Chapter 885: Deterrence

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Get up.” After an unknown period of time, they finally heard a heavenly voice. “Sit down and talk.”

Old Master Bai and Madam Bai felt as if they had been pardoned. They quickly thanked her and stood up, before being led to their seats by the maidservant.

Then, a young maidservant came over to serve tea.

The two of them thanked her very politely. They did not dare to delay the Princess’s time and quickly took the teacup. Ignoring the tea, they hurriedly took a sip of tea and carefully put down the teacup before sitting down.

After tea, it was time to talk about serious matters.

Yu Youyao saw their reaction and found it funny.

The method of a superior ruling their subordinates was actually very simple. First, she had to create a high and mighty attitude, causing a certain amount of pressure on the subordinates.

When the subordinates bowed and knelt, she would not be in a hurry to get them to get up. It was easier to pressure the subordinates’ spirits.

The subordinates would instinctively feel uneasy and terrified, and they would feel such reverence for their superior. They would consciously put themselves in a lowly role and submit mentally and psychologically.

Yu Youyao was especially touched by this when she entered the palace and met the Empress Dowager.

However, in Yu Youyao’s opinion, this was only the most superficial method. It was intimidating on the outside, but not on the inside. Only virtue could intimidate and be convincing.

She did not like to use this method on others.

She rarely showed off her status as a Princess.

However, for nobles like the Bai Residence, who had not even taken King Li of Zhou seriously in the past, this was a good deterrent.

Yu Youyao did not make things difficult for them. “The news of Madam Zhang’s complaint has already spread throughout Xiangping City. Since you’ve come to the Yu Garden, it’s obvious that the medicinal shop Madam Zhang reported has a lot to do with the Bai family.”

Old Master Bai’s forehead instantly broke out in sweat. He quickly said, “Princess, the medicinal shop where Madam Zhang bought medicine from me is called the People’s Relief Hall. It’s a business under the Bai Residence.”

Yu Youyao frowned. “I remember that the medicinal shops under the Bai Residence are all called the Baiji Medicine Shops.”

Old Master Bai hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, “Princess, you might not know this, but Baiji has its own source of medicinal herbs. At the same time, it will also buy medicinal herbs from specialized areas. Some commoners who pick the medicinal herbs will buy them. During the process of planting, nurturing, or picking medicinal herbs, some— some poor quality medicinal herbs will appear.”

If the quality was not good, it was possible that it had not grown well during the planting process, or that parts of the medicinal herbs that could be used as medicine were accidentally damaged during the harvesting process. It was also possible that there had been a mistake during the process.

However, medicinal herbs with poor quality would basically have their medicinal effects greatly reduced. Some could not even be used for medicine.

The medicinal herbs sold by the People’s Relief Hall were actually inferior. No wonder the Bai Residence did not dare to use the Bai Residence’s name.

No wonder the Bai Residence couldn’t sit still as soon as Madam Zhang complained. They had rushed over to look for her because Madam Han really had something on them.

Noticing Princess Shaoyi’s expression, his heart immediately sank. Old Master Bai’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, “Although the quality isn’t good, the medicinal effect is still there. Moreover, the price of these medicinal herbs is 30% to 40% lower than the market price. Liaodong is bitterly cold, and there’s a serious lack of supplies. The commoners aren’t having a good time either. Many commoners are sick and can’t even afford to take medicine. Although the medicinal herbs sold by the People’s Relief Hall aren’t good, they’re really affordable for more commoners.”

Yu Youyao calmed down. Just because the medicinal herbs were inferior did not mean that they did not have medicinal properties. The North lacked resources, and even inferior medicinal herbs were rare.

Such a situation was not unique to the Bai Residence.

Authentic medicinal herbs from families like the Lin and Yan families would also divide an area for inferior medicinal herbs. They would be sold at a low price to people who couldn’t afford good medicinal herbs or given to the commoners for free.

Old Master Bai heaved a sigh of relief and continued, “The Bai Residence is in the medicinal herbs business and knows the pros and cons. Therefore, when the patient brought a prescription over to get the medicine, we will adjust the amount of medicinal herbs according to the prescription and also warn the family about the details of the medicine. If the patient’s condition is serious, we will also suggest that they go to the Baiji shop to buy the medicine. The People’s Relief Hall has been open for many years and has always been peaceful.”

This also indirectly proved that although the People’s Relief Hall was a little profitable, they did not disregard human lives.

Yu Youyao’s expression softened a little, but her tone darkened a lot. “According to you, not only is it not a mistake for the People’s Relief Hall to sell inferior medicinal herbs, but it’s also a meritorious service?”

Old Master Bai held his breath and his face instantly turned pale.

Yu Youyao sneered. “If that’s the case, why don’t you sell the inferior medicinal herbs openly at Baiji Medicine Shop? If you sell the medicinal herbs to the commoners at a low price, won’t the commoners miss you more?”

This was because there was an unwritten rule among pharmaceutical merchants. As the medicinal effects of inferior medicinal herbs were greatly reduced, they were often sold half-heartedly and were not allowed to be sold for profit.

Madam Bai’s mouth trembled, but she did not dare to say anything else.

Yu Youyao continued, “The price of the medicine at the People’s Relief hall is 30 to 40% lower than the market price. These words are just to fool the commoners who can’t afford to take medicine and have no choice.”

“The medicinal effect of the inferior medicinal herbs is greatly reduced. It’s not even 30% to 40% of the original. As the medicinal effect is not stable, it’s not completely guaranteed that it will be effective. It’s not convenient to sell it directly to customers, but it’s a pity for the commoners who can’t afford the medicine. The medicinal shop usually sells it half-heartedly.”

“As far as I know, some of these medicinal herbs are used for charity and are distributed to the commoners for free. The other portion is worth between 70% to 90% of the original value and is sold to the poor commoners.”

Old Master Bai and Madam Bai couldn’t sit still anymore. They quickly walked to the hall and knelt on the ground with a bang.

“I hope that no one in the world is sick, and that the medicine on the shelf turns dusty.” Yu Youyao stared at the two of them and said in a measured tone, “This is the couplet in front of the Baiji Medicine Shop.”

These words immediately made Old Master Bai and Madam Bai feel extremely ashamed.

“The original meaning of the saying that there’s no such thing as an evil merchant was that when merchants were selling grains and rice, they would try their best to pile up the grains or rice until it formed a sharp peak and give them to the customers. At the same time, it was to show their business virtue, but it was also to gain repeat customers. Later on, it evolved. When merchants weighed the goods, they would give a little more so that the weighing rod would be upturned. Therefore, there was a saying that if there was no peak, there would be no business. It was also a metaphor. Those who did not allow the profits to be given to the customers and stepped on others could not be considered merchants. They could only be considered traitors!”

Princess Shaoyi’s voice was neither high nor low, and her tone was not angry, but her tone was extremely sharp. Old Master Bai and Madam Bai’s bodies trembled, clearly frightened.

“Someone,” Yu Youyao shouted.

Xia Tao quickly entered the room.

Yu Youyao instructed, “Go and look for Uncle Sun. Get him to go to the People’s Relief Hall immediately and check the effect of all the medicinal herbs sold outside.”

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