Chapter 823: Market Monopoly

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation    Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Su Wenxiu was gentle and mature when teaching at the medical school. Perhaps he would only show his childish side if his sister were around.

If everyone ate at the Su family’s house, they would realize how often the family would react with shock whenever they ate Su Binglan’s dishes. After all, her cooking was unparalleled.

Sometimes, she would cook with new ingredients and make comforting food. At that moment, Doctor Yang understood Su Wenxiu’s feelings well. She realized the tomato scrambled eggs had a profound aftertaste,

If she were not so full, she would eat another plate. Even Doctor Lin was full of praise, “Although this dish is easy to make, its flavor is fantastic. It seems tomatoes are good after all.”

He had tried many delicacies and often cooked for his wife and son. Therefore, he knew he could not replicate this flavor without tomatoes. When he ate the egg with the tomato soup, he felt it tasted even better.

He and his family ate so much that their stomachs protruded. Doctor Lin and his wife smiled when they saw their son’s joyful expression. Children usually did not like eating vegetables. Instead, they enjoyed pork.

As doctors, the couple knew it was not a balanced diet. However, they were delighted that their son enjoyed the tomato scrambled eggs. Since that was the case, their son’s preferred foods would be more nutritious.

“Indeed, tomatoes are great.”

Everyone ate so well that they even started to sweat. Since they drank the soup, it made them feel warm inside. They felt satisfied as they leaned backward.

The women realized they had eaten a lot. They had not eaten that much in a long time. Grandaunt Yang looked at Su Binglan gratefully when she noticed how well-fed her family was. The old woman said, “Thank you, Miss Su.”

Su Binglan and the others only wanted to stay for the night. However, Grandaunt Yang did not expect Su Binglan to bring them many things and even cook for them. The old woman felt a little apologetic.

“You don’t have to thank me, Madam Yang. I came here to take a look around.

I plan to build a medicinal herb factory here and purchase this village’s herbs.”

Su Wenxiu became excited when he heard that. He knew his sister was sincere and that she was swift and decisive.

Grandaunt Yang was shocked when she heard that. Even Doctor Yang and Lady Liu were so excited that they were wide-eyed. The old woman took a

while before finding her voice, saying, “Y-You want to build a…medicinal herb factory here?”

She suspected she had misheard Su Binglan just now. Most of the villagers made a living by picking herbs. Still, it was not an easy job to do because the mountains were dangerous. Even cultivating herbs was challenging.

Moreover, the merchants bought the herbs at meager prices. The villagers could do nothing about it, even though the situation in Yang County was dire. The villagers had to sell their goods even if the price was low. Otherwise, it would be a waste of herbs.

The villagers did not know how to store the herbs properly, either. If Su Binglan built a herb factory here, the villagers’ lives would improve exponentially. They could even sell their herbs at better prices.

Doctor Yang was pleased. She also knew what Su Binglan’s name meant to Tenghe Town. She knew Su Binglan’s words carried weight, and everything she said would come true.

Doctor Yang could tell from all the changes Su Teng Village had gone through. She said, “It’s true, Grandaunt. Miss Su came here to help us. She has built many factories and shops in Su Teng Village.

“She gave countless job opportunities to the Su Teng villagers and even those not from there. Since I have lived there, I’ve seen everything with my own eyes. Miss Su also pays her employees well.

“If you can work in her factory, you will have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear during cold weather.”

Since Su Binglan was a stranger to Grandaunt Yang, the latter felt a little doubtful about Su Binglan’s claims.

It was not that no one wanted to buy the villagers’ medicinal herbs. However, the merchants and medical centers in that area constantly lowballed the villagers.

Sometimes, certain people would even restrain the villagers from collecting herbs. Nonetheless, Grandaunt Yang had watched Doctor Yang grow up and knew she would not lie.

The old woman became emotional, and her eyes watered. “Thank you, Miss

Su. I’m glad you’re willing to help us. I know everyone will be delighted, too. They’ll be extremely grateful to you.

“Still, things are complicated here. The merchants have colluded with the medical centers. I heard that high-ranking officials and nobles supported them. We commoners can do nothing against them.”

Grandaunt Yang explained the situation because she did not want Su Binglan to be misinformed, “The merchants have monopolized our herbs to profit for themselves.’

“Why doesn’t the county magistrate do something about it?” Su Binglan asked. The old woman sighed, saying, “He doesn’t care because he’s protecting the merchants and the medical centers. Even so, they keep it private so no one would know about it.’

Doctor Yang grew angry. “It has never been this extreme before.”

Grandaunt Yang said, “That’s because the merchants and the medical centers have joined forces. The previous county magistrate protected us. But it ended up offending the rich and powerful.

“The latter eventually dismissed the county magistrate and hired a new one who sided with them.”

These were small matters to Su Binglan, and she could quickly resolve them.

She said, “You don’t have to worry, Madam Yang. I’ll take care of it and punish those merchants.’

Since Su Binglan knew about these things, it would not be as simple as opening a factory. She would have to make the merchants pay for what they had done.

She would not allow anyone to pressure and deceive the villagers. Su Binglan’s expression turned solemn as she spoke. She exuded an intimidating yet dignified aura.

Grandaunt Yang was surprised to see Su Binglan like this. It was evident the latter was not an ordinary person. The old woman wondered if Su Binglan had an influential force behind her..