The results were announced quickly, but did not cause much excitement.
It was an accident that Liu Gong's apprentice did not win first place. No matter what his previous thoughts were, everyone said so when faced with this result.
In a side hall, Mr. Dong looked at Gu Lingyun with a surprised expression.
"...10%..." Gu Lingyun said lightly, "...everyone is very...including me..."
"In other words, the four medicines she made are indeed perfect..." Mr. Dong murmured.
As if he was unwilling to admit this result, Gu Lingyun looked a little gloomy.
"As far as these four medicines are concerned, it is indeed the case." He nodded slowly.
It doesn't matter whether you are ranked first, the key is to get a perfect score. All ten people scored such high scores, Mr. Dong felt like he was in over his head.
These four medicines are indeed very simple, but they include picking, rubbing, grinding, cutting, and moistening in the preparation process, leaching, soaking, and blanching in the water preparation process, and stir-frying, simmering, cannon, and baking in the fire preparation process. This is a reference to the basic skills. Strong test.
Others only saw that she was Liu Gong's apprentice. This result was nothing surprising, but for Mr. Dong, it was a huge shock.
"It only took her more than a year to reach this point..." Mr. Dong murmured.
"There is no doubt about her talent..." Gu Lingyun said lightly, a smile flashed in his eyes, "What that old guy loves most is people with extraordinary talents, and he will not make mistakes on this point... It's just..."
His voice suddenly added a bit of chill.
"The old guy's luck has been exhausted in a few decades, so it's always hard to escape bad luck..." He said slowly, tapping his fingers gently on the smooth tabletop, "It was like this last time, this time It's still the case. Although this girl has good talent, her wings haven't grown hard yet, and without the protection of the old bird, she is destined to... "
As he said this, he picked up a piece of Morinda citrifolia scattered on the table, held it in his palm, opened his hand again, and dropped the pieces.
"Master, Liu Gong, has he really..." Master Dong raised his head again and asked.
"He's dead." Gu Lingyun said three words simply.
"He should have died long ago..." He added slowly, with a sneer on his lips, "I didn't expect him to survive for so long..."
There was a sudden knock on the door, and the two immediately stopped talking.
"Master, Mr. Qi invites you to go, we are about to draw the medicine for the second competition..." the outsider said respectfully.
When Gu Shiba Niang appeared in front of everyone again, rubbing her sore neck, the eyes that fell on her contained awe and curiosity. Of course, jealousy was inevitable, but the doubts and contempt were finally much lighter.
"I'm just telling you, how could Mrs. Gu lose?" Xin Chaoling sat in the corridor of the side hall and said vaguely with his legs crossed. He opened his mouth to catch the candied fruit offered by the charming maid beside him, not forgetting to linger on the maid Ru Nen on the tip of his tongue. The onion-like fingers made the maid smile.
Xin Chaoyang's eyes fell on Gu Shiba Niang, who was talking to Wang Zhang and others not far away, but her expression was not very surprised.
"Brother," Xin Chaoling looked over, "Mrs. Gu won, why aren't you excited at all? Look at that guy from Hengde Sheng Medicine Shop over there, he's almost grinning. Isn't the pharmacist in their medicine shop just a genius? It’s just thirty-eight places in line..."
Happy, of course happy, but the key is that this number one will soon no longer belong to them...
Xin Chaoyang looked away and glanced at him, "There's nothing to be excited about when you know the result."
"I'm not afraid of laughing, I'm really sweating it..." Wang Zhangzhang laughed.
Gu Shiba Niang smiled but said nothing.
Someone snorted nearby.
"With a master as powerful as Mr. Liu, anyone can win." Wang Jin said coldly.
Gu Shiba Niang was already used to this young man's stinky face.
"Stand aside." Wang Zhangzhang glared at him and scolded him in a low voice.
"Grandpa, Mr. Liu won second place." Wang Jin did not expand, but said with a bit of pride, giving Gu Shiba Niang a threatening look.
This time the second one scored 90 points. He was a man named Liu Jian from Jianning Prefecture. He was only thirty years old and was also a well-known pharmaceutical expert.
Gu Shiba Niang also had some respect for being able to achieve such results at this age. Looking around, there were many gray-haired pharmacists who were still eliminated.
It’s no big deal to know the same skill, but it’s not easy to be the best in one’s profession.
After this grand medicinal fair, pharmacists who have achieved good results will definitely be sought after by the medicine shops. After all, the more good pharmacists can be attracted, the greater the profits of the medicine shops. Since we are in business, we must pursue profits. This is understandable.
Gu Shiba Niang smiled but still said nothing.
"The second medicine competition will be announced soon. Madam Gu, go and take a rest." Wang Zhangzhang said, with a hint of embarrassment on his face.
Gu Shiba Niang nodded and walked over to Lingbao and the others who were standing by with a can of soup.
"Grandpa," Wang Jin pulled Wang Yiyi's sleeve, "there are so many good pharmacists, why do we need to associate with this ungrateful person? This time Master Liu will definitely become famous in one fell swoop, we might as well..."
"You know nothing." Wang Zhangzhang glared at him, threw off his sleeves and walked away.
Wang Jin was used to being scolded, so he shrugged his shoulders indifferently. He turned around and looked around, and finally saw a tall, thin, unspectacular man surrounded by a group of people.
"Master Liu, Master Liu..." Wang Jin finally squeezed away the person who was complimenting him, stood next to the man, and repeated the compliments that people around him had already said with a smile.
Although Gu Shiba Niang won the first place, due to the great reputation of her master, she did not get much glory. In contrast, Liu Jian, who won the second place and whose master was not one of the top ten pharmacists, became everyone's eyes. First.
"Don't dare, don't dare, it's just a fluke, kid." Liu Jian also repeated the polite words.
"What a fluke, Mr. Liu is number one..." Wang Jin said with a smile.
"Young Master Wang is joking," Liu Jian was a little scared and uncomfortable, looking at Gu Shiniang over there, "Mrs. Gu is the number one..."
"She?" Wang Jin snorted, "She is lucky. She is just luckier than Mr. Liu. She has a good master..." He lowered his voice and said, "Who can't recognize Mr. Liu's craftsmanship? Maybe it's those ratings. People give her face..."
Liu Jian's expression moved slightly, and his eyes fell on the young face of the girl over there.
In fact, she is really too young, and I heard that her apprenticeship time was very short...
"Besides, the first competition is all about basic skills... She has not been a disciple for long, so she is practicing basic skills..." Wang Jin was still chattering in his ears, "... If you really make medicine, you might not know how it will be... The next competition is a finished medicine competition... That depends on the pharmacist's real skills... I don't believe that those who scored the scores can still take care of Liu Gong's face again and again and be unfair... Those medicines have to be put on display For all to appreciate….”
Liu Jian's eyes flickered again and again, and his hands under his sleeves were tightly clenched together. No wonder he always felt that something was wrong... maybe... it really was like this...
"It's a blessing to be able to discuss with Madam Gu..." With a bit of joy, he raised his hand to Wang Jin, "Thank you, Master Wang, for your kind words..."
That's right, don't lose your fighting spirit just because of someone else's master's name. Wang Jin was very happy to see that his words had an encouraging effect.
"Master Liu will definitely come out on top in this competition," he laughed with a confident look, and then whispered, "...as for the cooperation with our Baohe Hall..."
"Easy to say, easy to say." Liu Jian said with a smile, interrupting him.
It's ridiculous to expect a promise that he will soon become a famous pharmacist based on just a few good words. You must know that as a famous pharmacist, the most important thing is good words.
A distant bell rang, and the noisy crowd fell silent.
"Competing medicine, the second round, with Qizhi Xiangfu Pills."
Before the voice fell, there was a sudden uproar in the whole place.
“What Qizhi Xiangfu Pills?”
"Oh my god, I have to make Cyperus rotunda in such a short time, and it's still a seven-step process."
Lingbao Ah Si and others were puzzled when they saw that the pharmacists in the field who were originally complacent about winning the second game were suddenly a little excited.
"Ha, it turns out to be Qizhi Xiangfu Pills," Peng Yizhen said, very excited, "I have to stand closer to take a look..."
"Miss, is this difficult?" Lingbao asked.
Gu Shiba Niang doesn’t look very good here. This big medicine club is definitely not just for casual fun...
"Difficult? It's more difficult than that." Peng Yizhen took over the topic and said with a smile, shaking his head, "This Xiang Fu Pill requires nineteen medicinal ingredients, and the ingredients are all different, including wine, ginger, soil, and honey. , vinegar, used in washing, steaming, frying, broiling, soaking, boiling... "
He said this and looked at Lingbao, "Do you know why this is called Qizhi Xiangfu Pills."
Lingbao Asi and others were dumbfounded by his angry words, and shook their heads blankly.
"As the name suggests, this seven-step process is about using seven methods to prepare Cyperus rotundus. In this day and night, we have to make seven kinds of Cyperus rotunda prepared in seven ways, and we also need to prepare nineteen ingredients..." Peng Yi Needle stroked her fat belly and talked excitedly. Suddenly she saw Gu Shiba Niang beside her and smiled sheepishly, "...I'm just doing my own thing..."
Gu Shiba Niang smiled and said, "Mr. Peng is really knowledgeable and knowledgeable."
Peng Yizhen chuckled and touched his head, "I've heard people tell it, but I've never seen it. Anyway, I've been practicing medicine for so long, and I've never used the seven-system Xiangfu pill once. What I've seen is only four. Made... But to Mrs. Gu, a few made is nothing."
Gu Shiba Niang smiled bitterly, "It's hard to say, just do your best. After all, this medicine is too..."
Her mind was filled with all kinds of pill preparation methods, but when it came to the ones she had personally made, she could only do three out of ten. This was the effect of age on pharmacists.
She had only made four-format and seven-format pills of this Cyperus rotundus pill once. . . .
"Which guy wrote this medicine?" At this time, in the Medicine King's Palace, several pharmacists were also looking at each other. Unfortunately, these old pharmacists were accustomed to hiding their emotions. After looking around, no one could tell who it was.
The Qizhi Xiangfu Pill is a pill that most tests the processing skills. It is extremely meticulous and complicated. In the past medicine conferences, pill configurations of this level only appeared in competitions.
It seems that because of the appearance of Liu Gong's disciples, the level of this competition has suddenly improved. The competition is already like this, so I don't know what will be more powerful in the fighting competition. . . . . .
The expressions on everyone's faces suddenly became a little excited. This time the big medicine will be very interesting.
Because nearly 500 pharmacists were removed, the originally crowded back hall square of Yaowang Temple seemed much empty. The number plates were messed up. The remaining pharmacists redistributed the cooking rooms. This time, everyone's position was zero. After they dispersed, Gu Shiba Niang found that the pharmacist closest to her was also three wooden sheds away.
This kind of consideration does make sense. Now that it's time to prepare medicine, more and more secret skills are involved. This greatly reduces the risk of peeking at other people's skills, and allows pharmacists who regard secret recipes as their lives to worry less.
Half a day has passed since the announcement of the medicine for the competition. The square is extremely lively. Everywhere you look, people are jumping on their backs. Because they did not expect this medicine to be released. Those who did not bring the medicine wished that they would become three-headed and six-armed, but did bring the medicine. Others hated that Da Yao would restrict them to only taking two, and regretful and impatient sighs and scoldings constantly sounded from all around.
What's even more terrible is that configuring Xiangfu pills here is not like at home, where there are endless materials. The big medicine association only provides two copies for each person. This means that once a medicine appears twice, If you make a mistake, it means you can leave automatically.
"Ah...my jealous Yuan Hu..."
Hearing a bang next to him, accompanied by a howl, meant that another person had failed.
"Little..." Lingbao turned his head with sweat on his forehead.
"Three stoves..." Gu Shiba Niang interrupted her and quickly took the steamed Dashengchi from the stove, "Prepare wine, soil, vinegar, clam powder..."
Seeing that she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to the medicinal materials in front of her, Lingbao quickly calmed down. There were too many medicines to be made this time, and the methods were cumbersome. Gu Shiba Niang had to find someone to start with. Lingbao worked as a miscellaneous person in the medicine shop. After doing some simple purification work such as cleaning, he was called in, but because the requirements were too strict, all Lingbao could do was wash, make a fire, spread the sun, etc.
Gu Shiba Niang, who was guarding the three stoves with her eyes fixed on the fire, was already covered with sweat on her forehead.
Different from the previous two competitions, this time there were obviously more people watching outside the square. The red-faced pharmacists left with their heads hanging down, which was enough to make the pharmacists who had to grovel in front of them feel comfortable.
"Ha, look, that's Lao Qu from Hengzhou Prefecture. His beard is burnt..."
Everyone was talking and laughing, looking at the busy scene in the field, smelling the aroma of wine and vinegar mixed with medicine, and feeling very happy. They ate dried fruits and almost drank some wine.
As the night gradually fell, the lights lit up in the square, and the number of onlookers not only did not decrease, but also increased.
Xin Chaoling held the two pretty maids in his arms, giving directions from time to time, leaning forward and back with laughter.
"Look, over there is our Lady Gu..." He pointed to the pretty maid, "Look, how calm Lady Gu is..."
The words "our family" reached Xin Chaoyang's ears. Under the red lantern, his eyes darkened.
"Master..." The pretty maid shook Xin Chaoling's arm and flashed her big eyes, "Ms. Gu is really calm. She stood there for half a day without moving..."
"That's right, Madam Gu is sure of victory... Huh? No..." Xin Chao Ling, who was throwing melon seed peels at a pharmacist who was leaving with his face hidden, turned his eyes hurriedly. At this time, Calm was talking about actions. If Not moving is not considered calm. . . . .
"Little... little..." Lingbao was almost in tears. He squatted on the ground and looked at the rice swill that was soaked in water. The cracks in the porcelain pot on the side were still popping up.
Not enough rice swill. . . . . Gu Shiba Niang felt a roar in her head. Without rice swill, she couldn't do two of the seven systems.
Just now she asked for rice swill and soaked in black medicine, and Lingbao handed it over in response. For some reason, her hands touched each other and slipped. Although Lingbao had good eyesight and quick hands, he still spilled more than half of it.
To be fair, only two ingredients are provided and no more are allowed for any reason.
At this time, Gu Shiba Niang, who was the center of attention, was finally noticed by everyone, and they all whispered to each other and asked what was wrong.
"Master Xiaoliu has started the seven-game system," someone shouted at this time.
The Seventh System is the most important and final step of Xiangfu Pills. Everyone couldn't help but look up at the sky, with surprise on their faces.
At this rate, it will be completed before dawn
This news quickly spread throughout the audience, which directly caused two or three pharmacists to panic and tremble. They scrapped the last medicine in their hands and left the venue without tears.
Master, what should I do? Gu Shiba Niang just felt that she was confused. Making medicine is just making medicine. Without raw materials, there are no raw materials. There is no way to think of it.
Lost like this? This is too. . . . .
Everyone will only know that she lost, but no one cares about how she lost, and no one cares. Even if she can make more Qizhi Xiangfu Pills in the future, it will not change people's impression.
Seven systems, seven systems, without two systems we can only make four systems. . . . . . Although the fourth system is also Cyperus cyperus pills, it is still a loss, unless. . . . .
Gu Shiba Niang raised her head sharply.
"Lingbao," she took a deep breath and called her over.
"Miss?" Lingbao came over with tears still on his face.
Gu Shiba Niang whispered a few words in her ear, and Lingbao looked shocked.
"Is this... okay?" she asked in a voiceless voice.
"It's better than giving up in vain like this." Gu Shiba Niang said in a deep voice. She looked up at the sky, "Go quickly, time is running out..."
At this time, in the side hall, President Qi was sitting and laughing with ten pharmacists, and the noise outside could be seen through the wide open door.
"This Mr. Liu, when I saw him when he was a child, I thought he was a good seedling, much better than his grandfather. I think he will be in Jianning Mansion in the future..." An old pharmacist said and gave a thumbs up. .
Everyone either smiled and nodded or squinted in disbelief.
A man walked in hurriedly and said a few words in President Qi's ear.
"What?" President Qi looked shocked.
Everyone looked over hurriedly, with a bit of confusion.
"Everyone," President Qi turned to everyone, "Ms. Gu said we would like to add six more ingredients..."
"Now?" Everyone asked in unison.
President Qi nodded. The current medicines alone add up to nearly 30 types. She wants to add six more? This is. . . . Is this because the competition they set up is too simple
A smile appeared on Gu Lingyun's face. Thinking of the noise he just heard, there must be something wrong with Mrs. Gu's medicine.
"What do you think? This is unprecedented..." President Qi asked.
Everyone looked at each other.
"It's about adding new medicine, not replenishing the original medicine against the rules..." Gu Lingyun said, "Since Madam Gu is determined to find a new way, why don't we make it happen? In case we miss her..."
Everyone was actually very curious, and since Gu Lingyun opened his mouth, they all nodded.
"What does she want to add?" Mr. Kang asked.
The man who came in hurriedly replied: "Two liang each of fennel, rhizome, gardenia, and radish, and one liang each of white monkshood and calamus."
Everyone thought silently, and the man retreated.
The news quickly spread in a small area.
"It's broken." Wang Zhangyi woke up after being surprised, "Ms. Gu, there must be something wrong with the original Qi Pharmaceutical, so we need to change the medicine temporarily."
"Change the dressing?" The people around heard it and looked shocked. "It was specified that the Qizhi Xiangfu Pills were to be made. What did she change to? Whatever she changed to, she would lose."
Wang Yiyi is a drug dealer, but he still doesn't know much about pill processing. He couldn't answer for a while and frowned.
"I knew it, I knew it." Wang Jin almost danced with joy behind him. Just thinking of Mrs. Gu being embarrassed at this conference made him let out a sigh of relief that had been building up in his heart for a long time.
"Get back here," Wang Zhangzhang shouted, pacing back and forth on the corridor.
Suddenly a man squeezed in from outside, wearing a dark green robe, a brown cloak, and a big hat covering his forehead.
"Old shopkeeper Wang..." This person's words were really strange, and he seemed to be deliberately trying to make a statement.
"What are you doing?" Wang Zhangzhang raised his head quietly and almost bit his tongue after seeing the person clearly, "Huang..."
But the man waved his hand, causing Wang Yiyi to swallow back the title he was about to blurt out.
"You...you are here too..." Wang Zhangzhang greeted with a stutter.
"Yeah, it's so lively, so naturally I want to come and take a look..." the visitor said with a smile.
There were many acquaintances at the medicine shop here. People around them listened to their conversations and didn't care anymore. They turned around and continued to watch the excitement in the place.
The man approached Wang Yiyi and whispered a few words in his ear. Wang Yiyi's expression changed even more, his mouth opened wide in a rude manner, and his eyes were filled with fear.
"This... this, this..." He seemed to be a little out of control, and his upper and lower teeth were chattering.
Ever since they heard Gu Shiba Niang's request to change the medicine, the discussion in the side hall has not stopped. Everyone has already guessed that there must be something wrong with Gu Shiba Niang's previous medicine.
"... She is too young... Even if she misses for a moment, it won't be a big deal..." President Qi and Mr. Kang laughed softly.
Another person walked in suddenly, and everyone who was joking was stunned. What happened again? Everyone looked over.
"Masters..." Wang Zhang smiled stiffly at them and walked up to President Qi without waiting for everyone to return the favor.
"Mr. Wang, did you hear that? Guess..." President Qi raised his head and smiled at him. Halfway through his words, Wang Yiyi bowed his head and whispered in his ear.
President Qi's expression suddenly changed again, even stranger than when he heard the news about Gu Shiba Niang's dressing change.
"Oh..." He made a strange sound from his throat, and when he wanted to say something, Wang Zhang reached out and put his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm going out for a moment." After his expression changed several times, he finally stood up, said quickly to everyone, and then followed Wang Zhang out and walked out. His steps were obviously frivolous, and he tripped over the threshold before going out.
what the hell? Everyone's eyes followed the two of them to the door. Light and dark intertwined, and the figures were swaying. They saw them stopping in front of a tall and thin man, with the hem of his clothes flying into the room next door.