Bamboo Mound

Chapter 78 Solve the doubts

"The reason for changing my clothes is to avoid panic among the villagers. As for myself, I am a spiritual practitioner."

He then took out a bamboo leaf and floated it in his palm, before taking it back a few moments later.

Upon hearing this, the old man laughed and said, "No wonder I smelled a wonderful fragrance shortly after I sat down. I didn't expect it was because of your arrival, young friend."

However, since your intentions were good, young friend, we'll pretend we didn't notice and take advantage of our seniority~

Ning Chang could naturally understand the old man's teasing tone, and naturally didn't pay attention to the last sentence.

"Thank you very much, sir!"

"Haha, very good, very good. I am the village chief of Yisang Village. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have."

"But before that, come with me and I'll fetch you some water."

Ning Chang nodded and followed the village chief to a small courtyard.

Although the village chief of Yisang looked very old, he walked with a brisk pace, not much slower than Ning Changmai.

The village chief led Ning Chang into the house, brought over half a bucket of water, poured out a bowl of it, and then sat down opposite Ning Chang.

"The well water was just drawn, and the bucket and bowl are clean. I hope you won't find them offensive."

"It's alright." Ning Changqiu's request for water was a strategic statement. Although he hadn't drunk water for several days, he wasn't thirsty, but drinking some would be quite comforting.

The well water was clear and cool to the taste, with a hint of sweetness.

He drank half a bowl in one gulp before putting down the wooden bowl and expressing his doubts.

“I have observed that these wondrous mulberry trees grow everywhere outside the village in this valley. Some trees bear both fruit and flower buds, but I cannot understand why. I would appreciate it if the village chief could enlighten me.”

"You mean Yisang?" The village chief nodded.

"In fact, no one in the village knows the specifics."

He paused, looked up, and began to recall.

"Back in my great-great-grandfather's time, his family fled from elsewhere to this valley to escape the war."

"Seeing that this place was surrounded by mountains on all sides, with springs flowing from the ground, and far away from the world, I decided to settle here."

"At that time, there was already this wonderful Yisang tree in the valley, which bears fruit all year round and in all four seasons. The village was named after it, and it is called Yisang."

"Our ancestors also followed the fruiting pattern of this tree, planting grains piece by piece so that they would not go hungry throughout the season."

"But as for why it is this character '猗', there is no explanation in the village records."

“The mulberry is best eaten when it is purplish-red, but when it is completely black, it will cause vomiting if tasted, and will cause dizziness if eaten. If many grains are eaten, it will cause death.”

Upon hearing this, Ning Chang couldn't help but nod in agreement. He had only tasted a tiny bit when he first came in and almost vomited.

"So what happens to those mulberries that are completely black? Leaving them on the tree takes up space, or they might be accidentally eaten by children who don't see them clearly."

"Well..." The village chief stroked his beard and smiled.

"That was indeed the case at the beginning. After learning about the consequences of eating completely black mulberries, our ancestors picked them and buried them under the trees as fertilizer."

"However... after burying it many times, I found that even after being buried for several months, it can still retain its roughly complete form."

"This greatly reduces the amount of open space available for burying. Fortunately, after the first batch, we pick them all when they turn purplish-red. Only a few are missed and grow to full maturity, but this still largely solves the problem."

"But that wasn't a long-term solution, so our ancestors began to research ways to eat black mulberries."

"It's completely unsuitable for brewing wine; it's not even a fraction as good as those purplish-red mulberries. Feeding it to fish or livestock will kill them instantly, and the meat is inedible..."

"But in the end, we found a suitable method!"

"Boil the black mulberries into a paste, add more water and boil it. The resulting liquid, while still quite sweet, will at least be less poisonous. Even if one person drinks all the liquid from dozens of mulberries, there will be no problem!"

"And drinking it regularly can also prolong life!"

Ning Chang nodded in agreement with the village chief's description from time to time.

"Or later, the water can be evaporated, leaving solid honey, which can be crushed into pieces and used as regular candy granules."

"This is indeed a long-term solution," Ning Chang commented.

"Haha, then I'll take your kind words, young friend."

The village chief was also pleased and invited Ning Chang to stay for lunch, wanting to show him some hospitality.

However, considering that the best this village could offer was chicken, pork, fish, and meat, with the exception of mulberry wine, Ning Chang decided not to accept the invitation.

“I appreciate the village chief’s kindness, but I have something else I’m looking for elsewhere. I’ll leave after resolving some of my doubts with you.”

Upon hearing this, the village chief's face flashed with a hint of regret, but he still smiled and said, "Haha, alright then. If you still have any questions, young friend, I will certainly answer them. As for your departure, please take some local specialties with you."

Refusing again would be seen as disrespectful, so Ning Chang nodded in agreement to the village chief's proposal.

"Since your ancestors fled here from elsewhere, what countries are nearby, and where are they located?"

"Well..." The village chief pursed his lips and pondered for a moment, then got up and walked into the house, saying as he went:

"I haven't read the village chronicle carefully either; let me go and flip through it again."

After a series of rummaging sounds, the village chief came out holding a thick book and was quickly turning the pages.

"Hmm...Found it. Our ancestors searched for this valley to the southeast. Young friend, once you leave the valley, you can head to the right and forward. Within ten thousand miles, there should be some cities and villages."

Having received directions, Ning Chang had no intention of lingering. He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and explained his intention to leave.

"Thank you very much for clearing up my doubts, Village Chief. I will be leaving now."

The village chief quickly grabbed Ning Chang, who was turning around, and said, "Young friend, please wait a moment while I go get the mulberry candy."

A minute later, he took the wooden jar from the village chief, opened it, and found it full of roughly sized purplish-black sugar cubes.

Take one out and put it in your mouth; a unique sweetness bursts forth, carrying the distinctive fruity aroma of mulberry, with a lingering aftertaste.

"It's very unique and quite memorable."

Upon hearing Ning Chang's approval, the village chief also looked proud.

However, this kind of pure sugar is best enjoyed by holding it in your mouth. If you chew it and swallow it, not only will the taste be incomplete, but you'll probably get tired of it after just a few pieces, which will only increase your sugar intake.

As she expressed her gratitude, Ning Chang suddenly realized that this jar of honey would eventually run out, and after that, it would probably be difficult to encounter it again.

And so, a look of worry unconsciously crept onto his face again.

Seeing this, the village chief asked in confusion, "Young friend, is something on your mind?"

"Listen to this old man, you are still young. The past is the past. You have a long life ahead of you. There are thousands of green leaves on a tree. Who says they can only touch each other in pairs?"

Hearing the village chief's explanation after the misunderstanding, Ning Chang felt embarrassed.