Chapter 60
After selling the herbs, the Fu and He families hadn't encountered any trouble, but Song Sanlang had run into a problem.
Song Sanlang had been pretending to have a limp, and his family had been avoiding him, not even offering a word of concern.
Whenever others inquired about Song Sanlang, his family would claim they had separated and his affairs were none of their concern.
The suggestion to split the family came from Uncle He.
Uncle He knew the Song family well. After working with Song Sanlang to gather herbs, he advised that Song's family were leeches, bound to come back for money once Song earned some. It was essential to make a clean break.
When Song Sanlang was able to work, his family never considered splitting, always using the duty of 'filial piety' to pressure him into giving them money.
Moreover, Song Sanlang, still harboring illusions about his father, worked for the gentry and only returned home once a month, unaware of the home situation. His earnings were always taken away under various pretexts.
Only after the accident did he see his father's true nature and the hearts of his half-siblings.
Had he actually been crippled, unable to fend for himself, they probably wouldn't have shared a grain of rice with him, letting him starve.
With his heart completely chilled, he accepted Uncle He's suggestion.
While recovering, he made several pitiful trips home to ask for food and money for medical expenses.
As expected, they refused to give him a single coin, not even a bit of food.
Finally, the village head intervened, scolding the Song family. Only then did they agree to give Song twenty coins for settling down and ten jin of grain, if he agreed to split from the family.
With Uncle He and Auntie He's support, they managed to get fifty coins and twenty jin of grain as a settlement from the Song family.
To prevent the Song family from using filial duty as leverage, Uncle He suggested that Song Sanlang offer to pay regular support money and grain.
After the proposal, it was agreed that Song Sanlang would have no further responsibilities towards his father's care in old age or at death. Regardless of any circumstances or his future poverty, he would only provide an annual support of fifty coins and twenty jin of grain.
The Song family, eager to rid themselves of Song Sanlang, agreed without much thought.
Before the negotiation, Yu Ying, while visiting Yu County, had also helped purchase two papers for the agreement, ensuring everything was in black and white and legally binding with thumbprints.
Meanwhile, Yu Ying, busy preparing breakfast with her sister-in-law in the kitchen, heard wailing from next door, Song Sanlang's house.
"The unfilial son, pretending to be lame to avoid caring for his aged father, even demanding a separation! Unfilial, truly unfilial!"
Yu Ying and her sister-in-law exchanged glances, set aside their work, left the kitchen, and stepped out of the Fu residence.
Song Sanlang's house had no fence, so they could see everything from their doorstep.
Looking over, they saw an elderly man with a cane, furiously berating Song Sanlang's house.
Yu Ying, seldom wandering around the village and having not witnessed the Song family's split, was seeing Song Sanlang's father for the first time.
Against the backdrop of these troublesome relatives, Song Sanlang seemed like the protagonist of the farming novels Yu Ying had read.
Soon, Luo Shi and Fu Zhen also came out of their courtyard, looking towards the Song residence.
Fu Zhen was about to intervene, but Luo Shi quickly stopped him, advising, "Old Song is just a scoundrel. Hearing that Song Sanlang has made money, he won't stay quiet. But as long as Song Sanlang ignores him, he can't cause much trouble."
Yu Ying agreed with Luo Shi's view, "Let's wait and see. If Song Sanlang gives in or compromises, any help now would be futile."
After pondering, Fu Zhen decided not to intervene.
Old Song continued to accuse his son of being unfilial in front of Song Sanlang's house, claiming that his son pretended to have a lame leg just to avoid spending his earned money on his elderly father, and being selfish and self-centered.
After the accusation, he even began to curse his own son, wishing that he would be struck by lightning.
However, Yu Ying learned from Uncle He and her eldest brother-in-law that although Song Sanlang might have misled others, he never claimed he would become disabled.
In fact, before the family split, in front of everyone, he had told Old Song that his leg would soon heal and he would be able to continue supporting his father.
But at that time, Old Song had already decided that his son's words were just excuses to come back home and naturally refused to believe him.
Old Song's actions now would not do him any good; it was just a way to vent his frustration.
Yu Ying watched for a while but didn't see Song Sanlang come out of the house.
At that moment, Fu Zhen said, "Perhaps Song Jun is also not at home."
Hearing this, Yu Ying didn't pay much more attention to Song Sanlang's matter but instead said, "Uncle He and the elder brother of the He family were going to the quarry today to fetch He Erlang. I wonder if they have left yet."
Just as she finished speaking, she saw Uncle He and his son coming out of the He residence.
They seemed to want to greet the Fu family but, fearing being delayed by Old Song at the door, they just waved to the people of the Fu family, indicating they were leaving.
Yu Ying also raised her hand. Although she couldn't convey much at the moment, all the unspoken words were understood.
For the He family now, the most important thing was to successfully bring He Erlang back.
Yu Ying, planning to go to Yu County with her sister-in-law and eldest brother-in-law, didn't continue to watch the commotion.
But, concerned about leaving only the elderly and infirm at home, she asked Fu An to wait for Old Song to leave and then go to Song Sanlang's house to ask him to help watch over their home.
Yu Ying, along with her eldest brother and sister-in-law, went to Yu County, and their first task was to find Shopkeeper Luo at the inn.
Shopkeeper Luo was very pleased with both transactions, so he was quite amiable towards Yu Ying.
Knowing which herbs she needed, he instructed someone to weigh out two jin for her.
"Since Madam Yu is already in the herb trade, why buy herbs from me?"
Yu Ying didn't hide her intentions, explaining, "With the weather turning to autumn, hands, feet, and faces become dry and cracked. I want to make some facial cream for personal use and maybe sell a little."
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Luo pondered a moment before advising, "It's a good idea, but you should think it through. Making facial cream is certainly complicated and costly. There might not be many ordinary families in Yu County who can afford herbal creams."
Seeing her as a reasonable person, Shopkeeper Luo further analyzed, "Ordinary families might just use pork fat as a salve. Naturally, they wouldn't spend money on facial cream unless it's cheap and plentiful."
Yu Ying had considered Shopkeeper Luo's advice but felt she needed to take this first step, provided the loss wasn't too severe, to see if it was viable.
She smiled, replying, "Thank you for the reminder, but I still want to give it a try. I'm not making much. If it doesn't sell, I can always give it away as a gesture of goodwill."
Hearing her response, Shopkeeper Luo didn't persist in dissuading her but suggested, "If it doesn't work in Yu County, you might consider sending it to the county seat, where the business opportunities are greater."
Yu Ying pondered and nodded, "I'll think it over when I get back, as you suggest."
Shopkeeper Luo smiled, appreciating that Madam Yu was meticulous and genuinely skilled. After a few moments, he decided to give her a valuable tip.
"I have some acquaintance with Doctor Wu of the Ren Shan Hall in Cangwu County. If Madam Yu is confident about the quality of her facial cream, you could try sending some there, mentioning my introduction, Luo Mingqi."
As a pharmacist, he naturally had connections with various medical institutions.
Yu Ying's face lit up at Shopkeeper Luo's suggestion, "Thank you for the guidance, Shopkeeper Luo!"
Shopkeeper Luo said, "Don't thank me yet. I'm just pointing out a path for you, offering an opportunity. Whether it succeeds or not depends on your own skills."
Although Shopkeeper Luo put it modestly, Yu Ying understood the significance.
Without an acquaintance, apart from seeking medical advice, trying to promote her facial cream at medical halls would likely result in being swiftly shown the door.
Shopkeeper Luo's words were her gateway.
Once again, Yu Ying realized the importance of connections.
After the herbs were weighed, Yu Ying paid in silver and was about to say goodbye when Manager Luo suddenly called out to her.
"I have some matters to entrust to Mrs. Yu."
Yu Ying politely responded, "Please speak, Manager Luo."
Manager Luo said, "In recent years, our Master Zhao has been purchasing herbs in Yu County. Earlier this year, he mentioned he would return in October to continue buying herbs. Although there was no agreement to cooperate with the medical halls, they were all expecting it."
"But eventually, Master Zhao only did business with you, Mrs. Yu. I fear they might harbor resentment. Moreover, I heard from my staff that early this morning, someone was inquiring about Mrs. Yu, likely from one of the medical halls in Yu County."
Towards the end, Manager Luo sincerely advised, "Mrs. Yu, it would be wise to be cautious in the future."
Chapter 60
After selling the herbs, the Fu and He families hadn't encountered any trouble, but Song Sanlang had run into a problem.
Song Sanlang had been pretending to have a limp, and his family had been avoiding him, not even offering a word of concern.
Whenever others inquired about Song Sanlang, his family would claim they had separated and his affairs were none of their concern.
The suggestion to split the family came from Uncle He.
Uncle He knew the Song family well. After working with Song Sanlang to gather herbs, he advised that Song's family were leeches, bound to come back for money once Song earned some. It was essential to make a clean break.
When Song Sanlang was able to work, his family never considered splitting, always using the duty of 'filial piety' to pressure him into giving them money.
Moreover, Song Sanlang, still harboring illusions about his father, worked for the gentry and only returned home once a month, unaware of the home situation. His earnings were always taken away under various pretexts.
Only after the accident did he see his father's true nature and the hearts of his half-siblings.
Had he actually been crippled, unable to fend for himself, they probably wouldn't have shared a grain of rice with him, letting him starve.
With his heart completely chilled, he accepted Uncle He's suggestion.
While recovering, he made several pitiful trips home to ask for food and money for medical expenses.
As expected, they refused to give him a single coin, not even a bit of food.
Finally, the village head intervened, scolding the Song family. Only then did they agree to give Song twenty coins for settling down and ten jin of grain, if he agreed to split from the family.
With Uncle He and Auntie He's support, they managed to get fifty coins and twenty jin of grain as a settlement from the Song family.
To prevent the Song family from using filial duty as leverage, Uncle He suggested that Song Sanlang offer to pay regular support money and grain.
After the proposal, it was agreed that Song Sanlang would have no further responsibilities towards his father's care in old age or at death. Regardless of any circumstances or his future poverty, he would only provide an annual support of fifty coins and twenty jin of grain.
The Song family, eager to rid themselves of Song Sanlang, agreed without much thought.
Before the negotiation, Yu Ying, while visiting Yu County, had also helped purchase two papers for the agreement, ensuring everything was in black and white and legally binding with thumbprints.
Meanwhile, Yu Ying, busy preparing breakfast with her sister-in-law in the kitchen, heard wailing from next door, Song Sanlang's house.
"The unfilial son, pretending to be lame to avoid caring for his aged father, even demanding a separation! Unfilial, truly unfilial!"
Yu Ying and her sister-in-law exchanged glances, set aside their work, left the kitchen, and stepped out of the Fu residence.
Song Sanlang's house had no fence, so they could see everything from their doorstep.
Looking over, they saw an elderly man with a cane, furiously berating Song Sanlang's house.
Yu Ying, seldom wandering around the village and having not witnessed the Song family's split, was seeing Song Sanlang's father for the first time.
Against the backdrop of these troublesome relatives, Song Sanlang seemed like the protagonist of the farming novels Yu Ying had read.
Soon, Luo Shi and Fu Zhen also came out of their courtyard, looking towards the Song residence.
Fu Zhen was about to intervene, but Luo Shi quickly stopped him, advising, "Old Song is just a scoundrel. Hearing that Song Sanlang has made money, he won't stay quiet. But as long as Song Sanlang ignores him, he can't cause much trouble."
Yu Ying agreed with Luo Shi's view, "Let's wait and see. If Song Sanlang gives in or compromises, any help now would be futile."
After pondering, Fu Zhen decided not to intervene.
Old Song continued to accuse his son of being unfilial in front of Song Sanlang's house, claiming that his son pretended to have a lame leg just to avoid spending his earned money on his elderly father, and being selfish and self-centered.
After the accusation, he even began to curse his own son, wishing that he would be struck by lightning.
However, Yu Ying learned from Uncle He and her eldest brother-in-law that although Song Sanlang might have misled others, he never claimed he would become disabled.
In fact, before the family split, in front of everyone, he had told Old Song that his leg would soon heal and he would be able to continue supporting his father.
But at that time, Old Song had already decided that his son's words were just excuses to come back home and naturally refused to believe him.
Old Song's actions now would not do him any good; it was just a way to vent his frustration.
Yu Ying watched for a while but didn't see Song Sanlang come out of the house.
At that moment, Fu Zhen said, "Perhaps Song Jun is also not at home."
Hearing this, Yu Ying didn't pay much more attention to Song Sanlang's matter but instead said, "Uncle He and the elder brother of the He family were going to the quarry today to fetch He Erlang. I wonder if they have left yet."
Just as she finished speaking, she saw Uncle He and his son coming out of the He residence.
They seemed to want to greet the Fu family but, fearing being delayed by Old Song at the door, they just waved to the people of the Fu family, indicating they were leaving.
Yu Ying also raised her hand. Although she couldn't convey much at the moment, all the unspoken words were understood.
For the He family now, the most important thing was to successfully bring He Erlang back.
Yu Ying, planning to go to Yu County with her sister-in-law and eldest brother-in-law, didn't continue to watch the commotion.
But, concerned about leaving only the elderly and infirm at home, she asked Fu An to wait for Old Song to leave and then go to Song Sanlang's house to ask him to help watch over their home.
Yu Ying, along with her eldest brother and sister-in-law, went to Yu County, and their first task was to find Shopkeeper Luo at the inn.
Shopkeeper Luo was very pleased with both transactions, so he was quite amiable towards Yu Ying.
Knowing which herbs she needed, he instructed someone to weigh out two jin for her.
"Since Madam Yu is already in the herb trade, why buy herbs from me?"
Yu Ying didn't hide her intentions, explaining, "With the weather turning to autumn, hands, feet, and faces become dry and cracked. I want to make some facial cream for personal use and maybe sell a little."
Hearing this, Shopkeeper Luo pondered a moment before advising, "It's a good idea, but you should think it through. Making facial cream is certainly complicated and costly. There might not be many ordinary families in Yu County who can afford herbal creams."
Seeing her as a reasonable person, Shopkeeper Luo further analyzed, "Ordinary families might just use pork fat as a salve. Naturally, they wouldn't spend money on facial cream unless it's cheap and plentiful."
Yu Ying had considered Shopkeeper Luo's advice but felt she needed to take this first step, provided the loss wasn't too severe, to see if it was viable.
She smiled, replying, "Thank you for the reminder, but I still want to give it a try. I'm not making much. If it doesn't sell, I can always give it away as a gesture of goodwill."
Hearing her response, Shopkeeper Luo didn't persist in dissuading her but suggested, "If it doesn't work in Yu County, you might consider sending it to the county seat, where the business opportunities are greater."
Yu Ying pondered and nodded, "I'll think it over when I get back, as you suggest."
Shopkeeper Luo smiled, appreciating that Madam Yu was meticulous and genuinely skilled. After a few moments, he decided to give her a valuable tip.
"I have some acquaintance with Doctor Wu of the Ren Shan Hall in Cangwu County. If Madam Yu is confident about the quality of her facial cream, you could try sending some there, mentioning my introduction, Luo Mingqi."
As a pharmacist, he naturally had connections with various medical institutions.
Yu Ying's face lit up at Shopkeeper Luo's suggestion, "Thank you for the guidance, Shopkeeper Luo!"
Shopkeeper Luo said, "Don't thank me yet. I'm just pointing out a path for you, offering an opportunity. Whether it succeeds or not depends on your own skills."
Although Shopkeeper Luo put it modestly, Yu Ying understood the significance.
Without an acquaintance, apart from seeking medical advice, trying to promote her facial cream at medical halls would likely result in being swiftly shown the door.
Shopkeeper Luo's words were her gateway.
Once again, Yu Ying realized the importance of connections.
After the herbs were weighed, Yu Ying paid in silver and was about to say goodbye when Manager Luo suddenly called out to her.
"I have some matters to entrust to Mrs. Yu."
Yu Ying politely responded, "Please speak, Manager Luo."
Manager Luo said, "In recent years, our Master Zhao has been purchasing herbs in Yu County. Earlier this year, he mentioned he would return in October to continue buying herbs. Although there was no agreement to cooperate with the medical halls, they were all expecting it."
"But eventually, Master Zhao only did business with you, Mrs. Yu. I fear they might harbor resentment. Moreover, I heard from my staff that early this morning, someone was inquiring about Mrs. Yu, likely from one of the medical halls in Yu County."
Towards the end, Manager Luo sincerely advised, "Mrs. Yu, it would be wise to be cautious in the future."
