Chapter 63: New Allies and New Challenges
Li Mei's days were growing busier as her small herbal shop began attracting customers from neighboring villages. Her innovative products, from her signature healing ointments to revitalizing teas, had earned her a reputation far beyond the village of Green Lotus. But with success came challenges, and today was no different.
The morning mist still clung to the earth when Li Mei heard the sound of horses outside her courtyard. She stepped out to see a group of strangers—merchants by their appearance—looking around curiously.
"Are you the owner of this place?" the leader, a man with a thick mustache and sharp eyes, asked.
"Yes, I am. What brings you here so early?" Li Mei replied, her voice calm but guarded.
The man bowed slightly. "I am Wei Cheng, a traveling merchant. Word of your miraculous ointments and teas has reached my ears. I propose a partnership—I can distribute your products to towns and cities where they will fetch a higher price."
Li Mei studied Wei Cheng carefully. Trust was a luxury she couldn't afford to give lightly, but the opportunity to expand her reach was tempting.
"I appreciate your offer, but I must see your intentions are honorable before agreeing," Li Mei said, her eyes unwavering.
Wei Cheng chuckled. "Cautious, as you should be. Perhaps we could start small—allow me to purchase a batch for a trial run. If it goes well, we can discuss a larger deal."
After some negotiation, Li Mei agreed to sell him a limited quantity. As she prepared the goods, her thoughts wandered to the implications of expanding her business.
---
Later that afternoon, Li Mei walked to her mystical space, seeking clarity. The once-barren land was now a flourishing paradise, brimming with herbs, fruits, and vegetables. She knelt by the stream, cupping the crystalline water and letting its coolness soothe her.
The mystical water had been her secret weapon, enhancing the potency of her herbs and the flavor of her food. It was also what had allowed her to heal the sick and feed the hungry.
Li Mei spent hours harvesting rare herbs like Moonflower and Spirit Grass. She also planted seeds of Dragonroot, a powerful herb she had discovered in her space. If cultivated well, it could become her next breakthrough product.
---
As night fell, Li Mei returned home to find a visitor waiting—a boy named Xiao Chen. He was an orphan she had taken under her wing weeks ago, teaching him how to identify herbs and prepare remedies.
"Big sister, there's trouble in the village," Xiao Chen said, his face pale.
"What happened?"
"The village chief has called for a meeting. He says outsiders are demanding a tax on our crops and goods. They claim to be from the prefecture, but no one knows if they're legitimate."
Li Mei's heart sank. The village had just begun to recover from the famine, and another tax could ruin them.
"Stay here," she told Xiao Chen. "I'll go see what this is about."
---
At the village square, tensions were high. A group of armed men stood by the chief, their leader holding a document stamped with an official seal.
"This is outrageous!" an elderly farmer shouted. "We've paid our taxes already!"
The leader smirked. "Then you can pay again. Or would you prefer your crops burned?"
Li Mei stepped forward, her presence commanding. "Show me that document," she demanded.
"And who are you?" the leader sneered.
"A healer and a businesswoman," she replied. "I also know the laws of this prefecture. If you're lying, it won't end well for you."
The leader hesitated but handed over the document. Li Mei examined it closely, her sharp eyes catching inconsistencies in the seal and handwriting.
"This is a forgery," she declared, holding it up for the villagers to see. "You have no authority here."
The crowd murmured, emboldened by her confidence. The leader glared at her but, sensing the villagers' growing anger, decided to retreat.
"This isn't over," he warned before leaving with his men.
Li Mei turned to the villagers. "We must stay vigilant. If they return, we'll be prepared."
---
Back home, exhaustion threatened to overwhelm Li Mei, but her resolve only grew stronger. She was no longer just surviving—she was protecting and empowering those around her.
Her journey was far from over, but with each challenge she faced, she knew she was one step closer to truly blossoming.