Chapter 240
C240 – Painter
“This is the list we need this time. Do you have enough stock?” Tang Yue handed a list to Shopkeeper Liu.
Shopkeeper Liu read through it quickly. His familiarity with medicinal herbs had only been cultivated over the years. He only knew its name but did not know its use. However, his powerful memory had impressed Tang Yue.
After thinking for a moment, Manager Liu raised his head and said, “young master, most of the herbs here are still in stock. It’s just that Old Jiang and San Qi do not have any stock after they are used up. Do you want to increase the purchasing volume?”
“Why is it not enough? I remember there was a large amount of San Qi when I checked the last time. How come there is only this much left?”
“young master, you forgot that before the army left, the Imperial Court gathered Level 37 herbs among the people. No medicine stores are allowed to keep any stock. Although the Huian Hall is protected by the Crown Prince’s Palace, we are not allowed to keep any stock. ” However, we never openly disobeyed the government’s order. Therefore, this lowly one gave up a portion of the herbs. We have a large stock and only gave out a portion of the herbs. The small amount of herbs is considered small, and we usually use a large amount of them. As for Ginger, this thing is pretty good when it comes to winter. Our medicine store will cook a large pot of Ginger soup at a fixed point every day for the people to expel the cold, so we use it quickly. “
Tang Yue frowned. He took out the letter from Xiang Ann and read it. He confirmed that there were three or seven herbs on it, and combined with the number that Shopkeeper Liu gave him, he felt that something was wrong.
Three and seven were commonly used medicine for external injuries. It was true that the amount used was large, but it was impossible for the military to use up all of it so quickly. According to his estimation of the number of people who were injured, just three and seven were enough.
“young master, what’s wrong?” Manager Liu was a little nervous when he saw Tang Yue’s expression was not good. He was afraid that he had done something wrong.
He had been muddleheaded all these years. It was not easy for him to meet a boss who gave him a chance. Although what he did was different from what he had initially thought, he still cherished this opportunity. He used 120% of his effort to run this magical medicine store.
Tang Yue thought for a while and voiced his doubts. Although Manager Liu did not practice medicine, he still had a certain understanding of medicinal herbs.
Shopkeeper Liu did some calculations and shook his head. “No, although the army has been out for half a year, they have only fought once. Furthermore, it is said that the number of people who died was more than the number of people who were injured. It is said that the number of people who were injured could not compare to the number of people in Qinyang City. However, you know that after the three battles in Qinyang City, the number of people who have used thirty seven is less than half of the total number of people. “
The two of them looked at each other, feeling a little shocked in their hearts.
“young master, do you want to write another letter and ask? Maybe it was Young Master An who wrote the wrong letter. Maybe he just wanted to prepare more?”
Tang Yue nodded. He picked up his pen and wrote a reply. He still gave the herbs according to the list. He just asked the question clearly. No matter what the truth was, he had to make sure that the soldiers had medicine.
“In addition, get people to travel around the country a few more times to purchase herbs at a high price. Other than thirty seven, the rest will be bought back together. I remember that Huang Lian and Bai Fu Ling’s quantity is not too much.”
“Yes, but in this way, our funds will be tight.”
The profits in Huian Hall were not high. Although they were very famous, ordinary people did not think much of them. However, there were a lot of people who received the medicinal soup for free and basically all the money they earned was posted.
However, when Tang Yue opened this medicine shop, he did not make money. If he really made money alone, he could compare to the profits of the entire medicine shop. Those nobles’ consultation fees and fees were all paid by him. Tang Yue often set a price according to his will. Of course, there were many times when he didn’t charge any fees.
Tang Yue called the butler over and asked him to pay 500 gold from the storehouse of the manor. He handed it to Manager Liu. “Money is not a problem, but the quality of the herbs must be qualified. After spring, let the major herb bases keep a close watch on the external injuries.”
“I understand. Don’t worry. The pharmacists we contacted last year will give us some face. It’s all business. Once the price is high, they will naturally sell it to us first.”
Tang Yue nodded. “If you need it, use it if you need to use your connections. Don’t be afraid if you need to use coercion. Don’t let them raise the price too high.”
With Tang Yue’s words, With Tang Yue’s words, Shopkeeper Liu felt even more at ease. With the reputation of the Crown Prince Palace, he was not afraid of anyone.
“Then I will go and settle some matters first. Don’t worry, the herbs will be ready by sunset tomorrow.”
“Yes, I will arrange for someone to transport them.”
Before Manager Liu left, he added, “young master, there are a few apprentice alchemists in the medicine store who want to go to the border to train. They can’t treat illnesses and save people. It’s okay to help. Do you want to send them over this time?”
“How old are you? “Do you have any brothers at home?” Wang Yao asked.
“They are all new recruits in the past two years. They are quite diligent,” Wang Yao said. “I don’t have any concerns at home,” Wang Yao said.
“If they want to go, they can go. Tell them to be careful,” Wang Yao said.
Shopkeeper Liu smiled and replied, “Aye, this lowly one will remind them.”
Tang Yue stayed in the study room for a while and made a list of the things he needed to prepare. The war consumed manpower, resources, and money. He could not afford to lose anything.
He wrote a letter to Crown Prince Zhao and prepared to send it along with the herbs. Of course, there was no lack of his self-portrait.
“Butler, is the painter here?”
The butler smiled. “young master, are you really going to invite the painter?”
“Of course. Are you kidding me?”
“Do you have any requests?” young master asked. Do you have to be good at painting mountains and rivers or characters?”
Tang Yue pointed at his face. “I want to draw my own portrait. Which one do you think I’m looking for?”
The butler hurried to look for the painter. It did not take long for him to drag an old man here. The old man was dressed slovenly. His face was sallow and full of wrinkles. He had yellow teeth and looked no different from a beggar on the street.
“Him?” Tang Yue knew that people in the art world had personalities, but this person in front of him had too many personalities.
The butler nodded firmly, although he did not think this man was reliable.
Tang Yue went to change into a brighter set of clothes and asked someone to bring Little Luoyuan over. Later, he would draw a picture together.
He sat there for two hours, full of joy. His face was crooked with laughter. The other party was still looking at his face, occasionally moving a brush.
The brush he used was not a brush, but a carving knife. Tang Yue muttered in his heart. What era was this? There was actually a carving knife.
Two hours later, he finally could not hold it in anymore and asked, “Is it done?”
“Yes, yes, yes…” The painter stroked his beard and smiled complacently.
Tang Yue thought that he was very satisfied with his work and asked him to bring it over full of expectations. In the end, he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
This painting was of a person? Did he look like this? Were these eyes not eyes, mouths not mouths? Was it really him?
Little Luoyuan ran in and said, “Ah.” He asked crisply, “Little father, what is this monster?”
Tang Yue’s face twitched. He laughed. “Daddy asked someone to draw the Demon Shaking Talisman for the mansion. How is it? Does it look good?”
Little Luoyuan nodded. “Yes, with this stuck at the door, I won’t have nightmares at night!”
Tang Yue was speechless. He glared at the painter. The painter stroked his beard. “I really don’t know how to appreciate it. Look at the knife work. Who can compare to my craftsman today?”
Tang Yue asked someone to fetch his charcoal brush from the study room. He pushed the old painter away and took a piece of white paper. He started to draw on it.
“Luoyuan, sit tight. Daddy will draw you a nice one.”
Tang Yue’s drawing skills were not good. As a sculptor, he was good at copying. He did not dare to say how good he was, but at least he looked like a person.
He drew Luoyuan’s face with simple lines, then his facial features and hair deepened bit by bit.
After drawing for an hour, Tang Yue put away his brush. Before he could carefully appreciate the drawing paper, he was pulled away by a black hand.
He turned his head and saw that chrysanthemum face staring intently at his drawing.
“This… this is impossible. How can it be so similar? It’s just a few strokes, how can it transmit people’s thoughts like this?”
“This is called drawing!” Tang Yue stretched and took the painting from Tang Yue’s fingers.
Little Luoyuan ran over excitedly and looked at Tang Yue’s drawing with his toes on the ground.
“Wow… It looks like… Little daddy is so powerful. How did you do it?”
Tang Yue pinched his nose and chuckled. “This is my dad’s ultimate skill. I won’t teach it to anyone else.”
“Then I am your son. If you pass it on to me, it will be passed on from the inside to the outside.”
“Do you want to learn it?”
“Yes.” Little Luoyuan nodded.
Before Tang Yue could agree, a voice called “Master” suddenly entered his ears. The voice was old and hoarse. It was not a child’s voice at all.
Turning his head, he saw the old painter kneeling behind him, looking at him with tears streaming down his face.
“What are you doing?”
“I didn’t expect Crown Princess to be so good at painting. Are you going to take me in as your disciple?”
Tang Yue winked at the butler and asked him to take the old man out. “He has nothing to do here. Take him away.”