But what they didn't know was that Wang Fugui had another plan in mind - on the surface he was helping Zhou Dazhu vent his anger, but in fact, he had already privately negotiated a profit-sharing agreement with those medicinal material merchants. As long as Chen Changyuan went bankrupt, he would be able to make a fortune from it.
On the other side, Chen Changyuan returned home and opened the door to see Fang Suxia sitting on the kang with needle and thread in her hands. Her thin body looked even thinner under the dim light.
He didn't say anything, but walked silently to the water tank, scooped a bowl of water, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Changyuan, what's wrong? You look so unhappy."
Fang Suxia put down her needle and thread and asked with concern.
"Nothing, something happened in the fields. I can handle it."
Chen Changyuan forced a smile, not wanting to make her worry.
But Fang Suxia could see it, and sighed: "Is the Zhou family causing trouble for you again? Those people are more cunning than a needle tip."
Chen Changyuan didn't respond. He put down the bowl, sat down next to her, and whispered, "Mom, don't worry, I won't let them bully us. This time, I have to let them know that I, Chen Changyuan, am not someone to be trifled with."
The next morning, Chen Changyuan did not rush to the base, but went straight to the county town to find Zhang Qinghai.
The two of them sat in the small office of the pharmaceutical company. After hearing what happened, Zhang Qinghai slammed the table in anger: "That bastard Zhou Dazhu is really a dog that can't change its bad habits! Changyuan, tell me what we should do. I stand with you!"
Chen Changyuan pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Brother Zhang, I've been thinking that I can't handle this on my own. We need to unite and bring together those reliable herbal medicine dealers in the city to form a cooperative. They won't be able to lower the price, and rumors won't spread."
Zhang Qinghai's eyes lit up. "Great idea! I know a few old buddies, they're all honest people and would definitely like to join us. What else do you need?"
"I'm short of connections." Chen Changyuan leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table, his eyes cold. "Brother Zhang, you've gotten to know the county town pretty well over the years. You know which veteran herbal medicine merchants have the most influence, right? I plan to start with them and build the cooperative."
Zhang Qinghai patted his chest and smiled, "Leave it to me! Li Laosan from the east side of the city, Sun Mazi from the west side of the city, and Uncle Zhao from the south street—these three are big names in the herbal medicine circle, and their reputations are fantastic! If they nod, the small vendors will naturally follow."
He lowered his voice and said, "But these old guys have high standards, and they need to be good at what they do."
"Two brushes?"
Chen Changyuan raised his eyebrows and smiled, "They will know my medicinal herbs at a glance. Brother Zhang, just lead the way, and I'll take care of the rest."
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Qinghai poured tea and said, "Let's set out tomorrow to capture these three!"
At dawn the next day, the two of them boarded an ox cart and headed for the county town.
The road was bumpy, but Chen Changyuan remained motionless, staring into the distance and pondering his plans.
In Li Laosan's pharmacy, the old man had a wrinkled face and sharp eyes.
He sat behind the counter, a pipe in his mouth. Zhang Qinghai introduced him with a smile: "Uncle Li, this is Chen Changyuan from Qingshui Village. He has one of the best medicinal material bases. I've come to visit you specially."
"snort!"
Li Laosan glanced at it and asked, "Who doesn't have a piece of land to grow medicinal herbs?"
Chen Changyuan took out the astragalus root and placed it on the counter: "Boss Li, you are an expert, take a look at this."
The golden and thick astragalus exudes a medicinal fragrance, and even the waiters take a few more glances at it.
Li Laosan pinched it and sniffed it, his expression softening. "Yeah, it's better than those watered-down goods. Tell me, what's the matter?"
"cooperate."
Chen Changyuan got straight to the point. "I'm setting up a cooperative to guarantee quality. If you join, we'll set a fair price and block the money-making paths of outside vendors."
Li Laosan tapped his pipe and said, "Okay, I'll join. But remember, the goods must be of good quality, otherwise we'll have a falling out."
"rest assured."
Chen Changyuan's smile was fierce, "I keep my word."
Two days later, Sun Mazi and Uncle Zhao also got it done.
Zhang Qinghai had reliable connections, and Chen Changyuan's products were genuine and affordable, so the three time-honored brands signed the contracts readily, and the prototype of the cooperative was formed.
The sudden bad news broke Chen Changyuan's good mood.
In the teahouse, a young man rushed in, breathless: "Brother Chen! Something's wrong! That old fox Wang Fugui is flirting with out-of-town vendors in the wine shop in the north of the city. What's he up to?"
"Bang" the tea bowl fell heavily on the table.
Chen Changyuan frowned: "Oh, this old guy is really capable of making trouble."
He turned to Zhang Qinghai and said, "Brother, we must get to the bottom of this. If anyone dares to play dirty, hmph, I'll make him pay!"
Zhang Qinghai stood up without saying a word: "I'll go find Mr. Wei right away. He has all the information."
The results came out that night.
Wang Fugui, the smiling tiger, had long been colluding with foreign merchants, preparing to lower the purchase price of medicinal materials and make a profit from it.
The transaction amount and share were clearly written on several receipts, and even Wang Fugui's signature was clearly visible.
"Haha, Wang Fugui, ah Wang Fugui, you're smiling on the surface, but you're stabbing me in the back, treating me like a soft persimmon?"
Chen Changyuan snorted coldly and went straight to Zhang Mazi's house.
"Bang!" Evidence slammed the table. "Brother, do me a favor. Spread a rumor in town that a big pharmaceutical factory is coming to buy herbs. See if those outsiders dare to bargain down the price!"
Zhang Mazi was so happy that he slapped his thigh and said, "Great idea! Leave it to me. The city will be in an uproar tomorrow."
He leaned in closer and asked, "Can that old fox be willing to accept this?"
"Whether he is willing or not is not up to him."
Chen Changyuan's eyes were cold, "I still have a trick up my sleeve."
The next day, news spread throughout the city that large pharmaceutical factories were buying medicinal materials at high prices.
The foreign merchants panicked and their plan to lower prices fell through.
Wang Fugui was so anxious that he rushed to Zhou Dazhu's house and cursed: "Didn't you say that kid was easy to deal with? My money is gone before it even warms up!"
Zhou Dazhu gnashed his teeth and said, "Don't worry, Uncle Fugui. I'm going to take some people to his base tonight and destroy it. He won't be able to turn over!"
On a dark and windy night, Zhou Dazhui led a few thugs and rushed to the medicinal materials base carrying their weapons.
Just as he climbed over the wall, he heard footsteps behind him, torches lit up, and a dozen strong men surrounded him, with Chen Changyuan standing at the front.
"Hey, Zhou Dazhu, why did you choose this time to come?"
Chen Changyuan tapped the wooden stick in his hand. "I haven't settled the score for destroying my farmland last time, and now you're showing up at my door?"
Zhou Dazhu's face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth and shouted, "Don't be so arrogant! Do you dare to fight me alone? What's the point of relying on numbers?"
"Gesture?"
Chen Changyuan sneered, took a step forward, and stabbed the ground hard with the wooden stick, "Okay, I'll give you this chance. If you lose, kneel down and kowtow, and call me grandpa."
Zhou Dazhu glared and gritted his teeth. Before he could say anything, a voice suddenly exploded from behind him: "Brother Zhu, this situation is not right, run!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the man ran away, and the others also dropped their weapons and fled in all directions.
Zhou Dazhu was dumbfounded and stood there unable to move forward or backward.
Chen Changyuan slowly approached and tapped his shoulder with the wooden stick: "What's the matter? Still fighting?"
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves could be heard, and in the glow of the fire, a figure was running breathlessly. "Boss Changyuan! Something's happened in the city! Zhang Mazi's herbal medicine warehouse has been set on fire, and Mr. Wei asked me to come find you!"
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