Chapter 2: The Herbal Medicine Hall
One bowl after another of wine and meat was served. Li Guanchai could not resist the persuasion of the crowd and said
He flattered, "Master Li, I heard something yesterday. It seems that the Herbal Medicine Hall is going to publicly recruit a group of apprentices under the age of 12 in the county town these days. Could you please help me by saying a word, so that my nephew can enter and learn a trade? I will never forget your kindness in my lifetime, Master Li."
If one has connections and wealth, and can secure a position in the inner hall, how delightful that would be, sitting back and enjoying riches, far better than us officials who toil and risk our lives for a meager existence
They all urged him to drink and took turns flattering him, saying, "Master Li, you are a relative of the great benefactor Li, and among us, you are the most familiar with the Herb Gathering Hall. Please tell us about the Herb Gathering Hall and how we can gain entry."
However, the common people of Zhuqi County, who are aware of Li Dashanren's background, secretly curse him behind his back as a monstrous villain who devours people without leaving a trace. Among the entire county, he is considered the most malicious, even more so than the county magistrate of Zhuqi County, who crazily siphons off the people's wealth.
Li Guanchai has always enjoyed boasting about his familial relationship with the esteemed Li Dashan in front of the other officials. However, whenever the matter of the Herb Gathering Hall is mentioned, he often falls silent, as if he has some reservations.
Speaking of which, this medicinal herb gathering hall is quite renowned in Zhuqi County. Its main business is the collection of medicinal herbs, possessing thousands of acres of fertile land, dozens of storefronts, and over a thousand guests and apprentices. It is a large and prosperous family, being the foremost wealthy and powerful household in Zhuqi County
However, if one were to enter the outer hall, tsk tsk, I cannot disclose what it is like inside. Let it be known that I did not remind everyone, but the task of gathering herbs on the mountain is such that out of ten, it would be considered fortunate if one or two survive. It is even more tragic than the plight of those of us in official positions.
Li Guanchai was gnawing on a beef bone when he heard this, and the meat in his mouth immediately came to a halt, revealing a look of difficulty. "As for this, the Herb Collection Hall is indeed publicly recruiting herb gatherers, that is true. However, being a herb gatherer is certainly not a good job at all"
As for the connections to the official Tongmen, isn't it just a matter of face and the front of the book? The rest is just a matter of money. Establishing connections through the official Li also requires a considerable amount of silver. This aspect is somewhat tricky; those at the very bottom, the errand officials, usually do not have much to gain. Some officials with money will think creatively. However, those without money simply abandon the idea of having their own children or nephews enter the medicinal hall.
This medicinal herb hall is the fifth largest gang in the realm of Pingzhou—the Medicine King Gang. The rules of the gang are strictly enforced, and many insider messages are not easily disclosed to outsiders. If any brothers have nephews or nieces at home who are considering joining the medicinal herb hall, they should find a way to enter the inner hall and absolutely avoid the outer hall. If one does not know the details and rashly joins the outer hall, it would be tantamount to seeking death
It is said that the master of the Herbal Gathering Hall, Li Dashanren, was once a notorious outlaw in the jianghu during his early years, gaining a fearsome reputation in Zhuqi County. Later, he renounced his violent ways and joined the renowned Medicine King Gang in Pingzhou, becoming the master of the Herbal Gathering Hall, a subsidiary of the gang, supplying medicinal materials. He also earned the title of Li Da, the benevolent scholar, in the jianghu. Now, he has become the wealthiest and most powerful figure in Zhuqi County, wielding significant influence, and is on equal terms with the county magistrate.
Although they had heard about this matter from the official Li countless times, far exceeding hundreds, and were already sick of it, they understood that their leader took pride in flaunting this connection. Therefore, each time they feigned a look of being moved and expressed amazement to please the official Li
Even Ye Qin, who was hiding in the shadow on one side of the pavilion, was startled upon hearing the official mention that the Medicine Hall in Zhuqi County would publicly recruit herbal gatherers under the age of twelve. His heart raced, and he faintly sensed that this was an opportunity.
The officials secretly rejoiced, as long as they understood the details, it would be easy to handle
All the officials are aware of this, but they dare not speak of it openly; they only dare to mutter it in their hearts when no one is around
A young constable noticed that Li's wine bowl was already empty, so he quickly picked up the large jar of wine from the table and filled it to the brim, precisely to the edge of the bowl, neither more nor less. The act of pouring the wine demonstrated his remarkable skill.
At this point, he thought of m.hetushu.com, but he did not say anything further
The officials are quite anxious; at such a critical moment, why is there no word? It would be one thing if there were no announcements in the usual course, but now that the Herbal Medicine Hall is recruiting young apprentices, such a good opportunity does not come by every day
The official surnamed Li gestured with his little finger, continuing with a sense of satisfaction: "Within three days, no matter where that bandit leader escapes to, I, Master Li, will be able to capture him. However, this item cannot be obtained by others; if it were not for my relationship with the kind-hearted Master Li of the Herbal Gathering Hall, I would not have been able to acquire this."
The officials all displayed expressions of astonishment, exclaiming in a flurry of exaggerated surprise
Is Master Li and the kind-hearted Master Li of the Herbal Medicine Hall related?
The status of this herbal medicine hall in the affluent area of Zhuqi County is certainly not comparable to that of the impoverished county officials and constables who toil tirelessly running errands and capturing bandits. Not to mention the hall master, the kind-hearted Li Da, even a casually selected senior master could easily assert dominance over these constables.
Of course. When I, Master Li, first discovered that bandit leader in the county town, I sprinkled him with "Three Days Without Leaving the Dust." Do you know what this is? This is the renowned tracking powder from the "Herbal Medicine Hall" in the county town. Just a little sprinkle is all it takes
The middle-aged official, whose appearance was gaunt and sallow, picked up the last piece of beef bone from the plate and took a bite of the meat
Ye Qin immediately disregarded the danger and cautiously poked half of his head out from the thicket to listen carefully to what the officials were saying, trying to understand what was happening.
Very well, brothers, since we are in this together, today I, Master Li, will teach you a lesson to prevent you from suffering losses in the future. It would be unfair of me not to give you a prior warning. This Herbal Gathering Hall is divided into two branches: the Inner Hall and the Outer Hall. The Outer Hall is dedicated to training a group of herbal gatherers who venture into the deep mountains, ancient forests, perilous peaks, and stream valleys, the most treacherous places to collect wild herbs. The Inner Hall is responsible for dispensing medicine, identifying herbs, drying herbs, cutting herbs, preparing medicine, managing the storefront, and transporting medicinal products, and usually remains in the county town.
The other officials also stopped their drinking bowls, holding their breath to listen. Who among them does not have a son, nephew, or some relative? If they could secure a good livelihood for their own children or nephews at the prestigious medicinal herb shop in Zhuqi County, there would be hope for a comfortable life.