"Although you've traveled a long distance, isn't this price a bit too exorbitant?"
Indeed, after hearing the quoted price, Zhang Jing felt completely disheartened.
While cultivating grain here was indeed simpler, fifty shi was no small amount.
Moreover, according to previous regulations, business with the Song Dynasty at sea used the Song Dynasty's weights and measures.
Calculated by Song Dynasty standards, the yield of one mu of land was approximately just over four shi.
This tiny pill required the yield of nearly thirteen mu of land; the cost was simply too high.
"Good things are never cheap. Let's wait for your verification of its efficacy!"
Although the price was indeed somewhat outrageous, Shao Bowen had no intention of backing down.
After all, if he yielded now, it would be even harder to conduct business later.
Thousands of people had traveled from afar to bring these goods, with dozens of seafaring ships waiting behind. These costs also needed to be factored in.
"Since that's the case, let's discuss it later. Sir, perhaps you could lodge in the city for now. After I verify the medicinal effect, I'll make a decision!"
Zhang Jing didn't press the issue further at this point. Just as Shao Bowen himself said, the quality of the item still needed to be confirmed by its effects.
"Your Excellency is right!"
After once again explaining the method of taking the medicine, Shao Bowen, accompanied by his attendants, checked into an inn in the city.
"Sir, isn't the price a bit too high? Will they agree to it?"
Zhe Shijiu, having come from the northwest, knew even better how arduous grain cultivation was.
In the northwest, most of the populace relied on heaven for their livelihood, and grain yields were even more meager. During good years, one mu of land could yield at most one to two shi.
In bad years, after a year of hard work, the harvested grain might not even reach one shi.
Fifty shi for such a tiny pill would likely cause an uproar if mentioned in the northwest.
"Do you know what kind of place this is? This is Jiaozhi. Those beggars lying on the streets might have been bandits who charged into Yongzhou and Qinzhou with swords and spears. Think about the tens of thousands of casualties, and then think about the over a hundred thousand soldiers who died by the Fuliang River. Do you still feel pity for them? Do you still think this price is high?"
Upon hearing Shao Bowen's words, Zhe Shijiu immediately fell silent.
That's right, with national grievances and personal vendettas at play, what did it matter if the price was a bit steep?
"Compared to their lives, what is wealth? Furthermore, do you think they lack grain here? Scatter a handful of rice seeds, and in a few dozen days, you can come and harvest! Instead of pitying them, it's better to think about how we should transport this grain back!"
Shao Bowen had thought very clearly about these matters.
Even he, the good-natured gentleman, had cast aside all his benevolence and morality the moment he went to sea.
As Han Mo had said, this was a game between nations. If one didn't want their own people to suffer, then those barbarians had to endure more hardship.
"Sir is right. I was shortsighted about this matter!"
"Alright, after the arduous journey, everyone can finally rest for a while. You should also go and rest, but I still stand by my previous words: this sachet must not leave your person at any time!"
Shao Bowen said as he hurried to give instructions again.
"Sir, rest assured. Even if we were to put it away, they themselves wouldn't agree!"
Although the item was indeed a bit pungent, even Zhe Shijiu himself had noticed that since they started using it, they hadn't been bothered by mosquitoes or insects.
"It's not just people; it's the same for our livestock. Tell the brothers that all the drinking water must be boiled! And all the cutlery used for meals must also be boiled in hot water! Anyone who fails to do this, even if they are fine afterward, I will personally kick them off the ship!"
They were already in an epidemic zone at this time, and he didn't want his men to contract any strange infectious diseases.
"Sir, rest assured. I have already instructed someone to go to the kitchen. Besides buying grain and vegetables here, our own meals will be prepared entirely by our own people."
"Yes, you must pay more attention to this matter. Although doing so is indeed a bit troublesome, if it's explained clearly to everyone, it's for their own good. Being cautious is better than losing one's life here!"
"How is Huan Niang doing?"
As soon as Zhang Jing returned to his mansion, he directly asked the servants.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, the second madam's condition is not good. She still has a fever, and her diarrhea has not stopped. She is already..."
Upon hearing his question, the steward of the mansion whispered.
The most terrifying aspect of malaria was the diarrhea. After several days of continuous purging, a person would be dehydrated, followed by a fever. Even a healthy adult male might not be able to withstand it.
Moreover, Zhang Jing's concubine was only sixteen years old this year, and her health had always been poor.
"Take this pill and have her take it in two doses, with two hours in between!"
After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Jing decided to try a desperate measure.
At this point, things couldn't possibly get any worse.
He had already consulted all the renowned doctors in the city, but they could only stand by helplessly in the face of this situation.
"What is this?"
Looking at the small porcelain bottle he handed over, the steward asked with some confusion.
"These are pills brought from overseas by those Song merchants, said to be specifically for treating malaria. Have her take them first! I'll be waiting in the study. Inform me as soon as there's any news!"
This was, after all, his most beloved concubine, and seeing her struggle on the brink of death now made Zhang Jing's heart a mess.
At this moment, all he could do was pray for divine intervention.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, the old steward quickly took the porcelain bottle and walked out.
Since the local doctors were already helpless, at this point, they could only hope that these Song people had a solution.
After managing to watch the drowsy Huan Niang take the medicine from afar, the old steward returned to the courtyard with a worried expression.
Seeing Huan Niang's body growing weaker, all the servants in the room were on the edge of their seats.
After all, unlike in the Song Dynasty, here the lives of these servants belonged entirely to their masters.
If Huan Niang died, they would likely all have to be buried with her.