Spice Manor
Everyone in the clinic watched silently. No one spoke. Dr. Fang returned to his place, Shopkeeper Wang paused his work, and the townspeople waiting in line stood quietly as well, waiting to hear what the two would say next.
Lin Taichu looked at the middle-aged man and waited for him to continue.
The middle-aged man did not beat around the bush and directly explained his purpose.
"I own a manor that deals mainly in spices. More than half the spices traded between north and south pass through my manor."
"Ever since you opened the trade route from Luofeng City to the Northern Region, goods have flowed smoothly between north and south. The spice trade prospered for more than half a year, and orders remained steady. But half a month ago, all spice orders suddenly began to plummet. They have kept falling until now, and the manor's business has nearly come to a standstill."
Lin Taichu nodded slightly upon hearing this.
After he opened the trade route, all kinds of goods from the north and south had begun circulating freely. The volume of grain, ironware, medicinal herbs, and spices being traded had increased severalfold. Merchants everywhere had profited from this route. The spice trade had originally been growing steadily, so such a sudden cliff-like decline was indeed unusual.
"Have orders decreased because there are fewer customers, or has another business taken your trade?" Lin Taichu asked.
The middle-aged man shook his head.
"Neither. Demand for spices remains strong throughout the north and south, and no new spice merchant has been able to challenge my manor's supply. Merchants everywhere simply suddenly became unwilling to restock. Whenever I asked why, they all spoke vaguely and refused to explain further."
"The manor has stockpiled a great quantity of spices, and they have