Upon hearing that Korea had even prepared a birthday gift for her, Pan Yun immediately rummaged through her private treasury, pinched out a sum of money, and handed it to a trading house that often traveled to Korea, telling them to buy five shiploads of grain and deliver them there.
Then, while chatting, she said regretfully, "It's a pity Korea is at war. Otherwise, their ginseng is excellent. Though I'm not an alchemy cultivator, my two nephew-disciples are. Whether they're refining pills or studying medicinal formulas, Korean herbs are very useful."
The trading house owner's heart stirred at once.
If one asked who everyone in the Ming Dynasty most wanted to curry favor with now, aside from the Emperor, it was the National Teacher.
The Emperor lived deep within the palace, and ordinary commoners like them could not see him in daily life. But the National Teacher occasionally left the palace, making her someone they might be able to reach.
Unfortunately, her desires were few. Whenever she had business, she usually went to the Ministry of Works, leaving everyone willing but unable to find an opening.
Now, the National Teacher had personally sent them a path. Even if Korea was at war, he had to make the trip.
And now, along this road stood a door that might lead to the National Teacher forever—Korean medicinal herbs.
Without a second thought, the trading house owner decided to travel to Korea himself. Not only would he safely deliver the grain, but he would also buy back the finest Korean ginseng.
If he could win over the National Teacher's two nephew-disciples, would that not mean indirectly winning over the National Teacher herself?
The trading house owner immediately concealed the news and quietly had people prepare a fleet.
He wanted to monopolize this path