Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Shopkeeper Li let out an "Ah?" and said, "What?"

Huo Jilin repeated himself—he had decided on the name using Chen Jue's surname.

This time, Shopkeeper Li looked at Huo Jilin in shock. "Huo... Boss Huo, why not use your own surname?"

Even if he didn't use his own surname, how could he use his husband's? Although he knew the medicine was made by his husband, in this era, a husband usually stood behind his spouse.

Huo Jilin smiled. "Is there a problem? This medicine was made by my husband, so he has the right to name it after himself. In this pharmaceutical business, I'm in the same position as you, Shopkeeper Li."

Shopkeeper Li gave an awkward laugh. "Boss Huo, you're joking. How could my position compare to yours?"

Huo Jilin said seriously, "My husband comes from a family of physicians. You can rest assured about the medicine he makes. We'll also regularly have Old Doctor Tang come by to supervise the production on-site."

Shopkeeper Li quickly said, "There's no problem with the medicine at all. Old Doctor Tang just personally verified it earlier. I trust Young Master Chen, I—"

Huo Jilin knew what he was worried about and said calmly, "What concerns my husband concerns me. I'll always have his back. You can contact me about any issues.

The name of this pharmaceutical company represents my sincerity—medicine should be made by the most qualified people."

Shopkeeper Li breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Chen Jue was skilled, especially in medicine-making, but Chen Jue still had some shortcomings. Now with Boss Huo providing support from behind, there was nothing to worry about.

Huo Jilin using Chen Jue's surname for their pharmaceutical company's name was indeed as he said—what he had was Chen Jue's, and what Chen Jue had was his, right? So using his name was no problem.

Although he also wanted to put his own surname alongside Chen Jue's, to be safe, he decided against it.

He couldn't reveal his surname right now.

Just as he hadn't yet taken up the post of Regional Commander of Dongling County, the Huo family was still under a cloud of disgrace. If he took the post now, it could be seen as an affront and cost him his life.

Though the probability was low, he still had Chen Jue to think about, so he had to be careful.

Before the Crown Prince officially ascended the throne, he didn't want to draw too much attention.

Seeing that he had made his decision, Shopkeeper Li personally brought out paper for Huo Jilin to write down the name of their pharmaceutical company.

After writing the name, Huo Jilin settled some other matters with him and then took his leave.

Shopkeeper Li personally saw him out and silently watched as he rode off.

It wasn't just Young Master Chen who had grown formidable—his husband had become just as impressive.

If it had been the old Young Master Huo, he would've hesitated, but the current Boss Huo gave him confidence.

If Huo Jilin was his partner, then the stronger he was, the more reassuring it was.

This Boss Huo had already reached a level that commanded respect. Dongling County really was full of hidden talents.

After finalizing the cooperation with Jishi Hall, Huo Jilin didn't go straight home but bought a bunch of stuff instead.

Mostly food—Chen Jue's nutrition was the top priority now. Although they had solved their food and clothing problems, they were still a long way from proper nutrition.

After shopping, Huo Jilin took a detour back to the eastern street of the pharmacy district. He wanted to visit Shopkeeper Dong. Wanchun Hall and Jishi Hall were at opposite ends of town—one to the east, one to the west.

Huo Jilin taking this detour felt a bit like marrying one daughter to two families, but heaven knows, he wasn't selling the same medicine.

When he came to see Shopkeeper Dong, the latter received him very warmly. "Brother Huo, why haven't you come by to see me in so long? I've been saving this fine tea for you for days now. Come, come, try it—specially supplied for the imperial court."

He eagerly poured tea for Huo Jilin, who smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Dong's business is thriving now, with caterpillar fungus in such high demand that I can only rush to gather herbs on the back end."

They were both exaggerating. The caterpillar fungus venture had only been going for half a month and had only just started spreading in the capital. But judging by Shopkeeper Dong's enthusiasm, the direction Huo Jilin had pointed him in was right.

Sure enough, Shopkeeper Dong gave him a thumbs-up. "This stuff is truly wonderful! I've been drinking it for half a month straight, and I feel like my breathing has gotten much smoother! During that cold snap a couple of days ago, my wife—who'd always catch a cold in past years—was completely fine this year. She said it was because of this stuff."

Huo Jilin smiled. "Your wife's in good spirits. Seeing you so pleased with yourself every day, she's happy for you too. When one's mood is good, one's health naturally follows."

The placebo effect can be powerful when it kicks in. A lot of nutritional supplements work through psychological effects.

Caterpillar fungus is a great tonic, but it doesn't work that fast. Shopkeeper Dong was exaggerating a bit.

Shopkeeper Dong laughed heartily. "Brother Huo, you're a real character."

Huo Jilin took a sip of tea and said with a faint smile, "We're business partners. There's no need for all that empty politeness between us. What I give you, Shopkeeper Dong, are warming tonics—gentle and nourishing, nothing harsh. Taken long-term, they'll prolong your life. What works fast is strong medicine, and all medicine has side effects."

Shopkeeper Dong nodded repeatedly. "You're right. Every time I see you, Boss Huo, I learn something new, and I can explain things better to my customers."

Huo Jilin froze with the teacup in his hand—the way he talked made him sound like some kind of pyramid scheme salesman.

But he was telling the truth.

Luckily, Shopkeeper Dong quickly changed the subject. He leaned forward and said in a low voice, "It's not just the nobles in the capital who know about our caterpillar fungus—even the imperial consorts in the palace have started using it."

Huo Jilin raised an eyebrow. That fast?

No testing first?

Shopkeeper Dong smiled mysteriously. "Our Wanchun Hall has connections at court and in the palace. Most importantly, the symbolism of our caterpillar fungus is too auspicious—a worm on the brink of death in winter is brought back to life by a seed in spring... The one up in the palace believes in that sort of thing..."

He pointed a finger upward. Huo Jilin's eyelids drooped. He knew the Old Emperor didn't have much time left—otherwise, why would nine princes be fighting over the succession and colluding with foreign invaders?

It really did seem like he was nearing his end.

Emperors throughout history had all sought immortality—even Qin Shi Huang couldn't escape that desire, let alone anyone else.

So Huo Jilin wasn't surprised the Old Emperor had taken a liking to this medicine.

It was far better than those alchemical elixirs.

Those elixirs were the real killers.

Luckily, caterpillar fungus was a gentle tonic. Even if the Old Emperor started taking it now, it wouldn't work that fast.

He was hoping the Old Emperor would kick the bucket soon.

The Dong family in the capital had gained favor with the palace bigwigs because of this caterpillar fungus, and they'd praised Shopkeeper Dong to the skies. As a result, Shopkeeper Dong felt very warmly toward Huo Jilin and insisted on keeping him for another cup of tea.

He told Huo Jilin to keep him in mind for any good opportunities, and that Wanchun Hall would do the same for him.

Huo Jilin didn't stand on ceremony and spoke up. "Shopkeeper Dong, there's actually something I'd like to ask you. Do you know any doctor in the capital who specializes in gynecology? I mean a doctor who delivers babies for gē men. My husband's about to give birth, and I want to hire an experienced physician for him."

Shopkeeper Dong slapped his thigh. "Brother Huo, we've got one right here! Old Doctor He at our shop—a former imperial physician who delivered four princes and one princess for the current emperor, plus three royal gēs."

Royal gēs meant gē-class princes.

The current emperor did have several gē consorts. A garden needs beautiful flowers, but the trees should be elegant too—having both flowers and foliage shows off imperial charm.

If he could deliver royal gēs, then this imperial physician's skill was trustworthy. Doctors in this era had strict rankings. Although there were many medical masters among the common people, anyone who reached the rank of imperial physician definitely had exceptional skill.

However, Huo Jilin still confirmed once more: "He really delivers babies for male omegas?"

From Aunt Zhao, the midwife, he learned that there weren't many midwives specializing in delivering male omega babies; most did it on the side. Women giving birth were still the majority, and they were easier to deliver, with an eighty percent survival rate. For male omegas, however, the odds were fifty-fifty—half couldn't conceive at all, and the other half had to rely on luck.

Shopkeeper Dong confirmed with absolute certainty: "Absolutely! Imperial Physician He served in the palace for a full thirty years. He only retired and returned home the year before last, and since coming to our Dongling County, he's already delivered a young omega master for Squire Zhang's family."

Huo Jilin finally felt at ease: "That's wonderful. Then we'll ask Imperial Physician He to help when the time comes. Please let him know for me, and I'll go visit him in person another day."

"Don't worry, leave it to me."

"Alright, Shopkeeper Dong, I'll head back now. My husband is still waiting for me at home—his belly's gotten pretty big now..." Huo Jilin didn't realize how much he rambled on about Chen Jue, even mentioning the child he'd once disliked.

Shopkeeper Dong smiled as he saw him off: "Brother Huo, you really care for your husband..."

This time it was sincere, because no other man had ever come in person to ask about a delivery doctor for his husband.

Of course, Shopkeeper Dong's clients were all wealthy or noble, so they didn't need to come in person either.

Huo Jilin said with certainty: "Of course, he's my husband."

Shopkeeper Dong was also efficient, sliding the banknotes from this batch of cordyceps toward Huo Jilin and saying: "Then please pass these to Chen."

Huo Jilin tucked the banknotes away and went to the government office. Although he wasn't taking up the post of Regional Commander yet, his position was still waiting for him, so his application for the brand name "Chen's Pharmaceutical" went through smoothly.

The magistrate of Dongling County was surnamed Liu.

Magistrate Liu was initially quite surprised—leaving the military for commerce was incomprehensible, as merchants occupied the lowest rung in this society.

"Magistrate Liu, you know I returned from the battlefield. Though I earned some military merit, I was forced to retire due to severe injuries. After coming back to my hometown, I've constantly thought of my comrades in the army and worried about their wounds."

Huo Jilin spoke nonchalantly, which instead made Magistrate Liu feel he was sincere.

Huo Jilin stressed: "The situation of the wounded soldiers is dire. Those severely injured can only wait for death, while those lightly wounded end up deteriorating because of inadequate medicine, leading to countless deaths... So after returning from the battlefield, I've always wanted to do something for them."

Magistrate Liu unconsciously gave him an opening: "Is it this pharmaceutical business—Chen's Pharmaceutical?"

Huo Jilin nodded lightly: "Yes, my husband's ancestors practiced medicine, so he has some medical skill. The medicines produced by Chen's Pharmaceutical are simple remedies for colds and diarrhea..."

Huo Jilin repeated what he'd told Chen Jue, embellishing it with lofty justifications, and finally emphasized that the medicines were ordinary cold and diarrhea remedies, nothing that would put Magistrate Liu in a difficult position.

Sure enough, Magistrate Liu's gaze shifted from shock to grudging admiration.

Magistrate Liu thought to himself: this Huo Lin had earned more than just a bit of military merit. He had connections in the Eastern Camp army as well. The victory in this campaign was Huo Lin's doing, but Huo Lin was shrewd—he'd given up the military merit that delighted the emperor to that Grand General of Valor.

That was Huo Lin's cleverness. Such a great military achievement wasn't something a poor lad from Pingshan Village could hold onto, so it was better to give it away.

Seeing how cooperative he was, the Grand General of Valor granted him the title of Guerrilla General, allowing him to take up his post in Dongling County at any time.

The position of Regional Commander was almost parallel to his own as magistrate. He handled civil affairs, while the Regional Commander was responsible for the defense of the entire Dongling County as a military officer. Though this dynasty suppressed military officers, the power was real—the Regional Commander commanded over a thousand troops.

He never imagined that Huo Lin wouldn't take up the post but instead go into the medicine business, and all for the sake of wounded soldiers. This was beyond his comprehension.

He couldn't understand what Huo Jilin was after.

Everything one does should have some purpose.