Chapter 53: Entering the Mountains to Search for Medicine

  Ma Hui and Xiang Nan sent Tang Zheng and Song Yan to the hotel entrance together. As early as when they came out of the police station, Tang Zheng's car had driven here from Renmin Street.

  Such a powerful car, such an extreme license plate number. This also made Ma Hui and Xiang Nan both look at each other in surprise. Being able to get such a cool license plate in Zhonghai City isn't something that can be done just by having money. This further confirmed the speculation in Ma Hui's mind. Tang Zheng must have a strong background.

  Watching the car leave, Xiang Nan, as Ma Hui's confidant, cautiously asked: "Secretary, what is this Tang Zheng's background? When did our county produce such a figure? I've never heard of him before."

  Ma Hui did not turn around, his eyes still fell on the direction of Tang Zheng's departure, and he muttered: "To the south, this relationship with Tang Zheng must be maintained well. Why he is a person from Huaiyang County I am not clear. However, what I want to say is that this person is unfathomable."

  The conversation here was no longer what Tang Zheng cared about. He drove the car directly to the entrance of Huan County No. 1 Middle School. Song Shimin and his son had already been put in prison. Next, they would definitely be severely punished. With what these two father and son had done, plus the strong pressure from Li Chunyu and Song Yan's family, it was certain that the second half of their lives would be spent in prison.

  Because he had been there the day before, the gatekeeper was also very understanding when he entered again. At this time, it happened to be after the first class in the afternoon. Tang Zheng went straight to Tang Qing's classroom.

  As soon as Tang Zheng saw him, Tang Ke rushed up and hugged him tightly: "Big brother, you're okay, that's great."

  Feeling the strong concern of his little sister, Tang Zheng also smiled and said, "For the sake of family, everything is worth it." He patted his little sister's back and whispered, "Xiao Feng, a young lady should be dignified. Your classmates are all watching."

  "Hmph, look at them, hugging their own brother, what's the big deal?" Tang Ke wrinkled his nose, completely nonchalant.

  He handed back their phones, and Tang Zheng smiled: "Little Feng, big brother is making money now, so you must take good care of yourself. The college entrance exam is coming up soon, don't forget to supplement your nutrition. If you're short on money, come home and ask mom and dad. I've left some money for you. After the exam in a month, big brother will take you traveling."

  Upon hearing the word "travel", Tang Ke's face lit up instantly, and he exclaimed excitedly: "Really? Then I'll go to Zhangjiajie. University is definitely not a problem, and I've already made up my mind, I want to take the entrance exam for the university that my brother attended, I want to go to Fudan."

  Tang Zheng felt a pang of sadness. Nowadays, when kids mention traveling, they don't even talk about Europe or Hawaii anymore. At the very least, it's some new place like Malaysia or Thailand. But his little sister's expectation was only Zhangjiajie within their own province. This didn't sit well with Tang Zheng, and he smiled as he nodded: "Alright, forget Zhangjiajie. Wherever you want to go, we'll all go together, including Mom, Dad, and your second brother."

  ……

  At 6 pm, Tang Zheng and Song Yan finally drove back to Tangjiaba Village. In the county town, Tang Zheng bought a lot of fresh fruits, including lychees, longans, bananas, watermelons, etc., almost every kind available at the fruit stand. His parents had worked hard for so many years and never indulged in anything. As their child, it was the least he could do to show his filial piety.

  After dinner, Tang Zheng, Song Yan and Tang Da Hai sat in the main room. Tang Zheng said stiffly: "Dad, these days, I and Lao Xiao are going to enter the mountain. This time, I came back mainly to see you, Mom and Little Sister. In addition, I also want to find a kind of herb in the mountain."

  Tang Dahai narrowed his eyes. His son's character, Tang Dahai was clearer than anyone else. Strong career mind, filial piety. This time back, it is likely that going into the mountains to find medicine is the main purpose.

  Furrowing his brow, Tang Dahai slowly said: "Tiger son, you know the dangers in the mountains. There are mosquitoes and venomous snakes lurking about, as well as ferocious beasts like wild boars and clouded leopards... who knows if there's even an old cat..."

  Old cat, this is a southern dialect term for tiger. Tang Dahai didn't finish what he was saying, but the worried look on his face spoke volumes. The mountains are not like the outside world. Deep in the mountains and forests, it's easy to get lost, not to mention wolves, bears, wild boars, and tigers that can be fatal. As a mountain man, Tang Dahai knew the dangers of the mountains all too well.

  "Dad, it should be fine. I'll make sure to prepare thoroughly. Besides, I remember we found this herb on our side too, just at Eagle Gorge, not too far away. Don't worry, everything will be alright."

  The eldest son's personality, Tang Dahai is clear, things that are determined, no matter how difficult they will be done. Just like when he was admitted to university, but gave up and went out to work instead.

  Tang Dahai nodded after a moment of silence: "Go, but take Xiao Hei with you. This is the best mountain dog in our village."

  When it comes to Xiaohuo, Tang Zheng also has some regrets. Xiaohuo is the descendant of Dahei, who was the dog in the yard that would come back home at night. Tang Zheng raised him when he was in his first year of high school. He was the best hunting dog in the village. Now, he's almost ten years old. A dog's ten years are probably equivalent to a human's 70 or 80 years. His teeth have all fallen out, but he still diligently guards this home.

  Song Yan put on a special outdoor combat uniform, carried a large backpack, a crossbow, and outdoor cooking utensils. Tang Zheng also prepared two mountain-opening knives. Firearms have long been confiscated. Tang Zheng also took a red-tasseled spear with a wax-wood shaft.

  The next day, early in the morning, under the worry and care of his parents, he went up along the small path on the left side of the house, into the big mountain behind the house.

  The morning sunlight filters through the mountains and forests, with a scent of rotting leaves and a unique fragrance. This is the flavor of the great mountain.

  These things, for Tang Zheng, had long been a matter of course. But Song Yan was extremely excited, picking flowers and pulling grass along the way. A typical city dweller who had never seen the countryside.

  Although it has been nearly ten years, Tang Zheng still remembers the mountain road to Lao Ying Xia very clearly. By around noon, Lao Ying Xia had already appeared in front of him.

  Lao Ying Xia, a treacherous terrain deep in the Snowy Mountain Range. The peaks on both sides are steep cliffs that seem to have been cut open by a knife, forming a gorge. Even at noon, the gorge is still dark and icy. The top of the cliff on the right side looks like an eagle's beak. This is the origin of Lao Ying Xia.

  In Tang Zhen's memory, the Meng Cao should be in a slightly eastern location deep within Lao Ying Gorge. Because what he remembered most deeply was that in the entire Lao Ying Gorge, it seemed like that place had the longest and most sunlight.

  "Boss, I'm done for, absolutely done for." Behind him, Song Yan, carrying a large backpack, panted and struggled to catch up. Before he even arrived, he dropped the backpack on his back. Without any hesitation, he sat down on the ground to rest.

  Here, the actual distance is not very far. Think about it, at that time, Tang Zheng was only a fourteen or fifteen-year-old half-grown child and could run all the way here. This shows that this place is not some truly deep mountain forest. The main reason for this trip is simply that Song Yan walked a bit slower.

  "Boss, the scenery here is really too beautiful. Look at this canyon, it's like a heavenly slash, with cool breeze blowing gently. The mountain spring water flows windingly, I wonder if there are crabs and fish inside? Why don't we camp here today?" Song Yan's consideration was very casual, as long as the scenery was beautiful and his mood was comfortable, he didn't care about safety or whether there were wild beasts.

  After a moment of contemplation, Tang Zheng also considered that along the way, although there were more weeds and small animals, after all, life had improved nowadays and not many people came up to the mountain to gather firewood. Generally speaking, this side was still relatively safe. Here, it was basically still the outskirts of the big mountain.

  Tang Zheng nodded and said, "Alright, it's just noon, you're already thinking about camping tonight. Okay, Lao Yao, you choose a campsite here, I'll let Xiao Hei stay with you. I'll go take a look inside the gorge."

  Song Yan nodded excitedly, wilderness survival, this is the real wilderness, not those tourist attractions can be compared. This kind of wilderness is interesting. Along the way, Xiao Hei's skills are impressive, Song Yan has seen it, if Lao Da wasn't in a hurry to rush, rabbits and wild chickens would have been caught a lot.

  "Alright, boss, no problem, you can go. I've got this side covered."

  Looking at Song Yan's appearance, Tang Zheng burst out laughing. This kid is really inexperienced. If he had grown up here since childhood, he probably wouldn't be enjoying this so much. He said a few words to the little black dog beside him, but the little black dog was very smart and stayed by his side. Only then did Tang Zheng pick up the red-tasseled spear and mountain knife and continue walking into the gorge.

  The entire valley has a winding path, standing in the valley and looking up, it's like a one-line sky. The widest place is only more than three meters. The narrowest part is just enough for one person to pass through. Next to it, there are mountain streams and small creeks that flow down the mountain along one side of the valley, sometimes overlapping with the road.

  The entire canyon, the whole length, even Tang Zhen has not really explored. The Snowy Peak mountain range, although the average height is not high, but it is full of magic, just in Huanxian County's Snowy Peak tunnel. It has a length of more than 18 kilometers. The length of Lao Ying Gorge is casually over ten kilometers, which is not unusual.

  Following the route in his memory, he walked forward for about three kilometers and suddenly found himself standing at the edge of a small valley with an area of about one mu. On the east side was a gentle slope. Seeing this, Tang Zheng's face broke into a smile. The wild grass was still there!