Intermediary Fee, Sleep Loss Fee, and Saliva Fee
Huangfu Yuchen continued, “There is no school in the county, and the illiterate people’s descendants remain illiterate. Is this what you want to see? Moreover, as far as I know, there are only a few barefoot doctors in the county who can at best treat minor ailments like headaches and fevers. Seeking medical treatment and advice is inconvenient. With nearly ten thousand people in the county, forty percent of them being children, don’t they need better doctors?”
Grandpa Gong interrupted him, “Young man, we know that you have good intentions, but our Rong County doesn’t need it. There’s nothing interesting here. It would be better for you two to leave early and visit Rong City.”
“What should we do?” Yan Ge asked Huangfu Yuchen through voice transmission.
Huangfu Yuchen replied coldly, “Seeking their opinion is merely a gesture of respect for their status as elders. Do they have the right to interfere in national affairs?”
“Should we secretly pull the rope then? I support it,” Yan Ge expressed some concern, “But these three old men are not young anymore. What if they get upset…”
Huangfu Yuchen frowned. Indeed, that would be difficult to handle.
At that moment, a young man rushed in, sweating profusely.
“It’s not good, it’s not good! Elders, my lord, there are several people on the east side of the county who have contracted a strange illness. Doctor Liu says he can’t do anything about it. He asked me to call Grandpa Gong to hurry over, fearing it might be too late!”
“What?” Grandpa Gong abruptly stood up, waving his hand, “Go there immediately and see. Chushan, send someone to escort these two young masters away.”
Huangfu Yuchen stood up, calmly saying, “Once people who have no power gain full power, they usually find it hard to let go. This point, I understand.”
Grandpa Gong’s expression changed, and he turned his head sharply, looking at Huangfu Yuchen, his voice stern, “What do you mean by that statement?”
“Isn’t it more important to save lives?” Yan Ge and Gong Chushan had already walked far away.
Grandpa Gong snorted coldly and quickly followed the young man.
Yan Ge said, “Zirui, let’s go take a look too.”
Following the crowd, they arrived at a mud house, packed inside and out with people. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen couldn’t even get in.
Grandpa Gong lifted the eyelids of a boy named Xiao Shan and felt his pulse, “Weak pulse… body suddenly hot and cold…”
Yan Ge asked the elderly man next to him, “Uncle, what’s happening?”
The uncle replied, “This morning, Xiao Shan’s father found him lying motionless in bed and realized he was sick. Xiao Shan’s whole body turned purple and swollen, and his belly kept growing. He would sometimes say he’s cold and sometimes say he’s hot. Doctor Liu said Xiao Shan might not make it, which made his father so anxious he also became sick. Not long after, someone came to find Doctor Liu again, saying Xiao Hu and Niu Zi were also ill. So everyone had to bring Xiao Hu and Niu Zi over to be with Xiao Shan. It’s really strange…”
“Xiao Shan’s father is sick too?” Yan Ge found it strange, but before he could finish speaking, he saw Xiao Shan’s mother, who was sitting by his bed wiping tears, suddenly slump to the ground in a daze, her face turning pale!
Yan Ge was shocked and pushed Huangfu Yuchen back, shouting loudly, “It’s contagious! Everyone, leave!”
To these common folks, Yan Ge was just an outsider, and furthermore, a young man they didn’t really know. They didn’t believe him and just looked at each other, standing still.
Huangfu Yuchen grabbed Yan Ge’s wrist and said, “Since it can be contagious, you must not get close.”
Yan Ge replied, “It’s okay, I have a solution.”
“Madam Fang, are you telling the truth?” Gong Chushan was shocked and pale.
“Don’t spread baseless rumors!” Grandpa Gong turned his head, glared at Yan Ge with displeasure, and shouted angrily, slamming his cane heavily on the ground, making a dull sound.
Yan Ge squeezed inside a few steps, his brows furrowed tightly. “Enough! Now is not the time to consider your face. If it’s not a contagious disease, why did Xiao Shan’s parents both fall ill, with symptoms exactly like Xiao Shan’s?”
“You…” Grandpa Gong was furious and staggered backward.
Everyone felt that Yan Ge’s words made sense, their faces changed drastically, and they rushed out of the house one after another. They even deliberately avoided Grandpa Gong, who was closest to Xiao Shan and had contact with him. Even Uncle Gong and Master Gong secretly mingled in the crowd and ran out.
Grandpa Gong’s face turned even uglier, his gaze coldly fixed on Yan Ge.
Only Yan Ge, Grandpa Gong, a worried Gong Chushan, and a few sick patients remained in the room.
Yan Ge said to Grandpa Gong, “I have medical skills. Please step aside and let me diagnose Xiao Shan.”
Grandpa Gong valued his face but he was afraid of death. Grumbling, he moved aside, neither leaving nor staying.
Yan Ge didn’t know how this disease was transmitted, so he temporarily used his internal energy to breathe and placed a handkerchief on Xiao Shan’s wrist before feeling his pulse.
Huangfu Yuchen also used his internal energy to follow along and asked, “What’s the situation?”
“Young man, what can you understand about powerful medical skills at your young age?” Grandpa Gong shouted, “I believe they are possessed by evil spirits. We should hurry and take them to the witch doctor.”
Gong Chushan couldn’t bear it any longer and said in a deep voice, “Grandpa Gong, please be quiet!”
Grandpa Gong’s lips trembled, he stared fiercely at Gong Chushan, but he managed to hold his tongue.
Yan Ge glanced coldly at him and said to Huangfu Yuchen, “It’s a necrotic disease. This disease usually occurs when one comes into contact with decaying corpses or skeletons over many years. Once infected, physical contact with the infected person will transmit the disease.”
“What nonsense! I’ve lived for so many years and never heard of such a disease,” Grandpa Gong exclaimed in shock. Whether it was a psychological effect or not, he felt that something was wrong inside and outside his body.
The people outside the door were even more frightened and moved further away.
Gong Chushan anxiously asked, “Can it be cured?”
Yan Ge replied, “Yes, fortunately, we discovered it in time. I’ll write a prescription, and you should send someone to the pharmacy immediately to get the medicine.”
Grandpa Gong felt a burning sensation on his face. He touched it, and realized that his usually soft cheeks were now hard. He vaguely felt that he had been Infected, and his his face alternated between red and white.
Huangfu Yuchen intentionally asked, “Grandpa Gong, should they buy a dose for you too?”
Grandpa Gong couldn’t speak because of his embarrassment, but he nodded.
Yan Ge smiled as he looked at Huangfu Yuchen. This person never wanted to see him suffer the slightest grievance.
Gong Chushan sent someone to buy the medicine and cooked a pot of it to be consumed by Xiao Shan, Xiao Shan’s parents, Niu Zi, and Xiao Hu.
Niu Zi woke up first, although his body was still very weak. This medicine needed to be taken continuously for half a month to completely cure the disease.
Gong Chushan heaved a sigh of relief and asked, “Niu Zi, where on earth did you guys go? How did you contract this strange disease? If it weren’t for Madam Fang being here, not only would you all have died, but the entire county would have been affected!”
“I…” Niu Zi stuttered, stealing glances at the still unconscious Xiao Hu on the other bed.
“At this point, what is there to hide!” Gong Chushan slammed the table, exerting the authority of the county’s leader. “Madam Fang said that this disease is contracted from decaying corpses and skeletons. We must completely destroy them. Otherwise, if someone else comes into contact, they will also get infected. If you don’t speak up, I will personally punish you!”
Niu Zi trembled under his scolding and finally said, “It’s… the three of us have always wanted to explore outside the mountains, but we didn’t have any money. Xiao Hu said that a long time ago, a member of the royal family came here, and his body was buried under the mountain temple along with the treasures of gold and silver he brought. So we…”
“So you went to dig for the treasures of gold and silver?” Gong Chushan asked.
“Mm…” Niu Zi nodded, “We dug up a body first…”
“I understand,” Uncle Gong looked at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, his expression unfriendly. “How did Niu Zi and the others suddenly want to leave the mountains? I heard that they were with the two of you yesterday afternoon. Could it be that you said something to instigate them, leading them to think of digging for the treasures of gold and silver in the mountain temple?”
“That’s right. If not for that, they wouldn’t have contracted this strange disease,” Grandpa Gong added.
Yan Ge became furious.
Huangfu Yuchen’s face also turned serious. “Indeed, they took action yesterday, influenced to some extent by the actions of my wife and me. I won’t deny this. But Uncle Gong, didn’t you hear Niu Zi say that the three of them have always wanted to explore outside the mountains? Even if we hadn’t come to Rong County, they would have made the same decision one day. It was just a matter of time. If my wife hadn’t been here, Uncle Gong, you should think about the consequences.”
Uncle Gong, Grandpa Gong, and Master Gong were left speechless.
Yan Ge smiled faintly and calmly said, “Now that things have come to this point, I understand the true reason why the three of you don’t want to develop Rong County. On one hand, it is indeed because you consider it a place of safety, preferring to stay secluded. On the other hand, it’s because only in isolation can the three of you be the masters surpassing the county magistrate. Otherwise, why do you always address Magistrate Gong directly by name and not title? It is as if you are constantly reminding him not to forget your past favors. Am I right?”
The expressions on the faces of the three Gong elders grew increasingly grim.
Yan Ge didn’t give them a chance to speak and continued, “You haven’t considered the future generations at all. You don’t want to leave, but have you ever asked them if they want to go out and see the outside world? Can you decide their entire lives?”
A man in his thirties grinned foolishly. “Although I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about, I also want to go out. I’m still young, and with my strength, I can venture out and earn money to support my family. I need to prepare a dowry for my daughter’s marriage and find a daughter-in-law for my son in the future.”
“I also want to go out. Even if I can’t make a fortune, it would be nice to go out and see,” another middle-aged man chimed in with a smile. “I’ve never been outside the mountains in my entire life.”
“I want to go out too!” shouted a young man in his twenties.
The young people around him echoed in agreement.
The gaze of the three Gong elders swept across the faces of the young people, and they remained silent for a long time.
“Magistrate Gong, what do you say?” Huangfu Yuchen asked calmly. “My wife and I don’t have so much time to waste here.”
Gong Chushan said, “Today’s incident is a profound lesson. Young Master Fang, Madam Fang, this matter will be decided by me. I request both of you to start the work as soon as possible. I will inform the people of the entire county about this, and I believe they will be delighted upon hearing the news.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “My wife and I will return to the post station for now. Once everything is arranged, we will have someone notify you.”
“Okay.”
The people crowded around Gong Chushan to inquire about what was happening. Upon hearing that there was a real chance to leave the mountains, they were all overjoyed.
At this moment, the three respected elders, who were usually held in high regard, stood alone, feeling desolate in their hearts.
Soon, the entire county town became lively, as if celebrating the New Year.
Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Ge, “Where can we find such a long iron cable?”
Yan Ge extended his hand and said, “Give me two thousand taels first.” To obtain a long and thick iron cable, he had to spend money in the system store. And for that, Huangfu Yuchen had to provide the funds.
Huangfu Yuchen readily took out two one-thousand-tael silver bills from his pouch. “Is this enough?”
Yan Ge accepted the silver bills, smiled, and put them into his pouch, patting it. “Five hundred taels will be more than enough.”
The iron cable in the store wasn’t worth much.
“So, why did you ask for two thousand taels?” Huangfu Yuchen regretted being too generous.
Yan Ge counted on his fingers to explain, “The surplus is for my hard work fee, intermediary fee, sleep loss fee, oh, and the medical fee just now, as well as the water-spilling fee for wasting so much saliva.”
Huangfu Yuchen: “…”
Intermediary Fee, Sleep Loss Fee, and Saliva Fee
Huangfu Yuchen continued, “There is no school in the county, and the illiterate people’s descendants remain illiterate. Is this what you want to see? Moreover, as far as I know, there are only a few barefoot doctors in the county who can at best treat minor ailments like headaches and fevers. Seeking medical treatment and advice is inconvenient. With nearly ten thousand people in the county, forty percent of them being children, don’t they need better doctors?”
Grandpa Gong interrupted him, “Young man, we know that you have good intentions, but our Rong County doesn’t need it. There’s nothing interesting here. It would be better for you two to leave early and visit Rong City.”
“What should we do?” Yan Ge asked Huangfu Yuchen through voice transmission.
Huangfu Yuchen replied coldly, “Seeking their opinion is merely a gesture of respect for their status as elders. Do they have the right to interfere in national affairs?”
“Should we secretly pull the rope then? I support it,” Yan Ge expressed some concern, “But these three old men are not young anymore. What if they get upset…”
Huangfu Yuchen frowned. Indeed, that would be difficult to handle.
At that moment, a young man rushed in, sweating profusely.
“It’s not good, it’s not good! Elders, my lord, there are several people on the east side of the county who have contracted a strange illness. Doctor Liu says he can’t do anything about it. He asked me to call Grandpa Gong to hurry over, fearing it might be too late!”
“What?” Grandpa Gong abruptly stood up, waving his hand, “Go there immediately and see. Chushan, send someone to escort these two young masters away.”
Huangfu Yuchen stood up, calmly saying, “Once people who have no power gain full power, they usually find it hard to let go. This point, I understand.”
Grandpa Gong’s expression changed, and he turned his head sharply, looking at Huangfu Yuchen, his voice stern, “What do you mean by that statement?”
“Isn’t it more important to save lives?” Yan Ge and Gong Chushan had already walked far away.
Grandpa Gong snorted coldly and quickly followed the young man.
Yan Ge said, “Zirui, let’s go take a look too.”
Following the crowd, they arrived at a mud house, packed inside and out with people. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen couldn’t even get in.
Grandpa Gong lifted the eyelids of a boy named Xiao Shan and felt his pulse, “Weak pulse… body suddenly hot and cold…”
Yan Ge asked the elderly man next to him, “Uncle, what’s happening?”
The uncle replied, “This morning, Xiao Shan’s father found him lying motionless in bed and realized he was sick. Xiao Shan’s whole body turned purple and swollen, and his belly kept growing. He would sometimes say he’s cold and sometimes say he’s hot. Doctor Liu said Xiao Shan might not make it, which made his father so anxious he also became sick. Not long after, someone came to find Doctor Liu again, saying Xiao Hu and Niu Zi were also ill. So everyone had to bring Xiao Hu and Niu Zi over to be with Xiao Shan. It’s really strange…”
“Xiao Shan’s father is sick too?” Yan Ge found it strange, but before he could finish speaking, he saw Xiao Shan’s mother, who was sitting by his bed wiping tears, suddenly slump to the ground in a daze, her face turning pale!
Yan Ge was shocked and pushed Huangfu Yuchen back, shouting loudly, “It’s contagious! Everyone, leave!”
To these common folks, Yan Ge was just an outsider, and furthermore, a young man they didn’t really know. They didn’t believe him and just looked at each other, standing still.
Huangfu Yuchen grabbed Yan Ge’s wrist and said, “Since it can be contagious, you must not get close.”
Yan Ge replied, “It’s okay, I have a solution.”
“Madam Fang, are you telling the truth?” Gong Chushan was shocked and pale.
“Don’t spread baseless rumors!” Grandpa Gong turned his head, glared at Yan Ge with displeasure, and shouted angrily, slamming his cane heavily on the ground, making a dull sound.
Yan Ge squeezed inside a few steps, his brows furrowed tightly. “Enough! Now is not the time to consider your face. If it’s not a contagious disease, why did Xiao Shan’s parents both fall ill, with symptoms exactly like Xiao Shan’s?”
“You…” Grandpa Gong was furious and staggered backward.
Everyone felt that Yan Ge’s words made sense, their faces changed drastically, and they rushed out of the house one after another. They even deliberately avoided Grandpa Gong, who was closest to Xiao Shan and had contact with him. Even Uncle Gong and Master Gong secretly mingled in the crowd and ran out.
Grandpa Gong’s face turned even uglier, his gaze coldly fixed on Yan Ge.
Only Yan Ge, Grandpa Gong, a worried Gong Chushan, and a few sick patients remained in the room.
Yan Ge said to Grandpa Gong, “I have medical skills. Please step aside and let me diagnose Xiao Shan.”
Grandpa Gong valued his face but he was afraid of death. Grumbling, he moved aside, neither leaving nor staying.
Yan Ge didn’t know how this disease was transmitted, so he temporarily used his internal energy to breathe and placed a handkerchief on Xiao Shan’s wrist before feeling his pulse.
Huangfu Yuchen also used his internal energy to follow along and asked, “What’s the situation?”
“Young man, what can you understand about powerful medical skills at your young age?” Grandpa Gong shouted, “I believe they are possessed by evil spirits. We should hurry and take them to the witch doctor.”
Gong Chushan couldn’t bear it any longer and said in a deep voice, “Grandpa Gong, please be quiet!”
Grandpa Gong’s lips trembled, he stared fiercely at Gong Chushan, but he managed to hold his tongue.
Yan Ge glanced coldly at him and said to Huangfu Yuchen, “It’s a necrotic disease. This disease usually occurs when one comes into contact with decaying corpses or skeletons over many years. Once infected, physical contact with the infected person will transmit the disease.”
“What nonsense! I’ve lived for so many years and never heard of such a disease,” Grandpa Gong exclaimed in shock. Whether it was a psychological effect or not, he felt that something was wrong inside and outside his body.
The people outside the door were even more frightened and moved further away.
Gong Chushan anxiously asked, “Can it be cured?”
Yan Ge replied, “Yes, fortunately, we discovered it in time. I’ll write a prescription, and you should send someone to the pharmacy immediately to get the medicine.”
Grandpa Gong felt a burning sensation on his face. He touched it, and realized that his usually soft cheeks were now hard. He vaguely felt that he had been Infected, and his his face alternated between red and white.
Huangfu Yuchen intentionally asked, “Grandpa Gong, should they buy a dose for you too?”
Grandpa Gong couldn’t speak because of his embarrassment, but he nodded.
Yan Ge smiled as he looked at Huangfu Yuchen. This person never wanted to see him suffer the slightest grievance.
Gong Chushan sent someone to buy the medicine and cooked a pot of it to be consumed by Xiao Shan, Xiao Shan’s parents, Niu Zi, and Xiao Hu.
Niu Zi woke up first, although his body was still very weak. This medicine needed to be taken continuously for half a month to completely cure the disease.
Gong Chushan heaved a sigh of relief and asked, “Niu Zi, where on earth did you guys go? How did you contract this strange disease? If it weren’t for Madam Fang being here, not only would you all have died, but the entire county would have been affected!”
“I…” Niu Zi stuttered, stealing glances at the still unconscious Xiao Hu on the other bed.
“At this point, what is there to hide!” Gong Chushan slammed the table, exerting the authority of the county’s leader. “Madam Fang said that this disease is contracted from decaying corpses and skeletons. We must completely destroy them. Otherwise, if someone else comes into contact, they will also get infected. If you don’t speak up, I will personally punish you!”
Niu Zi trembled under his scolding and finally said, “It’s… the three of us have always wanted to explore outside the mountains, but we didn’t have any money. Xiao Hu said that a long time ago, a member of the royal family came here, and his body was buried under the mountain temple along with the treasures of gold and silver he brought. So we…”
“So you went to dig for the treasures of gold and silver?” Gong Chushan asked.
“Mm…” Niu Zi nodded, “We dug up a body first…”
“I understand,” Uncle Gong looked at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, his expression unfriendly. “How did Niu Zi and the others suddenly want to leave the mountains? I heard that they were with the two of you yesterday afternoon. Could it be that you said something to instigate them, leading them to think of digging for the treasures of gold and silver in the mountain temple?”
“That’s right. If not for that, they wouldn’t have contracted this strange disease,” Grandpa Gong added.
Yan Ge became furious.
Huangfu Yuchen’s face also turned serious. “Indeed, they took action yesterday, influenced to some extent by the actions of my wife and me. I won’t deny this. But Uncle Gong, didn’t you hear Niu Zi say that the three of them have always wanted to explore outside the mountains? Even if we hadn’t come to Rong County, they would have made the same decision one day. It was just a matter of time. If my wife hadn’t been here, Uncle Gong, you should think about the consequences.”
Uncle Gong, Grandpa Gong, and Master Gong were left speechless.
Yan Ge smiled faintly and calmly said, “Now that things have come to this point, I understand the true reason why the three of you don’t want to develop Rong County. On one hand, it is indeed because you consider it a place of safety, preferring to stay secluded. On the other hand, it’s because only in isolation can the three of you be the masters surpassing the county magistrate. Otherwise, why do you always address Magistrate Gong directly by name and not title? It is as if you are constantly reminding him not to forget your past favors. Am I right?”
The expressions on the faces of the three Gong elders grew increasingly grim.
Yan Ge didn’t give them a chance to speak and continued, “You haven’t considered the future generations at all. You don’t want to leave, but have you ever asked them if they want to go out and see the outside world? Can you decide their entire lives?”
A man in his thirties grinned foolishly. “Although I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about, I also want to go out. I’m still young, and with my strength, I can venture out and earn money to support my family. I need to prepare a dowry for my daughter’s marriage and find a daughter-in-law for my son in the future.”
“I also want to go out. Even if I can’t make a fortune, it would be nice to go out and see,” another middle-aged man chimed in with a smile. “I’ve never been outside the mountains in my entire life.”
“I want to go out too!” shouted a young man in his twenties.
The young people around him echoed in agreement.
The gaze of the three Gong elders swept across the faces of the young people, and they remained silent for a long time.
“Magistrate Gong, what do you say?” Huangfu Yuchen asked calmly. “My wife and I don’t have so much time to waste here.”
Gong Chushan said, “Today’s incident is a profound lesson. Young Master Fang, Madam Fang, this matter will be decided by me. I request both of you to start the work as soon as possible. I will inform the people of the entire county about this, and I believe they will be delighted upon hearing the news.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded. “My wife and I will return to the post station for now. Once everything is arranged, we will have someone notify you.”
“Okay.”
The people crowded around Gong Chushan to inquire about what was happening. Upon hearing that there was a real chance to leave the mountains, they were all overjoyed.
At this moment, the three respected elders, who were usually held in high regard, stood alone, feeling desolate in their hearts.
Soon, the entire county town became lively, as if celebrating the New Year.
Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Ge, “Where can we find such a long iron cable?”
Yan Ge extended his hand and said, “Give me two thousand taels first.” To obtain a long and thick iron cable, he had to spend money in the system store. And for that, Huangfu Yuchen had to provide the funds.
Huangfu Yuchen readily took out two one-thousand-tael silver bills from his pouch. “Is this enough?”
Yan Ge accepted the silver bills, smiled, and put them into his pouch, patting it. “Five hundred taels will be more than enough.”
The iron cable in the store wasn’t worth much.
“So, why did you ask for two thousand taels?” Huangfu Yuchen regretted being too generous.
Yan Ge counted on his fingers to explain, “The surplus is for my hard work fee, intermediary fee, sleep loss fee, oh, and the medical fee just now, as well as the water-spilling fee for wasting so much saliva.”
Huangfu Yuchen: “…”
