Chapter 606 - 340: Truly a Peerless Talent

"An expert whose movements are as elusive as a divine dragon."

Zhang Xuan saw that Elder Master Xiao didn’t want to elaborate. Grumbling a few words, he lifted the wine jar and poured for them both. "Since that’s the case, I’ll definitely show you my prowess today."

Elder Master Xiao put on a smile again. Without another word, he lifted his bowl and downed it in one gulp.

After three rounds of wine, the two began to discuss their respective experiences during this period.

Zhang Xuan had a rough idea of the Xiao Family’s situation in Shu State, particularly the burning of the summer grain in the Three Towns, the soaring grain prices, the refugees, and the plague. However, he didn’t know the exact details. After listening to Elder Master Xiao’s account, he couldn’t help but curse Liu Hong a few more times, repeatedly saying that he was killed too early.

The Elder Master simply laughed it off. Remembering something, he asked, "How is my second brother doing after arriving in Guangyue Prefecture?"

Due to Xiao Dongchen’s incident, the second branch of the Xiao Family felt too ashamed to stay in Shu State, so they all went to Guangyue Prefecture to seek refuge with Xiao Qiuyun.

Seeing him mention Xiao Wang, a trace of displeasure surfaced on Zhang Xuan’s face. "Don’t you know what your own brother is like?

"Hmph, before he even arrived in Guangyue Prefecture, Qiuyun had already arranged a residence and even begged Ying’er to secure a position for her father.

"At first, things were fine, and Xiao Wang was relatively well-behaved.

"But the good times didn’t last. Not even half a month later, he went to Qiuyun saying he wanted to run a Medicine Hall business. He invested a large sum of money from start to finish, but it didn’t even make a splash.

"And there’s more..."

Zhang Xuan poured out a torrent of grievances. Finally, he said, "No wonder you kicked him out of Shu State. If it were me, I wouldn’t have been soft-hearted either."

After listening, Elder Master Xiao remained silent for a moment before sighing. "You can’t write two ’Xiao’ characters with one stroke. In the end, they are all still the Xiao family." Immediately after, he changed the subject. "However much silver coins Qiuyun took from Zhang Ying, and however many connections she used, I will repay you all at once later."

Zhang Xuan snorted and said bluntly, "Can you even afford it?"

"It’s just money. I have plenty of ways."

"Boasting like that, aren’t you afraid of losing a few of your Da Ya..."

The reason Elder Master Xiao was confident in repaying the silver was entirely due to the Wu Mountain Mutual Market and the Hundred Herbs Hall. The former was about to be completed, and merchants from the Mountain Race and neighboring State Capitals had already come to sign contracts with the Xiao Family. In the future, the silver coins naturally wouldn’t be lacking.

The same went for the latter. The Hundred Herbs Hall’s storefront business in Guangyuan County was booming. Just last night, the Fu Family over there had even sent a letter, entirely filled with gratitude for the Xiao Family’s assistance.

After getting a general understanding, Zhang Xuan felt a bit jealous and said, "You bastard, you have pretty good luck..."

"Good luck?" Thinking of the dire straits he had faced while struggling to maintain the Xiao Family for the past five years, Elder Master Xiao sighed. He picked up his bowl and said, "Let’s not talk about it anymore. Come, let’s drink."

"Drink, then..."

The arrival of Zhang Xuan in the middle courtyard slightly dispelled the gloom, and the Armored Warriors and servants began bustling about.

In the backyard, Xiao Wan’er breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.

She thought, "With Duke Zhang here, Grandpa should be fine."

She naturally knew that the Elder Master didn’t have many close friends, especially in Shu State. At a time like this, the only people who could speak a few words with him—aside from her, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge—were Duke Qian, Zhang Xuan, and Sun Fu, who had gone to Jinling.

Thinking of this, Xiao Wan’er glanced in the direction of the Spring Lotus Garden. Knowing that Chen Yi had left the Marquis’s Mansion, she instructed Cui’er, "Have the kitchen prepare a few more light dishes tonight, and also make some pastries for the young master to take with him during his Annual Examination."

"Yes..."

Chen Yi was naturally unaware of the lively atmosphere inside the Marquis’s Mansion. Leading Pei Guanli, he bypassed the Governor’s Office and the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, making his way all the way to the East Market.

Along the way, he naturally heard and saw quite a few things.

For instance, on the notice board in front of the Governor’s Office, the names of Liu Hong and others had been smeared with red cinnabar by meddlesome onlookers. At the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, people were constantly being interrogated, mostly Zhu Lingchuan, Ye Jingxiao, and their ilk, while many commoners gathered in front, clapping, cheering, and clamoring that they all deserved to die. Moreover, some Jianghu People who had just arrived in Shu State were in the taverns, finding locals to ask about the recent situation here—asking if anyone had seen Immortal Bai, or who "Dragon Tiger" Liu Wu was, or gossiping about a certain rising star also coming to Shu State, and so on.

Chen Yi couldn’t muster much interest in most of it. The only place he stopped to look at for a moment was the Xinglin Hall, not far from the East Market.

Because three generations of the Jing State Liu Family had been exterminated by a single edict from the Holy Emperor, some of the people in the Xinglin Hall naturally hadn’t been spared either. Aside from Liu Zhaoxue, the other members of the Liu Family had all been arrested and thrown into prison by the Government Office. In a few days, they would be escorted together to the Capital Prefecture. As a result, the Xinglin Hall had also been sealed off by the Government Office. Even the signboard bearing the Minor Achievement Calligraphy Dao inscription had been taken down, its whereabouts unknown.

Pei Guanli followed his gaze. Her smiling face instantly vanished as she snorted and said, "Third Granduncle and my brother didn’t even tell me when they came to seek revenge against the Five Poison Sect. They made me miss out on all the fun."

Chen Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Shaking his head, he said, "Why would you tag along for something so dangerous?"

"Brother-in-law, even you are saying that... Just wait, I’ll go into secluded Cultivation for the next few days. I’ll break through to the Seventh Grade in no time. Isn’t that right, Little Flower?"

Not only were Pei Guanli’s moods written all over her face, but they also came and went as quickly as the wind. After taking just two steps, she had completely forgotten her previous displeasure, dragging Chen Yi over to join the crowds watching the craftsmen and street performers. Breaking large stones on the chest, molten iron fireworks, and acrobatics—she watched them all one by one. She somehow managed to spend half an hour walking a distance of merely a hundred rods.

Chen Yi wasn’t in a hurry. As he watched the lively performances, he listened to the chatter around him.

"...Hua Huixiang from Wudang Mountain has reportedly already arrived in Shu State. He’s currently over in Guang’an County."

"Even he came?"

"It seems something major is truly happening in the Shu State Jianghu this time..."

"Now that several grain merchants have been sealed by the Government Office, the grain supply is still tight. Fortunately, someone stepped in to fill the gap, and the grain prices have become a bit cheaper."

"With Lord Yang from the Governor’s Office keeping watch, who would dare to act recklessly?"

"Of course, Lord Yang isn’t a vile villain like Liu Hong..."

Chen Yi looked at the commoners, feeling a faint sense of emotion in his heart. A while ago, when grain prices were soaring, these people were all full of complaints, without a single smile on their faces. Now that things had stabilized, the atmosphere was indeed entirely different.

No wonder a Saint in this world had once said, ’The Dao of governing a state must begin with enriching the people. When the people are wealthy, they are easily governed; when the people are poor, they are difficult to govern.’ Only when these commoners had silver coins could they settle in their hometowns, cherish their families, respect their superiors, and fear committing crimes. Naturally, they would be easier to govern.

Not long after, Chen Yi brought Pei Guanli to the Jishi Medicine Hall. Seeing the bustling scene inside the hall once again, he called Liu Quan over to ask about their recent situation.

"Shopkeeper, ever since the Old Marquis killed Liu Hong and the Government Office sealed the Xinglin Hall, things have improved a lot on our side," Liu Quan reported. "Doctor Ma, Elder Li, and the others are so busy every day that their feet barely touch the ground. It’s just that the supply of medicinal herbs is a bit lacking..."

Remembering that he had previously asked Wang Ji to send someone to contact the Mountain Race, Chen Yi nodded and said, "Hold on for the time being. The medicinal herbs should arrive in a few days."

With the fall of the Xinglin Hall, the original medicinal herb merchants were naturally looking for a way out. People had already approached the Xiao Family, the Wan Family, and the Hundred Herbs Hall. He estimated that in a few more days, none of the Medicine Halls would lack medicinal herbs.

However, Chen Yi didn’t plan to collaborate with those few medicinal herb merchants in Shu State forever. Moving forward, as the Hundred Herbs Hall expanded throughout Shu State and even into the lands of the other Nine State and Three Prefectures, a massive amount of medicinal herbs would be required. It was impossible for him to entrust the supply of medicinal herbs to those opportunistic merchants who only went whichever way the wind blew.

As Chen Yi spoke, he looked at Pei Guanli, who was holding a tea drink and slurping it down—SLURP, SLURP. He said, "Later, write a letter to your brother. Tell him that someone wants to purchase some medicinal herbs from the Mountain Race in the coming days, and ask him to take good care of the matter."

Hearing this, Pei Guanli chuckled. "Don’t worry, brother-in-law. My brother will definitely get it done for you. If he doesn’t, I won’t let him off the hook."

"We’ll need a large quantity of medicinal herbs. Make sure to emphasize that when you write the letter."

"A large quantity?" Pei Guanli put down her tea and thought for a moment before saying, "Then I’d better reach out to Ah Ma. Everyone in the tribe listens to Ah Ma. Whatever amount of medicinal herbs my brother-in-law wants, we’ll have it."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. He was just about to decline when Pei Guanli continued, "Don’t worry, don’t worry, leave it to me! If Ah Ma knows it’s for my brother-in-law’s Medicine Hall, she will definitely agree."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you."

"Hehe..."

Chen Yi asked Liu Quan for a few more details, then shifted his attention to the Physicians. More accurately, he focused on Yuan Liu’er, who was following Ma Liangcai around.

Despite Yuan Liu’er only having been exposed to the Medical Dao for a short time, she was currently already able to assist Ma Liangcai in diagnosing and treating patients. Taking pulses, questioning patients, and observing symptoms—she did all of it with a proper flair. Even the prescriptions she wrote were considered quite accurate.

He thought, "As expected of someone with peerless innate talent. This speed of progress—TSK TSK...

"It seems it’s also time to teach her Martial Arts."