Chapter 116

The news that the water has soured was definitely not something to take lightly.

Water is life itself.

In the primitive, ancient, uncivilized Central Plain, the importance of water couldn’t be overstated, even if you added hundreds of asterisks to it.

In the past, during King Woo’s reign, he stabilized the world by managing the floods and establishing order in the river systems of the Central Plain.

So moved was Emperor Shun by this that he passed on the throne to him.

The three sovereigns were divine beings, while the five emperors were semi-divine, meaning that Emperor Shun was the last among the five, handing the rule over to humanity.

This was a historical moment when the emperor, a mythological figure, transitioned to being part of human possession.

In other words, the link from myth to humanity lay in water management and flood control.

Thus, the importance of water was paramount.

“What do you mean the water has soured?”

“I’m not sure. The well water from the upper reaches of Minjang has always been good for drawing, but even after checking all the wells last night, it’s the same everywhere. Only the taste of the water from the TaJang remains good, so there must be an issue with Minjang. The heroes of the Tang Family are experts in these matters, aren’t they?”

Sichuan has two rivers flowing east and west.

Since they converge into the Yangtze River, the eastern one is called TaJang River, and the western one is Minjang River.

Without the character for ‘river,’ it’s also referred to as TaJang Min River.

In the city of Chengdu, several streams flow, but among them, the main waterways are the four that split from Minjang.

The northern flowing Wunyang River is followed in order by Baikdo River, Jumagang River, and Dogang, all considered pure and clear water that supports the claim that Sichuan cuisine is the best in the Central Plain.

It’s not just a matter of how the water tastes.

The rivers of the Central Plain are generally murky, with a yellowish hue and a taste of dirt.

Clean streams suitable for drinking are a common feature in Sichuan, not so much in other regions.

“Minjang is always busy with trading boats, that’s why it’s such. But that doesn’t mean we can take it lightly. Let’s head to the Tang Family first.”

Jayu naturally led the group.

No, he tried to lead.

Qing, however, stepped back a little.

To get swept up in such a mood felt like a bitter pill for Qing to swallow.

Whether it was serious or not, Qing had no clue about the importance of rivers and flood control.

“I need to grab lunch. It’s both breakfast and lunch, so I can’t delay any longer. I’ll head in first. I’ll have lunch with Grandpa and come back.”

However, Jayu seemed to have learned how to handle Qing.

“Why look for another chef when the best chef under heaven is right here? Surely, you’d want to try cooking in the Tang Family kitchen at least once, right?”

And just like that, Baikchanga decided to play hardball.

“I’ve already declined the invitation from the Tang Family. The place I’d like to work is not Tang Family, but the kitchen of Wangfu.”

With Wang Ya standing before him, he was like a blind man unable to see what was right in front of him.

Frustrating, yet commendable words left Jayu at a loss.

Then Qing let out a huff of air.

“Friend, that conclusion is a bit awkward. Hey, chef uncle. Are you only willing to help out when it’s convenient for you? So, you won’t even give me one meal?”

As Qing reached out, Choi Riyong suddenly handed over a magic flute that appeared from nowhere.

Then Baikchanga proudly declared, “Ha ha! If you’re a chef from Sichuan, you must at least have tried your hand in the Tang Family kitchen. I’m just so curious about what kind of ingredients are there.”

—-

The Tang Family, known as Tanggata, completely owned a neighborhood inhabited solely by the Tang clan.

As soon as they stepped into Tanggata, someone from the direct Tang lineage appeared.

Was that one a tail? Shoulder meat? Or Genamchun?

Qing didn’t quite catch it, so he wasn’t sure.

But afterward, more of those brothers popped up magically; whether it was second or third, calling them would surely summon them.

Regardless, when he explained the situation, a certain Tang would nod in understanding.

“If that’s the case, we need to call the kid. She should be taking care of patients at the Tang Family clinic about now.”

“That one?”

Qing recalled Tang Nan-ah with a doubtful look.

She also had a fierce face, but something about her reminded him of Representative Ho, which made him feel uneasy about the choice.

“There’s no one in the Tang Family who handles poison as well as Nan-ah. It’s truly a gift from heaven, not just my brother speaking.”

Tang Nan-ah always carried a supply of her special concoction of poison.

Each one aimed solely at embarrassing the opponent, scary stuff to boot.

After eating it, merely taking a few breaths would activate its effect, and the antidote was tricky to figure out for such a potent poison.

For the poison makers of the clan, that the rare gift from heaven resulted in sneezing fits or tears is a bit rough on the stomach.

Tang Nan-ah was the top poison-maker of the Tang Family.

Heavenly Flower’s poison was certainly not just given because the kid was notorious for being vile and treacherous.

Of course, since the Tang Family isn’t focusing on poisons anymore, the poison makers were just existing and analyzing without advanced skills.

The Tang Family had a different focus these days.

“Wow. The clinic…”

Qing admired the massive Tang Family clinic.

The seven enormous doors opened wide, revealing a long line of patients in the vast outdoor space.

Several doctors were sitting on benches, each wearing a serious expression while treating the patients.

The aroma of medicinal broth boiling filled the air, stimulating appetite.

“This is the Seven Doors of the Tang Family clinic. Any patient can freely come and go even at night; at least two doors will be open at all times. This is also the reason there aren’t many other physicians in Chengdu.”

“Oh.”

The Tang Family’s focus was on medicine.

Since Mucheondae’s reign, there had been no enemies for the Tang Family, and thus their interest in poisonous heart was diminished.

So they freely cared for patients, often at a loss for profits for a single pulse check.

But this wasn’t charity.

Originally, medicine was a cumulative experience.

Numerous cases stacked up, which led to the explosive growth of Tang Family medicine.

Qing nodded at the idea of unlimited free care.

No wonder the contributions of the Tang Family were so prominent.

When Tang Nan-ah brushed off an appointment, the people grumbled but didn’t curse, so she must have built up goodwill.

Jayu smiled wryly.

It was also why the prince didn’t feel the need to deal with the parasites slowly eating away at his wealth.

Even though they behaved like they owned the place and engaged in minor attachments, they were the kinds that saved lives through medicine.

Unless it was something as treasonous as pilfering mines or smuggling gunpowder, one could easily overlook them.

Actually, they might be more beneficial than the Daoist sects that take without giving back.

On one side of the Tang Family clinic, as they approached Tang Nan-ah, who was taking care of women, her eyes lit up with exasperation.

“Hah, what is it? Do you think Nan-ah has nothing to do but grant your requests and watch you? What about your shame? Abandoning your pretty younger sister for some hussy, huh. Hum.”

Ah, so she really has a fierce temper.

Thought she was a bit innocent for one described as having a bad temper, but this was the unaltered version of Tang Nan-ah.

“Listen, this is about flood control, not some petty feelings…”

“What are you talking about? Just jabbering on.”

Then she sampled the water she had brought, tilting her head repeatedly before finally swallowing it.

“It’s nothing, is it? Making a fuss over small things. Ridiculous. Everyone clear out! Nan-ah is only here to see patients.”

Pretty faces might give her the right to refer to herself by her name, but if it were anyone else like the stand-in or Jin Jangmyung, they’d probably be facing a fist right about now.

In any case, she didn’t seem inclined to help, and even if she wanted to insist on treating the patients, it wouldn’t have been appropriate to stop her. Just then—

“Hmm. Here’s Nan-ah… Oh! Qing Ah, you’ve got something smeared across your face—I can see it from far away.”

Pang Choryeo arrived at the Tang Family clinic, saying she had prepared a special soup.

“Ah, hello! Good morning!”

“Morning? Qing Ah, warriors must be diligent. The sun is already high in the sky; you can’t say that. A true warrior should rise when the dawn screams and sweat it out in training.”

“Sister!”

Pang Choryeo, who didn’t seem like the type to fuss, suddenly launched into a tirade.

Fortunately, as she cut in, Tang Nan-ah dashed out and hugged her sister’s arm.

“Hehe, sister, you’re here?”

“Aww. Were you really taking care of patients? I didn’t see that coming; what a good girl you are! Well done.”

“Hehe, what are you talking about… oh?”

What’s up with that? It feels strange. Is that actually praise?

Tang Nan-ah was slightly confused in the moment.

“But I’m feeling a bit excluded. Why are you all surrounded? Qing Ah, is there some fun happening here?”

“The only fun is that the number one chef under heaven is going to serve lunch. Other than that, there’s nothing interesting, but they said the water has soured.”

At that, Pang Choryeo’s face turned serious as if the water had soured too.

Everyone except Qing understood it was a serious problem.

“That’s definitely a serious issue. Aah, so that’s why Nan-ah is trying to confirm it?”

“Of course! If not me, who else would tackle such a serious matter!”

She shot a piercing gaze, as if saying only the daring would dare speak.

Qing and Jayu exchanged glances, thinking, doesn’t she come off a bit dog-like?

There’s something about her that makes her a bit of a dog.

—-

Something did come up.

Tang Nan-ah looked surprised.

“There is a fish called Oyangjeok that carries venom. If it spreads in large quantities, it could dissolve into the water, but it wouldn’t be harmful to the body as such. If you eat it and end up getting stung by the Hongdu Sulyang Peak, then who knows? But it’s not like they live in Sichuan anyway, so there’s no need to be overly cautious here.”

“Ah! That makes sense! I thought the flavor was familiar; it was the taste of Oyangjeok! Oh?”

Baikchanga cut off Nan-ah’s words with a shout, suddenly holding his neck. He thought he was going to sneeze, but his nose began to turn red, and soon he was gushing snot.

“To think a chef would interrupt someone else’s words, hum.”

Tang Nan-ah glanced at Baikchanga with a disgusted expression.

“But seriously, is he human? He can tell just because the taste of fish in the river has changed?”

“Yongshi Qinghajeyingsuim, it’s true food reforming.”

Baikchanga wouldn’t back down even with dripping snot.

In a way, he was quite consistent.

“Anyway, Oyangjeok can’t survive the winter, so it’ll disappear after this winter. But yeah, this is a bit weird.”

Tang Nan-ah frowned cutely.

“Oyangjeok lives only in Yunnan, so it shouldn’t fit in Sichuan at all. The water itself didn’t match it either. So, how could the venom breed enough to dissolve into the water?”

“Weird indeed. There shouldn’t be that many Oyangjeok appearing in the market.”

That was an insight even a chef could comprehend.

If Oyangjeok had bred, the fishermen would have caught them and sold them in the market immediately.

“Then someone’s trying to cultivate it? If the entire Minjang River is affected, it must be upstream, in Dujiangyan. What? Set up a farm in Dujiangyan without the Tang Family’s permission? How audacious.”

Jayu grimaced.

To establish a farming plot in Dujiangyan, one must report to the officials and get permission from the proper owner, Wangfu. Why the Tang Family needed to seek permission was beyond sense.

“In any case, we can confirm it directly, right? Perfect, I’ve been a bit bored anyway.”

Pang Choryeo grinned, wrapping up the situation.

Qing added a comment at that.

“Well, let’s eat lunch first.”

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