62 Herbal Auction (1/2)

As soon as the party reached Jiu Ding City, they smelled the pungent scent of Chinese medicine.

”Master Chen, What kind of medicine are you planning on purchasing? Ginseng, Astragalus, Lingzhi mushroom, Saussurea, Dong Quai or Solomon's-seal? They have everything.”

”It doesn't matter what kind of herbs they are, as long as they are old, preferably ancient.” Chen Fan said lightly.

He was not going to use the herbs themselves, but to extract the Spirit Qi that was absorbed in the herbs.

Wu Shanhe was taken aback by Chen Fan's words. The key to using Chinese medicine was a good combination of different herbs. A thousand-year-old Ginseng was useless without the aid of some of the most common ingredients. That, however, was the conventional way of using herbs. Considering Chen Fan's otherworldly power, Wu Shanhe decided to keep his doubts unspoken.

”I think we will have the best luck finding old herbs at those older shops.” Wu Shanhe pondered for a second and then said, ”Master Chen, follow me.”

He led the way since he was familiar with the city. Soon, they arrived at a shop with a grand storefront.

The store's name was the Hall of a Hundred Medicines.

”Although merchants from all over China flocked to the Jiu Ding City, the business was dominated by a few families. The Hall of a Hundred Medicines was owned by one of those hegemony families. It had over three hundred years of history, one of the oldest in China.”

The three walked into the store, and they were greeted by the salesperson.

A sales representative was necessary for the Hall of a Hundred Medicines since their customers were not herb wholesalers, but people coming to seek precious herbal ingredients.

”I want to see your chief apothecary.”

Master Wu announced proudly. He sounded like a different person when he was speaking to Chen Fan.

”May I know who am I speaking to?”

The sales person was caught off guard by Master Wu's request.

At places like the Hall of a Hundred Medicines, the one who called the shots were not the managers, it was the Chief Apothecary. Most of these apothecaries were renowned Chinese medicine doctors and were invaluable to the store.

”My name is Wu Shanhe.”Master Wu brushed his long beard and said proudly.

”Ok, please wait for a second.”

Despite his confusion, the salesperson went to the back of the store to find the chief apothecary.

Chen Fan and Master Wu sat down at the waiting area, and an employee of the store served them two cups of high-grade tea. They didn't have to wait long before they heard quick footsteps coming from the back of the store. An old man in his sixties with a snowy beard walked into the waiting area.

”Ah-ha! Master Wu! Why didn't you give us a heads up before you came so that we could serve you better.” The old man walked over to Master Wu and said respectfully.

Seeing the surprise in the eyes of A'Xiu and the salesperson, Master Wu hung a smug smile on his face.

He might be a nobody in the Jiang Bei region; however, he was considered a grand master here in the Zhong Zhou Province and was a frequent guest of honor at the houses of the rich and powerful.

Chen Fan gave Master Wu a glance, which quickly brought things into perspective for Master Wu. The smug smile on his face disappeared, and he hurried to ask about the medicine.

”My… young friend wants to buy some old herbs. I wonder if you have any?”

”Um…” The chief Apothecary paused a second and then said hesitantly, ”I am sorry, but a young lady has just bought up all the precious herbs from the entire city. I don't even have a fifty-year-old ginseng, not to mention ones that are over a hundred-year-old.”

”Really? She's got some deep pockets.” Master Wu was shocked.

Ginseng that was over a hundred years old was sold by the gram. It could fetch as much as a few tens of thousands of yuan per gram, as such, one single ginseng would cost over a few million. If the buyer had purchased all the ancient ginseng in the city, she must have spent an unimaginable amount of money.

”Rumor has it that she was from a prominent family in Hong Kong. But that's just the rumor.” The old man shook his head.

Master Wu paused a second and gave Chen Fan a helpless look.

Chen Fan furrowed his brows and then said, ”There is nowhere else I can find old herbs in the city?”

”Well, yes, and no…” The old man hesitated and then shot Master Wu a glance. ”Have you heard of the auction?”

”The auction for precious herbs? I thought that was just fake news.” Master Wu asked.