The more lively the crowd, the more burdensome life became.
To make matters worse, the temperature dropped, and there were no more mushrooms to pick. Xu Mo's writing hand grew stiffer by the day.
Jiang Sheng was worried. With five mouths to feed, what could she do to ensure full meals and daily meat?
Jiang Sheng was at a loss.
She gradually grew irritable, frowning with her cheeks in her hands, wishing she could utilize all the wit and wisdom she had accumulated over seven years.
"Jiang Sheng," Xu Mo was the first to notice her abnormal mood and gently asked, "Why the deep furrows on your brow?"
Jiang Sheng mumbled, "Eldest brother, we need to make money."
"My copying work is enough," Xu Mo stroked her hair. "You don't need to worry about this."
Before Jiang Sheng could respond, Wen Zhiyun beside them lifted his head. "I can see patients, just... I can't treat serious illnesses."
Even an inexperienced physician was still a welcome existence in the countryside.
Jiang Sheng gaped. She had just realized that it wasn't her soft heart that had saved Wen Zhiyun, but that Wen Zhiyun had come to rescue their destitute group.
"I can beat people up and collect protection fees," Fang Heng clenched his fist. As a descendant of a military family, he had started martial arts training at three years old. By now, he had five years of experience and possessed decent skills.
So far, three of the four brothers had offered up their means of making a living.
The last one, Zheng Ruqian, unwilling to fall behind, opened his mouth, only to find that he had nothing to contribute.
Other than eating.
Little Zheng Ruqian froze on the spot as his eyes welled up with tears.
So it turned out he was the only useless one, a good-for-nothing who could only rely on his sister for survival.
Jiang Sheng keenly noticed her second brother's emotions. She rushed over and patted his shoulder, consoling, "Don't be upset. I'm just like you, good for nothing."
But they were the ones who had initially sold mushrooms and earned the first seed money.
Although lacking the unique skills of the other brothers, as long as they were willing to use their brains, they could definitely make money.
Little Jiang Sheng's confidence cheered up Zheng Ruqian. He wiped his tears and remembered he had contributed two gold beans. He puffed out his chest again. "I can earn money too, I definitely can."
With the siblings united, they could accomplish anything!
After much thought, Jiang Sheng finally decided to start with medicine. She pulled Zheng Ruqian along, saying earnestly, "Let's go drum up patients for fourth brother."
Wen Zhiyun: "..."
That didn't sound very nice.
But he was still young and an outsider in the village. Randomly treating illnesses would only get him chased away with a stick.
Fortunately, Jiang Sheng was a local insider.
She pulled Zheng Ruqian along, scurrying back and forth at the village entrance. Their main goal was to check on the frail villagers to see if anyone had diarrhea, coughs, or chills.
Fourth brother said he could treat these illnesses.
But with the cold winter's arrival, every household's door was shut tight. Wanting to inquire about their condition required poking their heads in like thieves.
Jiang Sheng was unhappy about this.
When she was alone it was one thing, but now she had brothers. How could she let others misunderstand again and tarnish her brothers' reputation?
So she lingered at the village entrance a bit longer, wanting to walk in an open and upright manner.
As they passed Old Man Zhao's door, it creaked open. Old Man Zhao's eldest son walked out with a frown, while "ow's" sounded from inside.
Jiang Sheng's eyes instantly lit up as she pulled Zheng Ruqian over.
"No food today, go away," Zhao Dazhu impatiently waved them off. "You still owe me for stealing my cart last time. Come around again and I'll give you another beating."
Zheng Ruqian halted, recalling Jiang Sheng's bedraggled appearance after returning the cart half a month ago.
So the beatings were from the Zhao family.
Anger instantly flared up in little Zheng Ruqian's face. He pulled Jiang Sheng's hand to leave.
Forget treating such sister-beaters!
Jiang Sheng clung tightly to his arm. Now was not the time for childish temper tantrums. Helping fourth brother establish his reputation as a physician was key.
What was one beating worth?
Besides, she had been beaten for stealing the cart. They were the ones in the wrong.
"Big brother, is Old Man Zhao ill?" Jiang Sheng smiled sweetly. "The weather is cold. You have to take care of your health."
Hearing this, Zhao Dazhu's expression softened slightly. "He ate some spoiled meat yesterday. I told him not to eat it, but he insisted. Now he can't even get up."
"Oh dear, that's serious," Jiang Sheng exaggerated her tone. "He must be treated quickly. Old Man Zhao is advanced in years and can't tolerate such torment."
"Of course I know that," Zhao Dazhu said irritably. "But the clinic in town has shut its doors. I heard the physician met with misfortune. Going to the county would require travel Father refuses, preferring to lie in bed and yell."
In fact, it wasn't just Old Man Zhao who disagreed. The rest of the Zhao family opposed it too.
Forget the cost of hiring a donkey cart. Just the county physician's fee was beyond their means. Farming families earned so little all year. Using it all for medical treatment meant nothing left for food and drink.
But Zhao Dazhu couldn't bear to watch his father bedridden and suffering to death before his eyes. He could only avoid the house.
Poverty was the root sin.
Jiang Sheng sighed. Carefully, she said, "Big brother, one of my brothers has learned some medicine. If you don't feel assured, you can invite him to take a look."
"Just...he's a bit young..."
Zhao Dazhu jerked his head up. Right now, nevermind the age, even a veterinarian would do. He quickly said, "Please invite the young physician, hurry!"
Jiang Sheng patted Zheng Ruqian.
Zheng Ruqian immediately ran back to the ruined temple to fetch Wen Zhiyun, leaving Jiang Sheng to chat idly with Zhao Dazhu.
Soon, Fang Heng arrived carrying Wen Zhiyun.
Seeing Jiang Sheng's wide eyes, the cracks in Fang Heng's face widened awkwardly as he explained, "He was running too slowly. I was afraid the patient couldn't wait."
So the mighty third brother had directly slung the frail fourth brother over his back and jogged the whole way here.
Jiang Sheng's cheek muscles ached as she repeatedly told herself mentally, "Don't laugh, don't laugh."
"Hurry and check on the patient now that you're here."
Still stunned, Wen Zhiyun looked back.
Behind him was Zheng Ruqian, panting as he ran over with the medicine box. His physique was slightly stronger than Wen Zhiyun's but couldn't compare to Fang Heng's, so he was a bit slower.
"Let's go." Taking the medicine box, Wen Zhiyun finally stepped into the Zhao residence.
Old Man Zhao feebly groaned "ow ow", glancing at the group of children entering. Annoyed, he complained, "What time is it that you're still letting kids come play at home?"
The pained Zhao family remained silent despite their anxiety and impatience.
Fortunately, Zhao Dazhu wasn't stupid. He brought over a stool and obsequiously said, "Young physician, quickly take a look at my dad."
Wen Zhiyun exhaled in relief.
Usually, he was sheltered by his parents, free to read books or pick herbs as he pleased. Everything he did was out of interest and for enjoyment.
He was his parents' treasure, a child raised with doting care. He had never considered that one day, he would have to stand alone.
Wen Zhiyun extended three pulse-reading fingers and placed them on Old Man Zhao's wrist.
Perhaps from nervousness, his body trembled slightly.
Jiang Sheng quickly grasped his other hand and loudly declared, "Fourth brother, don't be afraid. We're still here."
Wen Zhiyun looked back and saw the still unfamiliar faces.
The aloof yet warm-hearted Fang Heng; the foolish Zheng Ruqian; and the childish Jiang Sheng.
Although his parents were gone, the skies had collapsed, his wonderful life lay in ruins, he had also met a new family. For them, to let his parents rest in peace, to live well, Wen Zhiyun took another deep breath. His trembling hands steadied.
He utilized everything he had learned, listening to the pulses and recalling his father's teachings bit by bit in his mind.
"Weak and powerless, three deficiencies and one excess..." Wen Zhiyun mumbled a couple phrases. "May I examine your excrement?"
At these words, Jiang Sheng, Fang Heng, and Zheng Ruqian all took two steps back.
