Chapter 82: Baicao Hall

Chapter 82: Jiushi Pharmacy

Entering June, the lands of Shuzhou were shrouded in continuous rain.

Ten days of relentless downpour washed away the dryness of summer, yet it also raised the level of the Red River in the northern part of the prefecture city by a chi, nearly matching the height of the characters on the "Ping" inscription on the flood control monument.

Though it had not yet reached the high water mark of past years, it was enough to draw serious attention from the provincial authorities.

The Right Assistant Yang Ye personally led a team to the main embankment to assess the water levels.

In addition to ordering guards to stand watch day and night, he also specifically instructed the prefect's office in Shuzhou to prepare—allocating supplies, arranging personnel, and taking preventive measures.

At that time, officials in raincoats could be seen bustling through every street and alley in the city, informing residents in low-lying areas to clear the drainage channels in front of their homes.

Even the benevolent pharmacy, Jiushi, received a visit from an official.

However, unlike the residents of private homes, the eastern market was a commercial district, where, by custom, each shopkeeper paid to hire workers to maintain the drainage ditches.

The sum was small—just three strings of cash per shop.

Thus, Chen Yi had the treasurer, Liu Quan, collect the money and hand it over to the officials, who then recorded it and took it to the market guild.

After sending the money to the officials, Liu Quan returned to the pharmacy and noticed Chen Yi standing attentively beside the physicians, studying their diagnoses with great focus.

He wondered, "This merchant is said to be a learned scholar—how does he have knowledge of medicine?"

Asking one of the apprentices near the door, Liu Quan inquired, "Has the merchant been spending these days following your master to examine patients?"

The apprentice paused, then nodded. "Indeed, since he arrived, he has been sitting beside the physicians all day."

"But whether he actually examines patients, I cannot say."

Upon hearing this, Liu Quan nodded and told the apprentice to continue polishing the windows and doors.

After observing Chen Yi's continued diligence, he too returned to the counter and began tapping his abacus, tallying the previous month's accounts.

Even the merchant was busy—so Liu Quan dared not relax.

As for Chen Yi, he paid it no mind.

Since the time when the group at Jiushi had finished signing and stamping documents, three days had passed. During that time, he arrived at dawn and left only at dusk.

Aside from normal rest periods, he spent every moment enhancing his medical skills, combining the esoteric knowledge of medicine with practical techniques.

There was no lack of effort.

After sending away a patient suffering from wind and cold, Chen Yi gave the same diagnosis as the physicians and took a sip of tea.

After a moment of thought, he spoke up: "Master Li, in the prescription for the next batch, reduce the amount of white peony root by one liang. The effect will be the same, and the price will be two coins cheaper."

Li Lao, the eldest of the four physicians at Jiushi, was already over sixty.

Though not a renowned doctor, he had practiced medicine for thirty years, and his prescriptions had never once been flawed.

Upon hearing Chen Yi's words, Li Lao looked puzzled. "Merchant, do you understand medical techniques and prescriptions?"

Chen Yi did not explain further. Instead, he smiled and said something unrelated to medicine: "We serve the poor and needy. If we can save them a few coins, that is good."

In the eastern market, most people were from remote mountain regions or artisans who had come to the city to make a living.

They sold their wares daily, enduring wind and sun.

In these days of rain and gloom, the visitors to the eastern market hurried past, leaving those artisans without income.

Like the patient who had just suffered from wind and cold, whose accent suggested he was from Yingzhou, Chen Yi noticed him pulling out one coin to rub his sore face—he shook his head in dismay.

Though he had seen many poor people and never thought to offer aid, when it was within his means, he did so without hesitation.

Li Lao, upon hearing this, did not respond. Instead, he said gravely, "Merchant, if you truly understand medical techniques, changing the prescription by one liang is simple. But if you do not..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yi raised his hand and interrupted. "Listen to me."

Li Lao paused, then said, "After I try this new prescription, if it proves effective, reducing the white peony by one liang will not be a problem."

Chen Yi nodded with a smile and left to fetch some water.

After he departed, Li Lao sighed, his face troubled. "What does this man know about medical techniques?"

The physician beside him whispered, "Master Li, don't worry about whether this merchant understands medicine. Just go along with him for now."

"Don't forget, he is also responsible for the 'crime' we committed."

Li Lao glared at them. "Even if I truly erred, the prescriptions are the legacy of our elders. Can they simply be altered?"

The other three physicians, unable to persuade him, fell silent and instead said, "The merchant means well, saving money for the people."

Li Lao scoffed. "If he truly wants to help, let Yan Mao move out."

"Master Wang's rules are sound. The prices here are higher than those at the nearby herb shop, so patients do save money."

"The merchant's arrival means we should stop arguing with Master Li."

Chen Yi heard their conversation but paid it no heed.

The relocation of the herb shop from the eastern market was inevitable.

Otherwise, the connection between Wang Ji and the merchant Yan Hai, and the Jiushi Pharmacy, would be too obvious, risking exposure by those who sought to uncover it.

As for changing the prescription—why make a fuss over such a minor matter?

Chen Yi had never cared about old customs and traditions. Moreover, his medical skills had improved significantly over the past three days.

His diagnostic abilities and acupuncture techniques had reached a proficient level.

Combining the esoteric knowledge of medicine with the principles from "Shih Han Zhi Lun," adjusting a prescription for wind-cold was trivial.

Soon, the day passed quickly.

Before dusk, Guan La and his party arrived on horseback, bringing Xiao Duo Ge and Xiao Die.

Xiao Duo Ge, spotting his distant relative, shouted, "Brother, I've come to take you back to the city."

Chen Yi heard the call and stepped out of Jiushi Pharmacy, smiling. "I think you just want to play, don't you?"

Xiao Duo Ge laughed, his center of attention clearly struck, and said, "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help but come."

He didn't press the matter further, and with a grin, entered Jiushi Pharmacy.

Left eye, right eye—he took in everything with interest.

Xiao Die approached Chen Yi and the others, explaining, "My lord, I've missed you these few days when you weren't in the city."

"If the princess hadn't stopped me, he would have come the day before."

Chen Yi understood at once. Seeing Xiao Duo Ge was unlikely to arrive anytime soon, he led him around the pharmacy.

He introduced him to Liu Quan and the others, who bowed respectfully.

Despite Xiao Duo Ge's youth, in Liu Quan and the others' eyes, he was undoubtedly the most valuable person present.

Even though Jiushi Pharmacy wasn't owned by the Xiao family, upon seeing Xiao Duo Ge, they all bowed and greeted him as "young lord."

It had only been a moment.

Chen Yi reminded Liu Quan and the others to close the doors and windows securely before leading Xiao Wohe back to the mansion.

On the way, without needing to ask, Xiao Di and Xiao Wohe began discussing the recent affairs at the estate.

Everything seemed relatively stable.

Except for his absence these few days, Duke Qian Guang and Sun Fu always came and left at their leisure.

Although Xiao Di said so on the surface, Chen Yi could tell from her tone that it wasn’t entirely certain.

At least Sun Fu had enjoyed himself thoroughly.

After all, Xiao Wohe added in confirmation: “Brother Xiao, that old Duke Sun is quite peculiar—he tested me yesterday and today, making me recite classic texts from history and books, and asked me numerous questions.”

Chen Yi naturally understood Sun Fu’s intention and asked, “How did you answer him?”

Xiao Wohe thought for a moment and nodded: “The Duke must have been satisfied, even praising me.”

Xiao Di chimed in from beside him: “Old Master Sun did indeed praise young Xiao, and said he should have more time to read books and less time fishing.”

Chen Yi chuckled, realizing that Old Master Sun had already taken Xiao Wohe as his student.

Though they hadn’t formally taken a master yet.

Still, Chen Yi maintained his usual stance—keeping out of it.

On one hand, Xiao Wohe’s matters were left to Grandfather Xiao and Xiao Wan’er to decide.

On the other hand, his own affairs had been numerous lately.

For three days, apart from studying medicine at Jishi Pharmacy, Wang Ji kept coming by from time to time.

The new pharmacy premises had already found a location, having moved from the East Market to the West Market. And following his wishes, they had specially chosen a spacious two-story wooden building.

Meanwhile, various medicinal herbs were gradually being restocked.

Wang Ji’s progress in these matters had gone smoothly, save for a difficulty in choosing a name for the pharmacy, which led him to ask for Chen Yi’s opinion.

In the end, Chen Yi gave three characters: “Bai Caotang.”

Taken from Shennong Tasting Hundred Herbs.

Though his ambitions weren’t aimed at healing the world and the people, the name still carried a certain resonance.

At that moment, Xiao Wohe said: “Brother Xiao, tonight Elder Sister said you should go to Jiaxing Yard for dinner.”

Chen Yi had no objection.

Not long after, they all returned to the mansion.

After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Chen Yi led Xiao Wohe to Jiaxing Yard.

Xiao Wan’er was still wearing a large overcoat, but today it was white, just like the one she wore the first time she met Chen Yi.

Chen Yi couldn’t help glancing at her twice. The coat was second to none, but he noticed her mood was quite good.

After a moment’s thought, he asked: “Elder Sister, has the shipment of medicinal herbs arrived in the city yet?”

Xiao Wan’er was busy arranging the meal, and upon hearing his question, she didn’t hide it: “Afternoon, Lady Wang sent word that she had already connected with the escort office and was now heading this way.”

“Though recently the Red River has been swollen, she mentioned it might be two days late.”

Chen Yi nodded, thinking to himself that Wei Wei seemed only concerned with matters of trade between the Xiao and Wang families, but was rather lenient about the affairs of the pharmacy.

Seeing him not responding, Xiao Wan’er asked about his time at Jishi Pharmacy, “How’s it going there?”

“It’s going well, better than I originally imagined.”

Chen Yi still took the opportunity to offer some praise: “Elder Sister, you’re skilled at management, sharp-eyed and wise, the doctors there are all excellent.”

Xiao Wan’er didn’t doubt it, her bright eyes shining with joy: “I’m glad you’re comfortable.”

Chen Yi smiled and nodded in agreement.

Whether he was accustomed to it or not, he still couldn’t tell Xiao Sister about Wang Ji and others’ affairs for the time being.

After all, Bai Caotang had just gotten off the ground, and would need some time before it could take shape.

(Chapter Complete)