The pharmacy manager saw that I was clever and organized the medicinal herbs neatly, so he let the attendant teach me to distinguish between the herbs. Over time, he didn't even avoid teaching me how to process the herbs, and I remembered everything."
"Wow! My sister is so amazing." The little fan girl Erya chimed in.
"My sister really has photographic memory!" The little fan boy Cheng Jia joined in.
Cheng Xiaoxiao was a bit embarrassed by the compliments, "Maybe they thought that teaching a little girl to identify a few herbs was just about sorting them and being a helper, not expecting me to learn much, so they didn't guard against it."
Forgive her for the little lie, as processing herbs isn't something that can be learned in just ten days to half a month; it requires at least three to five years of skill.
"Yesterday, I went up the mountain and saw a lot of medicinal herbs. We can process them and sell them to the pharmacy," Cheng Xiaoxiao said confidently.
Cheng Hao thought for a moment and said, "But Daya, previously Doctor Huang was also collecting things like honeysuckle, root grass, and mugwort leaves. Everyone knows these, and after picking, we can exchange them for a few copper coins with him. These herbs are only available during their mature season, and there aren't many. In a few days, everyone finishes picking them, and we can only trade them for a meal with meat."
"Yes, Daya, they don't fetch much money." The Liu Family had picked before too, exchanging them for fifteen copper coins after working for half a day.
"Everyone sells fresh herbs, so of course, they're cheap! What we need to do is process them, and the common herbs that Doctor Huang collects have low medicinal value. Once we process our herbs and sell them directly to the pharmacy, the price will naturally differ."
Seeing their disbelief, Cheng Xiaoxiao continued, "Yesterday at Mang Mountain, at the foot of the mountain, I saw a large field of Night Trumpet Flower. If we can process it well, it will surely sell for a good price."
Seeing everyone still hesitating, she added, "If you're worried about danger, we can collaborate with Uncle Beiniu. We'll only pick at the mountain's foot, not even considering the outer areas, as fierce animals usually move in the inner areas."
Everyone seemed tempted, looking at each other, unable to make a decision; after all, it's Mang Mountain. With so many lessons learned the hard way, how could they dare easily tread there?
Seeing them still undecided, Cheng Xiaoxiao held her forehead. After saying so much, why hasn't it worked? It seems Mang Mountain has cast a significant shadow over the villagers. She had to bring out her trump card.
Clearing her throat, "How about we try it first? Tomorrow, I'll ask my dad to call Uncle Beiniu, and I'll draw you a map. The location of the Night Trumpet Flower is easy to find, and I'll sketch what it looks like. Pick twenty to thirty pounds first, I'll process it, then sell it, find out the purchase price and demand, before deciding whether to proceed."
Once they see tangible benefits, there will naturally be motivation and courage.
Seeing Daya's thorough consideration, everyone agreed and discussed the details of climbing the mountain before stopping.
Seeing that they had almost finished discussing, Cheng Xiaoxiao loudly announced, "I have one more thing to announce. From today, my full name is Cheng, Xiao, Xiao!"
The room fell silent, everyone looking at her, not understanding how the topic suddenly jumped to naming, still not recovered from the surprise.
Cheng Hao was the first to react, "Daya, did you ask an elder in the clan for your name? But you still have two years until your coming-of-age ceremony!"
Cheng Rong also said, "In our village, no one gets their full name before their coming-of-age ceremony! If you name yourself now, it will attract criticism when you go out."
Even the usually quiet Cheng Dahua spoke up, "Daya, this isn't according to tradition. The Clan Leader won't agree."
Cheng Dahua had a bit of a personal agenda, as she was already 14, one year older than Daya, and she still didn't have a full name!
The eldest uncle's family was somewhat disapproving, but Cheng the Second's family was such that whatever Daya said was right. Previously, Cheng Daya had a significant say at home. Now, her outstanding performance naturally won her the whole family's support.
"Uncle, please don't say anything more. My life is my own; I have the right to make decisions for myself. Besides, isn't a name just a name?
You can consider it celebrating my survival, changing to a new name to ward off bad luck."
Since Daya put it that way, they couldn't argue. After the ordeal Daya endured, changing to a new name to dispel bad luck seemed reasonable, and the Clan Leader likely wouldn't say anything.
"Alright, tomorrow I'll report to the Clan Leader," Mr. Cheng supported his daughter, as long as she was doing well!
"Sister, we support you," Cheng Jia admired her even more. She was truly courageous.
And so, Xiao Cheng officially changed her name to Cheng Xiaoxiao, marking her rebirth. From then on, she planned to shine brightly there.
In good spirits, "Wish me rebirth and wish success for our medicinal business. Let's all work hard together!" she said with a cheering gesture.
Though everyone didn't quite understand, they followed suit, hoping for success too.
At that moment, Cheng Xiaoxiao planted a seed called "hope" in their hearts... Many years later, recalling today's scene remained vivid and evocative.
For the next few days, Cheng Xiaoxiao couldn't leave the house. Even going to the toilet, Erya followed, with the IOU in her hand being abused countless times.
Oh well, he probably won't run off that quickly.
These days, Cheng Xiaoxiao was busy processing the Night Trumpet Flower. Fortunately, her dad had successfully picked a basketful for her experiments, and the eldest uncle's family occasionally came to observe.
The Night Trumpet Flower, also known as Star Wipe or Branch Fragrant Grass, grows about 20-80 cm high. With upright, weak stems and few branches, it blooms for an extended period and can be used medicinally throughout. Known as cold-resistant grass, it clears heat, dispels dampness, detoxifies, and is somewhat effective against fever or acute hepatitis.
Remove impurities, cut away residual stems, wash clean, steam slightly, stir-fry over low heat until non-sticky, then remove and cool, cut into small sections, and dry in the sun.
Looking at the processed Night Trumpet Flower, Cheng Xiaoxiao was very satisfied, her skills hadn't declined after all.
Ten days later, Cheng Xiaoxiao could finally leave the house, this time accompanying her dad to the town's market to sell herbs.
Early in the morning, before dawn, they set off, accompanied by her elder brother Cheng Rong, possibly fearing the young girl couldn't handle the scene, as the second uncle wasn't very articulate, to help steer the situation.
Seeing the bullock cart stopped at the village entrance, it was her first time riding it, somewhat novel and somewhat burdensome. Several people squashed into a cart—is this really alright?
Mr. Cheng had already started chatting with Cheng Dali, the ox-cart driver, "Dali, thank you for waiting for us." Mr. Cheng said politely.
"No worries, we're from the same village, and didn't wait long. Now that everyone's here, let's set off; make sure everyone sits tight." He cracked the whip, and the ox-cart began to clatter away.
After what felt like half her bottom was about to split from the ride, Cheng Xiaoxiao finally saw the town's gate from afar. It wasn't easy!
Watching the people coming and going, merchants with shoulder poles, guards at the gate armed with long spears—it was all so novel.
Approaching the gate, she realized there was a city entry fee of two copper coins.
Watching Mr. Cheng skillfully pay, Cheng Xiaoxiao pouted. Those officials don't do practical work, only knowing how to exploit the common folk.