Chapter 555: Encountering an Acquaintance
Zhou Wansheng handed her the information and explained, “Some traditional Chinese medicine families with a long history began to live in seclusion and withdraw from the public eye after the liberation. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They all have their own ways of contacting each other and their own way of life. For example, small clinics on the street, old Chinese medicine doctors in mountainous areas, and doctors who hold consultations in major hospitals. They are not famous, they are low-key, and they are law-abiding citizens.”
Gu Yin asked in surprise, "Is Elder Yao also from a reclusive family? How come he's working alongside the leaders?"
Zhou Wansheng smiled and said, "This brings us to the medicinal herb bases I just mentioned. There aren't many places in our country where medicinal herbs can be grown on a large scale. There are only five places nationwide: the ginseng and deer antler bases in the north, the Tibetan medicine bases in the west, the Guangdong medicinal herbs bases in the south, the Guizhou and Yunnan medicinal herbs bases in the southwest, and the Central Plains medicinal herb region in the south. These five major medicinal herb bases were originally controlled by individual families, but a few years ago the state subdivided them into ten major medicinal herb bases. These bases are all under the management of the state, but the higher-ups are afraid that the lower-ups will not be satisfied, so they created the medicinal herb selection meeting. At the annual selection meeting, whoever can bring out the best medicinal herbs will win the prize." The management rights for the medicinal herb base are for three years, after which a re-evaluation will be conducted. Because it's under unified management, you have to apply to get the herbs. If your family is the administrator, then the herbs your family receives each year will be the best! The old doctor's ancestors were imperial physicians in various dynasties, possessing profound knowledge and skills. But by his generation, he was the only one left. Many families wanted to recruit him into their ranks because of the herbs, but the old doctor didn't want to. However, in such a circle, it's difficult to remain uninvolved. So he accepted the recruitment from higher-ups and became a national doctor. It's that simple, and quite a few people know about it.
Gu Yin nodded. Oh, I see.
Gu Yin looked at the information more carefully: "Their selection meeting ended the day before yesterday, and the new manager of the medicinal herb base has been appointed. So what is the purpose of this auction?"
Zhou Wansheng laughed and said, "It's not easy for all the major worlds to gather together. At first, they just exchanged the medicinal herbs they were missing. Later, it evolved into exchanging with people from the outside world. After all, some families are becoming more and more prosperous, while others are becoming more and more declining. Even self-sufficient families need money. So after the news was leaked, it turned into an auction. And what was auctioned off were all their family's assets. Items that weren't their family's assets were all traded during the day."
Gu Yin asked in surprise, "How does Grandpa know so much?"
Zhou Wansheng chuckled: "After Wu Ye asked me to find him an old Chinese medicine doctor, I had someone investigate and that's how I found out all this. Knowing more is always better. If we find a good Chinese medicine doctor, Grandpa can have him be our family doctor. After all, no one can escape birth, aging, illness, and death, but if we take good care of ourselves, we can at least prevent it in advance, if not prolong our lives!"
Gu Yin wanted to tell her not to worry, that she was there, but then she thought that she couldn't really tell the difference between minor illnesses and pains. Having a family doctor was a good thing, especially since there were many elderly people in the family, and it would be good for them to take care of their health.
The party started at 7:30. At 8:00, Zhou Wansheng and Gu Yin changed into their formal attire and went downstairs.
Almost everyone who was supposed to be there downstairs has arrived.
When Gu Yin and Zhou Wansheng went in, everyone looked back at them, then turned back to continue their conversation.
Zhou Wansheng laughed and said, "At this auction, we don't care about status or position, we only care about who pays the most money. Everyone here is a competitor."
Gu Yin nodded and followed them inside.
As soon as I entered, a waiter came over with two glasses of champagne and a drink.
Gu Yin didn't take a wine glass, but instead took a beverage glass.
"Shipping magnate? What brings you here? We've never seen you here before!"
Gu Yin looked up and saw that the person who came was Zhong Chengji, the richest man in Yangshi. He had also come to the handover banquet before. Since that place was close to Hong Kong, it was not surprising that he knew Zhou Wansheng's itinerary.
Gu Yin greeted him with a smile: "Hello, Uncle Zhong."
Zhong Chengji smiled and nodded: "Long time no see, Gu Yin! You've become even more beautiful since the last time we met!"
Gu Yin smiled and said, "You look more and more energetic. They say that good things make people feel refreshed. I'm sure you'll have a great time at this auction!"
Zhong Chengji laughed heartily and looked at Zhou Wansheng: "Old Zhou, what your granddaughter said really resonated with me!"
Zhou Wansheng raised an eyebrow: "Looks like you're very confident. What, do you have some news? Tell me?"
Zhong Chengji smiled wryly: "I don't have any information. My father-in-law's health started to decline after this winter. I just heard that there was an old ginseng at this auction, so I came here. Just now, I walked around the venue, and you wouldn't believe it, at least half of the people here are here for that old ginseng!"
Zhou Wansheng asked in surprise, "How many years?"
Zhong Chengji raised his hand.
Zhou Wansheng gasped: "500 years old?! As far as I know, the only known 500-year-old ginseng on the market is from Baijia Village in Bai Province. What, Baijia is putting it up for auction?!"
Zhong Chengji nodded: "I heard that's how it is, but we don't know the specifics. There's no news from Bai Province either. We'll know tomorrow. Something that was originally worth 30 million will be auctioned off for at least 100 million! The competition is fierce! There's only one piece, and so many people are bidding. I don't have much hope. Not to mention us, even those traditional Chinese medicine families are eager to participate!"
Those who came were all wealthy people, and they all valued their lives. Money didn't matter to them; what they really needed was good stuff. However, Zhong Chengji was right. If those families of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners were to trade a century-old Ganoderma lucidum with the Bai family, then these wealthy people would have come for nothing.
Zhou Wansheng smiled and shook his head: "The highest bidder wins, the rest depends on luck and fate!"
Luck? Gu Yin suddenly became even more interested in and looking forward to tomorrow's auction; she'd been having pretty good luck lately!
"Huh?!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Wansheng looked at Gu Yin and asked, "What's wrong?"
Gu Yin looked at the people not far ahead and said, "Grandpa, I saw someone I know. I'll go over and say hello."
Zhou Wansheng looked over and nodded: "Call me if you need anything."
After greeting Zhong Chengji, Gu Yin walked forward.
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