Chapter 435: Seeking Medical Treatment
Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Seeking Medical Treatment
Bai Suihe did not dare let Gu Xingyang sit for too long. After all, the baby was only a few months old, and she worried that sitting up for extended periods might harm her bone development. Picking her up, she placed her on the small bed nearby and let Zisu and the others take care of her.
Business at the herbal medicine shop could only be considered average at present, though it was still much better than when they had first put out the word that they were purchasing herbs.
To collect more herbs, Bai Suihe intentionally drew several pictures of the plants, clearly labeling their shapes and natural habitats. This was to give the villagers a more intuitive understanding of which herbs could be exchanged for silver.
However, the endeavor did not go as smoothly as she had imagined. After all, common weeds found all over the mountains could actually be sold for silver as medicinal herbs? To the villagers, it sounded like a scam.
It was only after asking the doctors at other medical halls and realizing she was telling the truth that they slowly began to try.
Today, people would pull up a handful of grass; tomorrow, they would bring some roots. To their surprise, they actually managed to exchange them for a few copper coins to take home.
The lady guarding the shop and collecting the herbs was also a kind person. Sometimes, when she was free, she would explain the functions of the different herbs to them.
Aside from her shop, other pharmacies would likely need them too, giving the villagers more options to choose from.
Despite Bai Suihe’s good intentions, some people still did not trust them, even suspecting that they were artificially lowering the prices.
The villagers felt that buying medicine was so expensive, yet selling herbs to the medical hall yielded so little. Some people even made excuses to slip away right before a deal was struck, opting to ask for prices at other shops.
Bai Suihe did not get angry at their actions. Back when she was a consumer herself, she also liked to shop around. It was only right for everyone to prioritize their own interests.
It was just that after making their rounds, these people eventually brought their herbs back to her shop anyway. Through this slow accumulation of trust, their reputation gradually spread.
Bai Suihe and Nanny Pang took this opportunity to set up a stall at their entrance, offering free medical consultations to the public. However, they only took pulses and wrote prescriptions; they did not dispense medicine. After all, the other pharmacies needed to do business too. They had agreed beforehand that they were only opening a herbal medicine shop, not a full pharmacy, as doing so would be overstepping their boundaries.
Initially, the doctors from the other pharmacies were slightly uncomfortable with this.
But after seeing the prescriptions, a few doctors made it a point to come over and discuss them. Even though it was standard practice to tailor prescriptions to each individual patient, the dosage control in these formulas was simply exceptional. Even they could not prescribe medicine with such perfection.
Nanny Pang was very generous regarding this. Whenever she had time, she would answer their questions and offer a few pointers. As a result, she and Bai Suihe became much more popular in the county seat.
Returning the favor, these doctors would bring over patients with complex and hard-to-treat illnesses to discuss the cases together.
In this way, Bai Suihe learned new things, the other doctors improved their medical skills, and the entire Zhang County appeared exceptionally harmonious because of them.
When Xu Zitian heard about this, he felt gratified. He thought, "If all the people under my jurisdiction possessed such awareness, why would I ever need to worry about them not living in peace and prosperity?"
To show his commendation, he personally brought his subordinates over for a consultation. He originally thought his body was robust, but they still detected a few minor ailments. After getting a few prescriptions filled, those faint discomforts completely vanished. Capable healers were people one simply could not afford to offend, regardless of where they were.
This inevitably made him think of his esteemed mentor, who had accumulated several ailments as he grew older.
Although there were Imperial Physicians in Shangjing, and with his mentor’s status, the Emperor would certainly not mistreat him, he had heard from his fellow disciples in the capital over the past two years that the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Physicians did not seem very effective. Thus, his fellow disciples had begun sending letters everywhere, hoping to find a skilled doctor.
Having experienced it personally, and knowing that patients with difficult illnesses had recovered in their hands, Xu Zitian could not help but form an idea.
Since Mr. Bai’s last visit, he came calling once again.
Gu Kaiyuan and Bai Suihe found it somewhat baffling. This County Magistrate was capable, but he was also known to be very averse to dealing privately with merchants.
His last visit was an attempt to keep the Bai Family from leaving. After learning they had no intention of staying, he had made no further moves.
For such a laid-back County Magistrate to visit, he surely wouldn’t have come today without an ulterior motive.
"Boss Gu, I’ve come to visit again today," Xu Zitian said, supporting Gu Kaiyuan’s arms to stop him from bowing. "We can be considered acquaintances, so let’s dispense with the formalities."
Bai Suihe, who had been bowing slightly, immediately stood up straight. This was the thing she was least accustomed to. As a commoner, she was currently living at the bottom of the food chain and dared not provoke government officials.
Xu Zitian seemed decent enough, but what did that have to do with them?
If they did not keep up appearances, he could use it against them later, and they probably wouldn’t even have a chance to resist.
"My Lord, please," Gu Kaiyuan said. Not knowing the purpose of his visit this time, he could only welcome the man into the main hall. Once the official sat down in the seat of honor, Bai Suihe used the excuse of needing to arrange for pastries to be served and took her leave.
Gu Kaiyuan had finally managed to return from the estate, yet before he could even properly catch up with his wife and daughter, a guest had arrived.
"It’s always peaceful here at Boss Gu’s place, and this tea is quite good too," Xu Zitian said. Taking a sip, he was immediately captivated and couldn’t help but take two more small sips before setting the cup down. "I have indeed come today with a request."
Gu Kaiyuan did not respond. He was merely an ordinary citizen; how could he possibly help a County Magistrate?
"It’s actually just a small matter," Xu Zitian continued, seeing that the other man had no reaction. "Haven’t your esteemed wife and the elderly servant beside her been collecting medicinal herbs recently? They even helped regulate my frail body. Their medical skills are truly beyond reproach, and they have brought great fortune to our Zhang County."
"Thank you for your praise, My Lord." Being praised to his face made Gu Kaiyuan feel proud inwardly, though he still offered a modest smile on the surface. "It’s only what they ought to do. After all, a healer has a benevolent heart. In the eyes of my wife and Nanny Pang, all patients are equal."
"Your wife and Nanny Pang are truly righteous," Xu Zitian praised before getting to the point. "The reason I came today actually concerns Nanny Pang.
"Knowing her medical skills are extraordinary, I have specifically come to seek treatment for an elder."
"Lord Xu, you’re being too polite. Aren’t they at the shop every day? All you need to do is say the word."
Xu Zitian touched his nose. "I’m afraid it’s not that convenient. That elder of mine is not in Zhang County, so I fear I might have to trouble the nanny to make a trip."
Gu Kaiyuan immediately put his guard up. His wife had finally found a good mentor, and now someone was already knocking on their door with designs on her. "I’m afraid that would put us in a difficult position. My wife and child cannot be separated from her for the time being.
"You see, there are a lot of matters to handle in my household, and my wife is also studying medicine. All of this is being guided by the nanny..."
"How about we ask for Nanny Pang’s opinion?" Xu Zitian asked. Although he knew this was somewhat inappropriate, he could only brazen it out for the sake of his mentor.