Chapter 361: Di Rong

Chapter 361: Chapter 361: Di Rong

After making arrangements for Xu Laifu to bring his household stock to Dafeng Village the next day, they parted ways.

Without even asking for payment, Xu Laifu took off with his baskets, running faster than a rabbit.

Watching his retreating back, Ji Huan was filled with admiration.

’The wisdom of the ancients truly shouldn’t be underestimated,’ she thought. ’Putting aside the Four Great Inventions that so profoundly impacted later generations, every aspect of daily life had its share of extraordinary people and ingenious ideas.’

’She had never understood how, in such poor environments and under such harsh conditions, they had managed to overcome countless hardships to create one miracle after another. Or perhaps they weren’t considered miracles at the time, yet their legacies endured for thousands of years, benefiting generations to come.’

’Compared to them, modern people likely just had the advantage of better access to information. When it came to true creativity, they were sometimes far inferior.’

’Take herself, for example. She had been around things like spices since she was a child, and the recipes she knew were all pre-existing. In essence, her business venture had skipped the research and development phase and gone straight to market.’

’But Xu Laifu was different. He came from an ordinary farming family, with no ancestors ever involved in brewing-related trades. Yet, fueled by interest, tenacity, and ambition, he had painstakingly developed an upgraded version of soy sauce and vinegar.’

Ji Huan didn’t know who first invented soy sauce and vinegar, but building a tall building on a foundation laid by others was just as impressive and worthy of respect.

"Let’s get going."

They had been talking with Xu Laifu for quite some time, and Guan Shan didn’t look too pleased. Dabao’s eyebrows were also furrowed into a tight knot.

Seeing Guan Shan carrying several boxes of pastries, big and small, plus two small bottles of soy sauce and vinegar, Ji Huan worried he would strain his right hand. She insisted on taking a vinegar bottle from him, carrying it in her uninjured hand.

In addition to its countless side streets, Yeyang City had four main thoroughfares: East, West, South, and North.

Yide Hall was on East Street. With a four-bay-wide facade and three stories, it wasn’t the most prominent of Yeyang’s medical halls, but it was still quite impressive.

As Ji Huan walked, she noticed several other medical halls on the street. She kept an eye out but didn’t see a sign for Jishi Hall.

After asking someone, she learned that Jishi Hall was on West Street. It was said to be exceptionally grand; because it offered a full range of medical services, it occupied nearly half the street.

Ji Huan sighed to herself. ’With such a behemoth for a rival, Xin Ziqi’s path to restoring his family’s business won’t be easy.’

’Besides, his goal was far greater than simply restoring his family’s business.’

Stepping into Yide Hall, she found it was still rather quiet. That made sense; after all, they had only been back for a few days.

But the staff had all been rehired: clerks to handle prescriptions, assistants to grab and brew herbs, and of course, Ping’an the attendant.

For now, the only resident physicians were Xin Ziqi and his senior brother, Liu Xinglin. Most of the doctors who had been poached had likely ended up at Jishi Hall and wouldn’t be coming back to board the sinking ship that was Yide Hall. Not that Xin Ziqi would take them back even if they wanted to return.

Xin Ziqi called Liu Xinglin over and introduced them to each other.

Liu Xinglin was just as dark and thin as he had been when she’d caught a glimpse of him in town. He looked less like a physician and more like a farmer.

But he had spent some time as an itinerant doctor, and she heard he often went into the mountains and fields to gather and test herbs, so his appearance was understandable.

He was even more taciturn than Xin Ziqi; it was clear he was a man wholly dedicated to the art of medicine, free of distractions.

Xin Ziqi invited them to the second floor to examine her injury. Her right hand was red, swollen, and purple with bruises, while the skin on her elbow was scraped and seeping blood.

The injuries weren’t serious. With some ointment and a bandage, they would heal quickly.

Ping’an served tea, and they all sat down to talk.

Ji Huan’s primary concern was that he would clash directly with Jishi Hall.

"These days, I’m constantly in and out of the county government’s private residence. Is there a single one of our peers on this street who doesn’t know that? As long as I don’t make any mistakes myself, Jishi Hall won’t dare to come looking for trouble so brazenly."

Xin Ziqi set down his teacup.

"My senior brother and I have studied the other four formulas you provided. We’ve also conducted preliminary tests of the medicines. The combinations are brilliant, with no room for improvement; they can be released as they are. Arrangements have already been made at the pharmaceutical workshop. The first batch should be ready by the end of the month, or early next month at the latest."

"You’re just going to launch them directly?"

"I know your concern. As you said, since we’ve opened a pharmaceutical workshop, our products are for everyone. If Jishi Hall shows up with money, they can buy our medicine just like anyone else. But if they want the formulas..." A rare smile touched Xin Ziqi’s lips. "Well, that will depend on their own abilities."

"You look so confident. Did County Magistrate Pan agree to take a stake?"

Xin Ziqi shook his head. "The court forbids officials from engaging in business, but plenty of them secretly hold shares. County Magistrate Pan isn’t a rigid man, but he has his principles... He didn’t agree. However, after listening to my plan, he said that launching new medicines is a good thing that benefits the populace and told me to proceed without reservation."

It wasn’t an explicit promise, but it clearly implied his support.

Ji Huan, however, couldn’t feel completely at ease.

The Bai Family were the local power brokers in Yeyang. Moreover, she had learned from a brief chat with Ping’an downstairs that the Bai Family’s fourth daughter was set to marry into a family in the capital next month—a family that was apparently quite influential. County Magistrate Pan might be the local official, but he was only seventh-rank. Without powerful backing of his own, it was doubtful he could keep the Bai Family in check.

But seeing that Xin Ziqi didn’t seem worried in the slightest, she figured he must have another plan. She didn’t press the matter and, after sitting for a little while longer, announced their departure.

Downstairs, the sight of Ping’an reminded Ji Huan of something.

"Oh, right, Ping’an, do you know where I can find a brokerage in the city?"

"Aunt Ji—no, I should call you Miss Ji now. Why are you asking about a brokerage?"

Ji Huan explained that she was planning to open a shop in Yeyang.

"Really?! You’re really opening a shop in Yeyang? Does that mean I’ll get to eat your delicious food every day from now on?!"

Ping’an beamed, happiness written all over his face.

"But I’m not familiar with Yeyang. I heard a brokerage can act as an intermediary for renting a property, so..."

"You might not be, but I am! I grew up in Yeyang; I know every street and alley in this city. Why go to a brokerage? They’ll take a commission! I won’t charge you anything, as long as you make me delicious food!" Ping’an declared, puffing out his chest.

Xin Ziqi added, "Let him do it. It’s not like he has anything better to do."

Ping’an protested, "I’m not idle, Young Master..."

Ji Huan laughed. "Then I’ll be counting on you, Ping’an. Once everything is settled, I’ll be sure to reward you handsomely."

Ping’an immediately grinned from ear to ear, promising over and over to bring her good news as soon as possible.

When they left Yide Hall, they found a horse waiting at the entrance.

Xin Ziqi explained, "Didn’t you buy a carriage? I figured that sick horse of yours isn’t up to the task yet, so you can use mine for now."

Seeing that Guan Shan looked like he was about to refuse, Ji Huan quickly cut in, "Thank you so much. We’ll return it on our next trip to Yeyang."

Guan Shan seemed quite confident in the sick horse, but Ji Huan had no confidence in it whatsoever.

’Besides, how could she have the heart to make it pull a carriage in its condition? It was a question whether it could even make it home on foot. If it fainted halfway, they might have to let the horse ride in the carriage while the three of them walked back.’

Back at the carriage shop, the vehicle was ready. When the owner saw them arrive with another horse, he didn’t even ask, simply hitching the carriage to the new animal.

The shop assistant said the sick horse had been restless all day. When it couldn’t break its rope, it started ramming and chewing on a tree, almost gnawing it in half. He suspected it was a mad horse.

Ji Huan was speechless. ’...What kind of "treasure" had she bought?’

When the sick horse saw them return with another of its kind, it actually seemed a little anxious. It circled Guan Shan restlessly, only calming down after he reached out and patted it twice.

After paying the bill and loading their things onto the carriage, Ji Huan and Dabao climbed aboard using a stool, with Guan Shan following.

The sick horse tugged at his sleeve with its teeth, refusing to let go. Only after Guan Shan gave it a sidelong glance did it reluctantly release its grip.

Ji Huan didn’t understand the gesture, so Guan Shan explained that the horse wanted him to ride it.

Ji Huan put a hand to her forehead. She was suddenly reminded of the old story about the man, the boy, and the donkey. If Guan Shan actually rode this sick horse all the way home, they’d be buried under an avalanche of public criticism.

Guan Shan didn’t get inside the carriage. Instead, he sat on the driver’s board to handle the reins—which was the second reason Ji Huan had agreed to let him come. Otherwise, she would have had to hire a driver to take her home.

As the carriage set off, the sick horse kept pace right alongside it.

Ji Huan grew a little worried and asked Guan Shan to slow down, but he said not to worry, that the horse could keep up.

And sure enough, the entire way, the horse never once fell behind. It followed with surprising vigor, staying right next to Guan Shan the whole time.

Ji Huan lifted the carriage curtain, her expression thoughtful as she watched the man and horse moving in perfect sync.

「Wan Mansion」

Di Rong burst into the western courtyard, his head beaded with sweat. He tore off his cloak and slammed it to the ground.

"Di Yue, you’re going back to the capital?!"