Dr. Zhang and Zhang Ji stared at the three wooden boxes that had been placed back on the table.
"This wouldn't be another batch of wild ginseng over a hundred years old, would it?" Dr. Zhang gasped, still catching his breath.
A hundred-year-old wild ginseng is crucial for a pharmacy; it represents the essence of its legacy. For a pharmacy like 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs,' which has been around for a century, the hundred-year-old wild ginseng they had was already exhausted, leaving only a few slices that had been used to save lives in critical conditions.
To have four pieces of such precious ginseng appear today, all freshly dug, was a tremendous shock for the Zhang family.
"Yes, they are all over a hundred years old." Lucas pushed the boxes towards them.
"This…" Dr. Zhang was at a loss for words, quickly examining the wooden boxes. After confirming that all the ginseng were around two hundred years old, he was stunned.
"Did you find a spot where wild ginseng seeds have fallen?" Dr. Zhang speculated.
"It seems so. I enjoy adventure and happen to know some herbal knowledge. Who knew that in the same place, there would be four wild ginseng roots?" Lucas shrugged, giving an expression of indifference.
"..." Zhang Ji felt a twinge of pain in his gums. If it weren't for his good upbringing, he would have punched this arrogant young man.
"Are you planning to sell them all?" Dr. Zhang asked seriously. If they could buy all of them, it would ensure that 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs' had no worries for the next fifty years.
"No, no. I'm willing to sell one of the remaining three wild ginseng roots to you. For the other two, I'd like to discuss something with you." Lucas pushed one of the boxes to the side.
"Let's hear it." Dr. Zhang nodded, regaining his usual composure.
"I'd like to ask Dr. Zhang to help me turn one of these wild ginseng roots into medicinal products, such as Danshen Baoxin Pills or Jiuxin Pills." Lucas requested.
[Traditionally, danshen has been used to improve bodily functioning, as well as to treat bleeding, abnormal menstruation, miscarriage, swelling, insomnia, and hepatitis. More recent uses include treatment of blood vessel/heart and brain/blood vessel conditions.]
[Suxiao Jiuxin Pill (SJP) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine drug used to manage heart diseases. This study aimed at determining the pharmacological effects of SJP in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the molecular pathways its active compounds target to induce coronary artery vasorelaxation.]
He was unsure, but he had heard that Dr. Zhang's skills in medicine preparation were renowned throughout the traditional medicine community, a fact Lucas had discovered while browsing forums.
"Certainly, it would be an honor to make medicinal products from a hundred-year-old wild ginseng."
Dr. Zhang responded modestly. "Now, what do you plan to do with the remaining root?"
"For the remaining root, part of it will be used as compensation for the preparation of the medicine. For the rest, I'd like to exchange it for some medicinal formulas."
Seeing the change in expression on the Zhang family's faces, Lucas quickly added, "I'm looking for some basic formulas, such as those for treating colds, fevers, and bruises, not the secret recipes of 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs.'"
Dr. Zhang furrowed his brow and said, "I'm a bit confused. Although the basic formulas at 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs' are somewhat superior to average ones, there's no need to exchange a hundred-year-old wild ginseng for them, is there?"
Basic formulas, in essence, are universal recipes for common ailments like colds and fevers. Anyone with the formulas can get the herbs at any pharmacy, though recovery may be slower.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners usually refine these basic formulas based on each patient's unique condition. 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs's' basic formulas are improved over generations by the Zhang family and are better than those commonly circulated online.
"I'm a wild survival enthusiast and sometimes spend extended periods in the wilderness. Having knowledge of basic formulas allows me to treat minor injuries and illnesses myself." Lucas explained casually.
In truth, Lucas was fabricating his story. The wild survival hobby was a lie. His primary goal in visiting 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs' was to obtain basic formulas. With winter approaching in the other world, minor illnesses like colds and fevers could be deadly there due to the inadequate medical technology.
Additionally, the plan for the medicinal herb garden needed to start. With knowledge of herbal formulas, he could buy seeds and plant them in the other world. After all, human life is fraught with illnesses, and having remedies for various conditions is crucial.
Lucas didn't want his territory's common people to die from something as trivial as a cold or fever. Moreover, having preventive measures against some infectious diseases was crucial. Without proper precautions, a single outbreak could potentially destroy an entire city. This was an unseen war, where the casualties were due to illness rather than battle.
Dr. Zhang was silent for a moment before nodding and saying to Zhang Ji, "Go get a copy of the basic formulas."
Zhang Ji opened his mouth to say something but was silenced by a stern look from his father. He obediently went to retrieve the book.
The basic formulas were quickly brought over in a notebook the size of A4 paper, with the cover displaying six characters written with a brush: "Zhang Family Basic Formulas."
"Here are the formulas you requested," Dr. Zhang said, placing the book in front of Lucas. "If you wish to study medicine, you'll need to research pharmacology on your own. The basic formulas are not very effective for more serious conditions."
"Understood." Lucas nodded, a bit surprised by Dr. Zhang's openness. There was no sign of the old, rigid mindset of "our family's things are only for us."
He realized that 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs' had started accepting apprentices and was no longer just a family tradition passed down through generations, indicating that it was slowly modernizing.
"Two roots of wild ginseng total three million." Zhang Ji began to calculate the price.
"Make it three and half million." Dr. Zhang suddenly said.
"What?" Zhang Ji was stunned. Why was his father adding an extra half million out of nowhere?
"The formulas aren't worth that much." Dr. Zhang said as he slowly walked back to the back room.
To him, it was just a book of basic formulas. If it weren't for 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs,' he would have released it publicly long ago. The younger generation had been living off the family legacy without making any real progress. If the old resources ran out, perhaps they would be motivated to improve themselves.
It was all about the people. If the descendants didn't progress, no matter how good the formulas were, they would be outpaced by ever-evolving diseases. Viruses evolve too.
Maybe, this was the wisdom of old age—people tend to see things more clearly as they get older.
Lucas silently put the basic formulas into his bag. After receiving the transfer notification, he left his phone number, and waited for 'Phoenix Medicine Herbs' to inform him once the medicine was ready for collection.
.
.
.
.
You can read advance chapters and view R-18 images of the characters on pat reon page.
pat reon.com/GreenBlue17
250 Power Stones for 1 extra chapter.
5 New reviews for 1 extra chapter.
Goal refresh every week.