Chapter 6, The Status of Feudal Society

You are quite fortunate, having served as the deputy director and gained some bureaucratic experience. As for me, I have had a rough time; I entered the hospital right after graduating from university. Just as I began to understand the ways of the world, I was promoted to chief surgeon and suddenly found myself here. Why couldn't I have waited until I became the director before crossing over? By then, I might have had some experience in intrigue and maneuvering.

Xie Da Mei Mei's expression, which had just softened for a moment, instantly returned to a blank face. She turned her back and tossed her head at Wei Chi.

Indeed, if medication is available, we should use it. If intravenous therapy can be avoided, we should do so; if it cannot, we can sew a few cloth bags for packaging, keeping it discreet. Then, we can deceive and bluff, making do with whatever we can manage. In any case, we must prevent others from intervening. After use, we will handle it ourselves. I need to think of a way that will not make Cui Jie feel that we are deceiving him for money, while also allowing us to profit from these glass bottles.

What are you saying

Wei Chi got out of bed and looked at Xie Jiu. Xie Jiu said: "In ancient times, social status was divided into four categories: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Doctors belonged to the third category, while merchants had a low social status. Although they were wealthy, they were often looked down upon. If you plan to be a wealthy man and live a stable life, you can engage in any business, such as a tavern or a medical clinic, as long as you are careful not to attract too much attention and provoke envy. However, if you have other ambitions, it is best not to become a merchant. Focus on running a medical clinic, as there may be opportunities for a turnaround in the future."

By the way, we sold a set of Wuliangye and exchanged it for so much money. When the clinic opens in the future, how should we explain those saline bottles, which are also made of glass

As everything was transported back to the city, the sky had darkened, just in time to close the city gates. Everything was delivered to Sun Simiao's small courtyard, which was filled to the brim. That evening, Wei Chi was in high spirits and personally took to the kitchen, preparing a delicious vegetarian feast that even someone like Sun Simiao, who was not particularly indulgent in culinary pleasures, praised highly.

On the first night after crossing over to the Tang Dynasty, which was also the first night spent in the car on the mountain, Xie Jiu and Wei Chi had exchanged information about their backgrounds and had a certain understanding of Xie Jiu's family background

In the end, Wei Chi's words made Xie Jiu smile, but the smile was fleeting and quickly faded as she continued to maintain a serious expression, saying: "My appointment as vice dean is largely due to my family's influence. In terms of scheming and intrigue, I may not be as skilled as you. Moreover, I might not even understand the ways of the world as well as you do."

The two individuals further discussed the future actions and plans of hetushu.com, deciding that Wei Chi would take the lead in establishing a good relationship with Sun Simiao, who is essentially the family doctor of the Li royal family. Being a doctor and associating with him presents a more promising future.

Xie Jiu rarely showed a smile, her beautiful eyes gazing at Wei Chi, and she asked, "Will the restaurant still open?"

Wei Chi pondered for a long time, then said: "Now that you mention it, I realize many things, such as fully sealed disposable syringes, glass saline bottles, and various packaging materials like cardboard boxes, plastic bags, and glass medicine bottles. These would have been considered treasures in ancient times"

After pondering for a while, Wei Chi, with a serious expression, asked Xie Jiu: "Have you studied anything related to politics or economics?"

In the evening, during a break, Wei Chi happily said to Xie Jiu: "Guess what I found in the truck?"

Wei Chi's voice was soft, and Xie Jiu did not hear it clearly

Well. These matters can only be handled by ourselves and cannot be entrusted to others

How to say?

Indeed, the social status of merchants is not high. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have completely forgotten. Without money, one cannot survive, and making money is certainly the fastest for merchants. Truly, it is the wicked feudal society!

The Xie family arranged a marriage for Xie Jiu from a young age, with the groom being the only son of a prominent military figure, whose character, among many young rascals, was considered decent. However, Xie Jiu did not find him appealing; she would rather remain single for life than marry him. Eventually, she simply ran off to a small town in M County to become a deputy director. The entire Xie family cherished her dearly and did not want her to suffer, yet they were also reluctant to reject the suitor, so they turned a blind eye and let her be.

Wei Chi sighed while holding his head. Since coming down from the mountain, he had let go of his burdens and no longer felt constrained by the hierarchical relationship with Xie Jiu. Of course, he did not immediately become so complacent as to think that Xie Jiu was willing to submit to him. At most, Xie Jiu regarded him as just a friend. Therefore, Wei Chi interacted with Xie Jiu in the usual manner he would with a friend, relaxing in their interactions. The trust between the two was much deeper than that of ordinary friends.

Indeed, primarily we have exchanged so many items for Wuliangye, and in order to avoid offending anyone, the saltwater bottle must be handled properly

The Xie family is a prominent clan in Province Y, with many high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants among its members, spanning three generations. All the children born in the family were male until the generation of Xie Jiu, who became the precious daughter of the family. In the household, she is regarded as a figure of great importance, able to command both wind and rain. Fortunately, Xie Jiu was raised with strict discipline and, despite being cherished, did not develop a spoiled or willful character. Although she has a naturally aloof and indifferent demeanor, she is still quite knowledgeable and courteous.

Xie Jiu raised an important question. Glass is so valuable, and even the bottles used for storing medicine are made of glass. Doesn't that signal to others to come and steal it? Well, it is indeed a very serious issue

It is hard to say! The political struggles of ancient times were more brutal than those of modern times, often leading to the destruction of families and the annihilation of entire clans

Xie Jiu glanced at him lightly, noticing the joyful expression on his face. A hint of warmth flowed from her indifferent eyes as she shook her head to indicate her lack of knowledge. Wei Chi, like a child presenting a treasure, proudly declared: "Seeds! Corn seeds, cabbage seeds, tomato seeds, and a bag of seeds that I don't know what they are. Even if we don't open a clinic, we definitely won't starve if we become farmers and grow vegetables."

A certain man still did not understand where he had offended Miss Xie, but she completely ignored him, leaving him to gaze longingly at the beauty's long black hair, counting it to help him sleep

Xie Jiu shook his head, and Wei Chi continued: "Let us first count the historical figures from the early Tang Dynasty, the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion. We won't mention the military generals, as both of us are weak scholars with no strength to even tie a chicken. If there were a war, it would probably be the entire populace fighting, and it wouldn't come down to us. At most, we would end up in logistics as military doctors. The military life is too arduous, so let's set that aside. As for the civil officials, there are the renowned Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhuai. Du Ruhuai has passed away, but Fang Xuanling is still alive. There are also Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Zhang Gongjin, Tang Jian, and so on, each more famous than the last, each more treacherous than the last. Tell me, if we were to enter officialdom, would we even have any bones left?"

Discussing a series of issues, the two lay side by side on the bed. Wei Chi, in pain, rubbed his lower back and muttered, "Damn the early Tang dynasty, they haven't even made a proper bed yet. Sleeping on this straw mat is truly painful. Oh, my back! A man's back is a treasure; how can it be treated so roughly!"

"It's nothing! However, my dear wife, from now on, it will just be the two of us at home. Even if we only live to seventy, we still have several decades ahead of us. Living life is all about finding joy; we shouldn't always wear a stern face, as it can lead to premature aging. We should smile more. You are so beautiful; smiling is the least you can do to honor your parents."

What happened? Are you angry now?

After discussing for half a day, the conclusion reached by the two individuals is that neither of their personalities is suited for the struggles and intrigues of political life. Instead, it is more appropriate for them to strive to earn a good reputation and social status through their medical skills, and then quietly amass wealth, becoming stable and prosperous gentlemen. Their focus should be on improving their quality of life during the Tang Dynasty.