A Young Husband's Country Life (Farming and Food)

As Xia Zhen fled with his younger siblings into the mountains, he remembered what Grandma had told him: The mountain god of Mount Daqing is a lecherous old man who lures young men and women into marrying him with little sweets and fruit. Hundreds of brides are hidden in the mountains.

As a child, Xia Zhen had thought it was just a story.

Now, Xia Zhen thought: This is actually a good deal! If I marry the Mountain Lord, we'll have food and drink, and we'll survive!

In the ruined, abandoned mountain-god temple stood a stone idol with a green face and fangs.

Xia Zhen married it.

**

The mountain god Qing Lan was cold and dispirited. As he slept, he heard someone say, "Heaven above and earth below, I, Xia Zhen, am willing to marry the Lord of the Green Mountain and become his spouse. May we grow old together and never part. I beg the Mountain Lord to protect me from now on."

Without offerings from humans, his humanity was fading. He could barely maintain a human form, so how could he protect a mortal?

The mountains were dangerous. The most dangerous thing of all was him, if he completely became a beast.

He led Xia Zhen to see the dried bones hidden in a cave, hoping to frighten him into staying away from the mountain.

Xia Zhen: "The cave will make a fine home!"

"..."

He led Xia Zhen to see a rabbit trapped in a snake's den, hoping to show him how dangerous the mountains were.

Xia Zhen: "We can hunt!"

"..."

He carved into a stone wall: The mountain god will eat his bride.

Xia Zhen: "Wait until I've put on weight before you eat me."

"..."

Qing Lan covered his head with his two enormous paws, helpless.

He had never met such a stubborn, earnest young man. Xia Zhen could identify edible wild fruit and vegetables, catch rabbits, and fish... He was curious: was there anything Xia Zhen couldn't do?

**

Xia Zhen was very content with life in the mountains. With the mountain god's protection, he caught pheasants, picked mushrooms, and fattened up both his younger siblings and himself.

As he stewed a delicious fish soup, a huge white tiger with round pupils and a white forehead came to investigate.

Terrified, Xia Zhen warned it, "I'm the Mountain Lord's spouse. You can't eat me."

The tiger transformed on the spot into a strong, rugged young man with a stern, fierce air.

Xia Zhen stared at him, stunned, then stammered, "I've put on weight. Are you here to eat me? I'll keep my promise."

Later,

Xia Zhen covered his bright red cheeks.

So this is another way to eat me...

Guiding principle: Never forget your original purpose or your mission. Strive for a great and bright future!