CHAPTER 609: CHAPTER 609: SCARED SENSELESS

The medicine bottles were specially ordered by Gu Jinli; the lids were scrupulously designed, different from those of other ceramic bottles. The lids of these medicine bottles were elongated, offering better moisture-proof effects.

A layer of thick yellow paper, also for moisture-proofing, was placed inside the medicine bottle.

After Uncle Dai and the others finished packing the pills, Gu Jinli brought over a specially-made iron spoon, scooped up some wax oil, and after the wax oil had slightly solidified, quickly poured it over the seam between the bottle body and the cap to seal the opening.

"This step must be done quickly, otherwise the wax oil will run off, and the temperature must be well-controlled, or else the seal won’t be proper," Gu Jinli said as he sealed the gap at the bottle opening with wax oil, instructing Uncle Dai and Ye Jingzi in the process.

Uncle Dai and the others listened intently, watching Gu Jinli’s movements without missing a beat, just like Doctor Wu. Once they learned the technique, they began to practice on their own, and after busy work for half an hour, all the medicine bottles were sealed.

Doctor Wu was thorough; he took five bottles of medicine and submerged them in a bucket of water for 30 minutes. After fishing them out and drying the exteriors, he scraped off the wax at the seal, opened the lids, and checked whether the pills inside had absorbed any water?

The results were surprisingly good: "No water got in, this method is effective. How long can they be preserved?"

Gu Jinli replied, "As long as they stay dry, they can be used for up to three years, but to be safe, I set the shelf life at one year."

Doctor Wu nodded and said, "That’s wise, being cautious is always good. One year is sufficient."

They then saw Ye Jingzi and the others sticking small paper strips on the medicine bottles. He picked one up and read, "This is that instruction booklet you made."

The Gu Family’s daughter had plenty of quirky ideas; while making this Convenient Medicine, she suggested attaching strips of paper onto each bottle detailing warnings, and she even brought some for him to review.

He found it quite good. Though many in Great Chu were illiterate, doctors could read, and they could simply relay the instructions to the patients orally.

Watching Gu Jinli complete a round of Convenient Medicines made Doctor Wu eager to try himself; since it was nearing evening, he decided straightforwardly, "I won’t go back today. I’ll stay here in the workshop. Little Xiao Yu, arrange a room for me, please."

Gu Jinli responded, "Certainly, Uncle Mu Tong will arrange it for you."

Therefore, when Manager Cheng waited all day and came to ask when Doctor Wu would return, he only received a reply that he was not returning and would be staying over.

He also told him to stay and mentioned that after a few days, he should transport the Convenient Medicine to Linhe Prefecture.

"First, let the beggars in the city use it, if there’s no issue, provide it to the farmers during the free medical camp. If there’s still no issue, then start selling officially," Doctor Wu detailed meticulously, fearing any oversight.

"Yes," Manager Cheng responded, and then followed Uncle Mu Tong to check the accommodation.

Gu Dashan had taught Master Shi for a day; Master Shi was a quick learner and had mastered the skills. He would start making toothbrushes on his own the next day, and in two to three days, he would be able to work independently.

"Xiao Yu, it’s getting late, let’s go home," Gu Dashan said to Gu Jinli after finishing up with Mrs. Cui, calling him to head home.

"Eh, coming," Gu Jinli instructed Ye Jingzi with a few words and then followed Gu Dashan and Mrs. Cui back home.

Third Grandpa, Gu Jin’an, and Gu Jincheng were waiting for them outside the workshop; seeing them arrive, they all walked home together.

On the way home, they ran into Village Chief He returning to the village.

Village Chief He and He Jinseng were sitting on the ox cart, driven by He Dacang. Third Grandpa saw them and shouted, "Village Chief, you’re back."

The voice wasn’t loud, but it scared Village Chief He enough to almost jump up, startling He Dacang who was driving, prompting him to quickly stop the ox cart and turn around anxiously to ask, "Dad, are you alright? Haven’t recovered yet?"

Third Grandpa frowned upon seeing this and came over to ask, "Dacang, what’s wrong with your dad? He looks like he got scared."

He Dacang sighed, "Indeed, he got scared."

Village Chief He got scared like this because today he went to see Village Chief Chen’s execution. He thought he would just watch from a distance, but County Magistrate Xu was determined to intimidate these village chiefs, making them stand right next to the execution platform to watch Village Chief Chen’s beheading closely.

With a "crack," blood splattered everywhere, and the head rolled down the ground, which significantly frightened the village chiefs of Tianfu County.

Village Chief He, who is timid, fainted on the spot. Luckily, Zou Jiang was cautious and had invited Doctor Zhou who was on standby. Seeing him faint, Doctor Zhou immediately administered acupuncture to revive him.

Zou Jiang also generously gave each village chief a few packets of sleeping pills to take home and drink to calm their nerves.

Village Chief He, holding three packets of sleeping pills, was carried onto the ox cart by He Dacang, not even knowing how he got back. Now, having been startled, he finally came to his senses and suddenly started crying on the spot.

Holding Third Grandpa’s hand, Village Chief He cried, "Brother Gu, it’s terrifying, too terrifying. The head even fell off, almost rolling to my feet... Lord County Magistrate is really serious this time. I’ve been careful all my life, never did anything wrong, why was I dragged to see such cruel punishment? How can I sleep tonight? I can’t even eat my meals."

He Dacang hurriedly said, "Dad, don’t be scared, your son will sleep with you tonight, staying up to watch over you."

After hearing this, Village Chief He looked at He Dacang, "Dacang, how about I pass on the village chief position to you? Dad can’t take it anymore, it’s too horrible."

He Dacang replied, "Dad, don’t talk like this, you’re still strong. You said you wanted to be the village chief for a few more years, so I can do business for a few more years, to make our family’s life a bit more comfortable."

Village Chief He, not listening, kept wiping tears, clearly looking extremely frightened.

Seeing this, He Dacang again mentioned his younger brother, "My younger brother has already signed up, and in a few days, he’ll go to the county government to take the exam. Once he passes, he’ll be a clerk. You’ll be the father of a clerk, and then we have to throw a banquet for him. You need to perk up."

The mere mention of this frightened Village Chief He even more, "This year they’ve beheaded quite a few clerks. What if your younger brother dies young? I wish I hadn’t let him go for the clerk exam."

He Dacang felt awkward, glanced at the Gu Family People, and hurriedly said, "Elder Gu, Brother Gu, I’ll take my dad back home first. He’s confused, please don’t mind what he said."

The idea to let his younger brother become a clerk was suggested by Good Brother An. Saying such things made it awkward for the Gu Family People.

Third Grandpa and others weren’t angry, knowing that Village Chief He was scared senseless. They quickly said, "Quickly take your dad back home, cook those sleeping pills for him, let him eat and sleep, he’ll be better tomorrow."

"Yes." He Dacang responded, letting He Jinseng steady Village Chief He, and then drove the ox cart home.

Village Chief He’s body was actually quite strong. After taking the medicine and having a sleep, the next day he was lively again. Realizing he had talked nonsense, he immediately packed a basket of eggs and brought his two grandsons to apologize to the Gu Family.

"Brother Gu, Brother An, Little Xiao Yu, don’t be angry, yesterday was my fault, I was terrified and talked nonsense."