Chapter 47: Making Sunscreen

“Send someone to inform Fang Yuan and ask him to come find me.”

Soon, the soldier sent to notify the city defense camp returned. Fang Yuan had no idea what Fang Han was up to this time.

“My lord,” Fang Yuan said.

Fang Han nodded and asked, “What do you know about the terrain of the Southern Barbarians?”

Hearing the mention of the Southern Barbarians, Fang Yuan was puzzled. He knew nothing about them. After all, the map of the southern borderlands had yet to be completed, let alone that of the Southern Barbarians.

His scout troops had been busy surveying terrain and drawing maps every day, except for a few days of rest during the New Year. Centered around the Protectorate Office in the southern borderlands, Fang Yuan had mapped all roads within a three hundred li radius, as well as caves and any passable areas.

The maps were constantly updated, but none had yet covered the Southern Barbarians’ territory.

“We... we have not yet ventured into the Southern Barbarians’ lands,” Fang Yuan explained.

Fang Han frowned slightly at this news. Without a map, matters would be difficult. To gather civilians from Daliang and bring them to the southern borderlands, passage through the Southern Barbarians’ territory was unavoidable. Without a familiar route, this task would be nearly impossible. Asking the Southern Barbarians for passage was out of the question.

“Must we really proceed in that manner?” Fang Han pondered, recalling the plan Wang Shi had once proposed: having the people of Daliang make their way to the southern borderlands on their own. Although this avoided contact with the Southern Barbarians, those who could actually make it to the southern borderlands were exceptional individuals. Even if they arrived, they would inevitably be conscripted into the army, never tending to the farmlands.

The problem remained unresolved. The southern borderlands were humid and unsuitable for easy-to-grow dry rice. Potatoes could not yet be cultivated extensively.

In the end, Fang Han sighed and resolved to adopt Wang Shi’s plan. Though the survival rate was low, it was not impossible.

“Listen carefully. Take a few sharp-witted men and go to Daliang to promote the prosperity of the southern borderlands. Give them money to encourage them to come here.”

“Once they arrive, immediately allocate land—two mu per person.”

After speaking, Fang Han felt uneasy and added, “Bring Wang Shi along; he might be able to offer advice at critical moments.”

“Yes, my lord.” Fang Yuan accepted the order and set off.

How many people from Daliang this would bring was unknown. With insufficient manpower, spring planting still had to proceed.

Fang Han ordered the blacksmith, Lao Wu, and his apprentices to continue crafting pulleys. Without enough hands, they would have to rely on pulleys to compensate. Two pulleys would be installed on each farmland plot to enable a group of workers to manage larger areas.

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That day, Sun Shengyuan excitedly approached Fang Han.

“Sir, the medicinal herbs have all matured.”

At the mention of the herbs’ readiness, Fang Han’s heart leapt with joy. Those herbs were essential for making sunscreen. Lin Qingwei suffered from ultraviolet sensitivity, and applying sunscreen could alleviate her symptoms to some extent. This was what Fang Han had initially promised to prepare for her.

If the sunscreen could be successfully produced, they could also manufacture soaps and other cosmetics. Once the southern borderlands stabilized, these would become important sources of income.

“Go and pick all the herbs,” Fang Han instructed, then brought other items to Lin Qingwei’s room.

“I have good news for you,” he said with a smile.

Lin Qingwei furrowed her brow and asked, “Is it about building a new city?”

The news of a twenty-li city had long been the talk of the town—something unprecedented. Although Lin Qingwei stayed mostly in her room, she had maids who kept her reasonably informed.

Fang Han shook his head. “No, it’s about beginning to make medicine to treat your illness.”

Lin Qingwei’s eyes brightened instantly. She could hardly believe it. The Raksasha disease could actually be treated—she was not doomed.

Soon, Sun Shengyuan returned with the harvested herbs.

“Sir, everything’s been gathered.”

Fang Han nodded, and Sun Shengyuan left.

Staring at the herbs on the table, Lin Qingwei’s heart was restless.

Fang Han sorted the herbs carefully. Since making sunscreen required mixing the herbs in precise proportions, he needed to weigh them.

Once the preparations were complete, Fang Han placed the herb leaves in a mortar and began grinding them slowly and meticulously, pausing occasionally to observe their state.

Soon, a fresh, herbal fragrance filled the air.

Lin Qingwei watched Fang Han’s every move, her eyes full of hope. If the medicine succeeded, it could cure her Raksasha disease, and she would no longer be viewed as ill-omened by everyone.

“Will it work?” Lin Qingwei murmured to herself.

Sensing her worry, Fang Han comforted her, “If it doesn’t work, we’ll keep researching. We’ll succeed eventually.”

At last, Fang Han finished grinding all the herbs.

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He mixed them in the right proportions, added water and other ingredients, then stirred continuously.

As the mixture gradually thickened into a paste, the rudimentary sunscreen was complete.

He scooped a little and rubbed it on the back of his hand, feeling it carefully.

In his previous life, he had also used sunscreen and could sense its effect to some degree.

Though this homemade sunscreen couldn’t compare to factory-made ones, it had at least some efficacy.

“Here, apply it to exposed skin,” he said.

Lin Qingwei carefully scooped some and, mimicking Fang Han, gently spread it on the back of her hand.

A faint coolness radiated, surprising her.

“This… it feels cool. Is the medicine taking effect?”

“Is it enough to apply only to the back of my hand? Should I take it internally?”

“How long until my illness is cured?”

As the first person to attempt treating Raksasha disease, Lin Qingwei was understandably curious, bombarding Fang Han with questions.

He was both amused and exasperated. He wasn’t even sure if the sunscreen worked yet. If it failed, the formula would need tweaking, or perhaps a complete overhaul.

So faced with her inquiries, he could only say, “Apply it to your face and hands, then try going outside.”

“Outside?”

At the thought of going outdoors, Lin Qingwei instinctively hesitated. The outside world was not a place she could endure; the sunlight burned her. She had no plans to venture out before her condition improved.

Seeing her reluctance, Fang Han explained, “The ointment is still in development. Unless you try it, we can’t determine the exact effective dose.”

After much hesitation, Lin Qingwei finally resolved to follow his advice.

She applied sunscreen to her hands, face, and neck—any area exposed to sunlight.

Fang Han watched her finish and smiled wryly.

The sunscreen was still green—the color of the herbs—unlike factory products, which were transparent.

At that moment, Lin Qingwei looked like a little forest spirit, her exposed skin tinged green.

She took a deep breath and slowly approached the door.

Then, closing her eyes, she cautiously stepped outside.