THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE PEASANTS

As time went by, the number of collected plants increased more and more. If previously the vast botanical garden was empty, now it contained so many plants, and slowly, a botanical garden was not enough to accommodate the collected plants. Hence, Zhu Su created more botanical gardens. And, in order to make the research run easier, each garden was divided according to its category. For example flower garden, vegetable garden, grass garden, tree garden, and so on. For instance, Hehuan, placed together with dozens of other trees.

Not expecting that Zhu Su's botanical garden would grow to that extent, Hu Nayin exclaimed, "I never thought that there are so many plants in Central Plain!"

"You think it's much less than Yunnan?" Zhu Su smiled playfully. "Don't think that because Kaifeng's air is not as good as in Yunnan, then its plants are outnumbered."

"And besides, they are so beautiful."

"Also interesting." Zhu Su observed the criss-cross roots on the ground. "Due to different natural environments, the plant may have a unique root shape. If you think that the roots are always hidden underground, then it is found to be wrong. Several plants have roots on the ground, such as Shanlidou. Additional information about this Shanlidou, its roots are sticking to other plants. And some plants have the roots submerged in the water, for example, Lingjiao." Shanlidou and Lingjiao were the new plants that Zhong Xia introduced to Zhu Su.

"The leaves of plants are also different from each other," Zhu Youdun chimed in. "Some are large, some are small, or long flat, or wavy, or sharp and thorny."

"But even though they are different from each other, those who are not experts in plants will get it hard to tell the difference. Especially the uneducated people," Zhong Xia commented.

"That's right. You know, I have mistakenly recognized leaves several times. Maybe you can give suggestions about how to avoid making mistakes in differentiation so the people can identify plants easily."

"You can use the Methods of Equation and Distinction."

"Equation and Distinction?"

"Take an observation, with what plant a plant looks like. Then write down, "This leaf is similar to Blablabla Leaf". But of course, it is impossible for those two leaves to be exactly the same, therefore you can use the method of distinction "This leaf is similar to Blablabla Leaf, but has the difference such as...". And use common plants for comparison. If we compare an unknown plant with another unfamiliar plant, they won't be able to recognize the plant despite all."

Zhu Su nodded. He took out his notebook, and started to write down on it. "That's a good idea. Okay then, this leaf." He pointed to a leaf, and began to write, "This leaf looks like Huaihua (Chinese scholar tree/pagoda tree) leaf, but this one is big and fat and a little sharp. It is also similar to Hucang'er (Poterium sanguisorbа L.) leaves, but bigger."

"Ah... I've written this much, but I don't even know its name..."

"This is called Wangjiangnan."

Zhu Su got surprised as finding Chen Suibo, who kept silent all this time, spoke out of sudden. He even explained a lot after that, "Wangjiangnan is very easy to find, Wangjiangnan can also be found in the yard. Its flower is called Chahua'er - Tea Flower. The taste of the leaf is slightly bitter. The seeds are widely used to replace Juemingzi (Cassia Seed)."

Zhu Su brought his gaze closer to Wangjiangnan. "Are seeds can also be used as medicine?! Hey, such a new thing for me!" Not only Zhu Su who had never heard of this information, even Li Heng knew nothing about Wangjiangnan. He also followed Zhu Su, watching the plant with great interest.

"So it can also be used to relieve constipation, as well as to improve vision?"

Chen Suibo nodded. "That's why it is called Wangjiangnan? It is good for vision - to View Jiang Nan (the southern part of the Yangtze River which is very beautiful and fertile)?" In Chinese, Wangjiangnan means "View the Southern Part of Yangtze River".

Chen Suibo's lips, which usually set in a hardline, suddenly twitched slightly - he smiled. "Maybe, Your Highness. I never thought of it. Your imagination is fantastic."

Zhu Su did not know whether Chen Suibo was praising him or not (because it did not sound like praise to his ears), so he chose not to reply. "Mr. Chen, do you know about the plants not recorded in the ancient scriptures?"

"I just know what I've heard."

This old man is really identical to Sir Gao. "Then do you know what it is?" He pointed to a plant that made the female patient's face swell. From the first time, he was most curious about this plant. Nobody knew about it, it was not recorded in medical books, plus his search of it eventually led to an adventure that almost took his life.

But Chen Suibo's answer made him disappointed one more time. "Not that I know of."

Zhu Su sighed. He must hear the statement once more. "I just hope, maybe you know."

"Many things I have no idea about, as an ordinary human my knowledge is limited. But, if you want to get unlimited knowledge, just search for the person. He will tell you the answers to all your questions, even in very concise and very detailed."

"Really?! Such a masterful person really exists?!" Zhu Su's eyes sparkled. "Of course I want to see him! Come on, let me meet with him! Where can I meet him?

"Everywhere, Your Highness. They are everywhere."

"Eh?..."

"They are, the peasants."

***

Out of the urban area, the plain stretched endlessly beyond the horizon. The scenery was dominated by grasslands, shrubs, as well as arid land. The flood had swept through Kaifeng and made it difficult to find loose soil that could be used to grow plants.

"Only a few people live here." Zhu Su looked around as he walked along the scrubs patch after patch. As far as he could see, no any human settlements existed in this location. The scenery was dominated by the horizon, as if the ground directly touched the sky. The wind was blowing hard since no large buildings could hinder it. "Because the flood disaster has annihilated a large amount of population, those who managed to escape then moved to other regions, unwilling to live in Kaifeng anymore since they are traumatized by the flood."

Zhu Su's cortege was busier than the previous time. Hu Nayin, Zhu Youdun, Liu Ku, Qu You, Teng Shuo, Li Heng, Guo Songmi, Shao Rong, Zhong Xia, Du Qinfeng and Chen Suibo. And of course, Wu Qi and several high-class San Hu Wei soldiers were always ready to escort all of the royal family.

Because this time, Zhu Su aimed to meet with the farmers who did their daily works in the fields and had an undoubted farming experience.