Chapter 006 Three Compensation Schemes
Doctor Bai, upon hearing these words, could hardly contain his anger towards Ximen Qing and turned to Magistrate Zhu, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect: "I implore you, esteemed sir, to uphold justice. If the third proposal is equally unreasonable, I truly cannot accept it and will have no choice but to rely on my own means."
Is this not acceptable either
Your shop also has its own skilled practitioners, why resort to alarmist rhetoric
This ... ...
Dr. Bai was cornered by the conversation and could only grit his teeth and say: "My herbal medicine shop will take some time to open. Since the esteemed official has extended such a warm invitation, I can temporarily ... ... "
Ximen Qing deliberately coughed twice; being caught up in such a clichéd scenario is truly delightful, to the point that I almost forgot my hunger: "Well... I have three options here, Doctor Bai may choose any one of them, and I will have no regrets!"
Upon hearing this from Ximen Qing, although Zhu Zhi County found it somewhat strange, he still thought it had some merit: "This ... ... "
Zhu Zhixian looked around and laughed, saying: "This plan is excellent, it does not harm our harmony! It is indeed a wonderful thing for both families to shake hands and make peace! Someone, bring the dishes, bring the wine! Serve the best wine!"
The host of the grand mansion entered in response, presenting a small jar of wine. As the clay seal was removed, a rich aroma of wine instantly filled the entire elegant room
Ximen Qing dismissed it with a smile, extending three fingers and saying: "This won't do, that won't do, then there's the third option. If Brother Yaozu does not agree to this plan either, I have nothing more to say. We can only part ways and each go back to our own mothers"
Doctor Bai was still pondering how to counterattack when Ximen Qing had already risen and bowed to the county magistrate in gratitude: "Your Excellency is indeed just! It is a comfort to me that Qinghe County has such a parental official!"
Dr. Bai's train of thought was completely interrupted, and he found himself bargaining involuntarily
Zhu County Magistrate appeared to be watching a play, seemingly quite interested
One month is just one month, deal!
As long as you are in my herbal medicine and bookstore, what is there to fear? I am the overlord of Qinghe, and whether your herbal shop can even open is still a question. It would be better for you to honestly work in my pharmacy! What does it matter if you have spent fifteen years in the Imperial Medical Institute? You still obediently work for me
It is not a sitting doctor, but a court physician. I will immediately find someone to custom-make a plaque for the medical clinic, to be similarly hung at the entrance of the herbal medicine shop
Ximen Qing nodded in satisfaction, then extended two fingers and waved them at Doctor Bai: "The second option is also quite simple. All medicinal materials must be sourced from Brother Yaozu's pharmacy, and I will provide them at the lowest price!"
Ximen Qing corrected, saying: It is all working for the brother, what does it matter what it is called?
Doctor Bai, seeing County Magistrate Zhu speaking to him, quickly expressed his stance and took the opportunity to attack Ximen Qing.
Dr. Bai was unable to refute it, as if a fishbone were lodged directly in his throat
Ximen Qing did not care at all about the length of time and made a decisive decision
The white physician, who was pretending to sip tea, nearly spat out the fine tea he had just taken in upon hearing this utterly ridiculous proposal. He jumped up as if his backside were on fire and exclaimed, "How dare you make such an outrageous demand! What kind of compensation plan is this!"
Seeing Doctor Bai fall into his own trap, Ximen Qing suppressed his laughter and, with a serious expression, said: "This third plan is quite simple; it is to invite Brother Yaozu to sit in my shop, and I will provide a monthly stipend of five guan..."
Dr. Bai could not help but interject from the side
Ximen Qing took advantage of the situation and pressed the attack
This ... ...
I sincerely hope that Brother Yaozu will not decline my earnest invitation
Indeed, one can be pierced a thousand times, but flattery never penetrates. Although County Magistrate Zhu is mature and composed, he still finds these two compliments from Ximen Qing quite agreeable; as a result, even his form of address has changed.
What! And - Picture - Book
Brother Ximen! If that is the case, how do you think compensation should be made?
Dr. Bai was also somewhat taken aback, unsure of how to refute the statement. It would not be appropriate to directly say that his intention was to eliminate the Ximen family's herbal shop and replace it with his own Bai family's pharmacy, as this was entirely at odds with the noble goals he had publicly championed.
Regardless of the circumstances, let us first put a tall hat on this Magistrate Zhu.
Without waiting for the county magistrate to greet him, the assistant hurriedly stepped forward and wiped the tea stains off the magistrate's clothes with a silk handkerchief. Magistrate Zhu frowned and said, "Dr. Bai, even if you do not agree with the first proposal of Brother Ximen, you cannot splash tea all over me."
Doctor Bai quickly retracted his finger and casually picked up the teacup, pretending to sip tea: "My lord, please do not interrupt. I am merely holding a teacup. Please hurry and discuss your three proposals!"
Ximen Qing laughed and extended a finger: "These three proposals are actually extremely simple and very easy to implement. I will first discuss the first one: regardless of how Brother Yaozu's herbal shop is managed, the profit must be divided with me at thirty percent..."
Behind him stood a row of attendants holding various dishes, vaguely reminiscent of the scene in Qing palace dramas where the emperor dines, which made Ximen Qing look forward to it eagerly
Ximen Qing stood up while speaking, pouring a full cup of tea for Doctor Bai, as if persuading an old friend who he had just met.
Dr. Bai pondered for a long time and could not believe that the third condition set by Ximen Qing was actually for him to serve as the resident doctor at Ximen's pharmacy, essentially working for Ximen Qing
Ximen Qing, being quite observant, exclaimed: "Brother Yaozu, what is wrong with your fingers? Why are they trembling? Two fingers! Could it be that you have..."
No, no, it's too long; after one month...
It is difficult for adults to obtain this; the small shop has finally awaited the opportunity to open the seal after ten years of careful brewing
The county magistrate is well aware of my feelings. This second proposal is simply outrageous
Zhu Zhixian lightly twirled his beard and nodded slightly
Ximen Qing did not give Bai Taiyi a chance to think and directly interrupted, saying: "Brother Yaozu has left, which means I am the honored guest! All other attending doctors, I hereby dismiss! Additionally, hang up Brother Yaozu's clinic sign at the entrance of the herbal medicine shop! Brother Yaozu, what do you think?"
Oh, there are actually as many as three kinds? Dear brother, please elaborate one by one!
It is clearly unreasonable to force Dr. Bai, who has spent fifteen years in the Imperial Medical Institute, to work as a consulting physician in a pharmacy. Even County Magistrate Zhu finds it hard to believe: "Brother Ximen, this proposal is truly absurd and unacceptable."
Pounce
Seeing Magistrate Zhu's reproach, Doctor Bai had no choice but to sit back down: "My lord, I have lost my composure. However, this first proposal is truly asking too much; I cannot accept it."
Ximen Qing looked at the snacks on the table and clicked his tongue, saying: "Fortunately, the dishes haven't been served yet; otherwise, they would all be ruined. Others haven't eaten yet, and you sprayed saliva all over them. It's truly a pity for these few plates of snacks. Just look at this braised conch; it's made so well, and I haven't even had the chance to eat it... Well, that's that, but you even sprayed it all over the gentleman..." Others haven't eaten yet, and you sprayed saliva all over them. It's truly a pity for these few plates of snacks. Just look at this braised conch; it's made so well, and I haven't even had the chance to eat it... Well, that's that, but you even sprayed it all over the gentleman...
Zhu Zhixian, who was sitting in the middle, let out a soft "hm" as if the term "compensation" had piqued his interest. His slightly closed eyes opened a little, and he took a sip of tea: "Since there is a proposal, why don't you, my lord, elaborate on what the losses are? How should compensation be made? This county can also mediate in the matter."
Zhu Zhixian smiled as he looked at Ximen Qing. When your two families are in conflict, the benefits should still go to this county, shouldn't they
three months
Ximen Qing made a painful expression, gritted his teeth, and seemed to have made a firm decision: "Since that is the case, then Brother Yaozu can go to his own herbal medicine shop to fetch the medicine after opening the prescription. All Brother Yaozu needs to do is to sit in the shop! I am also thinking of the people of Qinghe County! After all, everyone is coming to my shop for medicine, and the current physician in the shop clearly lacks sufficient skill! I hope Brother Yaozu can empathize with the people's feelings and soon provide medical assistance to the world, serving the common people!" After all, everyone is coming to my shop for medicine, and the current physician in the shop clearly lacks sufficient skill! I hope Brother Yaozu can empathize with the people's feelings and soon provide medical assistance to the world, serving the common people!
Doctor Bai leaned back weakly, waving his hand at the county magistrate with little energy, showing two fingers, implying not to forget the two banknotes he had just slipped him. Those were banknotes worth one hundred guan each. Unfortunately, Magistrate Zhu was currently watching Ximen Qing with great interest, feigning an attentive demeanor, completely oblivious to the two fingers trembling in the air.
The original meaning of "Doctor Bai" was that his Bai family pharmacy was supposed to open in a month. Unexpectedly, however, he was cornered by Ximen Qing, leaving him with no choice but to nod helplessly and say: "Since it is so, I shall serve as the attending physician for this month..."
Compensation
Doctor Bai looked at Ximen Qing, who sincerely spread his hands, and his mind suddenly became a bit dull
This is an insult, a blatant insult
Doctor Bai glared fiercely at Ximen Qing, as if he wanted to cut a piece of flesh from him: "Impossible! What difference does this make from the second Ximen Sheng pharmacy?"
Wasn't Ximen Qing once indulging in a life of debauchery, bullying men and dominating women? Why is it that today he seems to be a seasoned businessman, handling one deal after another?
County Magistrate Zhu nodded slightly: "This county will certainly uphold justice. Brother Ximen, please present the third proposal. If it is equally unreasonable, this county will not agree to it either."
Dr. Bai felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet, and his already pale complexion became even whiter. This Magistrate Zhu intends to support two families at once! His own hundred guan seems to have gone to waste.
Doctor Bai tore off the facade and shouted recklessly without regard for anything else
Brother Ximen's hospitality is indeed generous; Dr. Bai may wish to consider it.
Zhu Zhixian nodded slightly and said, "There is indeed some truth to this."
This second option is clearly more malicious than the first one
Dr. Bai, feeling quite exasperated, found it inappropriate to argue whether it was tea or saliva at this moment. He could only suppress his anger and said: "The first proposal is truly unacceptable to me; I kindly ask you to proceed with the second proposal."
Ximen Qing played with the piece of mutton fat jade pendant, still appearing languid: "Although my herbal medicine shop is not large, it is more than sufficient to supply Qinghe County. Why should I open a second one? As you know, my family relies entirely on this herbal medicine shop. If others wish to open a second herbal medicine shop, I do not oppose it. However, Brother Yaozu is originally a court physician, running both a clinic and a herbal medicine shop, prescribing in the front and dispensing medicine in the back. Over time, who would still come to my shop for medicine?"
Dr. Bai looked at Ximen Qing with a gaze that suggested he was looking at a fool, saying: "Why don't you go to the herbal shop in Yanggu County to seek compensation? Just because you are allowed to open a herbal shop, does that mean I cannot? As the saying goes, 'compare goods from three families,' this also provides the people of Qinghe County with a choice, which is reasonable and fair. Where does the notion of compensation come from?"
In a moment of confusion, Doctor Bai hesitated and replied: "This certain individual originally intended to practice medicine for the benefit of the world, but when I went to the official, my status was not appropriate..."
Moreover, Ximen Qing was shaking two fingers, clearly mocking the disgraceful behavior of Doctor Bai just moments ago
Ximen Qing revealed a shy smile: "As a humble country doctor in the shop, how can I compare to Brother Yaozu's fifteen years of expertise in the Imperial Medical Institute?"
Zhu Zhixian, upon hearing this second proposal, also chuckled and said, "Ximen, my dear brother, this second plan is still not feasible. Although I am not well-versed in commerce, I understand that running a shop and doing business is merely about mutual exchange, buying low and selling high; only then can one achieve profit. If Doctor Bai is to source medicinal materials from your family's pharmacy, it would indeed be quite a burden for Doctor Bai."