Chapter 62: Holy Monk 28 (Wool Clothing Sweeps the Grassland)

Holy Monk 28 (Wool Clothing Sweeps the Grassland)

The snacks made by Jiang Si Yin were very popular with Sang Ya's family.

He deliberately picked out the snacks with less sugar and handed them to Sang Ya's mother: "My father said, pregnant women shouldn't eat too much sweet; it's bad for both body and child."

Sang Ya's mother took the snacks with a smiling squint; the child before her was extremely pretty, with red lips and white teeth, plus a baby-fat face like a mochi ball, cute and lively, pleasing to look at.

She hoped her unborn child would have three-tenths of Ba Tu's good looks.

"Ba Tu, I have memorized the Song of Medicinal Herbs." Sang Ya wiped her hands with a cloth and solemnly took out a medical book.

This medical book was hand-copied by the master; before each opening she would wipe her hands again and again, fearing to dirty it accidentally.

Not to mention on the grassland, I heard that in the Central Plains medical books are also very expensive.

Jiang Si Yin sat down, took out a sand tray, and said, "You recite while memorizing; I'll check to see if you know all the characters."

Facing the sand tray, Sang Ya wrote out each character from memory.

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Outside the tent came the voices of A Ke Shan and his little companions; hearing that Jiang Si Yin had arrived, they came over to play with him.

Jiang Si Yin looked embarrassed: "I have to teach Sister Sang Ya medicine, no time to play with you; why not come to my house tonight?" Surely his father won't be stingy with the candle money, so we can play late into the night.

The companions who entered saw Sang Ya memorizing the Song of Medicinal Herbs, and all looked reverent.

"Ba Tu, do you know medicine?" A Ke Shan asked in surprise; Ba Tu had just returned to his monk father not long ago—has he already learned medicine?

Jiang Si Yin laughed: "No, I'm still learning from my father; I'll teach Sister Sang Ya after I've mastered it."

His father had said that teaching Sang Ya would help him review the old and learn the new; once Sang Ya's study progress catches up, they can study together.

Jiang Si Yin was full of confidence, thinking he was so smart that Sister Sang Ya would surely not be able to keep up with his pace.

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Several Hu children glanced at each other; they were all lower-class Hu kids—who doesn't know the status of shamans on the grassland? They are respected and never lack food or drink.

A Ke Shan's throat felt a little dry; he involuntarily swallowed, ultimately unable to suppress his desire.

He whispered: "Ba Tu, can I study with you?"

Going to ask the master to study, they wouldn't dare; the shamans on the grassland are all queuing up to learn medicine from the master! Ba Tu is different—he's their playmate, they get along well, maybe he'd be willing to teach them.

Jiang Si Yin was quite surprised, then became happy: "If you call me Master, I'll teach you."

When the parrot taught him to study, it was pompous and arrogant; now that he has disciples, he can also put on airs like the parrot.

The kids didn't mind these things at all; they immediately seized the opportunity, shouting loudly, "Master!"

Children don't understand things, but adults certainly cannot be oblivious.

After learning of this, the parents of these children came to Master Xuanji's tent, bringing tuition fees, their faces full of apprehension.

In the Central Plains, an apprentice wanting to learn something must work for the master for ten years without pay; on the grassland, knowledge is even rarer—learning from a shaman, the apprentice must support the master in old age.

On the grassland, the "cheap elderly"—when food is scarce, the first to be sacrificed are the old, but shamans are absolutely excluded.

Especially the older, more experienced shamans are the most precious wealth of each tribe; they are provided for and revered, leaving no room to dare sacrifice them casually.

Who wouldn't want to become a shaman who won't be abandoned? But there's no way in.

Upon hearing that Ba Tu would teach the companions knowledge, the parents were happy yet worried that Ba Tu doesn't understand things, and the master might object, after all it's such precious knowledge.

Master Xuanji's expression was gentle: "As a poor monk I already have a disciple, I can't take another! As for Ba Tu, he and his friends are merely exchanging knowledge, not taking on disciples." He said frankly, "Ba Tu has always been grateful to everyone, never looking at them with disdain, especially those friends who interact with him as equals; because of them, he has lived happily on the grassland."

The master's words finally put these parents at ease; they secretly rejoiced that they hadn't discriminated against Ba Tu for being from the Central Plains and forbidden their children from associating with him.

Jiang Si Yin sat on the edge of the bed; his companions were giving him a shoulder rub, a leg knead, and holding milk tea to his lips.

He proudly lifted his head: "I already said, my father definitely has no objection; do you believe me now?"

His companions wore fawning smiles, blowing rainbow flattery; A Ke Shan went further: "It's because our feelings are good; I suggest we foster feelings by sleeping together with Ba Tu tonight!"

Jiang Si Yin jumped up and refused: "Don't even think about it; you won't get on my bed without washing!"

The companions didn't care; they all jumped onto his bed, making him shout angrily: "You're bullying the teacher and destroying the ancestors!"

Fortunately the quilt on the bed had been folded to one side, not rolled over by them; otherwise he'd never finish with them!

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The weather grew colder; Jiang He took out several woolen garments.

Although the colored ones are the most expensive and most popular, he still prefers white.

Of course this is related to his wanting to maintain an immortal image; look at him in white monk robes—spotless, making him seem especially ethereal; colored clothing doesn't suit his current high monk image.

Besides, it's said that in modern society when filming xianxia dramas they all like the funeral style, because white is the most ethereal!

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Children have strong inner fire; Jiang Si Yin previously didn't feel cold, so he didn't wear woolen clothes.

Not counting the chance to try on clothes, today is his first time wearing a woolen garment; the feeling is indeed unusual, he tucked his face into the collar and exclaimed: "Really warm, but if it touches the skin it will itch."

Jiang He glanced and explained: "That's because the yarn is too coarse; if it were a cashmere garment…… cashmere clothing is also not recommended to wear underneath."

He felt it necessary to mention to the emperor that the woolen garment industry shouldn't be overly restricted; besides wearing them as inner layers, they can also be outer coats, hats, wool pants, socks… in short, letting the whole grassland raise sheep is best.

Jiang Si Yin put on his new woolen garment, went out to show off properly to his companions, and they were all envious.

Recently woolen garments have become popular on the grassland; families who dote on their children buy them woolen clothes, making this the latest item for children to show off and compare this winter.

Although his father is a monk, in terms of showing off Jiang Si Yin never loses to anyone.

Among the surrounding small tribes, few children can afford woolen garments; Jiang Si Yin's companions are quite envious of him, saying, "My parents said that next year, when wool sells for money, they'll buy me a woolen garment."

One child added: "Next year I want to plant more black feather grass and oat, and raise lots of cattle and sheep."

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"I want to go hunting; wolf and fox pelts are worth money!" said a brave boy. He stubbornly avoided looking at his companions' woolen garments, knowing his family was poor and couldn't afford them, but if they went hunting, with just strength they could definitely bring down prey.

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Compared to those companions' envious gazes, he would rather see everyone able to wear woolen garments.

"All right, let's study." He encouraged the little companions around him, "Once everyone becomes a skilled witch-doctor, we'll be able to buy anything."

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To be honest, these medical books are all in Central Plains script, and they're really hard to read, but nobody gives up; even if they wanted to give up, their parents would beat them with sticks until they dare not have such a thought, after all, on the grasslands there are plenty of children who want to join.

They still owed this hard-won opportunity to getting along well with Ba Tu.

When these children study, if they don't understand something, they will also ask Sang Ya, who understands it first.

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"Let me take a look."

Sang Ya learned the fastest and best of everyone; when those people saw Jiang Si Yin busy and didn't dare disturb him, they went to ask Sang Ya, and Sang Ya would answer for them.

Every time Jiang Si Yin looked at these little companions with the feeling of "hating iron for not becoming steel," seeing that even a girl surpassed them, he thought, "How promising!"

Among these little companions, some learn quickly, naturally some learn slowly; for the first time Jiang Si Yin felt that teaching and nurturing people is a painful affair.

"I'm really jealous of you." He said to the parrot nibbling dried fruit beside him.

Winter arrived, and the parrot shrank inside the tent, hardly ever going out.

Hearing Jiang Si Yin's words, it let out a bewildered "ga".

Jiang Si Yin complained, "Your students are far easier to teach than mine; I truly envy you for having such smart, eager, and progressive students—you don't need to exert any effort!"

The parrot couldn't help but tilt its head, its black-bean eyes puzzled, "Aren't my students just you?"

Damn it, turns out this kid is praising himself in a roundabout way—what shamelessness!

After finally seeing off the studying little companions, the sky had already darkened.

Listening to the howling wind outside, Jiang Si Yin hugged his pillow and ran to his father's room, "Dad, I want to sleep with you tonight." Since sleeping with his father, he no longer likes sleeping alone; in such cold weather, his father's body is like a furnace, and sleeping beside him is very warm!

Jiang He responded casually without looking up: "You go to sleep first; Dad still has some work to do."

He took out his son's clothes and found the sewing kit.

Jiang Si Yin lay in bed, tossing and turning unable to sleep; he gazed at the tent ceiling and murmured, "Dad, Central Plains people always imagine the Hu people as uncivilized barbarians, calling them ignorant of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame… The grasslands are truly too poor; Dad, you said our risk-resistance ability is terrible—if we want to know propriety, at the very least we need full granaries…"

"Look, A Ke Shan and them are no different from those Central Plains kids; they also play when their bellies are full, they're just as happy when eating candy, and when the tribal elders have troubles, they're also willing to help…"

Jiang Si Yin turned onto his side, looking at the monk father sitting before the bed under the lamp.

The monk father's face in the dim yellow lamplight was smooth and lustrous, flawless like jade; he lowered his head to sew his own trousers, having played too wildly with those little companions, his clothes often torn here and ripped there.

No matter how many times he saw this scene, Jiang Si Yin felt his heart warm; if it weren't deep love, how could his father personally sew clothes for him?

"So Dad brought oats to the grasslands." Jiang He put the mended trousers on the bedside stool, turned to the child, and said, "You don't need to think too much; the Hu people raised you for three years, Dad will repay them with spring water, seeking a future of food and clothing for them."

Jiang He never thought of taking Jiang Si Yin away from the grasslands and just left; regardless, the Sang Ya family saved his son, and his son's debt of karma to the Hu people is a fact.

Jiang He pondered for a moment, "How about Dad gives it a try? You come help!"

The price difference between raw wool and finished sweaters is truly huge; after gaining business experience, the eldest prince, who has become more shrewd and attentive to silver, feels heartbroken just thinking about it.

E Shi turned around and said happily, "The style is still quite nice."

The parents of the Hu little companions who studied with Jiang Si Yin were proud beyond measure.

Upon hearing this news, the Sang Ya family generously contributed their own cattle and sheep as test subjects for the father and son.

Jiang Si Yin looked at the almighty monk father with sparkling eyes, "Dad, is there a way now?"

With nothing to do in winter, the Hu people gather during the day to sit by the fire and chat; hearing about this novelty, they all came over to see Sang Ya's experimental sheep.

Sang Ya smiled at the corners of her mouth, "Father, I've discovered that cattle and sheep love to eat oat stalks; I'm now mixing black feather grass with oat stalks and feeding it to them, and they eat it with gusto. Next year we'll plant more oats, collect all the stalks, and then we won't fear drought."

A certain monk father also didn't let go of his son's cavity; anyway, this month's snacks are gone, he will learn a sufficient lesson.

"Winter mutton isn't tasty." Jiang Si Yin muttered.

The master is so formidable; if their children just learn a move or two, the livestock they raise in the future will definitely be better than others'.

"Not like silk either."

"Only next year will there be a way."

The second and third princes lowered their heads, calculated the price difference, and were practically exploding with anger as they slammed the case table, saying, "These hateful Central Plains people actually bought our wool at cabbage prices, then sold sweaters to us at nearly a hundred times the price!"

"The weather's too cold, I forgot to brush my teeth." He said, wheezing, unable to lift his head.

"Ba Tu, come over for a cup of milk tea." Sang Ya went to bring him milk tea; their household now has plenty of supplies, and she likes to make her milk tea sweet.

The left and right worthy princes nodded at the eldest prince, "Chanyu, we need to send spies to the Central Plains to investigate how these sweaters are made."

Jiang Si Yin and Sang Ya also went out, along with those little companions; since there's nothing to do in winter, we might as well go put it into practice.

Families with children were weighing whether to let their kids become disciples of Ba Tu; the master dotes so much on his own children that his disciples would surely also be willing to give them a bit of guidance, right?

The king's tent instantly erupted in an uproar.

"Dad, Sang Ya sister said their cattle and sheep have gotten thin in winter; do you have a solution?" Jiang Si Yin hastily changed the subject, secretly praying his father would forget this matter—he hadn't had sweet snacks in days.

"……"

But everyone knew the old Chanyu definitely had something to say, so none dared to let loose.

His living habits are actually quite good; it's just that those few days saw heavy snow, the bed was warm, and he fell asleep and forgot.

The Chanyu rubbed his clothes over and over, then told the guards outside the door, "Call a few princes over, and also the left and right worthy princes."

Sang Ya, who had come specially to check, forced a smile: "Ba Tu, even if he's dead, it's fine—the meat is still edible."

Jiang Si Yin couldn't help but blush.

After eating and drinking to their fill, the old Chanyu wiped his hands clean of grease and asked in a deep voice, "How many of you are wearing sweaters?"

"This year's not bad; at least our cattle and sheep have survived." Sang Ya's father said gratefully, "Thanks to the master, we harvested lots of black feather grass, dried it, and it's excellent fodder; compared to previous years, our cattle and sheep aren't really thin."

This is inevitable.

The old Chanyu couldn't help but glance approvingly at his eldest son, then said in a deep voice, "Not bad, it's exactly wool! And it's wool purchased from the grasslands."

After finishing the meal, Jiang Si Yin rubbed his stomach and said, "I'm full."

The eldest prince sighed, "I don't know what method those Central Plains people used, but this wool has no flavor at all."

Translation: "The second and third princes lowered their heads in disbelief, sniffed the smell of the woolen clothes on themselves, there was not a hint of mutton odor—how could it possibly be wool?"

Check: we kept "second and third princes". Good.

"At noon, the grilled meat in front of them was fragrant, the milk tea was also delicious, and it was a rare sweet milk tea; those who didn't like milk tea could drink alcohol instead."

the milk tea was also delicious, and it was a rare sweet milk tea

"On the way back, Heshang Die had just brewed tea; Jiang Si Yin plopped down, looked left and right, and said, 'Dad, any snacks?'"

Heshang Die had just brewed tea

"Everyone in the King's Tent was filled with righteous indignation, loudly cursing the despicable Central Plains people."

We used "King's Tent". Good.

"If there were enough food, the elderly wouldn't be abandoned, right?"

the old person wouldn't be abandoned, would they?

"Let's just drink salty tea; Ba Tu really, why does he love sweet things so much?"

let's just drink salty tea—Batu really, why does he love sweet things so much?

"Lao Chanyu pulled open the collar of his outer robe, letting everyone see the woolen garment he wore underneath."

We used "Lao Chanyu". Good.

"'Dad, re-really won't eat dead sheep?' his voice trembled a bit."

We kept the stutter. Good.

"Heshang Die gave him an extremely refreshing smile: 'Child, you don't know why there are no snacks?'"

an extremely refreshing smile

"Jiang Si Yin was naturally pleased to be able to help."

"Sang Ya put the sugar jar back, 'Forget it, let's drink butter tea today!'"

"Jiang He was full of confidence: 'No, Xiao Yin, you need to have faith in your father.'"

"Jiang He patted the child's head, 'Go to sleep, Dad will keep you company.'"

"Shu Wu Chanyu also put on the woolen garment; he jumped up and down on the ground, exhaled, and laughed, 'This garment is really warm!'"

"Jiang He couldn't stand the noise and would rather go out to see patients."

"If a mixture of corn, peanuts, and similar items is used as feed, livestock can be fed year-round, and drought need not be overly worried about."

"At that moment, Lao Chanyu's face darkened: 'Do you all know what the woolen garment is made of?'"

"Even after staying on the grassland for so long, he still wasn't accustomed to the butter tea here; it just felt weird in his mouth."

"In the anxious wait of Sang Ya's family, they discovered that the sheep used as an experimental subject not only hadn't died, but had actually gained some weight compared to before the experiment."

"Jiang He almost wanted to sigh, 'What I made isn't poison.' These two kids really lack faith in him."

"Everyone glanced at each other, realizing that almost everyone had put on the woolen garment, only unlike the Consort who wore it directly on the outside, they wore it underneath their clothes."

"They looked at each other and tentatively guessed, 'Cotton?'"

"Wool isn't very useful on the grassland, but in the Central Plains it becomes a way to make money."

"His foster father, Heshang Die, worried he wasn't getting enough nutrition, had him go to his foster parents' place to eat meat every few days; today the foster parents were making stewed lamb, cooked till tender and fragrant, and he could drink two bowls of the broth."

every few days

"'Dad really is all‑capable!' Jiang Si Yin started bragging about his father again, completely forgetting how doubtful he'd been just a few days prior."

"The Eldest Prince was the sharpest; he slowly said, 'Wool—this is made from wool!'"

"As soon as this new feed was introduced, Jiang He's tent temple welcomed another wave of pilgrims."

"Just discard the entrails and it's fine."

"If he simply took his son away like this, then when Great Celebration and the Hu people go to war again in the future, his son would likely be put in a difficult, painful position."

"Her woolen garment was specially woven in the style most popular among the Hu people, bright in color and warm, representing her identity—no one else could wear it."

"The price needs to be right; if it's too low they feel they're losing out, if it's too high they worry they won't sell it, after all they don't know how to spin wool into thread, let alone weave woolen garments."

"Immediately everyone discussed the price of wool."

"After all, in previous years there hadn't been nearly so much dry fodder."

"Unlike past winters, when thick animal‑skin coats still felt cold when worn, this woolen garment is truly warm—there's no need to bundle up excessively."

"Soon everyone gathered in the King's Tent."

"Sang Ya's hand holding the sugar jar paused; she sternly asked, 'Ba Tu, did you ruin your teeth again?'"

"Anyway, it's not like sesame."

"Sang Ya's father passed the tender, rotting lamb meat to his wife; compared to stew, he preferred roasted meat, but winter lamb is too lean, lacking fat, so roasting it makes it dry and tough—stew is still better."

"Jiang He said, 'There's too little oat; when we plant more next year, we'll mix wheat bran, oat stalks, bone powder, salt, etc., and the livestock won't lose muscle—they'll actually gain it.'"

"Jiang Si Yin immediately put on a pained expression: 'Forget it, I'm not drinking; I'll go back to the temple and have plain tea with my dad.'"

"Sang Ya set down her bowl contentedly: 'What can we do? Without fresh fodder, livestock will get skinny in winter.'"

"His companions also blindly followed suit, and with Jiang Si Yin's help, after returning home they also produced the same feed."

"'Father King, I think mastering woolen‑garment technology in the hands of the grassland people is the best policy.' The Eldest Prince, extremely far‑sighted, said, 'Rather than selling wool at a high price, it's better to sell the woolen garments to the Central Plains.'"

"What happened in the King's Tent in no way affected elsewhere."

"Jiang He cut the dried black feather grass short, soaked it in alkaline solution, and, to Jiang Si Yin's astonishment, also added milk and some stone ash."

"After everyone's emotions calmed, Lao Chanyu said, 'Next year Central Plains merchants will come to collect the wool; we must raise the price!'"

"'After rehydrating the dried black feather grass, tossing it with vinegar makes a delicious cold dish.' Sang Ya's mother smiled, her eyes narrowing; since becoming pregnant she especially loves sour foods, and most of the cold‑dressed black feather grass on the table is eaten by her."

"This wasn't the first time he'd ruined his teeth; previously Sang Ya's father had bought candy for him and Sang Ya, but Sang Ya doted on her younger brother, giving him all the candy, so he had once ruined a tooth—luckily he later lost it and a good tooth grew in its place."

"He secretly thought, 'What you fear won't happen; in this lifetime no one can force you to pick a side, and a situation where gratitude and duty conflict won't befall you.'"

"Furthermore, no matter what, the fact that his son was rescued by the Hu people remains true; even if he returns to Great Celebration, having this experience, wanting to become an official through the imperial exams would also be a major problem."

"Jiang Si Yin immediately became as quiet as a chicken; he swore that even if hail fell from the sky, he would remember to brush his teeth."

"'Sang Ya, don't put in too much sugar.' Sang Ya Niang reminded her daughter, 'If Ba Tu eats too much sugar, his teeth will hurt again.'"

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