The beginning of the story of the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Son-in-Law: A rhinoceros comes knocki

Chapter 105 Follow-up Visit

Originally 3740 merit points, after several uses, only 240 points remained.

Looking at the meager balance, Wang Zhi smiled faintly.

Merit is like money; you may be reluctant to accumulate it, and feel heartbroken when you spend it, but you should never be stingy when it is time to use it.

As human beings, we should always be the masters of our money and resources, not their slaves. The same applies to systems.

Accumulating merit is the foundation, while consuming merit is the root. You can accumulate more once you've spent it all, but once you miss the opportunity to strengthen your foundation, it's hard to make up for it.

He closed the system panel, leaned against the jujube tree to stretch his body, and exhaled a long breath.

Ah Huang came closer again, obediently resting her chin on his knee, her wet nose gently rubbing against the back of his hand, trying to please him.

"Silly dog, stop fooling around."

Wang Zhi rubbed its head and teased softly, "Your owner is now penniless and completely broke. From now on, you dog will probably only be able to eat simple meals."

Ah Huang couldn't understand the words, but it sensed its owner's gentle tone and immediately wagged its tail happily.

Ah Huang, this guy, doesn't have any of the benefits that other dogs have. But this mischievous fellow always manages to bring Wang Zhi a sense of relief when he's in a bad mood.

Dusk was falling; the sun was setting.

After a long day of running around, Zhou Xia hurriedly returned from Xiahe Village.

He carried his medicine box on his back, his forehead was covered in sweat, his trouser legs were covered in mud, and he looked travel-worn. He quickly walked to the well, drew water, washed his face and hands, and then sat down under the jujube tree.

"Master, everything regarding the Liu family's old residence has been taken care of."

He took out a neatly folded sheet of paper from his pocket, laid it flat on the bluestone table, and began to report on each item: "Fields, houses, farm tools..."

I meticulously counted and recorded all the stored grain, writing down the details on paper.

Wang Zhihuan bent down to examine it.

The handwriting on the paper wasn't particularly exquisite, but each stroke was neat and orderly, detailing everything clearly.

Three mu of paddy fields and two mu of dry land; two mud-brick main houses, one woodshed, and one cowshed; a complete set of farm tools including iron molds, hoes, sickles, carrying poles, and water buckets; five dou of grain and some bulky furniture.

Every item, big or small, was included.

"It was done meticulously and thoroughly." Wang Zhihuan nodded approvingly. "All the expenses for the funeral coffin were paid from my private account, so the Liu family doesn't need to pay anything back. Tell Dalang not to worry about it, and definitely not to pay it back."

"I have already told you," Zhou Xia replied. "But Da Lang is stubborn and insisted on keeping it in mind, saying that he will definitely repay you double and pay you back in full in the future."

Wang Zhihuan listened, but just smiled silently and said nothing more.

Young man Dalang is proud and unyielding, and he never wants to owe anyone anything; this kind of character is truly admirable.

"Tiedan, how's Xiaoman today?"

"Reporting to Master, both children are doing well today."

Zhou Xia couldn't help but smile as she recalled the boy's figure in the courtyard. "Tiedan spent the whole afternoon chopping firewood in the backyard. He was full of energy, and the chopped firewood was piled up like a mountain, enough to keep the farm burning for half a month."

I asked him if he was tired, and he shook his head, saying he wasn't. He said the manor lord had told him to train hard and work diligently, so he had to make a good example and never slack off.

Upon hearing this, a warmth welled up in Wang Zhihuan's eyes.

Tie Dan is impulsive and hot-tempered, but honest and grateful. He is just young and reckless. With a little guidance, he will surely become a promising talent.

"Where is Xiaoman?"

"Xiaoman is even more well-behaved."

"7

Zhou Xia spoke with a touch of emotion, "She spent the whole afternoon tidying up the courtyard and living quarters, cleaning her master's several side rooms until they were spotless, making the beds and folding the blankets, tidying up the clutter, and keeping everything in perfect order."

When I came back just now, she had specially boiled water and poured me some herbal tea. She was so thoughtful and kind.

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"Master, these three children are all exceptional talents. Your decision to take them in and nurture them is truly wise."

Wang Zhihai gazed at the distant, deep glow of the setting sun, its rays painting half the sky red, and remained silent for a long time.

After a moment, he slowly spoke, setting the schedule for tomorrow: "Banxia, ​​starting tomorrow, you will teach for one hour every morning, focusing on teaching Dalang to recognize and write characters, rain or shine."

If he's slow to grasp things, patiently teach him several times, making sure he has a solid foundation.

"Disciple obeys," Zhou Xia replied, then immediately asked, "What about Tie Dan and Xiao Man from now on?"

"Tiedan worked hard with me, honing his character and tempering his strength. Xiaoman followed me, first learning daily chores, and gradually becoming familiar with the basics of medicine."

Zhou Xia nodded knowingly and didn't ask any more questions.

Wang Zhihuan slowly got up and brushed the fallen leaves and dust off his clothes.

"I'll be busy starting tomorrow."

Above the kitchen, wisps of smoke rose slowly and drifted gently.

Little Xiaoman stood on a small stool, busy in front of the stove.

She was petite and couldn't reach the stove, so she tiptoed and bent over to work, being extremely diligent.

The dough sheets she rolled out by hand varied in width and thickness, and were not exactly neat and pretty, but she patiently and gently put them one by one into the boiling pot, without rushing or being impatient, and in an orderly manner.

Wang Zhi stood at the kitchen door, quietly watching this warm and simple scene, without going forward to disturb it.

A moment later, he turned and walked into the yard, picked up a hoe from the corner of the wall, and began to cultivate the vacant land next to the chicken coop.

This land is loose and fertile, just right for planting a row of radishes. They will ripen in autumn and can be pickled into salted vegetables in winter to prepare for the winter.

Ah Huang followed closely behind him, never leaving his side. Gray Gray, perched atop the wall, lazily watched the figures working in the courtyard, utterly content.

Upon seeing this, Tie Dan, who was busy in the backyard, immediately ran over and snatched the hoe from Wang Zhihuan's hand.

"Master, why are you doing it yourself! Leave these chores to me!"

Wang Zhi didn't refuse, and readily let go, stepping aside to quietly watch the boy.

Tie Dan grabbed a hoe and, full of energy, vigorously dug and turned the soil.

He was young and reckless, lacking any proper technique. He raised the hoe too high, wasting effort and being inefficient, and turned the land unevenly.

"Tie Dan, keep your strength steady."

Wang Zhihuan gently instructed, "Just raise the hoe to your chest level; there's no need to lift it above your head. It's a waste of energy and won't make the soil evenly turned over."

.

Tie Dan immediately did as instructed and resumed his work with the hoe.

It saved a lot of effort; the land that was turned over was flat, loose, and much more orderly.

"That's good."

Receiving affirmation, Tie Dan grinned and worked even harder, wielding his hoe to turn the soil, full of energy and tireless.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard, bathing everything in a warm, shimmering gold.

Inside the side room, Dalang was carefully packing his luggage, neatly folding the old clothes he had brought from home and carefully placing them into the old wooden box at the head of the bed, exuding a sense of calm and refinement.

Inside the kitchen, Xiaoman had already cooked the noodles and was carefully ladling them into bowls and plates, the smoke from the cooking fire gentle and warm.

Under the old jujube tree, Zhou Xia was bent over her desk organizing today's medical records. Her handwriting was neat and meticulous, each stroke precise and precise.

In the open space of the yard, Tie Dan wielded a hoe to turn the soil, his head covered in sweat, yet he was full of vigor and energy.

Wang Zhi stood leaning against the jujube tree, quietly watching the warm and vivid scenes unfolding in the courtyard, his heart at peace and clear.

Ah Huang lay fast asleep at his feet, while Hui Hui leaped onto his shoulder, its fluffy tail drooping gently and brushing against his clothes.

The flowers on the jujube tree branch peeked out, let out a soft meow, and then retreated back to rest.

Smoke curls from chimneys, dogs bark softly, roosters crow incessantly, and frogs croak from the distant paddy fields—all these sounds fill the air.

The fireworks in the world touch the hearts of mortals.

He suddenly remembered his uncle Wang Huan's heartfelt words: "You are much more at ease and comfortable in the countryside than in the Wang family in Taiyuan."

That might not be wrong.

He poured out all his accumulated merits to provide the foundation for physical health and the methods for educating people, thus shedding his impetuousness and building a solid foundation.

Merit can be accumulated again after it's all used up, and physical weakness can be tempered, but this peaceful courtyard, vibrant hearts, and the warmth of daily companionship are the most precious and rare treasures in the world.

It is never cold, hard numbers or fleeting fame and fortune that are worth sacrificing everything for.

It is this increasingly prosperous little courtyard, the gentle meows of cats and dogs that rise and fall in your ears, the lingering aroma of cooking in the kitchen, and a group of sincere people who are willing to entrust their lives to follow you.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, casting dappled shadows.

Wang Zhihuan gently stroked Ah Huang's soft head, feeling reassured and at peace.

Unfortunately, the peace and tranquility of Peach Garden could not last long.

Tomorrow, when dawn breaks, it will be a brand new day.

He will not stop; it's almost over, no rush.

He taught Zhou Xia to identify medicinal herbs and improve his medical skills; he taught Da Lang to read and write and to cultivate his mind; he taught Tie Dan to work diligently and strengthen his body; and he taught Xiao Man to manage miscellaneous tasks and to learn basic medical principles.

He led Zhou Xia to inspect the rice fields, to assess the growth and grain filling of the rice ears; to the distillery to check the aging progress of the new wine; and to deliver goods into the city, to gather information about the situation there.

Each and every one of these matters may seem trivial, but each and every one of them forms the solid foundation upon which one stands in the Tang Dynasty and makes a living.

This courtyard, with its everyday life, was his most stable and solid foundation amidst the chaos of the world.

The second day of the seventh month in the ninth year of Zhenguan.

During the sweltering heat of midsummer, the weather was both muggy and hot, and it hadn't cooled down for several days in a row.

Before dawn, when the morning mist was still thick, Wang Zhihuan got up early and went into the kitchen.

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He wasn't brewing medicine for the patients; he was just making himself a pot of herbal tea to calm his mind and reduce internal heat.

A few common herbs were placed in a rough earthenware pot, boiled with boiling water, and then placed on a ventilated windowsill to cool.

He's been busy with various tasks and doctor's appointments these past few days, which has made him angry. He's developed blisters on his lips, and it hurts whenever he opens his mouth.

Tie Dan in the yard gets up even earlier.

A boy, barely out of school, squatted beside the chicken coop fence, clutching a handful of tender wild grass covered in morning dew, carefully handing them one by one into the coop.

The flock of geese stretched their necks to peck at the food, their honking loud and clear, startling the sparrows sleeping on the jujube tree branches, which scattered in all directions.

"Tiedan, you're feeding him too slowly."

Wang Zhihuan carried the slightly cooled herbal tea to the courtyard gate, his voice soft and gentle.

"Chop up the wild grass, mix it with rice bran, and sprinkle it in all at once. If you feed it one by one like this, you won't finish feeding it by noon."

C

Upon hearing this, Tie Dan immediately scratched the back of his head, chuckled憨厚ly, turned around and rushed into the kitchen to grab a cleaver to chop grass, moving nimbly and quickly.

Under the jujube tree, Dalang was already sitting upright, reciting his lessons.

Zhou Xia had taught him his early education, and now he was being taught a booklet written by Wang Zhihuan himself. That day, he pondered for a long time and felt that ordinary elementary education materials were either difficult and obscure or scattered and unsystematic, so he simply wrote down the "Three Character Classic" that would be passed down for thousands of years from memory.

Although this classic was not formally written until the Southern Song Dynasty, it is quite reasonable for Wang Zhihuan, who came from more than a thousand years later, to "create" it ahead of time.

Anyway, no one in this era has ever seen him, so he is the only author.

The eldest son recited his lesson haltingly, his tone childish, yet each word was clear: "At birth, people are inherently good. Their natures are similar, but their habits differ—"

Not a single word is wrong.

Beside him lay an old sheet of hemp paper, its surface covered with ink stains of varying shades, the handwriting crooked and uneven, showing signs of repeated copying and diligent practice day and night.

Beside the well, Xiaoman was washing clothes with her head down.

She was thin and frail, unable to move heavy clothes, so she silently washed her own pile of clothes.

After washing and scrubbing for a while, when I took my hands out of the water, they were wrinkled like old moonlight that had been soaking in water for a long time.

She rarely spoke; after washing for a while, she would raise her hand to her mouth and breathe hot air to warm it.

Rub it a little to ease the wrinkles on your skin. Then continue working with your head down, quiet and resilient.

Wang Zhi glanced at the scene in the courtyard, feeling at ease, and turned back to the kitchen.

It's not that he doesn't care, nor is it exploitation; he doesn't lack that. It's just that people eventually have to learn to grow up.

He poured all the cooled herbal tea into a bamboo tube and placed it on the stone table in the courtyard.

Today is Mrs. Li's seventh-day follow-up appointment.

Last time, when Empress Zhangsun was critically ill late at night, coughing up blood and struggling to breathe, it was he who rushed into her residence that night to administer acupuncture and adjust her prescription, thus pulling her back from the brink of death.

Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed me to have a follow-up visit every seven days, to continue taking the herbal medicine during this period, and to persist in abdominal breathing exercises every day.

Counting the days, today is exactly the end of my term.

Just past 9 AM, the crisp sound of donkey hooves drifted along the sweltering official road.

This time, it wasn't just Chen Laosan's donkey cart that came; a horse-drawn carriage with a blue cloth curtain followed closely behind. The curtain was completely covered, so nothing could be seen inside.

The two cars stopped one after the other in front of the farmhouse courtyard. Little Sizi was the first to lift the curtain and hop out of the car.

Today she wore a pale yellow dress, and her jet-black hair was tied into two small buns with pink ribbons, making her look exceptionally charming.

The little hand tightly clutched a bunch of wildflowers picked along the way; most of the petals were already wilted, and morning dew still clung to the stems and leaves.

"Poor guy! Beautiful potty!"

Sizi raised her little face, held up the wildflowers and ran over quickly, standing on tiptoe to insist on stuffing them into Wang Zhihuan's hand, her eyes sparkling.

"I picked these on Sizi Road! For my boyfriend! Aren't they pretty?"

"It's very beautiful."

Wang Zhihuan looked down at the wilted wildflower in his palm, his expression serious.

For some reason, perhaps it was fate, he was always especially happy to see the little girl.

He cherished the gifts given to him by the little girl.

Then, Wang Zhi smiled.

He then turned and handed it to Xiaoman beside him, whispering, "Find me an earthenware pot to put it in and place it on the stone table."

Xiaoman glanced at the lively and adorable Sizi, her brows furrowed with a hint of restraint. She nodded gently, then quickly carried the wildflowers into the house to find a vessel.

Sizi tilted her head, gazing at Xiaoman's retreating figure with a face full of curiosity: "Brother, who is this older sister? Sizi has never seen her before."

"This is the new older sister, her name is Xiaoman."

Wang Zhihuan crouched down slightly to be at eye level with the child, and said gently, "From now on, you'll live in the yard. When Sizi comes over again, she can play with you. Aren't you happy?"

Sizi blinked her clear eyes and nodded obediently. Just as she was about to turn around and find Ah Huang in the yard, Wang Zhihuan called her back softly.

"Sizi, wait a minute. Your brother has something good for you. This was specially written for you. See if you like it."