“Doctor,” Jiang Nuan said with a wistful expression, “if it weren’t for the seriousness of the matter, I wouldn’t have brought up the matter of alcohol. People chase after fine wine, but forget how much grain a liter of wine takes. Large-scale winemaking will inevitably cause grain prices to rise, and then who knows how many people will go hungry.”

Originally, she planned to cultivate high-yield crops in a few years, so that they would be ready to be harvested when no one was starving.

But now I realize that some things can't be delayed.

The sooner alcohol is used, the sooner it can be effective and more lives can be saved.

In fact, she preferred to hand it over directly to the imperial court, not to gain benefits or status, but because only the imperial court could promote it on a large scale.

Unfortunately, the Huang family lacked sufficient power, and even if they handed the money over to the imperial court, they could not guarantee the desired outcome.

More likely, alcohol became an open secret, exploited by certain aristocratic classes for their own profit.

It will still have an impact on the general public at that time.

Revealing the prescription now still carries a great risk, but for some reason, Jiang Nuan is willing to trust the white-haired doctor in front of her.

Perhaps it's because the old man's movements are always a beat slower, taking his time, that time seems to stand still; or perhaps it's because his calm, unwavering eyes, like waves that have weathered storms, have ultimately returned to a state of tranquil peace.

Silence, a long silence.

"Madam Jiang," the old doctor finally bowed slightly and said solemnly, "I agree to these conditions."

After writing down the prescription for distilled alcohol and handing it to the old doctor, Jiang Nuan took a deep breath and then, despite the old doctor's attempts to persuade her to stay, resolutely left.

"Master," the young apprentice looked curiously at the old doctor standing on the threshold, "everyone's gone, why aren't you coming inside?"

This was the first time he had ever seen his master value someone so much. Usually, even when it came to important people, his master would ignore them and just do his job as a doctor.

“You don’t understand,” the old doctor slowly stroked his beard, “A woman as extraordinary as Lady Jiang deserves all the respect and admiration she deserves.”

This was the first time in his life he had encountered a woman like this: she possessed both a broad vision and a compassionate heart.

If it weren't for what happened today, he would never have believed that there could be such a woman. It's not that he looks down on people, but women confined to the inner quarters of the house simply lack some worldly experience.

After saying this, the doctor returned to his study.

A moment later, a pure white carrier pigeon slowly flew north.

Huang Xiaosan has always been outspoken and daring, but just now at the pharmacy, he didn't dare to utter a sound.

For some reason, even though she was his own mother, he felt a sense of estrangement towards her.

And the doctor, though he didn't seem to lose his temper, made him feel a strange sense of oppression.

The three of them were in one room, and he inexplicably felt as if he had been left in another world.

Once outside, he could no longer contain his many questions, "Mom, is alcohol really that magical?"

"It's not exactly miraculous, but it has enormous medicinal value."

After a pause, Jiang Nuan added, "It also has enormous commercial value!"

"Commercial value?" Huang Xiaosan asked tentatively. "Can it make a lot of money?"

“Yes!” Jiang Nuan nodded slowly. “The prescription we just sent out is enough to make our family the richest in southern Henan.”

The tobacco and alcohol industry has always been considered a highly profitable industry.

"The richest man in southern Henan...?" Huang Xiaosan's breathing quickened. "Mom, are you sure you mean the richest man in southern Henan and not the richest man in Ping'an County?"

Southern Henan, that's the capital city!