The head of the Mu family

Chapter 18 Opportunities Must Be Earned

Before, I rarely wrote characters, let alone calligraphy; I mostly typed on computers and mobile phones.

Shen Huai: Speaking of the past, I miss my family so much!

Ah~ It's been so long since I've missed my family~

The reason I was better than them at the beginning was because I was an adult with a more serious learning attitude, so it's normal for me to improve faster than the kids.

So much time has passed, it's normal for them to have two children.

"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me." This is an age-old truth.

They practiced happily until Madam Qian came to call them for dinner, and only then did the three of them reluctantly put down their pens.

Shen Huai felt that this was a hard-won opportunity, so he needed to practice more!

The two children weren't enough of being sparring partners and instructors.

The next day was the bride's third-day homecoming. Before Doctor Gao could even speak, Doctor Qian hurriedly pulled him away.

As naturally as eating or drinking, Old Madam Qian took Wuya to school with her.

The two children from the Qian family in the school have started learning the Four Books, and have just begun learning the Analects.

In modern times, Shen Huai only memorized famous quotes from the Four Books and Five Classics in his school textbooks.

In ancient times, this was a core subject, just like Chinese, mathematics, and English, so Shen Huai felt that every time he listened to it, he was making a profit.

It would be best to find some books to read back home; the core cultural values ​​that are essential for settling down here cannot be taken lightly.

So they perked up their ears and listened attentively.

I continued practicing calligraphy this afternoon.

Several more days passed, and Shen Huai's handwriting had not improved much, but the two children's handwriting had improved considerably.

My two children had reached a plateau in their handwriting practice, and they were starting to slack off because they couldn't see any progress.

I've been especially serious lately because of Xiao Wuya's influence!

By practicing two more large characters a day than usual, I gradually broke through that small bottleneck.

The family was secretly overjoyed to see the progress their two children had made.

They all reached a tacit understanding:

Just as Dr. Gao was about to take it back, someone immediately stepped in to change the subject.

After staying for about ten days, the brides had all learned to cooperate tacitly.

Shen Huai: It's true that focusing on the children is more likely to gain parents' approval.

Never mind, let's hurry up and learn about the culture of this era!

By the end of November, Dr. Gao resolutely declared that he wanted to go back!

The reason is: "Brother Qian! The main problem is that Xiao Wuya has been out for too long, and her family will worry."

Originally, Wu Ya's family thought that even if she came and went, she would only be gone for ten days or so at most.

Shen Huai: What are they worried about?

His words were sincere and earnest, and Dr. Qian laughed heartily upon hearing them:

"Brother, do you even need to tell me that?"

I already sent someone to tell the child's parents that the child will be back before the eve of the Lunar New Year, so don't worry!

You're definitely a good brother, we're on the same page!

You're treating this place like your own home, but when you go back, you're just glaring at the old monk next door!

It would be great if you could make some extra money here and go back home to have a prosperous New Year.

Don't worry! Your brother definitely won't keep you here for the New Year. We're busy this year with a new bride.

"Come next Chinese New Year, that's fine, hehe!"

Dr. Gao was a very honest man, and he was completely confused by what Dr. Qian said.

Shen Huai didn't care where he was:

I don't feel a sense of belonging anywhere!

I'm even happier here!

I get milk every morning, toilet paper when I go to the bathroom, and I can even learn something new every day – it's like getting a free ride every day!

When Shen Huai heard about earning more money, his eyes lit up!

Shen Huai: Oh dear! I've been so engrossed in studying the Four Books and practicing calligraphy lately that I've forgotten all about the important matter of making money!

After everyone finished eating, took a walk to digest and chatted, Shen Huai shared his thoughts with Qian Shao.

Qian Shao went with her to Doctor Qian and the old lady's place. The old couple were puzzled as to why the child was coming so late.

Shen Huai bowed gracefully and said:

"Grandpa Qian and Grandma Qian, you know how my family is doing. I want to earn some money!"

I've noticed that lately it's been you and your master, or Uncle Qian, on duty at noon.

I plan to go to the pharmacy for a consultation after school ends tomorrow, during lunchtime.

Don't worry, I can handle most common ailments.

You can confirm this with my doctor; I've been practicing medicine in the village for over a year now.

If I encounter something I can't decide, I'll call you immediately.

"I can take the same commission as other doctors at the pharmacy from the consultation fees I collect. What do you think?"

"You little brat~"

Grandpa heard from your master that you've already been seeing patients and getting medicine on your own for a while.

However, you're still growing, so you can't skip lunch!

As for the money, you don't need to worry about it.

"Grandpa Qian, thank you for your kindness." Shen Huai bowed, interrupting him.

"I understand what you mean, but I cannot accept a reward without merit!"

Although I am young, I must rely on myself to make a living in this world.

I just learned this a few days ago: "As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement."

Although I am not a gentleman, I still wish to conduct myself and act with the heart and conduct of a gentleman!

Although I'm facing some difficulties right now, I will work hard and strive for self-improvement.

Therefore, I can only say I'm ungrateful for your and Grandma Qian's kindness, and I hope you can understand!

After saying that, he bowed again.

"Good child, what are you doing!" Old Madam Qian said as she helped Shen Huai up.

“Since you’ve said so, then let’s go tomorrow.”

With the twelfth lunar month approaching, doctors on duty are indeed busy with family matters.

The second son is newly married, and it's just me and your master, two old bones, who are on duty at noon.

It would be great if you could help. We're getting old, and it would be best if we could rest at noon.

Your master and I went together, taking turns to rest. You were a huge help to us!

Just like I told you, even a prestigious institution like Jishetang cannot show favoritism.

A doctor who holds a consultation receives one string of cash per month, and also earns income from consultation fees and prescriptions.

To be frank, I'll give you ten coins a day, with 30% of the consultation fee going to you and 10% commission on dispensing medicine—the same treatment as the doctors who hold consultations.

If you agree, you will begin your shift tomorrow, from 9:45 AM to 1:15 PM.

Shen Huai knew this was a lenient way of treating him, so he naturally agreed.

Upon hearing this, Qian Shao said, "I'm going to take Qian Yao with me to deliver food, and then help me get medicine!"

The elderly couple were overjoyed to hear this and immediately agreed.

The next day, Shen Huai went to work on time.

As December approached, one afternoon, Dr. Gao suddenly wanted to check on his young apprentice's performance.

So when he had some free time, he spoke to Doctor Qian.

Doctor Qian was also curious, so he took the prescription record book over, and both of them were stunned when they saw it.

Some prescriptions cost only a few coins, some a few taels of silver, some more than ten taels, and some even several tens of taels!

Looking at the prescription, the symptoms were all correct, but the two were still puzzled and decided to ask the child in person.

After the evening meal, Granny Lan, who served Old Madam Qian, called Shen Huai over.

Qian Yao happened to be there too, and the three of them were reciting each other's words, so they all went along.

When they arrived at Doctor Qian's courtyard, they saw that Doctor Gao was also there.

Old Madam Qian got up and came over, patting the snowflakes off the children, and said softly:

"Child, your master and Grandpa Qian want to ask you about getting the medicine."

Do you want to explain this to them separately?

Upon hearing this, Shen Huai quickly understood what it meant and smiled calmly:

"It's alright, Grandma Qian, you can all know."

After saying that, he stepped inside.

"Wuya! Take a look for yourself first, then tell me what happened?"

Doctor Gao, holding the record book, asked with a serious expression.

"Hehe~ No need to look, I know the recipe I wrote down~"

Those who paid a few or tens of coins were poor families seeking medical treatment;

A few hundred coins or a string of cash were for poor families with serious illnesses, or for ordinary people.

A few taels of silver are for ordinary people with more serious illnesses;

Those who have more than ten taels of silver are from wealthy families;

Those costing several tens of taels of silver were from wealthy families and were more seriously ill.

"What kind of fallacy is this?" Doctor Gao was somewhat angry after hearing it.

"I agree with the plight of poor people!"

But this isn't a pastoral village, and the opening price is too low.

Other things should be treated equally!

How could you have such wicked thoughts at such a young age?

"Uncle Gao, it's not that I had any ulterior motives, it's just the original intentions of those people who came for treatment!"

The medicine I prescribed was usually six doses at a time, and the first batch has basically been finished.

Don't worry, you can check again after the 15th of the twelfth lunar month.

I'll explain it to you then. If you still think I have ulterior motives, you can scold me then.

"Look, all my prescriptions are effective."

After hearing this, everyone stopped talking and told him to go back to bed early.

Before we knew it, it was the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

When Shen Huai finished practicing his calligraphy at the pharmacy that day, he went there with his two little followers.

After the attending physicians returned home, Shen Huai found the booklet himself and gave it to Doctor Gao and Doctor Qian.

The two discovered:

In addition to ordinary people, the number of people coming to see doctors has increased, including both the poor and the rich.

The two elderly people were completely baffled!

Shen Huai explained:

"For ordinary people, as long as they get proper medical treatment, the cost of medicine is about the same, so it doesn't matter who gets treatment."

They're poor people; there wouldn't be another person in the entire Panlong County who runs a business like this, including Uncle Gao.

Uncle Gao only drives like this in the pastoral village.

"That's how rich people drive! I don't know about others, but that's how I drive."

Doctor Gao remained silent, but Doctor Qian spoke up:

"Why, child?"

"I speak like this to the poor because I am a child."

The clinic will only be open for consultations for a few days during lunchtime, which will not affect the normal market.

Uncle Gao will try to use cheaper remedies when prescribing medicine, but he won't be too obvious about them.

Once you enter the territory of Panlong County, you cannot disregard the bottom line of this line of work in this area.

So only I run it, and no one else will bother the clinic.

As for the rich, their faces basically scream:

"Don't try to fool me with cheap medicine. If it doesn't cure me or makes me sick, you'll be sorry!"

Therefore, I try my best to use the best medicinal herbs for them.

Then I gave them a lot of instructions on how to prepare the medicine, and also helped them adjust their diet.

They were told that if they didn't cooperate, these precious medicinal herbs would be wasted, but if they cooperated, they would feel the effects themselves.

As a result, they felt that I was doing this for them.

"After recovering from the illness and feeling reassured after taking the good medicine, they came back to see me and even introduced other wealthy people to me."

The two elderly people were stunned for a long time after hearing this, looking at the innocent-looking child, not knowing what to say!

The elders: Well, this matter is both good and bad, so it's hard to give a proper evaluation.

Just as the young doctor's reputation was gradually spreading, there was still a queue at the pharmacy at noon that day.

A middle-aged couple arrived, and the man started wailing as soon as he got there.