A Deal Struck

By noon, more pedestrians were gradually passing by. The vendors nearby drew plenty of customers, but not a single person came to the two brothers' stall.

"Xiao Fan, I've been calling out for ages. It's your turn." Chen Yunye wore a straw hat. After calling out for so long without attracting a single person, he felt a little embarrassed.

"How is it my turn again so soon? Didn't I just do it? Brother Chen, let's stop calling out. If someone wants to buy, they'll come on their own. If they don't, shouting ourselves hoarse won't do any good." Ye Fan didn't want to call out either. The two of them had been taking turns since the streets started getting busier that morning, but not a single person had bought anything. No one had even asked. Sigh...

"The sun's already so high. Brother Chen, have something to eat and tide yourself over! I'll go into the city and ask around, see if anyone needs these." It would soon be time to head back, and they had sold only one bamboo basket. Ye Fan had to think of something.

"You're going into the city? All right, go ask around. Someone might need them. Sitting here waiting like this isn't a solution." Chen Yunye took out the dry rations he had brought that morning from a bamboo basket and handed Ye Fan his share. "Eat on the way. We set out early this morning, so you must be hungry by now."

"All right, I'll eat while I ask around." Ye Fan accepted the rations, turned, and headed for Sunset City.

After the inspection, Ye Fan passed through the city gates and headed straight for the Treasure Hall on the second street!

"Excuse me, is Pharmacist Bai here?" Ye Fan entered the pharmacy and, seeing that there weren't many people inside, asked directly.

"Oh, it's you! Pharmacist Bai is drying medicinal herbs in the back courtyard. Is there something you need?" The assistant was a little surprised. They had only finished their transaction yesterday, and he was already back today?

"I have a deal I'd like to discuss with Pharmacist Bai. Sorry to trouble you, but could you let him know I'm here?" Ye Fan spoke politely.

"Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment. I'll be right back." Hearing that there was another deal, the pharmacy assistant didn't dare delay. He hurriedly wiped the hands he'd been using to handle the herbs on his clothes and went to the back hall.

Ye Fan glanced around the pharmacy, and two customers caught his attention. Both were dressed in plain clothes and wore solemn expressions. Wherever they stood, an invisible pressure bore down on those around them. These two were definitely no ordinary people.

"Young friend Ye? My assistant said you had something to discuss with me?" Pharmacist Bai hurried over from the back hall, still holding some air-dried medicinal herbs.

"Pharmacist Bai, I hope you'll forgive this junior for intruding, but I do have something to discuss." Ye Fan cupped his fists in greeting.

"Haha, young friend Ye, there's no need to be so polite. Come, let's go to the back hall! I'll be there shortly."

The assistant led Ye Fan to the pharmacy's back hall once again. As they passed the small courtyard, several burly men were carrying a solid wooden chest, grunting with effort. The chest was obviously heavy.

He showed Ye Fan to a seat for guests and brewed a pot of tea. "Please have a seat, sir. Pharmacist Bai has a few matters to take care of. He'll be here as soon as he's finished!"

"Mm, thank you. It's quite all right. Pharmacist Bai should take care of his important business first."

"Important business can wait. Young friend Ye's business is just as important!!!" No sooner had Ye Fan finished speaking than Pharmacist Bai walked in.

"Young friend Ye, please have some tea." Pharmacist Bai found a seat and raised his teacup to him.

After taking a small sip of tea, Pharmacist Bai looked at Ye Fan. "You said you had something to discuss, young friend Ye. What might it be?"

"Pharmacist Bai, it really is just a trivial matter, but seeing how busy you are today, I hardly know how to bring it up." Ye Fan looked troubled and a little embarrassed.

"Haha, young friend Ye, speak freely. I might be able to help. And, to tell you the truth, I have a favor to ask of you as well."

"Please, Brother Bai, you go first. If it's within my power, I'll do my utmost." Ye Fan had already guessed what it was about. It could only be the medicinal herbs. That wouldn't be too difficult for him.

"Haha, that's all I needed to hear, Brother Ye. Then I'll presume upon my seniority. I hope you won't laugh at me." Pharmacist Bai set down his teacup and cupped his fists at Ye Fan with a smile.

"Brother Ye, would it be possible to increase production at the village's herb garden?"

Just as he had thought. From the moment Ye Fan entered, he had felt that Pharmacist Bai was being unusually polite. He definitely wanted something, and it had to do with medicinal herbs. It might even have something to do with those two customers.

"Brother Bai, forgive me for asking, but how many medicinal herbs do you need?" Ye Fan neither agreed nor refused.

"As many as you have!"

As many as I have? Your pharmacy may be the largest in Sunset City, but that doesn't mean it can swallow everything I can supply. With an Inner World inside me and the Water Spirit Art in hand, as long as I have seedlings, can't I have as many medicinal herbs as I want? Ye Fan thought to himself.

"Young friend Ye, rest assured, I'll cover all the costs of expanding the herb garden. If you're short on hands, I can send people from the pharmacy. Or you can recruit them yourself, and I'll cover the expense."

It seemed Pharmacist Bai had already discovered what was extraordinary about the medicinal herbs. Otherwise, he wouldn't have compromised this far.

"Brother Bai, the herb garden can be expanded, but there's one thing I hope you'll understand. If anyone asks where the medicinal herbs come from, please keep it secret for us. I come from the mountains, and the villagers all make their living growing medicinal herbs. We don't want to stir up any unnecessary trouble!!!"

"Rest assured, Brother Ye. With medicinal herbs of this quality, I can hardly wait to keep them all to myself. Why would I tell anyone else? Don't worry about it. I, Bai, stake my life and fortune on it."

Pharmacist Bai was telling the truth. Medicinal herbs of this quality would spark a scramble wherever they appeared. With a direct source of supply, he could already sleep on a pillow of gold coins. Who would hand their money tree over to someone else?

"In that case, Brother Bai, we'll expand the herb garden as you wish. But there's one thing: please don't ask about its location or the people who work there. I'll notify you whenever there's a harvest. Would that be acceptable?"

"Brother Ye, you can rest easy about that. I've been traveling the jianghu for decades, and I know what I should and shouldn't know. I won't ask about anything to do with the herb garden. Just notify me when it's time to harvest."

"Then I thank you, Brother Bai."

The matter was settled, and both men had gotten what they wanted. Pharmacist Bai rose to pour the tea. With this direct source of supply, he could open more pharmacies in the future. It wasn't impossible to open them all across the Eastern Continent. Just thinking about having the number one pharmacy in the Eastern Continent made his heart stir.

"Young friend Ye, what was it you wanted to discuss? If there's anything I can help with, just say the word!"

"Brother Bai, I wouldn't dare give you orders. Please don't make fun of me..." Ye Fan gave him a general account of the matter.

"Bamboo baskets? Bamboo carrying baskets?... Young friend Ye, the village doesn't just grow medicinal herbs, but makes handicrafts like these too?" Pharmacist Bai said in surprise.

"The elders in the village weave a few things when they have nothing to do, hoping to bring in some extra money for the village. We can't very well turn down their good intentions. Brother Bai, you won't have to spend anything on whatever they weave. Just deduct it all from the medicinal herbs. I can give you a hundred taels of silver in advance."

"Young friend Ye, it's a small matter. Leave it to me, and I'll make sure no one can spot a flaw."

"Then thank you, Brother Bai."

After taking his leave of Pharmacist Bai, Ye Fan hurried back.

"Brother Chen, it's settled! A pharmacy wants to buy our bamboo wares. They'll take them all." Ye Fan was out of breath and pretended to be excited.

"A pharmacy needs bamboo wares? That's wonderful! They'll take all of them? Come on, let's hurry and deliver them."

The two hurriedly loaded everything onto the cart and, all hands and feet, pushed the wheelbarrow into the city.