Chapter 19: Reaching an Agreement

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Reaching an Agreement

“Ah! Second Grandfather, I said yesterday that this is your hard-earned money, and you deserve it. So, let’s not talk about whether it’s a debt or not. How about you help with the renovation of this house for us?”

She had inspected the house. The walls were sound, but the roof needed some timber and tiles replaced. This might cost one or two silver taels, and labor wouldn’t cost extra.

In total, it would likely cost more than two silver taels.

Second Grandfather would surely feel more at ease if he earned over two taels from it.

Gu Chang’an laughed and said, “Alright then, I won’t be polite. How is your father? I wanted to visit him, but then I thought it would be better to help you fix this house first.”

Gu Qingli replied, “Thank you for your concern, Second Grandfather. My father is fine now. Doctor Shen is a skilled physician, so there’s no problem.”

Gu Chang’an sighed. “That’s good to hear. You three are still children, and your father needs money for his leg treatment. If you need anything, just let me know.”

Gu Chang’an patted his two younger grandchildren on their heads. They leaned against him and affectionately called him ’Second Grandfather.’ Warmth spread through their hearts.

Is this what grandfatherly love feels like?

Gu Qingli smiled and said, “Don’t worry about money, Second Grandfather. We’ll be fine.”

As she spoke, she patted the basket on her back, gesturing towards the herbs inside, finally bringing the conversation to the main topic.

“Are these herbs really that valuable?” Gu Chang’an looked doubtfully at the large basket on her back.

Usually, getting a few doses of medicine from Doctor Li for a headache or fever wouldn’t cost much.

Gu Qingli smiled without replying.

If Second Grandfather helps our family, I’ll help theirs too. Since they have nothing better to do right now, it’s a pity to let the mountain herbs go to waste.

Doctor Shen had mentioned the current shortage of medicinal herbs. If Second Grandfather and his family were willing to follow her up the mountain to dig for herbs, she would be happy to lead them.

She pulled the basket forward and looked seriously at Gu Chang’an.

“What do you want to say, girl?”

“Second Grandfather is smart.”

“Out with it, girl. Stop teasing your Second Grandfather. Are you going to talk about these herbs?” Gu Chang’an pointed at the basket as he spoke.

Gu Qingli didn’t answer directly but posed a question, “Second Grandfather, can you guess how much money I can make from this basket?”

Gu Chang’an shook his head. In his eyes, they were worth little more than cattle fodder.

Weren’t the real moneymakers items like ginseng and Lingzhi mushroom?

Gu Daping also peered into the basket at the herbs—no, to him, it was just a basket of weeds.

Could these weeds really sell for money?

Gu Daping grew intrigued, wanting to hear how much his niece thought these ’weeds’ were worth.

If they truly are valuable, would the villagers still have to endure hunger and cold this winter?

Gu Qingli knew in her heart.

The villagers don’t actually realize the value of medicinal herbs. I’ve always sold them all mixed together. If they were separated and properly processed, these herbs would fetch a much higher price.

She said, “Second Grandfather, this basket of herbs is sold by weight, six copper coins per pound. This basket holds at least thirty pounds. With these herbs growing all over the mountains, how much do you think they’re worth?”

Gu Chang’an and his son, Gu Daping, were shocked. “They’re that valuable?”

“Yes. Otherwise, how would we siblings have the money to buy this house and pay for Father’s treatment?”

Gu Chang’an nodded, his eyes lighting up. He turned his head and asked, “Girl, are you thinking of leading the villagers to dig for herbs?”

Gu Qingli smiled.

Second Grandfather is indeed smart; he saw through my intentions at a glance. However, I’m not intending to bring everyone in the village. The entire village has done nothing for me. They either point fingers or mock us. I’m not saintly enough to forget all that.

She said, “Not the whole village, Second Grandfather. Just your family. We can’t manage too many people, and there are some I definitely won’t take.”

“You little rascal,” Gu Chang’an chuckled. “And here I thought you weren’t one to hold grudges. Alright, tomorrow I’ll have your eldest aunt and your three younger aunts wait for you here. Second Grandfather thanks you in advance. Girl, you’re saving so many lives!”

Gu Chang’an’s heart stirred with excitement. He gazed at the endless mountains.

To think our village was sitting on a goldmine without ever knowing it!

Then his eyes narrowed.

Doctor Li’s family also went up the mountain to dig for herbs every year. Usually, the fees Doctor Li charged villagers for medicine weren’t high; now I realize there was some trickery involved. If he had any kindness in him, he would have taught the villagers to identify some herbs. If everyone could go up the mountain to dig and sell them, the villagers wouldn’t be short on food after paying their taxes. Nor would people freeze or starve to death each winter. Alas! The human heart! Tomorrow, I’ll have my four daughters-in-law follow the girl for a few days. Once they’re familiar with the herbs, they can lead the other adults and children from the village up the mountain. As the Village Chief, I’ve been desperate to find a way for our people to escape this plight. And now this girl has delivered such a perfect solution right into my hands. She’s truly kind and clever.

Gu Chang’an looked at the small, thin child, his heart filled with an indescribable tenderness.

What a good, clever child. Once she teaches my four daughters-in-law, they can then teach the rest of the village. And the credit for this will undoubtedly fall to me, the Village Chief! Sigh! This girl has an incredibly astute mind! This way, she doesn’t offend the villagers, avoids teaching those she dislikes, and even gives the credit to my family. After this, we’ll have to look out for her family. Ha ha ha… this girl!

Gu Chang’an chuckled inwardly.

Show her a little goodwill, and she repays you so generously. Indeed, one must not do evil. Good is truly rewarded with good, and evil with evil.

Seeing his father’s face beaming with joy, Gu Daping felt happy too.

If our family could earn several hundred copper coins a day, that would mean a few taels of silver each month, easily! We wouldn’t have to worry about our son’s education anymore!

Seeing that her objective was achieved, Gu Qingli and her siblings said their goodbyes to Gu Chang’an and Gu Daping and returned to town.

「Back at the Drugstore」

Doctor Shen was overjoyed to see the additional precious herbs they had brought and quickly had Little Six go process them.

After dinner, the three siblings went to Second Brother Gu’s sickroom. He was already awake and tried to struggle up when he saw them.

“Father, don’t move.” Gu Qingli went forward to stop him.

“Li’er, you… you called me Father?” Second Brother Gu looked at Gu Qingli, his face alight with surprised joy.

This was the first time she had called him ’Father’ since she’d become old enough to understand. When she was two or three, Li’er would cling to him, calling ’Father’ incessantly, much to his annoyance. Later, little Li’er seemed to realize he didn’t like her, and she never called him ’Father’ again.

Gu Qingli nodded and sat down, observing the ecstatic Second Brother Gu.

This ’father’ of mine truly seems to have come to his senses. He’d better be able to handle what comes next, though.

She asked, “Father, are you feeling better today?”

Second Brother Gu nodded. “Much better. Li’er, thank you. Father was blind before, both in eyes and heart.”

“Father, let’s let the past be the past. From now on, our family will live happily, and no one will bully us anymore.”

Hearing this, Second Brother Gu sensed something amiss. He asked in confusion, “Li’er, what do you mean by that?”

Hmph, this ’father’ of mine isn’t stupid after all. He immediately caught the odd undertone in my words.

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