Chapter 814: Unexpected Wealth

Editor: Henyee Translations

The two butchers were not evil villains; it was unlikely they would misuse the anesthetic to harm people. Chu Qingzhi said, “I can sell it, but it’s somewhat expensive.”

The butcher really wanted it, “Please tell me.”

Chu Qingzhi explained, “The anesthetic can only be used with a hollow needle. If you want to buy it, you need to purchase both items together. I’ll give you a discount, but it will still cost three taels of silver for a set, and that’s for a small bottle of the anesthetic.”

A small bottle amounted to about one or two taels in volume, which was quite little.

The butcher pondered for a moment, then asked, “How many pigs can one bottle of anesthetic knock out?”

Chu Qingzhi conservatively estimated, “A hundred pigs shouldn’t be a problem.”

The butcher did some quick math. He charged five qian hundred copper coins in labor per pig, so slaughtering six pigs would earn him three taels of silver. Each year, he slaughtered roughly a hundred pigs, which meant he stood to gain significantly.

With that in mind, the butcher decisively said, “Alright, miss, I’ll take it.”

Chu Qingzhi thought to herself, surprised that this could turn into a business opportunity, “Wait a moment, I’ll go get it.”

“Miss, wait.” The other butcher, who had been eavesdropping nearby, also showed interest in Chu Qingzhi’s anesthetic.

Chu Qingzhi turned around, “You want it too?”

No longer hiding his interest, the second butcher nodded, “I want a small bottle too, and the hollow needle.”

“Okay.” Chu Qingzhi retrieved two bottles of anesthetic and two hollow needles from the pharmacy, each set packaged in a small box, “You can come back to buy more when you’ve run out.”

“Thankyou, miss. We will,” the butchers carefully stored their purchases.

Chu Qingzhi cautioned, “The anesthetic is highly concentrated, so make sure children don’t touch it, or it could be life-threatening.”

The first butcher tentatively asked, “What if someone accidentally comes into contact with it?”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Then you have about the time it takes an incense stick to burn to come and find me for a remedy.”

This comment made both butchers grimace, understanding that even good things need to be used correctly to avoid danger, “Miss, we understand.”

“Mhm.” Chu Qingzhi nodded at them and then continued with her tasks.

Chu Yehui came over, smiling as he lightly patted Chu Xuhua’s shoulder.

Chu Xuhua was gathering pig hair and jumped at the sudden touch, turning around to see, “You’re back?”

Chu Yehui had the air of a wealthy young master but didn’t put on airs, smiling, “I came back to buy something from you. No matter what, you have to set some aside for me.”

Chu Xuhua was puzzled; everything available and sellable at the restaurant had been given to him, “What do you need?”

Chu Yehui was excited, “Mushroom and bamboo shoot soy sauce. Do you know, recently there’s been a constant stream of people coming to buy these two sauces, and we’ve sold out.”

These were two new soy sauces recently launched. Chu Xuhua was surprised Chu Yehui came to ask for stock, “They’re selling that well?”

Chu Yehui nodded, “Customers say their children love it, especially for mixing with rice. They say with the sauce, their kids can eat an extra bowl of rice per meal and grow healthier.”

Chu Xuhua asked, “How much do you want? Give me a number, and I’ll send it to you.”

Chu Yehui gestured with one finger, “A thousand bottles of each.”

Chu Xuhua felt troubled, “A thousand bottles of each means I’d have to deliver in three batches; I can’t bring that much at once.”

Chu Yehui was straightforward, “Then let’s do it over three days, 350 bottles a day. Can you manage that?”

Customers loved to take a bottle of sauce home after dining in his restaurant. Sometimes, he used it as gifts for those who spent a lot of money, often attracting many repeat customers. The business was really good.

ChuXuhua agreed, “Okay.”

With business concluded, they relaxed. Chu Yehui grinned, “Why are you guys slaughtering so many pigs?”

Chu Xuhua explained, “Making cured pork, sausages, cured ribs, and sauce meat.”

Chu Yehui’s mouth watered, “It must be good stuff. Make sure to think of me first when it’s ready.”

Chu Xuhua laughed, “If my fifth sister decides to sell them, you’ll be the first to get them for your restaurant.”

Chu Yehui clapped Chu Xuhua’s shoulder, “Good brother!”

Chu Xuhua suggested, “Stay for lunch at my place later. We’ve prepared a lot of pork dishes, all under my fifth sister’s supervision. Don’t miss out.”

Hearing that Chu Qingzhi was in charge of cooking, Chu Yehui’s mouth watered uncontrollably, “Okay.”

Chu Qingzhi’s cooking was famously delicious in the village.

Xu Guannan and Fang Mingyi stepped into Chu Village, feeling as if they had entered the festive season with its bustling atmosphere.

Fang Mingyi glanced around, “Looks like there’s a big event happening in the village!”

Xu Guannan’s handsome face showed a slight smile, “Let’s go see.”

They quickened their pace.

Soon after, Zhuo Yanhai’s voice followed from behind, “Wait for this old man, will you? Are you doing this on purpose, walking so fast I can’t keep up?”

Zhuo Yanhai, a man in his fifties, was in charge of the Yunfei Academy’s canteen. With the academy closing for the New Year holidays in half a month, the headmaster had asked him to find some fresh and tasty food for the end- of-year banquet.

The year-end banquet was a tradition at the academy. Unless unavoidably absent, all teachers and students were expected to attend. It was meant as a reunion to celebrate the New Year together.

At this banquet, some students would be praised and awarded, making it a lively event every year.

Xu Guannan and Fang Mingyi had to stop and wait for Zhuo Yanhai.

Fang Mingyi joked, “Elder Zhuo, if you can’t walk fast, you could have just let us handle it. Why trouble yourself?”

Zhuo Yanhai refused to admit age, “I’m strong and healthy. It’s you who are walking too fast.”

Fang Mingyi teased, “Elder Zhuo, you’re being stubborn. If you keep this up, we might just leave you behind.”

Xu Guannan intervened, “Stop teasing Elder Zhuo. If he gets upset, he’ll walk even slower.”

Out of breath, Zhuo Yanhai pointed at them, “You two brats, wait until you’re my age. You might not even be as fit as I am.”

Fang Mingyi playfully responded, “That’s many years away. But right now, we are indeed fitter than you.”

“Let’s see about that,” Zhuo Yanhai said, stepping past them and moving ahead.

Arriving near Chu Qingzhi’s old house, the courtyard was so crowded they couldn’t get close.

Watching the unusual scene, they were speechless for a moment. Finally, Zhuo Yanhai asked, “What are they doing?”

Xu Guannan and Fang Mingyi shook their heads in unison; they didn’t know either.

Chu Qingzhi noticed them and approached, “Young Master Xu, Young Master Fang, Elder Zhuo.”

Chu’s Easy Trade and Yunfei Academy had collaborated a few times before, so they recognized each other.

Xu Guannan and Fang Mingyi greeted her with a bow, “Miss Chu.”

Zhuo Yanhai nodded with a smile, “Miss Chu, it’s good to see you again.”

Chu Qingzhi offered, “Would you like to come inside and sit?”

Zhuo Yanhai politely responded, “That would be an imposition.”

Chu Qingzhi stepped aside, “Please.”