Chapter 29: Paying Money and Offering Thanks

Being able to find such an aged ginseng root was already a stroke of good luck, and to happen upon such a prime opportunity to sell it for an exorbitant price was truly a blessing on top of a blessing—enough to make anyone green with envy.

Having just arrived here, securing his first pot of gold was naturally a wonderful thing. Yet, looking at the unfolding situation, it seemed the two parties were about to lose their tempers and come to blows.

This outcome did not please Jia Ping’an.

There was nothing wrong with selling an aged ginseng root for a high price, but if the price became too inflated, even bordering on the ridiculous, then regardless of who ultimately obtained the root, they would likely hold a grudge against him later. That was not his original intention.

Given his current standing, he could not afford to offend these powerful figures just for the sake of profit. Having weighed the situation, Jia Ping’an decided to intervene.

"What is this? Shopkeeper Zhou, are you determined to snatch this ginseng from my Zheng clan today?" Seeing the price bid up to three thousand taels, Zheng Denggao could no longer sit still and was forced to use verbal tactics to resolve the matter.

Three thousand taels had long since surpassed the inherent value of the ginseng. One must not be impulsive in business, or the only one who would regret it later would be oneself.

"Snatch? What kind of talk is that, Shopkeeper Zheng? Young Master Jia is gifting this ginseng for the grand opening of our Zhou Family Ginseng Shop. You are the one stepping in to seize what belongs to someone else—your behavior is the true act of snatching." Zhou Cai had seen the world in Changdu; facing a local bully, he would not easily back down.

Besides, Master Zhou Wenbing was watching. And there was General Hu Buyun of Ningguta as well. Even if the Zheng clan were bold, they would not dare to do anything to him in front of these two, would they?

He represented the Zhou family now. If something were to happen to him, it would certainly reflect poorly on Consort Xian. Unless General Hu wanted to be held in contempt and no longer serve as the General of Ningguta, he would surely not allow him to come to any harm.

With a powerful tree to lean on, Zhou Cai spoke with full confidence, completely disregarding Zheng Denggao’s threats.

"Fine, very fine. Since you insist on this, then I shall let you see the financial strength of the Zheng clan." Seeing that Zhou Cai had no intention of retreating, Zheng Denggao became incensed. He decided that he would secure this ginseng at any cost, if only to slap the face of the Zhou family. As for spending a large sum of money to do so, he was prepared for that.

At the very worst...

At the very worst, he would simply arrange for someone to take the silver back later. Dealing with the son of a banished imperial physician would be as easy as swatting a beggar; what kind of waves could he possibly make?

Sure enough, Jia Ping’an’s fears were realized.

This was what people often called "gods fighting, mortals suffering."

If the situation were allowed to continue, no matter who ended up with the ginseng, the loser would likely vent their fury upon him. This was a scenario Jia Ping’an would absolutely not allow to happen.

Zheng Denggao was worked up and about to call out a higher price. His mouth was already open, and the sound was on the verge of escaping, when a magnetic voice cut in first.

Jia Ping’an was fifteen, having passed through puberty not long ago. Through intentional modulation and the aid of spirit spring water, his voice was clear and resonant, sounding very pleasant to the ear. Especially the words that followed, which sounded even more agreeable to everyone: "Gentlemen, please do not be impatient. In business, harmony brings wealth. How about this? At the price of three thousand taels, there is no need to go higher. Both of you shall have one root each, how about that?"

Originally, everyone had been looking at Zheng Denggao, waiting for him to erupt. But Jia Ping’an’s sudden remark instantly diffused the tense atmosphere and successfully drew everyone’s attention back to him.

Only two breaths after everyone turned their gaze did they grasp the meaning of his words, followed by looks of pure astonishment. What did he mean by "one each"?

Could it be that this youth possessed not just one seventy-or-eighty-year-old ginseng root, but a second one as well?

Such a treasure was a stroke of divine fortune for an ordinary person; how could one obtain two at once?

Yet, standing before so many people, he had made such a claim; surely he wouldn't dare lie? The General of Ningguta was right there. If he made a promise he couldn't keep, he would offend both the Zheng and the Zhou clans. Could his small frame withstand the consequences?

Not to mention that his father was a disgraced official currently in exile; even if Jia Fanghao were still an imperial physician, it would not be enough to quell the wrath of these people.

A minor sixth-rank physician—though an official, he was truly not held in high regard by some.

"Brother An, do not speak nonsense." In the crowd, Tong Weixing heard these words, his complexion changing abruptly. Regardless of the people around, he hurried to dissuade him.

"Wait." Guo Tongfang, sitting beside him, reached out to stop him.

Compared to Master Tong’s anxiety, the former Chamberlain Guo saw things more clearly.

He remembered that Jia Ping’an had previously gifted them two twenty-year-old ginseng roots. If he could produce those, what would be strange about him producing two more today?

Still, thinking this to himself, Guo Tongfang was nonetheless astounded. Having been in Ningguta for over two years, he knew that a twenty-year-old root and one aged seventy or eighty years could not be compared. Could he really produce them?

"Indeed, Young Master Jia, one must not be reckless." After Master Tong, General Hu Buyun also spoke up.

He was still grateful for the youth saving his mother’s life, so if he could lend a hand, he was willing to offer advice. He figured that if he spoke up, both the Zheng and Zhou clans would give him some face and not make things too difficult for Jia Ping’an.

Naturally, Hu Buyun would not clash head-on with the Zheng or Zhou clans for the sake of Jia Ping’an; their relationship had not reached that point. He would only offer help within the scope of his ability. If things became too serious, he would stay silent.

Do not mistake this for heartlessness; in officialdom, one prioritizes maximizing benefits when times are good, and knowing how to avoid risks when danger arises.

If one were to blindly prioritize sentiment and friendship, one would not go far. They say that politics is often the darkest of paths for a reason.

With the General having spoken, everyone looked at Jia Ping’an with even greater scrutiny. They wanted to see how this youth would handle the situation. Some were even gloating inwardly: "Truly, does he think seventy-or-eighty-year-old ginseng is like cabbage, to be found whenever one wants? Claiming to pull out two at once—he’s small in stature, but his arrogance is quite large."

Jia Ping’an absorbed everyone’s gaze and gave a faint, calm smile. He knew that whatever he said now would be useless; only by producing the real thing could he silence the crowd.

Often, actions speak louder than a thousand words.

Under the watchful eyes of all, Jia Ping’an reached into his satchel and produced another rectangular ginseng box.

"He really has another one?"

"I wonder about the quality."

"It wouldn't be another seventy-or-eighty-year-old root, would it?"

"Impossible. Such treasures are incredibly hard to find now. To encounter one is a miracle; how could there be more?"

"Exactly, exactly."

Whispers erupted in the crowd, but everyone’s gaze remained glued to the box he had just produced.

"Shopkeeper Zheng, please." Jia Ping’an generously handed the box to Zheng Denggao.

With a hint of suspicion, Zheng Denggao took it and cautiously opened the lid. After just one glance, his face broke into a wide grin as he quickly closed the box.

"Haha, excellent! Young Master Jia is indeed a man of his word. We of the Zheng clan will take this root." After quickly securing the box, Zheng Denggao’s face was filled with smiles. He rummaged through his robes and produced several bank notes, totaling three thousand taels, and handed them to Jia Ping’an.

"My thanks." Jia Ping’an accepted the notes politely. To the onlookers, the meaning was clear.

Although they hadn't seen the root itself, the fact that Zheng Denggao paid so readily meant the quality was undoubtedly high. It was truly unexpected that this youth actually possessed two seventy-or-eighty-year-old ginseng roots. His luck... was it not a bit too good?

"Young Master Jia, many thanks."

While the crowd was still in a daze, Zhou Cai walked up with a smile and handed another three thousand taels in bank notes to Jia Ping’an.

"Hehe, it is I who should thank you, Shopkeeper Zhou." Jia Ping’an said with a laugh, taking the notes. That made six thousand taels. With grain in the storehouse, one does not fear the coming of disaster. At this moment, Jia Ping’an’s confidence surged.

Thinking back to his recent trip deep into the mountains, where, guided by Xiao Bai, he had discovered an entire area of wild ginseng untouched by human feet—finding over three thousand seedlings alone, all of which were now safely tucked away in his spatial storage—Jia Ping’an felt even more secure.

By comparison, the two roots he had produced today were nothing. His resolve hardened.

He had arrived, and he would witness this era. Perhaps—no, he *would* certainly change it.

Jia Ping’an’s sudden and repeated intervention had eased the tense atmosphere and dissipated the confrontation between the Zhou and Zheng clans.

No fight had broken out, but after the events of today, a deep-seated enmity had undoubtedly been forged between the Zhou and Zheng clans.