Chinese Medicine: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 564: Chapter 564: Revisiting Elder Li

"Doctor Li, what should we do? Are we still coming tomorrow?"

Ding Kaifang asked.

Li Xu thought for a moment, then said, "We have plenty of Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance. It wouldn’t be out of the question to part with a little as a favor."

"But..."

His tone shifted. "It depends on how much they need. If they just want ten grams or so for a medicine guide, worth a few hundred thousand yuan, we can just give it to them to save face."

"If he wants more... then it’ll be at market price."

"Got it. We’ll follow your lead."

...

They returned to Feng City from the provincial capital.

Night had already fallen.

The streets twinkled with neon lights.

After having dinner out with Ding Kaifang, Li Xu returned to the clinic and went to the warehouse.

He took the precious, grayish-white Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance from the temperature-controlled cabinet. Using a cutting blade, he carefully sliced off a small piece weighing about ten grams and placed it in a wooden box.

He planned to take it to Zhang Yarong in the provincial capital tomorrow.

「The next morning.」

Li Xu habitually opened the system interface to check the intelligence.

[Today’s Intelligence: Elder Li knows a folk expert. This person has spent his entire life studying the cultivation, processing, and identification of Chinese medicinal herbs. His understanding of medicinal properties and his ability to distinguish authentic items from fakes far surpasses Zhang Yarong’s. In front of this expert, Zhang Yarong’s skills are like those of a primary school student...]

"Huh?"

Li Xu stared at the intelligence report, overjoyed.

What a surprising turn of events. A light at the end of the tunnel.

He never would have thought that a hidden master of this caliber was right here in Feng City.

Especially the system’s evaluation: "In front of this expert, Zhang Yarong is like a primary school student."

The value of that statement spoke for itself.

’In that case, why bother going all the way to the provincial capital to hire Zhang Yarong?’

’That old man is greedy, puts on airs, and his skills might not even be as good as this folk expert’s.’

Li Xu made his decision without hesitation.

He trusted the system.

The folk expert it had pointed him to was, without a doubt, a hundred times better than the money-grubbing Professor Zhang, both in terms of professionalism and character.

Just as he was thinking about this, his phone rang.

It was Ding Kaifang. "Doctor Li, morning. When are we heading to the provincial capital? I’ve got the driver waiting downstairs."

Li Xu smiled, his voice relaxed. "Old Ding, not so fast. I thought about it last night. That Zhang Yarong... we’re not hiring him."

"Huh?" Ding Kaifang was stunned, clearly not following. "Not hiring him? Why? Didn’t we specifically prepare the Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance?"

"That old man is too greedy and his character is questionable. He’s not a good fit for our team."

Li Xu said calmly, "I’ll look for someone else, someone more suitable."

"As for the Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance, if Professor Zhang really needs it to save a life, he can send someone here to buy it. I’m absolutely not running to the provincial capital again just to deliver it to his doorstep like a courier. Our medicine isn’t for sale on the cheap, and it certainly won’t be given away to people who don’t know the meaning of respect."

Ding Kaifang was silent for two seconds, then burst out laughing. "Hahahaha, Doctor Li, you’re right! I couldn’t stand him either, with that high-and-mighty attitude, acting like we were begging him. Alright, I’m with you. We won’t hire him."

Li Xu added, "It’s been a while since we visited Elder Li. We just got this Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance, so let’s give some to him. Let the old man enjoy the scent."

"Great idea."

Ding Kaifang perked up at the suggestion. "It’s been so long since I’ve had Elder Li’s cooking! I can still taste that fugu banquet from last time. Let’s go, let’s go, time to freeload a meal."

After hanging up, Li Xu called Elder Li.

"Elder Li, are you well? I was hoping to come over and freeload a meal for lunch, if it’s convenient."

On the other end of the line, Elder Li’s voice was full of vigor, and he sounded delighted. "Convenient? Of course, it’s convenient! Xiao Li, your timing is perfect. An old friend gave me some top-grade river shrimp a few days ago. They’ve been in the tank for days, and I was just wondering who would help me finish them off. It’s great that you’re coming. We’ll eat them today!"

After setting a time, Li Xu picked up his phone again and found the number for Zhang Yarong that he had saved yesterday.

When the call connected, Zhang Yarong asked expectantly, "Hello, is this Dr. Li? When are you arriving? We’re all waiting for you here."

Li Xu’s tone was flat. "My apologies, Professor Zhang. Something has come up today, so I won’t be coming to the provincial capital."

"You’re not coming? Then what about my medicine?"

Zhang Yarong was suddenly anxious. "My brother-in-law’s illness can’t wait!"

"The medicine is in Feng City. If you’re in urgent need, you can send someone to come and buy it."

Li Xu said unhurriedly, "You know the address."

Zhang Yarong clearly hadn’t expected Li Xu to suddenly go back on his word. He became furious out of embarrassment. "Dr. Li, what is the meaning of this? Didn’t we have an agreement yesterday? You’re breaking your promise. Do you still want me to come to your pharmaceutical factory or not? Let me tell you, that pharmaceutical company in the provincial capital is very sincere. They’ve been pressuring me to sign the contract."

This was a blatant threat.

Li Xu sneered inwardly.

’Threatening me with the job offer?’

’Do you really think we can’t manage without you?’

"Professor Zhang, since they’re so sincere, you should go with them. Our temple is too small to house a great Buddha like you. As for the medicine, it’s a free market. Do as you wish."

With that, Li Xu hung up the phone.

Listening to the dial tone, Zhang Yarong, back in the provincial capital, was so angry he almost smashed his phone.

...

It was noon, and the sun was shining brightly.

Ding Kaifang drove the car, picking up Li Xu and Song Sisi. They arrived at Li Garden, laughing and chatting all the way.

Li Garden was as tranquil and elegant as ever.

After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, Li Xu took out the wooden box and handed it to Elder Li.

"Elder Li, this is a little trinket we happened upon at sea. We brought it back for you to enjoy."

Elder Li opened the box, and a subtle fragrance wafted out.

His eyes lit up. He carefully took out the grayish-white object, studied it for a long time, then brought it closer to smell it.

"Is this... Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance?"

Elder Li looked up in pleasant surprise, his eyes filled with disbelief. "And it’s the top-grade grayish-white variety! This stuff is more expensive than gold these days. Li Xu, this is far too generous."

He was a man of vast experience and knew just how precious Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance was.

This was true "floating gold of the sea," a Divine Medicine that one could only hope to encounter by chance.

"How do I use it?"

Elder Li asked humbly, like a child who had just received a new toy.

"It can be used in medicine or as incense."

Li Xu explained, "If you use it as incense, you only need to slice off a tiny amount and place it in an incense burner to be heated indirectly. Its fragrance can calm the spirit, soothe shock, and clear the senses. It’s extremely beneficial for the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health of the elderly."

"Alright, let’s try it then."

Elder Li immediately had the housekeeper bring an incense burner and a mica sheet.

Li Xu took over, scraping a tiny bit of powder off with a knife and placing it on the mica sheet.

As the charcoal provided a gentle warmth, a wisp of faint blue smoke, exceptionally elegant yet incredibly rich, curled upwards.

The fragrance wasn’t overpowering, but it seemed to have a life of its own, instantly threading its way into everyone’s nostrils and reaching deep into their lungs.

Everyone felt their spirits lift. Their minds, which had been groggy from the summer heat, were instantly cleared, and a sense of peace and tranquility filled their hearts.

"What a fragrance. It truly is a divine object."

Elder Li took a deep breath, full of admiration.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!