Chapter 206: Chapter 119 Everything is Inferior 2_2 Chapter 206: Chapter 119 Everything is Inferior 2_2 Everyone frowned, and Hu Bingzhi’s brow furrowed even more deeply, his expression indescribable.
Below the stage, where people were uncertain of the truth of Gu Changsheng’s words, there was another round of whispering.
Elder Yhan nodded almost imperceptibly, signaling her to continue.
Gu Changsheng picked up a medicinal herb beside her, and with a mocking smile said, “Is this Paris polyphylla? Imperial Doctor Hu just identified this as inferior quality Paris polyphylla. Changsheng didn’t want to expose him, but since Elder Yhan asked, Changsheng must speak. Changsheng also identifies this as inferior quality, because it is Nippon lily, which has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing blood stasis, and relieving pain. But if you say this is Paris polyphylla, then Changsheng can only say, this is counterfeit.”
As soon as her words ended, Hu Bingzhi’s eyes suddenly bulged, “Ignorant child, spouting nonsense!”
Murmurs of astonishment erupted from below the stage. Counterfeit? Was it actually counterfeit?
Even Imperial Doctor Hu couldn’t identify it, how could it be counterfeit?
This competition was truly full of twists and turns, more dramatic and engaging than ever before; it was just uncertain whether what Lady Changsheng said was true!
“Whether I’m spouting nonsense or not, I believe Elder Yhan and the pharmacists here are clear in their hearts. The way this Nippon lily is processed almost makes it indistinguishable from Paris polyphylla, but if you were to sell this to the Liuzhou Medical Guild pretending it to be Paris polyphylla, pardon my frankness, Changsheng would never dare to buy it.”
The faces of the pharmacists in the judges’ seats changed colors, green then red then blue, and they looked to Elder Yhan for an explanation.
“Lady Changsheng need not worry. This medicine was specially prepared by me for the Medical Debate Conference, and the Bozhou Medicine Merchants Association will absolutely not engage in passing off forgeries as genuine goods,” Elder Yhan said with a smile as he stroked his beard.
The pharmacists all breathed a sigh of relief. Their reputations had almost been ruined by this counterfeit Paris polyphylla. Elder Yhan’s sudden appearance at the Medical Debate Conference with this contingency had nearly scared them to death!
Gu Changsheng inwardly nodded; this explained why all the pharmacists treated Elder Yhan with such respect. From ancient times to today, Bozhou had been the largest distribution center for medicinal materials. It seemed Elder Yhan’s status truly was significant.
“From Elder Yhan’s tone, could it be that Lady Changsheng is actually right?”
“Do we even need to say it? Who is Lady Changsheng? She is none other than the renowned Divine Doctor Lady of Liuzhou!”
Among the excited discussions of the crowd, Gu Changsheng picked up another medicinal herb, and with slightly parted vermilion lips, said, “Polygala, best used in medicine after three to four years of growth. This herb’s surface is pale gray, with slightly shallow horizontal wrinkles, indicating it is less than three years old, hence it certainly is of inferior quality.”
“Scutellaria harvested in October, with slightly wrinkled skin, seems to have been caused by rain after excavation; this herb can only barely be considered inferior quality.”
With Gu Changsheng’s words, the crowd collectively gasped in shock.
Such a sharp eye! With just one glance, the Huang Qin that had been previously identified as superior quality by several others had now been labeled inferior quality!
It’s well-known that Huang Qin must not be exposed to rain, or its potency greatly diminishes—a fact all doctors know, but also the easiest to overlook.
Jiao Fangyi’s face was filled with unwillingness, while Hu Bingzhi’s face gradually darkened.
Hu Yihai and others, however, showed delight, nervously clenching their hands.
This really was a case of finding light at the end of the tunnel when all seemed lost! Just as they were about to be driven out, there was a surprise turn of events and Lady Changsheng managed to turn the tide.
But at this moment, Hu Yihai believed that if it weren’t for Elder Yhan calling out to Lady Changsheng, she might not have even bothered to explain before leaving…
“Southern Ginseng, to be peeled upon immersion in water; here, Southern Ginseng has been processed using Northern Ginseng’s methods—who came up with that? Its efficacy has largely diminished, barely qualifying as inferior quality,” Gu Changsheng said as she tossed the Southern Ginseng aside, her lips slightly curved. “For the rest, do I need to go into detail? Inferior quality, all are inferior quality, not even barely qualifying as medium quality, let alone superior medicinal materials. My assessment of the medicine is this—if there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to sleep.”
“As Lady Changsheng has said, this time at the Medical Debate Conference, there are indeed no superior quality medicinal materials for evaluation. Lady Changsheng’s discerning eye is admirable,” Elder Yhan said, standing up slowly with the help of an attendant. “I look forward to the medicinal preparation competition starting tomorrow, which will last half a month, and hope Lady Changsheng can dazzle us as she did today.”
Gu Changsheng frowned, watching Elder Yhan, who was the first to leave, and her mouth twitched again and again.
“What about the result of this competition?” Why didn’t anyone announce it? She was still waiting to go back to the inn to sleep!
“At the twenty-first Jiangnan Medical Debate Conference’s medicine identification contest, Liuzhou Medical Guild’s Gu Changsheng triumphs.”
Following the announcement by the official, there came an exciting uproar from above and below the stage.
“We won! We actually won!” Hu Yihai embraced his son in disbelief, overflowing with emotion.
“We won, Liuzhou won, we won’t have to pay so much for medicine for the next five years!” The spectators were even more thrilled, spreading the news as if celebrating a grand festival.
When it came to personal benefit, who wouldn’t be excited?
Jiao Fangyi watched the jubilant crowd around Liuzhou Medical Guild with a resentful face as well-wishers came and went.
However, Hu Bingzhi remained composed as usual, not showing any sign of despondency from his defeat.
“Don’t be too happy too soon; have you forgotten that I was already an Intermediate Processing Master six years ago?” As he passed by Hu Yihai, Hu Bingzhi reminded him in a helpful tone.
Hu Yihai was suddenly doused with cold water, “Uncle, uncle…”
“What’s the matter? Did someone rob you?” Gu Changsheng turned her head and saw Hu Yihai with a face like the end of the world, unable to help but tease him about his stinginess.
“Lady Changsheng, Lady Changsheng, my uncle had already become an Intermediate Medicine Refiner before he went to the Capital City, the medicine he produces is even respected by the Pharmacists, and now, now I fear…” Hu Yihai’s voice trembled with a mix of fear and anxiety, but he faithfully reported, “Now, I’m afraid he’s already become a Superior Medicine Refiner!”
“Superior Medicine Refiner, huh…” Gu Changsheng yawned, repeating the phrase softly.
“What of it if he’s a Superior Medicine Refiner?”
Leaving that remark hanging in the air, Gu Changsheng yawned continuously and left the stage, determined to get back to sleep. She was a patient, after all, and no one should stop her!
If anyone dared to stop her, they’d better watch out—she might just bite!