Unparalleled medical and martial arts skills, saving the CEO's fiancée at the start.

The complete book was kept in Anhetang in the southern part of the city for three days and was read three times.

The first translation was done by Su Qinghan.

She sat in the medicine shed, reading page by page, folding a corner when she came across an important passage.

When she reached page thirty-seven, she stopped, looked at that page several times, then closed the book and called Ye Chen over.

She said, "The prescription recorded on this page is called 'He'an Ointment.' It was made by Anhetang and Yaowanggu together back then. It treats chronic cough that is difficult to cure. The main ingredients are moonflower and Anhetang's fritillaria. Your grandmaster wrote in the margin on this page, 'When used together, this prescription is ten times more effective than any single prescription.' I've been thinking about this prescription for so many years and I've never seen it before. It turns out it's here."

Ye Chen looked at that page; the prescription was indeed ingenious.

Moonflower moistens the lungs and relieves cough, while fritillaria resolves phlegm and dissipates nodules. The two herbs, one gentle and one strong, complement each other perfectly when combined with other auxiliary herbs.

He flipped through a few more pages and found seven or eight other formulas similar to "He'an Ointment," with marginal notes on each page stating that the combined effect of the two formulas was stronger than using either formula alone.

He showed the booklet to Shen Bo'an.

Shen Bo'an turned to one of the pages and said, "I remember this prescription. My grandfather used this when he had a cough in his later years. At that time, Anhetang had already closed down, so he could only make it himself. The paste he made was thick and fragrant, and one spoonful could keep him going for half a day."

The second translation was done by Shen Jingqiu.

She took a pencil and a notebook, sat in front of the medicine cabinet, and copied down the prescriptions from the master book page by page.

She copied the ingredients very slowly, checking the dosage of each herb and repeatedly confirming every step of the preparation process.

When she got to the page about "He'an Ointment," she looked up and asked Shen Bo'an, "Grandpa, which part of the fritillaria cirrhosa is best used for?"

Shen Bo'an said, "The ones from Songpan are small, white, and sweet. Don't use Pingbei; their properties are not right."

Shen Jingqiu nodded and wrote in her notebook, "Songpan fritillaria, small in size, white in color and sweet in taste."

Watching from the side, Ye Chen thought that the way Shen Jingqiu copied the prescription was exactly the same as Shen Bo'an when he was young.

Perhaps this is what has been passed down.

It's not the prescription itself, but the dedication to being meticulous about every single ingredient.

The third time was when Ye Chen translated it himself.

He translated slowly, focusing on the marginal notes and footnotes.

A note in the margin of one page caught his attention: "Heji Pharmacy has been in operation for three years and has collected a total of 127 kinds of medicinal materials. Of these, 63 kinds are grown by Bengu itself and 64 kinds are purchased by Anhetang. The two parties have agreed that Anhetang will have priority in purchasing any medicinal materials grown by Bengu, and Bengu will have priority in using any southern medicinal materials that are unique to Anhetang. This cycle will continue, and both parties will be at peace."

Ye Chen read this passage twice and suddenly felt that this was the earliest form of "contract farming".

The two pharmacies knew a hundred years ago that cooperation was better than going it alone.

He told Jiang Ruoxi this.

After listening, Jiang Ruoxi thought for a moment and said, "Then we can do it this way now. Anhetang has purchasing channels in the south, and Baizhi Valley grows its own herbs. The two of us can share resources, which is better than going it alone."

Ye Chen thought it was a good idea and discussed it with Shen Jingqiu that very night.

Shen Jingqiu said, "Grandpa said something similar a long time ago. He said that there should always be a shelf reserved for Bai Zhigu in Anhetang's medicine cabinet."

On the fourth day, Ye Chen and Jiang Ruoxi prepared to return to Jiangcheng.

Before leaving, Shen Bo'an called Ye Chen over and handed him back the restored bronze plaque.

Ye Chen said, "Grandpa Shen, you should keep this sign. Anhetang is its original home."

Shen Bo'an shook his head and said, "Take the plaque with you. Anhetang has Jingqiu now, so there's no need for a plaque to ward off evil spirits. You have a plaque hanging at the entrance of your warehouse, and with this plaque, it'll be complete."

Ye Chen put the bronze medal away and then looked at Shen Bo'an.

The old man was a bit thinner than when he first arrived, but he was in good spirits and his eyes were bright.

He said, "Go back and tell your master to use the prescriptions in the master book when they are needed, and not let them lie in the box for another hundred years."

On the way back to Jiangcheng, Jiang Ruoxi drove while Ye Chen sat in the passenger seat, repeatedly looking at the copy of the general volume.

The copy was completed by Shen Jingqiu overnight, with neat and meticulous handwriting.

When Ye Chen turned to the page on "He'an Ointment", he suddenly said, "Ruoxi, we can make a batch of this ointment this winter. Ayiguli grows a lot of moonflowers, and Shen Jingqiu can send the fritillaria from Nancheng. We'll make some for Anhetang first, and then save some for Baizhigu."

Jiang Ruoxi said, "Okay, I'll have Secretary Wang do a cost calculation. Don't set the price too high; just focus on volume."

"Wife, you always manage to think of business in everything you do."

"Otherwise, how am I supposed to support you as the head of security?"

Ye Chen reached out and gently squeezed her hand.

The day after returning to Baizhi Valley, Ye Chen hung the bronze plaque at the entrance of the warehouse.

It is located directly below the old plaque of "Anhetang" and is tied with a red rope. When the wind blows, the copper plaque gently touches the plaque and makes a very faint sound.

Seventh Uncle passed by, glanced at it, and asked, "What's this again?"

Ye Chen said, "It's a token from Heji, proof that Anhetang and Yaowang Valley partnered to open the shop back then."

Seventh Uncle said "Oh," leaned closer to take a look, and said, "This copper is not bad, an old thing."

Ye Chen said, "Please touch it gently, don't make it develop a patina."

Seventh Uncle glared at him, then turned and left.

A few days later, Su Qinghan arrived from Medicine King Valley, bringing a jar of freshly brewed He'an Ointment.

She prepared the ingredients according to the recipe in the master book. The moonflower used was freshly harvested from Ayiguli's greenhouse, and the fritillaria was from Songpan, sent by Shen Jingqiu from Nancheng.

The ointment was simmered overnight, and its color was a deep brown and translucent, with a sweet medicinal fragrance.

Su Qinghan scooped a small spoonful and let Ye Chen taste it.

Ye Chen took a sip and felt a moist and warm sensation in his throat, as if something had gently soothed it.

"It tastes good."

Su Qinghan said, "It's not that it tastes good, it's that it works. Send a bottle to Gu Nian; her cough tends to flare up in the fall."

Ye Chen agreed and called Gu Huaishan that same day.

In early October, Fang Guodong arrived with a second group of students.

This time he brought twelve people, two more than last time.

The students ran into the fields as soon as they got off the bus. Some of them even greeted their seventh uncle, clearly having done their homework after their last trip back.

As usual, Fang Guodong brought his mimeographed textbook, but this time he brought something extra: a handwritten copy of "Explanation of He'an Ointment Formula," which he wrote based on the general copy. It clearly explained the compatibility principles of He'an Ointment and its application cases throughout history.

He handed the handwritten copy to Ye Chen and said, "I'll explain your master's prescription. It's not enough for students to just look at the herbs; they need to know how to use the prescription."

Ye Chen flipped through it and found that Fang Guodong's writing was even more detailed than he had imagined.

"Professor Fang, can this book be printed?"

Fang Guodong said, "Yes, we can print them out for students to use. We won't sell them."

Ye Chen said, "I'll pay for the printing costs."

Fang Guodong pushed up his glasses and smiled.

That evening, Ye Chen stood at the warehouse entrance, watching the bronze plaque gleam warmly in the setting sun.

Jiang Ruoxi walked over, carrying two cups of hot tea. She handed one to Ye Chen and said, "What are you thinking about?"

Ye Chen said, "Thinking about the past hundred years, Heji Pharmacy, Anhetang, Yaowang Valley, and Baizhi Valley have been broken up several times, but each time they have reconnected."

Jiang Ruoxi said, "It's good that it's connected; it's better than it being disconnected."

Ye Chen nodded and took a sip of tea.

In the distant medicinal herb field, Fang Guodong was leading his students to identify the seedlings of Angelica sinensis and Peucedanum praeruptorum.

Aygul waters the moonflowers in the greenhouse.

Seventh Uncle carried a hoe down the south slope, humming an off-key folk song.

Su Qinghan was brewing a new batch of He'an ointment in the medicine shed, and the aroma of the medicine wafted over in waves.

Ye Chen put down the cup and put his arm around Jiang Ruoxi's shoulder.

"Next spring, let's go to the south of the city and go over the He'an Ointment recipe with Grandpa Shen again, and also take a look at Jingqiu's new medicine cabinet."

Jiang Ruoxi agreed.

The two of them stood there, watching the sun slowly sink behind the medicinal herb field.

The bronze medal twirled gently in the wind, as if nodding for those who are no longer here.