Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 63 - 59: 500 taels?

Chapter 63: Chapter 59: 500 taels?

"Haha! You little boy do have a glib tongue. You’re saying that if our Huichun Hall doesn’t give you a high price, we’re bullying a child?" At this moment, a man with a smile came out from the inner room, stroking his beard. His temples were slightly white, and he wore an indigo silk tunic robe with a broad blue belt around his waist, from which hung a piece of jade resembling Nephrite Jade. This person laughed heartily as he approached Gu Chengyu and the others.

Gu Chengyu didn’t need to think to know who it was. Clearly present in the room, yet Master Zhang claimed he wasn’t, revealing questionable character. Dongzi squeezed over and whispered to Gu Chengyu that this was Manager Liu.

"Master Zhang, wintergreen has been a scarce item at Huichun Hall recently, and its price has been high. You’ve heard this young one say that Huichun Hall has always been honest in its dealings, and if the quality is good, it’s not unreasonable for the price to be a bit high! Of course, I know Master Zhang is also thinking of the patients; if it’s bought at a high price, it will naturally be sold high as well." Manager Liu first gave a scolding and then a sweet date, as they say. This Zhang Yang just loves to oppose him. Before he came, there was another chief at the clinic, but unfortunately, that shopkeeper was transferred by his lord to the Prefecture, replacing him with a second manager from the Prefecture to be the shopkeeper here, which made him happy; better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix! Who knew, Zhang Yang thought that with the old shopkeeper gone, he would be promoted, only to have him come, so he was naturally dissatisfied. Since then, he’s been opposing him at every turn, causing endless trouble. Yet this matter concerned Huichun Hall’s reputation, so he had to speak up.

Master Zhang was startled by Manager Liu’s sudden appearance, most definitely his previous remarks were overheard. This Manager Liu was shrewd, never letting him catch any fault, truly annoying. With a flick of his sleeves, he left without saying a word.

"But you want to sell medicinal herbs? Bring them along and let’s talk inside. There are too many people here, which might cause some inconvenience." Manager Liu lifted the curtain and led the way into the inner room.

"Little brother, you all go inside now! I have to get to work too, or I’ll get scolded later." Dongzi saw Gu Chengyu and the others finally met the shopkeeper, so he felt relieved.

"Just call me Xiao Bao, Brother Dongzi! All my family calls me that. I really have to thank Brother Dongzi this time! Brother Dongzi is really a good person." Gu Chengyu was truly grateful to Dongzi, a warm-hearted young man. Hopefully, the second shopkeeper wouldn’t take out his anger on him.

"No need, you’re not from this county, right? Unfamiliar with the place. It doesn’t hurt to lend a hand. Besides, I didn’t actually help much. I’m off to work now!" Dongzi, getting shy from the praise, jogged away to his work.

"Please sit, have some tea first." Manager Liu asked Mr. Gu and the others to sit, and he sat in the main seat, pouring tea for Mr. Gu and the others. They had walked for so long, not only Mr. Gu but also Gu Chengyu was somewhat thirsty. The teapot poured out cool tea, and Mr. Gu and the others, not standing on ceremony, couldn’t bother that it was tea bowls, they picked up the bowls and drank it up, and Gu Chengyu also took a few sips from his teacup.

Manager Liu watched them finish with a smile, poured another cup, then started talking business. "I’ve already checked the wintergreen, and the quality is indeed good. What’s your asking price per jin?"

Now facing the main person, wintergreen wasn’t the most important issue anymore. "Manager Liu, we actually came this time through the introduction of Doctor Li, Li Yuanfeng, who said he was an old acquaintance of yours, and encouraged us to sell here at Huichun Hall, assuring us you wouldn’t shortchange us." Gu Chengyu thought it more reliable to first mention Doctor Li.

"Oh? You know Yuan Feng? Don’t know how he’s been lately, three years without seeing him. I thought he forgot me!" Manager Liu was a bit surprised at hearing Doctor Li’s name but realized they hadn’t met in three years. If it weren’t for his stubbornness, insisting on staying in that little village, he might have risen step by step and perhaps made it to the Capital by now. They had last met three years ago, and even though both were nearing the age of knowing their fate, that old man’s temper hadn’t changed.

Gu Chengyu saw that when mentioning Doctor Li, Manager Liu looked reminiscent and lost in thought, suggesting Doctor Li must have an interesting story too! But realizing the hour was getting late, Gu Chengyu had to interrupt Manager Liu’s reminiscence.

"Doctor Li is the only doctor in our village, so life is quite good for him. Actually, we have another matter to attend to today. Father, quickly take it out." Better settle the ginseng sale first.

"Alright!" Mr. Gu took out the ginseng wrapped in cloth from his chest and spread it out in front of Manager Liu. "Manager Liu, we found this ginseng while gathering wintergreen on the mountain, and we’ve had Doctor Li assess it, saying it’s over eighty years old. Please take a look." Mr. Gu didn’t dare mention the story of Gu Chengyu dreaming of the treasure; no one could know the origins of their Xiao Bao.

"Oh? Let me see." Manager Liu showed interest upon seeing the ginseng placed on the table by Mr. Gu and carefully examined it. Hmm, the ginseng was in excellent condition, with complete roots and still fresh from the soil, its body quite stout, almost forming a human shape. Even he had to admit if not for the century-old years, it could fetch upwards of two thousand taels. What a pity!

"Your ginseng is indeed excellent. Are you planning to sell it to me? If so, name your price." Manager Liu gently set the ginseng down, noticing it was wrapped in an old, faded piece of rough cloth, and couldn’t help shaking his head at such a waste of a treasure.

"Manager Liu, we came from afar to sell the ginseng, as Doctor Li recommended Manager Liu for fairness, assuring us you wouldn’t lower the price without reason. We also trust Huichun Hall’s reputation. Please, Manager Liu, offer a price, we are not well-versed in this, so we’ll go with whatever number you say!" Gu Chengyu was not willing to give their asking pricehere; this would be disadvantageous. Since Doctor Li introduced them, it wouldn’t make sense for them to suffer a loss, right?

"You are indeed clever, young one. Since Yuan Feng introduced you, I can’t brush him off. So, you must have a rough idea of the price, regardless of the ginseng’s fine condition, its eighty plus years are there, and even at its best, it can’t exceed four hundred-some taels. However, you are fortunate a wealthy family happens to need a century-old ginseng for medicine. Despite yours not reaching a hundred, its effectiveness shouldn’t significantly differ. I’ll offer you a whole five hundred taels, which is the highest price I can offer. Are you satisfied?" Manager Liu, seeing the ginseng’s excellent condition, thoroughly inspected it. Though not tasted, the medicinal effect is undoubtedly much superior to other eighty-year-old ginsengs, so offering five hundred taels is indeed fair.