetable dishes didn’t bother Dr. Ji and Ji Guang, especially given the heaping bowl of rice.

 

But after the first bite, Ji Guang’s eyes widened. He quickly took another bite of stir-fried bok choy, followed by a mouthful of rice. The extraordinarily crisp texture of the bok choy, combined with the well-seasoned ginger and garlic, made the vegetable dishes taste top-notch!

 

Dr. Ji was also pleasantly surprised. Having eaten many delicacies as a renowned doctor in town, he first tried the spicy napa cabbage, cooked with chili oil made from chili peppers grown in the magical soil. The spicy, fragrant flavor made the napa cabbage particularly tender and sweet!

 

Even Da Bai, eating its small portion under the table, didn’t look up, completely engrossed in its meal.

 

Seeing everyone enjoy the meal, Miao He smiled and glanced at Yang Dalang, who also received several non-spicy vegetables. “These vegetables are home-grown. Please enjoy as much as you like.”

 

Ji Guang nodded with his cheeks puffed. “So delicious! Miao He’s cooking is amazing!”

 

Dr. Ji, more knowledgeable, added, “The cooking is one thing, but the vegetables are excellent. Tender napa cabbage hearts like this are rare.”

 

Miao He’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “I was planning to sell these vegetables in town. Do you think they would sell well?”

 

Dr. Ji nodded. “If they’re all like this, they should sell well.”

 

Embarrassed, Miao He smiled. “If you like them, I could send a cart to you.”

 

Sending a cartload to Dr. Ji meant he’d have to share with neighbors, providing free advertisement. With this in mind, Miao He felt shy.

 

Unfortunately, Dr. Ji shook his head. “No, no, I can’t accept your vegetables for free. I’m here for a consultation, and I can’t take anything extra.”

 

Miao He grew anxious. “But I need to sell these vegetables. If they go unsold and rot in the field, it would be a waste. Giving them to villagers is pointless since everyone grows their own. If you like them, please…”

 

Yang Dalang, perhaps guessing Miao He’s intentions, held his hand. “No rush.”

 

Realizing his eagerness, Miao He blushed. Pushing vegetables too strongly indeed seemed desperate. Dr. Ji wasn’t that close to them yet. Embarrassed, he apologized. “Sorry, I was too forward.”

 

Seeing Miao He’s concern, Dr. Ji thought for a moment. “I can’t take your vegetables, but I can give you a suggestion. You’re familiar with the Liang family. Their young son is very picky about leafy vegetables, which troubles Mrs. Liang greatly. Your vegetables might be just what they’re looking for. It’s worth a try to send a cart to them.”

 

“The Liang family’s young master?” Miao He hesitated.

 

Initially, he had considered the Liang family but feared they might see it as ungrateful or overly familiar after already receiving compensation. However, if it was for the young master, it was worth a try. If it didn’t work out, he wouldn’t send any more.

 

Looking to Yang Dalang for advice, he saw Dalang nodding in agreement with Dr. Ji. “Thank you, doctor, for the suggestion.”

 

Sensing Miao He’s hesitation, Dr. Ji added, “Don’t worry about offending the Liang family. I’ll mention it to Mrs. Liang and say I suggested it. It’s not the first time I’ve done something like this, hehe.”

 

This offer was a genuine help. Miao He’s eyes brightened, and he decided to regularly send Dr. Ji some vegetables grown in the magical soil. “Thank you very much, Dr. Ji!”

 

After lunch, Miao He led Dr. Ji and Ji Guang to find Yang Datong, who took notes on some requested modifications and confirmed an order for two reclining chairs. Yang Datong was also happy, not expecting the unique chair to bring in more business.

 

As Dr. Ji and Ji Guang left, they still took a few tomatoes, finding them too delicious to resist.

 

**Author’s Note: I always forget to write about Da Bai ZZZ.**

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