Chapter 240 King Lando, Overbearing (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Amid the noise, a middle-aged man with a big belly and wearing dark blue brocade clothes backed out of Baicao Hall.
Two servants stood beside him, one holding an umbrella for him and the other supporting him to prevent him from falling.
In contrast, Wang Ji abandoned his usual smiling demeanor when welcoming and seeing off guests, waving his hand with an unhappy expression as if to shoo him out.
"Boss Jia, the contract has been signed, and I've sent the money to your house. Now you say the goods are gone, breaking the contract and not even offering compensation. Are you trying to bully me, Baicaotang Store?"
"Manager Wang, you can't say that. I... I didn't expect that the medicinal herbs would be burned as soon as they arrived at the East Market warehouse."
"Go find whoever burned your medicinal herbs. My Baicaotang only wants a fair exchange of money and goods!"
"Manager Wang, you're asking too much of us."
“The people who burned down the grain store the night before last were a bunch of barbarian slaves. Even if the government arrests them, they can’t compensate me for my losses.”
"If you disagree, then you're pushing my Jia's Pharmacy to its death."
"Do you know how important that batch of medicinal herbs is to my Baicaotang? Your loss is a loss, but isn't it a loss for my Baicaotang?"
After Wang Ji finished speaking in a cold voice, he glanced at Chen Yi and the others opposite him, and his expression immediately became somewhat unnatural.
Just as he was about to greet him, he saw Chen Yi shake his head slightly, and he also saw Chen Yi give him a look that signaled to invite Boss Jia into the hall to continue the discussion.
please?
Wang Ji understood the gesture and smiled bitterly in his heart.
I've already fallen out with them and made all the necessary statements, how can I ask them to go back?
But there was nothing he could do; the boss had to obey.
Then Wang Ji, who had a cold face, instantly put on a smiling face.
"But business is business. Making things convenient for others is making things convenient for yourself. Wang just thought about it and realized I really shouldn't push you too hard."
The middle-aged man was stunned and looked at him blankly. The words he had just prepared to say were stuck in his throat. "You, you are..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Ji grabbed him and pulled him into the Hundred Herbs Hall.
As he walked, he smiled and said, "I was angry just now, and some of my words were harsh. I hope Boss Jia will forgive me."
"Manager Wang, you, you really are... sigh, this time I, Lao Jia, have let you down."
"Neither of us wants something unexpected to happen, right?"
"Let's go back and continue discussing and see if we can minimize the losses of our two families..."
The sudden reversal not only stunned the people who were watching, but also left the guards of Baicaotang completely confused.
"What's wrong with the shopkeeper? He just told us to act according to the situation."
"not understand."
"Maybe he suddenly figured it out?"
Obviously, no one around could understand the reason for Wang Ji's change.
But they were generally aware that Baicaotang's business would be affected—the ordered medicinal herbs were accidentally burned, and both patients who came to get medicine according to the prescription and people who came for tea would be affected.
"Walking can slow down other things, but tea drinking cannot be stopped."
"I have four wives at home. Without that divine ox tea to restore their vitality, how can they possibly hold on?"
"The ladies drink a bottle of beauty tea every few days, and the elders in the family also need to keep some aged white gold tea on hand..."
For a time, Baicaotang's business became even more prosperous.
Many more people are flocking here.
Seeing this situation, Chen Yunfan glanced at Chen Yi and asked thoughtfully:
"Is the tea from Baicaotang really that effective?"
Chen Yi smiled and nodded, "It is indeed good. I also had some when I took the opportunity to cooperate with Baicaotang before."
He developed the formula himself, so he naturally knew the effect.
While it may not cure all diseases, it does have the effect of strengthening the body, improving health, and prolonging life.
This was because he added a special medicinal ingredient to every cup of tea—one that could draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to harmonize yin and yang.
For this purpose, Chen Yi specifically instructed Wang Ji to add the medicine into the tea himself before it was brewed.
As long as Wang Ji doesn't divulge the recipe, it's just a matter of losing it; the effects of Baicaotang tea won't be achieved at all.
Hearing their conversation, Cui Qingwu asked, "I heard that those tea drinks were created by the owner of Baicaotang?"
Xiao Wan'er hesitated before replying, "I guess so, but I haven't asked Mr. Chen Yu specifically."
Cui Qingwu nodded, asked no more questions, and pulled her into the restaurant.
Seeing this, Chen Yi looked at Chen Yunfan and said with a smile, "Brother, I'm going to Baicaotang. I'll come back later."
Chen Yunfan had long guessed that he was the boss Chen Yu.
So when he heard Chen Yi say this, he rolled his eyes secretly, turned around and took Chunying into Yunqing Tower without answering.
In the end, the feelings faded, but this person still hid it so well.
What a waste of his previous sadness over this bastard marrying into the Xiao family.
So he decided that he could let go of everything else, but his determination to beat Chen Yi up remained unchanged.
Chen Yi naturally didn't know what Chen Yunfan was thinking. After they left, he calmly went to Baicaotang.
He walked around the slightly crowded people in the hall, cupped his hands in greeting and smiled at Zhang Dabao, who was guarding outside the inner hall:
"Please inform that Chen Yi from the Xiao Family Pharmacy is here to visit Shopkeeper Wang."
Zhang Dabao calmly saluted and said, "Mr. Qingzhou, please wait a moment."
After saying that, he hurriedly ran upstairs and then quickly ran back down.
"Please come in, Mr. Qingzhou. The shopkeeper is waiting for you upstairs."
Chen Yi raised his hand to signal him to keep watch, then leisurely walked up to the second floor.
At this time, Wang Ji and the boss surnamed Jia were already waiting at the stairs. When they saw him coming up, they both bowed slightly and greeted him with smiles:
"Mr. Qingzhou."
"Jia Yuzhi of Jia's Pharmacy has met Mr. Qingzhou."
Chen Yi smiled and nodded as a greeting, then said, "It would be more intimate if you two called me Shopkeeper Chen."
Of course, he also knew that this was unlikely.
He was already quite famous in Shuzhou for his calligraphy and poetry, but it was mostly scholars who paid attention to him.
However, since the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, when his "Water Melody Song" became known, there are probably few people in Shuzhou who don't know his name.
Especially those who have witnessed the "paradise on earth" in Quchi, through word of mouth, almost regard him as an immortal.
Jia Yuzhi was no exception; his expression showed no sign that he had just been worried about his own losses.
The three of them exchanged a few polite words and then went to the quiet room inside.
Chen Yi took a look and raised his eyebrows and said, "Manager Wang is very generous."
He hadn't noticed it when he came last time, but now the quiet room looked completely different.
It’s not that the layout has changed, but the interior wood, bricks and tiles have been replaced with materials with better sound insulation.
Not to mention anything else, the "fragrant willow wood" used for the wooden window embedded in the wall alone is worth a thousand taels of gold.
It is more valuable than the wood used in the quiet house where the old man lives.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ji smiled, a hint of delight in his eyes, and said:
"I dare not accept Mr. Qingzhou's praise. These were all done by my boss at my request."
This person is very sensible.
Chen Yi nodded to himself, took his seat first, and said, "I hope I haven't disturbed you both by coming here so abruptly?"
Wang Ji smiled and replied that he wouldn't disturb him, and then introduced Jia Yuzhi:
"This Mr. Jia is the owner of the Jia Pharmacy, which has been supplying medicinal materials to Baicaotang."
"Just now, the two of us were discussing the arrival time of the next batch of medicinal herbs."
Chen Yi said "Oh," and looked at Jia Yuzhi without any hesitation, asking, "I just heard that Mr. Jia's medicinal herbs have encountered a problem?"
Upon hearing this, Jia Yuzhi looked bitter.
"I dare not hide it from Mr. Qingzhou. I don't know which immortal I have offended this time. It's really bad luck."
"The day before yesterday, a fire broke out in the warehouse of the Dongshi Grain Store, which also burned down most of the warehouse where Jia stored medicinal herbs."
"Thanks to Shopkeeper Wang for his understanding and for not blaming me, otherwise I would be too embarrassed to come to Baicaotang again."
Wang Ji secretly curled his lips. If it weren't for the adults' order, he would have made Old Jia pay most of his property this time.
You should know that this time he invested tens of thousands of silver dollars in expanding the workshop and recruiting staff for the future expansion of Baicaotang.
But after he had everything prepared, the most crucial medicinal ingredient was missing. How could he not be furious?
Chen Yi was aware of all this.
In his view, money can be earned back, and medicinal herbs can be purchased from other merchants; a few days' delay won't have much of an impact.
What he cared more about was the situation of the East Market Grain Store.
"I heard that a lot of grain was burned in several grain stores in the East Market?"
Jia Yuzhi nodded slightly annoyedly: "I estimate that we lost over 100,000 dan of grain."
"Grain prices have gone up again?"
"You've heard? That's right, prices have risen considerably. Right now, grain prices in both the East and West markets have reached two and a half taels of silver per shi (a unit of dry measure)."
Chen Yi nodded knowingly.
If I remember correctly, the price of grain before he went to Tonglin Town was one and a half taels.
In just two or three days, the price of grain rose by another tael of silver, which surprised him somewhat.
That Mr. Lin is already dead, and several grain warehouses have been burned down. What's the point of raising prices so high?
Do they have food for sale?
Chen Yi suddenly thought of Liu Taofang, the second son of the Liu family, and guessed that it must be the old corn from his side.
Just then, he heard Jia Yuzhi continue, "If we're talking about who's miserable, I, Old Jia, am not the most miserable."
"Lin Huai'an, the owner of Lin Family Grain Store, is the most miserable."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi looked at him and asked, "What? Did the Lin family's grain store suffer the biggest losses?"
"It's not just a lot."
Jia Yuzhi leaned closer, feigning mystery, and said, "On the very night the East Market granary was burned down, Lin Huai'an of the Lin Family Grain Store was also killed."
"oh?"
"I heard from people that he was poisoned by his own wife."
"If he hadn't had a moment of lucidity before his death and immediately made his final arrangements, the Lin family would probably be in complete chaos by now."
As Jia Yuzhi spoke, he sighed, "He was a pitiful man too."
"Back then, he came to Shu Province alone from Ji Province and spent five years building up a huge business empire. I never expected that he would end up like this."
Wang Ji, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but say, "My Baicaotang is just as pitiful."
Jia Yuzhi chuckled twice and repeatedly cupped his hands, saying, "Please forgive me, don't worry, I will do my best to replenish your goods."
"I hope so..."
Talk for a moment.
Aside from the grain store in the East Market and the Lin family, Chen Yi also knew that the whereabouts of those barbarian slaves were still unknown.
The judicial officers and constables searched for clues to no avail, and it is said that they have already begun searching house to house.
"Didn't those people from Vaishsa go to the government office to cause trouble?"
"You went? Why didn't you go?"
Jia Yuzhi said with a gloating look, "But making a scene won't help."
“Our Great Wei Dynasty has always been at odds with the Kingdom of Vaishsa. A few years ago, when the Left King of the barbarians attacked Mengshui Pass, the troops of the Kingdom of Vaishsa took the opportunity to invade the border.”
"Under such circumstances, why would the Prefect bother with those slave traders from Vaishsa Kingdom?"
"Not only that, Lin Zhenghong, the young master of the Lin family grain store, didn't even have time to hold a funeral. He went directly to those slave traders and demanded that they compensate the grain store for its losses."
Wang Ji couldn't help but ask, "Did those Vaishsa people agree?"
Jia Yuzhiyuan's face showed some regret, "If I had agreed, I wouldn't be here today begging you."
"Don't be fooled by the fact that those Vaishsa people are so capable of bringing in barbarian slaves; they are just lowly people who obey orders."
"The real people in charge are not in Shu Prefecture at all."
Taking the opportunity, Chen Yi asked, "I heard there's a very powerful band of bandits in Vaishsa Kingdom, called something like King Lando?"
Jia Yuzhi paused for a moment upon hearing the name, then a hint of apprehension appeared on his face as he asked, "Mr. Qingzhou, you also know King Lando?"
"What? He's rarely known?"
"No, it's just that we merchants who frequently travel the country never dare to call him by his 'bandit' title. We usually refer to him as the 'King of Bandits'."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"
"King Nalando is a ruthless character; he is not only greedy and domineering, but also ruthless."
"Merchants who travel along the Tea Horse Road year-round, whether from our Great Wei Dynasty, the Western Regions Buddhist Kingdom, or even the Kingdom of Vaishsa, are all skinned alive by him."
Even I…
Jia Yuzhi paused, a hint of fear on his face, and said, "Most of the managers I sent to Vaishsa Kingdom to collect medicine have been killed or wounded."
"King Lando's rule is that all passing merchants must hand over half of their goods. Anyone who dares to run away will be killed, anyone who dares to conceal will be killed half, and if the amount is wrong, one person will be killed depending on his mood."
Wang Ji was clearly unaware of Landu Wang's background and asked, "How could our Great Wei Dynasty tolerate such a person?"
Jia Yuzhi smiled wryly and said, "Manager Wang, you are unaware of this."
“King Nalanda was not just a simple bandit; he was also the younger brother of the King of Vaishsa and had nearly 20,000 men under his command.”
"Unless Lord Marquis personally leads the Dingyuan Army to Vaishsa Kingdom again, there is no way to wipe them out."
"Moreover, King Nalanda was taught by the Jade Dragon National Preceptor of Vaishsa Kingdom, and his martial arts skills have long been at the level of a Grandmaster. Ordinary martial artists would only be sending themselves to their deaths."
Grandmaster...
There are three realms each for martial arts, from upper to middle to lower, for a total of nine realms.
The Grandmaster realm is a realm above the Ninth Realm.
A martial artist who reaches this level possesses strength beyond human capabilities.
Chen Yi frowned inwardly. No wonder the Hidden Guards valued King Lando so much.
Having roughly understood the situation he wanted to know, he then signaled to Wang Ji to send Jia Yuzhi away.
After he left.
Chen Yi then took out the letter Lin Huai'an had written to King Lando, and while chatting with Wang Ji, he wrote on the table.
[This afternoon, find someone who understands the Vajrasattva language, someone trustworthy, to help me translate the contents of this letter.]
[Wait for me at the house on Chuanxi Street tonight.]
Wang Ji nodded after reading it, carefully took the letter, and wrote back: "[Sir, the medicinal herbs haven't arrived yet, which has affected the Baicaotang workshop. I'm afraid it will be delayed for a few days.]"
Chen Yi waved his hand, indicating that it was alright, and said with a smile, "I came here only to ask when Boss Chen Yu will return to Shuzhou."
He made a three.
Wang Ji, understanding the implication, said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Qingzhou, but my boss should be back in three months, around New Year's Day."
Chen Yi smiled and replied a few words, then got up and walked outside, his mind filled with a myriad of emotions.
After learning about King Lando's situation, he became even more curious about the Hidden Guard General's intentions in contacting King Lando.
Surely these White Tiger Guards, whose mission is to destroy neighboring countries, can't also become traitors, right?
He pondered for a moment.
Chen Yi shook his head inwardly; it probably wasn't.
If even the White Tiger Guards defect to the enemy, then the Great Wei Dynasty is beyond repair; it should be overthrown.
"Let's see what these hidden guards are up to."
Didn't stay long.
Chen Yi went straight to Yunqing Tower and immediately saw the beautiful figure waiting by the second-floor window—Xiao Wan'er.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Xiao Wan'er waved to him, her eyes blooming like flowers, her beauty shining even in the dimness of the rainy day.
Chen Yi smiled and nodded, then went up the stairs to the second floor and entered a spacious and luxurious private room.
He glanced around, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and said with a smile, "Please forgive me for keeping you waiting."
Cui Qingwu did not respond.
Chen Yunfan leaned back in his chair, waved his hand to signal him to sit down, and said, "When did Brother Yi become so polite?"
As Chen Yi sat down with Xiao Wan'er, he replied without any politeness:
"There's nothing I can do. My elder brother is now the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shu Prefecture, and I dare not overstep my bounds."
"...You still care about your brother's involvement in politics?"
Seeing the two start arguing, Cui Qingwu tugged at Chen Yunfan, signaling Huan'er to serve the dishes:
"Why are you still acting like you were when you were kids?"
Chen Yunfan raised his head and said, "I am not, but I don't know if Brother Yi is."
Just as Chen Yi was about to retort, Xiao Wan'er tugged at him and asked curiously:
"Qingwu, were they like this when they were little?"
Seeing her expression, Cui Qingwu became interested and began to talk about the "grudges" between the brothers Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan.
Even when Chen Yunfan tried to stop her with his eyes, she kept talking.
Chen Yi didn't mind; hearing about "his own affairs" from other people was quite a novel experience.
"...In short, Qingzhou was highly valued at that time, while Brother Yunfan was punished many times."
After listening, Xiao Wan'er covered her mouth and laughed, "So the rumors in Jiangnan Prefecture were true. My brother-in-law is really smart since childhood."
Chen Yunfan pursed his lips, "Yi Di is quite clever now."
That's quite remarkable.
Not only did he achieve mastery in calligraphy and martial arts, but he also made progress in medicine.
In comparison, his elder brother, apart from being a dispensable provincial administration commissioner, was inferior to Chen Yi in every way.
It's absolutely tragic.
Once all the dishes were served, Cui Qingwu took a jar of wine and filled it for Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan, saying with a smile, "Try it."
Chen Yi smiled and nodded, clinked glasses with Chen Yunfan, and then drank it all in one gulp.
He is not a drinker, neither in this life nor in his past life.
So when he drank the wine, he only tasted a slight sweetness and smoothness, and didn't feel much else.
However, Chen Yunfan had done his research better than him. After finishing his drink, he smacked his lips and said, "Not bad, it has a sweet taste."
Cui Qingwu smiled and said, "My Yunqinglou's Langjiu is brewed with spring water from the Wumeng Mountains and the upper reaches of the Chishui River. It has its own sweetness, and even the new wine tastes good."
As Xiao Wan'er watched the three of them chatting and laughing, she couldn't help but feel a little envious.
She wanted to try it too, but her body wouldn't allow it.
Chen Yi glanced at her, noticed her unusual expression, and picked up a pastry for her, saying with a smile, "You must be enjoying the food."
Xiao Wan'er immediately lost her envy, nodded gently, and ate in small bites.
After several rounds of drinks...
Chen Yunfan remembered something and asked, "Is Yi-di going to participate in this year's examination?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi asked in surprise, "Brother, you also want to persuade me?"
"advise?"
"I didn't want to participate, but alas..."
Chen Yi glanced at Xiao Wan'er, which drew a reproachful look from her, and then continued:
"I had no choice but to participate."
Chen Yunfan paused, put down his chopsticks, and said seriously, "You have to participate."
Chen Yi's heart skipped a beat. "Oh? Why?"
"Because of that educational administrator..."
(End of this chapter)
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