Kelsang immediately said, "No problem! Mr. Xia, I can be your tour guide for free. I don't need to be paid … "
Xia Ruofei said with a smile, "I still need to pay you. Not only do I want to tour the county, but I also want to see the place where your father dug the caterpillar grass!"
"What's there to see there?" Kelsang asked in confusion. "It's just some hillsides, and it's high above sea level. There's also the possibility of encountering Grey Wolves. If it weren't for the grass, we wouldn't be willing to go there."
Xia Ruofei smiled and said, "I heard the story of digging the caterpillar grass from you, and I'm very interested in this magical land. I want to see it with my own eyes."
Kelsang thought for a moment and said, "That's no problem. Since Mr. Xia wants to see it, I'll take you there! I followed my father to dig grass in the mountains two years ago, so I'm very familiar with that place! "
Xia Ruofei nodded with a smile and said, "If you're my tour guide, I'll pay you 500 yuan a day."
Kelsang quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no! Mr. Xia, you've already done us a great favor by buying our caterpillar grass. I don't dare to charge you for showing you the way. "
"Just take it. Why can't you make money by your labor?" Xia Ruofei said with a smile, "Besides, I've bought caterpillar grass worth more than 100,000 yuan. Do you think I'm short of a few hundred yuan? It's settled! "
Kelsang could only nod and say, "Well then! Thank you, Mr. Xia. "
Xia Ruofei touched Kelsang's head and said, "Let's go! Your father is still waiting for us at home! "
They soon arrived at Kelsang's house.
Xia Ruofei looked at the bag of caterpillar grass again and weighed it.
He quickly took out the 176,000 yuan that was wrapped in a plastic bag.
After the father and son checked twice and confirmed that there was no mistake, Solan said happily, "Mr. Xia, thank you for taking care of our business!"
Kelsang was also very happy. "That's great, Mr. Xia. My father's leg finally has money to treat. Thank you!"
Xia Ruofei smiled and said, "It's because your caterpillar grass is of good quality. It's a fair deal. You don't need to thank anyone."
Ge Sang scratched his head and chuckled.
Then he immediately remembered Xia Ruofei's matter, and quickly told his father in Tibetan.
After listening, Suo Lang Renzeng also felt that Xia Ruofei's request was a bit strange, but this was the guest's privacy. Since Ge Sang had already agreed, he did not object. A real Tibetan man was very trustworthy.
Moreover, Kelsang had followed him to the mountain to dig grass every year in the past few years. He was very familiar with the terrain of the area and could avoid general dangers. Solan was not too worried. He just told him to bring enough equipment and dry food and be careful on the way.
He was a little worried about Xia Ruofei's safety. After all, Xia Ruofei didn't look like a tall and strong person. It was impossible for outsiders to see how much terrible energy was hidden in Xia Ruofei's thin body.
Therefore, Solan also tried to persuade Xia Ruofei. But Xia Ruofei insisted on going, so he had to agree.
Kelsang immediately went to prepare for the trip. He was still a teenager. He didn't feel anything when he went up the mountain with his father. This time, as Xia Ruofei's guide, he felt completely different.
He was like a young eagle that was finally going to spread its wings and fly alone.
Xia Ruofei also got up and said goodbye to Solan. He heard from Kelsang that the traditional caterpillar fungus production area was still a long way from the county, so he made an appointment with Kelsang to meet him at the entrance of the alley later. He would rent a car first.
After finding the only car rental company in the county, Xia Ruofei submitted his driver's license. After paying the deposit by swiping his card, he successfully got a Toyota off-road vehicle with full fuel. In the mountains of Tibet, off-road vehicles were much more practical than ordinary cars.
When Xia Ruofei drove to the alley near Gesang's house, Gesang was already waiting there with a big backpack and a bundle of ropes on his body. His face was full of excitement as if he was about to go on an adventure.
Xia Ruofei pressed the horn twice, and Kelsang immediately found him. He quickly ran over, put the big backpack and rope in the back seat, and then sat in the passenger seat excitedly.
Under the guidance of Kelsang, Xia Ruofei quickly drove away from the county and headed for the traditional caterpillar fungus production area in Nagqu.
Compared with the dangerous Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the Qinghai-Tibet Highway was not bad. However, the continuous high altitude would make most foreigners feel a little uncomfortable. Even the locals would feel a little uncomfortable breathing.
But Xia Ruofei was not affected at all. He drove comfortably and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the way.
Originally, Kelsang was worried about Xia Ruofei's severe altitude sickness and turned his head to observe his condition from time to time. However, after driving for a while, Kelsang found that Xia Ruofei did not seem to be affected by the high altitude at all. He was relieved.
The distant mountain top was covered with white snow all year round, and the lake beside the road was full of vitality. The almost unpolluted scenery of the plateau made Xia Ruofei feel relaxed and happy.
Kelsang guided Xia Ruofei to the foot of a mountain.
The mountain did not look steep, and the terrain of the hillside was relatively flat, but even at the foot of the mountain, it was more than 4,000 meters above sea level. Therefore, under the seemingly calm appearance, there was an invisible crisis.
Kelsang pointed to the mountain and said, "Mr. Xia, this is the caterpillar fungus production area of Nagqu. That hillside and the mountains to the west are where my father and the others have been digging caterpillar fungus all year round."
Xia Ruofei drove the car away from the road and stopped at a place as close to the foot of the mountain as possible. He said with a smile, "Then let's climb up and have a look!"
Kelsang also nodded excitedly. He carried the rope and backpack and quickly led the way.
Soon the two began to climb the mountain. The hillside did not look very steep at the foot of the mountain, but in fact, it was not as smooth as Xia Ruofei had imagined. In addition to the high altitude, even Kelsang, a local, was a little out of breath after climbing for a while.
However, Xia Ruofei did not seem to be affected at all. His footsteps were still very strong.
At this time, the caterpillar fungus harvesting season had just passed. It was the time for this land to recuperate, for bats and moths to lay eggs and hatch larvae, so there were no other Tibetans in the entire caterpillar fungus production area.
There were also wind horse flags left by the Tibetans on the hillside, which was also a unique scenery in the Tibetan area. Since Xia Ruofei came to Tibet, he had seen white, yellow, red, green, and blue prayer flags on the roadside countless times.
The wind on the mountain was very strong, and these prayer flags fluttered in the wind, looking very spectacular.
Kelsang was panting as he climbed the mountain. "Mr. Xia, this caterpillar fungus can be found here.
However, the altitude here is not high enough, so the quality of the caterpillar fungus is not as good as the ones above. "
Xia Ruofei laughed and said, "Then let's continue to go up and have a look!"
Kelsang couldn't help but be speechless. As a local, he was so tired that his legs were weak, but Xia Ruofei was as if nothing had happened. He didn't look tired at all. His physical fitness was too good!
However, since Kelsang had agreed to be Xia Ruofei's guide, and Xia Ruofei had given him today's salary in advance when they set off, he naturally had to try his best to meet his employer's requirements.
Therefore, Kelsang gritted his teeth and continued to climb up.
Kelsang was a little out of breath and said, "Mr. Xia, when my father and other grass-diggers were looking for caterpillar fungus, they all bent down and climbed up bit by bit like this. Sometimes they even had to kneel on the ground because the exposed part of the caterpillar fungus was only a very small tip. Even experienced grass-diggers had to be very careful not to miss it."
Xia Ruofei didn't understand the hardships of the grass-diggers until he really arrived at the caterpillar fungus production area. After all, people with a strong body like him were rare. Even if those Tibetans were born and raised in the local area, it must be very difficult to find caterpillar fungus in such a high altitude mountain.
Xia Ruofei said, "It's really not easy!"
Kelsang said, "Yes! My legs are sore and numb after a day, and most of the grass-diggers have serious rheumatism in their legs, which is caused by kneeling and lying down to look for caterpillar fungus for a long time. "
As he spoke, Kelsang pointed to a small pit not far away from his feet and said, "Mr. Xia, look … There used to be a caterpillar fungus here. The grass-diggers found it and dug it out."
As he spoke, Kelsang knelt down and lowered his body. He took out a small shovel from the side of his backpack and carefully shoveled the soil. He said, "There used to be a caterpillar fungus in this pit. After the grass-diggers dug it out, they would put back some barley and rice with blessings and prayers. This is their special feeling for the land …"
Xia Ruofei took a closer look and saw grains of rice and barley in the small pit.
He couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. He had spent so much effort to find the caterpillar fungus production area in the Snowy Curve. He wanted to simulate such an ecosystem in his space, so he had to take the soil here.
Because only the soil and vegetation here would have the most authentic mycelium and bat moth eggs or larvae.
In this way, the soil would definitely be affected. Although Xia Ruofei didn't need a lot, and it was far from destroying the ecosystem here, compared with the piety of the grass-diggers, Xia Ruofei was a little embarrassed.
Kelsang continued to lead Xia Ruofei up the mountain. Along the way, he also explained the plants to Xia Ruofei. Naturally, they encountered bat moths on the way. Xia Ruofei carefully memorized the appearance of bat moths and insect eggs hanging on the grass. Kelsang would also carefully avoid them.
Unknowingly, they had been on the mountain for three or four hours.
Xia Ruofei and Kelsang sat on a high stone to rest. They had mineral water and dry food, looking as far as the eye could see, they were enjoying the unique beauty of the plateau.
Xia Ruofei had already figured out the situation here. After they finished eating, they began to go down the mountain.
Kelsang also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had also consumed a lot of his physical strength. It was not the first time he came here, but he used to follow his father and other grass-diggers. Every time, they moved slowly and stopped from time to time. After all, they still had to dig for caterpillar fungus. But this time, they almost climbed such a long mountain in one breath, and he felt very tired.
When they returned to the foot of the mountain, they took the car and returned to Qu County.
Xia Ruofei sent Kelsang to the alley near his home, took out 500 yuan, and handed it to him. He said, "Kelsang, thank you for accompanying me to enjoy the most beautiful plateau scenery today. This is your salary."
Kelsang hurriedly refused, "Mr. Xia, I was only your guide for half a day. I don't need so much money!"
Xia Ruofei smiled and put the money into Kelsang's hand. He said, "You worked very hard today. The extra money is my tip for you!"
Xia Ruofei saw that Kelsang was still hesitating, so he said with a smile, "Kelsang, this money is not much. Just take it! I may go back to the southeast in a day or two. "
"Ah? Mr. Xia, aren't you going to visit Qu County? "Kelsang asked with some surprise.
Xia Ruofei said, "I feel that I have seen the most authentic Tibetan mountain scenery today, and I want to take back the caterpillar fungus I bought as soon as possible!"
Speaking of this, Xia Ruofei waved to Kelsang and said, "Kelsang, thank you for being my guide. Let's say goodbye here! I will come back to Qu County if I have the chance in the future! "
After that, Xia Ruofei stepped on the accelerator and drove away from the alley.
He did not return the car. Instead, he drove directly to Naqu Hotel. After returning to his room, he went to the bathroom to take a shower. After washing off the dust on his body, he slept soundly. It was not until nightfall that he woke up in high spirits.
After an afternoon of rest, Xia Ruofei had adjusted to the best state.
He went downstairs to the food stall near the hotel and had a Tibetan-style dinner. Then he went back to the hotel parking lot, took the rented Toyota off-road vehicle, and drove away from Qu County.
Xia Ruofei's destination was the mountain area that Kelsang had taken him to this morning.
He remembered the road very well and smoothly arrived at the foot of the mountain where he had parked in the morning.
Xia Ruofei got out of the car. At this time, he was wearing a jacket and hiking shoes. He was dressed professionally, but he didn't carry heavy equipment like ordinary backpackers.
With the Ring-Tu space at hand, Xia Ruofei didn't need anything like a hiking bag.
With a flip of his hand, a strong flashlight appeared in his palm out of thin air.
After turning on the flashlight, Xia Ruofei began to climb the mountain along the route he had taken in the morning.
Generally speaking, the quality of the Cordyceps was better at higher altitudes.
Therefore, Xia Ruofei was ready to go to higher places.
Without Kelsang, Xia Ruofei didn't need to deliberately control his speed. He was almost twice as fast as he had been in the morning. After more than an hour, Xia Ruofei had already reached the highest altitude that they had reached.
However, Xia Ruofei didn't stop. After observing the mountain, he continued to climb.
Kelsang also said that his father had reached about 6,000 meters above sea level to dig for the Cordyceps.
Xia Ruofei held the flashlight in one hand and pushed away some tall weeds from time to time with the other hand. He continued to move to higher altitudes.
After about half an hour, Xia Ruofei suddenly stopped with a strange look on his face.
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