Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power
Chapter 17 - 16: Her Little Thoughts

Chapter 17: Chapter 16: Her Little Thoughts

Manager Li thought of Song Xian’s style of doing things and didn’t dare to go back easily to report, so he asked carefully.

"Where did you get the formula from?" Manager Li had never heard of it.

Xie Liangchen said, "It’s been passed down through the generations. But due to the wars in the North, there hasn’t been a chance to use it. Now that General Song has driven away the Liao people, life will get better and better. In the future, scholars like my brother will definitely need paper. I thought maybe now the Paper Workshop can use it, so I came to ask."

Manager Li’s mind was momentarily dazed, Mr. Song had also said something similar; the Paper Workshop would be different in the future, and there could be no slack.

Xie Liangchen could work harder to persuade; even if the steward refused now, visiting more often might eventually earn her an opportunity.

Song Xian saw Xie Liangchen and Manager Li talking from afar. Neither noticed him approach as he deliberately lightened his steps, allowing him to hear Xie Liangchen’s words clearly.

When lying, she didn’t blink an eye, and her sincere attitude made her seem so trustworthy.

Although Song Xian knew about the new papermaking formula, he wouldn’t focus on such minutiae, and he had many matters to handle right now; if Xie Liangchen understood it, she could handle it.

Song Xian stepped forward.

Xie Liangchen noticed a tall figure, slightly stunned, not expecting to encounter Song Xian here. Since Song Xian was here, the screams from the backyard weren’t surprising.

Manager Li quickly bowed to Song Xian in greeting.

Song Xian seemed not to notice Xie Liangchen and said indifferently to Manager Li, "What’s the matter?"

Manager Li said, "This young lady says the herbs can be used for sizing."

Xie Liangchen explained before Song Xian could speak, "This is a new formula that makes the paper firmer and finer."

Xie Liangchen pretended not to recognize Song Xian, at least avoiding any hint of connection to avoid displeasing her creditor.

Song Xian fixed his gaze on Xie Liangchen, "You know how?"

Xie Liangchen nodded obediently, "I do, but it would take two days to prepare."

Song Xian looked at Manager Li again, "Is two days enough?"

Song Xian meant whether two days would be sufficient to prepare the trial for the new formula.

Manager Li was quick to reply, "Enough, it’s enough."

No one dared to say "no" in front of Mr. Song.

Song Xian said no more, but everyone understood his meaning.

"If anyone offers a new formula, it’s worth a try," he mounted his horse and prepared to leave. Then something crossed Song Xian’s mind, and he cast a deep glance at Xie Liangchen, "If successful, the herbs are priced at market rate."

Song Xian’s words might be unclear to others, but Xie Liangchen understood well.

Twelve years later, the court established a Pharmacy Bureau which regulated all herbal prices, prohibiting any merchant from altering prices at will.

The imposing Mr. Song feared she would extract an unreasonable profit. In her mind, Xie Liangchen rolled her eyes at Song Xian.

Then she respectfully lowered her head in a feigned manner to bow to Song Xian. Having conducted business for years, she relied on reputation. Moreover, working for her creditor, she wouldn’t promise prices below market but assured they wouldn’t be above.

"Thank you for trusting me; I will do my best."

Song Xian squinted at the humble figure. Ever sensitive to danger and threat, he felt as if a needle stealthily approached to prick him.

She had better hide her cunning thoughts well and not let him find a handle.

Song Xian withdrew his gaze and left with his men.

Old Mrs. Chen stood aside, listening in bewilderment. What happened? Did the Paper Workshop want what her granddaughter spoke about?

Thinking this over, Old Mrs. Chen looked at the person riding away on a tall horse. She wasn’t dull — realizing the person must be a noble, and they looked familiar.

"Grandmother," Chen Zigeng said softly, "I told you Sister is capable, do you believe it now?"

Old Mrs. Chen remained dumbstruck, murmuring after a while, "That was General Song, right?"

Old Mrs. Chen did not refer to Old General Song but Little General Song, whom she had seen once in the village. That aura of bloodshed was unmistakable, fearsome, and clearly not someone to be trifled with.

Xie Liangchen shook her head, "I don’t know."

Manager Li confirmed Old Mrs. Chen’s guess, "That was the legitimate son of the National Guardian General. You’re fortunate to have encountered Mr. Song."

Previously, Manager Li had wondered if Mr. Song and this young lady were acquainted, but upon hearing Mr. Song’s words, he realized Mr. Song was concerned about the formula, not the person.

Manager Li sternly warned Xie Liangchen, "But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. The outcome still depends on your formula."

The assistant was also amazed. What a great fortune, to have Mr. Song personally agree to trial her formula. If her formula proves effective, wouldn’t there be great riches ahead?

Xie Liangchen replied once more, "Rest assured, Manager."

The three in the family loaded back onto the mule cart. As they traveled for a while, Old Mrs. Chen’s senses returned, "Miss Chen, are those herbs you spoke of truly effective?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

"If they are effective, can we gather them to sell to the Paper Workshop?"

Xie Liangchen nodded again.

Old Mrs. Chen gasped, lowering her gaze to her worn-out shoe soles, feeling a heartache. Yes, she could feel the pain, so it wasn’t a dream.

As the mule cart approached the village, Old Mrs. Chen said, "Miss Chen, how did you learn these things?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "I don’t know. I can’t remember past events, but I do know what I learned before. It seems someone taught me about herbs and pharmacology."

Xie Liangchen spoke candidly, for as long as she didn’t feel deceitful, no one could expose her, except for Song Xian.

Old Mrs. Chen caught the crucial point, "You know more than just these two herbs?"

Xie Liangchen answered, "Perhaps I know far more than I think."

To Old Mrs. Chen, her granddaughter seemed to shine in the sunlight — a golden radiance, the light of wealth.

Old Mrs. Chen’s mind went blank, and she couldn’t help but edge closer to her granddaughter, wondering if she could catch a scent of money.

The mule arrived at the village entrance, and people from the village immediately gathered.

Xie Liangchen looked over. Most were women and children, their clothes tattered, bodies thin, skin yellowish.

This was the aftermath of war.

Old Mrs. Chen whispered, "The court conscripted soldiers, your uncle as the village chief took everyone out, and few returned. Many lost their lives out there, and those who did return had lost limbs, leaving disabilities — almost a village of widows.

Let’s share some of the rice we brought back with them. It’s not much, but the adults can’t eat it, and at least the children can taste it."

The mule cart halted, and Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng jumped down first, turning to help Old Mrs. Chen.

The villagers, upon seeing the cart loaded with goods, wore expressions of surprise. Several children stared eagerly at the bags of rice, swallowing continuously, some even putting their thumbs in their mouths.

After examining the contents of the mule cart, everyone finally noticed Xie Liangchen.

"Sister-in-law," Granny Tian stepped forward, "What have you been up to?"

Old Mrs. Chen grabbed Xie Liangchen, "Let me tell you all, my granddaughter has come back, and she will live with us in Chen Family Village from now on."

Old Mrs. Chen wished to announce her granddaughter’s intelligence and capability to everyone, but before she could, someone ran over.

"Hei Dan from Uncle Chen’s house is not doing well."

The young lad spoke while wiping his tears. Seeing Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Zigeng, hope appeared in his eyes, "Zigeng, Grandma, please think of a way!"

Chen Zigeng’s face had already changed, filled with panic. He didn’t know what to do but suddenly thought of his sister, picturing her as capable of anything.

"Sister," Chen Zigeng said, "Let’s go have a look. Hei Dan fell ill because of me..."

Hei Dan, that name was familiar to Xie Liangchen in her past life.

Hei Dan had saved her drowning brother and consequently caught an illness from the cold water, an ailment from which he didn’t recover.

This event had been a knot in her brother’s heart.

Although Xie Liangchen understood herbs, she wasn’t skilled at diagnosing, but regardless, she needed to find a way to save him.