Chapter 1694: Chapter 1694: Arrogant

Lord Fang from the Ministry of Revenue said, "That is exceptionally well done. Currently, most of the Convenient Medicine in the market is produced by Yuanzi Pharmacy. Being the first seller of Convenient Medicine, it has gained a reputation among the people, and its business fares better than Chushen Pharmacy and Shi Lu Medicine Store."

He added another remark, "However, Yuanzi Pharmacy’s Convenient Medicines are typically for treating colds and coughs, and they sell relatively cheaply. Wealthy families prefer buying Chushen Pharmacy’s Convenient Medicine for health maintenance."

Chushen Pharmacy relies on being affiliated with the Founding Princess’s husband’s family to sell various health-maintaining pills that are extremely expensive. Their business is limited to the circle of officials and cannot expand into the general populace.

Emperor Jingyuan sneered, "Since business is so good, let them offer some medicine."

These words heavily impacted both Yuanzi Pharmacy and Chushen Pharmacy.

"Yes, I will relay the order to their head, instructing them to prepare the medicinal materials," Lord Fang quickly responded, fearing Emperor Jingyuan might remember Shi Lu Medicine Store.

"And Knife Injury Medicine, urgently needed by the soldiers in the Northwest; let their pharmacy deliver the medicine nearby. If they dare to delay the battle causing the city to fall, they needn’t bother living," Emperor Jingyuan wouldn’t show courtesy to Chushen Pharmacy. The Founding Princess is dead, and Chushen Pharmacy still relies on the royal family’s name for business, so naturally, he must take advantage.

"Yes." Lord Fang then mentioned the issue of collecting ten percent tax from various local shops: "The Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, Ministry of Justice, and Da Li Temple have agreed on the procedures. Tomorrow, the three ministries and the temple will go to various places to collect taxes. The Imperial Medical Bureau will also accompany them to clear poisonous insects and heal the people."

The Ministry of War accompanying them was Emperor Jingyuan’s requirement, and he gave the Ministry of War the verbal command to kill anyone who dared not pay the tax.

Emperor Jingyuan frowned, "Too slow. All the taxes from the Capital’s shops must be collected within ten days, prepare the supplies well and send them to the soldiers!"

Emperor’s decree left the noble families with no time to spare.

The accounts of the Capital’s shops are unlikely to be kept; better let the shops in Zhili and other regions prepare their accounts quickly.

"Yes," answered Lord Fang.

Emperor Jingyuan glanced at Doctor Shao, then said to Lord Fang, "Allocate one hundred taels of gold from the Ministry of Revenue and send it along with the army’s supplies to the Northwest for the Gu Family. The Gu Family has been commendable in making medicine for Kangrong, deserving generous reward. The Emperor grants her gold, wishing she continues assisting her husband, and together contribute further to the court."

Since Shaohua favors this young couple, he rewards the Gu Family, granting them benefits.

However, Qin San Lang is intended for Kangrong; his promotion must not be taken lightly, better to suppress it and temporarily promote him to Troop Commander.

"Yes, I will handle it," Lord Fang, though surprised, knew that Emperor Jingyuan disliked the Gu Family, thinking she was too involved, defying traditional norms, wishing to condemn her. Yet, suddenly rewarding the Gu Family and speaking about generous treatment was unexpected.

The term ’generous treatment’ meant that, as long as the Gu Family were wise, they understood it allowed them to rule in the Northwest.

It seemed like a letter detailing Gu Jinli’s situation should be dispatched to the Master, bringing him joy since she is his granddaughter.

After assigning tasks to Lord Fang, Emperor Jingyuan bade him farewell.

Emperor Jingyuan, inspired by the Empress’s mirth, was quite pleased and instructed the eunuch to inform Princess Consort Yi to prepare some dishes; he would dine at her palace that night.

Princess Consort Yi, hearing, eased her anxiety after a day of nervousness.

It seemed Emperor Jingyuan was not angry over the Eighth Prince’s clash with the Empress.

"Inform His Majesty that this Consort will personally cook and wait for His Majesty’s return with Brother Dun," Princess Yi said, instructing the palace maid to escort the eunuch away, also handing him reward silver.

Yet, Princess Consort Yi waited until midnight, but Emperor Jingyuan did not arrive.

In the Capital, Zhili, and other regions, a poisonous insect disease emerged, affecting entire villages, resulting in half the village’s death due to untimely medication.

More frightening was that the poisonous insects crawled into rivers, streams, and wells, harming many.

Bad tidings arrived one after another on the official desk; Emperor Jingyuan had no time to visit Princess Consort Yi’s palace.

Fortunately, the Gu Family’s Insect Attractant was effective, and Emperor Jingyuan issued a strict command deploying soldiers from the Capital Suburb Camp to kill insects. After ten days of endeavor, they nearly eradicated the poisonous insects in the Capital.

Emperor Jingyuan inquired about the Capital’s shop taxes, only to learn they were delayed due to the poisonous insect disease, provoking his wrath: "Do you wish to die? The Capital’s poisonous insect disease has Insect Attractant to remedy; who permitted the delay in collecting shop taxes? Tell me which official paused it, I’ll have them executed!"

To appease Emperor Jingyuan’s fury, Lord Fang had to execute two minor officials from the Ministry of Revenue, expediting the shop tax collection in the Capital.

By June 8th, they finally collected ten percent tax from the Capital’s shops and then targeted Zhili.

...

At this time, He’an Prefecture also experienced a poisonous insect disease; fortunately, Gu Jinli had already sent the prescription back, and Doctor Wu led people in making a considerable amount of Insect Attractant.

Based on experience, they revised the formula, enhancing the effectiveness of the Insect Attractant.

Thus, when the officials from the court’s three ministries and one temple arrived at He’an Prefecture, the rotworm disease was already controlled, and though the people were still fearful, they resumed daily life as usual.

Imperial Doctor Lin, seeing the shops open and a bustling scene in He’an Prefecture, was astonished: "Did no poisonous insect disease occur here? Why is it so lively?"

The minor official from the Ministry of Revenue found the scene quite favorable: with shops open and stalls set up, taxes could be collected; if closed, no silver would be gathered.

Magistrate Gu, hearing this, was very pleased yet restrained his laughter: "Gentlemen, it must be said that He’an Prefecture did have poisonous insects, but not as much as other prefectures."

Imperial Doctor Lin, informed beforehand, asked, "Was it that Doctor Wu prepared Insect Attractant in advance?"

Magistrate Gu was shocked, fearing the court might punish the Gu Family for sending the prescription back to their hometown after presenting it to the court.

Imperial Doctor Lin, noticing Magistrate Gu’s silence as if pondering words, smiled, "Magistrate Gu, be not afraid; this is commendable, and His Majesty won’t hold blame."

Phew, Magistrate Gu exhaled relief; he knew Emperor Jingyuan’s temperament well and feared erring and losing his head.

"Can’t you all stop talking? Northwest soldiers await silver for military salary; hurry to the government office, prepare, and lead us to the shops for tax collection!" The Ministry of War sent a gruff Company Commander, who disliked civil servants talking in verbose; not only tiresome, sometimes incomprehensible, prefers silver’s usefulness.

"Indeed, this brother has a point. Let us proceed to the government office." Magistrate Gu, leading the government office officials, received the three ministries and one temple officers.

Meanwhile, news of numerous court officials’ arrival swiftly spread throughout He’an Prefecture.

"The court sent officials who brought along many medicinal materials; it’s said some pharmacy donated them, and this time we can receive substantial medicinal materials for free."

"Ha, this unlucky stuff isn’t desirable even as freebies."

"You fool, how is it ’unlucky stuff’? Medicinal materials are incredibly scarce nowadays; being freebies, whether needed or not, we can sell them for profit!"

Mrs. Chen, hearing this, scolded, "You group of heartless folks! This is court’s goodwill for our illnesses; you intend to profit off court’s offerings? How greedy! Show some shame!"

Her words irked the surrounding women, pointing back at her: "In the entire Prefecture city, if anyone should be shamed for greed and lacking face, it’s you, Mrs. Chen!"

Mrs. Chen sneered, "Oh, you’re all dissatisfied. My niece produced such life-saving medicine, and I scold you, what’s the problem? If dissatisfied, have your niece make Insect Attractant, which I doubt happens; yours likely only concocts poison harming others!"

After scolding, she held her chin high, directing her nostrils at them with extreme arrogance.

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