Yun Jinnian thought for a moment before he spoke, "I need to see what medicines he has taken, and assess his physical condition before I can make a decision!"
He was neither arrogant nor flustered; neither servile nor overbearing; nor was he conceited.
This was what Han Zhong admired.
And it was also what Han Tianci needed to learn.
"Then let’s first send an invitation using the old master’s name, and then..."
"Send it in Tianci’s name," Yun Jinnian said indifferently.
"Why me? Sister, it’s clearly you who are treating people!" Han Tianci asked, puzzled.
"Because I am a woman, and the world is already quite unfair to women. Using your name is better, as it spares me a great deal of gossip!"
Of course, he also wanted to build a network for Han Tianci, to smooth his way for when he makes his mark in the world.
Han Tianci didn’t think much of it, "Then I’ll listen to Sister!"
Once the two had made a decision, Han Zhong went ahead and sent the invitation to the City Lord Residence.
City Lord ZhuGe, who was around fifty years old, had been a charming and elegant figure in his youth. However, now he had grown so fat that he could hardly walk, and he no longer possessed the dashing elegance of his younger years.
He spent his days listless, lacking spirit for anything.
Fortunately, his sons had grown up and could shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the City Lord. Plus, with a good relationship with the Governor and substantial tributes each year, he was able to hold on to his position as the City Lord, although it wasn’t very secure.
He had invited many famous doctors for his illness, consumed a lot of medicine, and spent much Silver, but to no effect.
When he heard that someone had sent an invitation, he didn’t think twice before exclaiming, "Refuse! Refuse!"
Upon hearing this, the butler sighed, took the invitation, and withdrew.
Han Zhong didn’t say much and returned to the inn.
"Not seeing us?" Yun Jinnian was slightly taken aback.
"Mmhmm, he sent the invitation back!"
"If he doesn’t want to see us today, then when he does want to see us in the future, the consultation fee and gratitude gifts will have to double!" Yun Jinnian said, as ideas began forming in her mind.
"Sister, you have a plan?" Han Tianci asked.
"Mmhmm, those wealthy families won’t trust us all at once, but those poor households, those who cannot afford to see a doctor, will stumble upon us by mistake!" Yun Jinnian said, then turned to Han Zhong, "Uncle Zhong, you go and make arrangements with a medicine shop. We’ll just set up a spot outside their door to see patients, and then the patients can get their prescriptions filled there!"
Han Zhong nodded, "But what if there are those who can’t afford the medicine, what then?"
This was also a concern for Yun Jinnian.
She had indeed brought a good amount of Silver with her when she left.
"We can help by buying for them, but we’ll have them sign a promissory note to ensure they will pay back the Silver!"
What they needed to do now was to first establish their reputation.
Han Zhong thought it was feasible, "Okay!"
Promissory notes signed in public left no room for denial. If anyone dared to deny their debt, public opinion alone could drown them.
"However, we need to prevent the wealthy from coming to muddle the waters!" Yun Jinnian added.
Han Zhong had naturally already thought through this as well.
"Don’t worry, I have my methods!"
Han Zhong quickly found a large medicine shop willing to cooperate. They usually had a doctor, but he had to go home due to some matters, so business was somewhat slow. Han Zhong’s approach was indeed good.
Because even if there were any issues with the treatment, they only had to handle selling the medicine and would have no other involvement. They could earn Silver without any downside — why not do it?
The group quickly set up a table outside of the medicine shop, placing a medicine chest, silver needles, a water basin, a bucket for fetching water, and a cloth on it.
Yun Jinnian acted as the doctor, Han Tianci assisted, Hemei and Henuan, both in men’s clothing, ran errands, and Han Zhong acted as the guard.
It all looked quite proper!
But even after setting up for a day, not a single person came...