In the early morning, before the mist had cleared, the crowing of roosters heralded the dawn.
Villagers deep in the mountains rose from their beds and took their hoes into the fields.
Day after day, generation after generation, they lived this life—but today, change had come.
Several horse-drawn carriages arrived at the entrance of the village, and down stepped a Daoist as well as the local village doctor, also known as the Village Chief.
"Is the headman there? Headman!"
The Village Chief called out several times, and the headman, accompanied by several villagers, came over.
"Sir."
The headman clasped his hands together and bowed to the Village Chief, then turned to the Daoist, "Who may this Daoist be?"
"He has come from the Royal Capital."
The Village Chief said, "Do you remember what I told you last month?"
The headman nodded. Last month, the Village Chief had come to him with the news that the climate here was suitable for the villagers to start growing medicinal herbs.
