Chapter 538 Civil Unrest
What does "cutting leeks" mean?
Everyone was puzzled by this seemingly unrelated remark, but the middle-aged man immediately said, "Think about it, the chives in the field are just harvested once, then harvested again after they grow back. Isn't this the same as selling medicine like this?"
"..."
"But even cut leeks can grow back on their own, so how can the money of ordinary people like us grow back on its own?"
"..."
"Every penny and every cent we earned was hard-earned, through blood and sweat!"
"..."
"Now, a bowl of medicine costs us one coin, which is even more ruthless than harvesting leeks! Once you've made your money, what will be left for us!"
Everyone suddenly realized, and even Shang Ruyi was somewhat amazed—this metaphor was not only vivid, but it also made people immediately think of how insignificant their lives were!
What a clever idea!
She subconsciously took a good look at the middle-aged man and saw that although he was not tall, he was strong and agile. His clothes were not fancy, but they were clean and decent. He looked neither like a scholar nor a farmer from outside the city.
It's even less like someone who would have such ingenious ideas.
Moreover, while he was shouting loudly, his eyes kept glancing at the crowd with a cunning look, clearly trying to stir up the crowd's emotions.
Sure enough, upon hearing his words, everyone immediately began to feel sorry for themselves and chimed in with their own opinions.
"He's right, you're just treating us like韭菜 (chives) to be harvested!"
"That's really true!"
"We're not your suckers!"
In an instant, the crowd's discontent was stirred up, and they kept pushing forward. Some people even tried to take advantage of the chaos to rush up and grab the medicine on the table. Fortunately, Pei Xingyuan had brought enough servants to block the long table. The guards of Chang Le Fang, fearing that they would cause trouble, also blocked them in front.
Seeing that something was wrong, Shang Ruyi frowned and instinctively started to walk forward.
Before she could even take a step, she saw Pei Xingyuan standing in front of her gently shaking his head. Although the lower half of his face was covered, his eyes were still curved and full of smiles.
Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi suddenly remembered Shen Wuzheng's earlier admonition to them—
Everyone should do their job properly and not be soft-hearted.
She stopped abruptly.
At this moment, Pei Xingyuan raised his hands high and waved them forcefully. When the crowd subconsciously quieted down after seeing him do this, he swept his long arms across his waist, put them on his hips, and said with a righteous and confident air, "Gentlemen, do you think I shouldn't be selling medicine?"
Before the middle-aged man could speak, some people behind him immediately shouted, "Of course!"
Pei Xingyuan smiled and said, "Then let me ask you, what are you doing here in the city when you're sick? You're here to see a doctor, don't you think you can buy medicine for free?"
"..."
"Why should you obediently pay for the medicine at the clinic, but expect me to give you my medicine for free? Is there any justice in this world?"
"..."
"You don't want to be exploited, and neither do I, Pei!"
Those behind him were stunned when they heard him say that.
Although the imperial court would provide medicine and food during major epidemics, Pei Xingyuan's visit this time was not by order of the court, but by his own initiative. It seemed a bit unreasonable to ask him to provide medicine.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man immediately said, "Buying medicine is not impossible, but Young Master Pei, have you ever seen medicine that costs one tael of silver per bowl?"
As soon as he said that, the people around him realized what he meant and agreed, "That's right, it's too expensive!"
"Even if we go to the clinic to buy medicine, they won't sell it for a single coin."
"You're just exploiting people!"
"Exactly! Which clinic charges such high prices?"
...
In an instant, everyone's emotions became agitated again.
Pei Xingyuan remained as steady as a mountain, even crossing his arms over his chest, looking completely unconcerned, and laughed, "Then let me ask you, when you came to the city for treatment, did you manage to buy medicine at the clinic?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned and fell silent.
That's right. Although they had been in the city for quite some time, and some of them had even searched every clinic and pharmacy in Daxing City, the doctor's prescriptions only contained a few ordinary medicinal herbs, which they couldn't find even after running around until their shoes wore out.
So when Pei Xingyuan came to sell medicine, they were overjoyed and forgot all about the money. It wasn't until this middle-aged man started making a scene that they felt indignant.
But upon hearing Pei Xingyuan's words, everyone was at a loss for words.
Without him, the people here wouldn't be able to buy even a bowl of life-saving medicine, let alone a single coin or an ounce of silver.
Just as everyone was speechless after Pei Xingyuan's words, the middle-aged man rolled his eyes and immediately said, "Yes, we're also wondering why there's no medicine in the city."
"..."
"Furthermore, all the clinics and pharmacies are out of medicine, so why do you have medicine here, Young Master Pei?"
"..."
"Could it be that someone deliberately bought these medicines in advance, so that once the epidemic appears, they can sell them at a high price, forcing these people to hand over their entire fortunes to you in order to survive?"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately erupted in anger!
You see, it is despicable for someone to sell medicinal herbs at high prices, but due to the circumstances, they can't say anything. But if these medicinal herbs are plundered in advance and then sold at high prices when the epidemic breaks out, it is like strangling everyone. How can people be willing to accept that?
Some people were immediately enraged and shouted angrily, "What a black heart!"
"I never expected you to be this kind of people."
"We can't let ourselves be exploited!"
As they spoke, they charged forward with even greater rage, and even began to fight with the guards and Pei family servants!
Seeing this, Shang Ruyi also panicked a little.
It is true that someone looted medicinal herbs in the city, but this happened a long time ago. Unexpectedly, someone with ulterior motives used the excuse that Pei Xingyuan had the medicine to pin the blame on him.
If they really believe that Pei Xingyuan orchestrated all of this, and the people's anger rises up, a popular uprising is inevitable!
Although the situation was more urgent this time, she became even calmer.
Looking at Pei Xingyuan, who was frowning in front of her, Shang Ruyi suddenly coughed lightly at him, and then winked at the doctors who were rushing forward to pull the patients away.
Following her gaze, Pei Xingyuan was taken aback, but after a moment's thought, he immediately came to his senses.
He stepped forward, almost rushing in front of the patients who were on the verge of losing control, and shouted, "Quiet down and listen to me!"
Upon hearing his words, everyone immediately stopped arguing and fighting.
But the next moment, someone else shouted, "What else is there to say?!"
Pei Xingyuan sneered, "You say the reason we can't find medicinal herbs in the city is because I bought them in advance? Fine, let me find out first—"
After saying that, he immediately pointed to the doctors and said, "You gentlemen, you must all be doctors from several pharmacies in the western part of the city, right?"
The group of people were puzzled as to why Pei Xingyuan had pulled them out at this time. Although they were somewhat at a loss, they immediately nodded in agreement. One of them said, "I am from Changsheng Pharmacy in Yankangfang."
The other one said, "I am the manager of Yongdafang and Ren'an Medical Clinic."
The others also explained their backgrounds, confirming that they were indeed doctors Yuwen Ye had found from various clinics and pharmacies in the western city. Some of the patients had even sought their treatment, so they recognized them and immediately verified their identities. Pei Xingyuan smiled and asked, "In your clinics and shops, have all the Magnolia officinalis, talc, and Atractylodes lancea been bought up long ago?"
The doctors all nodded in agreement.
Pei Xingyuan smiled again and asked, "Then may I ask, when were they sold out?"
The doctors exchanged glances, and one of them recalled for a moment and said, "If I remember correctly, it was bought out around mid-August. The people who came bought all our stock of medicinal herbs at once, leaving none behind."
Another person added, "Yes, I remember it was during the Dharma assembly at Daiyan Temple."
An elderly doctor sighed, "I only found out that the pharmacy clerk had sold all the medicine after I went to the Dharma assembly. If I were still here, I would never have sold it all; I would have kept some in reserve no matter what. We wouldn't be in such a shortage now."
Hearing their sighs, the patients all showed annoyance.
From this perspective, it is indeed clear that someone did this intentionally.
Then, a few young and strong-looking men pointed at Pei Xingyuan and said, "What else do you have to say!"
Pei Xingyuan smiled and said, "Of course there is."
"..."
"You all surely know that my Pei family was convicted of a crime and exiled to Lingnan. We were only able to return because the new emperor granted a general amnesty upon his ascension to the throne a few days ago."
"..."
"You're talking about mid-August, but I haven't even entered Tongguan yet!"
"What!?"
Everyone was stunned when they heard this.
The middle-aged man also showed a look of panic, clearly not expecting Pei Xingyuan to have this trick up his sleeve. But he reacted quickly, and before the others could recover, he immediately said, "So what? The medicine is in your hands. What else do you have to say? It's just that you're on the road, but who knows if you sent people to search the city for the medicine first!"
Those around immediately nodded in agreement, saying, "That makes sense."
Pei Xingyuan smiled and said, "This gentleman is quite certain that I did it. What evidence do you have?"
The middle-aged man sneered, "You have the medicine, that's the proof!"
Pei Xingyuan chuckled and said, "I have the medicine, but I didn't buy it in Daxing City. I bought it near Luoyang. I even have the receipt and the letter of introduction!"
After he finished speaking, he turned around.
The accountant who was sitting behind the long table and was originally in charge of keeping accounts immediately stepped forward and took out a stack of papers from his pocket. These were receipts and notes left from purchasing medicinal materials from several pharmacies!
Upon seeing this, no one could say anything. They looked at each other, frozen in place.
Shang Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief.
Previously, when she asked Tushe'er and Jiang Kesheng to go out of Tongguan to buy medicine, she specifically instructed them to keep the receipts and letters. Although she did not think they would be of any use, she felt it was safer to keep a record of such a large sum of money and medicine. Two days ago, when Shen Wuzheng discussed this matter with them, he asked her to hand over all these receipts and letters to Pei Xingyuan.
At that time, Shen Wuzheng said, "The other side has medicine, and we also have medicine. This matter will definitely be used against us. These receipts must be given to Xingyuan. At the right time, they may be able to protect him."
At the time, Pei Xingyuan had no idea how a stack of receipts and notes could protect him.
At this moment, seeing the people speechless because he showed them the receipts and the anger that had just been burning subsided, he breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close!
Regardless of his safety, given the large number of people around him, if a civil uprising had actually broken out just now, not only would Yuwen Ye's future status be at risk, but all of them would likely suffer!
However, he only breathed a sigh of relief for half a moment before he immediately took another breath and, still with a pair of smiling, crescent-shaped eyes, looked at the obviously bewildered crowd and said, "Now, the truth is out?"
"..."
"The one who really bought up all those medicinal herbs and was plotting against the patients in the city was someone else."
"..."
"As for me, I merely happened to be caught up in this epidemic, which gave these medicinal herbs a purpose. If you want to settle accounts, you'd better wait until you've all recovered before going to settle accounts with the people who really schemed against you!"
This immediately changed everyone's mood.
That's right. Since Pei Xingyuan only happened to buy the medicine near Luoyang, the person who actually scavenged these medicines in Daxing City in advance and then strangled everyone when the epidemic broke out must have been someone else!
Just as everyone was getting annoyed, the middle-aged man also clearly showed a hint of panic. He obviously hadn't expected Pei Xingyuan to be so well-prepared, managing to convince everyone in one fell swoop, and even turning the tables on—
He thought for a moment, then muttered in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around him to hear, "Even so, this medicine is too expensive..."
As he spoke, he gradually retreated and disappeared into the crowd.
Hearing this, the people around felt a little embarrassed, but since it was their own money, they couldn't help but feel the pinch. So they all echoed this sentiment. No one noticed that the person was quietly retreating and was about to disappear into the crowd.
However, Shang Ruyi's gaze remained fixed on him.
Just as the person was about to leave, she instinctively tried to follow, but at that moment, she saw two figures walking towards her from a distance. They were Su Qinglan and Wo Xue. Obviously, they had heard the commotion and came to check. Su Qinglan saw the people making a scene and her delicate eyes immediately showed a look of alarm.
However, Shang Ruyi ignored everything else and just gave Wo Xue a wink.
Wo Xue was quick-witted. Following Shang Ruyi's gaze, she immediately spotted the middle-aged man acting suspiciously in the crowd and hurriedly followed him.
However, on the other side, Pei Xingyuan was still being "besieged" by those patients.
“Young Master Pei, even if what you say makes sense, one tael of silver for a bowl of medicine is really too expensive.”
"By the time we recover, we will be penniless and unable to survive."
"Please, have mercy!"
Hearing these words, Shang Ruyi's mind was entirely focused on the middle-aged man and Wo Xue who followed closely behind, but she couldn't help but feel a growing heaviness in her heart.
The previous points can be debated, but a bowl of medicine costing one coin is expensive, and it's like "harvesting leeks."
These people had already been stirred up and were not so easily subdued. Seeing Pei Xingyuan being interrogated and almost forced to retreat to the long table, Shang Ruyi's heart also clenched.
How should he deal with this?
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