Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Jiukang Pharmacy_l
Translator: 549690339
The attendant was polite as he saluted Jiang Sanlang, “What business does the guest have with our shopkeeper?”
Jiang Sanlang was forthright: “I have some auricularia at home, I was wondering if your pharmacy would purchase them?”
The attendant was taken aback, inspected the group, and said: “That will need to depend on the quality. If the quality is decent, we will certainly purchase.”
Jiang Sanlang quickly brought over his basket and placed it on the counter,
“Please take a look at this.”
The attendant picked up one and examined it thoroughly, sniffing it, and pinching it.
Without giving a clear response, he said to Jiang Sanlang, “Please wait, I will fetch the shopkeeper.”
The attendant then instructed the nearby boy to take over and he himself turned and left for the inner hall.
Shortly after, a fortysomething bearded middle-aged man followed the attendant out, his demeanor haughty as he casually scanned Jiang Sanlang and his brothers. “You all are selling auricularia?”
“Yes,” Jiang Sanlang responded, saluting.
The shopkeeper came over, picked up an auricularia, and said after a glance,
“For auricularia of this quality, it’s one tael of silver per jin at our store.”
“What?” Jiang Sanlang was taken aback, his complexion turning a bit unsightly. Doctor Li paid ten taels of silver per jin, and yet this pharmacy was only offering one.
Jiang Dalang and Jiang Erlang exchanged glances but did not look too disappointed.
They knew that one jin of rice was only three coins and mutton was just eighteen coins per jin.
To be able to sell one jin of small auricularia for one tael of silver, which was equivalent to one thousand coins, was also quite a sum and was tantamount to several months of income for a farming household.
But didn’t the third brother say it was ten taels per jin? Why such a big difference? Jiang Dalang wondered.
Although irritated internally, Jiang Sanlang didn’t flare up, he only reminded, “Shopkeeper, did you perhaps see wrongly? This indeed is auricularia, only days ago it sold at ten taels of silver per jin.”
The shopkeeper appeared impatient, “We buy at this price, you can sell or not.”
Having said that, he turned and left, even giving the attendant a glare as he passed by.
The attendant was visibly embarrassed as he said to Jiang Sanlang, “That is our shopkeeper. If you are unable to accept the price of one tael, please leave.”
Jiang Sanlang, with a grave expression, did not say a word as he packed up the auricularia and left.
Yingbao glanced at the attendant sadly.
This attendant would later become the Store Manager of Jiukang Pharmacy in a decade or so. Alas, he was currently a mere attendant and had no decision-making power.
The group exited the Jiukang Pharmacy and went to discuss by their donkey cart.
Jiang Sanlang: “Shall we try somewhere else?”
“That can be done. There are many pharmacies on this street, we can try a few more to enquire about the price.” said Jiang Erlang.
Jiang Dalang: “Yes, yes! Enquire at multiple places to get a better understanding.”
So, the three brothers wandered around the prefecture city for a long time, visited several pharmacies but none were to their satisfaction.
Although the price had increased from one tael to two taels per jin, Jiang Sanlang was still not satisfied.
Given that Doctor Li had offered ten taels per jin, why was it considerably less in the city?
He wasn’t willing to accept it.
Jiang Sanlang was frustrated but there was nothing he could do.
As they walked past a large shop with upturned eaves, Jiang Sanlang stopped in his tracks.
Furuifeng Trading Company.
Wasn’t this the address the customer who bought fish last year had given him?
He had promised him to bring sturgeons whenever he caught them, but after a series of events, he didn’t fish anymore.
And now, he happened to pass by.
Jiang Sanlang hesitated, contemplating whether to go in and check. After all, the sign indicated that it was a trading company, they must be doing business of some kind.
Just as he was hesitating, a middle-aged man walked out of the gate. He was wearing a blue robe with a longevity pattern on it, and he was lifting his robe to descend the stairs.
He looked up and exclaimed in surprise. He quickly walked over. “Aren’t you the fishmonger? Have you caught a sturgeon?”
Jiang Sanlang greeted him with a bow, “I haven’t been fishing recently, and just happened to pass by here. I was hoping to have a look inside.”
The middle-aged man was slightly disappointed. “Oh, then go ahead.” He said, preparing to leave.
Jiang Sanlang hurriedly spoke again, “Actually, I brought some dried goods in hopes of selling them. Sir, could you kindly take a look?”
The middle-aged man halted his steps and asked: “What dried goods?” Jiang Sanlang exposed the golden ear mushrooms from the basket on his back,
“These ones.”
The middle-aged man stroked the short beard on his chin, and a glint flashed in his eyes. He said, “Then, follow me.”
He led Jiang’s family members to the back yard of the trading company.
After entering a spacious room, the middle-aged man had them sit down and ordered the servant boy to bring tea. Only then did he say, “Would you mind showing me your goods?”
Jiang Sanlang quickly gave his back basket to him, “These are golden ears made by our family. It took a lot of effort to make them.”
The middle-aged man inspected them, and then asked, “They have been well-preserved. Do you have a price in mind?”
“I won’t conceal,” answered Jiang Sanlang. “Before I arrived, I had sold a batch to the local pharmacy. The residing doctor offered me ten taels of silver per catty. I wonder what the prices are here.”
The middle-aged man pondered, “Ten taels is indeed too high. I estimate the doctor gave you the retail price.”
Seeing Jiang Sanlang’s disappointed look, the man explained, “Our trading company needs to make a profit too. Moreover, we have to transport the goods long distance, guard against moisture and insects, account for losses from weighing errors, and take on large risks. So the highest price we can offer for golden ears is three taels per catty, no more. Even if you sell them in Prefecture City, you won’t get a higher price.”
“Furthermore, if you sell these golden ears to a pharmacy, they will buy at most ten catties and no more. It’s different with a trading company. We sell all over the country, so we naturally buy and sell much larger amounts than a pharmacy. We also buy for longer periods.”
He was sincere and reasonable, causing Jiang Sanlang to waver.
With a sigh, Jiang Sanlang said, “Alright, if it’s three taels, then it’s three taels.
May I ask your name sir? Do you manage this trading company?”
The middle-aged man stroked his beard and laughed. “My name is Zhou Mao. I’m the second steward of Furuifeng. I have the authority to purchase goods.”
“So, you’re Manager Zhou. My apologies for any previous lack of respect.” Jiang Sanlang bowed in response. “My last name is Jiang, and my generational name is San. This is my eldest brother and second brother, along with my eldest daughter, Yingbao.”
Jiang Erlang and Jiang Dalang promptly bowed to Zhou Mao, and even Yingbao timidly called out “Uncle Zhou.”
Zhou Mao stood up to return the greeting, “May I ask how many golden ears Jiang San and his brothers brought? Why don’t we weigh everything at once?” He realized that the Jiang brothers had brought a donkey cart with them. Jiang Sanlang replied, “There’s another basket. We weighed it at home. I will get it and we can weigh everything again.”
Zhou Mao waved his hand, “No need for you to rush. I’ll ask the servant boy to bring the donkey cart in.” He then told the servant boy to bring in the cart.
In a short while, the donkey cart was brought in front of the room. Jiang Sanlang picked up the back basket, placing it next to the other one.
Zhou Mao had already ordered the servant boy to bring the scales, and began measuring each.
“Net weight is six catties.” The servant boy reported.
Jiang Sanlang nodded, relieved.
It seemed this trading company was very honest. There was no attempt to cheat him on the weight. The reported number was the same as what he had weighed at home.
Zhou Mao said, “Six catties. I owe you 18 taels of silver.”
Upon hearing the sum of money, Jiang Sanlang didn’t express much joy, but breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the price was much less than he had hoped for, he was still content.
In previous years when he came to town to find work, carrying sacks of goods for others and working to exhaustion, he had earned at most two hundred coin, if even that much. Now, he had just earned in one go what his parents hadn’t managed to save in their lifetimes. How could he not be satisfied?
Zhou Mao continued, “If you have more golden ears at home, feel free to bring them to me. If I’m not here, just report my name at the front hall. Someone will attend to you.”
Jiang Sanlang nodded.
In a short while, the servant boy brought the silver. There were three ingots worth five taels each, plus three strings of copper coins.
Jiang Sanlang put away the silver and copper coins, then bid goodbye to Zhou
Mao with a bow..
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