Chapter 175 He seems to be... Chen Yi?

Such a request was unexpected not only by Wang Ji, but also by Chen Yi.

However, the two were feeling completely different at that moment.

Wang Ji felt mostly fortunate.

He wasn't confident that he could explain the future plans of Baicaotang clearly and completely under the watchful eyes of Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er.

Just like the nervousness and trepidation of an employee facing their boss, he wasn't that confident.

Chen Yi, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.

According to the original design, he didn't need to say too much, which would reduce the risk of exposure.

That way, he won't feel nervous at all and will be full of confidence.

Now he has no choice but to speak to Xiao Wan'er face to face.

It's not good to always be silent and remain invisible.

Chen Yi thought for a moment, but his face remained calm. He raised his head slightly and gave the order in a commanding manner:

"In that case, you can wait here."

His demeanor and words, coupled with his slightly arrogant and superior air, did indeed give him the air of someone from a prominent family.

Furthermore, since he did not use the Xuanwu Breath Concealment Technique to suppress his aura at this moment, his strength and true essence were slightly agitated, making him appear more upright and powerful.

Compared to his previous gentle and humble scholarly appearance, he is more impactful and has a touch of flamboyance.

However, these changes, while impressive to Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao, also made them somewhat worried for him.

After all, the group was inside the residence of the Marquis of Dingyuan.

Not only did he have to face Xiao Wan'er, but also martial arts masters such as Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun watching from the sidelines.

If you reveal even the slightest flaw, no amount of disguise will help.

However, Chen Yi had no time to pay attention to their thoughts at the moment.

After taking the oil-paper umbrella from Zhang Dabao and the "Bai Cao Tang Expansion Regulations" handed to him by Wang Ji, he followed Shen Huatang into the wooden building.

Cui'er then led Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao to the guest room next door to rest for a while.

After Cui'er left, the two looked at each other and couldn't help but smile helplessly.

"Shopkeeper..."

"Shhh."

Before Zhang Dabao could speak, Wang Ji put a finger to his lips, indicating that someone was listening.

Zhang Dabao nodded knowingly, silently saying, "Do you think the boss can hold out?"

"Probably. The boss is always calm and collected, so he should be able to keep things under control."

That being said, Wang Ji was not entirely sure either.

"Hopefully, the boss won't make any mistakes."

A mistake?

Of course not.

Chen Yi's previous arrangements were merely a precaution.

But when this "what if" actually happened, he didn't panic; he was just a little surprised.

It seems Xiao Wan'er had some ulterior motives behind this, probably a little design to "make a preemptive strike" or "show importance".

Thinking about all this, Chen Yi followed Shen Huatang into the wooden building and sat down in the living room.

She sat quietly in a chair, dressed in a magnificent black brocade robe embroidered with a landscape painting, with a sachet hanging from her waist to mask her scent.

His handsome face was expressionless, his demeanor unusually calm, even cold.

Yet he always acted in accordance with propriety and law.

Whether walking, sitting upright, or guiding and greeting Shen Huatang, the details all demonstrate the refinement of a noble family.

Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun naturally saw all of this and then reported it to Xiao Wan'er.

“Miss, this person has an extraordinary bearing and outstanding appearance. Judging from his aura, he is also quite skilled in martial arts. He must have a significant background.”

Xiao Wan'er nodded, lowered her head slightly, and said thoughtfully, "Then let's proceed as planned. Present the gifts first, and then we can discuss other matters."

She was still wearing a cloak, but the neckline was tighter than usual, almost covering her mouth and nose.

Even so, her pale face, tinged with a hint of fragility, was still stunningly beautiful, with bright eyes and white teeth, exuding an air of elegance and nobility.

After a few simple words.

Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun carried a tray covered with a red cloth and followed Xiao Wan'er into the living room.

Hearing the voices and vaguely hearing their conversation, Chen Yi glanced at the three of them out of the corner of his eye before rising and bowing.

"Chen Yu from Baicaotang greets Miss."

Chen Yi was well-prepared and naturally did not behave abnormally; in fact, he was different from his usual self in every way.

A more upright posture, a colder and stiffer tone, and a slightly assertive demeanor in every gesture—even the look in one's eyes is different.

When Xiao Wan'er saw him, she was slightly taken aback, and a sense of familiarity inexplicably arose in her heart.

That figure, that expression, that appearance, that voice, and the bearing in every gesture...

They were clearly strangers.

But she felt like she had seen it somewhere before.

At first glance, he looks like... like a very serious and proper Chen Yi.

As a result, Xiao Wan'er did not return the gift for a long time.

A few breaths later, Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat puzzled.

Seeing that Mr. Chen was still bowing, and knowing that continuing would be impolite, Shen Huatang had no choice but to cough lightly to remind him.

Xiao Wan'er snapped out of her reverie upon hearing the voice, a slight blush creeping onto her face. She curtsied in a respectful gesture.

"Young Master Chen, please don't stand on ceremony, please take a seat."

As she spoke, she sat down in the seat of honor, her mind filled with some strange thoughts.

Most of them were "complaining" about Chen Yi.

That man not only wrote poems for her, but also frequently made inappropriate remarks and jokes about her, which caused her to harbor deep resentment.

Otherwise, how could he have mistaken an outsider for him at this point?

Chen Yi had no idea that Xiao Wan'er had already started to resent him in her heart.

After taking his seat, he glanced at Xiao Wan'er, then turned his head slightly to sit up straight, looking serious and unsmiling.

Xiao Wan'er didn't speak either, but glanced at his profile, and that sense of familiarity welled up in her heart again.

The profile of that face looks like...

He really looks like...my brother-in-law.

Fortunately, after her initial moment of distraction, Xiao Wan'er did not let herself show anything unusual.

Seeing that Chen Yi didn't speak, she beckoned and gave the order in her usual tone:

"Mr. Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you'll accept these gifts."

Seeing that Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun had placed the tray on the table beside them, Chen Yi turned his head and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Miss."

His eyes swept over the tray, and even without lifting it, the outline of the red cloth on it should be the zither and long knife he had mentioned earlier.

Xiao Wan'er smiled and said, "Thank you for your help to my Xiao family's medicine shop these past few days."

"The sale of tea alone brings my Xiao family a monthly share of 14,000 taels of silver. I should be the one thanking you."

Chen Yi said he dared not, and lowered his head slightly, saying, "My Baicaotang is newly established and weak, and we still need to rely on the help of Miss and the Xiao family."

"If it weren't for Fairy Tingyun's help earlier, my Hundred Herbs Hall would have suffered a severe blow. I will always remember this and am extremely grateful."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan'er paused, looked at Xie Tingyun, and hesitated before saying, "In the final analysis, this matter still stems from my Xiao family."

Then she explained the matter of Liu Jing and Linglanxuan.

"Young Master Chen is unaware of the reasons behind this. In fact, it is my Xiao family who has wronged you."

Chen Yi glanced at her, and seeing her serious expression, he smiled and said:

"As the saying goes, true friendship is revealed in times of adversity. If we had not gone through this ordeal, my Baicaotang would not have the current win-win cooperation with Xiao Family Pharmacy."

When Xiao Wan'er saw that smile, an unnatural expression appeared on her face again.

This time, she didn't continue the conversation about the two pharmacies, but instead asked, "May I ask where Young Master Chen's home is?"

Chen Yi withdrew his gaze, the smile on his face fading slightly, and calmly replied:

"Chen lost both his parents at a young age and only followed his master to learn medicine on the mountain, so he could be said to have made his home wherever he went."

Xiao Wan'er was slightly taken aback, but hearing these words dispelled the distracting thoughts in her mind, and she secretly blamed herself for asking an inappropriate question.

"Please forgive me, Young Master Chen. I just felt that you resembled an old friend, so... please forgive me."

Old friend?

Chen Yi felt a chill run down his spine. He had been so cautious, yet he was still able to see through it?

That can't be right.

Xiao Wan'er, blowing a "bomb" is a foul, don't scare people.

“Miss, you are too kind. I am just a commoner, but I am also a half-江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world). I do not deserve such treatment from you.”

"Young Master Chen is joking. I was worried that I might not have been polite enough."

"where……"

Seeing the two of them chatting politely and formally, Xie Tingyun, standing to the side, started to grip the ground with his toes.

Even Shen Huatang had many doubts at this moment.

She followed Xiao Wan'er for many years.

I've seen similar scenes many times.

Normally, Xiao Wan'er is always poised and generous, seemingly courteous, but in reality, her words and expressions often keep people at arm's length.

Never before have I felt so... reserved.

Shen Huatang looked at Xiao Wan'er, whose expression seemed slightly unnatural, and felt that something was off.

And there were also the words "old friend" from earlier.

She racked her brains, but couldn't think of anyone who resembled Mr. Chen Yu in the slightest.

Overall, the current situation is somewhat strange.

Chen Yi naturally noticed something amiss as well.

After several attempts to test him, he realized that Xiao Wan'er had seen through his "flaws".

Therefore, after exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Yi decided to cut to the chase quickly.

Taking advantage of a lull in the conversation, he directly presented the "Bai Cao Tang Expansion Regulations" that was on hand, saying:

"I have come here today to discuss another matter with Miss."

Xiao Wan'er gestured for Shen Huatang to take it. After seeing the words on it, she recognized them as Wang Ji's handwriting and, suppressing her unease, asked:

"The 'Bai Cao Tang Expansion Charter'? Did Young Master Chen bring the wrong one?"

Chen Yi shook his head slightly, "Miss, you might as well take a look first."

Xiao Wan'er hesitated slightly upon hearing this, then opened the booklet and began to read.

At first, she thought this was Baicaotang's own business and was somewhat casual about it.

But after just a few lines, her expression turned serious.

It took Xiao Wan'er almost half an incense stick's time to finish reading it carefully, her face showing surprise, excitement, and gratitude.

After quickly flipping through it again, she calmed the turmoil in her heart and looked at Chen Yi seriously, asking:

"Young Master Chen, are those things on here... real?"

"Do you really intend to cooperate with my Xiao family to open Baicaotang throughout Shuzhou, and even across the nine provinces and three prefectures of the Great Wei Dynasty?"

Chen Yi turned to look at her, and said without a smile, "What the young lady said is correct, but there is one slight discrepancy."

"The Xiao family enjoys a high reputation in Shu Prefecture, which is conducive to the opening of trade routes in various prefectures and counties, and naturally they can take care of Baicaotang."

"Therefore, in Shuzhou, the Xiao family can handle the local government offices, powerful families, and martial arts forces. In this way, all of Baicaotang's income can be distributed to the Xiao family at a rate of 50%."

At this point, Chen Yi paused, and seeing Xiao Wan'er listening attentively, he continued:

“But outside of Shu Prefecture, the rules naturally have to be changed.”

"For example, if the Xiao family is confident in taking care of Baicaotang in neighboring Xizhou, Jiaozhou, Guangyue Prefecture, etc., they can also get 50% of the profits."

"However, the Wei Dynasty had a vast territory, with some areas nearby and others far away."

“Places like Jiangnan Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture, where merchants are everywhere and powerful families are numerous, as well as distant places like Beizhou, Jizhou, Mengzhou and Youzhou, need to cooperate with local powerful families.”

"Among them, there may be prefectures that the Xiao family cannot take care of, and the profits will be distributed to the local powerful families that can take care of them."

Chen Yi explained things in detail, and Xiao Wan'er naturally understood.

She just never imagined that business could be done this way.

According to her previous understanding.

Running a pharmacy is a thankless and arduous business.

It requires a shop, a skilled doctor, a manager, apprentices, and other staff to work together, as well as a supply of medicinal herbs, and so on.

Each step needs to be carried out step by step, without the slightest carelessness.

According to the "Bai Cao Tang Expansion Regulations" given by Chen Yi.

This herbal medicine clinic may not need a physician, or the physician may not need to be highly skilled; a basic understanding of medical principles is sufficient.

They usually sell common prescriptions and medicinal herbs.

The company primarily profits from various tea drinks and pills that promote health and well-being.

All of this surprised Xiao Wan'er.

Whether it was Baicaotang's business methods or its approach of using "profit sharing" to win over powerful families in the three prefectures of the Nine Provinces, these were things she had never seen before.

He pondered for a moment.

Having figured out the key point, Xiao Wan'er said, "I have two questions, and I hope Young Master Chen can enlighten me."

"First, is it biased to only sell ready-made recipes, since everyone has their own recipes?"

She knew perfectly well how well the tea was selling, so she didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Her only concern was that the pills wouldn't be effective and would cause people to miss out on treatment opportunities.

After listening, Chen Yi did not speak immediately, but gestured for her to continue.

Xiao Wan'er paused, "The second question is about those remote places. There's no problem cooperating with powerful families."

"But various problems are bound to arise in the process. How can Young Master Chen ensure that they won't line their own pockets or start their own schemes?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi nodded inwardly. He decided to leave the first question aside, but the second one had hit the nail on the head.

At the beginning of the cooperation, those powerful families, unaware of the potential profits, might have allowed Baicaotang to develop unchecked.

However, seeing the potential profits, some people are bound to take the risk.

Thinking of this, Chen Yi nodded and said, "Miss, you can rest assured about the pills."

"My Baicaotang has been open in Shuzhou for over a month now, and there have been no problems with the pills I sell."

"I will have Wang Ji send over the detailed account books of Baicaotang later, and Miss will understand at a glance."

"As for the second question..."

After a moment's thought, Chen Yi continued, "Merchants pursue profit, and even powerful families are not exempt from this."

"It's unlikely that we can completely avoid the problems the young lady mentioned, but we can resolve them through prescriptions, incentives, and force."

He then explained the specifics of each of the three methods one by one, and said seriously:

"Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. My Baicaotang expansion plan is only to open up all over the three prefectures of the Great Wei as quickly as possible."

"At that time, given the prevailing trend, a few petty villains will have no way to block the way forward."

To be precise, as long as the imperial court doesn't intervene, the competition between powerful families and Baicaotang can only be considered as a "merchant war."

Most of these problems can be solved with force.

—The problem was solved by the combined efforts of martial arts sects, renowned physicians, and private soldiers of powerful families.

After listening in silence for a long time, Xiao Wan'er finally let out a soft breath and exclaimed in admiration after understanding everything Chen Yi had said:

"Young Master Chen's thoughts are meticulous and profound, which Wan'er admires."

"However, this is a very important matter, and it is difficult for Wan'er to make a decision on her own. We need to ask Grandfather before we can give you an answer."

Chen Yi nodded; he had expected this.

After all, Baicaotang wasn't just located throughout Shuzhou Prefecture, but rather throughout the entire Shuzhou and even the entire Wei Dynasty.

The process involves a complex web of relationships and connections, requiring the use of countless individuals and resources.

Given Xiao Wan'er's current status and power, it would be difficult for her to accept the position.

However, according to Chen Yi's deduction, this deal, relying on Baicaotang and Xiao Family Pharmacy, will ultimately fall to Xiao Wan'er.

At that time, he will inevitably have to meet Xiao Wan'er again under the identity of "Chen Yu".

Hmm...it seems he needs to find a way to become a hands-off manager.

"There's no rush. It's not too late to decide after Miss asks the Marquis."

After speaking, Chen Yi thought for a moment and couldn't help but remind him:

"However, this matter is of great importance. I hope that Miss will not allow it to be stolen by someone with ulterior motives, so as to avoid any complications."

"I wonder who this person with ulterior motives is that Young Master Chen is referring to?"

"...For example, the Liu family."

Chen Yi considered mentioning the second and third branches of the Xiao family, but after careful consideration, he realized that the old master would likely be on guard, so he only mentioned the Liu family.

Xiao Wan'er understood and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Young Master Chen, Wan'er knows the implications."

Chen Yi nodded. "That's good then."

After we finished discussing the important matters.

Chen Yi glanced at the sky outside the window, then cupped his hands and said, "I have disturbed you greatly today, so I will take my leave now."

Xiao Wan'er was slightly taken aback, and said in surprise, "Young Master Chen, I have already prepared a banquet in the garden today, you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yi had already stood up and bowed, saying, "I hope you will forgive me, Miss."

"Mr. Chen has other matters to attend to tonight and cannot stay long. Please understand."

Seeing this, Xiao Wan'er could no longer persuade him to stay, so she instructed Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun to carry the tray and escort him out of the wooden building.

After exchanging a few polite words, we finally reached out.

Chen Yi led Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao away from the Xiao family in a carriage.

I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

If they stay any longer, there's nothing of real importance to distract Xiao Wan'er, and it's hard to guarantee she won't notice something.

It's better to leave early.

Wang Ji glanced at his expression, "Boss, no..."

"Nothing? I've noticed you've been quite free lately, so I'll find you something to do when we get back."

"Forehead……"

"Um?"

"Yes, sir."

"Um."

Such a pointless conversation naturally reached the ears of Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang behind them.

Although they didn't understand why Boss Chen was so harsh on Wang Ji, they knew that Xiao Wan'er was somewhat strange.

At that moment, Xiao Wan'er was staring blankly at the departing carriage.

There was still a hint of doubt and inquiry in his eyes; he felt a sense of familiarity with Chen Yu.

a long time.

Xiao Wan'er felt a chill on her body and subconsciously pulled her cloak tighter around herself before turning back to Jiaxing Garden.

Upon seeing the direction of Chunhe Garden, she couldn't help but speak:

"Hua Tang, Ting Yun, don't you think that young master Chen looks a lot like... your brother-in-law?"

"Son-in-law?"

Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun looked towards the Spring Lotus Garden and shook their heads in unison, saying:

"Miss, it doesn't look like her at all."

"The son-in-law is a weak and uneducated man, and not skilled in martial arts."

"It's true that my son-in-law is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but he's not very knowledgeable about business. He can't possibly be as far-sighted as Boss Chen Yu."

After listening, Xiao Wan'er nodded suspiciously, muttering to herself.

"It doesn't seem like it, it doesn't seem like it..."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Wan'er temporarily put aside her unease and gave the order:

"Hua Tang, when your brother-in-law returns, invite him to Jiaxing Garden for dinner."

"We've prepared so much food, it's not good to waste it..."

(End of this chapter)