Chapter 63 - 61: The Silver is in Hand

Chapter 63: Chapter 61: The Silver is in Hand

"Then, please wait for a moment, I’ll be right back. Oh! By the way, for the five hundred taels of silver, would you like a silver note or...?" Manager Liu spoke while tucking the ginseng into his bosom. After taking a few steps, he returned to ask.

"If possible, please give us a silver note for four hundred and fifty taels and silver ingots for fifty taels." Gu Chengyu, hearing about the silver note, of course opted for it—carrying silver isn’t convenient.

"Alright, I’ll have someone come in to weigh the honeysuckle." Finishing, he went to the outer room, and Gu Chengyu and the others could still hear him directing someone to weigh the honeysuckle.

Gu Chengyu guessed he was off to fetch the silver note and silver because who keeps that much silver on them, right?

Before long, two people came in, one of whom was surprisingly Dongzi. Dongzi followed another apprentice into the inner room, feeling somewhat excited, since this room was usually reserved for the shopkeeper and Master Zhang to rest, and folks like him couldn’t normally enter. Entering to fetch herbs would usually be handled by apprentices; staff like him would stay outside. Yet today, he was allowed in. Upon entering, he saw Xiao Bao and others sitting, puzzled as to why they hadn’t left after merely selling some wintergreen—just a few dozen pounds in two sacks. Was there another affair?

"Hey Brother Dongzi, why are you here?" Gu Chengyu greeted Dongzi first.

"Is it Xiao Bao? Why haven’t you guys finished yet? Where’s the shopkeeper?" Dongzi was quite delighted to see the Gu Family trio.

"The shopkeeper had some matters to attend to, we’re just here to relay a message to him; we’re leaving soon after getting the money for the wintergreen." As for the ginseng, of course, that couldn’t be mentioned—prudence in wealth matters!

"Dad, earlier outside, we really owe Brother Dongzi—it was thanks to him!"

"Oh, why didn’t you mention it earlier? Young man, truly owed you one today for all your help!" Mr. Gu looked at the fourteen, fifteen-year-old boy before him. Wearing Huichun Hall’s staff uniform, the youth had an honest and sturdy appearance, seeming quite alert. Nodding, he reckoned the lad was straightforward.

"Uncle, no need to be so courteous; I didn’t really help much. Have a seat; I should head out—I can’t linger long here. Xiao Bao, see you later." With that, Dongzi left with the other apprentice, carrying the two sacks.

Gu Chengyu pondered, took advantage of Manager Liu’s absence, and whispered something to his father. "Really, don’t fool your dad—it’s no trivial amount," Mr. Gu eyed Gu Chengyu skeptically.

"Relax, dad; how could I deceive you?" What Gu Chengyu whispered was about letting his father temporarily keep the silver note and silver with him. He had space to store it, which would be the safest place, reducing worries of anyone snatching it. Of course, he wouldn’t mention the space; merely said to leave it with someone from the dream, where it could be retrieved anytime without notice. Mr. Gu already thought of the dream person as an immortal—what safety concerns could there be? Besides, an immortal likely wouldn’t care for this amount of silver anyway! Although it was quite a bit, there was reluctance coupled with a suspicion that Gu Chengyu might be fibbing, as Xiao Bao was still just a young child.

"Alright, make sure not to lose it, otherwise explaining it to your mom would be tough, and losing that much silver would break our hearts." Mr. Gu was still slightly skeptical, felt obliged to remind—keeping it on you wasn’t entirely safe either.

Meanwhile, Gu Chengli, having snapped out of it, noticed them conversing, and felt hesitant. After contemplation, he couldn’t resist asking, "Dad, Xiao Bao, when did we unearth this ginseng? How come we didn’t know? Does it genuinely sell for five hundred taels? Also, is Xiao Bao really going to study?"

"About the ginseng, your mom and I kept it secret from you guys to avoid it from slipping out in the village—we intended to inform you after selling it. Xiao Bao dug it out on the mountain! Otherwise, no way your dad, after living over half a lifetime, could ever get a single ginseng root. As for Xiao Bao’s schooling, your mom and I had already decided on it; Xiao Bao would study. Now that Xiao Bao sold the ginseng, the schooling funds are assured—we won’t need your money. While this silver is communal, expenses for your brother’s schooling should come from it, right? Rest assured, you’ll not be neglected in the future. Our family will continual get better; once Xiao Bao completes his studies, you too can become an honorable man. Enough now, Manager Liu is about to return; let’s discuss further upon returning." Mr. Gu tried earnestly to draw a grand vision for Gu Chengli—convincing the eldest would mean fewer dissenters back home. The second, however, would be tricky; if he agreed, great, otherwise that alternate path had to be considered. Mr. Gu set his determination, smoothing his clothes.

No sooner did he speak than someone arrived—Manager Liu entered with a small bundle in hand, which Gu Chengyu speculated held silver. Ten tael ingots, five of them—judging by the bundle’s size seemed about right.

"Brother Gu, sorry for making you wait; I got held up earlier. Here’s a silver note for four hundred and fifty taels, and in this small bundle are four ten tael silver ingots, with the remaining ten taels in loose silver, alongside the three taels and seven hundred wen from the wintergreen sale; please count them." Manager Liu retrieved five silver notes from his coat, placing them on the table, and then spread open the bundle, exposing silver and copper coins.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the silver, noting the correct amount, then picked up the silver note, pretending to examine it seriously, finding it much like those seen in past life TV—a matching serial number and face value indicated authenticity. This scale of medical hall, surely five hundred taels weren’t significant enough for counterfeits.

As Gu Chengyu set down the silver note, a soft chuckle was heard nearby, "Huh? You, little one, can read? You held it backwards! Go study already; once learned, you’ll recognize it." Manager Liu, seeing the little one seriously scrutinize placed the note upside down, found it amusing.

Gu Chengyu feigned embarrassment, scratching his head, "Manager Liu, please don’t mock me; I just wanted to see what a silver note looks like."

"Why still call me Manager Liu? Call me Uncle Liu!"

Gu Chengyu looked up, discerning Manager Liu’s kindly gaze, didn’t seem mere politeness, so used the opportunity to call "Uncle Liu."

"Ah! If ever visiting the county, find me." Manager Liu quite appreciated this rural child Gu Chengyu, hoping he would progress far along the path of studying and keju examinations.