Chapter 389 - Chapter 389: Apprentice Wanted
Chapter 389: Apprentice Wanted
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Li Shi listened to his mother attentively and imagined that scene. He felt a sense of certainty in his heart as if floating in the air. He had finally found his home.
He knew it was meaningful to work hard and earn money. He could be dutiful to his parents, get married, and even raise children. His heart felt at ease now that he realized it.
Mr. and Mrs. Li also imagined their future together. They never thought they could be with their second son when they were older. Their second son had a good heart, and they should treat him well.
The older couple would not care about anything else in the future and only focus on making it up to their second son.
They talked and smiled along the way. Li Shi was worried his parents would get bored, so he told them about Su Teng Village during their journey. The more the couple listened, the more surprised they became. It was as if they were listening to a legend.
After having lunch, Su Binglan and Su Wenxiu went to the house Su Binglan had renovated to provide consultations. People were already waiting at the entrance when the duo arrived.
Many unfamiliar faces from surrounding villages also showed up. They had heard about Su Binglan’s medical skills and knew she was on duty, so they rushed over.
Su Binglan’s consultations were sudden—only the Su Teng villagers knew.
However, after a week, those from surrounding villages who had heard about her services and wanted to receive treatment started visiting Su Teng Village.
Each villager had brought copper coins with them. They knew the rules about Su Teng villagers receiving free consultations, while people from surrounding villages would have to pay two coins per person for consultations.
Su Binglan asked everyone to line up after entering. Everyone had a number and a seat so they would not have to stand at the door.
Then she started examining and consulting her patients. Even if it were a severe condition, she could accurately prescribe medicine after briefly looking at her patients.
Her medication typically cost five to ten coins, which was not expensive. The Su Teng villagers knew about this, but the people from surrounding villages held their medicine bags with trembling hands.
They suspected they were hallucinating. Still, the information they had gathered proved true, as the medicine they received was cheap and effective.
Su Binglan had taken good care of many Su Teng villagers.
There was a woman in Su Teng Village whose grandaunt was Old Lady Lin. Old Lady Lin’s leg used to hurt terribly, but it had gotten better thanks to Su
Binglan. It no longer hurt, and she did not even wake up at night because of it.
The woman knew her grandaunt would not lie, so she visited Su Binglan. The woman always had headaches. She did not know what was happening to her, and even ingesting folk remedies did not work.
She had bought medicine from Su Binglan, which only cost five coins. However, she saw a sign at the side with her sharp eyes which said, “recruiting apprentices.”
The woman could not help but ask softly, “Miss Su, what does that sign mean?” “My second brother is looking for an apprentice. He needs help managing his herb field and will teach his apprentice about them,” Su Binglan replied.
When the people around them heard this, they widened their eyes and perked up their ears.
“Miss Su, you’re saying you’re taking in an apprentice, right?”
“How much will it cost monthly to be an apprentice?”
Everyone knew learning from the Su family was good, but they did not know how much they had to pay for lessons. In this era, everyone knew they had to pay to be an apprentice, regardless of field.
Apprentices had to pay and do odd jobs back then. It was for learning new skills to support oneself to make a living with those skills.
“It’s free. You don’t have to pay,” Su Binglan said straightforwardly.
“W-We don’t have to pay?!”
“That’s so generous!”
Everyone was stunned and suspected they had misheard. Of course, they would doubt others but never Su Binglan.
After all, they had seen what the Su family had achieved, especially Su Binglan. She was a good person, and everyone was very thankful to her. They believed in her.
Still, they thought they had misheard since there had never been apprentices who did not pay for their lessons.
Su Wenxiu helped to explain, “My sister is right. I’ll take in apprentices for free. I’ll teach my apprentices medicinal knowledge, but they’ll also help me plant herbs and manage the herbal field.
“That’s what I should do. As an apprentice, I’ll do many things for my teacher,” a big guy said.
“The most attention-grabbing thing to me is the free lessons. Some people learn little even after paying, but I know the Su family’s teachings will be sincere.”
“I don’t know if my children can become apprentices.” “My child is six years old now and can learn things.”
“My grandson is over ten years old, so maybe he can learn too.”
Everyone would fight for their children to learn from Su Wenxiu. They knew there were always benefits to being close to the Su family. Nonetheless, it was most beneficial to learn medical knowledge, unlike learning something like carpentry.
Some doctors would not take in apprentices, even if one paid for lessons.
However, it also depended on one’s talent.
Su Wenxiu felt a little embarrassed when he heard what those people said. After all, he had learned much medical knowledge from his sister. His sister had told him there was no end to learning and always had to study hard.
He knew he still had much to learn but would not undervalue himself. Su Wenxiu would teach his apprentices earnestly.
Su Binglan added, “Those between 8 to 13 years old would have to go through an interview. Only after passing can they become an apprentice. My second brother will be here to choose three apprentices tomorrow.”
Everyone took note of what they heard and asked for more details. Everyone was eager to go home and discuss these things with their children. Then they would go over early the following day.
Some sighed because their children were too young, not even eight.
After the small interlude, Su Binglan continued to consult and treat people. She was swift, so the patients did not have to line up for too long.
Soon, it was Shi Cui’s turn, and she seemed a little cautious. Su Binglan glanced over and saw Shi Cui’s hand, asking, “What seems to be the problem?”
Since there were still many people in line, Su Binglan was brief in her consultations. Shi Cui said with her outstretched hand, “I would like you to treat my hand, Miss Su.”
Su Binglan looked at the outstretched hand and said, “These chilblains and cracks look severe. Do you get these on the same hand whenever it’s cold?”
“Yes, Miss Su.” Shi Cui felt a little uneasy. She wondered if there was a way to cure it after hearing Su Binglan say it was severe.
Su Binglan replied, “The ointment will cost five coins. Apply it on your hand daily, and you’ll be fine in a few days.”
“Ah!” Shi Cui was shocked.
‘Did Miss Su say the medicine only cost five coins and could cure my hand in just a few days? Is it true?!’