Chapter 003: Let me show you my methods
Lord Kong, in his surprise and confusion, did not consider this layer of meaning. Upon hearing Zhang Li's words, Lord Kong's face immediately turned red, and he said to Steward Kong: "Quick! Drive everyone else away!"
Kang Xing'an knew that Butler Kong said it was eight qian and two fen, so the bird's nest must be above nine qian. However, he had always been this way, so he did not dare to argue.
Kang Xing'an had just let out a half-hearted "ah" when he suddenly covered his mouth, recalling Zhang Li's admonition to remain silent. However, his eyes were still filled with doubt.
Zhang Lixin knows that this is the most critical moment. He has guessed the symptoms, and it seems he is correct, which has caused some hesitation in Lord Kong. However, given his identity and age, others are unlikely to believe him, so he casually concocts a story to divert attention: "My master is a medical immortal from Penglai, highly skilled in gynecology. I have learned a little bit, why not let Lord Kong give it a try?"
"Father!" A man dressed as a scholar in a green robe hurried over, "Has Doctor Xue arrived?" Suddenly, he noticed Zhang Li behind Lord Kong and was taken aback: "Who is this kid?"
The Hengchanghao of the Kong family is one of the top shops in the city, which is not easily deceived
Zhang Li pointed to the bird's nest in the scale and said: "Indeed. Chief Steward, you must see clearly that the bird's nest we sent has a hint of blood-red color, which is precisely the finest blood swallow."
Zhang Li glanced at Kang Xing'an, slightly shook his head, signaling An Zi not to speak
Manager Kong's expression was somewhat strained: these two young lads really did bring blood swallow, the rust-red color was striking, truly captivating! ... However, in the past, I received plenty of blood swallow but was only offered the price of white swallow.
As soon as this question was asked, Zhang Li understood that this person must be Lord Kong.
As a doctor with a degree in medicine, Zhang Li understands that in ancient times, the terms "beng" and "lou" referred to irregular menstruation in women. A heavy flow with significant bleeding is called "beng"; whereas a lighter, continuous flow is referred to as "lou"
Zhang Li did not pay any attention to the steward Kong, and directly walked briskly to Master Kong: "Master Kong, the illness of your family members is extremely perilous. Why not give it a try? If it does not yield results, I will take nothing in return."
At the moment when Zhang Li was in a dilemma, the sound of urgent hoofbeats approached, and a horse-drawn carriage was seen coming down the main road of the village from a distance
In fact, Master Kong originally suspected that Zhang Li was trying to swindle him, but upon hearing Zhang Li's words, Master Kong reconsidered and realized that he had not actually suffered any loss, thus his mindset began to change
Clearly, Master Kong and Steward Kong were also startled by his shout. Once Steward Kong regained his composure, he immediately strode up to Zhang Li and shouted at the thugs guarding the mountain goods in the shed: "Where did this arrogant brat come from? Beat him to a pulp!"
Kang Xing'an's forehead was already faintly glistening with sweat as he tugged at Zhang Li's sleeve: "Li Ge'er, this, this..."
Kang Xing'an saw Zhang Li suffer a loss and quickly rushed to support him, anxiously saying: "Brother Li, are you alright? You..."
Zhang Li observed that Lord Kong seemed somewhat relaxed, realizing that he had hit the mark. However, he could not elaborate further, as he had not seen the patient and his words remained mere conjecture.
Kong Guanjia let out a cold laugh, thinking to himself: Bird's nest can only be sold to high-ranking officials and wealthy individuals; ordinary families simply cannot afford such things, let alone a bunch of commoners. Today, I have you completely at my mercy
People hurriedly moved aside, and an elderly man with white hair was pulling his little grandson to the side of the road, whispering: "This is Lord Kong's carriage; if we block the way, it would be in vain even if we were to be run over."
Zhang Li stood up straight, disregarding the disdainful gazes of those around him, and said loudly: "Lord Kong, I am sincerely concerned, but I did not expect to receive such a beating in return. May I ask if the family members in the residence are pale, experiencing abdominal pain, and suffering from heavy menstrual flow with purple clots in the blood?"
Zhang Li was not far from the two people and suddenly perked up upon hearing the words "collapse" and "leak" in his ears
Old Master Kong shook his head, "Doctor Xue from the city has advised me to seek a more capable physician, stating that he has already visited twice, and after three doses of medicine, there has been no effect at all. I am afraid I must prepare for the worst..."
Zhang Li said lightly: "In the realm of medicine, each has its own merits. My family master specializes in gynecology, and I have learned a little, yet I do not dare to show off. As for the symptoms of uterine bleeding, my master has passed on to me some secret formulas..."
Blood swallow? Manager Kong, being well-informed and knowledgeable, certainly knows that bird's nest can be classified into blood swallow and white swallow. However, he has always been purchasing this blood swallow at the price of white swallow, and at this moment, he can only pretend to be foolish.
Anzi, the current situation is chaotic, and this bird's nest is difficult to sell; the price has dropped by 30%! Steward Kong skillfully put on a苦脸, seemingly reluctant to accept this bird's nest
Kong Guanjia skillfully jogged to the front of the carriage, lifted the curtain, and a short, stout man, around fifty years old, wearing a square cap and dressed in a light blue patterned silk robe, stepped down from the carriage, letting out a long sigh: "Ah—"
Old Master Kong clearly trembled, nearly falling over, his heart sinking: How could this young man know the symptoms? And he describes them so accurately? It’s impossible for such nonsense to be so precise; the key point is that the menstrual blood contains purple clots, which is something that cannot be fabricated!
If it endangers life, it is more likely to be referred to as "collapse," which is what later generations would call massive hemorrhage
Not good, that was reckless
Old Master Kong sighed: "Doctor Xue is the best physician in the Jinzhou Guard for gynecology, yet even he is at a loss against - the - book. It seems that the lady's fate is already sealed."
Zhang Li noticed the look of astonishment on Butler Kong's face, smiled slightly, and said: "Butler Kong is a discerning person; this time, the bird's nest we brought is indeed the finest among bird's nests—blood bird's nest"
Zhang Li was unprepared, and with a loud bang, he was struck squarely in the right chest by a punch. After staggering a few steps, Zhang Li finally managed to steady himself.
Kong Guanjia cast a glance at Zhang Li, secretly astonished: he vaguely remembered that this young man had come to sell mountain goods a few times with Kang Xing'an, and he had not paid much attention at the time. How could he speak now with a hint of scholarly demeanor? However, anyone who could come along with that muddy-legged Kang Xing'an was certainly not a gentleman or a scholar. Apart from his own master, there had been no notable scholars in the surrounding ten to eight miles.
... ...
Seeing that the master was somewhat tempted, Butler Kong anxiously exclaimed: "Master, please do not listen to this brat's nonsense. He is merely a country bumpkin selling mountain goods, surely coveting wealth and attempting to swindle us!"
The thug reluctantly withdrew his fists and feet, and in a low voice said to Kang Xing'an: "Anzi, from now on, you must not say a word; just watch my methods!"
Upon thinking of this, the inertia of future professions caused Zhang Li to almost blurt out: "Master Kong, I possess a hereditary skill, specializing in the treatment of women's hemorrhagic disorders. I wonder..."
This fellow is talking nonsense, provoking Steward Kong; how could he expect to have a good outcome?
Having passed through the three courtyards, Zhang Li and the others arrived at the inner residence. From a distance, Zhang Li could already smell a faint herbal aroma wafting from the house, indicating that the patient had been ill for quite some time, with even the corridor's pillars subtly exuding the scent of medicine
Upon hearing this, Kang Xing'an hurriedly said, "Li Ge'er has hurt his head, Steward Kong, please do not be angry..."
Kang Xing'an took out the handkerchief wrapped around the bird's nest, and as he unwrapped it layer by layer, Zhang Lizhu and Tushuyi noticed a glimmer of excitement in Butler Kong's eyes
Kong Guanjia calmly took a small scale from his waist and weighed the bird's nest: "Eight qian and two fen, counted as eight qian"
Alas! I was still being presumptuous; in this world I have traversed to, where is there a place for reason?
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Li's leg, which was originally stepping out of the awning, felt as if it were filled with lead, unable to move an inch
Secret recipe? Upon hearing these words, Master Kong's eyes sparkled with excitement, as if they were the last straw for a drowning person, igniting an insatiable desire within him
Zhang Li respectfully bowed to Steward Kong and said: "Steward Kong, I greet you. This bird's nest was collected by me and An Zi together, and is intended for sale to the Kong residence."
Listening to the cold mockery of the crowd and seeing Kang Xing'an's pleading gaze, Zhang Li's heart was in turmoil
Kong Guanjia scolded: "I truly misjudged this time; your bird's nest is clearly of impure quality, mixed with rust. I will not accept it!"
As the thug approached, ready to launch a kick straight to the heart, the voice of Lord Kong suddenly rang in his ears: "Don't kill him in front of the door; you'll have to pay him two taels of silver for burial. What bad luck!"
The villagers selling mountain goods around them unconsciously shifted their bodies, seemingly wanting to draw a line of distinction with Zhang Li.
After Kong Guanjia and the housekeeper drove away the remaining idle people, Old Master Kong looked at Zhang Li with a hint of skepticism: "You, can you really treat illnesses?"
Kong Guanjia was completely unconcerned, letting out a cold snort. He turned to the servant beside him and said, "Go! Inform all the pharmacies and mountain goods shops in Wei City that these two country bumpkins are selling mountain goods to my Kong residence at inflated prices. Anyone who dares to accept the goods will be breaking the rules. When the time comes, Lord Kong will hand a note to Qi Tongpan, and they will be arrested directly"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Li suddenly sensed that something was amiss. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the villagers beside him looking at him in astonishment, and even Kang Xing'an had his mouth agape.
He, upon hearing the name of the book "Kang Xing An," felt a bit flustered. Just as he was about to speak, he was pulled back by Zhang Li.
This foolish boy has truly lost his mind; if Steward Kong says that the goods will not be accepted, who would dare to accept them
As soon as the words fell, Kang Xing'an was left dumbfounded: Blood swallow? What on earth is that? When did this Li Ge'er come to understand such things? Could it be that he fell and hit his head, spouting nonsense?
The carriage approached the gate of the Kong family mansion, gradually slowing down, and finally came to a gentle stop
At this moment, the people outside the shed had begun to stir restlessly
"Alright, follow me," Master Kong nodded and led Zhang Li and Kang Xing'an into the Kong residence. Steward Kong followed behind, his face alternating between green and red.
Kang Xing'an was somewhat dazed; he had always been Zhang Li's shadow since childhood. Whatever Zhang Li said, he would follow suit. Seeing Zhang Li say this, he could only nod in agreement
Zhang Li is pondering the identity of this person, when he sees the steward Kong cautiously asking: "Sir, how is it?"
Kong Guanjia's expression changed suddenly, and he disregarded Zhang Li, hurriedly running out of the pavilion to stand respectfully in front of the Kong family's main gate. Zhang Li was somewhat surprised, his gaze involuntarily following the crowd as they focused on the swiftly approaching carriage
The tension is palpable: "Is it not inappropriate to discuss the illness of your esteemed family in such a public setting? Lord Kong, please hasten to dismiss those who are unrelated to this matter!"
Upon hearing these words, Kong Guanjia's face turned ashen, and he murmured, "This evidence of a collapse is, after all, quite ordinary among women; why is the lady in such peril?"
The burly henchman charged forward and threw a punch directly at Zhang Li.
Zhang Li was trembling with anger, disregarding Kang Xing'an, and grabbed the blood swallow, tucking it into his bosom. He said to Kang Xing'an: "Anzi, let's go! If this place doesn't keep the master, there will be another place that will! Let's go sell it in Wei City!"
Kang Xing'an immediately understood, standing aside with a quiet demeanor, as silent as a cicada in winter