Chapter 8: Selling Medicine

Chen Duohai often visited Qingsong Town and was quite familiar with the city’s streets. After turning two corners, he found the grocery store. He first bought everything his wife had requested before taking Chen Ping out for a stroll.

Along the street were many shops and various street vendors, their calls never ceasing. Although they were out walking, Chen Duohai and Chen Ping merely wandered and observed, careful not to buy anything recklessly since every coin at home had a planned purpose.

Chen Ping wrinkled his nose as a pleasant aroma drifted from afar. Ahead was a stall selling meat soup, with a large iron pot set up by the roadside, simmering a milky white bone broth.

Behind the stall were a few small wooden tables filled with diners, making Chen Duohai secretly swallow his saliva. Approaching noon, their stomachs growled with hunger. Though they had brought some flatbread from home, eating it dry was rather choking.

A bowl of the meat soup was quite expensive, costing a full fifteen wen. Chen Duohai hesitated to spend that money, but since it was the first time bringing his son into the city, it wouldn’t do to buy nothing.

In the end, Chen Duohai ordered just one bowl of meat soup. He carried it back and placed it in front of Chen Ping, then took out the flatbread he had brought, saying, “Eat quickly.”

Chen Ping felt a pang of discomfort but ran over to ask the vendor for another bowl and spoon. “Father, this bowl of meat soup is too much for me alone. Let’s share it.”

The rich aroma made Chen Duohai’s mouth water, and he smiled with relief. “Good, I haven’t spoiled you for nothing. You’re growing now—eat more meat.”

He only poured half a bowl of soup for himself, leaving the meat in the broth for Chen Ping.

Seeing his father’s eyes, Chen Ping no longer hesitated, and they happily ate together. The flatbread tasted better dipped in the meat soup, and soon they were full, their bowls clean to the bottom.

Chen Duohai picked up their cloth bag and paid the bill, then continued walking with Chen Ping until they reached a medicine shop with a signboard reading “Zhongren Hall.”

Chen Ping followed his father inside. The place was quiet and sparse. A clerk approached and asked, “Are you here to see a doctor or get some medicine?”

Chen Duohai shook his head cautiously. “Young sir, we’re not here to see a doctor or get medicine. We want to ask if you buy medicinal herbs.”

A portly middle-aged man stepped out from behind the counter. His sharp gaze swept over Chen Duohai with impatience. “Go away, go away. We don’t buy herbs here.”

Chen Duohai’s smile froze awkwardly. Chen Ping was indignant and wanted to argue with Doctor Zheng, but Chen Duohai silently pulled him toward the door.

Outside Zhongren Hall, Chen Ping huffed, “If you don’t buy, fine. But to chase us away like that—Doctor Zheng is so snobbish!”

Chen Duohai gave a bitter smile. He had encountered such things many times. Even if insulted, he swallowed his anger. Was it because he lacked courage as a man? The truth was he was at the bottom of society and could not afford the cost of standing up for himself.

This was a rough start.

Chen Ping fell silent, wondering if his efforts over the past days had been wasted. He was not one to give up easily.

“Father, is there another medicine shop in the city?”

Chen Duohai hesitated. He thought Chen Ping had been misled, and after losing face once again, he had little hope for selling herbs.

“There is—on East Street there’s Guangyi Hall. If it doesn’t work out there, we won’t look any further. It’ll be time to meet your Uncle Pan.”

“Alright. I’ll follow your lead.”

After walking a few hundred meters, they arrived at Guangyi Hall, a medicine shop even larger than Zhongren Hall.

Chen Ping volunteered, “Father, I’ll ask this time.”

As soon as he stepped inside, the scent of various herbs filled the air. A clerk was busy gathering herbs from the shelves, following a customer’s prescription. An elderly man with white hair and whiskers sat nearby, reading a book.

Chen Ping approached and asked, “Sir, are you the manager here?”

The old man set down his book and looked up. Seeing a small child before him, a gentle smile spread across his face. “Little one, how did you know?”

Chen Ping curled his lips and pointed at the elder’s gray embroidered robe.

The old man understood and laughed heartily. “Ha ha ha, you’re clever. I am indeed the manager of Guangyi Hall. My surname is Zheng; just call me Doctor Zheng. What brings you here?”

Chen Duohai set down his bag and pulled out a handful of dried wild raspberry leaves. Smiling, he said, “Doctor Zheng, we’re from the mountains. My son heard these might be medicinal herbs, so we gathered some. I’m just a rough man and know nothing about this. Could you take a look and see if you’ll buy them?”

Doctor Zheng was surprised. He examined and sniffed the leaves, then declared, “These are indeed medicinal herbs, and you processed them fairly well. Though the price is a bit low, are you willing to sell?”

Chen Duohai was overjoyed and nodded. “Yes. What price can you offer?”

Doctor Zheng pondered. “Four hundred fifty wen per jin. If you’re unsure, feel free to check prices elsewhere.”

Chen Duohai was ecstatic. He hadn’t caught the exact figure at first, just grateful the leaves could be sold. When he realized it was four hundred fifty wen per jin, he understood these humble herbs were quite valuable. This bag might fetch…

Well, numbers were not his strength.

Chen Ping felt Doctor Zheng was honest and, seeing his father so excited he could barely speak, said readily, “Deal! Please weigh these.”

Doctor Zheng noticed the reactions of father and son. Having treated many, his judgment was sharp. He smiled, “Small but sharp, you’re an interesting child.”

The clerk came to weigh the herbs: three jin and four liang. Doctor Zheng took out an abacus and clicked away at the total. Before he finished, Chen Ping spoke up, “One thousand five hundred thirty wen in total.”

Doctor Zheng finished calculating, confirming the amount matched Chen Ping’s figure. He stared at the boy in disbelief.

“Little one, did you calculate that yourself?”

Doctor Zheng’s face was full of amazement.