"Before I explain what I an, could you please briefly introduce what kind of tree is in the yard," Xiao Feng said calmly.
Taking control of the conversation and drawing the other person into his own rhythm has almost beco a habit for him.
Even when he needs sothing from others, he can't change this trait.
However, in Xiao Feng's view, both sides are mutually beneficial, no one really gains more. It's not one-sided help, but a win-win cooperation.
Tiebushan looked at Sun Shijie: "Old Sun, you can't recognize my tree either?"
"Forgive my poor eyesight, I truly dare not make a rash judgnt," Sun Shijie replied poetically.
The concept of different professions being separated by barriers was being exemplified at this mont.
Sun Shijie's extensive knowledge, particularly in the field of dicinal herbs, was indisputable, yet his expertise in other fields was sowhat lacking.
"It's not strange you don't recognize it, because the Hundred Herbs Atlas indeed doesn't have any record of this tree," Tiebushan laughed and said, "In fact, even skilled carpenters might not be able to recognize it."
Xiao Feng frowned slightly. Whether this old man was boasting was not the point; the key was that after all those words, he hadn't gotten to the main topic at all.
Was it intentional?
Or was it just a habit of bragging?
"Old Tie, according to what you said, there's no record of your tree in books?" Sun Shijie followed up on the topic.
Tiebushan nodded and then shook his head, saying: "The ocean of books, vast as the sea. The books we've read combined are just a drop in the ocean.
So, I dare not conclude if there's any record of it in books.
However, I can recognize it because it's passed down orally in my lineage."
"I see." Sun Shijie nodded knowingly.
Xiao Feng finally couldn't hold it any longer and said, "Just tell us directly what tree it is."
Tiebushan didn't get angry, and after pondering for a mont, said, "Actually, I don't know what tree it is either. When I heard about it from my master, I didn't know its specific na.
But it doesn't matter; a na is just a label. You could call it Cat Tree, Dog Tree, or Cow Tree if you want.
Personally, I prefer to call it Iron Tree."
Tiebushan paused and continued, "This material is extrely rare and indispensable for the work I want to create.
The Iron Tree takes ten years to grow; for the first five years, it grows one ter per year, and in the last five years, it grows five ters per year, and its cultivation thod is very different from ordinary plants.
Generally, when watering flowers or trees, you use cold water, but with the Iron Tree, you need to use boiled dew water. You don't need much, just a cup is enough."
Xiao Feng and Sun Shijie exchanged glances, finding it quite novel.
It was the first ti they'd heard about watering trees with boiling water.
Besides, there was the issue of height.
One ter per year for the first five years, then five ters per year for the next five years, totaling thirty ters.
Xiao Feng glanced at the iron tree in the courtyard, which was just as thick as a baby's fist, and wondered, "Aren't you worried it will be blown down before it fully grows?"
"Unless you dig out the roots, no matter how strong the wind is, it won't be blown down," Tiebushan said confidently.
At that mont, Old Donkey walked in carrying an old-fashioned thermos, smiling, "Not to ntion the wind, last year the young people in our village didn't believe in evil and used bamboo poles tied with knives and hamrs to chop and smash the tree.
In the end, not only did they tire themselves out, but they still couldn't topple the tree."
Tiebushan smiled and said, "Do you think I don't know it was your idea?"
"Uh..." Old Donkey looked embarrassed and said, "It was all decided by the village people at the eting."
Fortunately, Tiebushan didn't seem to intend to dwell on this matter, turning to Xiao Feng and asking, "Now, tell your purpose."
Xiao Feng nodded, glancing at Old Donkey.
Tiebushan understood Xiao Feng's aning and gestured, "It doesn't matter, just say it."
With the conversation reaching this point, Xiao Feng spoke flatly, "If I told you I could help make the tree in your yard mature ahead of ti..."
"Impossible!" Tiebushan interrupted decisively mid-sentence.
Xiao Feng smiled and said, "I believe you've surely tried many ways to expedite growth before, but those thods didn't work, and it doesn't an mine won't work.
Just like you found this unique tree, isn't it equally unbelievable to soone who can identify it?"
Tiebushan fell silent for a while and then slowly said, "Words don't prove anything, I need you to show ."
After saying that, he pointed to a bonsai on the windowsill.
Old Donkey quickly ran over, picked up the bonsai, placed it on the table, and then went to the inner room to make tea with tea leaves.
Xiao Feng found the relationship between Old Donkey and Tiebushan sowhat incomprehensible.
All signs suggested that Old Donkey was eager to see Tiebushan die soon, yet he obediently followed Tiebushan's words.
And Tiebushan clearly knew Old Donkey's thoughts but turned a blind eye.
This made Xiao Feng suspect whether Tiebushan had made a will, leaving the house to Old Donkey after death, but then hid the will and only revealed its location when he was dying.
Thus, it wouldn't be hard to understand why Old Donkey hoped for Tiebushan's death but still obeyed him.
Of course, this was just speculation, and Xiao Feng didn't intend to delve into the actual situation.
"If you can make the plant in the bonsai grow faster, I will believe you," Tiebushan said.
"Alright, let's give it a try," Xiao Feng agreed wholeheartedly and looked at the bonsai on the table.
Inside the bonsai was a finger-sized green plant with just its head sprouting, looking like a miniature iron tree.
It was reasonable for Tiebushan to have Xiao Feng test on the bonsai first.
After all, the iron tree had been growing for five years, and if it were to die in the experint, it wouldn't be easy to find a place to cry.
Whether Tiebushan could survive the next five years was uncertain, let alone, with only one iron tree, starting over would be a pipe dream.
Xiao Feng took out a small bottle from his backpack, which was well-sealed and wrapped with two layers of cling film.
This was the amount Sun Shijie had prepared in advance, a quantity enough to accelerate plant growth for half a month.
He opened the bottle and poured its contents into the bonsai, Xiao Feng smiled and said, "By tomorrow morning, the result will be obvious."
"I'll be watching!" Tiebushan replied calmly, but there was anticipation in his heart.
…
As soon as the sky brightened, the roosters in Iron Village began to crow, reminding the village people it was ti to get up.
Last night, Sun Shijie and Tiebushan drank together until midnight, and now Sun Shijie groggily opened his eyes, still slightly intoxicated.
Xiao Feng, on the other hand, was impatient and ran to the yard to check the bonsai on the windowsill.
Little Fragrant Bead, oh Little Fragrant Bead, you mustn't let down!
Thinking this in his heart, he walked up to the window.
The green plant that had just shown its head yesterday had surprisingly grown nearly five centiters!
Xiao Feng nodded in satisfaction, relieved.
But just as he was about to go back inside to call Sun Shijie and Tiebushan, he noticed sothing unusual above the iron tree in the yard.
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