The current price of grain is eight wen per jin, with each mu yielding three hundred jin. Ten wen is neither expensive nor cheap. William Clark saw no need to resist at this time, so he paid the money and entered the city.

The county town was completely different from the small village. The streets were lined with shops, all two or three-story wooden buildings, bustling with activity—though of course, it was nothing compared to Earth.

Relying on his body's memories, after turning a few corners, he arrived at a pharmacy. William Clark went inside.

"Ah, it's you!" The speaker was a middle-aged man, Mr. Cooper.

Dayan Temple often collected wild yams and game for this pharmacy, so they were quite familiar. Although their relationship had cooled somewhat, the prices were still fair.

"It's me, Mr. Cooper."

After a brief greeting, William Clark took out his bundle. At that moment, a sharp voice rang out: "Oh, William Clark, you're here. What are you trying to sell today?"

The speaker was a Mr. Bolton's Assistant, said to be the boss's distant nephew. Ever since he met Alice Bennett, he had been jealous of the young man and would always try to make things difficult or mock him whenever he could.

William Clark didn't even bother to look at him, only speaking to the Shopkeeper: "There's a bit more this time. I wonder if you have the authority to make the decision."

As he spoke, he opened the bundle, revealing seven or eight pitch-black bones.

"Oh my, these are tiger bones from a hundred-year-old tiger, almost half-spirit already. Usually, you only sell them in small amounts. What, you want to sell them all this time?" Mr. Cooper, recognizing the goods, said in surprise.

"All of them. How much do you think they're worth?" Placing the bundle on the counter, William Clark asked.

"Well, we've been doing business for many years, so I'll give you a fair price—one hundred and twenty taels. How about it?" Mr. Cooper carefully examined the goods and, finding them genuine, made his offer.

At this point, Mr. Bolton's Assistant stared at the goods, his eyes shifting, and said, "Shopkeeper, that's a large sum. Shouldn't we wait for my uncle to return before making a decision?"

Mr. Cooper snorted coldly and said, "I've been the shopkeeper for twenty years. For anything under two hundred taels, I have the authority!"

With that, he went to the back and brought out a box. Opening it, a dazzling golden light shone forth—twelve gold leaves in total, each weighing one tael of gold, exactly worth one hundred and twenty taels of silver.

"Ah!" Mr. Bolton's Assistant stared blankly at the gold.

"Alright, that's settled!" William Clark, recalling from memory, thought the price was a bit low—he could have bargained up to one hundred and fifty taels—but without another word, he took the box and left.

"Shopkeeper, this..." Mr. Bolton's Assistant began.

"Sigh, I heard he's been summoned by Lord Wei... Decades of friendship—one must have a conscience. We've made our profit, but we can't kick someone when they're down." Mr. Cooper muttered, continuing to look at the account book, but shot Mr. Bolton's Assistant a warning glance.

Mr. Bolton's Assistant, hearing this, shifted his gaze. After a moment, he patted himself and said, "Shopkeeper, the boss asked me to pick up some medicinal herbs this morning. I completely forgot—I'll go now."

Without waiting for Mr. Cooper's response, he ran out.

Chapter Five: Human Relations

The Thompson Residence, located in the east of the city, was neither remote nor particularly bustling.

It was said that The Thompson Residence had over a hundred tenant households and two thousand mu of land. Many of its members had served as officials, earning the respect of the villagers. Passersby rarely dared to make a commotion in front of its gates.

Nearby was a small shop with two storefronts, kept clean and tidy. Inside were eight tables, two attendants, and a fifty-year-old man who appeared to be the owner.

"Boss, bring me some wheat pancakes with scallions and sauce, and a jin of cooked beef." A man entered—it was a servant from a noble household. Though he acted obsequious around his young master, in the shop he spoke with authority.

The shopkeeper approached cautiously and said, "Right away, sir, please have a seat—Sixth Son, slice a jin of beef!"

A voice answered "Okay" from the back room. Soon, a young attendant lifted the curtain and brought out a jin of beef. The boss also brought out the wheat pancakes, crispy and fragrant, along with a dish of sauce mixed with sesame oil. The man began to devour the pancakes with scallions, eating the meat in big bites, all the while glancing toward the door.

After a while, two figures appeared in the distance. Looking closely, it was Alice Bennett and Mr. Harris.

The man’s eyes lit up at the sight. He stopped eating and stared as Mr. Harris knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened and a servant led them inside.

The man scratched his head and resumed eating, but more slowly now. It wasn't long before the door opened again and the two came out, followed by a loud "bang" as the main gate was shut tight.

Alice Bennett silently walked down the steps, turning to look back at the tightly closed door. In the sunlight, her shadow stretched long, and she clenched her fists tightly.

Mr. Harris followed quietly behind, but finally couldn't help saying, "That man has no conscience. Back then, the old abbot helped him so much, and they even called each other brothers..."

Alice Bennett waved her hand, her voice trembling as she said, "It's alright. There are still two other families who knew my father. They can speak on our behalf. Let's go see them—surely not everyone will be like this."

Seeing the two leave in disappointment, the man in the shop grinned. "Heh, they know what's good for them. The Thompson Family has refused them, and I bet the other two families will as well. But that's not my concern anymore."

He raised his voice: "Slice another jin of chicken!"