novelraw Chapter 38: Veterinarian
Chapter 38: Veterinarian
Chapter 38: Veterinarian
The merchant's courtyard.
Dinner hadn't been served yet, but Wen Gu returned and addressed the matter everyone cared about most – distributing candy.
As agreed beforehand, everyone would be rewarded according to their labor.
"Additionally, to celebrate a bountiful harvest today, every child will receive half a piece of candy."
Children aged twelve and thirteen were also included.
The three families all had children. County Lieutenant Zhou's family had more, but he contributed more today and was the one who first found the maltose candy. No one disagreed with him getting a larger share.
With so many supplies found today, the quality of dinner improved. He Da even proactively offered to cook from a common pot once his share of supplies was distributed.
During dinner, Wen Gu informed everyone of the upcoming arrangements.
They had a general understanding of the situation in the town now and would be staying here for three to four days, longer than originally planned."The further north we go, the less likely we are to encounter small towns with available supplies and few evil creatures. We should stock up on more things and let everyone recuperate here for a few days."
There were children in the team, and they were physically weaker.
Others also expended energy searching for supplies and killing evil creatures, requiring extra rest.
Neither adults nor children could afford to get sick at this time.
Now that they had salt, sugar, and had found food, they should eat well and recover.
The livestock pulling the carts needed to eat concentrated feed to have the strength to pull heavy loads, let alone people.
Continuous exertion would wear anyone down. Moreover, He Da and Yu Er, among others, hadn't engaged in much strenuous activity before joining the team and needed time to recover.
As the ancestors said, "Constant physical exertion without rest leads to exhaustion; constant use of the mind leads to fatigue; fatigue leads to depletion."
Of course, this rest didn't mean doing nothing.
They didn't need to be on edge or rush constantly. Doing other things would be relatively relaxed.
By the campfire, Wen Gu began assigning tasks.
He wanted every team member to have a clear idea of their role and what they could do.
The previous night, tasks were assigned, and the next morning, team members woke up and went about their duties.
Even the Cheng family members who had sought them out were swiftly assigned tasks by Wen Gu.
Those who were previously lost, grieving, unfamiliar, or timid set aside their emotions.
It had now been proven that working within this team indeed yielded food. Not just grain, but also salt, sugar, and clothing – things they could see and taste, tangible items!
Knowing what to do and what they would receive provided them with a sense of security.
Cheng Zhi, being a local with a good memory, provided a lot of crucial information, saving them a significant amount of time.
Besides the wheelbarrow from the merchant's, they collected broken cart parts from various places.
When the wealthy households left town, they abandoned their broken carts. By searching around, they found usable parts for repairs. Those that needed processing would be processed.
By piecing things together, they could assemble another double-wheeled wooden cart.
During this time, Cheng Zhi brought someone over.
The newcomer wore a cloth towel covering most of his face, with hints of silver-white hair visible.
His build seemed decent.
Upon entering the courtyard, the person removed the cloth towel. He looked to be in his forties or fifties, appearing to be a quiet type.
Cheng Zhi introduced him to Wen Gu as Mr. Fu, the town's veterinarian.
Wen Gu was overjoyed.
He knew that anyone who could survive alone in such a small place at this time must have a special skill!
A veterinarian!
What a talent!
In this era, veterinarians were generally divided into official and private practitioners.
There were no official veterinarians here.
Cheng Zhi told Wen Gu that when his family came looking for them, they had incidentally checked on a few nearby households. Those who had previously survived were now only being responded to by Mr. Fu.
Several months ago, Cheng Zhi's brother was nearly attacked by an evil creature while searching for food outside, and Mr. Fu had saved him. They had no contact afterward and lived their separate lives. Before today, they weren't even sure if Mr. Fu was still alive.
Upon learning that the Cheng family intended to flee north, Mr. Fu, after some consideration, decided to join them.
Cheng Zhi had a good impression of the man who had saved his brother. Fearing that Wen Gu might turn him away, he quickly recounted more of their past interactions to Wen Gu.
"Our town used to have only two veterinarians," Cheng Zhi said in a low voice to Wen Gu as he walked aside.
"My family didn't interact much with Mr. Fu before. I usually studied at the academy in the county town, so I didn't know much about matters in the town, only hearing scattered rumors..."
Cheng Zhi told Wen Gu that of the two veterinarians in town, Mr. Fu had formally apprenticed and learned his craft. While his medical skills might not match those of famous physicians, he was considered quite good in town.
However, in terms of popularity and business, the other veterinarian was more successful.
"The other veterinarian... practiced witchcraft and cast spells!" Cheng Zhi was quite surprised when he mentioned this. He had only focused on his studies before and hadn't known about such things, only hearing about them from his mother.
Wen Gu eagerly asked, "What about the one who practiced witchcraft?"
Cheng Zhi pursed his lips, "County Lieutenant Zhou and his men shot him."
Wen Gu: "...Oh."
He understood. The one who practiced witchcraft was possessed by evil spirits.
The one who practiced witchcraft must have had professional skills to be in business in town for so many years, perhaps with a cover of mysticism. He might have even had knowledge of chemical medicines.
What a pity.
Looking at his current predicament, Mr. Fu seemed more cautious and meticulous.
"Mr. Fu is not good with words, but his medical skills are adequate," Cheng Zhi recommended again.
Wen Gu invited Mr. Fu into the courtyard and asked him a few simple questions, asking him to check if the three livestock in their team needed any special care.
Testing his professional knowledge, Wen Gu then asked him, "We don't have a doctor in our team. If someone falls ill, could you examine them?"
Veterinarians like him would likely have a better understanding of medicinal materials and could probably advise on simple illnesses and their remedies.
Mr. Fu carefully examined the cow's hoof. Upon hearing Wen Gu's question, he replied, "Yes. People are no different from cattle and horses."
Wen Gu: "..." Honestly, why speak so crudely!
I understand your meaning, but it easily leads to misunderstandings when said aloud.
No wonder his business wasn't as good as the other one's; not only did he not know how to put on a show, but he also offended people with his words.
Professional talent must be retained. Wen Gu assigned him responsibility for caring for the three livestock, and he was also in charge of mixing their feed.
Of course, the person originally responsible for this task was there to assist.
The three livestock were precious assets to the team, and they couldn't afford any losses. Whether this newcomer could be trusted remained to be observed, and a familiar face needed to keep an eye on things.
In the current team, those who started fires for cooking, worked together on small tasks, and cared for livestock and mixed feed became acquainted through increased interaction.
The Cheng family, after two days, had a healthier complexion, appeared more energetic, with a sparkle in their eyes, and got along well with everyone, showing less distance and wariness.
Daoist Master Qingyi needed some other tools for refining coarse salt and vinegar.
Existing tools could be utilized, and for those that were missing, they would try to make them, unless the process was too difficult.
Blacksmith Yu was assigned tasks by Wen Gu.
Although the conditions were limited, skills decline without practice, so he shouldn't let his become rusty.
Blacksmith Yu, with his tools of various sizes, was constantly hammering and shaping.
On the other hand, Daoist Master Qingyi, responsible for refining salt and vinegar, was feeling frustrated.
Why did he only focus on wealthy households before?
Because wealthy households could quickly procure what he needed, and if they didn't have it, they would pay a high price to buy it. Now the conditions were different, and they could only barely manage with those shabby, cobbled-together junk!
The results of his refining were unsatisfactory. In the past, presenting them would have been a disgrace to his reputation.
Given these poor conditions, he didn't even want to look at the refined products a second time!
"This is all there is!"
Use it if you want, or don't! Wen Gu showed no disdain for the refined products.
"I'm sorry to trouble you, Daoist Master!"
Wen Gu consoled him, "When we reach the northern lands in the future, I will procure all the alchemy room equipment, jars, crucibles, cauldrons, stoves, and pots for you!"
Daoist Master Qingyi chuckled, "Do you think I don't know what you're plotting?"
He thought to himself: With the "dog scholar's" capabilities, he might actually be able to get all these things for him.
Well... I can also wait until everything is gathered, and then refuse to accept the "dog scholar's" challenge; he won't be able to do anything to me then!
Thinking that the "dog scholar" still had high utility value, the Daoist Master's mood improved slightly.