Chapter 81: The Herbs Are Obtained

"Comrade Tang from the educated youth?" Aunt Hu was surprised to see her. Dusk was falling. "You're here to see my old man, aren't you?"

"Yes, I need to speak with the brigade leader."

"Come on in, then." Aunt Hu pulled her up onto the kang. "He went to the commune and hasn't returned yet."

The entire family had been poisoned, a singular event in their commune. Of course he had to go explain the situation. "He should be back soon," Aunt Hu said, handing her a handful of sunflower seeds. "These are homegrown. Try them."

Tang Banxia cracked one open. "Very fragrant."

Aunt Hu was delighted. "Aren't they? I've saved some seeds. When spring comes, I'll share some with you. You only need a little corner to plant them."

Plant a few and you could save a bit during the New Year. One should never underestimate anyone. Aunt Hu looked like any ordinary old lady, but she possessed plenty of clever tricks for daily life.

After listening to Aunt Hu's practical wisdom, the brigade leader returned. "Comrade Tang, you're here?"

"Uncle Brigade Leader." She took out the little booklet on popular science. "Uncle, I have an idea—would you hear me out?"

"Go ahead." Hu Dashan's face was still dark.

Aunt Hu immediately understood—he'd been bullied again at the commune.

"So, I was thinking, if we made such a booklet and read it to everyone daily, over time people would remember it. Then we wouldn't have incidents like Uncle Lao Shuan's family anymore."

The more Hu Dashan listened, the brighter his eyes became. He looked at Tang Banxia with increasing kindness. Was she really just an educated youth? She was the shortcut to their village becoming an advanced brigade!

He'd just been mocked over this incident by that old man from Muzi Village. Now, Comrade Tang was offering him a solution as soon as he got home.

"Excellent!"

The brigade leader exclaimed with excitement.

Tang Banxia looked at him in confusion.

Hu Dashan restrained the grin threatening to split his face and spoke gently, "Comrade Tang, your idea is very good."

The brigade leader, usually stern-faced, was so gentle now that not only Tang Banxia but Aunt Hu was taken aback. "Old man, have you lost your wits from anger?"

Hu Dashan stiffened. "What do you know?"

He turned back to Tang Banxia, now all affability. "Comrade Tang, may I see your booklet?"

Of course. Tang Banxia handed it over.

The brigade leader carefully flipped through it. Awkwardly, there were some characters he couldn't recognize. He handed it back. "Comrade Tang, could you read it out loud?"

Alright.

Tang Banxia read the contents one by one.

Aunt Hu was startled. "You can't eat spinach and tofu together?"

"Right. Too much of it can cause stones," Tang Banxia explained.

Aunt Hu was baffled. "What are stones?"

Tang Banxia: emmm!

"They're things your body can't digest, which accumulate inside and become hard lumps like stones. Imagine having a stone inside your body—how could you feel well?"

Aunt Hu was so frightened she jumped. "Do I have stones inside me now?" After all, she'd often made spinach and tofu soup.

Tang Banxia quickly reassured her. "No, don't scare yourself. If you had stones, it would hurt. You're in great spirits, Aunt Hu."

Only then did Aunt Hu relax.

Tang Banxia continued reading the rest.

Aunt Hu and the brigade leader both wore expressions of surprise. "So that's how it is? You can't eat these together either?"

It was as if a new world had opened before them.

After a long while, Hu Dashan finally asked, "Comrade Tang, is this accurate?"

Tang Banxia nodded without hesitation.

She could guarantee it.

"Alright, I'll take responsibility for this." The brigade leader put away the booklet. "I'll show it to the commune leaders before making a decision."

"I trust your judgment, Brigade Leader."

It was getting late. After discussing the matter, she took her leave.

The next day.

The brigade leader, after breakfast, went straight to the commune.

He found Secretary Yu, handed him Tang Banxia's booklet. "Secretary, please look at this booklet."

Secretary Yu read it and placed it by his hand. "Did your village's barefoot doctor make this?"

Hu Dashan nodded, watching him expectantly.

Secretary Yu pondered a moment. "Leave it with me for now. I'll consult someone before making a decision."

Hu Dashan was disappointed, but he still said, "We'll follow your lead, Secretary Yu."

Secretary Yu saw his expression. "You're doing well. If the booklet is adopted, you'll be credited."

The brigade leader was immediately delighted.

What did this mean? If the booklet was used, their village would surely become an advanced brigade!

He left in high spirits and went to the hospital to check on Lao Shuan's children.

Third Aunt Hu saw him. "Uncle Dashan."

"Peanut's wife, how are the kids?" Hu Dashan, cold from the outdoors, didn't enter the ward.

"They're awake." Third Aunt Hu looked haggard. "The doctor says after another day on the drip, they'll be discharged."

The past couple of days had worn her out. She herself didn't matter, but seeing her children lying there vomiting, her heart ached.

Her husband had explained the cause of the poisoning to her as well.

Thinking back to New Year's Eve, when the old woman favored her son and grandchildren and gave all the meat to the kids, she felt fortunate.

If the old woman had treated her as family, she would have suffered even more.

But thinking of her own son, her heart twisted in pain.

Lost in her thoughts, she looked up. "Uncle Dashan, could you... lend me some money?"

She truly had no other options.

That old woman at home claimed the turtle had been bought by her husband, so their family must bear all the medical expenses.

Hu Dashan knew her situation and sighed. "The village will cover the medical fees for now. You can repay slowly. It's a pity."

To run into this on the first day of the new year.

Hearing the brigade leader's words, Third Aunt Hu burst into tears. "Thank you, Uncle Dashan."

He waved her off and left the hospital, returning to the village.

Meanwhile, Tang Banxia was welcoming Director Yu at home.

She was very hospitable, offering sunflower seeds, snacks, and freshly popped popcorn.

Director Yu had come by car this time. Tang Banxia's list was too long for a bicycle to suffice.

When he entered the village, everyone was stirred. Not only did the children run and jump to see the car, even the adults gathered in a circle. When the car stopped at Tang Banxia's door, they were both surprised and not.

As Tang Banxia stepped outside, she saw the crowd behind the car.

No matter the era, watching the excitement was always a cherished tradition.

"Comrade Tang, is this your relative?"

Tang Banxia smiled. "Yes, my brother's comrade."

It was no secret someone in Tang Banxia's family was in the army. Everyone knew, seeing her military coat.

After a few words, she led Director Yu inside and explained, "Director Yu, please forgive the makeshift explanation earlier."

"No need, I understand," Director Yu replied, carrying two large bundles into the courtyard. "Where should I put these?"

Tang Banxia saw the heavy packages and her eyes curved in a smile. "This way, please."

Director Yu, amused, followed her inside and placed the medicinal herbs on the table in the main room.

She eagerly opened the bundles and the fragrance of all sorts of herbs filled the air.

She immediately bestowed Director Yu with the title of "good person."

"And this," Director Yu said, pulling out a box. "I found out that golden needles are better than silver ones, so I took the liberty to get golden ones for you."

Tang Banxia: !!!

Was he an angel?