Chapter 47: I Have a House
People from Sancha Medicine Farm caused trouble at the storeroom, but Hua Changxi became famous. This female laborer once again became the subject of everyone’s discussion.
Compared to the previous rumors, this time, the focus of everyone’s discussion was no longer about any improper relationship between Hua Changxi and Yu Hui.
It was no help that Yu Hui couldn’t handle the people from the medicine farm, yet he was forced by Hua Changxi to apologize. Everyone was very curious about what she had done.
Was Hua Changxi a martial artist? How high was her martial arts cultivation? Hua Changxi was only thirteen or fourteen years old, still a young woman. How did she practice martial arts? Who was her master?
These became the questions everyone cared about the most.
Ultimately, strength was the foundation for a person’s standing. Because of this incident, the people in the Labor Department no longer thought Hua Changxi would be Yu Hui’s dependent.
And because it involved people from the medicine farm, Eunuch Yu and several stewards from the Labor Department also paid attention to this matter.
Eunuch Yu knew that Hua Changxi had dismissed Mao Yong and the others in just a few words, and his expression was not good. What he needed was a laborer to help him refine pills, help him earn silver, and obey his commands, not someone who wanted to be his equal partner.
Eunuch Bao from the First Department paid more attention to Hua Changxi due to her excellent preparation skills, and thus, also heard about this matter.
“So she’s a martial artist, no wonder she’s so confident!”
“Next time I borrow her to help, it seems I’ll have to give her a bit more face.”
Xiao Luzi and Steward Leng, upon hearing about this matter, had expressions that were not very good, just like Eunuch Yu.
It was no help that having subordinates who were too capable was not conducive to management, and Hua Changxi had already shown signs of insubordination in many aspects.
They needed capable subordinates, but the prerequisite was that the subordinates must be obedient. If they were not obedient, no matter how capable they were, they were useless.
Xiao Luzi looked at Steward Leng: “Didn’t you say you arranged for someone to approach Hua Changxi? How is it going?”
Steward Leng sighed: “Hua Changxi’s mouth is too sharp, it’s hard to get close to her.”
Xiao Luzi was silent for a moment: “Have your people keep a close eye on Hua Changxi, and make sure to find out her relationship with Eunuch Yu.”
Steward Leng was confused: “Our Third Department and the storeroom are like well water not interfering with river water. Will investigating this matter offend Eunuch Yu?”
Xiao Luzi snorted with laughter: “Hua Changxi is from the Labor Department. It is only natural for this eunuch to investigate her.”
“Yu Zhouquan has always been someone who doesn’t act without profit. He also dislikes women. For him to suddenly and frequently summon Hua Changxi to his Number Nine Qihuang Hall, there must be something he’s after.”
“If Hua Changxi truly has any abilities, she should have shown filial piety to this eunuch first. Instead, she went to curry favor with Yu Zhouquan, simply disregarding this eunuch!”
“Isn’t she capable? Go tell Du Ruo to assign more tasks to Hua Changxi, she must be busy from morning till night.”
Steward Leng heard this and readily agreed with a smile. She also disliked subordinates who were out of her control. She would let Eunuch Lu teach Hua Changxi a lesson, making sure she knew who her boss was.
Hua Changxi was unaware that the trouble caused by the people from the medicine farm would attract so much attention. After leaving the Medical Affairs Department, she directly found a reputable real estate agency to inquire about houses for sale.
Her goal was very clear: she wanted to buy a house with a shop in the front and a courtyard in the back.
Such houses were obviously not cheap, and no one would sell good locations. After viewing several shops, Hua Changxi finally spent nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine taels of silver to buy a house that was relatively to her liking in Feng’an Ward in the outer city.
There were three rooms for the shop, a small courtyard in the back, three main rooms in the courtyard, two rooms on each side of the west and east wings, and a well in the courtyard.
Hua Changxi was very satisfied with the layout, but the location was a bit remote, at the very corner of the innermost street in Feng’an Ward.
For doing business, this location was definitely not suitable. However, Hua Changxi did not intend to do purely retail. In the future, when she could refine pills in bulk, she wanted to be a wholesaler.
“As expected, no matter where you are, buying a house will empty your wallet.”
After buying the house, Hua Changxi only had a few dozen taels of silver left.
Although her purse was empty, she was still very happy thinking that she was now a homeowner in the Great Jin. However, this happiness only lasted until she returned to the Sixth Bureau.
“Steward Du, what do you mean by increasing my workload starting tomorrow?”
Du Ruo looked at Hua Changxi: “This is Eunuch Lu’s intention. Eunuch Lu dislikes his subordinates causing trouble everywhere.”
Hua Changxi laughed angrily: “What trouble have I caused?”
Du Ruo still gave her some advice: “Changxi, I know you are capable, but you cannot be too ostentatious. Not everyone has the magnanimity to tolerate others.”
Hua Changxi frowned: “What if I don’t listen?”
Du Ruo looked at her: “It’s just a matter of Eunuch Lu chasing away a laborer. If you don’t want to continue staying in the Labor Department, you can choose not to obey. ” After speaking, she turned and left.
Seeing this, Hua Changxi was very annoyed and returned to the backyard with a sullen face.
Since entering the Labor Department, except for being proactive in approaching Yu Hui and Eunuch Yu, in all other matters, she had been passively counterattacking.
If trouble didn’t find her, she wouldn’t cause it.
Even so, was this considered ostentatious?
Or did it mean that when encountering trouble, one could only passively endure and swallow one’s anger to be considered low-key and well-behaved?
“Changxi!”
As Hua Changxi was about to reach the dormitory, Granny Sun from the canteen waved at her.
“Granny Sun.”
Hua Changxi walked towards Granny Sun.
Granny Sun smiled at her: “Steward Qin made braised pork ribs with vinegar today, and specially saved a few for you. Come, let’s go to the kitchen to eat.”
Granny Sun had a recurring heart palpitation problem, which Hua Changxi cured. Since then, she had been particularly good to Hua Changxi.
After running around outside all day, Hua Changxi hadn’t eaten yet, so she didn’t refuse Granny Sun’s kindness and followed her to the kitchen.
“What happened to you? Why do you look a bit unhappy?”
Hua Changxi sighed and told her about Eunuch Lu wanting to increase her tasks.
“Granny Sun, Steward Du said I was too ostentatious, but the problems weren’t caused by me. Her meaning seems to be that when encountering trouble, only enduring is the correct way.”
Granny Sun smiled: “Just listen to Du Ruo’s words, don’t take them seriously.”
Hua Changxi just wanted to vent and didn’t expect Granny Sun to respond like this. She looked over in surprise.
Granny Sun served the ribs to Hua Changxi and said with a smile: “Don’t look at Du Ruo as a steward, but in private, she’s just a messenger, not someone with real power. When considering things, she only thinks from her own perspective, believing that if she made a mistake somewhere, it’s fine as long as she corrects it.”
“But the reality is completely different. If the higher-ups want to deal with you, anything you do will be wrong.”
“What you need to think about now is not what Du Ruo said, but why Eunuch Lu is doing this?”
Hua Changxi: “Isn’t it because I’m too ostentatious?”
Granny Sun chuckled and shook her head: “That’s just Du Ruo’s opinion. Whether you are ostentatious or not, does it affect Eunuch Lu in any way?”
Hua Changxi: “Maybe he just can’t stand people like me?”
Granny Sun: “Perhaps, but Eunuch Lu manages hundreds of people and also serves Eunuch Jia. Why would he pay attention to a small laborer like you and put in the effort to deal with you?”
“A person’s time is limited. They only pay attention to what they care about. If Eunuch Lu wants to deal with you, it must be because you have touched something he cares about.”
Hearing Granny Sun’s words, Hua Changxi felt like a fog had lifted. She had been influenced by Du Ruo before and hadn’t thought of this layer.
Yes, why would the people above be so idle as to specifically find trouble with a small soldier?
But how had she offended Eunuch Lu?
Was it because she went to the First Department and earned ten taels of silver without giving him a tribute?
No, it couldn’t be this.
If it were for this reason, he would have acted out when she started working after the new year.
Granny Sun looked at Hua Changxi, who was lost in thought, and reminded her again: “The Medical Affairs Department is an official yamen. The most taboo thing in a yamen is to be disloyal.”
Hearing this, Hua Changxi instantly understood: “Because of Eunuch Yu?”
Granny Sun smiled: “A while ago, the Labor Department was spreading rumors that you had defected to Eunuch Yu. I’ve heard about this, and Eunuch Lu must have heard it too.”
“Although the eunuchs all came from the palace, who knows what their relationships are like?”
Hua Changxi looked at Granny Sun: “Granny, thank you. I think I know the reason.”
Granny Sun smiled: “As long as you find the crux of the problem, it will be easy to handle.” Saying this, she pushed the ribs towards Hua Changxi, “Eat quickly, they’re getting cold.”
While gnawing on the ribs, Hua Changxi looked at Granny Sun: “Granny, where did you work before?” An old woman from the kitchen wouldn’t have such insight.
Granny Sun smiled faintly: “The past is in the past. I’m just an old woman guarding the kitchen.”
Seeing that Granny Sun didn’t want to say more, Hua Changxi didn’t press further. After eating, she returned to her dormitory, got a bottle of Strengthening Pill, and gave it to Granny Sun.
“Granny, thank you for your guidance. This is a pill I refined, it strengthens the body.”
Granny Sun didn’t refuse, and accepted the pill with a smile: “Changxi, if you want to achieve your ambitions in medical skills, staying in the Medical Affairs Department is the best choice. When you encounter trouble, don’t confront it head-on; developing yourself is the most important thing.”
Hua Changxi was stunned, feeling that Granny Sun’s words had hidden meanings. She wanted to ask for clarification, but Granny Sun waved her away, telling her to go back and rest.
Unable to do anything, Hua Changxi had to return to her dormitory. Upon returning, she didn’t immediately start cultivating but thought about how to resolve the issue of Eunuch Lu increasing her tasks.
She had already absorbed and refined the low-grade Spirit Origin Pills. Now, to improve her cultivation, she had to rely on spending time cultivating.
Time, for her, was undoubtedly precious.
Eunuch Lu was targeting her, most likely because she went to Qihuang Hall too many times, thinking she had defected to Eunuch Yu.
Moreover, she lingered too long at Qihuang Hall. Eunuch Lu should have realized she was helping Eunuch Yu with something, and now he probably just couldn’t guess what she was doing.
She approached Eunuch Yu because he could provide discarded medicinal herbs, which led to their cooperation.
Hua Changxi’s eyes flickered. Eunuch Yu, who managed the storeroom, had the authority to divert discarded medicinal herbs. Did Eunuch Lu, as the Head Steward of the Third Department, also have corresponding authority?
If Eunuch Lu could also provide medicinal herbs, then she could cooperate with him as well.
After figuring this out, the worried look on Hua Changxi’s face disappeared.
Partners should not be limited to just one; the more, the better.
Eunuch Yu was always dissatisfied with her taking forty percent of the profit; she could feel it. She really shouldn’t put all her eggs in one basket.
Having found a solution to the problem, Hua Changxi’s mood calmed down, and she began to focus on cultivation.
The next day, after waking up and having breakfast, Hua Changxi did not go to receive her tasks. Instead, she went directly to find Eunuch Lu.
As the Head Steward of the Third Department, Eunuch Lu lived in a separate small courtyard. When Hua Changxi arrived, Steward Leng was serving Eunuch Lu breakfast.
Eunuch Lu was somewhat surprised to see Hua Changxi.
Steward Leng was very angry.
Subordinates who wanted to see Eunuch Lu had to inform her first. After getting her consent, she would then bring the person to see Eunuch Lu.
Someone like Hua Changxi coming directly to see Eunuch Lu was simply disrespectful and unruly.
Just as Steward Leng was about to reprimand Hua Changxi, Hua Changxi spoke first.
“Eunuch Lu, I am here to report to you what I am doing for Eunuch Yu.”
Hua Changxi knew that when speaking to a superior, it was best to be direct and address the points they cared about.
Indeed, upon hearing this, Eunuch Lu finally looked up at Hua Changxi, but his tone was not very good: “You still know to come and report to this eunuch?”
Hua Changxi naturally did not admit she was wrong: “I didn’t come before, not because I didn’t want to, but because you were busy, and I couldn’t see you.”
Eunuch Lu snorted with laughter and didn’t want to dwell on this issue: “Go on, this eunuch is listening.”
Hua Changxi did not answer but glanced at Steward Leng.
Upon seeing this, Steward Leng immediately put on a cold face and said sarcastically: “Oh, is there anything I can’t hear?”
Eunuch Lu glanced at her and waved for Steward Leng to leave first.
Steward Leng glared at Hua Changxi and left, swinging her handkerchief.
After she left, Eunuch Lu looked at Hua Changxi: “You can speak now.”
Hua Changxi: “I am helping Eunuch Yu refine pills.”
Eunuch Lu’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t show much reaction.
Hua Changxi added: “I take fifty percent of the profit, and in three months, I saved enough money to buy a house in the outer city.”
Hearing this, Eunuch Lu could no longer remain calm: “How much silver did you save?”
Hua Changxi made a ‘one’ gesture with her finger.
Eunuch Lu’s breathing quickened. He knew the housing prices in the Capital City. Saving ten thousand taels in three months…
He knew that without sufficient profit, Yu Zhouquan would not have treated a female laborer differently.
Hua Changxi did not want to passively wait for Eunuch Lu to make arrangements, so she proactively said: “Your Grace, if you can provide medicinal herbs, we can also cooperate.”
Eunuch Lu did not agree immediately but looked at Hua Changxi with scrutiny: “You have quite a bit of courage. Is this why you joined the Labor Department?”
Outside, cultivating a pharmacist was not easy. Besides having a master, one also needed enough medicinal herbs to practice with, which were not affordable for ordinary families.
And in the Medical Affairs Department, even by joining the Labor Department, one could access enough medicinal herbs. If one’s mind was a bit more active, they could even get free medicinal herbs to practice with.
Hua Changxi did not deny it, only saying: “Your Grace, the Medical Affairs Department is a sacred land that all medical practitioners aspire to. I am no exception.”
Eunuch Lu was silent for a moment: “Twenty percent.”
Hua Changxi pretended not to understand: “What?”
Eunuch Lu: “This eunuch can provide you with medicinal herbs, but you can only take twenty percent of the profit.”
Hua Changxi frowned: “Eunuch Yu gave me fifty percent of the profit.”
Eunuch Lu let out a scoff: “Enough, stop playing tricks in front of this eunuch. I know what kind of person Yu Zhouquan is better than you. With his stingy nature, how could he possibly give you fifty percent of the profit?”
Hua Changxi was not flustered: “That’s because Your Grace hasn’t seen the pills I refined yet.” Saying this, she handed over the Meridian Opening Pill she had prepared beforehand.
“The pills I refine have better medicinal efficacy than those on the market and require fewer medicinal herbs.”
Eunuch Lu was a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist. He took the Meridian Opening Pill, examined it, and after confirming there were no issues, he directly consumed it. Then, his expression changed.
“Thirty percent, at most thirty percent of the profit for you.”
Hua Changxi was somewhat reluctant: “Forty percent, no less. Your Grace, you won’t find a refiner like me outside.”
Eunuch Lu also felt that giving Hua Changxi forty percent of the profit was too much and was very unwilling to agree. However, the pills Hua Changxi refined were indeed stronger than those on the market. No, it should be said that they were stronger than those refined by the pharmacists in the Medical Affairs Department.
He had been stuck at the Fourth Rank for many years. No matter how many Meridian Opening Pills he consumed before, he couldn’t break through to the Fifth Rank. But after taking the Meridian Opening Pill given by Hua Changxi just now, he felt signs of a breakthrough.
“Fine, forty percent.”
He would first try to break through to the Fifth Rank, and once he became a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist, he would then find Yu Zhouquan.
He didn’t believe Yu Zhouquan was willing to share profits with Hua Changxi. By then, they would join forces to suppress Hua Changxi, preferably making her obediently refine pills for them, while they would only give her a small monthly allowance.
