Chapter 7: Green Pine Town

Everything was ready except for the crucial moment; Chen Ping was waiting for an opportunity—the chance to enter the city.

One day, Uncle Pan from the village approached Chen Duohai, asking him to help transport some goods into town for sale. In the countryside, ox carts were the main mode of transportation. The two agreed to set off early the next morning, with a payment of sixty wen.

“Father, I want to go to the city too, to see the world,” Chen Ping said seriously, his big eyes fluttering with a pleading look.

In all his years, he had never once been to the city.

Before Chen Duohai could respond, Mrs. Xiang, standing nearby, advised, “Ping’er, your father is going on important business. Don’t follow and cause trouble. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Be obedient, okay?”

Her main concern was Chen Ping’s safety. The child was still young, the mountain roads difficult to traverse, and a round trip to the city would take a full day. Besides, the city was crowded; what if he got lost?

But Chen Ping had eagerly awaited this day. Could he sell the medicinal herbs and make some money? He couldn’t give up now. He immediately resorted to his best trick—pleading coquettishly—grabbing his mother’s arm and swaying it back and forth.

“Mother, didn’t you say I’m grown up now? I promise I won’t trouble father or run off. I once heard this saying: ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.’ I want to go out and broaden my horizons. You’re the best mother in the world, the very best!”

Poor Chen Ping, with the soul of a man in his twenties, still had to use such childish tactics.

But this ploy was very effective on Mrs. Xiang. She was clearly moved, though she didn’t know where her son had heard that phrase. Still, it made sense to her.

She ruffled Chen Ping’s nose with her hand and smiled, “I don’t know who you take after. Your father sure isn’t as good at flattery as you are. You can go, but you must behave.”

Chen Duohai scratched his head; as long as Mrs. Xiang agreed, he had no objections.

Chen Ping cheered happily, “Yay! I’m going to the city!”

After dinner, as the moon climbed over the treetops, the old Chen family mansion fell quiet.

Chen Ping lay in bed, unable to sleep. He was thinking about how to exchange the medicinal herbs for money once in the city. He was just a child; it didn’t seem right for him to handle such business.

He also pondered how he would spend the money—buying a beaded flower for his mother, something for his father... Lost in such wandering thoughts, Chen Ping finally fell asleep late, and when the rooster crowed the next morning, he was still too drowsy to get up.

Mrs. Xiang came to wake him, inevitably lecturing, “You were so eager to go to the city yesterday, but now you’re dawdling. If your father leaves without you, don’t come crying.”

Chen Ping listened groggily, trying to open his eyes but managing only a slit.

Mrs. Xiang sighed and helped him dress. After some fussing, Chen Ping finally became more alert. He looked around the room and, seeing no sign of Chen Duohai, was startled.

“Father’s gone?”

“No, he’s at Uncle Pan’s helping load the goods. Hurry and wash your face. I’ll prepare some food for you to take along so you won’t get hungry on the road.”

Soon, Chen Duohai returned with the loaded cart, and Mrs. Xiang had breakfast ready. While they ate, she also made several flatbreads for them to take.

With everything prepared, the three set out at dawn toward the city.

The ox cart was loaded with goods, but Chen Duohai and Uncle Pan walked alongside, leaving only Chen Ping to enjoy the ride. Straw was laid on the cart floor to soften the bumps along the uneven road.

After some time, Chen Ping looked up at the high sun and anxiously asked, “Father, when will we reach the city?”

Chen Duohai turned and smiled, “Just a few more miles, then we’ll see the city gates.”

Uncle Pan teased, “This is the boy’s first time in the city. We better keep a close eye on him, or he might run off with some candied hawthorn seller.”

Chen Ping was speechless.

The three chatted and laughed as they passed the time. More people heading into town appeared along the road—some carrying baskets, others pushing wheelbarrows.

Gradually, the towering city walls came into Chen Ping’s view. Before rebirth, he had seen photos of ancient city walls online, but they never stirred such awe as seeing them in person. The walls were several stories high.

And this was just a town wall; the walls of a prefectural city or the capital would be even grander and more imposing.

At the city gate stood soldiers maintaining order, their armor gleaming and long knives at their belts. Everyone entering had to be inspected. Merchants coming and going paid a small tax of three wen.

Though Chen Ping had seen skyscrapers in his previous life, his eyes were still not enough to drink in the bustling scene. He looked around curiously.

The city was crowded, lined with shops on both sides of the street. The passersby dressed much better than those in the countryside.

He had thought the city would be only slightly better than the village, but seeing such prosperity, he realized how shortsighted he’d been. He marveled quietly to himself at the peace and flourishing times.

Uncle Pan was a hunter, selling the pelts he had gathered. As spring warmed, pelts wouldn’t keep well, and this cartful was estimated to fetch ten taels of silver.

Though they had left early, they were surprised to find a queue at the shops. Other hunters from surrounding villages clearly had the same idea.

Uncle Pan sighed, “So many people have come. Those greedy merchants will surely try to undercut us. Since we have to wait here, why don’t you take the boy for a stroll around town?”

This suited Chen Ping perfectly. He wasn’t really there to gain knowledge but to make money. Even if Uncle Pan hadn’t suggested it, he would have found a reason to let his father go and try to sell the medicinal herbs himself. But as a child, he couldn’t handle selling; Chen Duohai had to negotiate.

Chen Duohai nodded. It was rare for their son to visit the city. Standing around waiting was just a waste of time.

“All right, I’ll take Ping’er for a quick walk. I won’t be long. Afterward, I’ll come find you. If you sell everything before we return, let’s meet at the wonton stall near the city gate.”

After they agreed, Chen Ping took out a hidden package from under the straw on the cart. It was dried mountain berry leaves, light and weighing only two or three jin.

Chen Duohai, walking ahead, warned, “Stay with me, don’t run off, and don’t let any kidnappers snatch you. Hey, what do you have there?”

Before leaving, Chen Ping had already prepared his excuse. Smiling, he said, “Mountain berry leaves. Grandpa Wang in the village said it’s a kind of medicinal herb. I wanted to see if I could trade it for some money in the city.”

Chen Duohai couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. He didn’t take Chen Ping’s words seriously and took the bag from him. “I think you’ve been tricked by Grandpa Wang this time.”

After Chen Ping pleaded earnestly, Chen Duohai reluctantly agreed. Passing by a herbal shop, he could ask about it. If it didn’t sell, no great loss. But if it did, it would be a nice extra income.

“First, we need to stop by the general store. Your mother told me to buy salt and spices for home.”

Chen Ping nodded, grabbing his father’s hand as they entered the bustling market.