Yun Jiao brought this out because she didn’t have much silver left. Manager Wang had already bought more than ten grams of musk, and surely couldn’t take more. This ancient small county town had a sparse population and extremely limited purchasing power.
After much consideration, she decided to take out this ginseng as well, to prepare for opening an apothecary in Prefecture City after the new year.
She noticed Manager Wang’s hand tremble slightly, "Is it truly fifty years old?"
Yun Jiao nodded, "Look at how dense the root bowl is on top. You could count them slowly, and you’ll know."
Manager Wang had planned to count earlier but felt embarrassed. Hearing Yun Jiao’s suggestion, he took the ginseng and went to the courtyard in back, counting earnestly under the daylight.
He finished counting with fifty-two, and had no more doubts about the ginseng’s age. Yet soon enough, he became troubled again.
A ginseng with over fifty years of age is certainly valuable, and he wanted to acquire it, but it required considerable silver.
Moreover, Yun Jiao is Doctor Gu’s daughter, so firstly, he couldn’t swindle the daughter of an old acquaintance, and secondly, it was clear Yun Jiao was knowledgeable.
Manager Wang hesitated for quite some time, "Well, I’m a bit tight on silver at the moment, how about—"
Yun Jiao smiled and extended her hand, "Then forget it, I’ll find a buyer when I get to Prefecture City."
Manager Wang reluctantly held onto the brocade box, "Don’t rush, let me think a bit more."
Yun Jiao smiled, "If you truly want it, you can make an offer, and if it’s reasonable, I’ll sell it to you."
Manager Wang hesitated momentarily, probing, "Well, five hundred taels of silver?"
Yun Jiao looked at him and remained silent.
Manager Wang laughed awkwardly, "Five hundred taels of silver surely won’t be enough."
"Six hundred taels?"
He glanced at Yun Jiao’s expression, "Six hundred taels seems a bit low as well."
Yun Jiao just looked at him indifferently, expressionless, unmoved like a mountain.
Manager Wang was deeply pained, "Well, how about seven hundred taels then?"
He saw Yun Jiao’s expression unchanged and was about to go mad with frustration!
This little girl, how can she be so calm and composed!
He looked back and forth between the ginseng and Yun Jiao several times, finally, gritting his teeth in determination, "Eight hundred taels, no more than that!"
Yun Jiao smiled at Manager Wang, "Alright, let’s go with Manager Wang’s offer, eight hundred taels."
Manager Wang felt sharp heart twinges, "You little girl, you’re a hundred times more shrewd than your father!"
"Oh, I’m so distressed right now, I can’t believe I got outdone by you, little girl, today."
Yun Jiao simply laughed.
Manager Wang handed the brocade box back to her, "Wait here, I’ll go find my wife for the silver."
He walked a few steps, then stopped, "I’ll give you one silver note for five hundred taels, another for two hundred, and a hundred taels in cash, does that work for you?"
Yun Jiao nodded.
Manager Wang passed through the courtyard and went inside.
Yun Jiao stood alone in the courtyard.
Manager Wang returned after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
He gestured for Yun Jiao to follow him into a room he opened.
Yun Jiao followed him in and placed the brocade box on the table.
Manager Wang opened it again to inspect the goods, and then handed two silver notes and a bundle of silver to Yun Jiao.
He said solemnly, "You little girl, carrying so much silver, you must be very careful. Remember, people’s hearts are unpredictable, even familiar people should not be informed lightly."
Yun Jiao nodded, placed the silver notes in her bosom, and held the hundred taels of silver in her hand, bowing deeply to Manager Wang, "Thank you, Uncle Wang."
"Also, I must ask you to keep this matter confidential, don’t tell anyone."
Manager Wang nodded, "Rest assured, I know."