Chapter 114: Going Home

"Alright, many thanks, Captain Du."

"By the way, Brother Zhang, do you want meat or money?"

"Uh, I'll take one and a half back; I'd like to trade the rest for some things."

"Fine, I wonder what you would like to trade for, Brother Zhang?"

"Tiger Bone, Tiger Penis, and Velvet Antler."

"Tiger Bone and Velvet Antler are easy to talk about, but as for Tiger Penis... I'm afraid that's difficult. Last year, a tiger was hunted here, and the Tiger Penis was divided among the old hunters at the time; it's likely already been soaked in wine. Besides, the Wild Boar isn't enough to trade for these."

"Is that so?"

"How about this: if you aren't in a hurry, I'll stay here for two days and ask around for you."

"Done. If it's not enough, I'll add money."

"Good."

"Brother, I'll take this Wild Boar back first. I'll have Old Du send you over when the time comes."

"Alright. Dongxu, you go back too. Sort out the list and buy some local specialties, especially Frog Oil. Once I return, we'll head back to Sijiucheng."

"Alright, Uncle."

Zhang Ping'an left behind half the meat, which allowed everyone to get a larger share, and this greatly increased their favor toward him.

During the two days of waiting, Zhang Ping'an was almost submerged in the mountains. He let Huangmao the eagle out to frolic, and he himself collected quite a few good things: a roe deer, a flock of hazel grouse, a group of frogs, a flock of smews, a sika deer, and he even moved a beehive...

"Brother Zhang, I'm very sorry. That old hunter moved to the city. I've found the address for you, but you'll have to go ask him yourself."

"Alright, many thanks, Captain Du."

"It's nothing. Sorry to have kept you waiting for two days. These are Tiger Bone and Velvet Antler; I've taken the liberty of gifting them to you. I'll arrange for someone to send you back now."

"That won't do, Captain Du. We should pay what is due; this isn't something I'm buying for myself." Zhang Ping'an deliberately pointed upward.

"This... alright then. Aside from the Wild Boar Meat, give me another three million."

"Done."

"Brother, this is for you." Du Kangguo handed over a bottle of wine, looking mysterious.

"Is this Tiger Bone Wine?"

"Tiger Penis Wine, a great tonic." Du Kangguo gave him a look that every man understands.

"Alright, how much money?"

"Eh~ it's a gift. *Cough*, I still have plenty at home."

"Done, many thanks, Captain Du."

"Mm, come back and visit when you have time."

"Alright."

It was already evening when Zhang Ping'an returned to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

"Comrade, thanks. Take these cigarettes to smoke."

"Why be so polite? I'm off now."

Returning to the Reception House, Jia Dongxu had already packed quite a few local specialties.

"Uncle, I bought a lot of Frog Oil, and there's still plenty more, but I don't have enough money. The money Director Chen gave me has also been spent."

"It's fine. We have to delay one more day tomorrow; I need to find someone. This is three million; go buy some more tomorrow."

"Alright."

The next day, Zhang Ping'an found the old hunter's house based on the address.

"Comrade, who are you looking for?"

"Old man, I am a Purchasing Agent from Sijiucheng. I heard at the Lin Chang two days ago that you have a Tiger Penis on hand. I..."

"Not for sale."

"Three million."

"Pfft, not for sale."

"Five million."

"No—deal. You wait, I'll go get it for you."

"..." Damn, I offered too much.

"Little comrade, take a look. It has been preserved absolutely properly."

"Alright."

Zhang Ping'an observed it carefully. Although he had never seen one before, he could feel the aura that it was indeed a Tiger Penis, and it was very well preserved. Zhang Ping'an paid the money and was about to leave when he was called back by the old man.

"I also have a century-old ginseng, do you want it?"

"Don't want it."

He had plenty in his space, and in a few years, they would be even older than yours. The key was that this old guy wasn't honest.

"I'll give it to you cheap."

"Don't want it."

"One million."

"Deal."

"..."

Zhang Ping'an took the Wild Ginseng and examined it; it was indeed about 130 years old. He shoved one million at the old man and ran off.

Not bad, not bad. Buying a 100-plus-year-old Wild Ginseng for one million was a profit. The slight annoyance from just buying the Tiger Penis instantly vanished.

That night, at the Jilin Province Black Market, Zhang Ping'an bought two more sections of Tiger Bone, as well as a Tiger Skin and a Leopard Skin. He also hoarded five cartons of each local cigarette and some more local specialties. This trip to Jilin Province could be called a full harvest.

Not only did he over-fulfill his mission, but his space also gained different species; the ten-mu Herb Garden had already been filled with various rare medicinal herbs.

Zhang Ping'an, who had thought it was an illusion last time, sensed it carefully now; the Back Mountain of the Cottage had indeed risen by about fifty meters, and it was now over two hundred meters high, though there were no other changes.

"Brother Chen, we'll be heading off first. When you come to Sijiucheng in the future, I'll play host, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Hahaha, deal. I'll definitely look for you when I go."

Four days later at five o'clock, at the Sijiucheng station, Zhang Ping'an and his nephew got off the train, travel-worn and weary, each carrying two large parcels.

"Phew~ finally back. It's still warmer at home."

That statement was truly correct; the temperature in Sijiucheng was at least ten degrees higher than in Jilin Province, so of course it was warmer.

The two hailed a pedicab, and Zhang Ping'an found the side profile of the man wearing a hat somewhat familiar.

"Holy crap, Daniel Wu."

"Uncle, what did you say?"

"Oh, nothing."

The more Zhang Ping'an looked at this person, the more familiar he felt, so he couldn't help but ask.

"Brother, how much do you earn in a day?"

"Not much. When it's good, twenty or thirty thousand, usually around seven or eight thousand."

"That's also very good, earning more than the average office worker, and you have your freedom."

"Hi, it's not as good as you say. We brave the wind and rain; the money we earn is all hard-earned."

Zhang Ping'an inexplicably felt these words were familiar, as if he had once said similar things to Wu Qiang.

Half an hour later, Nanluoguxiang.

"Thanks, brother, have a cigarette. Dongxu, you take the things inside first; I still have something to do."

"Got it."

"Brother, what is your surname? Where should I look for you in the future?"

"This... my surname is Cai, called Cai Quanwu. I basically spend all year round squatting for work at Zhengyangmen."

"Got it, I'm Zhang Ping'an. I'll look for you when I have a need."

Zhang Ping'an's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil. No wonder he felt familiar looking at this person; this was none other than a young version of Cai Quanwu, in his early twenties, probably only five or six years older than his actual age.

It seems this place is not just a Siheyuan; the world of "Small Woman Under Zhengyangmen" has also arrived. It's just unclear if this Cai Quanwu has any connection to He Daqing, as the two looked exactly the same when they were old.

"Got it, there's a Small Tavern over at Zhengyangmen; everyone basically knows me."

"Good."

Zhang Ping'an did not enter the courtyard again and turned to go to the Pharmacy. With two extra parcels in his hands, Zhang Ping'an did not go in directly but entered through the side door.

He prepared to give Wang Xiaoling a surprise. Originally, he had estimated it would take a month, but this round trip only took half the time, which was a big surprise for Wang Xiaoling.

"Mistress, these are local specialties I brought back from Jilin Province."

"Good, good, good. Don't spend money recklessly in the future; save it for when you and Xiao Ling get married."

"Alright, Mistress, I'll listen to you."

Grandma Wang shook her head and said no more. Zhang Ping'an answered like this every time, yet he would bring things back every time he went on a business trip; she was both gratified and pained by the money spent.

Wang Xiaoling came over after work to see her grandmother, only to see a familiar back facing her.

"Zhang Ping'an." Ignoring her grandmother's presence, Wang Xiaoling hugged his waist from behind. Zhang Ping'an hugged her back and stroked her head.

"Hehe, alright, aren't you happy that I came back early?"

"Mm, happy."

"Ahem."

"Master."

"Grandpa."

"Mm."

"Master, this time I obtained quite a few good things in Jilin Province: one stalk of Centennial Wild Ginseng, quite a bit of Tiger Bone, and a Tiger Skin."

"You kid, you just spend money recklessly. Buying the Wild Ginseng and Tiger Bone is fine, but the Tiger Skin is a pure waste; an ordinary person can't use that thing."

"I just couldn't help myself when I saw it."

"Tiger Skin? Where is it? Let me see."