CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 63 DIFFERENT

There are many medicine merchants in Daqi, but it’s the first time seeing a village selling medicine.

From the herbs in front of him, Su Huaiqing could tell that someone in Chen Family Village knew about herbs, or someone very knowledgeable about herbs was helping the Chen Family Village.

Moreover, this person managed to outsmart many medicine merchants, transporting the herbs out of Zhenzhou ahead of everyone, showing his formidable skills. Whether in collecting, processing, or entrusting trade teams with the herbs, only someone who understood these well could accomplish this.

The steward said, "Master, should we ask the Madam about this?"

Su Huaiqing shook his head, "No need, just inform the pharmacies in Daming Prefecture to try and buy as much of Chen Family Village’s herbs as possible."

The steward didn’t understand, "Master, why are you doing this?" If the Madam finds out, she might get angry.

Su Huaiqing replied, "If we delay, we won’t get good herbs this year. Winter is approaching, and there will be a significant demand for the Northern Scute and Chaihu. Even if we don’t make a profit this year, we can’t let the pharmacies run short."

With such quality herbs in front of us, at a low price and high quality, who wouldn’t want them? Even if the Su Family reinvigorates itself now, surpassing Chen Family Village in herbs will be difficult. Also, Su Huaiqing understood his mother’s temper—since she lingered in Zhenzhou without news, she had other plans.

Waiting to ask his mother’s intention before responding would be too late by then. Although it’s already late now, it’s better to make amends than nothing.

Speaking of acquiring herbs, Su Huaiqing said, "Find the trade team transporting Chen Family Village’s herbs and ask how Chen Family Village is collecting herbs this year."

Although the steward couldn’t fathom Su Huaiqing’s thoughts, he trusted Master’s rational judgment; following his orders would never go wrong.

The steward retreated, and Su Huaiqing also put away the herbs before him.

Su Huaiqing then thought of Miss Xie, to whom he was engaged. He had received news, saved her, and sent her back to Zhenzhou, intending to leave after she regained consciousness. However, he had to rush back to the Su Family’s ancestral home upon receiving his grandfather’s letter.

Just after his grandfather’s health improved, his mother sent a message saying the Xie Family had returned a letter of annulment. He and his grandfather understood how this letter came about.

Su Huaiqing raised his eyes, gazing outside the window. The marriage was arranged by parental order and matchmaker’s words. Though unfamiliar with Miss Xie, due to the Xie Family’s kindness to his grandfather, he was willing to marry her and treat her well. Now, the Su Family had broken their promise; even if the Xie Family and Chen Family does not pursue it, they had failed Miss Xie and her parents.

Su Huaiqing had made up his mind: after settling matters, he would apologize to the Xie and Chen family elders in Zhenzhou. Should they wish to continue the engagement, he would agree without objection. If not, he would find a way to compensate.

Unexpectedly, before he could reach Zhenzhou, he heard about Chen Family Village.

Su Huaiqing withdrew his thoughts and opened the account book on the table. As dusk approached, the steward returned with news: "I heard that before Chen Family Village sold herbs, they also had business with the Paper Workshop."

The steward handed Su Huaiqing paper bought from a stationery shop: "This is the newly released paper from the Papermaking Workshop in Zhenzhou and Qi State. The government office now uses this official paper."

Su Huaiqing looked at the rice paper in his hand.

The steward continued, "The two herbs used by the Papermaking Workshops in Zhenzhou and Qi State were all sold by Chen Family Village."

The steward swallowed to moisten his throat, "The reason the government office allowed Chen Family Village to make this deal was because they provided the formula for the new paper."

Su Huaiqing’s eyes deepened. He had not heard of this new paper when he left Zhenzhou and wasn’t aware of Chen Family Village’s herb collection. In less than two months, so much had happened.

The steward noticed Su Huaiqing’s lack of reaction and realized he had missed something: "Master, the one who provided the formula was from Chen Family Village—it was Miss Xie."

Miss Xie? At this moment, in Su Huaiqing’s mind, the image of the pitiful and helpless Xie Liangchen transformed.

...

Chen Family Village.

The winter in the North always arrives early.

Before the winter solstice, there was already a chill in the wind.

Chang Yue stood next to the warehouse in Chen Family Village, watching two shadows silently approach under the cover of night.

One of them finally reached the front of the warehouse and was about to open the door when, with a "whoosh" sound, an arrow shot straight at him.

Before he could react, the arrowhead slid under his rib cage.

Fear and shock froze him in his tracks. Looking down, he saw that the arrow hadn’t pierced his skin but had gone through his clothes.

This was a warning and intimidation.

With the sound of footsteps, several people from Chen Family Village swiftly moved in and easily captured the two individuals.

Chang Yue noticed Miss Xie in the crowd, holding a hunting bow—her arrow was both steady and accurate. Her rapid improvement in archery skills filled Chang Yue with admiration.

Miss Xie was intelligent and hardworking, often practicing archery with Chen Zigeng in the courtyard and learning boxing and kicking with Chen Yongsheng and Chen Yongyi. In just half a month, she had made noticeable progress.

Recently, many people came to Chen Family Village to gather information. Miss Xie decided to ambush nearby with Chen Zigeng. Whenever someone dared to come forth, Miss Xie would draw her bow and shoot, first undermining their morale.

A person next to Chang Yue said, "We didn’t even get a chance to act this time. Shouldn’t you tell the Master that Chen Family Village has become more organized? With the village being watched daily, no major incidents occur, and we could return to the Master’s side?"

Having been in Chen Family Village for so long, everyone understood why the Master left them: to protect Miss Xie and the village.

Given that Chen Family Village could now defend itself, it seemed unnecessary for them to stay.

Chang Yue coldly replied, "Do your job."

The man dared not say more and retreated a few steps into the darkness.

Turning his gaze back to Miss Xie, Chang Yue roughly understood her temperament. Matters that Chen Family Village and Miss Xie could handle themselves were never instructed to him.

Chen Family Village was like a touchstone. Only those who couldn’t be dealt with by the village warranted their attention.

Xie Liangchen returned the arrow to her quiver, while Chen Yongyi led people to send the captured "thieves" to the government office. Since September, the village had caught more than ten thieves, all sent by merchants to investigate the herbs stored in their warehouse.

Chen Yongsheng said, "These two had several flints with them, likely planning to burn the warehouse."

Xie Liangchen nodded. The news from the Tian Family’s trade team had reached Zhenzhou, informing the merchants that the village’s herbs had been sent southward. Therefore, instead of investigating the warehouse further, the aim was now to set fire to every herb they recently collected.

Chen Yongsheng said, "I will leave more people here for now." They had received a message from Mr. Tian; half of the Tian Family Trading Team’s carts and horses would return to Zhenzhou tomorrow to transport the remaining herbs. No mistakes could be made.

Chen Zigeng strapped on his small hunting bow: "I’ll stay tonight as well."

Chen Yongsheng didn’t refuse. Many old and young residents of Chen Family Village chose to stay near the warehouse to guard the herbs.

The next day at noon.

A trade team returned to Zhenzhou. After selling Southern fabrics to the textile shops, Miss Tian personally took the silver coin to Chen Family Village.