Chapter Ten: Gaining New Allies

The rich, spiritual fragrance of medicinal herbs made everyone who entered feel refreshed and clear-headed. Never mind actually taking the medicine—even just spending some time here each day would probably drive away all manner of ailments. Qi Supplementing Pills, Soul Stabilizing Elixirs, Spirit Restoring Powders—each was marked at a steep price. It was no wonder only powerful clans could afford to run such a business; just one of these could allow an ordinary family in Wuzhou City to live like the wealthy. The difference between people was truly immeasurable; poverty really does limit imagination, Yang Cheng mused.

“What’s the price for your top-grade Restoration Pill?” Yang Cheng asked after making a round of the shop. He saw Qi Supplementing Pills for a hundred spirit coins, Soul Stabilizing Elixirs for six hundred—prices that left one speechless.

The shop assistant was a bit surprised. Top-grade Restoration Pills were rarely sold unless to important members of great families; those with wealth and influence might carry one as a life-saving measure. The ingredients were rare and the refining process was extremely complicated and tedious. Ordinary cultivators couldn’t afford it. “This one’s a bit expensive—twelve thousand spirit coins. You could also try the lower grade, which recovers a bit slower but has the same effect,” the assistant offered kindly.

“I’ll take the top-grade one,” Yang Cheng replied, though his heart ached a little; most of yesterday’s earnings would be gone in an instant. Still, it was worth buying. In his previous life, he had dreamed of being a hero, and people like Lu Baichuan were exactly those he admired and respected.

He would be generous just this once, as an expression of his respect.

Daniu, who fetched the money pouch from the wheelbarrow, was stunned. His young master spent money as if it were water. Seeing all those people paying yesterday, he had truly admired the young master’s ability to make money. Who would have thought that in just one day, most of it would be gone? At this rate, it seemed the family fortune might not last. Still, a master who treated his servants so well was rare indeed; it was enough just to follow orders and work diligently, without overthinking.

Yang Cheng received the medicine, opened the box, and saw the pill radiating with spiritual energy, faint glimmers of light swirling about it. He silently praised its quality, quickly tucked it into his robe, and took the opportunity to stroll through a few nearby trade streets, learning more about Wuzhou’s market. As expected, the most lucrative industries—pill refining, artifact crafting—were dominated by a few great families. Although transactions were infrequent, each one brought in enormous profits.

Upon returning home, Yang Steward came to report the day’s accounts: total income was nineteen thousand. Afterward, he gathered everyone so the young master could address them.

Yang Cheng repeated what he’d said yesterday for the newcomers, then asked the old servants to introduce the new faces.

One by one, they introduced their relatives and neighbors. Aunt Wang pulled over a boy of sixteen or seventeen. “Young Master, this is my nephew I mentioned yesterday, Xiao Wu. He’s clever, quick-witted, and speaks well.”

Xiao Wu, lively and unlike many with dull, lifeless eyes, promptly stepped forward and bowed. “Young Master, I can read and do some arithmetic, and I’m strong. Please take me in.”

Yang Cheng looked him over. Aside from being undernourished, he seemed spirited enough. With some training, he could help handle dealings with small merchants when things got busier. “Very well, Xiao Wu. You’ll stay by my side for now, running errands and delivering messages. Think of it as an internship; if you prove capable, you’ll have greater responsibilities in the future.”

Xiao Wu was delighted, though puzzled. “What’s an internship?” he wondered. Still, his aunt had said the young master was the best master in the world. He bowed deeply. “Thank you, Young Master.”

“Young Master, this is my younger sister, Xiao Lan. She’s fourteen or fifteen, very diligent at home and handles all the chores. I’ve brought her, hoping she can help you,” said Maozi, usually the quietest of the group. No wonder—his parents had long since passed, and he doted on his sister. Xiao Lan was a pretty girl, and he hoped to find her good work. Were it not for poverty, he wouldn’t have sold himself into servitude to support his family. With his sister about to start working too, if they’d ended up in another household, she might have been bullied. Such a good master was a rare opportunity; he had to strive for his sister’s sake.

Yang Cheng noted that while Maozi was big and burly, his sister was quite attractive. As he pondered how to arrange things, Yang Steward spoke up. “Young Master, with things so busy, you need someone to help with your daily life. I suggest she serve as your maid.”

“That will do,” Yang Cheng agreed.

“Thank you, Young Master,” Maozi and Xiao Lan chorused, bowing gratefully. Maozi was especially happy; his sister would now be the young master’s closest attendant.

Yang Cheng continued, “As for the rest of you, help with the kitchen for now. If you show talent, I’ll assign more important tasks. Monthly wages will start at fifty silver coins, and I’ll increase them based on performance. However, anyone who disobeys Yang Steward will have to leave,” he warned. To him, there was no strict hierarchy, but the employment relationship still stood. Sympathy aside, he had no use for those who shirked their duties.

Everyone was excited—fifty silver coins was a generous wage. Xiao Wu recalled his friend working for the Li family for only five coins a month, and his family had boasted about it for ages.

“There are a few more matters. In the next couple of days, we’ll have product launches in the West and North Districts. Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhang will take half the team to prepare thoroughly. The other half, led by Aunt Li and Aunt Bai, will start organizing goods for delivery in six days. For now, we don’t have enough space for everyone to stay, so bear with it and make do until we can expand and arrange proper lodging.

“Daniu and Maozi, go find a residence in the South District at least ten times the size of this place, enough for two or three hundred people. Preferably one that doesn’t need renovations—we don’t have time for that.

“That’s all for today. Finish preparations for tomorrow, then go home. Daniu, you’ll stay on duty tonight.” With that, everyone set about their tasks.

“Uncle Yang, take this top-grade Restoration Pill to Senior Lu,” Yang Cheng instructed.

Old Yang agreed and took the pill. He’d never seen such a thing before and, upon hearing the price, was so stunned his face twitched with pain.

That night, Yang Steward emerged from the secret chamber, followed by a man in black.

Yang Cheng was astonished. Wasn’t it said the injuries would take a year or two to heal? Was the medicine truly so effective? Judging by Lu Baichuan’s steady stride and imposing presence, he seemed eighty percent recovered. Only a few scars remained on his face, making him look rather fearsome.

Lu Baichuan, upon seeing Yang Cheng, immediately cupped his fists in salute. “Young Master Yang, I can never repay your life-saving grace. I am but a wandering cultivator, with nothing but my skills to my name. If there is anything I can do for you, please command me.”