The ideas and plans had been clearly laid out by Ji Zizhao in her letter.
However, now that she was face-to-face with him, she elaborated on what she had written in the letter in more detail.
But in response to Ji Zizhao, there was only a profound silence.
Xie Jinglan, sitting opposite her, kept his gaze lowered, fixated on the Go board before him. His dark eyes, hidden beneath long lashes, gave no clue to his thoughts at that moment.
Ji Zizhao knew very well that this man was exceptionally difficult to deal with.
While the establishment of a medical clinic seemed to be for the benefit of the Seventh Prince, she herself stood to gain considerably.
She had not intended to hide anything. She had planned to reveal her true intentions after a more in-depth discussion. She hadn't expected her grand proposal to fall into the water without even a ripple.
Was he resenting her for harboring selfish motives and concealing her true purpose?
Her gaze fell upon a pair of slender fingers, the joints well-defined, exuding a gentle yet firm strength.
"How do you think this white stone should be placed?" Xie Jinglan asked, still looking at the Go board, seemingly oblivious to Ji Zizhao's surprised raised eyebrows.
Ji Zizhao was speechless.
She had already prepared herself to confess everything, and he was here discussing Go with her?
Ji Zizhao had never studied Go in depth. She had only learned a little from her father as a child to pass the time.
Looking down at the board now, after a long pause, she finally realized that the black stones had completely encircled the white ones. Many moves that seemed like traps were actually invitations to enter, and with just one misstep, one could be completely overwhelmed by the black stones.
Xie Jinglan had genuinely wanted to ask Ji Zizhao's opinion. He hadn't expected her delicate, jade-like fingers to pick up a white stone and place it firmly in the center of the aggressive black formation.
Xie Jinglan's gaze paused, and then he quickly smiled and said, "Since you wish to establish a medical clinic in the county town, you must have heard that our High Ancestor also did something similar."
As he spoke, he placed a black stone on the board.
Ji Zizhao was dumbfounded.
She knew this man was a tough nut to crack, but she hadn't anticipated him to be this difficult.
This wasn't a matter of life and death; it was a path to utter ruin.
Discussing business while playing Go. Although Ji Zizhao knew he was trying to test her by distracting her, she couldn't help but think, "Why don't you go fly a kite?"
"Indeed, I have heard. The High Ancestor's idea was good, but it overlooked the will of the people in the county. Since the local populace considered medical treatment a luxury, the prices for seeing a doctor were driven down."
She even dared to question the High Ancestor.
What audacity!
Xie Jinglan was fortunate that he had chosen to discuss this at the Zhong family's residence.
"Pharmacies and medical clinics also need to make a profit. If we sell at cost, how can we sustain ourselves?"
Ji Zizhao continued, "Yulin is vast and sparsely populated. I've heard that the county town, including the surrounding mountains, is no smaller than a commandery city. Since we are sending people to establish medical clinics, why not recruit local residents to cultivate medicinal herbs? This way, they can earn remuneration, and they can gradually learn about the prices of medicinal materials. As for the medical clinics and pharmacies, I will disburse monthly salaries."
Xie Jinglan's finger, which was holding a black stone, paused.
Establishing a medical clinic was, in essence, setting up a system for cultivating and harvesting medicinal herbs in the county town.
The cost of self-cultivated medicinal herbs would naturally be more cost-effective than purchasing them at high prices from elsewhere. These herbs could then be transported to the capital and provided to the citizens there. Even if it wasn't a surefire profit, it was certainly a viable venture.
The medical clinics and pharmacies would regularly disburse salaries, ensuring that both doctors and attendants could rest easy.
Once medicinal herbs were cultivated in the mountains near the county town, the populace would gradually gain knowledge and understanding of them. Through this gradual process, they would naturally become more accepting of visiting medical clinics and purchasing medicine.
In essence, it was about educating the populace about the value of medicinal herbs from the ground up.
Most importantly, it wouldn't hinder the making of money.
After placing his black stone, Xie Jinglan slowly looked up at the composed woman opposite him.
It seemed like a business discussion, but in reality, it was a subtle way of winning people over.
He found it hard to believe that such methods and ideas could come from a young woman confined to the inner chambers.
"Then what is it that you want?" Xie Jinglan asked, looking intently at Ji Zizhao, his unfathomable dark eyes seeming to pierce through her.
As for the Seventh Prince, Xie Jinglan was naturally not worried.
If the right opportunity arose, and the Seventh Prince reported this matter to their father, the Emperor would surely approve.
At that point, the Seventh Prince would be indebted to the county populace.
The more people who benefited from this endeavor, the more popular the Seventh Prince would become.
The Seventh Prince was not an issue. Therefore, Xie Jinglan's question was solely directed at Ji Zizhao: what did she truly want?
Considering she already controlled four major medical clinics, he didn't believe she was doing this for money.
Ji Zizhao's gaze was steady, with no trace of concealment. "Self-preservation."
These two words would likely be difficult for others to comprehend.
After all, all the benefits were laid out in the open.
But Xie Jinglan understood immediately.
The counties surrounding Luoyi, though seemingly few, would surely be expanded by the imperial court if this plan proved successful.
By then, medical clinics and pharmacies would be established in all the counties.
A nation's strength, while seemingly determined by military power, also depended on numerous uncontrollable factors.
Natural disasters were one such factor.
Whether it was plagues, famines, or even wars, a large number of physicians would be needed.
In previous years, the imperial court had issued public notices to recruit civilian physicians. If all these physicians were to be employed by one entity...
This would grant them the capital to oppose the imperial court.
This Ji Zizhao...
She was truly someone he could not underestimate.
Ji Zizhao stated frankly, "As long as the imperial court does not betray the Ji family, the Ji family will not betray the imperial court."
All she was doing was seeking a golden shield that would grant immunity from death.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao with a half-smile. "In a few days, one of the managers from the four major medical clinics will be needed. You will have to make a trip."
Ji Zizhao was taken aback for a moment, then understood the Fourth Prince's intention.
She had been negligent, not considering the wisdom of "the bird that sticks its head out gets shot."
However, as long as he was willing to agree, that was all that mattered.
Ji Zizhao said, "Your Highness, please rest assured."
Xie Jinglan nodded and stood up, moving to the other side of the screen to prepare ink for writing.
Ji Zizhao intended to leave, but considering the Fourth Prince had not asked her to leave, he likely had more to discuss.
Just then, the midday sun streamed through the window lattices, casting a warm glow.
Ji Zizhao propped her chin in her hand, closed her eyes, and leaned into the sunlight, intending to take a short nap. However, amidst the fragrance of books filling the room, her consciousness grew heavier instead.
Xie Jinglan sealed the letter and instructed Huo Nian Gong to deliver it.
When he returned behind the screen, he saw that the silent figure had already fallen asleep, "playing chess with Duke Zhou."
Her face, like white porcelain, seemed to be bathed in a golden halo by the sunlight outside the window. A gentle breeze drifted in, playfully ruffling the strands of hair that had fallen by her cheek.
This was a side of her that Xie Jinglan had never seen before: radiant, unrestrained, and languid.
If not for the faint dark circles beneath her eyelids, it would have been a truly beautiful painting.
However, despite the beauty of the painting, the biting spring wind was not to be trifled with.
Xie Jinglan tiptoed over, scooped up the person on the chair, and carried her to the soft couch nearby. As he lowered his gaze, he noticed that Ji Zizhao was still clutching something tightly in her arms.
When Xie Jinglan saw what it was, he couldn't help but chuckle in amusement.
This girl, it seemed, disliked owing favors.