Chapter 17 Business Opportunity_1

The teenager appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen, with a long oval face and fair skin, his slender eyes carrying a smile as they looked at Lian Manman.

Lian Manman was momentarily stunned before she remembered who he was.

"I'm much better now, Hang... Young Doctor Wang," Lian Manman said. This person was the third son of the town's Imperial Doctor Wang, named Wang Youheng. Since Imperial Doctor Wang and Graduate Wang from Thirty Mile Camp were cousins and got along very well, Wang Youheng often came to the village since he was a child, and he was familiar with Lian Manman, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and the others.

Wang Youheng showed a somewhat hurt expression.

"Manman, why don't you call me Brother Hang anymore?"

Lian Manman felt somewhat embarrassed; though she vaguely retained some of Lian Manman's past memories, she did not have Lian Manman's past emotions. Although Wang Youheng was a handsome youth, he was still a relative stranger to her.

Lian Zhizhi, Lian Wulang, and Xiao Qi also greeted Wang Youheng at this time: "Young Doctor Wang!"

"What's going on with you lot, did you conspire to start treating me like a stranger?" Wang Youheng feigned displeasure.

"Brother Youheng," the children corrected themselves.

"Manman, let me take a look at your wound," Wang Youheng said as he leaped down from the carriage.

"Manman, you don't know, it was Brother Youheng who found you collapsed by the well and brought you home that day," Lian Zhizhi told Lian Manman.

"Wasn't it Lian Duoduo who told the family?" Lian Manman was surprised. She remembered that Lian Duoduo was with her before she lost consciousness.

"No, she ran back home by herself and didn't say anything," Lian Wulang said.

"Your wound, I was the one who dressed it," Wang Youheng said at that moment.

"Manman, let Brother Youheng take a look," Lian Zhizhi said.

It was Wang Youheng who had brought the seriously wounded and unconscious Lian Manman home, and Imperial Doctor Wang had treated her injuries. To the Lian family, the fact that Lian Manman, so severely injured and unconscious for two or three days, could wake up again was all thanks to Wang Youheng and Imperial Doctor Wang. Therefore, the children were told to show special respect to Imperial Doctor Wang and his son, which was why they referred to Wang Youheng as Young Doctor Wang today.

Lian Manman was only ten years old and had not begun to tie up her hair, an age in the countryside when it was not yet necessary to consider the proprieties of interaction between males and females, especially since the other party was a doctor, meaning there was even less need for modesty. Thus, Lian Manman removed her straw hat.

When Wang Youheng descended from the carriage, Lian Manman noticed he was even taller than Wu Lang, with her own height only reaching his shoulders. Wang Youheng gently untied the cloth bandage on Lian Manman's head, examined it carefully, and then wrapped it up again with equal care.

"The healing is going quite well. Remember not to get it wet and don't exert yourself. Rest more at home," Wang Youheng told Lian Manman, noticing the basket of wild vegetables in her hands.

"I know, my mother won't let me do any work. I just came out for a leisurely walk," Lian Manman said.

"Don't forget to take your medicine, and come to town in a couple of days. I'll have my father check on you again," Wang Youheng added.

"Alright," Lian Manman nodded.

"Young Master, it's getting late," the coachman urged from the side.

"No rush, just go ahead, and I'll catch up in a bit," Wang Youheng said.

The coachman, of course, did not dare to leave first and only drove the carriage to the shady side of the road to stop.

"Brother Youheng, we won't delay your journey any longer," Lian Zhizhi said.

"It's only a few miles away. I'll be there in no time. There's nothing urgent," Wang Youheng said.

Lian Manman's heart stirred, reminded of something.

"Brother Youheng, this is for you," Lian Manman said as she handed over almost half a basket of Bitter Maiden herbs to Wang Youheng. That night, she had overheard Imperial Doctor Wang refusing to accept payment for the consultation and even let her family owe him for the medicine. So, it was perfectly reasonable for her to give something to Wang Youheng.

"What is it? Bitter Maiden herbs!" Wang Youheng laughed as he received the basket.

"Manman," Lian Zhizhi tugged at Lian Manman's sleeve. Bitter Maiden herbs were rustic goods from the countryside, generally something that only girls chewed on for fun and not an appropriate gift for Wang Youheng.

Lian Manman did not see it that way; she had her own plans.

"So, Brother Youheng also knows about the bitter herb, huh," Lian Manman smiled. "I've heard from the elders in our village that it's particularly good for the throat, it can clear heat and is a really good medicinal herb. Brother Youheng, you can take it home for personal use, like brewing it for drinking, giving it away, or using it to concoct medicines. It can also be used to treat other people's ailments."

"It is indeed a good thing," Wang Youheng said. He had been learning medicine from Imperial Doctor Wang, and recently he had been looking at some medical records. Among those, there were effective folk remedies, including using the bitter herb to treat children's whooping cough and sore throats. The bitter herb is cold in nature and benefits the throat and intestines. It is both a medicine and food.

Lian Manman was overjoyed to hear this. Now that Wang Youheng also knew about the wonderful uses of the bitter herb, it would make what she planned to do next much easier.

"So there really are so many uses for it. Brother Youheng, then shall we pick more of it and sell it in town, how about that?"

"If you're going to sell it in town, might as well sell it to my family's pharmacy," Wang Youheng suggested. It was already autumn, a season when seasonal illnesses frequently occurred. Imperial Doctor Wang rushed back to town just to ponder over prescriptions. If the bitter herb were to be included in the medicine, it would be convenient and effective, and the cost was not high.

"Really? Brother Youheng, how much do you want?" Lian Manman hurriedly asked.

"As much as you have, I'll take it," Wang Youheng replied with a smile. "Manman, how much do you want for the bitter herb?"

"Whatever you say, Brother Youheng," Lian Manman responded promptly.

"Alright then, I can decide on this. How about five wen money per jin for you all?"

"Five wen money?" Lian Wulang cried out in surprise.

"Too little?"

"No, not at all, it's too much." Lian Wulang said. "Brother Youheng, you're a good man, don't take a loss on our account."

"Yes, Brother Youheng, if you want the bitter herb, we'll go into the mountains and pick some for you, without charge," Lian Zhizhi said.

Lian Manman was almost ready to pout.

Wang Youheng then started to laugh, remembering what his father had said—that the people of the Lian Family's Fourth Household were all extremely honest folk.

"Don't misunderstand, I really want to buy this. All of the pharmacies belonging to my family will need it," Wang Youheng said. The raw medicine shops in the several large towns of Jinyang County Town were all financed by his family.

Lian Manman then turned to Lian Wulang to ask how much bitter herb they could pick.

"Quite a lot, probably several hundred jin," Lian Wulang said.

"I'll take all of it," Wang Youheng said. Bitter herb was grown by some people in the countryside, but each family had only three to five plants. It was hard to purchase in large quantities. That was also why they had not used it in medicines sooner. Now that there was an abundance, he was naturally willing to take it.

"Then in a while, we'll deliver the stuff to you, Brother Youheng," Lian Manman said, seizing the opportunity while it was hot.

"It's better if I send a coach to fetch it," Wang Youheng stated. He knew the Lian Family didn't have a horse-drawn carriage.

"No need," Lian Manman hurriedly gestured with her hands. If Wang Youheng dispatched a coach, it would make a big scene. Those bitter herbs in the mountains were wild and naturally grown; if others found out about them, how would she make money? The distance from here to Qingyang Town was only two or three li, and the road was easy to travel; it would be better for them to deliver it themselves.

"That's fine then. I'll wait for you at home," Wang Youheng said.

"Okay," Lian Manman nodded.

The coachman from the other side came to urge them again, and Wang Youheng got into the carriage and headed towards town.

Lian Manman pulled Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi aside.

"Let's go home immediately. After eating, we'll go up the mountain to pick the bitter herb and send it to town," Lian Manman said.

"Picking the bitter herb is not a problem, but how to send it to town?" Lian Zhizhi asked.

"We have a flatbed cart at home. It's only three li away—I can send it myself," Lian Wulang said.

"...We have to keep this a secret," Lian Manman said. She intended to earn some private cash, which was the key point.

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Seeking recommendation tickets, there might be two more chapters tonight.