Chapter 1, Chang'an
Li Linfu answered honestly: "Jiang Yu is only eleven years old this year, yet he is quite unruly. My father hired a teacher for him, but he is too lazy to study; I found several brothers from the army to teach him martial arts, but he also slips away whenever he can. He runs away quickly, and ordinary people cannot catch up with him. He often wanders in the mountains and forests near Yangzhou for two or three days, then returns home with a bunch of herbs and small insects and birds."
A young servant dressed in a green robe and small hat hurriedly ran out and bowed to Li Linfu. Li Linfu quickly reached into his waist pouch and grabbed a few copper coins, then after a moment's thought, he resolutely took out a dozen more to reward the old steward. The old steward smiled so broadly that his teeth nearly fell out, and he promptly opened the side door for him, leading Li Linfu inside.
"Alright, Daci En Temple. Then let us go. Remember your words, young master, I also have my benefits from you." Li Linfu followed Jiang Er for a while, then suddenly said: "In fact, the few herbs in this package are really not worth much in Yangzhou. I carry them with me as a precaution against falling ill on the road. Jiang Er, do you understand?"
After squeezing past the main road in front of the Great慈恩 Temple, Li Linfu suddenly touched his belt and began to curse in a low, venomous voice. Just moments ago, amidst the crowd, someone had acted so swiftly that his already meager wallet had been completely cleaned out. In an instant, he clutched the package he was holding even tighter. This was his only source of income for the foreseeable future; he would certainly need to spend money in Chang'an. How could he possibly have the face to take money from Jiang Jiao?
After the meal, Jiang Jiao sat in the study with a face full of bitterness, looking at the restless Li Linfu in front of him and said with a wry smile: "Your father, too, could it be that your family has fallen into such dire straits? Even the teacher is not willing to extend your request? Ge Nu, with your poetry and literary talents, although you may find shade in officialdom, if you read too little, it will be extremely difficult for you to be promoted in the future"
Jiang Er understood, of course he did! The Duke is so fond of the young nephew, who would dare to speak carelessly? Jiang Er's smile carried a hint of deliberate flattery, which Li Linfu found quite pleasing
He reached out to pick up the three herbs belonging to Li Linfu, stuffing them along with the mud on them into Li Linfu's embrace. Wu Fan casually turned Li Linfu around, positioning him directly in front of the apothecary. "Alright, I won't delay Young Master Li from making his fortune. These three herbs are all exceptionally rare treasures, especially this cluster of eight-leaf purple ganoderma; it cannot be sold for less than twenty guan. Young Master Li, never ever meet again"
A heavy hand patted Li Linfu's shoulder a few times. When Li Linfu and Jiang Er turned around simultaneously, there was no trace of Wufan in that place. Even his stall had vanished without a trace, and not a single remnant of the dozens of piles of herbs was left behind.
Li Linfu quickly broke free from Jiang Jiao's hand, knelt down, and bowed, saying: "Uncle, may you be well. Father mentioned that the climate in Yangzhou is warm, and after staying there for a long time, one becomes reluctant to travel the long distance back to Chang'an. Moreover, the family business here has also declined, and returning would leave us without a place to settle. Mother is doing well. It is indeed not feasible to leave the household unattended; we cannot let Father and Mother worry and toil excessively. Therefore, my wife and I have stayed there, so we can at least show some filial piety."
Jiang Er was so frightened that his whole body went limp, and he whispered, "A ghost!"
From time to time, one can see individuals dressed in dark servant attire, their faces beaming with smiles, hurriedly emerging from those lavishly decorated restaurants. They would pull aside a certain young and handsome scholar from the group for a whispered conversation, and then, still chuckling, they would dash back into the restaurant. Those candidates who had conversed with these servants were even more excited, their faces flushed with joy, as they exchanged applause and greetings with their fellow candidates, their smiles nearly blooming like peonies.
Li Linfu was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body, and he hurriedly shouted, "Uncle, my brother is unwilling to be castrated to become a eunuch."
Opening the package in his hands, Li Linfu placed two roots of Polygonum multiflorum and a piece of dark purple ganoderma, marked by traces of insect bites, in front of the burly man
The big man had a cheerful smile on his face, while Li Linfu felt somewhat dazed, sensing that the big man's smile was as refreshing as a gentle breeze, incredibly warm and natural. Without thinking, he replied: "Where did you buy this silver? This was collected by my little cousin from my second mother's family while playing in the mountains. Is this thing very valuable? Ever since that little cousin came to my house, he often uses this kind of thing to make porridge."
Li Linfu, however, was so excited that his face turned red, and he muttered under his breath, "What nonsense are you talking? This person is not the legendary Sword Immortal, but also a top-notch hero. Can he really match my stature? It seems that I, Li Linfu, will surely have a great fortune in the future"
With a sigh, Li Linfu tightly clenched his fist and said softly, "Chang'an, I, Li Linfu, have arrived!" Pressing his lips together, carrying two bundles on his back, the inexperienced Li Linfu nervously made his way into the city. The city gate was crowded with people, making it difficult for the carriage to pass through just moments ago. Fortunately, although Li Linfu lacked formal education, he had endured a few years of hard work and learned some skills with knives and sticks. Relying on his youth and strength, he managed to push his way through the crowd and reached the main street of Chang'an.
Jiang Er quickly bent down and saluted, saying: "Young Master, you have indeed asked the right person. I, Jiang Er, have been mingling in Chang'an for over twenty years; what place would I be unfamiliar with? If you are looking for pharmacies in the market, you should go to the East Market or the West Market, where merchants gather in abundance. However, the pharmacies there are backed by the Imperial Medical Bureau or other officials, and they tend to sell high and buy low, so you need not suffer there. If you want the fairest business dealings, you should head to the market near the Great Compassion Temple, where several shops have a good reputation among the common people. Whether you want to buy or sell medicinal materials, that place is the best."
Indeed, the area near the back gate of the Great Compassion and Grace Temple is quite tranquil. Aside from the occasional passing of a varnished carriage, there are only a few scattered vendors squatting by the roadside, guarding their stalls, lacking even the spirit to call out to potential customers. Li Linfu let out a light sigh, casting a glance at the roadside vendors with a hint of condescension. He then looked with a touch of reverence at a pharmacy in the distance, its gilded sign dulled by the passage of time. Tightening his grip on the package in his arms, he quickened his pace towards the pharmacy.
The Great Ci'en Temple, the most renowned temple within the city of Chang'an, is also the one with the most prosperous incense offerings and the highest number of visitors. The flourishing scene within the temple is not to be mentioned; let us speak of the exterior. The crowds of tourists are like a flowing river, and the carriages and horses are as numerous as dragons. The signs and banners stretch towards the sky like dense reeds. Countless small vendors have spread coarse cloth on the ground, displaying their goods, and are shouting at the top of their lungs. Coupled with the clattering of wheels, the whinnying of horses, and the clinking of cups in the taverns outside the temple, there are also the sharp screams of young girls who have been pinched on the backside in the crowd, accompanied by the laughter of onlookers. This immense cacophony, a 'buzzing' sound, envelops several nearby blocks.
With a slight smile on his face, the burly man sat cross-legged on the ground and said to Li Linfu: "Li Linfu, Young Master Li? May I ask how much you spent to acquire this medicinal material?"
Shaking his head, amidst the bustling crowd, Li Linfu appeared somewhat melancholic as he walked along the main street. Occasionally, he would inquire with the common folk by the roadside about the way. After walking for more than half an hour and passing through dozens of neighborhoods, he finally arrived at Anxingli in the eastern part of the city, standing before a grand mansion. Looking at the crimson gate, the stone steps, and the two towering stone lions, Li Linfu hesitantly stepped onto the edge of the stone steps and approached an old doorkeeper in the entrance, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect and smiling as he said: "Please inform the inside that Li Linfu, the son of Li Sihui from Yangzhou, has arrived." Looking at the crimson gate, the stone steps, and the two towering stone lions, Li Linfu hesitantly stepped onto the edge of the stone steps and approached an old doorkeeper in the entrance, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect and smiling as he said: "Please inform the inside that Li Linfu, the son of Li Sihui from Yangzhou, has arrived."
The tall man raised his head, his eyes suddenly wide open, and the stubble on his face unfurled like the mane of a lion. In his eyes, it seemed as if two flashes of lightning had briefly appeared, and an invisible aura surged outward with a thunderous force. The overall impression he gave was akin to a tiny seed that had suddenly grown into a towering tree several dozen zhang high, creating a breathtaking presence that seemed to pierce the clouds. Jiang Er abruptly sat down on the ground, staring blankly at the tall man, too intimidated to speak.
The unappealing carriage swayed as it arrived at the eastern gate of Chang'an. The old coachman suddenly jumped down from the yoke and called out in a coarse voice: "Young Master Li, the city gate is blocked, and the carriage cannot enter. The old men at the entrances of Chang'an do not recognize me; it would be better for you to enter the city yourself. While it is still early, I can hurry back and still catch a post station."
A long arm reached out and gently patted Li Linfu on the shoulder. The big man laughed and said, "I am called Wufan; Young Master Li, remember my name. Well, take care of yourself."
A night without conversation
The burly man closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them again. Two sharp glints of light flashed in his eyes, momentarily illuminating Li Linfu's face, causing Li Linfu to step back in fright. The burly man casually tossed the lingzhi mushroom onto his stall, stood up, stretched lazily, and said with a smile: "I am closing up, closing up. I've been sitting in this wretched place for over ten days, and I've only made one sale in total. Ah, Young Master Li, I learned a bit about face reading in my youth. Since you are new to Chang'an, you will likely need to huddle for a while before you can truly spread your wings."
Young Master Li stood in place, brushing off the dust from his clothes, lost in thought as he watched the carriage gradually fade into the distance. Suddenly, he let out a soft sigh: "I, Li Linfu, am of noble lineage, yet I am utterly ignorant of poetry and prose. I have come to Chang'an seeking my uncle's assistance in securing a position, but with my father merely a military advisor to the Grand Governor of Yang, how much influence can that truly afford me? Moreover, I have no close brothers to support me; I must see if this river fish can amount to anything. How can one say that brothers in arms are not true brothers? Although he is not my biological brother, this bond is sufficient."
Looking at Li Linfu in surprise, the burly man clearly paused for a moment, frowned and said: "Your cousin? He, um, how old is he this year?"
Li Linfu finally felt relieved and said with a forced smile, "Brother, you were truly frightened. Working in the palace is indeed intimidating. By the way, uncle, I have brought a small local gift for you, and I hope you won't find it unworthy." He carefully took out from one of the two packages he had been carrying a bundle about the size of a child's head, wrapped in mud and moss, and gently placed it in front of Jiang Jiao.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiao was quite curious that an eleven-year-old child could roam freely in the mountains and forests and even find a hundred-year-old He Shou Wu. She thought about bringing this river fish to Chang'an for a closer look. However, upon learning that this river fish was from the family of Li Linfu's second wife, her mood soured a bit. She frowned and said, "Your father, hum, marrying your mother is one thing, but taking a concubine is already enough; how could he also raise a child from their family? Never mind, you should go rest for now. Tomorrow, your uncle will take you to handle important matters."
Li Linfu stood among the crowd by the roadside, adjusting the hat on his head. He watched as these young and handsome individuals boisterously boasted about their figures and glories, and could not help but furrow his brow tightly: "Frivolous little people, what can they achieve? These women truly do not know shame; how can they choose their husbands in front of so many commoners on the street? The atmosphere in Chang'an seems to surpass that of Yangzhou." While he criticized these young and frivolous men and women with righteous indignation, the envy on his own face was impossible to conceal. His slanted eyes fixated intently on a beautiful woman whose half face was visible from the teahouse across the street, and he suddenly let out a long sigh: "The imperial examination is not the path to ascension for me, Li Gonu!"
"Not being well-versed in poetry and literature makes the task I had previously prepared for you quite difficult; however, possessing a good set of skills is indeed wonderful. Currently, the palace is in need of personnel, so it would be better to send you into the palace to serve. " Jiang Jiao pondered for a moment, then finally slapped the table and nodded with a smile.
The old man, with a smile, placed the copper coin into his waist pouch and nodded in agreement, saying, "Young Master Li, rest assured, I will definitely deliver your message." He tilted his body and jumped onto the cart's yoke, giving the horsewhip a flick, and quickly turned the stubborn horse around, slowly making his way back along the original path.
With a blink of his eyes, Li Linfu suddenly pointed at the big man and said, "That's right, that river fish and the warrior look quite similar to you, both having long arms and legs. Hey, no matter how much he eats, his head keeps growing, but there isn't a bit of flesh on his body, with thin arms and legs. I really don't know how he manages to defeat so many kids on the street."
He was holding a bowl of tea, sipping it slowly, while glancing at Li Linfu's old servant. Upon hearing this, the servant quickly set down the tea bowl, his face beaming with a smile as he ingratiatingly said: "So it turns out that the young master, whom the Duke has frequently mentioned these past few days, has arrived? No need for an announcement; the Duke said that whenever you arrive, you can go straight in. Jiang Er, Jiang Er, where have you been? Hurry and take the young master to see the Duke!" No need for an announcement; the Duke said that whenever you arrive, you can go straight in. Jiang Er, Jiang Er, where have you been? Hurry and take the young master to see the Duke!
Li Linfu felt a surge of joy in his heart and quickly smiled, saying: "As long as my uncle likes it, that is all that matters. This is nothing particularly rare. The second maternal uncle of Ge Nu's family has fallen on hard times, and an orphan has taken refuge in Ge Nu's household. His name is Jiang Yu, and he is eleven years old. He loves to wander around the mountains and forests near Yangzhou City, occasionally bringing back some herbs, and the family has grown accustomed to it.
He pulled Li Linfu up and said with a smile, "Your father's temper, hey, is not much different from that of your family's elders. Why be so stubborn? Come on, when you arrive at your uncle's house, it's just like being at your own home. Your uncle won't waste words with you. This time you come to Chang'an, your uncle will definitely help you out more. " After pondering for a moment, he nodded and smiled, saying, "Later, your uncle will test your knowledge to see where to assign you first for your duties. In recent years, there has been too much commotion in Chang'an and Luoyang, and many places need to add personnel."
Li Linfu was startled by the enormous sound, causing him to shudder all over, and the package in his hand suddenly fell to the ground. He turned his head in astonishment to look at a figure more than two zhang away behind him, lazily leaning against the back wall of the Da Ci'en Temple. In front of him lay a black cloth, on which were placed several small piles of herbs. This man was at least nine feet tall. His disheveled hair was tied up in a small bun, and beneath his heavy brows, a pair of large eyes were lazily squinting, currently watching him with a nod and a smile. Particularly, this man was extremely tall, with long arms and legs, and Li Linfu felt as if he had seen such a physique somewhere before.
As the curtain of the carriage was lifted, a tall young man jumped down, carrying two bundles. He casually thanked the old coachman with a few words, tossed down a handful of copper coins, and after a moment's thought, added five or six larger coins, saying with a smile: "Thank you for your trouble. On the way back to Yangzhou, you must be careful. Please help me convey a message to my family at the mansion, saying that although that rascal Jiang Yu is mischievous, he is quite clever. He should not be allowed to run around the mountains all day, and he ought to read a few books as soon as possible."
Jiang Er quickly approached, pointing at the burly man and shouting in a somewhat blustering manner: "You, sir, are quite ignorant of etiquette. Do you know who this young master before you is? My young master is a member of the royal family of the Tang Dynasty, the nephew of the Duke of Chu, with a bright future ahead! What are you shouting about? What are you shouting about?"
He quickly glanced at the man a few times, only to find that the man seemed to pose no threat to him at all. Li Linfu coughed lightly, picked up the package from the ground, walked to the edge of the man's stall, and frowned as he said: "You are quite rude, shouting like this for what reason? Do you have something to say to me? I have many matters to attend to and do not have time to chat idly with you"
Jiang Jiao was taken aback, and then spat out angrily: "Nonsense! Can your uncle send you to become a eunuch? There are few members of the Qian Niu Wei around the emperor, and your uncle wants to place you among them. The Qian Niu Wei are the emperor's personal guards, and they are mostly composed of royal family members, which suits your status perfectly. Tomorrow, your uncle will take you to the Li family's genealogy at the Zongzheng Temple to find your name and report it to the palace. You should rest for a few days, wander around Chang'an City, and prepare to serve in the palace!"
A group of young men riding tall horses, their faces flushed from drinking, with flowers haphazardly stuck in their hair, continuously bowed and greeted the onlookers on both sides of the street, their faces beaming with smiles. From the windows of the tea houses and taverns lining the street, one could vaguely see the fluttering of garments, and occasionally hear the sounds of women's laughter and playful scolding. Moreover, some bold and beautiful women would lean out of the windows, twisting their handkerchiefs into a ball and throwing them at one of the scholars in the procession. As soon as the handkerchief touched the heads of those scholars, the crowd of commoners along the roadside would erupt in cheers. Additionally, some rascals, eager for chaos, jumped around in the crowd, whistling sharply and using their glances to provoke those daring young ladies.
The invisible aura of the great Han suddenly retracted. He did not even glance at the two plants of fo-ti, but instead picked up the palm-sized, layered, eight-layered purple ganoderma, examining it closely and smelling it repeatedly. After a long while, he finally spoke in a low voice, frowning: "Indeed, this eight-leaf purple ganoderma is at least five to six hundred years old. The bite marks on it were left by the fire spirit snake. Judging by the scent, the last time the fire spirit snake gnawed on this ganoderma was about a month ago, and it was also a month ago that someone forcibly plucked this ganoderma by hand."
In his heart, Li Linfu took a deep breath, raised his head to gaze at the splendid spring sky over Chang'an, and suddenly smiled faintly, feeling a surge of ambition within him
In the late spring season, the scenery is just right. The paths are lush and green, with birds singing everywhere; the grass grows tall and eagles soar, with tourists clearly visible. Especially outside the city of Chang'an, men in red and women in green bustle about, traversing the mountains, forests, grasslands, horse pastures, Zen temples, and Taoist monasteries within a radius of several dozen li. It is unknown how many grass shoots have met their misfortune, nor how many thresholds of Zen temples and Taoist monasteries have been trampled upon. The sounds of men and women moaning and gasping, along with the clinking of silver and copper coins in the merit boxes, compose a vibrant scene reminiscent of the flourishing years of the early Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, full of vitality.
On the second day, Duke Jiang Jiao of the Chu State personally took action, bringing Li Linfu to the Zongzheng Temple, where they sought verification of Li Linfu's royal lineage from the temple's official. His name was added to the family tree, and his generation was delineated, only to discover that Li Linfu was actually a generation higher than the current emperor, Li Longji. After the matter was concluded, Jiang Jiao hurriedly took the documents issued by the Zongzheng Temple and rode towards the imperial city. Before leaving, Jiang Jiao instructed Li Linfu to explore the lively areas of Chang'an City on his own, leaving behind the steward Jiang Er, who had guided them the previous day, to accompany him. He also specifically advised Li Linfu that there were many royal relatives in Chang'an City, and although the Duke of Chu's residence was not afraid of controversy, it was best to avoid provoking any disputes.
Jiang Er struggled to navigate through the crowd with Li Linfu, pushing forward while turning back to smile and say: "Young Master, as long as you get used to it, that's fine. Chang'an is always this crowded, especially in such a bustling area. Tsk tsk, it's like waving your hand through clouds and sweating like rain. Ah, don't be anxious, once we reach that road ahead, it will be much better; it's quiet and sparsely populated. Over there is the back gate of the Great Ci'en Temple, and several pharmacies are located there. We certainly can't have the attending physician taking pulses and prescribing medicine in such a noisy place, can we?" Ah, don't be anxious, once we reach that road ahead, it will be much better; it's quiet and sparsely populated. Over there is the back gate of the Great Ci'en Temple, and several pharmacies are located there. We certainly can't have the attending physician taking pulses and prescribing medicine in such a noisy place, can we?
With a resolute expression that conveyed loyalty to the ruler and protection of the master, Jiang Er said with righteous indignation: "Young Master, you must have seen clearly who I, Jiang Er, am. Who doesn't know that my mouth is the tightest? If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be able to serve as your personal attendant!" Remarkably, in the blink of an eye, Jiang Er had already elevated himself from a mere gatekeeper to the status of a personal attendant to Li Linfu.
Jiang Jiao stared in astonishment at the mass before her. She picked up a copper ruler beside her and poked at the clump of moss and mud a few times, revealing a tuber the size of a fist, glistening with a purplish hue. Blinking her eyes, Jiang Jiao suddenly jumped up and rummaged through the bookshelf beside her. After searching for a while, she pulled out a medical book and, after flipping through it for some time, exclaimed: "Ah, it is indeed a He Shou Wu that is over a hundred years old; this is a precious item. Ge Nu, why did you bring such a heavy gift? He Shou Wu is easy to find, but one that is a hundred years old is quite rare."
Suddenly, a gentle and heavy voice, devoid of any hint of the mundane, came from the roadside: "Young master, please hold on. Young master? Young master? Please hold on!" Li Linfu, however, was completely engrossed in the large amounts of copper and silver coins within reach, oblivious to the call of this person. Then, the voice erupted suddenly, like a thunderclap ringing in Li Linfu's ears: "Hey, you there, holding the bundle, stop! The package in your arms has the scent of fine medicinal herbs; where did you get it?"
Before Li Linfu could speak, Jiang Jiao had already grasped his shoulder and carefully examined his face, nodding in satisfaction and saying: "Hmm, good, he does resemble your mother to some extent. Alas, has it been a difficult journey?"
In the main hall of the Duke of Chu's residence, Duke Jiang Jiao, dressed in a purple silk robe, had received the news early and was standing at the entrance of the hall, eagerly awaiting. Upon seeing the tall Li Linfu approaching, guided by the household servants, he quickly stepped down the stairs and went to greet him. "Brother, it has been years since we last met, and you have grown into an adult. How is your father’s health? How is your mother? Why didn’t your wife come with you to the capital? What is so good about Yangzhou? Why didn’t the whole family come to Chang'an together? Your father is confused; since he is unwilling to serve in the military, wouldn’t it be better to come to Chang'an? After all, we have relatives here! Being so far away, the bond of kinship will surely fade!"
Upon his arrival, Li Linfu indeed did not dare to cause trouble. He touched his nearly empty pockets and went straight back to the Duke's residence to retrieve another package he had. Li Linfu smiled at Jiang Er, who was accompanying Xiao Yi, and said: "Jiang Er, which pharmacy in Chang'an is the best? Take me to have a look."
A grass-yellow inferior horse pulled a gray, cracked cart, caked with mud on the axles, slowly making its way from the east gate towards Chang'an City. A pair of slightly slanted, agile eyes quickly scanned the elegantly dressed men and women along the route from the window of the cart, their gaze filled with an indescribable mix of envy, jealousy, and a hint of disdain. Especially when he saw certain springtime men deliberately letting their goldfish and silverfish bags hang low from their waists, he muttered softly, "These commoners, I shall take their place." Yet, his gaze grew even more fervent as it swept past the ample, beautiful women beside those men, lingering on their prominent bosoms and the exposed flesh.
Just as he poked his head out, a whip swooshed past him with a "whoosh," nearly knocking his hat off. A minor official dressed in a light blue round-collared robe, with several fresh flowers stuck in his hair, shouted loudly: "Make way, make way, the newly minted scholars are parading! All you esteemed elders and fellow villagers, please step aside! If any gentleman has his eye on the new scholars inside, he should act quickly; there are plenty of young ladies and brides along the roadside, and finding a good son-in-law is not easy!" This minor official's loud calls drew a burst of laughter from the countless onlookers by the roadside.
Li Linfu felt a stir in his heart. Since the Tang Dynasty, various legendary tales have been most widely circulated among the people, especially those extraordinary stories of remarkable individuals hidden within the streets, with countless accounts, both true and false. Observing the starkly different demeanor of the man before him, Li Linfu realized that he might have fortuitously encountered one of those legendary figures. He quickly cupped his hands in salute, expressing utmost respect as he said: "May I ask what brings this valiant man to seek me, Li Linfu? This package indeed contains medicinal materials!"
Li Linfu, drenched in cold sweat, cautiously raised his head to glance at his uncle and whispered, "I was not born with a love for studying; I merely mixed with the soldiers of the governor's office. However, I possess considerable strength, able to wield a ten-jin broadsword and draw a two-shi bow. Such skills are quite rare in Yangzhou." He harbored a multitude of schemes in his mind, contemplating that this statement could hardly be considered deceiving his uncle. In Yangzhou, when drinking, gambling, and consorting with a group of young rakes, if a dispute arose with other rakes, Li Linfu would indeed take the lead, capable of toppling a dozen men with a single baton.
With a face full of smiles, Li Linfu glanced at Jiang Er and said casually, "You are quite clever! I am going to sell some medicine. Unfortunately, my purse is empty. My uncle said that the hundred-year-old He Shou Wu I sent him is quite valuable, so I am going to see how much I can sell it for. You won't tell anyone, will you?"