Chapter 57: with translation of chapter title

A scholar's mind, after all, has read books.

Chen Luozi gave a simple explanation, and Chen Bushi understood why he was so taken with this wolf skin.

He intends to use the wolf skin to lure the wolf pack.

After briefly considering what they would do next, Chen Bushi secretly gave Chen Luozi an approving glance.

If they could really lure the wolves, the chances of success for what they plan to do next would greatly increase.

At least an eighty percent chance of victory.

「It's getting late, I'm going home to eat, you two discuss slowly. 」 Chen Wuji ignored their meaningful looks.

He hadn't thought about getting more involved in their affairs for the time being.

The hunting gains on the mountain are decent; there's no need to risk doing that capital offense business.

「Let's go back, we're heading home too. 」 Chen Bushi said.

The three parted ways at the village's small path.

In the shabby courtyard, a dim oil lamp burned; Shen Youwei sat at the doorway holding a wooden spear, yawning boredly.

Seeing a figure swaying in the distance, she repeatedly confirmed it several times before rushing over like a swallow returning to its nest.

「Husband, why are you so late again today? 」

He had caught two wolves, sold them at the village entrance, which took some time. What are you doing? Is Yuan Laoer coming again?" Chen Wuji glanced at her wooden spear, and a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Shen Youwei shook her head. "It's not him, it's a merchant. He said he wanted to find my husband; I told him my husband went into the mountains, but he wouldn't leave, staying at the doorway until dark. I worried he might be a bad person posing as a merchant, so I've been guarding here."

He indeed came to find me, and he bought the wolf skin. But being cautious is never wrong; you did well, and in these chaotic times, vigilance is indeed necessary." Chen Wuji said solemnly, "But never overreach—if you can run, it's best not to fight them; safety first."

The day Shen Youwei violently beat Yuan Laoer, Chen Wuji initially delighted that the concubine he'd found was fierce enough, but upon reflection he almost broke into a cold sweat—if Yuan Laoer had reacted that day, it would have been another story.

Shen Youwei giggled, "Husband, I still know my limits—I'll fight if I can, and if I can't, I'll definitely drag my sister away fast."

「Hmm. 」

The two entered the house one after another, and Huo Sanniang, who had heard the commotion, happened to walk out.

Shen Youwei repeated the question she had just asked, Chen Wuji repeated his explanation briefly, and he took off the game he had brought.

Especially those five little flying squirrels, Chen Wuji handled them with extreme care when he took them.

To catch these five little things, he nearly exhausted himself to death, but he couldn't afford to be careless and kill them.

「Husband, what are you catching squirrels for? Can this be eaten too? 」 Shen Youwei asked curiously.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "They're not for eating, and they're not squirrels—they have wings, can fly, and are called flying squirrels."

「This is clearly… eh, they really have wings, how cute! 」 Shen Youwei picked one up, examined it closely, and exclaimed in delight.

Huo Sanniang crouched beside them, eyes full of curiosity, "I've seen this in the mountains before; I thought it was another kind of squirrel. Wuji, since you didn't catch them to eat, what are you doing with them?"

「Raise them! 」 Chen Wuji said.

「Raise?! 」 Huo Sanniang stared.

「Wuji, although they're cute, they also consume food; we barely have enough to eat ourselves, so we probably lack the energy to raise these little critters. 」

Chen Wuji shook his head solemnly, "I'm not raising these for fun; they can make big money. These few little things will be entrusted to you from now on—you must take good care of them."

Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei looked at the five flying squirrels in the net, their poses adorable, and couldn't help but exchange glances.

They simply couldn't understand how this could make big money.

In Yunan City, the wealthy often fly hawks, walk dogs, fight cocks, and walk dogs, but no one had ever heard of keeping squirrels as a pastime.

「Wuji, how do we make money from them? 」 Huo Sanniang asked.

Her foolish husband, the things he's brought these past few days aren't too occult, yet they're becoming increasingly puzzling.

Even if Huo Sanniang racked her brains, she really couldn't fathom how such a tiny squirrel could make money.

Chen Wuji smiled, "Their droppings are the famous Five Spirit Fat, a very precious medicinal ingredient, and flying squirrels also have a lovely name: Han Hao Bird."

「Is this the Han Hao Bird? I always thought it was a large bird. 」 Shen Youwei said in surprise.

She knew the name Han Hao Bird and that its droppings are Five Spirit Fat, but she had never seen what a Han Hao Bird looks like.

She had always thought that a bird with such a mighty name must be as large as an eagle, living in the deep mountains and old forests.

Never would have thought…

It turns out they're related to squirrels.

That gap is indeed quite large.

「Its droppings… are medicine? And very precious? 」 Huo Sanniang said, somewhat confused.

Chen Wuji smiled, "Indeed it's very precious."

There are many strange things in Chinese medicine—for example, Earth Dragon is actually an earthworm, Human Middle White is human urine, Water Fairy sounds nice, but it's actually maggots. White Lilac sounds like a pretty flower, right? But it's actually feces, sparrow droppings. And there are many more like Purple River Vehicle and Crouching Dragon Liver.

Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei finally broadened their horizons.

The disparity between the names of these things and what they actually are is truly huge.

「Wuji, how do you know all this? 」 Huo Sanniang asked doubtfully.

The foolish husband is gradually becoming less foolish, and his knowledge seems to be growing ever more.

「It's what Chen Bushi said. 」 Chen Wuji offhandedly threw the blame onto Chen Bushi's head.

His condition is gradually improving; for all this knowledge he's carrying, there must be some outlet.

Once Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei get used to things for a while, they probably won't have so many questions.

Huo Sanniang finally relaxed, "Third Uncle is a scholar; he certainly knows more. Wuji, when we hunt something good another day, let's send him more—this counts as him pointing us toward a money-making path."

「……Okay. 」 Chen Wuji agreed.

The cost of passing the buck came a bit too quickly.

But the things should still be sent.

Leaving other matters aside, just during the time he was foolish, Chen Wuji ought to sincerely repay the kindness of Chen Bushi and the others' support.

"I'll go find something to corral these little ones for now, and tomorrow make a larger enclosure, but I don't know what they eat—whether they can be kept alive," Huo Sanniang said.

"Pine nuts or the like will do; I brought some when I came down the mountain, should be enough for a few days," Chen Wuji said. "Madam, you handle the food; I'll take care of this."

"The rice is already in the pot; let's clean up together. It's so dark—how can you manage alone?" Huo Sanniang said, then couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined their dung is actually a very precious medicinal material."