MTLNOVEL Chapter 189 - 189: Brilliant, How Marvelous!
Chapter 189: Chapter 189: Brilliant, How Marvelous!
One afternoon, a day later, Qi Yue and two others finished their boat trip on the lake. As they disembarked onto the shore, Shen Zikuang approached with a warm smile to greet them.
“Divine Doctor Qi has come from afar, please forgive my inadequate reception,” Shen Zikuang said with a smile.
Qi Yue also raised her hand in return greeting.
“I wouldn’t dare to impose on Young Master Shen. I was just planning to visit the Shen Residence,” said Qi Yue.
Shen Zikuang, however, did not believe her words.
For the past few days, he had already sent people to watch for foreigners coming from the direction of Longnan at the western gate of Dongjiang, but for two consecutive days, there had been no news.
He had thought that perhaps Qi Yue had been delayed by some matter and wasn’t surprised by the delay.
But unexpectedly, last night the shopkeeper from Linjiang Pavilion came to settle accounts and mentioned several interesting guests. As soon as he heard, he felt something was amiss.
Upon asking in detail, he confirmed Qi Yue’s identity.
No matter why Qi Yue deliberately did not show up, these were not the words he could reveal. He simply chuckled as well.
“In that case, how about I accompany Divine Doctor Qi to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Dongjiang?” Shen Zikuang offered with a laugh.
But Qi Yue smiled and shook her head.
“Young Master Shen is not aware that we came from the direction of Fuzhou and arrived two days ago. We have already seen Dongjiang in its entirety. Now, please lead us to the newly constructed herbal factory to have a look and start our cooperation plan as soon as possible,” said Qi Yue.
Shen Zikuang was momentarily embarrassed.
Just now he was suspecting that Qi Yue was not showing up because she had ulterior motives, only to find out she had no intention of hiding at all. He could only laugh and say, “We’ll do as Divine Doctor Qi suggests.”
Then Qi Yue introduced Qu Wei and Old Lady Zhang to Shen Zikuang. They got acquainted with each other and quickly became familiar.
Before long, the Shen family’s large carriage arrived to take them in the direction of the herbal factory.
During the journey, Qi Yue mentioned that being constantly referred to as Divine Doctor felt too ostentatious, and that being called Miss Qi would suffice, so Shen Zikuang changed his address accordingly.
As the conversation shifted to the topic of cooperation, the atmosphere became even better.
“Miss Qi, after viewing the herbal factory, please come to stay at our residence. Linjiang Pavilion may have decent accommodations, but they cannot compare to one’s own home,” Shen Zikuang invited.
Qi Yue repeatedly waved her hands in refusal.
“Our group is rather complicated; it’s better not to trouble your residence. When the cooperation begins, I shall definitely visit,” she said.
These past few days, she had made some inquiries as well.
Despite Shen Zikuang’s shrewd appearance and strong competence, his domestic affairs were a complete mess.
In addition to his main wife, he had seven or eight concubines. Staying at the Shen Residence would likely lead to suspicions from those women; hence, it was better to stay away.
Moreover, the Shen family consisted of three brothers, all living together in one residence; who knows how many messy, underhanded affairs were going on. She had no intention of getting involved.
Her goal was very clear: to cooperate with the Shen family and promote finished medicines throughout the Beiyuan Kingdom. If she could also establish relationships with countries like Western Chu and Donggao, that would be even better.
During the conversation, the carriage stopped.
As Qi Yue got out, she realized that they were at the same place they had visited earlier and found highly suitable for an herbal factory.
Not far away flowed the Dongjiang River, with a backdrop of rolling hills that undoubtedly nurtured numerous precious medicinal herbs.
It was truly an excellent base for an herbal factory.
Now the concern was whether his factory was big enough.
If it was too small, it might not be able to produce enough to supply the entire Beiyuan Kingdom.
Entering through that solemn, large black gate, inside was a bustling sight to behold.
Everywhere the eye could see were workers, and buildings under construction everywhere.
Although not yet complete, the basic layout was already faintly discernible.
From west to east, there were the delivery area, verification area, packaging area, manufacturing area, research area, materials area, processing area, drying area, dining and sanitation area, and so on.
The manufacturing area occupied the largest space, as big as three football fields combined.
Qi Yue was secretly astonished, but her certainty in cooperating with the Shen family grew even more.
She had not expected that after merely sharing her idea with Shen Zikuang that day and letting him tour the pharmacy, he would truly establish such a monumental pharmaceutical factory.
It also showed that the Shen Family’s influence in Dongjiang was indeed extraordinary.
In her opinion, such a vast piece of land, along with the construction and other expenses of the building, would not come in at less than a few million Silver Taels.
This indicated that the Shen Family was genuinely interested in managing a pharmaceutical factory.
After the inspection of the pharmaceutical factory was complete, Shen Zikuang proposed an agreement for collaboration and immediately began to recruit the first group of pharmaceutical workers.
“Miss Qi Yue, nearly all of our Dongjiang citizens depend on medicinal herbs for their livelihood. Almost everyone can recognize a few herbs, and there are even more doctors. Whatever kind you need, I, Shen, can find them.”
However, Qi Yue shook her head.
“Firstly, they must be in good health. Other than that, there aren’t any special requirements. Don’t be too capable or too clever, that will do.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Zikuang was also surprised.
“Not too clever? In that case, how can we ensure the quality of the medicine?”
Qi Yue smiled slightly.
“The people making the medicine are different from those diagnosing and prescribing. As long as they obediently follow the recipes and produce the medicine according to the steps, that’s enough. This task may seem simple but actually tests patience and resilience. Those who are too clever and too capable tend to be too proud and are more prone to mistakes.”
“I see, no wonder Miss Qi Yue is known as the Divine Doctor,” Shen Zikuang exclaimed in admiration.
After discussing this matter, the two of them briefly talked about management of the pharmaceutical factory, sales of the medicine, and other related issues.
Thanks to her experience of practicing medicine in her previous life, Qi Yue’s suggestions and improvement measures were all refreshing and particularly effective, unheard-of but practical. Shen Zikuang did nothing but nod in agreement, almost to the point of neck strain.
“Brilliant, marvelous! Not only is Miss Qi Yue a Divine Doctor, but she is also a genius in business!”
“It’s hard to imagine that we have such an extraordinary woman as Miss Qi Yue in Beiyuan!”
“….”
The accompanying Shen Family’s shopkeepers also offered endless praise.
By the time they had completed the tour of the pharmaceutical factory, Qi Yue’s head was filled with the praises of the others, leaving her a bit overly flattered.
That evening, Shen Zikuang hosted a banquet for Qi Yue at Linjiang Pavilion to welcome her and celebrate the near completion of their collaboration.
As for the specific profit-sharing, Shen Zikuang expressed the desire to split it evenly with Qi Yue, but she refused.
Shen Zikuang had staked half of his wealth in this venture, with the factory buildings, medicinal materials, and laborers amounting to a huge expenditure, not to mention the risk of losses.
If she were to take fifty percent of the profits just for providing a prescription, wouldn’t that make her the laughingstock of the world?
“Master Shen, let’s settle the exact profit share after the first batch of medicine is produced. But I can be clear about one thing, I, Qi Yue, will only earn what I should!” she declared.
As she spoke, the shopkeepers accompanying them all heaved a sigh of relief.
When Shen Zikuang suggested splitting the profits with Qi Yue, the shopkeepers had all been quite worried.
None had expected Qi Yue to be so generous and sensible, and their respect for her deepened.
After a satisfying meal and drinks, just when the three of them had returned to their lodgings, Shopkeeper Feng from Linjiang Pavilion personally paid them a visit.
Qi Yue was wondering what was the matter when she saw Shopkeeper Feng’s face beaming with smiles, his attitude extremely respectful.
“Miss Qi Yue, this is an exclusive Jade Token from Linjiang Pavilion, courtesy of our young master. Additionally, we’re returning the Silver spent over the past few days. Please forgive us for not recognizing your great worth sooner,” he said.
With a wave of his hand,
a servant cautiously approached, bowing and holding a tray, which contained the Silver used for the past days’ lodging and dining, plus an extra five hundred Silver Tael.
Shopkeeper Feng chuckled as he explained, “The young master says, since Miss Qi Yue is traveling in Dongjiang, the Shen Family should act as hospitable hosts. This extra five hundred Silver Taels is a gesture of our apology.”
Returning a card and refunding the Silver was understandable to Qi Yue, but what was the meaning of giving an additional five hundred Taels as apology Silver?
After all, she had never intended to make Shen Zikuang accompany her!
She felt something was off.
It seemed like Shen Zikuang was too enthusiastic… no, as if he was really afraid she would not agree to the collaboration!