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Chapter 35: Mutual Testing, A Big Shopping Trip
Chapter 35: Mutual Testing, A Big Shopping Trip
"Young master, you said your master is that Old Doctor Chen?"
The smile faded from Ma Ye's face, and he looked slightly more solemn.
"It seems that's what the villagers call him," Lu Qing replied, his tension easing slightly.
"Yes, Brother Ma. This young one goes to Old Chen to study every day," Wang Da'an quickly added, seizing the opportunity.
Ma Ye scrutinized Lu Qing and Wang Da'an, then suddenly broke into a smile.
"So it's Old Doctor Chen's esteemed apprentice. My apologies for my earlier rudeness."
Ma Ye bowed respectfully to Lu Qing, which startled the boy, causing him to take a step back.
Lu Qing waved his hands in a flustered manner. "I'm not worthy of being called an apprentice. I've only learned a little about medicinal herbs from my master so far and don't know how to treat illnesses yet."
Ma Ye couldn't help but chuckle at Lu Qing's honesty.
"Nonetheless, I did offend you earlier. Allow me to pay for the meat you're buying as a token of my apology."
"That's not necessary," Lu Qing shook his head repeatedly. "My master taught me to never accept undeserved rewards. I can't take your money."
"But I did offend you just now. Please let me make amends with this gift of meat," Ma Ye insisted.
No matter what Ma Ye said, Lu Qing only shook his head, firmly refusing to accept his offer.
Wang Da'an, standing beside them, had his eyes wide with surprise.
It was the first time he had seen Ma Ye being so polite to anyone.
And this person was his little brother, Lu Qing.
Seeing Lu Qing's persistent refusal, Wang Da'an grew anxious.
That was over ten pounds of meat, and Lu Qing was refusing a free gift. What was he thinking?
Though anxious, Wang Da'an didn't speak up for Lu Qing.
He knew that Lu Qing could read, had the teachings of the old doctor, and undoubtedly knew better than he did.
If Lu Qing didn't want to accept the offer, he must have his reasons.
Ma Ye saw that Lu Qing was unwavering in his refusal to accept his apology and had an idea. He smiled again.
"Young master is truly kind-hearted and worthy of being Old Doctor Chen's apprentice. How about this—I noticed you seemed concerned about this silver coin earlier. Let me help you exchange it."
The butcher chimed in, "Yes, young master. Ma Ye here is probably the only one in this village capable of exchanging that silver for you."
Lu Qing hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Brother Ma."
He took out the silver coin, and Ma Ye examined it. Seeing the fine snowflake pattern on the silver, he grew even more convinced of Lu Qing's words.
It wasn't easy for a boy from the countryside to obtain such high-quality silver.
Ma Ye weighed the coin in his hand and said, "This coin is worth about six qian. In copper coins, that would be around six hundred."
Ma Ye took a cloth bag from his body and fished out two small strings of copper coins before handing the bag to Lu Qing.
"There should be enough copper coins in there to cover the value of your silver coin. Please count it."
Lu Qing took the bag and began counting the coins without hesitation.
Wang Da'an wanted to help, but he knew he was no good at counting, and his assistance would only create more confusion. So he could only fret on the sidelines.
Lu Qing quickly counted the coins.
Ma Ye's eyes narrowed as he watched Lu Qing count.
It was rare for someone from the countryside to be literate, and being able to count to one hundred was already impressive.
Judging by Lu Qing's speed, it was clear that counting was no challenge for him.
Ma Ye became increasingly convinced that Lu Qing was indeed the old doctor's disciple.
Soon, Lu Qing finished counting.
He looked up and said, "I think there's too much."
There were six hundred and fifty copper coins in the bag. Based on the exchange rate of one tael of silver to one thousand copper coins, there were fifty extra.
Chapter 35: Mutual Testing, A Big Shopping Trip
"Not too many, your silver is of fine quality, and an extra fifty coins is only right." Ma Ye said with a smile.
Lu Qing thought for a moment before deciding not to refuse again. He knew that Ma Ye was trying to be friendly, and since he had already turned him down several times, he didn't want to completely reject his overtures. Besides, this could be an opportunity for him to learn more about the outside world.
"The money has been exchanged, young master, so you can rest assured and continue with your shopping. By the way, I don't think I caught your name?" Ma Ye took the opportunity to ask.
"I'm called Lu Qing," Lu Qing replied, then pointed to Wang Da'an beside him and introduced him as well, "and this is my fellow villager, Brother Da'an Wang."
"Ma Ye, my name is Wang Da'an," Wang Da'an said somewhat obsequiously.
"Wang Da'an, is it? Good."
Ma Ye could clearly see that Wang Da'an was just an ordinary country youth, but he still nodded politely to him.
This simple gesture was enough to make Wang Da'an extremely excited, and his face reddened with pleasure.
"Lu Qing, my young friend, I wish you an enjoyable time here. I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Ma Ye was a man who knew how to read the room and chose to maintain a respectful distance instead of attaching himself to Lu Qing.
Lu Qing was, of course, quite pleased with this.
While he was also interested in befriending Ma Ye, now wasn't the time. Their strengths were not yet on equal footing.
At the moment, Ma Ye was merely showing him some extra consideration because of his supposed connection to Old Doctor Chen.
After Ma Ye left, Lu Qing returned to the butcher's stall.
"Boss, can I buy some meat now?"
"Of course." The butcher beamed at Lu Qing. "Young master, so you're the apprentice of Old Doctor Chen! No wonder you carry yourself so well!"
Lu Qing looked down at his patched-up clothes and felt a bit speechless.
Was this really carrying oneself well?
"How so? Do you also know Old Doctor Chen?" Wang Da'an asked curiously.
The butcher replied, "Young man, you ask if I know Old Doctor Chen? Everyone within ten li knows of him! Last year, my wife fell ill with a cold after giving birth, and it was Old Doctor Chen who saved her life. He's a famous miracle doctor around here!"
"In that case, Boss, you should give us a discount on the meat, right?" Wang Da'an seized the opportunity.
"A discount? Of course!"
In the end, the butcher waived the small change, and Lu Qing ended up paying three copper coins less for the meat.
After buying the meat, Lu Qing and Wang Da'an continued browsing the market. Before long, they had accumulated a large pile of goods, mostly grains and daily necessities.
They bought a significant amount of grain, as well as some vegetables seeds and sewing supplies. Lu Qing wanted to plant more vegetables in the yard instead of always foraging for wild vegetables. As for the sewing supplies, the large iron needle they had been using as a fish hook at home was showing signs of wear and tear, so he wanted to make extra hooks as backups.
Lu Qing also noticed fish for sale at the market and inquired about the price, finding it to be even cheaper than pork. This made sense, as fat was more valuable than lean meat to the common folk of this world. Fish, being lean, weren't as filling, so the poor often preferred pork. Only wealthy nobles would pay a premium for fish to satisfy their taste for fresh flavors.
Once they had sold all their goods, Lu Qing was left with only half of his original six hundred and fifty copper coins. He bought two large bamboo baskets, and he and Wang Da'an carried and hauled their purchases as they left the market and made their way back to the village.
(End of Chapter)
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