Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Elder in the White Robe Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Elder in the White Robe Soon, the street began bustling with increasing numbers of people flocking to the market. While most of them just came to enjoy the hubbub and didn’t plan on spending money, a small fraction of people was drawn by the goods on offer at the market.
The articles that Lin Baiyi crafted were available as single items only and none of them were in large quantities. The most abundant item he had was a set of scrub brushes for pots. He only had five of them. The other items such as brooms and dustpans were even scarcer, just three pairs.
He also had a single fish basket, a tofu basket, a food box, etc. Items like these were available as single pieces, including a brush holder as well.
Despite being single pieces, the craftsmanship was absolutely fine and he quickly attracted several women who came to look at his goods. Some asked about this while others inquired about that. The key point was that Lin Baiyi’s pricing was very fair.
A scrub brush that would cost three wen elsewhere, he sold for two. After all, his prices were definitely cheaper than the others.
Soon, he managed to sell a few items. Although the prices were low, at least it generated income, which made the couple’s eyes sparkle with joy.
Seeing that business had started and the couple was completely capable of handling it, Lin Caisang and Lin Changhong left the stall and headed to the newly opened pharmacy. The staff there was busy cleaning.
“Do you two need any medicine?”
Seeing patrons arriving, the attendant quickly set his broom aside, stepped forward, and greeted them cheerfully.
“Young man, would you buy medicinal herbs? I have some here.” Lin Caisang glanced at the bamboo basket Lin Changhong was carrying and asked the attendant.
The attendant glanced at the two of them and squinted at the bamboo basket on Lin Changhong’s back. Although he grimaced, he didn’t seem displeased.
“Of course, we do buy medicinal herbs. Please follow me to the backyard. The boss has to see and determine the quality of the herbs before he buys them.”
With that, he led them to the backyard.
As soon as they stepped into the backyard, they were greeted by a delightful tea aroma.
They saw an elderly man, with white hair and dressed in a long white robe, sitting in a bamboo chair. In front of him was a bamboo table with tea equipment on it. The aroma of the tea wafted from there.
“Old shopkeeper, you are here.”
Spotting the elderly man, the attendant broke into a broad smile and walked up to him.
The old man slightly raised his head, his sharp gaze scanning over Lin Caisang and Changhong behind the attendant.
“The boy and the young lady brought some medicinal herbs. They were asking if we buy them. I thought I should let you have a look before we proceed.” the attendant glanced at Lin Changhong, replying.
“Medicinal herbs? Let me see it,” said the elderly man.
Upon hearing this, Lin Changhong quickly took off the basket from his back and placed it next to the old man.
“There are many medicinal herbs here, we have packed them separately, please take a look, here is …”
“King solomon’s-seal.”
Lin Caisang took over from where her elder brother paused since he only knew about medicinal herbs and not their specific names.
“Sir, I have several kinds of herbs here, King solomon’s-seal, baikal skullcap, pseudo ginseng, red sage, gastrodia tuber, chaihu, siler, Chinese peony. Please look, can you purchase these from us?” she asked politely standing next to the old shopkeeper.
“Hehe, quite an assortment of herbs here.”
The elderly man, his hand stroking his long beard and holding a package of herbs up to his nose, felt a rich fragrance.
“Gastrodia tuber, it does have a rich aroma, but…”
He unwrapped the paper around the herbs and took a look, revealing a trace of disdain on his face.
“Young lady, about these herbs…..”