Qin Zhao did not lower his voice when he said this; Ayi and Xue Ren also heard it.
Xue Ren sneered: "That dog official got it for free."
"Is it cheap?" Jing Li blinked and asked curiously.
He didn't know much about the sale of prescriptions, he only knew that one hundred taels could buy a house in the county town that was twice the size of Ayi's.
Three hundred taels seemed like a huge sum to him.
"Of course it's cheap." Xue Ren said seriously, "In the past, my prescription would have sold for at least one thousand taels."
The price at which a prescription is sold is related to its effectiveness, rarity, and the reputation of the doctor.
If it were more than ten years ago, when Xue Ren was still in the capital, it would not be surprising for a prescription with the help of the imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau to be sold for a thousand taels on the market.
"You also know that is the past." Qin Zhao said calmly.
They couldn't mention Xue Ren's name, and Qin Zhao wasn't famous enough to make a name for himself. And although this prescription was their original creation, it was only a prescription for treating colds.
There are many prescriptions on the market with the same medicinal effects.
As for making it into pills, it is not just the patent of Quhandan.
Three hundred taels is already the highest price that can be offered for this type of prescription.
Xue Ren snorted but did not object.
Ayi also said: "Yes, the ordinary cold medicine prescription in the county town sells for fifty or sixty taels at most, which is not a low price."
Qin Zhao said nothing more and continued to eat his dumplings. He did not even touch the well-wrapped dumplings, but he had almost finished the plate of fish dumplings in front of him that were so thinly wrapped that they looked unrecognizable.
Jing Li was a little embarrassed by his obvious preference and changed the subject: "Then can we still continue to sell pills?"
"Okay." Qin Zhao swallowed and said calmly, "The county magistrate promised that we can continue to make the cold-relieving pills, but we are not allowed to sell the prescriptions to other clinics within the county."
In other words, they can continue to sell prescriptions outside the county.
Jing Li became happy: "That's really not a loss."
But he thought of something and asked worriedly: "Once the county magistrate gets the prescription, he will definitely hire a lot of people to make the medicine. If we don't have the exclusive rights, we won't be competitive, right..."
“Everything can’t go as planned.”
There is always a loss, but Qin Zhao doesn't think it's a pity: "The cold-clearing pills are in short supply now. Even if we don't sell the prescription, many clinics in the county will learn from us to make other pills for treating colds."
The clinic has sufficient staff and a full range of medicinal materials, and its output of pills will be greater than theirs. The people who cannot buy the cold-relieving pills will soon settle for second best.
By then, their advantages will turn into disadvantages and they will eventually be replaced by other pills with equally effective effects.
Instead, he gave the business to the county magistrate. With the authority of the county magistrate, he could at least ensure that the Quhan Pill would continue to dominate the county for a while.
Ah Yi was a businessman, and he quickly figured out the trick. He said, "Mr. Qin is really thoughtful."
Jing Li asked again: "What if the dog official gets the prescription and raises the price of the pills?"
"He doesn't have to." Qin Zhao said, "After our adjustments, the profit of Quhan Dan is not low now. And the reason why it is accepted by the people is precisely because of its low price. The people are not fools. If the price is raised rashly, this medicine will eventually become an ordinary cold medicine and will no longer have its advantages."
"… He spent several hundred taels to buy the prescription, so he probably didn't want to see this result."
The sale of the prescription was a foregone conclusion, and what remained was how they should divide the money.
Mr. Xue complained that Qin Zhao sold the medicine too cheaply, but in reality he refused to take a penny, saying that he had only made some minor suggestions on the prescription and he would not accept any reward without doing anything.
Ayi was even more unwilling to accept the money.
Since no one could convince anyone else, Qin Zhao stopped forcing it.
Anyway, the prescription is still in the shop, so even if they leave, Ayi can still make a profit by selling the cold-relieving pills.
After dinner, Qin Zhao leaned on the bed and read a book, and Jing Li brought him a cup of tea.
Qin Zhao smiled, took it and took a sip. The temperature of the tea was just right and the aroma was everywhere.
The tea was brought from the village by them. Spring tea has not come out yet, so these are old teas from last year. However, due to the proper brewing method, the taste has not changed significantly.
Qin Zhao asked: "Did you learn this from Ayi?"
"Yeah." Jing Li nodded. "The tea we brought is almost finished. But when we return to the village, it will be the season for spring tea production. I will go buy some more."
Qin Zhao likes to drink tea, but he has high requirements for brewing tea. If it is too strong, he can't sleep, and if it is too light, he can't taste the flavor. Jing Li remembers all of this in mind.
Qin Zhao put the teacup on the small table beside him and hugged Jing Li over to him: "You are becoming more and more capable as a husband."
Shuang'er of this era is just like other girls. When she grows up, she will start to learn the rules and how to take care of her husband's family, hoping that she will not be despised by her husband's family after she gets married.
Jing Li had never learned these, but he had been spending a long time with Ayi recently and had learned a lot from him.
Of course, he didn't do this just to avoid being disliked by his husband.
"It's my duty to take care of you." Jing Li said, "I want to help you more. If I can't help you with science and medicine, I can help with other things."
He did not think that doing these things was serving others or that he would be inferior to others because of it.
Qin Zhao is his lover, and he enjoys doing these things.
"Who said you can't help?" Qin Zhao stroked his hair and said softly, "If it weren't for you this time, I wouldn't have thought of making the cold-relieving pill. You are a small contributor."
As he spoke, he took out a few silver bills from his pocket and handed them to the young hero.
The largest denomination of silver notes in this era was fifty taels. Here are six fifty-tael silver notes, totaling three hundred taels.
It was the first time that Jing Li saw so much money. He took it and smoothed it out carefully. Then he took out the small box containing money from the bottom of the closet and hid the silver note carefully at the bottom of a pile of copper coins.
Qin Zhao said, "You can keep one and exchange it for small change and copper coins after the bank reopens in a few days."
"Okay." Jing Li nodded and asked, "Should we buy a house in the county town?"
"Of course you can, but..."
"What?"
"I just think there's no need to rush." Qin Zhao said, "After the county exam results are announced, successful candidates must first report to the government office in the prefectural city and sign up for the prefectural exam. We can go to the prefectural city first to take a look."
The prefectural city refers to Jiangling Prefecture.
There were twelve prefectures in this dynasty, and Jiangling Prefecture was the richest prefecture in the entire southern Central Plains due to its excellent geographical location, convenient transportation, and prosperous business.
Jing Li blinked: "You mean to buy a house in the capital? That would be so expensive..."
Qin Zhao: "Just go and take a look first, maybe you will like it."
"That's good!" Jing Li said, "The National Examination and the Imperial Examination are both in Jiangling. Next year's provincial examination will also be held in the Imperial Examination Hall of Jiangling Prefecture. If you live in the prefecture, it should be much more convenient."
Qin Zhao laughed and said, "We haven't even taken the county exam yet, and you're already thinking about taking the provincial exam?"
"More than that." Jing Li raised his eyebrows, "I've already thought of how to celebrate when you become the top scorer in high school."
"Number one..." Qin Zhao's eyes dimmed a little, but it was only for a moment. He asked Jing Li, "Do you really want to see me win the first place?"
"Of course I did." Jing Li returned to the bed and was held in Qin Zhao's arms. "You are so capable, there will definitely be no problem."
Qin Zhao stroked his hair and suddenly whispered, "No, that's not enough."
Jing Li didn't hear clearly: "What did you say?"
"I say, being the top scholar is not enough." Qin Zhao said, "Xiao Yu, do you know what a small top scholar is and a big top scholar is?"
Jing Li had heard of this knowledge in modern times, so he said: "The candidates who get first place in the county examination, prefectural examination, and academy examination are called small three yuan. And those who get first place in the provincial examination, metropolitan examination, and palace examination are called big three yuan. If you get first place in every examination, then it is..."
"It means winning six prizes in a row." Qin Zhao said, "As far as I know, there has never been such a person in this dynasty, but..."
Jing Li: "But what?"
Qin Zhao said calmly: "It will be available soon."
Jing Li raised his head and looked at him steadily.
Not sure if it was an illusion, but Jing Li always felt that something had changed about Qin Zhao in the past six months. He spoke more confidently and acted more determinedly. He could feel that the soul that had been overwhelmed by the serious illness had begun to shine again after breaking free from the shackles of fate.
So dazzling... that people are afraid to get close.
Jing Li didn't dare to think about it anymore and buried his head in Qin Zhao's arms.
There is really nothing to think about. No matter how great this person's achievements will be in the future, no matter what he becomes, he will always stay with him.
This was the promise Qin Zhao made to him.
Registration for the county examination was after the Lantern Festival, and a few days before the Lantern Festival, Chen Yan'an also came to the county town.
"Every year at this time my mother goes crazy. I can neither stand nor sit at home, so I might as well go out and hide." Chen Yan'an said angrily while eating.
"Young Master's mother is also worried about you." Ayi comforted him, "Young Master, do you want another bowl?"
Chen Yanan finished his meal in two or three bites, his eyes shining: "Yes, thank you, Ayi, the meal you cooked is delicious!"
Qin Zhao and Jing Li looked at each other and saw the same helplessness in each other's eyes.
Whether someone is trying to hide from his own mother or to come here earlier to meet his loved one, I am afraid only he himself knows.
After eating and drinking, Chen Yanan slumped in his chair and looked around the house: "I didn't expect Ayi's house to be so nice, this is really..."
"Why, are you a coward already?" Jing Li teased.
Today, Ayi took the initiative to go to the kitchen to clean up the dishes for Qin Zhao, leaving the three of them in the main house to reminisce.
Chen Yanan's cheeks flushed, and he stammered, "What nonsense are you talking about? Who said I was a coward?"
Jing Li just smiled and said nothing.
Qin Zhao asked: "Where do you live now?"
"Wenchang Academy. My husband knows Mr. Wu from that academy. Every year when we come here to take the county exam, we stay there." Speaking of this, Chen Yanan laughed again, "Mr. Wu told me about you. It's true, Brother Qin. You have only been in the county for a month, but you are already a well-known doctor."
Qin Zhao ignored his joke and said calmly, "Why don't you go back quickly? It will be curfew in another stick of incense."
There is no extra room for him in the house.
"I know, it's boring..." Chen Yan'an muttered softly, and then said, "By the way, according to convention, the day before the Lantern Festival, candidates participating in the imperial examination will hold a gathering. I will call you then."
Qin Zhao: "Okay."
Before the report after the Lantern Festival, Qin Zhao still needed to identify five companions for mutual protection. Chen Yanan had already found a few of them for Qin Zhao, but Qin Zhao had never met them yet, so this was a good opportunity to meet them.
Chen Yanan didn't stay any longer. He said goodbye to Ayi and left before curfew.
Three days later, Chen Yan'an came to find Qin Zhao for the meeting as promised.
When Qin Zhao arrived there, he realized that the people present were only the students of Mr. Wu and the students of Mr. Song, a scholar in the town.
The location is the house of Mr. Wu.
Mr. Wu was a juren, and had no interest in officialdom. He only wanted to teach and educate people, so he opened a school in the county. It is said that among his students, no less than 60 of them passed the examination and became scholars.
Qin Zhao is now quite famous among the literati in the county. Not long after he arrived, many people came up to him to greet him.
"It turns out to be Doctor Qin. I had an unexplained fever a few days ago, and you prescribed medicine to cure me!"
"Me too. I've had diarrhea for several days. Thanks to Dr. Qin."
"It turns out that Doctor Qin is also going to take the imperial examination this year. Now we have another strong rival!"
"What do you mean by strong or not strong opponent? It's not like only one person is being accepted. Are you planning to count down again this year?"
"You... How can you talk nonsense? I won't-"
Everyone was talking at once, and even Qin Zhao found it difficult to cope. Fortunately, Mr. Wu arrived quickly and saved Qin Zhao's life.
Mr. Wu said a few words to the crowd and noticed that Qin Zhao was also among them.
Chen Yanan had mentioned to him in advance that he would bring Qin Zhao to the scene, so Mr. Wu was not surprised and took the initiative to walk towards him: "Doctor Qin, long time no see."
Qin Zhao returned the greeting and said, "Mr. Wu, sorry to bother you."
Mr. Wu said, "What are you talking about, Doctor Qin? Thanks to Doctor Qin's medicine, none of my students have fallen ill this year. I think they will be able to stay safe until the end of the county exam."
"By the way, I wonder if Doctor Qin has decided on the guarantor? I have a few students here who I can introduce to Doctor Qin."
As he said this, he really called a few students over.
He Zhixing, who was the first person to come to Qin Zhao for medical treatment, was also present.
Mr. Wu introduced each person's name to Qin Zhao one by one and said, "Okay, you young people can chat. I won't disturb you."
Everyone saluted to Mr. Wu and sent him away. He Zhixing then said, "So it really is Doctor Qin. Brother Chen said last time that you are his elder brother. I was a little skeptical. It turns out it's such a coincidence."
"Brother He, what do you mean by that?" Chen Yan'an also came over and asked half-jokingly, "Am I the kind of person who likes to brag?"
He Zhixing laughed dryly: "No, of course not."
Qin Zhao asked: "So you two know each other?"
Chen Yanan coughed lightly: "We protected each other last time."
He Zhixing touched his nose and said, "The other three passed, only Brother Chen and I failed."
This matter was not very glorious, and both of them tacitly did not continue to talk about it.
Chen Yanan asked: "By the way, have you found someone to guarantee you? We are short of one more person besides Qin Zhao, are you coming?"
“It has been found.”
He Zhixing pointed at the remaining people called by Mr. Wu and said a little embarrassedly: "I'll go with them."
In the crowd, a scholar who had seen Qin Zhao for treatment said, "We are still short of one more person here. Doctor Qin, why don't you come to our place?"
"That won't do!" Chen Yan'an glared at the man fiercely and said without a doubt, "Brother Qin is already mine. Go find someone else and don't pay attention to my brother Qin."
Qin Zhao: “…”
Chen Yanan drove those people away like a protective child, and Qin Zhao said slowly: "If your sister-in-law hears this, you will never be able to enter Ayi's house again."
"..." Chen Yanan was scared for a second, "I was wrong, brother, please don't tell my sister-in-law..."
When they first arrived at the house, Chen Yan'an had already introduced two other people who would guarantee each other to Qin Zhao. They were both people he had met in the town and their character was impeccable.
But now there is only one last thing left...
Qin Zhao was just about to ask him if he had decided on the final guarantor when suddenly a figure blocked their way.
As soon as Chen Yanan saw who was coming, his expression immediately turned cold: "It turns out to be Brother Yan, excuse me."
Yan Xiu's face turned pale. He ignored Chen Yan'an's words and fixed his gaze on Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao asked: "What do you want to talk to me about?"
"Yes." Yan Xiu looked away and said stiffly, "I... I just want to ask if you are still short of a guarantor."
Qin Zhao was a little surprised, but then he heard Chen Yanan say, "No more, sorry."
"But I just heard—"
Chen Yan'an raised his eyebrows and said in a long voice: "Oh, so Brother Yan has been eavesdropping on us? What, you spread rumors about my brother Qin in the past, it's not enough, you plan to take the risk and drag him down in the imperial examination?"
"I didn't—" Yan Xiu's voice stopped abruptly, with a hint of embarrassment on his face.
He was silent for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and said to Qin Zhao: "I was drunk that time, so I talked nonsense in front of a few classmates, and I don't know how it got out."
“… I apologize.”
Qin Zhao said calmly: "No need."
He didn't care about these things, and the rumors didn't cause any impact.
Qin Zhao was curious about something else: "Why me?"
Yan Xiu didn’t understand: “Huh?”
Qin Zhao said: "As far as I know, students in the town will look for mutual guarantors before coming to the county. Only when there are one or two people missing will they look for people in the county to fill the gap. You have a high reputation in the town, and there should be many people who want to guaranty with you. Why did you wait until you came to the county to find me?"
"I..." Yan Xiu was a little embarrassed by his question, his ears turned red, "Is it because..."
Qin Zhao: "Or is it because of that poem I wrote?"
"I know why." Yan Xiu was speechless for a long time, but Chen Yan'an said, "Because Brother Yan only admires the talent of one person in his life, and that is the former Prince Rong."
Qin Zhao's eyes moved slightly.
Chen Yanan said leisurely, "It's a pity that Prince Rong died early. Brother Qin, you have matched his quatrains. Brother Yan naturally admires you. Am I right?"
Yan Xiu's face flushed red, and he scolded: "Yes, yes, so what, what does this have to do with you!"
He said to Qin Zhao: "I know it's hard for you to trust me in such a short time. I understand that you have doubts. I... I just want to clarify this matter. As for mutual protection... I will find someone else!"
"Wait a minute." Qin Zhao stopped him, "We are indeed short of one person. If you are willing, you can join us."
Yan Xiu was stunned: "Are you willing to believe me?"
Qin Zhao shook his head: "Mutual guarantee is just a promise not to cheat or violate the rules in the imperial examination. You were the first in the county examination. I believe you will not do such a thing."
After that, he looked at Chen Yanan again: "What do you think?"
Chen Yanan sighed: "I'll do as you say."
The five people who would guarantee each other were thus decided.
In a blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival passed, and the five of them went to the county government office to register. After registering, the other three returned to the town to continue preparing for the exam, while Qin Zhao and Chen Yan'an stayed in the county.
The county exam was scheduled for the sixth day of February. As the exam approached, Chen Yan'an's anxiety became more and more serious, and his eyes were dark blue. On the other hand, Qin Zhao was looking after the shop when he was supposed to, and seeing patients when he was supposed to, without any sign of him about to take the imperial examination.
As for Jing Li, he seemed to be affected by Chen Yanan's appearance and started to get nervous.
"Have you memorized all the content for the test? Why don't you read it twice more?"
"What else do I need to prepare for the exam? I'll go check it out."
"Do you want to go to the temple to get a talisman? I see many people in the county have gone there..."
Qin Zhao: “…”
For the first time, Jing Li experienced what it was like for modern parents to send their children to take the college entrance examination. With only one day left before the county examination, he became increasingly restless and actually planned to go to the temple to pray for Qin Zhao, but was stopped and carried back by the latter.
"You are a lucky fish, who else do you want to pray for?" Qin Zhao pressed the man to the head of the bed, his eyes full of helplessness and amusement, "Little fool."
Jing Li was still worried: "What if I suddenly lose my accuracy? I wasn't always accurate before..."
"Then you should trust your husband."
Qin Zhao paused, and then said, "I heard that before other students in the county take the imperial examination, their teachers will promise them a generous reward to motivate them."
"… Why don't you think of a reward to motivate me?"
Jing Li blinked: "Okay, what reward do you want?"
Qin Zhao: "You want me to bring it up myself?"
They were a family, and everything was shared by the two of them. Jing Li couldn't think of a way to reward him: "Just tell me, as long as I can do it, I will definitely agree to it."
"I want..." Qin Zhao leaned close to Jing Li's ear and whispered two words with a smile in his eyes.
It was now dusk. Qin Zhao got up and went to the kitchen to cook. Jing Li buried his head in the quilt, and his exposed neck was completely red.
What Qin Zhao just talked about was... the tail.