Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

No. 28, Nanluoguxiang.

Lou Xiao'e poured Wang Feng a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Brother Feng, you've been studying traditional Chinese medicine for so long, how's it going?"

Wang Feng took a sip of tea and sighed helplessly: "So-so. I can barely be considered an entry-level now. I can spot some minor problems without any issues."

"what?"

Lou Xiao'e was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Wang Feng to be so capable, having already grasped the basics of traditional Chinese medicine and even being able to diagnose some minor ailments.

Thinking of this, she blushed and said, "Brother Feng, do you know how to take a pulse? Can you take my pulse?"

Wang Feng nodded and smiled indifferently: "Son, there's no need to take your pulse. I know you're in excellent health. Since you want to try, I'll take your pulse."

As he spoke, Wang Feng took Lou Xiao'e's slender, white hand and placed his index finger on her pulse.

Soon, Wang Feng felt that Lou Xiao'e's pulse was steady and strong, and her blood and qi were like a fierce tiger, more than three times stronger than those of a normal adult woman.

During this time, he studied traditional Chinese medicine under Ninth Master, and of course he also learned pulse diagnosis. He even took the pulse of the second brother's wife. Lou Xiao'e's condition in all aspects was far superior to that of the second brother's wife.

Seeing Wang Feng remain silent, Lou Xiao'e asked with some concern, "Brother Feng, how are you? Is my body alright?"

Wang Feng released Lou Xiao'e's wrist and laughed heartily: "Son, don't worry, your body is excellent, even better than an athlete's. How could there be a problem?"

"Oh, that's good."

Hearing that there was nothing wrong with her body, Lou Xiao'e was finally relieved. She was too embarrassed to ask why she hadn't gotten pregnant after so long, but as long as there was nothing wrong with her body, she would be able to get pregnant eventually.

"Brother Feng, you've only learned the basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Are you really planning to send Mr. Jiu and the others to Hong Kong Island in a little over a month? Won't that mean no one will be teaching you then?"

Hearing this, Wang Feng smiled helplessly: "There's still a little over a month left. I estimate that my medical skills will reach Ninth Master's level. If I want to improve further, I'll have to rely on myself. Even if Ninth Master continues to teach me, it won't be of much help to me anymore."

Lou Xiao'e nodded her little head, her face full of admiration: "Hehe, Brother Feng, you are really amazing. This is what the ancients often said: 'The master leads you to the door, but the practice is up to you.' But I believe that Brother Feng's medical skills will definitely surpass Mr. Jiu's in the future."

"Um."

Wang Feng did not refute this. As long as he devoted himself to studying medicine, surpassing Ninth Master was only a matter of time.

After all, he has an exceptional memory and comprehension ability, as well as some advantages that conventional Chinese medicine practitioners like Ninth Master lack: the ability to use people as guinea pigs for experiments.

If Xiao Rizi can capture Chinese people for live experiments, why can't he capture Xiao Rizi for experiments? These Xiao Rizi can hardly be called human; what disgusting and vicious things wouldn't they do? He doesn't have the chance to go to Xiao Rizi now, otherwise he would definitely turn Xiao Rizi upside down, capture thousands or tens of thousands more and put them in his space for live experiments to improve his medical skills.

When I go to Hong Kong Island next month, I might see if I can visit Xiao Rizi. If so, I really want to go.

He didn't want to cause trouble in Beijing, but things would be different in Xiao Rizi. Whether it was capturing people to take to his space or looting Xiao Rizi's supplies, he had no psychological burden. He could loot Xiao Rizi's gold, and it would be even better if he could get jade and precious stones.

Wang Feng secretly kept this plan in mind, but he could only put it into practice after he went to his boudoir.

Lou Xiao'e saw Wang Feng holding a teacup but not drinking it, so she reminded him, "Brother Feng, what are you daydreaming about? The tea is getting cold."

"Well."

Wang Feng snapped out of his reverie and chuckled, "It's nothing. I was just thinking about medical techniques. By the way, son, is there any food left at home?"

Lou Xiao'e smiled sweetly: "Yes, we still haven't finished the beef you brought yesterday. I'll make you spiced beef for lunch."

"Um."

After having lunch at Lou Xiao'e's place, Wang Feng went to Ninth Master's place to learn medical skills, as he always did.

......

at the same time.

On a mountain somewhere in Baoding.

Banggeng rolled up his trousers, bent over in the paddy field, skillfully planting rice seedlings. Sweat and mud made his little face dirty, but his hands didn't stop, or rather, he dared not stop.

Over the past few days, Bang Geng has been terrified of being beaten. His body is now covered in whip marks, even more than the Liu Guangtian brothers.

When you're under someone's roof, you have no choice but to work honestly. If you don't work, you'll be beaten. Even if you slack off for a little while, you'll get a beating.

However, he kept looking for an opportunity, and as soon as he had a chance, he was determined to find a way to leave this awful place.

Now he works during the day and is chained to a pillar by a dog at night. Old Chen keeps the key close to his body, just in case he runs away.

He hasn't had a chance to make a move these past two days, but he believes he'll find one eventually.

Seeing that the rice seedlings were planted well, Old Man Chen dared not slack off anymore, which made him very gratified. He stroked the whip in his hand and revealed a sickly smile.

Even the most disobedient brats have to be obedient; if they don't listen, a few more lashes will do the trick.

"You little bastard, don't you dare slack off. If you don't finish planting these seedlings today, I'll teach you a lesson."

Bang Geng didn't answer Chen Laoyan's question. His hands kept planting rice seedlings, his teeth were clenched so hard they made a cracking sound, and his eyes were full of resentment towards Chen Laoyan.

Old Chen took a stool, sat down, took out his pipe and smoked. He watched as Bang Geng worked efficiently for him. He only needed to watch, and he felt that the sixty yuan was well spent.

......

Steel rolling mill.

After Qin Huairu finished eating with Wang Mazi, she took him to a secluded corner, and tears streamed down her face as if they were free.

Seeing this, Wang Mazi immediately softened, took out three yuan from his pocket and handed it to Qin Huairu, sighed, and said:

"Huai Ru, I only have three yuan left. You can take it and use it."

Qin Huairu put the money back into Wang Mazi's hand, sobbing uncontrollably, and said:

"Waaah, Brother Ma, I...I didn't want to borrow money from you, I...I'm just feeling sad."

Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi immediately became anxious and hurriedly asked, "Huai Ru, what exactly happened? Tell me!"

"Waaaaah, Brother Ma, my son Banggeng has been kidnapped by Paihuazi!"

Qin Huairu cried with tears streaming down her face; this time, she was truly heartbroken.

Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi was at a loss. He didn't know how to comfort Qin Huairu. His son had been kidnapped by a kidnapper, and there was nothing he could do!