Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Jiukang Pharmacy_l (1/2)

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Jiukang Pharmacy_l

Translator: 549690339

The attendant was polite as he saluted Jiang Sanlang, “What business does the guest have with our shopkeeper?”

Jiang Sanlang was forthright: “I have some auricularia at home, I was wondering if your pharmacy would purchase them?”

The attendant was taken aback, inspected the group, and said: “That will need to depend on the quality. If the quality is decent, we will certainly purchase.”

Jiang Sanlang quickly brought over his basket and placed it on the counter,

“Please take a look at this.”

The attendant picked up one and examined it thoroughly, sniffing it, and pinching it.

Without giving a clear response, he said to Jiang Sanlang, “Please wait, I will fetch the shopkeeper.”

The attendant then instructed the nearby boy to take over and he himself turned and left for the inner hall.

Shortly after, a fortysomething bearded middle-aged man followed the attendant out, his demeanor haughty as he casually scanned Jiang Sanlang and his brothers. “You all are selling auricularia?”

“Yes,” Jiang Sanlang responded, saluting.

The shopkeeper came over, picked up an auricularia, and said after a glance,

“For auricularia of this quality, it’s one tael of silver per jin at our store.”

“What?” Jiang Sanlang was taken aback, his complexion turning a bit unsightly. Doctor Li paid ten taels of silver per jin, and yet this pharmacy was only offering one.

Jiang Dalang and Jiang Erlang exchanged glances but did not look too disappointed.

They knew that one jin of rice was only three coins and mutton was just eighteen coins per jin.

To be able to sell one jin of small auricularia for one tael of silver, which was equivalent to one thousand coins, was also quite a sum and was tantamount to several months of income for a farming household.

But didn’t the third brother say it was ten taels per jin? Why such a big difference? Jiang Dalang wondered.

Although irritated internally, Jiang Sanlang didn’t flare up, he only reminded, “Shopkeeper, did you perhaps see wrongly? This indeed is auricularia, only days ago it sold at ten taels of silver per jin.”

The shopkeeper appeared impatient, “We buy at this price, you can sell or not.”

Having said that, he turned and left, even giving the attendant a glare as he passed by.

The attendant was visibly embarrassed as he said to Jiang Sanlang, “That is our shopkeeper. If you are unable to accept the price of one tael, please leave.”

Jiang Sanlang, with a grave expression, did not say a word as he packed up the auricularia and left.

Yingbao glanced at the attendant sadly.

This attendant would later become the Store Manager of Jiukang Pharmacy in a decade or so. Alas, he was currently a mere attendant and had no decision-making power.

The group exited the Jiukang Pharmacy and went to discuss by their donkey cart.

Jiang Sanlang: “Shall we try somewhere else?”

“That can be done. There are many pharmacies on this street, we can try a few more to enquire about the price.” said Jiang Erlang.

Jiang Dalang: “Yes, yes! Enquire at multiple places to get a better understanding.”

So, the three brothers wandered around the prefecture city for a long time, visited several pharmacies but none were to their satisfaction.

Although the price had increased from one tael to two taels per jin, Jiang Sanlang was still not satisfied.

Given that Doctor Li had offered ten taels per jin, why was it considerably less in the city?

He wasn’t willing to accept it.

Jiang Sanlang was frustrated but there was nothing he could do.

As they walked past a large shop with upturned eaves, Jiang Sanlang stopped in his tracks.

Furuifeng Trading Company.

Wasn’t this the address the customer who bought fish last year had given him?

He had promised him to bring sturgeons whenever he caught them, but after a series of events, he didn’t fish anymore.

And now, he happened to pass by.