Shuse Jinjia

The next day.

Xie Zhaotang then led Li Qin and the disciples selected by the Divine Doctor Valley to inspect the Divine Doctor Valley.

Qiu Yi, one of Murong Qing's disciples, was a peasant girl. A few years ago, her hometown was flooded and her whole family died. She was taken in by the old valley master and stayed in the Divine Doctor Valley.

Qiu Yi had no talent for medicine, so he became an apprentice planting medicinal herbs in the Valley of Divine Physicians.

After reviewing her information, Xie Zhaotang spoke with her and discovered that Qiu Yi was very skilled at cultivating medicinal herbs, so he promoted her to be in charge of medicinal herb cultivation.

On the way to the Valley of Divine Physicians, Xie Zhaotang called her to his carriage and inquired in detail about the medicinal herb cultivation in the Valley of Divine Physicians.

Qiu Yi knew that Xie Zhaotang would be her employer from then on, and she would answer all her questions.

From Qiu Yi, Xie Zhaotang learned that Qixia Mountain, where the Divine Doctor Valley is located, was purchased by the Murong family a hundred years ago and has been inherited by them.

This time, Murong Qing colluded with Dayu and betrayed the country. In order to protect his family members, the old valley master handed over all the wealth that Qixia Mountain and the Murong family had accumulated over the years.

Xie Zhaotang neither knew nor cared how much money it was; it should all have gone into the national treasury.

However, the emperor generously donated Qixia Mountain and the remaining medicinal herbs to the hospital.

Xie Zhaotang brought people here this time to find out how much fixed assets Shenyi Valley still has. She brought a steward to register and do the accounting, so that Qixia Mountain will also be the property of the eldest grandson of the emperor, Duan Li.

Qiu Yi said that all the land in Qixia Mountain suitable for growing medicinal herbs has been planted with them, and the old valley owner in the mountain has also planted some. However, no medicinal herbs are planted in the deep mountains because of the presence of wild animals.

Upon arriving at Qixia Mountain, there were two villages outside the valley. Over the years, the villagers had made a living by selling vegetables and working for the Divine Doctor Valley. With the collapse of the Divine Doctor Valley, these villagers were filled with anxiety, fearing that the Murong family's crimes would implicate them.

Liu Qi told Xie Zhaotang about this, but Xie Zhaotang didn't intend to appease them. She said she would ask Duan Li to appease them once she had sorted things out of the Divine Doctor Valley.

This is a favor done in the interest of others, and it will enhance Duan Li's prestige. I believe the Emperor will be happy to see it happen.

Once inside the valley, Xie Zhaotang discovered that Qixia Mountain was indeed a wonderful place. The buildings in the valley were built along the water, with white-walled and black-tiled houses arranged in a pleasing manner. Although it was already winter, everywhere was covered with layers of lush greenery.

The farmland is planted with many medicinal herbs, and the streamside is covered with exotic flowers and plants. Compared with the hustle and bustle of the capital, this place is a paradise.

If he weren't trapped here, Xie Zhaotang would love to move here and live a pastoral life.

For five consecutive days, Xie Zhaotang stayed in the Valley of Divine Physicians, and under Qiu Yi's guidance, he explored most of Qixia Mountain.

They compiled a list of all the medicinal herbs planted in the mountains and fields. Xie Zhaotang and Qiu Yi didn't recognize some of the herbs; they only found out by comparing the accounts and poison manuals of the Divine Doctor Valley.

Xie Zhaotang didn't tell Qiu Yi that some medicinal herbs were poisonous. She only wanted to tell the Crown Prince about this. If the Crown Prince allowed it, she would let people continue to plant them; if not, she would uproot them all and plant other ones.

There are several caves in Qixia Mountain. In one of the caves, Murong Qing had hundreds of venomous snakes raised to extract toxins.

Xie Zhaotang didn't like keeping venomous snakes, but venomous snakes also have a lot of medicinal value, and she couldn't give up on them just because she didn't like them.

After registering the fixed assets of Shenyi Valley, Xie Zhaotang felt that the number of disciples remaining in Shenyi Valley was insufficient. She planned to use this place as a medicinal herb planting base in the future, so as to make the most of Qixia Mountain.

Upon returning to the capital, Xie Zhaotang rested for a night and then sent a message to Duan Chengyu, asking him to accompany her to see the Crown Prince.

Duan Chengyu had arranged a time with the Crown Prince, and soon came to pick up Xie Zhaotang so they could go to the Crown Prince's residence together.

To Xie Zhaotang's surprise, Duan Li and her four study companions were all there, and the five little ones sat obediently to one side.

When Xie Yan saw Xie Zhaotang, he blinked, but smiled, as if to tell Xie Zhaotang that he was fine and that she didn't need to worry.

"Madam Huo, I had them listen in so they could better understand the lives of ordinary people. Please don't hold back, speak your mind!"

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Father has arranged their studies. They will study with Madam Huo for one day every ten days. We hope Madam Huo will continue to take care of them!"

Xie Zhaotang glanced at the Crown Prince and asked, "Is it alright if I teach them whatever I want?"

The Crown Prince nodded: "Madam Huo is intelligent and wise. Whatever she teaches them will benefit them greatly, so Madam Huo should teach them as she sees fit."

Xie Zhaotang did not refuse. Duan Li's five children were all of good character and young age, making them easier to cultivate. She did not need to teach them classical Chinese; she only needed to subtly broaden their horizons and instill a sense of the big picture.

She also wanted to bring Xie Tiantian and Huo Han along. Whether you're herding one sheep or a flock, it's all the same; everyone can learn as much as they can.

Moreover, Xie Tiantian had cultivated a good relationship with Duan Li and the others since childhood, making her their junior. This would give her a lot of connections that would benefit their future prospects...

Xie Zhaotang stopped her wild thoughts and told the Crown Prince about the situation in Divine Doctor Valley. She did not hide the fact that Divine Doctor Valley planted poisonous plants and raised venomous snakes.

She said, "Whether or not to continue cultivating the poisonous plants is a decision for the Crown Prince to make. As for the poisonous snakes, I suggest continuing to raise them!"

The crown prince didn't rush to answer, but turned to the five children, Duan Li: "Do you think the poison should continue to be cultivated?"

Duan Li looked at Xie Zhaotang and asked respectfully, "Auntie, besides harming people, do poisonous herbs have any medicinal value?"

Seeing his humble and eager-to-learn attitude, Xie Zhaotang said gently, "Yes, for example, Gelsemium elegans, also known as 'heartbreak grass,' is highly poisonous. All parts of the plant are extremely poisonous, especially the young leaves. However, it is mainly used to treat numbness and pain in the legs and knees, contractures of the limbs, malignant sores and scabies, hiccups, shortness of breath, and sore throat."

Duan Li continued, "Are the other poisonous herbs the same?"

Xie Zhaotang patiently explained, "Some poisonous herbs are simply poisons with no medicinal value, but in certain situations, when combined with other herbs, they can achieve therapeutic effects by using poison to counteract poison."

"Everything in this world has its counterpart, and if used properly, even poisonous herbs can be transformed into useful medicines!"

Liu Ming, one of the study companions and the son of the Crown Princess's brother, asked curiously, "Aunt Huo, what's the use of that poisonous snake?"

Xie Zhaotang said, "For example, viper extract can be used to relieve the inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis, snake gall can be made into medicines that clear heat and detoxify, resolve phlegm and relieve cough, and snake is also needed for stroke, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, tetanus and other conditions..."

None of these children knew anything about medicine, but their eyes lit up after hearing so much from Xie Zhaotang.

Duan Li exclaimed excitedly, "Auntie, according to you, even poisonous snakes are valuable from head to toe?"

Speaking of his expertise, Xie Zhaotang wasn't afraid to show off, nodding and saying, "Yes, snake slough has the effects of dispelling wind, calming fright, clearing away pterygium, and detoxifying. It can be used to treat infantile convulsions, spasms, and itchy skin."

"Snake oil can also be used to make skin care products to treat dry, cracked skin, frostbite, eczema, etc."

Duan Li, who was raising ducks with her four study companions, suddenly had a bright idea and said, "If that's what Auntie said, then we can also raise snakes to make money. Even if we don't make a lot of money, the skincare products made from snake oil can be supplied to the army to treat their frostbite!"

"Father, I think we should continue cultivating poisonous herbs and raising venomous snakes!"

The Crown Prince smiled and nodded, then turned to Xie Zhaotang: "What Brother Li means is what I mean!"

Xie Zhaotang smiled. She could see it. Just as the Emperor was observing state affairs with the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince was also observing state affairs with Duan Li. They were starting to train him to make decisions...