In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 10, Section 10: Inquiring about Prices at a Pharmacy
Wu Hongtao's excitement faded, replaced by deep sympathy. "His father is that musician, wasn't he... taken away? There's been no news about him."

A few days ago, it seems his mother slipped and fell badly on her way back from a meeting in the neighborhood at night. She was taken to the hospital, but died a few days later.

"Poor thing, she's all alone now."

Yang Guangming's heart sank as memories of Lin Shunan, who was originally sunny, cheerful, and fond of playing the violin, surfaced in his mind.

"And what happened to him after that?"

“His mother’s workplace was the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill, and according to policy, they reserved a place for him to fill in for someone else.”

Wu Hongtao sighed, "I heard I could get a clerical job in the department, but somehow I ended up as a loader when I reported for duty."

He was such a big guy, but now he spends all day silently carrying heavy bags, hardly ever talking to people. It feels like... he's shrunk a lot.

He shook his head and took another sip of soda.

"Xie Feiyang is finally enjoying himself!"

Wu Hongtao's tone shifted, tinged with envy, "They have impeccable family backgrounds; their parents are both officers in military compounds. As soon as they received their diplomas, their jobs were already arranged, and they were directly assigned to a department in the district government."

I've heard that office workers are sheltered from the wind and rain. It's infuriating to compare yourself to others!

Yang Guangming nodded in agreement; Xie Feiyang's path to success was as expected.

"And Wu Kai."

Wu Hongtao continued, "His parents were both cadres in a food factory. After graduation, he was assigned to Dongfang Machinery Factory as a purchasing agent!"

This is a lucrative job! I ran into him the other day, riding a brand new 'Forever' brand bicycle, a real gem!

"Purchasing agent?" Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat, and he remembered the information.

"you do not say!"

Wu Hongtao didn't notice Yang Guangming's micro-expression. "There are a few others in Alaban, like Wang Hai and Liu Jianjun. They don't have any connections in their families, and they haven't found jobs themselves. The neighborhood committee is urging them to go to the countryside, so they simply signed up."

They said they were going to Jiangxi or Huizhou; they'll probably be leaving in a few days.

He talked on and on about the recent situations of his classmates, and Yang Guangming listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a few words. Water droplets condensed on the wall of the soda bottle slid down and wet his fingers.

When Wu Hongtao's topic came to an end, Yang Guangming felt that the time was about right.

He put down the soda bottle, his face showing just the right amount of embarrassment and a hint of pleading, and lowered his voice:
"Hongtao, actually, besides seeing my old classmate, I also have something... a bit troublesome that I'd like to ask you about."

"What's wrong? Tell me!" Wu Hongtao patted his chest generously. "If I can help, I definitely will!"

"Is such that."

Yang Guangming carefully considered his words, "There was a distant relative who used to have some old things hidden in the house... well, he had some assets."

I'm in dire straits now, and I'm really struggling to make ends meet, so I'm thinking of selling some of my old, valuable Chinese medicinal herbs to get some cash to tide me over.

I heard that large pharmacies can offer higher purchase prices and have more legitimate channels.

That's why Toala came to inquire about the details.

He paused, looking at Wu Hongtao: "But how would I know any of this? I'm completely clueless. That's why I thought of you! You were an apprentice at Jishetang, that's what you were exposed to, you must know more about this than I do."

I just wanted to ask if pharmacies still accept ginseng, deer antler, bezoar, and rhinoceros horn? What's the approximate price? Are there any precautions I should take? Or... are there any risks involved?

Upon hearing that it was such a "professional" matter, Wu Hongtao immediately toned down his previous boastful tone, and his face showed an expression that said, "This topic is a bit beyond the scope of the curriculum."

He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Well... Yang Guangming, to be honest, I've only been here for a few months. I mainly learn about medicinal herbs and their processing, and I assist my master."

These acquisitions, prices, and policies—all of them were personally overseen by my uncle… oh, Director Aragoo. I really wouldn't dare to speak carelessly about it.”

Yang Guangming immediately expressed his understanding: "I understand, I understand. An apprentice has to take it one step at a time. So... would it be convenient for you to introduce me to Director Gu?"
I just want to ask a few policy-related questions; I promise I won't put you in a difficult position.

His tone was sincere, and his eyes were open.

Wu Hongtao thought about it and felt the request was reasonable. After all, they were classmates, and the question was about policy, not specific procedures. Although his uncle was serious, he was reasonable. He nodded.
"Okay! You wait here, I'll go in and talk to my uncle and see if he's available right now."

"Thank you so much, Hongtao!" Yang Guangming said gratefully.

Wu Hongtao turned and ran back to the pharmacy.

A few minutes later, he came out again with a relaxed smile on his face: "My uncle just saw off a guest and has some free time. Come on, I'll take you to his office."

Yang Guangming followed Wu Hongtao back into Jishetang, passed through the front hall filled with the aroma of medicine, and arrived at a quiet little office in the back.

The office was simply furnished with an old-fashioned desk, two chairs, a filing cabinet, and a human meridian chart and several yellowed certificates of merit hanging on the wall.

A man around fifty years old, wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit, black-rimmed glasses, and with his hair neatly combed, was writing something at his desk.

He had a lean face, and his brows were habitually furrowed, exuding an air of rigor and old-fashionedness. He was Gu Yongkang, the manager of the Jishetang branch.

“Uncle, this is my classmate Yang Guangming,” Wu Hongtao introduced.

"Guangming, this is my maternal uncle, Director Gu."

"Hello, Director Gu, I'm sorry to disturb your work." Yang Guangming quickly bowed slightly to greet him, his attitude respectful.

Gu Yongkang raised his head, his sharp yet calm gaze sweeping over Yang Guangming from behind his glasses. He nodded, his voice steady and powerful:

"Yes, please sit down. Hongtao told me you have questions about the medicinal herb procurement policy?"

He pointed to the chair opposite him, getting straight to the point without any further pleasantries.

"Yes, Director Gu, thank you for your help." Yang Guangming sat down as instructed, straightening his back, and clearly and concisely repeated the reasons he had just told Wu Hongtao.

After listening, Gu Yongkang did not immediately express his opinion. Instead, he picked up the enamel mug on the table, took a sip of strong tea, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke, his words clear and his tone serious:
"Young comrade, it's understandable that you're asking on behalf of your relative."

However, the national policies and regulations regarding the private sale of medicinal herbs, especially valuable ones, are very clear. I must make this clear to you to prevent your relative from going astray and causing unnecessary trouble.

He stared directly at Yang Guangming, his gaze carrying an invisible pressure:
"Firstly, ginseng, deer antler, and natural bezoar are three categories of precious Chinese medicinal materials that are explicitly designated by the state for 'unified purchase and sale'."

According to national policies on the management of medicinal materials, private owners must and can only sell to state-designated medicinal material purchasing stations, state-owned medicinal material companies, or designated Chinese medicine shops like ours that have purchasing qualifications.

Private transactions are strictly prohibited.

(End of this chapter)