Chapter 97: A Fruitful Harvest

“He Mi said, ‘To conceal without revealing, to hide without displaying, to remain latent without manifesting—that is the Way.’”

Hearing this, Han Li was momentarily stunned. Had He Mi noticed his interactions with Aunt Liu?

“I do not understand what you mean,” Han Li replied.

He Mi chuckled softly when Han Li interrupted. She felt as if the suffocating pressure from before had somewhat lifted.

“How about a game of Go after dinner?”

A game of Go? What a joke. Han Li had never won against He Mi; why would he seek out such torment?

“Maybe another day. My mind’s been tense these past few days. I plan to have a small drink tonight and then sleep well.”

“Then I’ll come find you another day.”

“Uh... okay.”

Back home, Han Li not only started fermenting some wine from grapes but also truly indulged in a small drink before going to sleep.

The next morning, when the morning star still hung high in the sky, he rose refreshed from the kang bed.

People are forgetful; today, everyone seemed to have returned to their usual state.

For Han Li, it was another day of slacking off, but at quitting time, the team leader gathered everyone for a meeting.

He first recounted recent events and then went on at length before finally saying:

“Tomorrow is the big market day in the county town. Considering that autumn harvest is approaching, anyone who needs to prepare can go have a look.”

Although Captain Liang said this, few actually went to the county town; most simply did not want to waste their work points.

Even the educated youth who wanted to go were few because, as the season progressed, work points became more valuable.

During the autumn harvest, if one didn’t work well, the team would deduct points—and heavily at that.

Sometimes, after a day’s work, one would still lose several days’ worth of points.

Hao Hongmin and her group did take leave, but they planned to just lie down at home for the day.

---

Han Li first exchanged with villagers for two bags, filling them with mountain produce to send home the next day.

Then he took a small jar to the beehive to gather some honey, pairing it with a finely carved statue he had made from premium pine seeds—perfect gifts for Aunt Liu.

Early the next morning, Han Li set off in a bullock cart, which was quite full with people carrying bags and baskets.

After all, this market was important to many, as numerous goods could be legally traded there.

Even small industrial products like wash basins and enamel cups, which ordinary villagers rarely used, were available, though larger items like thermoses were not permitted.

Han Li first went to the post office to send his goods home, then took his gifts to Aunt Liu’s house.

“You finally decided to come! I was nearly scared to death when I heard that the educated youth from Shanghe Village had gotten into trouble,” Aunt Liu scolded him immediately, then went on to update him on recent developments, advising him to be cautious.

She also shared the outcome of Zhang San and others’ cases, and news about what had happened in Shanghe Village, which had reduced the number of educated youth there. More were to be sent from above.

When she saw the small statue Han Li brought, Aunt Liu, unusually delighted, examined it carefully before saying,

“You haven’t been warned about Zhang San’s incident? Even if you have this skill, don’t make such statues anymore.”

Han Li hurried to explain that he made the statue before Zhang San’s trouble and promised not to make them lightly in the future.

The statue was useful even just as a household ornament, and the honey suited Aunt Liu’s tastes, so she accepted the gifts without hesitation.

Aunt Liu then rose and went to a nearby cabinet, retrieving a small crossbow and a book, which she handed to Han Li.

“I didn’t mention when you last killed a wolf, and now you’ve personally helped kill a wild boar. I knew you weren’t one to keep quiet. To increase your safety, I had someone find you this crossbow. Don’t be fooled by its size; it packs quite a punch and shoots three bolts in rapid succession. With two quivers of bolts, it should suffice for most situations. Take it for self-defense.”

This was exactly what Han Li had been thinking about—getting a crossbow. He hadn’t expected Aunt Liu to find one for him.

This weapon was excellent: unlike firearms, it made no loud noise, maximizing his safety in the mountains.

Now that he had this model, he could replicate it anytime, though the cost would be a headache for a while.

Seeing Han Li engrossed in playing with the crossbow and barely glancing at the book, Aunt Liu seemed slightly annoyed.

---

“Stop always thinking about swords and guns. This barefoot doctor’s manual—study it carefully. By spring at the latest, the village will recruit a batch of medical workers. You’ll take an exam at the commune first, and if you pass, you’ll receive further training at the county level. Though barefoot doctors are both farmers and medics, without official status or salary at first, you can use gathering and preparing medicinal herbs as an excuse to avoid fieldwork openly. So study hard. Once you succeed, I won’t have to worry about your mother nagging me in her letters.”

“You want me to be the village doctor?”

“Yes, but the public image must be spotless. If you fail the commune exam at the start, be careful.”

Han Li responded with enthusiastic flattery, expressing deep gratitude.

When Aunt Liu planned to take him home for a meal, Han Li quickly said he had promised a comrade to go to the market together.

Before leaving, Aunt Liu gave him several vouchers—his debts of gratitude seemed to grow endlessly!

Han Li hid the crossbow in his basket, covering it with other items.

His first stop was the scrap station; after wandering around, he found nothing valuable.

He bought a bundle of old newspapers, some scrap iron and iron sheets, then left.

Then he reached the market proper, which was bustling with people.

Various mountain goods, vegetables from private plots, and occasionally baskets with eggs were on offer, mostly exchanged for grain.

Many workers from state factories discreetly sold their welfare goods there.

Han Li managed to trade for some kelp—a fine ingredient, delicious both in cold dishes and stewed with meat.

Unfortunately, his rural area wasn’t near the sea; otherwise, he could have simply gathered it from the shore.

Possibly due to the market day, even the dog sellers who usually appeared in the small woods north of town were here on the outskirts.

After some searching, Han Li, still eager to raise a dog to guard his home as the weather cooled, followed the sound of barking.

Whether to bring the dog into the mountains depended on the situation; after all, he didn’t have a strong need for a hunting dog skilled at encircling prey.