NABC Chapter 3: Money can solve everything.
Chapter 3: Money can solve everything.
He was met with strange looks from those around him.
Bai Chen ignored it.
His pulmonary fibrosis left him no time to gradually integrate into this unfamiliar world.
If the pulmonary fibrosis cannot be resolved, death will occur within a week at most.
After a period of observation.
Bai Chen discovered that this was a city resembling an ancient feudal city.
The language spoken by the people in the city is similar to that of the Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan regions in China. It is a little difficult to understand, but still understandable.
As for written language, it's completely unfamiliar.
Taking the shops on both sides of the street as an example, they are somewhat similar to the ancient Chinese seal script.
"Let's go to the pawnshop first, then try the clinic in town!"
Bai Chen glanced around and made a decision in his heart.
No matter where you are, money is always the most important thing; you need money to see a doctor.
...
Yang's Pawnshop in Yongning City.
Above the tall entrance, several nameplates were written in a flamboyant style.
Bai Chen stepped into the shop.
What comes into view is a counter that you have to stand on tiptoe to barely see inside.
The people behind the counter look down at the customers entering the store.
"Sir, would you like to pawn or redeem your item?"
"Pawn a precious item and let your manager come out."
Bai Chen glanced at the tall counter but made no attempt to approach it.
The apprentice behind the counter hesitated slightly.
If an ordinary person had said that, he would have already ordered someone to kick them out.
But the person in front of him was not only strangely dressed, but also had fair and delicate skin, making it clear at a glance that he was not someone who did manual labor.
"Please wait a moment, sir!" The apprentice dared not be careless and immediately ran to the back.
Not long after.
Creak~
Beside the towering counter, a heavy, solid wooden door opened, and a fat man dressed like a wealthy landowner walked out.
"Someone, bring some tea!"
The moment the fat shopkeeper saw Bai Chen, he immediately called for his servants.
He then eagerly approached Bai Chen, asking, "May I ask your surname, sir?"
"My surname is Bai!" Bai Chen said calmly.
The fat shopkeeper suddenly realized what was happening and immediately cupped his hands in greeting:
"Greetings, Mr. Bai. I am the manager of Yang's Pawnshop. You may call me Manager Yang."
After saying that, he asked with great anticipation, "I wonder what Mr. Xiaobai wishes to pawn?"
"Manager Yang, how much silver can you pawn this crystal glass bead for?"
Bai Chen took out a glass bead and waved it in front of the shopkeeper.
In an instant.
The fat shopkeeper's eyes widened, and his throat bobbed slightly. "Slow down, slow down, Mr. Bai, may I have the pleasure of examining this more closely..."
"Here you go~"
Bai Chen placed the glass beads on the low table.
Once the glass bead had come to a stop, the fat shopkeeper took a hand and carefully stroked it.
It feels cool to the touch, and has a glossy and smooth texture.
When the fat shopkeeper placed the glass bead in front of him, he couldn't help but gasp.
The pearl was pure and flawless, without the slightest impurity, just like the cleanest and purest thing in the world.
"Hiss~"
The chubby shopkeeper gasped, his lips moving as he exclaimed, "Such a pure crystal! A treasure, truly a treasure!"
Just as he was about to take a closer look...
A hand swept across and took the glass bead away.
"Shopkeeper, name your price!" Bai Chen said in a deep voice, holding the glass bead in his hand.
"This...this..."
The fat shopkeeper's eyes flickered, and he was struggling internally.
A price that's too low is definitely not an option. The person in front of him has an extraordinary air about him, especially the indifference in his eyes, which makes him realize that the other party is no ordinary person.
But if the price is too high, his greedy nature as a businessman makes him reluctant to pay it.
"Eight hundred...no, one or two thousand taels of silver!"
In the end, the fat shopkeeper made a offer: "If Mr. Bai wants to pawn this item, I can offer one thousand taels of silver."
However, the interest rate is agreed upon first: nine out of ten will be returned, with an annual interest rate of 30%, and a term of two years.
The fat shopkeeper's eyes gleamed greedily. "If you don't come back by the due date, this item is mine. How about it?"
That's really shady.
Bai Chen secretly grumbled to himself.
However, since he was already nearing the end of his life, he didn't care about any of that and simply said:
"Okay, deal!"
"Okay, okay, deal."
The fat shopkeeper was overjoyed; he never expected the other party to be so decisive. He quickly instructed the apprentice beside him...
"Silly Zhuzi, hurry up, go grind the paper!"
"Okay, shopkeeper."
...
After an incense stick has burned.
The chubby shopkeeper warmly escorted Bai Chen to the door, watching him leave before remaining in a daze for a long time.
After Bai Chen walked away...
His smile vanished, and he instructed the apprentice beside him, "Shazhu, go and invite Third Master over. Tell him that I, Yang Wu, have something important to discuss."
"Okay, boss, I'll go right away." The apprentice nodded and ran off in a flash.
...
Here.
On the streets of Yong'an City.
After making inquiries from various sources.
Bai Chen learned that there was a clinic on West Street in the city, where an old man named Liu Yongchang worked, who was the most skilled doctor in the entire Yongning City.
Even before getting close to the clinic, you can smell a strong aroma of Chinese medicine.
The layout of the hall is somewhat complicated.
On the left is a cabinet divided into many small drawers, and on the right is a row of chairs for resting.
As soon as Bai Chen entered, apprentices immediately came to greet him.
"Sir, would you like to see a doctor or get medicine?" the apprentice asked softly.
"I need to see a doctor!" Bai Chen replied.
The apprentice nodded, then called to Bai Chen, "My master is still treating the person ahead. Please wait a moment, sir. You can sit here for a while."
"Um."
Bai Chen walked to the chair on the right side of the room, sat down, closed his eyes to rest, and waited quietly.
...
Not long after.
A middle-aged man dressed in silk robes walked out of the inner room with a relieved expression on his face.
When the man saw the apprentice, he smiled and nodded in greeting.
Followed by.
Then, an aged voice came from inside the room, "Next!"
"Sir, please!"
The apprentice at the medical clinic bowed slightly and then stepped forward to lead the way.
.....
Enter the room through the lobby.
"Master, the person has arrived."
"Um."
The old man nodded slightly, his eyes sweeping over Bai Chen.
Upon seeing it, I couldn't help but let out a soft "Eh!"
"Young man, please have a seat and put your hand out!"
Bai Chen did as instructed, placing his arm on the cloth bag on the table.
"Hiss~"
The old man sized Bai Chen up and down, and after a long while, he finally asked:
"Who on earth could be so vicious as to concoct such a torturous poison?"
"If the poison penetrates seven-tenths of the internal organs, the internal organs will turn into vines within six days. At that time, life will be worse than death, as if one has fallen into a hell of knives and fire."
Listening to the old man's words.
Bai Chen's heart sank.
Is the hope that has finally emerged about to be shattered again?
"Doctor, is there really no hope at all?" Bai Chen asked, unwilling to give up.
Upon hearing this...
Liu Yongchang hesitated slightly, carefully looking Bai Chen up and down.
Seeing that the other person had fair and delicate skin, and that their clothes were a style I had never seen before, they looked quite dignified.
They seem to have plenty of money.
"How should I address you, sir?" Liu Yongchang stroked his beard and asked.
"My surname is Bai." Bai Chen bowed slightly, mimicking the manner of people in this world.
Liu Yongchang returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, "Mr. Bai, if you had five hundred taels of silver, there might still be a chance for this matter to turn around."