Chapter 683: Bankruptcy

Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations

There’s a technique known as internal viewing, and Chu Qingzhi, having practiced it on herself countless times, knows her body’s anatomy like the back of her hand. This technique can also be applied to others, making minor surgeries a breeze.

For her two disciples, witnessing this for the first time, Chu Qingzhi didn’t let them wield the scalpel but rather observed. And under her guidance, their understanding of medicine deepened anew.

Despite the incisions, there was no bloodshed; a couple of cuts revealed the fractured bone…

Each move was executed with precision and ease, as if she had performed this operation countless times before.

Under their watchful eyes, Chu Qingzhi meticulously removed the tiny, useless bone fragments. The larger pieces were secured with bone screws, which would eventually integrate with the bone, eliminating the need for removal. This step, akin to threading a needle, was intricate and took a full hour. Following that, she stitched the flesh, applied medicine, and bandaged the wound.

Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang exchanged looks. It seemed straightforward, yet the thought of attempting it themselves was daunting.

Chu Qingzhi instructed her disciples, “From nowon, practice dissection on freshly deceased animals until you can perform it without causing bleeding. Only then can we talk about operating on people.”

They solemnly agreed, understanding the gravity of performing surgery without the requisite skill.

After checking on Yan Yixian, who looked stable, Chu Qingzhi said, “Once he wakes up, brew him a bowl of anti-inflammatory medicine.”

She had taught them the recipe long ago.

“Yes, Master.”

After leaving the surgery tent, Chu Qingzhi returned to her dispensary, shedding her surgical attire.

“I must leave now. Once he wakes and has taken his medicine, have him sent home. Tell him to rest for three months. After that, he can resume normal activities. If he disregards the advice, the surgery would have been for naught, and he’ll suffer lifelong complications.”

“Master, we understand.”

With that, Chu Qingzhi departed from the camp.

After seeing her off, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang discussed where to procure animal corpses for dissection practice.

Yuan Hongjun frowned, “Little Abalone, to reach Master’s level, we’ll need quite a few animal corpses, won’t we?”

Bao Linjiang, ever so confident, boasted, “I know what you’re thinking, and I’ve already figured out where to get them.”

Yuan Hongjun immediately asked, “Where?”

Bao Linjiang hesitated, then teased, “Why should I tell you?”

Yuan Hongjun, resorting to blackmail, threatened with a grin, “If you don’t tell me, I’ll spill to Rong Shiyu that you were still wetting your bed at seven.”

Bao Linjiang, outraged, retorted, “Who wet their bed at seven?”

Yuan Hongjundeclared, “You did!”

After a glaring match, Bao Linjiangcooled down and proposed, “Let’s duel!”

Yuan Hongjun gestured, “Bring it on!”

However, their duel never materialized, as Yan Yixian soon woke up…

Eventually, Bao Linjiang, in a grand gesture of magnanimity, revealed the source of animal corpses: the camp’s kitchen staff.

The military camp’s daily poultry slaughtering provided an abundance of fresh specimens, ensuring they’d never run short.

At the Chu Family Paper Mill.

In the study, Chu Feng placed a booklet in front of Chu Qingzhi, “Sister Qingzhi, here’s the evaluation chart for everyone in the workshop, absolutely fair.”

Chu Qingzhi, without a word, began to meticulously review the booklet.

The workshop, including the gatekeeper, now had a total of thirty-five people. Chu Feng scored each person daily based on his observations, a secret process intended to aid Chu Qingzhi in selecting supervisors for the workshop.

After going through the list from top to bottom, she picked out the three highest-scoring individuals: Chu Qingxiang, Gao Zhenghui, and Yu Yongsheng. “Brother Feng, please call these three to the study. I need to speak with them.”

“I’ll get them right away.”

Chu Qingzhi’s plan was for these three to start producing tissue paper. Once they were trained, she intended to expand the operation to form a production line.

Going forward, the workshop would produce three products: packaging paper, Xuan paper, and tissue paper.

Chu Feng quickly summoned the individuals. Chu Qingxiang was from Chu Village, while the other two were former paper mill employees who had pleaded with Chu Qingzhi to let them return after hearing the paper mill was reopening. Considering their families’ poor circumstances, Chu Qingzhi had agreed.

Chu Qingzhi’s gaze swept over the three men, “Let’s get straight to the point. I plan to produce a completely new kind of paper…”

She stood up, handing each of them a piece of tissue paper, “What you’re holding is what I want you to make. I’ve brought you here to switch to producing this type of paper. I won’t force you; those willing to stay can stay, and those unwilling can leave. Think it over.”

These people followed the master of paper-making because they wanted to learn paper-making techniques. This was a very popular industry with a good future. They might not be willing to give up.

As expected, Yu Yongsheng hesitated and, after struggling internally for a while, apologized to Chu Qingzhi and left the study.

Chu Qingzhi wasn’t bothered as two were still interested. “Brother Feng, call Sun Hongchuan in.”

“Okay.”

Sun Hongchuan arrived quickly, “Miss, the manager told me. I’m willing.”

“Good,” Chu Qingzhi stood, “Follow me.”

She led the three to the paper-making room where she conducted her experiments. She explained the concept, production process, and market potential of tissue paper before moving on to hands-on training.

After hearing Chu Qingzhi’s explanation, the men felt a surge of enthusiasm, approaching the task with unprecedented seriousness.

Within half an hour, they had gotten the hang of it, and Chu Qingzhi left them to their work.

She returned to the study to design the packaging for the tissue paper, planning to produce some samples.

With samples ready, she could start discussing business.

In the Chu family in the county city.

The butler rushed into the inner hall, his face etched with tension, “Madam, the debt collectors are here again.”

Wang Peifang was at her wit’s end. Since Chu Zhongyuan’s death, the family business had declined daily, leading to the gradual downfall of the Chu household. Shops were sold, businesses were transferred, and the servants had been dismissed one by one, leaving only the mansion and the aging butler.

Chu Zhongyuan’s parents couldn’t bear the news of their son’s death and had deteriorated physically. Blaming them, Wang Peifang had forcefully sent them back to the village, where they now lived in poverty.

Her son was constantly ill, and most of the family’s remaining funds were spent on his medical bills.

The relentless knocking terrified Wang Peifang, who couldn’t bear the pressure anymore. She yelled, “Butler, open the door. Let them take whatever they want and get them to leave.”

But the debt collectors, seeing her vulnerable state, took over the Chu residence, evicting her and her son along with the old butler.

With a heavy heart, the butler said, “Madam, I must leave now. Take care of yourself and the young master.” He then walked away without looking back.

“Butler, butler…” Wang Peifang’s cries went unanswered. In her moment of despair, she thought of Chu Qingzhi, “That’s right, it’s time to seek help from Chu Qingzhi, who we’ve raised for over a decade.”

With this thought, Wang Peifang led her son towards Chu Village.