Transmigrated to the Beastman World as a Veterinarian – CH147

After all the Muding roots were harvested, the fields were left bare.

The freshly turned soil looked rich and fertile, and Jian Mo felt it was a pity to leave it empty.

He discussed with Wu Jiong, “We don’t have enough time to grow a new crop. How about we dig up some wild grass and plant that instead? Chirpy and Ying Ao love round-leaf grass.”

Round-leaf grass had thick, tender leaves with a slightly sweet flavor. Chirpy and Ying Ao were especially fond of it, and any time Jian Mo fed them this grass, it was completely devoured.

Wu Jiong agreed. “That works. We can dig some up along the riverbank—there’s plenty there.”

Jian Mo brightened. “Great! I’ll bring the small spade tomorrow. Let’s collect enough for both them and us to enjoy some in a salad.”

At this time of year, a cold wild greens salad was a refreshing treat.

The riverbanks were covered with round-leaf grass, but since it was autumn, much of the grass was overgrown. They had to be selective to find the tender leaves.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong dug up the grass, taking the leaves to feed Chirpy and Ying Ao while keeping the short rhizomes to plant in their fields.

That way, the new growth would produce tender leaves.

While they were planting in the fields, a crowd gathered to watch.

Qing Kuo remarked, “This is the first time I’ve seen someone planting weeds.”

Jian Mo thought about it. “It’s not really weeds—it’s primarily forage grass. It’s great for feeding animals.”

Qing Kuo counted on his fingers. “True, with you raising winged beasts, Tou Tou Beasts, long-tailed birds, and now a River Velvet Beast, it makes sense to grow more grass to feed them.”

Jian Mo chuckled. “That tiny River Velvet Beast eats so little. It’s mainly for Chirpy and Ying Ao. Also, planting the grass helps improve the soil for next year’s crops like Muding roots.”

Qing Kuo asked, “Improving the soil?”

Jian Mo explained, “Each crop absorbs the same kinds of nutrients from the soil. If you keep planting the same thing, some nutrients will run out, and the crops won’t grow as well. That’s why we rotate what we plant.”

Qing Kuo nodded slowly. “I think I get it.”

Jian Mo shrugged. “That’s the best way I can explain it.”

Qing Kuo asked, “You dug up so much grass—are your fields enough to plant it all?”

Jian Mo paused mid-motion. “Hmm?”

Qing Kuo added, “My fields are sitting empty too. If you need more space, feel free to plant some there.”

Jian Mo hadn’t expected the offer, but after a moment’s thought, he realized it was a good idea. “Alright, let’s plant it there too. While we’re at it, let’s fertilize the soil. It’ll be even better for next year’s crops.”

Qing Kuo was delighted. “That sounds perfect. I’ll help you plant.”

With Qing Kuo taking the lead, a few other households also offered to plant forage grass in their fields.

Empty fields were a waste, and growing grass seemed practical.

Jian Mo offered to provide extra fertilizer for everyone’s fields. His stockpile of fertilizer was growing rapidly thanks to Chirpy and Ying Ao, and even with fermentation time accounted for, he had more than he could use.

By autumn, most crops were bearing fruit.

Although Jian Mo didn’t have much planting experience, he remembered to fertilize the fields just in time. With the added nutrients, the fruits would grow larger and more plentiful.

One day, while Jian Mo was working in the fields, a group of chubby birds from the Bai Zhi Tribe flew in, calling out loudly, “Brother Jian Mo—we’re here! Did you miss us?!”

Jian Mo straightened up and couldn’t help but smile at their cheerful antics. “What brings you here?”

Last time, Jian Mo had suggested they join the lessons, but the chubby birds had quickly fled. He hadn’t expected to see them now.

The birds puffed out their chests proudly as they landed by the field.

“We’ve brought you something good!”

“Brother Jian Mo, it’s a great surprise! Guess what it is?”

“A huge surprise! Try guessing!”

Jian Mo considered their excitement. “Is it some kind of special plant? A medicinal herb? Or food?”

The chubby birds looked indignant. “How did you guess so quickly?”

Jian Mo glanced at the small baskets strapped to their backs. “Your baskets aren’t that big, so it can’t be anything huge.”

One of the lead birds, Wan Zheng, spoke up. “It’s not exactly food or medicine.”

Jian Mo was curious. “What is it, then?”

Wan Zheng grinned. “Let me show you.”

Transforming into human form, Wan Zheng pulled out a small cloth pouch and handed it to Jian Mo. “Take a look, Brother Jian Mo.”

Jian Mo opened the pouch to reveal a few pale yellow, flat seeds.

The seeds looked familiar, but Jian Mo couldn’t immediately recall what they were. “What are these?”

Wan Zheng grinned. “Brother Jian Mo, don’t you recognize them? They’re chili seeds! Just like the ones you drew for us!”

Jian Mo froze, a shiver running down his spine. “They really are… I almost forgot about those! Let me see.”

Wan Zheng added, “When we saw them, we thought they looked just like the chili seeds you drew. Check and see if we’re right.”

Jian Mo picked up one seed and examined it carefully.

He had seen chili seeds before while cutting chili peppers, but identifying them from memory wasn’t easy—there were too many similar-looking seeds.

Holding the seed, Jian Mo asked, “Where did you find these chili seeds?”

The chubby birds responded:

“In a bird’s stomach.”

“It wasn’t us who found them. Someone from the Yu Qi Tribe did. They thought the seeds looked familiar, so they brought them to us. We agreed they looked like chili seeds and brought them to you.”

“When they found the seeds, there were remnants of chili skin in the bird’s stomach, but it was mostly digested, so we couldn’t bring that for you.”

Jian Mo stared at the seeds in his hand, thinking how close they had come to being lost forever.

Jian Mo was glad he hadn’t instinctively licked the seed—things would have gotten messy.

The chubby birds watched him expectantly. “Brother Jian Mo, are these the chili seeds you were looking for?”

Turning the seeds over in his hand, Jian Mo frowned. “I can’t be sure. They’re so small, and lots of seeds look like this.”

The birds looked a bit disappointed. “Then what should we do?”

Jian Mo offered, “I’ll try planting them and see if they grow.”

“But they’ve already been eaten by a bird,” one of the birds pointed out. “Can they still sprout?”

Jian Mo nodded. “Yes, many plants rely on birds to spread their seeds. The seed coat doesn’t seem damaged, so there’s a good chance.”

Wan Zheng concluded, “Then plant them. We’ll head back now.”

Jian Mo quickly tried to dissuade them. “You’ve traveled all this way. Why not stay a few days and relax?”

The chubby birds chirped in protest. “No thanks. If we stay, our chief will make us go to class.”

Jian Mo laughed. “It’s not that bad.”

Wan Zheng shook his head. “It is. The chief keeps telling us to learn more so we don’t embarrass ourselves—especially when compared to the Yu Qi Tribe’s Pallas cats.”

Hearing this, Jian Mo said, “By the way, help me thank the Yu Qi Tribe for keeping an eye out for chili seeds. Tell them I really appreciate it.”

The birds chirped in unison. “Got it! Leave it to us.”

Jian Mo smiled. “Let me send some things back with you for them.”

The chubby birds exchanged glances before agreeing readily.

Jian Mo set aside his work, took the birds home, and prepared honey blocks, jerky, and dried fruits. He divided them into two portions: one for the chubby birds and one for the Yu Qi Tribe.

Wan Zheng hesitated, looking reluctant to accept. “Brother Jian Mo, you’re being too generous. We didn’t bring the seeds for a reward.”

Jian Mo reassured them warmly, “I know. But since you’ve been so kind to me, I want to do something nice for you too.”

He gestured to the neatly packed jerky and dried fruits. “The jerky was made by Wu Jiong and me, flavored with pepper and garlic. The dried fruits are from the ripest, sweetest ones, sun-dried for three full days with the little ones shooing away bugs for us. I don’t give these to just anyone.”

Hearing this, the chubby birds beamed with pride and accepted the gifts. They flew off happily, laden with Jian Mo’s offerings.

That evening, when Wu Jiong returned, Jian Mo excitedly told him about the possible chili seeds.

After hearing the story, Wu Jiong asked, “So now you want to try sprouting these five seeds?”

Jian Mo nodded. “Yes. If they sprout, we’ll know for sure if they’re chili seeds. I just hope they’re still viable after being in a bird’s stomach.”

Wu Jiong suggested, “Let’s try germinating three of them first. If it doesn’t work, we can save the remaining two for spring or summer when the weather is warmer.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Jian Mo agreed. “I’ll get a small clay pot.”

The seeds were too precious to risk planting outdoors, where birds or insects might eat them. Jian Mo carefully fetched the most fertile soil he could find, dampened it, and buried the three seeds in a triangular pattern in the clay pot. He covered them with a thin layer of soil and placed the pot on the windowsill.

In his memory, chili seeds took longer to germinate compared to grains. He hoped these three seeds would sprout—and that they really were chili seeds.

After planting, Jian Mo turned to Wu Jiong. “It seems like the Bai Zhi Tribe and the Yu Qi Tribe are getting along better.”

Wu Jiong raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”

Jian Mo smiled. “I get the feeling that the Bai Zhi Tribe admires the Yu Qi Tribe in some ways, and the Yu Qi Tribe seems to care for them too. They share information with each other.”

Wu Jiong wasn’t surprised. “The Yu Qi Tribe is meticulous and manages their affairs well. The Bai Zhi Tribe, on the other hand, is loyal, good-natured, and full of energy.”

He paused before adding, “The more they interact, the more they probably notice each other’s strengths.”

Jian Mo mused, “You think their chiefs might end up together?”

Wu Jiong thought for a moment. “Not anytime soon.”

Jian Mo grinned. “I bet it’ll happen faster than you think. Want to bet on it?”

Wu Jiong took Jian Mo’s hand and replied firmly, “No, I trust you.”

Jian Mo hopped onto Wu Jiong’s back, feigning indignation. “You’re no fun!”

After planting the seeds, Jian Mo checked them three times a day, hoping to see sprouts.

When the soil showed no signs of movement, he even tried digging up the seeds to inspect them.

He muttered to Wu Jiong, “What if the seeds stayed in the bird’s stomach too long and got damaged? What if they can’t sprout anymore?”

Wu Jiong reassured him, “That’s unlikely. I think these three seeds are still viable.”

Jian Mo tilted his head. “How can you tell? I can’t feel anything. If I’d been braver, I might’ve tasted one to confirm.”

Wu Jiong rubbed Jian Mo’s head. “Even if you did, you wouldn’t be able to tell. Don’t overthink it.”

When Qing Kuo heard that Jian Mo had planted three “important” seeds, he came over to check them out.

Looking at the moist soil, Qing Kuo suggested, “Could it be because they’re not getting enough sunlight? Some seeds need sun to grow.”

Jian Mo considered this. “You might be right. I’ll move the pot to the sunniest spot in the yard.”

Carefully, he relocated the pot to a prime sunlit area.

Watching Jian Mo handle the pot so delicately, Qing Kuo couldn’t help but ask, “Are chilies really that great? You’ve been obsessed with them for so long.”

Jian Mo replied earnestly, “They are. Once you taste them, you’ll understand. Chilies are an incredibly important spice. Anyone who gets used to them finds it hard to go without.”

He sighed. “I’ve gotten so used to them that living without chilies feels incomplete.”

Whether it was ginger, garlic powder, or pepper sprout powder, Jian Mo used them all in an attempt to replicate the spiciness of chili peppers, but the results were far from satisfying.

No matter how good these seasonings tasted, they simply weren’t the same as chili.

Jian Mo sighed. The longer he went without chilies, the more he missed them. Now, the craving had become almost unbearable.