Chapter 4 – Hundred year Yeshan ginseng
Although Li Yuan felt this was somehow inconceivable, he just really did not have any explanation. The only possibility he can think of yesterday was when from inside the peach pit fell a golden bead which was absorbed by the ginseng. As a result, aside from that matter, there was nothing else Li Yuan could grasp on.
Li Yuan thought that finding the truth was really difficult, so he decided to quickly grab the ginseng and go to Old Liao. After he sees this, he might figure it out and tell him.
Going out Li Yuan clutched on the leaves and the fruit, this was truly miraculous. Old Liao could already be considered half-buried, Li Yuan did not want to scare him which might result to a bad ending.
Old Liao’s full name is Liao Hanqing, he was also Li Yuan’s neighbor. Both of them are very close to each other, just walking for about a minute he will arrive where Old Liao was, Li Yuan was truly grateful.
Originally when Li Yuan’s mother was still alive, Old Liao felt pity on her as she was alone. In peaceful times he would help Li Yuan’s mother many times. So much so that when Li Yuan’s mother died due to accumulated tiredness, Old Liao took the initiative to take the role of the parents to ensure his neighbor survived. Even giving Li Yuan’s mother a proper funeral when she died.
Therefore Li Yuan looked up to Old Liao with respect. Although the two of them are very familiar with each other, Li Yuan still paid unconditional respect to his senior.
Old Liao lived alone, so Li Yuan was given the house key. He opened Old Liao’s familiar gate where the first thing to see are bamboos and bamboo engravings.
Old Liao’s age is not small, in addition that he had rheumatism so he can not move freely all year. In reality, the bamboo engravings that Li Yuan was trying to sell yesterday were all Old Liao’s work.
Old Liao was in charge of engraving while Li Yuan was the one in charge of selling it. Although both of them never talked about the swindling, they still cooperated extremely well. As well is the fact that most of the money Li Yuan gets goes to Old Liao for his assortment of medicines. Only some of it ever came back to him.
“Old Liao, I have arrived.” After entering Li Yuan shouted, he saw Old Liao walking out leaning on his walking stick.
Old Liao was already more than 60 years old, both of his hands were crude like sandpaper, it was obvious that he has been through a lot of manual labor. However in his small room, it was filled with various kinds of books, all of it were worn out with age. It appears that looking at Old Liao he seemed like a scholar.
None of the neighbors knew the history of Old Liao, he himself also has not said a word about it to anyone. Li Yuan was discreet in never trying to ask about it. Just seeing Old Liao was already sufficient, he did not need to dig out the roots of his history.
“Boy you came!” Old Liao’s tone was cold, however on his wrinkly old face could be seen a hint of gratification.
“Yesterday some of the bamboo engravings was sold for 300.” Although he knew that Old Liao did not care, Li Yuan still had the habit of reporting the expenses.
Old Liao sure enough knit his eyebrows, afterward indifferently said: “How many you have sold you do not need to tell me.”
“I just wanted to say it.” Li Yuan faintly laughed: “Afterwards I was suppose to give you the ginseng, however…this ginseng is somewhat odd. You had better look at it if it should be eaten or not.”
Looking at Li Yuan’s expression, Old Liao’s knowledge was really vast. It could be said that he was omniscient, the “variation” of the ginseng, something must have happened to it.
Old Liao’s eyebrows went up saying: “What is the name of this odd thing, you little kid must not have been cheated…”
At this time Li Yuan already held out the ginseng, Old Liao immediately choked up. Across his face was amazement when he was looking at the ginseng, his fingers were emotionally shuddering due to excitement.
Li Yuan has known Old Liao for a long time however he never saw this kind of reaction. At once he said: “Hey hey, you seem very excited! Right now with just the two of us, if your veins were to pop I would not be able to do anything!”
Li Yuan’s words seemed to have an effect, Old Liao’s excited face finally returned to its normal look. He ruthlessly spoke: “You smelly brat, all you can do is talk rubbish, quickly give me that ginseng so I can look at it!”
Li Yuan mischievous laughed, he gave over the ginseng. Old Liao carefully held on to the ginseng, attentively observing it.He clicked his tongue and said: “This…This truly is the Yeshan ginseng! Look at this shape, this thread pattern, this reed and grains on the roots. This is the Yeshan ginseng that should be at least a hundred years old! Boy, are you sure you did not rob the store?”
“Qie, we both know my skill, how I conduct myself, how can you not understand?” Li Yuan felt that he was hit by a big insult, he felt aggrieved: “I do not have that skill, do you think I used brute force?!”
Old Liao looked at Li Yuan for a moment, after having a deep impression: “You from childhood have had an innate illness, therefore you became fond of scamming. Robbing requires strength and skill, you truly did not do it!”
Li Yuan was not in a good mood: “I do not want to discuss with you this topic, you just need to tell me if this ginseng should be consumed or not, if whether this has a benefit for your body!”
“Is this still even a question?” Old Liao rolled his eyes looking at Li Yuan: “This is indeed a high level Yeshan ginseng, right now in the market you can not buy it! Before the rich died, they wanted to live longer, in the city this kind of thing is used to live hanging by the thread. And you ask if this should be eaten? In my estimate, this one ginseng has an effect of a whole forest of ginseng.”
Li Yuan in a relaxed tone: “Eating this is good, it will be good for you, enjoy your meal.”
Li Yuan even went as far as to give the hundred year Yeshan ginseng to him, Old Liao firmly said: “Boy, I have received your intention, however this thing is too precious, I really cannot take it!”
“When did I say you must not live?” Li Yuan knit his brow: “This ginseng I originally bought for you, now you’re saying you do not want it!”
After saying this, Li Yuan picked up the bamboo chopper, right away showing that he was about to cut the ginseng.
“Ai ya!” Old Liao was surprised, the ginseng was cut into two pieces.
“You brat, you truly do not know what is precious!” Seeing what happened could not be changed, Old Liao helplessly pointed at Li Yuan: “Do you know how much this ginseng costs? This time it is completely finished!”
Li Yuan conveniently dropped the chopper at the side, he asked: “What is the value of it?”
“More than 250,000!” Old Liao regretfully said: “Furthermore in the case it was better, it could have been worth a lot more!”
“2…250,000!”Hearing the price, Li Yuan could not help but open his eyes wide, what was said was truly detrimental.
“Haha, now do you regret it?” Old Liao laughed, “Quickly get the two pieces, if we can get in touch with someone, this can be sold for tens of thousands!”
However Old Liao was surprised, Li Yuan did not plan to take the Yeshan ginseng, instead he just threw it: “This Yeshan ginseng is not rare at all, I simply do not cherish it. You can keep it, maybe you might find a second spring and be an elderly couple; once again giving birth to baby haha!”
“This brat, you once again made fun of this old man, get lost!” In reply to Li Yuan, Old Liao resentfully snarled.
With so much other things being discussed, Old Liao forgot to ask where the ginseng came from. Li Yuan will less likely say anything, without anything more, Li Yuan said goodbye and left.