The old man was none other than Manager Lin of the pharmacy. Seeing Sun Heng standing at the door with two men, he asked:
"Sun Heng, what brings you here? Who are these two guests?"
"Manager Lin, let me introduce you. They are distinguished guests from our village. They came from the Great Northern Dynasty. They heard that your ancestors came from the Great Northern Dynasty, so they came to visit you."
"Ah, so you two have come from the Celestial Empire. Please come in quickly." After saying this, Manager Lin led Zhao Xian and Li Xue into the house.
Looking at Zhao Xian and Li Xue, Manager Lin felt very close to them. After they sat down, Manager Lin began to inquire about some things about the Great Northern Dynasty.
Zhao Xian gave a general introduction, focusing on the positive aspects, which left Manager Lin with mixed feelings.
When talking about his situation, Manager Lin frowned and sighed repeatedly.
"Because the Xie and Peng families held absolute power in the Kingdom of Jindian, the royal family basically lived in the cracks. If the royal family was in such a state, then the common people were even worse off."
This small town is called Wuling Town. The Lin family has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine for generations. Their ancestors migrated here and have lived here for nearly a hundred years. At first, their ancestors simply practiced medicine here and treated the local people.
At that time, there were no pharmacies in the town, so the ancestors opened this pharmacy here. By Mr. Lin's generation, it had gone through four generations.
There are several pharmacies in the town, but because our store has a full range of medicines and excellent medical skills, most patients prefer to get their medicines from our store.
Because of its good business, it has attracted the envy of others. Wuling Town is within the sphere of influence of the Xie family, who have long wanted to take over the shop, but have not yet succeeded.
Just yesterday, he sent someone to the pharmacy and asked us to prepare two kilograms of golden grass for them. We could set the price. They said they would send someone to pick it up at noon today. If we couldn't get the goods, they told me to close the pharmacy.
They're trying to ruin me; their goal is to take over the pharmacy. You know, golden grass is an extremely rare medicinal herb, more expensive than gold.
This medicinal herb comes from the distant Western Regions and is produced in very small quantities. Even a large pharmacy like ours only has two qian (approximately 6 grams) of this herb.
They're making outrageous demands, wanting so much golden grass all at once. I absolutely cannot do it. Even if you combined all the golden grass in all the pharmacies in the Golden Kingdom, you might not be able to come up with that much.
The Xie family is too powerful. They're sending people to collect the goods by noon. If I can't produce that much golden grass, they'll take action against me.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian frowned and said:
"This is worse than forced buying and selling. The Xie family's behavior is robbery. They know that the pharmacy cannot produce so much golden grass, but they still want to buy so much at once. Their intentions are very obvious."
“That’s right. The Xie family’s order for the pharmacy to prepare Golden Grass is like an imperial edict. If the pharmacy can’t provide it, they will use the excuse that it has delayed their important business to make you pay compensation. Even if I give the pharmacy to them, it won’t be enough to cover the compensation.”
"So, how does Manager Lin plan to handle this matter? Is there any way to overcome the current difficulties?" Zhao Xian asked.
Manager Lin sighed and said:
"What can I do? The Xie family is all-powerful in Jindian Kingdom, and no one can afford to offend them. If all else fails, I'll just give them the pharmacy in exchange for peace. From now on, I'll work as a doctor in town and make a living."
Zhao Xian nodded. He knew that the "golden grass" mentioned by the ancients was the Cordyceps sinensis of today.
Cordyceps was extremely precious in ancient times, comparable to gold. For a pharmacy like Manager Lin's to have even a few coins' worth of Cordyceps was already quite remarkable.
It seems that only I can help Manager Lin get through this difficult time. The system sells cordyceps, which are all artificially cultivated, inexpensive, and of excellent quality. Ancient people could not tell the difference.
Even if they help Manager Lin through the crisis, the Xie family will not let him off easily. They will intensify their efforts, with the ultimate goal of taking over his pharmacy.
The best solution is to completely eradicate the Xie family and eliminate any future troubles.
He had come to visit Li Ru, so why did he suddenly have this idea? The Xie family was too powerful; even the royal family dared not provoke them. Was he just being nosy?
Manager Lin is, after all, a descendant of the Great Northern Dynasty, so I should help him get through this difficult time.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xian spoke up:
"Manager Lin, to be honest, the main reason we have come all this way is to pay our respects to the Emperor of Jindian Kingdom, hoping to open up relations between Jindian Kingdom and the Great Northern Dynasty."
This is Princess Li Xue, the daughter of the Fourth Prince of the Great Northern Dynasty. I am a fourth-rank official in the court, accompanying the princess on her visit and protecting her safety.
In order to pay homage to the emperor of the Golden Kingdom, we brought some valuable gifts, including golden grass, which weighed a full two pounds.
These golden herbs are a special product reserved for the imperial family of the Great Northern Dynasty; they are all of the highest quality. Since Manager Lin is facing difficulties, these golden herbs will not be given to the emperor, but will instead help Manager Lin overcome his predicament.
After Zhao Xian finished speaking, he looked at Li Xue, as if seeking her opinion.
Li Xue was stunned. She could understand Zhao Xian's request to pay respects to the Emperor of Jindian Kingdom. This time, in order to find her brother Li Ru, she had to contact the royal family. So why not take this opportunity to go to the palace?
But when Zhao Xian said he had two catties of golden grass, I got a little uneasy. What does two catties of golden grass mean? This is no joke. Could it be that all that golden grass was stored in his big wooden box?
Seeing that Zhao Xian was still looking at her, Li Xue quickly spoke up:
"I think this is a good idea. Let's follow your suggestion, Lord Shaoqing, and leave the golden grass behind to help Manager Lin through this difficult time. After we return, I will report this matter to the Emperor. The Emperor should have no objections."
“Since the princess agrees, then it’s settled. I just happened to bring these golden herbs with me; they’re on the carriage. I’ll bring them up first so Manager Lin can take a look.” After saying this, Zhao Xian stood up and left the room.
Manager Lin was now in a state of shock. He had never expected that the person in front of him was a princess of the Great Northern Dynasty and a fourth-rank official of the court. How could he possibly accept such a position?
Manager Lin quickly stood up and bowed to Li Xue.
"Greetings, Princess."
"Manager Lin, there's no need for such formalities. Your ancestors were subjects of the Great Northern Dynasty, so it is only right that we help you."
Sun Heng, who was standing to the side, also realized what was happening. He stood up, knelt down before Li Xue, and said:
"I did not know you were a princess of the current dynasty. I have been extremely rude. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Li Xue smiled and said, "No need for formalities, please get up. Your family has taken great care of us during our trip to Jindian Kingdom, and I should be thanking you."
As they were talking, Zhao Xian returned and pushed open the door to enter.
Everyone looked at Zhao Xian, who was holding a wooden box in his hand. The box was exquisitely crafted and must contain something very valuable, undoubtedly the Golden Grass.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
