Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity
Chapter 36 - 32: Don’t Underestimate the Ambition of Youth

Chapter 36: Chapter 32: Don’t Underestimate the Ambition of Youth

"Three taels of silver? This is robbery, isn’t it? Could it be that you’re all colluding to swindle silver coins from our family?" When Li Zheng’s wife heard it was three taels of silver, she jumped high in disbelief. This is three taels of silver, not three copper coins, and for a palm-sized burn, it costs this much silver?

"Don’t trust me? Then why call me over? I swear I never overcharged a single copper coin for treating patients and prescribing medicine; the price is fair for all. If you don’t trust me, then go ask around in town and check how much they sell this salve at Renhe Hall. It’s outrageous!" Doctor Li didn’t expect his reputation to be questioned.

"You old woman, what nonsense are you talking? Doctor Li is not that kind of person." You mustn’t offend the doctor; what if there’s a headache or fever in the future, would we even see the doctor? Shangling Village is quite far from town!

"Doctor Li, please don’t argue with a woman. I trust your reputation, so three taels will do!" Lin Lize also felt the pinch, but having spoken, he couldn’t go back on his word.

"Hold on, Uncle Li, you said earlier that my fourth brother would be left with a scar? Is there any way to remove it?" Gu Chengyu indeed had scar removal ointment in his space, and spiritual spring water could also be used. But he feared it would be hard to explain later; if there was some way to cover it up, that would be ideal.

"My salve can only grow fresh skin. Recently, I’ve heard the Huichun Hall in the county has a kind of scar removal ointment that somewhat removes scars. If applied, it might not be noticeable later. But this ointment is very expensive, costing two taels of silver for a small bottle, and for such a large wound, at least two bottles are needed." Doctor Li spoke honestly; others might worry about Li Zheng, but not him, for he was a doctor, and who could go without a headache or fever?

Everyone sighed at the expensive ointment, unable to fathom what a small ointment bottle costing two taels of silver would be like.

Gu Chengyu was determined to buy the ointment, and when mixed with what’s in his space, it wouldn’t draw much attention. "Uncle Li Zheng, look, my fourth brother will have such a large scar on his leg in the future. What shall we do? My father said my fourth brother will have to marry soon. How will he find a wife with such a scar?" In ancient times, the body and skin were bestowed by parents; though injured on the leg, it was best to leave no scar.

"What? You still want to buy that ointment? Absolutely not, the ointment costs four taels of silver for two bottles! We can’t afford it! Old man, say something!" Li Zheng’s wife felt even more distressed upon hearing about buying scar removal ointment. Combined, it would cost seven taels of silver! Her eldest son earned 800 copper coins a month in town, and after expenses and socializing, he brought home only 500 copper coins. Her second son did woodworking for 700 copper coins a month, but sometimes didn’t get any business. In the farm village, people made stools and such themselves, and there was plenty of wood in the mountains. Mostly, they crafted dowry chests and dressing boxes, which needed carving and took time. Those seven taels of silver were half their family’s yearly income, especially with a grandson studying, which was the biggest expense. It was taking her very breath away.

Lin Lize was also troubled; seven taels of silver was indeed too much. He glanced at Gu Chengyu, not believing the Gu Family would spend four taels of silver on scar removal ointment for Gu Chengchi. Those four taels could get a worthy wife, yet it seemed he was being asked to pay for a bride. At this moment, he also believed that the Gu family’s fifth child was trying to swindle money.

"Look, Gu Changqing isn’t here, and I can’t converse with a child; let’s discuss when his father arrives." Lin Lize wanted delay, thinking up a strategy, and figured Gu Changqing couldn’t ignore Li Zheng’s position. He wanted to find a reason that might lower the payment; that scar removal ointment was definitely off the table—too expensive.

Everyone agreed, remembering that the Gu family’s fifth child was still just a child!

Gu Chengyu grew angry as everyone agreed. He could make certain demands because he was young, without being considered excessive, but his father couldn’t; demanding two taels for a small bottle of ointment would lead others to accuse them of taking advantage, believing the silver coins wouldn’t go to buy the ointment once acquired.

Perhaps the loud voices from Li Zheng’s wife brought out the two daughters-in-law from the room. Suddenly, the three women staged a drama: one said she hadn’t had business for months, not earning silver; another claimed her eldest son needed funds for schooling; the last mentioned a family to feed with great expenses. In short, they had no money.

"I knew you were trying to extort money! Still want that ointment? Dream on! Your family of paupers is dreaming of seven taels of silver? Why not go robbing? Think money’s easy to get?" Lin Liuliu couldn’t hold back and emerged from the room. She’d been listening all along and couldn’t restrain herself anymore, with eyes red with anger as if she could eat someone. Even Lin Lize, who’d just rebuked Lin Liuliu, remained silent now.

"How much silver is needed? We simply asked for what we deserved; it’s Uncle Li who mentioned the medicine price. If you don’t trust Uncle Li, what else can we do? If you hadn’t been so ruthless, why should the Lin Family pay compensation? My fourth brother came happily as an apprentice, yet endured endless insults from you? You called us paupers and mudleggers. Who knows, in the future, the Gu Family might become something you look up to? I’m telling you now; there’s a saying: Never scorn a youth poor!" These last words were pointed at Lin Zheng himself, determined to show these people the Gu Family’s forthcoming rise.

Everyone present was stunned by these words, even Lin Zheng was taken aback! Unbeknownst to them, these words would be spread widely in time, making Gu Chengyu a classic example.

"Well! Such a ’Never scorn a youth poor!’" Mr. Gu entered through the courtyard gate with Gu Chengyi, taking a look at the seated Gu Chengchi; seeing he was all right, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing his father and second brother arrive, Gu Chengyu decided to stay silent; it wouldn’t be wise to be too vocal. Since his father and elder brother were here, things would surely be resolved; his father and brother were quite clever! Lin Liuliu, seeing adults from the Gu Family arrive, dared not speak further.

"Lin Lize, though the Gu Family is poor, we are not extortionists or evil schemers. Before my fourth son came, I explicitly told him that coming to Li Zheng’s home for apprenticeship was a rare opportunity; he should study earnestly and diligently. I made it clear to Lin Wu that if he misbehaved, punish him without hesitation! His master could scold and beat him, and serving tea was his duty. But when did it become a little girl’s turn to insult and splash boiling water? In terms of seniority, my fourth son is actually her elder, yet she dares to insult and raise her hand?" Having heard from Aunt Wang about the incident en route, Mr. Gu knew a bit about Gu Chengchi’s situation in the Lin family, but valued the apprenticeship opportunity available through closed eyes. Yet he didn’t expect it would be this egregious.

"Brother Gu, don’t misunderstand. This may have been a spat between children, my granddaughter lacks discretion. In the future, I’ll ensure better management and harmonious interactions. Brother, you must teach carefully; such incidents must not repeat!" Lin Zheng saw that Mr. Gu had tackled his granddaughter’s mistake upon arrival, making it hard for him to bring up the ointment cost.

"Alas! Lin Lize, frankly, the idea was for my fourth son to learn carpentry from your Lin Wu so he could earn a living later. Who anticipated this child’s clumsiness, failing even at boiling water, his mother having her spoiled rotten, without skills, needing home education now. Beyond that, with this injury, he won’t recover for a month or so, delaying our plans." Mr. Gu had decided en route that the apprenticeship wasn’t feasible; who knows how they’d trouble the fourth in the future!