Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 21 Medicinal Herbs

"Don't look at it, those are the medicinal herbs they brought themselves."

Doctor Li didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, his voice was sullen and indifferent.

Though she spoke softly, she had already seen right through Jiang Yi's thoughts.

With one hand twirling the medicinal herbs, he slowly and methodically continued:
"Let alone if we wanted to use it ourselves, even if we were willing to sell it, a family like ours couldn't afford to spend that much money."

Jiang Yi understood this in his heart.

Medicinal herbs of this age and quality are priceless.

When they encounter a buyer in urgent need, they are willing to pay any amount of money.

Doctor Li casually mentioned again:
"A young master was born in Liu Family Village. It is said that this prescription was made for him."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's brows furrowed.

He had heard that the Liu family had a new baby, and after some calculations, he realized the baby was a few months younger than his own daughter.

Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he spoke up:

"Didn't you say that the baby's pulse was unstable and you didn't dare to prescribe medicine easily? Besides..."

At this point, his gaze returned to the table.

The medicinal herbs are all old and potent, genuine products.

"Don't talk about the child."

Jiang Yi frowned slightly, and his tone softened:
"Even an adult whose blood and bones are not yet stable would probably have to drink so much that their nose would bleed continuously."

Doctor Li grinned, a hint of something unreadable lingering at the corners of his mouth:
"Physical constitution is not something that can be generalized."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if he felt that the statement was a bit far-fetched, he raised an eyebrow and added:

"Besides, I didn't write this prescription. They just asked for something and I just filled the prescription. If they have any problems after taking it, it's not my fault."

These words were spoken succinctly and decisively.

Jiang Yi naturally had nothing to say.

But his eyes were still fixed on that he shou wu plant.

Its roots are thick and glossy black, exuding an indescribable vitality.

I took a sniff and inhaled the medicinal aroma twice. I felt a heat in my nasal cavity and my throat swelled up.

This potency is probably even better than eating two free-range eggs.

When Physician Li caught a glimpse of his appearance, he couldn't help but let out a soft snort and a slight smirk.

With a flick of his sleeve, he slipped out from behind the cabinet.

He walked at a leisurely pace to the door and called out to the two people outside:

"Should this medicinal plant be cut whole, or should we remove the head and tail?"

The two servants outside the door exchanged a glance, their faces clearly puzzled.

Doctor Li didn't urge him, but casually held up the he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum) and said:
"Cut the whole thing, including the tail, and put it into the pot as a whole. This will allow you to make two more portions, saving ingredients but also dividing the flavor."

He paused, then slightly hooked his finger and pointed to the middle section of the medicinal herb:

"By removing the beginning and the end and only taking the essence, the medicine is less, but the effect is real."

As soon as these words were spoken, the tall man outside spoke without hesitation, his tone crisp and decisive:
"break off both ends."

His words exuded an undeniable confidence.

Although the Liu family was not extremely wealthy, they never hesitated to use the best things they could find in the mountains, whether it was medicine or bones.

When it comes to food for our young master, we naturally pick out the best.

"okay."

The doctor's response was neither too harsh nor too stern, his tone revealing a hint of nonchalance.

But the smile on his lips couldn't be suppressed, as if he had expected this all along.

He turned and went back into the shop, his steps slow and deliberate.

Jiang Yi was close enough to see clearly that the old man's eyes gleamed with shrewdness.

Back at the counter, he grabbed the medicine knife, and with a swift, clean motion, he swiftly and decisively brought it down.

One-tenth of the length of the root was cut off from both ends.

Jiang Yi watched from the side, and felt his eyelids twitch twice.

That was an extremely ruthless strike.

The pharmacy door was wide open, but the two servants outside showed no sign of surprise. The Liu family's rule was always to select only the best and brightest.

Whether you cut off the head and tail or slice gold and jade, as long as the medicinal properties are in place, the dosage doesn't matter.

As Li Langzhong chopped the herbs, a hint of sullenness appeared on his lips.

They worked very quickly, and in no time, the entire Polygonum multiflorum was cleaned, weighed, mixed into the prescription, and handed out.

After seeing the two off, he clapped his hands, turned around leisurely, and glanced sideways at Jiang Yi:
"Did you come here today to see the medicine or to see the person?"

Jiang Yi chuckled, and without beating around the bush, cupped his hands and said:
"Xi Ge'er is almost one year old, and I'm thinking of getting some mild tonic soup to help build his foundation."

Doctor Li nodded, his tone casual:

"A milder approach is fine too."

The words had barely left his mouth when his gaze fell on the corner of the counter.

He stared at the small amount of leftover scraps for a moment, then suddenly laughed:

"You really came at the right time today."

He didn't elaborate, but simply tore off a piece of straw paper and began to gather the scattered medicinal root fragments into a pile.

He kept talking while kneading:
"Don't underestimate these odds and ends; if you put them together properly, they're not bad at all."

"Even though it's called dregs, it's all cut from the best materials, and its fiery properties and medicinal effects are still intact."

He fidgeted with his fingers, as if playing with some treasure, and said in a half-serious, half-joking tone:

"If it were someone else, they would have to pay at least ten or eight taels for it, and I wouldn't even let them look at it."

As he spoke, his eyes darted around, and he casually tossed out a remark:
"The medicine has already been paid for today. If you really want it... give me three taels of silver for the labor, and this pile is all yours."

He spoke these words calmly and deliberately, as if he had truly given Jiang Yitian a great advantage.

Jiang Yi listened and understood what was going on.

With our meager resources, we couldn't possibly afford such precious medicinal herbs.

But looking at that pile of scraps, the cut surfaces were fresh, and the aroma was strong. They weren't much worse than the legitimate medicines sold on the market.

He understood the ins and outs, so he didn't refuse and smiled with his hands clasped in greeting.
"Then thank you very much for your kindness, brother."

While thanking him, he casually added a few medicinal bath recipes that he often used at home.

Doctor Li wrapped up the dregs of the medicine and glanced back at the two remaining pieces of Polygonum multiflorum.

At one end and one end, they resemble two rough, calloused heads, each with a tuft of long, wispy roots hanging from it, swaying slightly in the wind.

He took a couple of steps closer, bent down, and plucked three medicinal tendrils.

Before returning to the counter, I weighed it in my hand and glanced at the amount of medicine in the packet.

After thinking for a moment, I picked out one and put it aside.

He chopped the remaining two tendrils into small pieces, gathered them into the medicine packet, and muttered incantations as he did so:
“It’s not that I, Old Li, am stingy, it’s just that this medicine is very potent. Your little one can’t handle too much of it.”

Jiang Yi listened silently, not even lifting a finger, only glancing at the medicinal herb that had been put back, his expression unmoved.

Doctor Li wrapped the medicine packet properly, but still held the lone medicinal herb tendril in his hand.

He glanced at Jiang Yi, seemingly wanting to hand it over, but then felt that a single beard was too shabby to be presented.

After a moment's thought, he simply turned around and went to the table, plucking off all ten or so whiskers from the head and tail.

The Polygonum multiflorum was instantly reduced to two smooth, bald heads, standing there like a large black radish that had been gnawed by a dog.

"This recipe can be decocted repeatedly."

As he spoke, Doctor Li took another piece of straw paper and carefully wrapped the handful of medicinal herbs, giving instructions as he did so:
"After frying the first batch, filter out the residue and dry it in the sun. Then add a stalk of wood, and you can fry it again."

He paused here, then suddenly grinned and said:

"As for the decocted medicinal roots, it's a pity to throw them away. Put them in a pot to stew a chicken, and one root is enough for a pot of soup."

"Just don't feed it to your baby; your little girl can have a sip of soup."

Jiang Yi didn't say a word from beginning to end; he just stood there.

Watching Li Langzhong struggle and pull against himself.

Jiang Yi had learned about the old man's temper much earlier than he had done so.

Firstly, he cares about his image; he's stubborn but soft-hearted, and he's most afraid of being laughed at for being stingy.
Secondly, I really got a great deal this time, so even if I cut off a couple more medicinal herbs, I wouldn't feel bad.

When money comes in unexpectedly, it's easy to give it away without feeling any resentment.

(End of this chapter)