Chapter 35: Moving forward step by step
Seven days had passed since she met Eunuch Yu, but Hua Changxi had not received any notification from Yu Hui to go and refine pills. Instead, every time she went to the storeroom to get medicinal herbs, Yu Hui would avoid her.
Yu Hui’s attitude made Hua Changxi realize that Eunuch Yu was not very keen on cooperating with her.
She was not particularly anxious about this.
There were only two reasons why Eunuch Yu was unwilling: first, he felt she was taking too much profit; second, he felt she was difficult to control. She was just a lowly laborer, yet she dared to seek equal cooperation. To Eunuch Yu, this was probably a provocation.
However, who could resist the temptation of making money?
The pills she refined used fewer medicinal herbs, and she even used discarded medicinal herbs from the Labor Department. For Eunuch Yu, this was almost zero cost.
A project that only brought in money and was 100% profitable would definitely be clung to by anyone with a sound mind.
She believed that it wouldn’t be long before Eunuch Yu would come to her proactively.
“Sixth Brother!”
Seeing Hua Liulang waiting by the back door of the Medical Affairs Department with a rather large bundle on his back, Hua Changxi waved from afar.
“Jiu Niang.”
Ever since Hua Wuniang left that day with Hua Changxi’s instructions, Hua Liulang would visit Hua Changxi every few days. Each time he came, he would either bring food made by Madam Yao or buy braised delicacies, roasted chicken, and desserts.
The Hua family’s sons working at the apothecary shop earned a monthly wage of 500 wen.
Hua Liulang’s wages for this month were almost entirely spent on buying food for Hua Changxi. At first, he felt a pang of regret, but every time he saw his sister happily eating the things he brought, the money spent didn’t seem so important anymore.
“Sixth Brother, what delicious food did you bring me this time?”
Hua Changxi had a fondness for good food. Even though she occasionally got to eat from the canteen’s special stove in the Labor Department, she was still quite greedy.
Hua Liulang handed the bundle to Hua Changxi. Seeing his sister engrossed in rummaging for food, he couldn’t help but say, “Don’t just focus on the food. Mother prepared cotton clothes and pants for you.”
“Mother said that the weather is getting colder, so you should pay attention to keeping warm and wear more clothes. Be sure not to stand in cold water to wash medicinal herbs. Women cannot tolerate the cold.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi’s expression paused.
After entering November, the weather grew colder day by day. She was cultivating, and her physique had greatly improved. Even washing medicinal herbs in the water didn’t feel that cold to her. However, it was different for the other laborers.
Two or three of the people in her dormitory had already developed frostbite on their hands and feet.
Seeing that Hua Changxi wasn’t speaking, Hua Liulang thought of how his sister would huddle in bed all day in previous winters because she was afraid of the cold. He worriedly said, “Jiu Niang, why don’t you go back and apologize to Grandfather and Grandmother?”
“Grandfather and Grandmother won’t really do anything to you. You shouldn’t be in the Labor Department…”
Before he could finish speaking, Hua Liulang saw his sister toss him a paper packet about three fingers wide. He instinctively reached out and caught it. “What is this?”
Opening the paper packet and looking at the pills inside, smelling the medicinal fragrance emanating from them, Hua Liulang’s eyes widened. He looked at Hua Changxi excitedly, “Jiu Niang, is this a Qi and Blood Pill?”
Hua Changxi snorted and gave Hua Liulang the other two paper packets.
Hua Liulang nimbly opened them, his eyes widening even further.
Qi and Blood Pill!
Body Tempering Pill!
Foundation Solidifying Pill!
He recognized all three types of pills. He had taken Qi and Blood Pills and Body Tempering Pills, and he had seen Foundation Solidifying Pills with Hua Minghe and Hua Da Lang.
Hua Changxi raised her eyebrows and smugly admired Hua Liulang’s shocked expression.
Hua Liulang swallowed and mumbled, “Qi and Blood Pills are 5 taels of silver each, Foundation Solidifying Pills are ten taels each, Body Tempering Pills are fifty taels each, and eight of each…”
Over five hundred taels of silver.
After a brief moment of surprise, a look of panic appeared on Hua Liulang’s face. He looked around and anxiously grabbed Hua Changxi’s arm. “Jiu Niang, where did you get these pills? What have you been doing?”
Hua Changxi had wanted her Sixth Brother to worship her, but seeing his frightened expression, she felt a bit speechless. “Sixth Brother, what are you thinking? Of course, I refined these pills myself.”
“You refined them?”
Hua Liulang’s tone was filled with strong doubt and disbelief. “No way, Jiu Niang, don’t lie to me.”
Hua Changxi became displeased, crossing her arms. “Why would I lie to you? Is there money to be made? Don’t forget, most of the pills in our apothecary shop are made by me.”
Hua Liulang mumbled, “But those are ordinary pills, not medicine for Martial Artists.”
Hua Changxi snorted. “If Grandfather and Grandmother had agreed to my suggestion earlier and bought some medicinal herbs for Martial Artists for me to research, perhaps our apothecary shop would have already been selling medicine for Martial Artists.”
Hua Liulang still didn’t quite believe it and asked again for confirmation, “Did you really refine these pills?”
“If you don’t want them, then forget it.” Hua Changxi made a move to take back the medicine packets.
Hua Liulang immediately covered the medicine packets and quickly took a step back, smiling apologetically as he retreated. “I believe you, alright?”
Hua Changxi couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. “You don’t need the Foundation Solidifying Pills. When Father returns, give the Foundation Solidifying Pills to him. Keep the Qi and Blood Pills and Body Tempering Pills for yourself.”
Hua Liulang’s face lit up, then he hesitated. “Aren’t we going to give them to Grandfather and Grandmother to distribute?”
Hua Changxi glared. “These are my things, and I have the final say.” She paused. “There are only a few pills here. With so many people in the family, if everyone gets one, what effect will it have? It’s better for you to use them all.”
Saying this, she patted Hua Liulang’s shoulder. “Sixth Brother, I want to cultivate you into a Grandmaster. Don’t disappoint me.”
Everyone has their favorites. In the entire Hua family, besides her parents, this silly Sixth Brother was the kindest to her, indulging her in almost everything. Knowing he liked practicing martial arts, now that she had pills, she naturally had to prioritize him.
Seeing that his sister was thinking of him and wanted him to become a Grandmaster, Hua Liulang was deeply moved. “Jiu Niang, don’t worry. I will practice martial arts diligently and won’t let anyone bully you.”
Hua Changxi looked at Hua Liulang with full trust. “Sixth Brother, I believe you. Remember, you are not allowed to tell anyone in the family that I gave you these pills.”
“If you tell the family and cause me trouble, you won’t get any more pills from me. Figure out how to practice martial arts yourself.”
Hua Liulang nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry, I won’t say a word.”
Hua Changxi saw that she had been out for quite some time. “Sixth Brother, I need to go back to work. You should go back quickly too. Remember to hide the pills well.”
After watching Hua Liulang leave, Hua Changxi returned to the Sixth Bureau and continued her work and cultivation as usual.
Two more days passed. When she went to the storeroom to collect medicinal herbs again, Yu Hui proactively greeted her.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi’s lips curved almost imperceptibly.
“Sister Changxi, my godfather has obtained another batch of discarded medicinal herbs. After you finish your work today, please go to the courtyard where you met my godfather last time, alright?”
Yu Hui looked at Hua Changxi nervously. He knew her temper. He had been avoiding her these past few days, and he didn’t know if she was angry.
Hua Changxi did not put on airs and readily agreed with a smile. “I’ll go after lunch.”
Yu Hui’s worried heart immediately settled. He wanted to explain a few things, but Hua Changxi waved her hand. “Brother Yu, I know it’s not easy for you. Fortunately, things have worked out, and the rest is not that important.”
These words made Yu Hui feel even more uneasy. “Sister… from now on, you are my own sister.”
Hua Changxi chuckled. “Brother Yu, you just need to remember that we are friends.” With that, she went to collect the medicinal herbs.
After lunch, Hua Changxi went to the courtyard where she had met Eunuch Yu before. The little eunuch had left too quickly last time, so she hadn’t had a good look at the surrounding area.
“Qihuang Hall.”
Hua Changxi noticed that the courtyards around the area were all called this name. These courtyards had no plaques; the words ‘Qihuang Hall’ were carved into the walls, and the walls were made of stone.
She hadn’t gone to the wrong courtyard, as Yu Hui was waiting for her at the courtyard gate.
“Sister Changxi, remember, this is Number Nine Hall. Don’t go into the wrong courtyard next time.”
Yu Hui pointed to a stone pillar about three feet tall at the entrance, on which the character Jiǔ was carved.
Hua Changxi asked, “These courtyards here are quite old, aren’t they? They look very historic.”
Yu Hui replied, “They should have been built a long time ago. The buildings in the Medical Affairs Department are said to have been like this since the previous dynasty and haven’t changed.”
Hua Changxi was surprised. “It’s been like this since the previous dynasty? That’s quite old.”
After all, the Great Jin Dynasty was different from the feudal dynasties she had learned about in textbooks in her previous life. It was a dynasty that had been passed down for nearly a thousand years.
She had always been curious why this dynasty could maintain its rule for such a long time.
Unfortunately, her social circle was too narrow, and she had never been able to find out.
As they spoke, the two walked into the courtyard.
As soon as she entered, Hua Changxi’s eyes fell upon an even larger pile of discarded medicinal herbs than last time.
Hua Changxi looked at Yu Hui with some concern. “Is it really okay to bring so many discarded medicinal herbs here?”
Yu Hui quickly whispered, “Don’t worry, it’s fine. I only found out these past two days that my godfather has the authority to mobilize these discarded medicinal herbs. As long as it’s not too excessive, even the people above will turn a blind eye.”
“Even in the Labor Department where you are, before processed medicinal herbs are sent to the storeroom, Eunuch Jia and the others can also extract some for their own use in advance.”
“This is considered an invisible benefit of the Medical Affairs Department, available from the Department Head to the stewards of the Labor Department.”
Hua Changxi immediately felt envious and, at the same time, a little confused. “Since Eunuch Yu can mobilize discarded medicinal herbs, didn’t he ever think of finding pharmacists to help him refine pills before?”
Yu Hui replied, “My godfather probably didn’t think much of these discarded medicinal herbs before.”
Didn’t Pharmacist Xu from Sixth Street say that these discarded medicinal herbs were trash? He probably thought the same way in his godfather’s mind before.
Hua Changxi sighed inwardly. A storeroom steward could mobilize so many resources. Having power was indeed good.
Eunuch Yu did not come this time, indicating that he had fully entrusted the matter to Yu Hui.
Looking at the mountain-like piles of discarded medicinal herbs in the courtyard, Yu Hui looked at Hua Changxi worriedly. “Sister Changxi, can you manage all this by yourself?”
Hua Changxi saw that there was a well in the courtyard and all the necessary pill refining tools were available. She nodded. “I can.” Anyway, there was no time limit, so she could take her time. Rolling up her sleeves, she walked towards the discarded medicinal herbs.
Out of about ten cartloads of discarded medicinal herbs, Hua Changxi picked out three cartloads that could be used.
After selecting the usable medicinal herbs, she washed them and removed the unusable parts, leaving only two cartloads of medicinal herbs.
After that, it was time for drying and processing according to their medicinal properties.
Some medicinal herbs took longer to dry and process, while others took less time. Moreover, picking and processing once or twice might not yield a complete pill formula. Hua Changxi had to store the medicinal herbs in the house.
In the following days, Eunuch Yu would bring ten cartloads of discarded medicinal herbs every day and pile them in the courtyard.
Hua Changxi would do her assigned work in the morning and then come to pick out usable medicinal herbs in the afternoon, followed by washing, drying, and processing.
『Compendium of Processing（Minor Accomplishment）: Process Medicinal Herbs 100/1000』
When the processed medicinal herbs reached 100, Hua Changxi’s mind was filled with knowledge about processing spiritual plants and spiritual beasts.
She also realized that the Spirit Replenishing Powder she refined last time had low spiritual energy not only because the medicinal herbs were withered and their spiritual energy dissipated but also because she had not performed the proper processing.
“I wonder if the Medicine Farm will still send Spirit Grass?”
Hua Changxi pondered. She needed to check the storeroom more often. What if she encountered Spirit Grass again?
Once she had a sufficient variety of stored medicinal herbs, Hua Changxi began to attempt refining various pills based on the medicinal properties explained in the 《Hundred Herbs Annotation》.
She did not succeed in refining pills every time and wasted a lot of medicinal herbs.
Although these medicinal herbs did not cost her anything, she cherished each one. By the end of November, she had refined quite a lot of pills.
Eunuch Yu looked at the several gourd-shaped porcelain bottles, each as large as an adult’s palm, placed on the table, his cheeks twitching slightly.
Even the most generous pharmacist would not use such large porcelain bottles to store pills, making them seem as if they were not valuable.
“Godfather, five hundred pills each of Qi and Blood Pills, Body Tempering Pills, and Foundation Solidifying Pills, 100 Bone Strengthening Pills, 100 Viscera Strengthening Pills, and 50 Meridian Opening Pills.”
With each type of pill Yu Hui mentioned, Eunuch Yu’s eyes lit up a little more. After mentally calculating how much silver he could earn by selling these pills, he saw Hua Changxi and Yu Hui looking at him with eager eyes.
Damn it, I forgot I have to share the profits with them!
The thought of giving up sixty percent of the profit made Eunuch Yu’s heart tremble.
However, for the sake of a steady stream of income, Eunuch Yu still trembled as he personally handed Hua Changxi and Yu Hui their shares.
Hua Changxi smiled gleefully, holding the pills. “Thank you, Eunuch Yu. I will work harder next month and strive to refine more pills.”
Eunuch Yu glanced at her. “After entering December, the medicinal herbs sent from various places will significantly decrease, and so will the discarded medicinal herbs. From now on, you will come once every five days.”
Hearing that she couldn’t come every day in December, Hua Changxi felt a little regretful. However, she also knew that haste makes waste, so she adjusted her mindset.
With the batch of pills in her hand, not only would it be enough for Sixth Brother to cultivate for a while, but she could also sell them to earn some silver. She should be content.
Also, after processing so many medicinal herbs during this period, many of her stats had improved.
『Hundred Herbs Annotation（Perfection）』
『Pure Body TechniquePerfection』
『Compendium of Processing（Perfection）: Process Medicinal Herbs 4608/10000』
『Meridian Chart Compendium（Perfection）: Dissect and Grind Medicinal Herbs 3511/10000』
『Fusion Technique（Perfection）: Mix and Fuse Pills 2672/10000』
『Pill Condensation Technique（Perfection）: Condense Pills 2672/10000』
『Pill Sealing Technique（Perfection）: Seal Pills 2672/10000』
The 《Hundred Herbs Annotation》 had been fully inherited. Hua Changxi also learned that after Mortal Plants, Spiritual Plants, and Divine Plants came Dao Plants.
Dao Plants comprehend the rules of the Great Dao of heaven and earth, calm the mind and spirit, transcend desires, and seek true essence.
Divine Plants are tens of thousands fewer than Spiritual Plants, numbering only a few thousand, while Dao Plants are even rarer, with only a few hundred species, and their growth conditions are extremely harsh.
Based on the four chapters of the 《Hundred Herbs Annotation》, Hua Changxi could roughly guess the stages of cultivation.
Knowing the general stages of cultivation, she had gained a better understanding of cultivation.
This made Hua Changxi very happy. Although her channels for obtaining cultivation information were almost nonexistent, she was still steadily moving forward step by step.
As long as she was progressing, that was enough!
