Chapter 49: Undercurrents Stir

A few days later, Huanzhang White Medicine and Huanzhang Treasure Pill officially entered the major pharmacies among the common people, and the related decrees were also issued to the provinces. The miraculous effects of these two medicines gradually began to spread among the populace.

To ensure these medicines could achieve their best results, Du Chengfeng immediately purchased a shop beside the largest pharmacy in Chang'an, dedicated to selling disinfectant head liquor. He had his elder brother, Du Wen, manage the sale of head liquor in the shop, and officially handed over the business of Immortal Liquor to his brother as well, instructing Shopkeeper Lu and Wang Zhuo to liaise directly with Du Wen when picking up goods.

This was also a form of training and cultivation for him. Whenever time permitted, Du Chengfeng would teach his brother some modern concepts of sales and the application of marketing techniques.

Unexpectedly, although Du Wen had grown up in Du Family Village, he was a rare commercial genius. He grasped modern business concepts instantly and understood marketing deeply. It gave Du Chengfeng the illusion that his brother had studied business before. On the other hand, since crossing over, he found himself remembering very little about the grandfather who had adopted him.

Could it be that the profound grief had led him to forget selectively? Was Du Wen’s talent for business nurtured by their grandfather? Du Chengfeng was truly puzzled.

Nevertheless, it was a blessing that his brother possessed such talent. Perhaps in the future, he could fully entrust the business side to Du Wen. After all, Du Wen was his own kin, much better than leaving it to an outsider.

But what Du Chengfeng had not anticipated was that the two prescriptions he presented to Li Shimin in the Hall of Supreme Polarity stirred up a storm in Chang'an, even bringing him a number of minor troubles.

Yet, Du Chengfeng never took such small troubles to heart. His reason for offering the medicines was simply to act on impulse and settle a personal matter—to commemorate the great old man who had adopted him.

Perhaps another person, bearing such miraculous prescriptions, would have pondered and hesitated, for the saying goes, "A commoner is innocent, but possessing treasure is a crime."

But Du Chengfeng would not do so. If a man must always look before he leaps and hesitate at every turn, he will accomplish nothing.

In the secret chamber of the Zheng family in Yingyang, several elderly doctors with white beards each held a bottle of Huanzhang White Medicine and Huanzhang Treasure Pill, racking their brains to analyze the ingredients. The table beside them was piled high with herbs identified as similar in their analysis.

These old doctors were the best in Yingyang City, secretly invited by the Zheng family. Nevertheless, despite their efforts and sweat, progress was slow and unsatisfactory.

The family head, Zheng Hongbo, furrowed his brows and paced restlessly within the chamber, anxious as a cat on a hot stove.

“Doctor Wang, any progress?” Zheng Hongbo asked impatiently.

“Master Zheng, the situation is not optimistic. With only these finished medicines, it is extremely difficult for us to analyze the types of herbs inside. Even if we do, it’s useless without knowing the exact proportions. You know, with traditional medicine, even the slightest difference in dosage can lead to completely different outcomes,” Doctor Wang replied, breathing heavily and uneasy.

“Is there truly no other way?” Zheng Hongbo asked, troubled.

“Unless we can obtain the complete prescription. Otherwise, success is impossible,” Doctor Zhang responded, his expression bleak.

“If I had the prescription, why would I need you at all?” Zheng Hongbo said angrily.

“I’m sorry, Master Zheng. We really are powerless,” Doctor Wang said, dejected.

Hearing their words, Zheng Hongbo instantly deflated, his head drooping like a frostbitten eggplant leaf, his face shrouded in a dense cloud of gloom.

Zheng Hongbo had considered acquiring the prescription, but according to the young noblemen of Chang’an, the formulas were guarded closely by Li Shimin, and no one knew where he kept them.

Purchasing the medicines in bulk through normal channels was out of the question, as Li Shimin strictly controlled the quantities. Every buyer had to be registered in detail and provide a doctor’s certificate.

In essence, unless purchased through the pharmacies or prescribed by a sitting doctor, all possibilities for reselling were eliminated. Li Shimin’s control of these medicines was impeccable.

“Perhaps Master Zheng could try approaching the young man who offered the medicine?” Doctor Wang wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and suggested softly.

“But it’s said that the young man handed the prescriptions directly to the Emperor in front of all the civil and military officials,” Zheng Hongbo replied, disheartened.

Suddenly, Zheng Hongbo’s eyes lit up and he exclaimed excitedly, “Doctor Wang, are you suggesting that the young man who offered the medicine might know the proportions of the ingredients, or perhaps he still has a copy of the prescription?”

“It’s possible,” Doctor Wang replied.

Zheng Hongbo’s mind began to race. According to reports from the court, Du Chengfeng had only recently obtained the prescriptions; otherwise, his grandfather would not have died from a wound infection.

Moreover, it was said that Du Chengfeng had saved one of his own household servants with these prescriptions. Did that mean he already knew how to make them?

Hmm, perhaps there was an opportunity to speak with this young man named Du Chengfeng.

Having made up his mind, Zheng Hongbo said to the doctors, “Well, thank you all for your efforts today. Please take your leave, and I shall visit you again when the opportunity arises.”

“Of course, of course,” Doctor Wang replied politely, and together the doctors took their leave.

After they departed, Zheng Hongbo returned to his study. He was determined to obtain these two medicines.

From the moment he heard the news, Zheng Hongbo had been considering how to acquire them. Once obtained, he could sell them at several times the price, making a fortune. Though the Zheng family was a prestigious clan, managing such a vast household required immense wealth and resources.

Besides, who would ever complain of having too much money? The miraculous effects of these medicines would surely attract the interest of many noble families; Zheng’s was just one among them.

Although the Emperor had decreed against reselling, with the family’s centuries-old connections, selling the medicines would be no trouble at all. If they couldn’t sell in Tang, they could sell to other countries.

Once people witnessed their miraculous efficacy, any nation would fight to obtain them.

“Someone, summon the eldest young master to my study for a meeting,” Zheng Hongbo ordered the servant waiting outside.

“Yes, Master,” the servant replied respectfully.