Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion of the Taiping Dao, the imperial court’s surveillance of fangshi and occultists had also become much stricter.

In the first year of Zhongping, the Paul Bolton brothers attracted a large number of followers by distributing talisman water, causing immeasurable harm to the Han dynasty.

Therefore, as soon as a fangshi was found distributing talisman water, they would be immediately arrested and interrogated.

As a result, fangshi began to openly use the opportunity to amass wealth. Distributing talisman water was allowed, but one had to offer money or silk in exchange. The authorities were not afraid of fangshi making money this way; what they feared was that they would use the distribution of talisman water to recruit followers and incite unrest.

Thus, the trade in talisman water became open and aboveboard.

The more you offered, the higher the grade of talisman water you received. The fangshi and the authorities thus coexisted peacefully.

The The Clark Family was not a wealthy household. Chris Clark was a third-rate blacksmith, barely making a living by repairing ironware. Mrs. Bolton thought it over and felt that if she did not show enough sincerity, she probably would not be able to obtain high-quality talisman water. So she secretly took out the family heirloom jade pendant, hoping to exchange it for more money and silk, so she could ask for talisman water for Ryan Clark to ensure his lifelong safety.

Mrs. Bolton's father's father's father had also enjoyed some prosperous days.

Later, the family declined, and by the time it reached Mrs. Bolton's generation, they had become commoners. When she married Chris Clark, she had no valuable dowry left, only this heirloom jade pendant.

Early in the morning, Mrs. Bolton took the jade pendant to the market.

In fact, she knew that in a small place like Zhongyang Town, this heirloom jade pendant would not fetch a high price.

But even though she understood this, Mrs. Bolton still held onto a bit of hope, wanting to sell it for as much as possible... Ordinary small shops naturally would not offer a high price, and even if she gave them the jade pendant, they might not recognize its value. If they did not understand its value, of course they would not offer a price that would satisfy Mrs. Bolton. After much consideration, Mrs. Bolton finally chose Chengji Trading House.

Just like in big cities, small towns also had a gap between rich and poor.

Chengji Trading House was the largest business in Zhongyang Town, specializing in purchasing mountain goods. Almost all the mountain goods in Zhongyang Town were bought up by them... At the same time, Chengji also ran a pawn business. The manager of Chengji was named Henry Miller, and it was said he had some connections with the authorities.

Mrs. Bolton thought that such a big business as Chengji might be able to recognize the value.

“Good jade!”

The pawnbroker at Chengji was knowledgeable and immediately saw the value of the jade pendant. “Sister-in-law, where did you get this square jade pendant?”

Everyone lived in the same town, so the pawnbroker recognized Mrs. Bolton.

Mrs. Bolton said, “This is a family heirloom. If it weren’t for my child’s poor health, and my wish to go to Zhongyang Temple to ask for talisman water for him, I wouldn’t be selling it for money.”

The pawnbroker had heard a bit about Ryan Clark's situation.

He nodded sympathetically, then said, “This jade pendant is quite old, and the carving is exquisite—not something from an ordinary family... If you’re sure you want to pawn it for good, our shop is willing to offer twenty strings of cash. What do you think?”

High-grade talisman water required about ten strings as an offering!

The remaining ten strings could buy some medicinal herbs to help Ryan Clark recover.

Mrs. Bolton was overjoyed and was about to agree.

But just then, someone behind the counter said, “What item could be worth twenty strings?”

As he spoke, a short, stout, dark-skinned man in luxurious brocade robes walked out from the back hall, came to the counter, and picked up the jade pendant to examine it.

“Boss, this is the The Clark Family’s daughter-in-law from town, pawning a fine piece of jade.”

This short, stout man was none other than the manager of Chengji Trading House, Henry Miller. He glanced at Mrs. Bolton and suddenly sneered, “Fine jade? It’s nothing but a worn, broken piece—one string!”

As he spoke, he pointed at the pawnbroker and scolded, “You fool, do you think this is a charity hall? Next time, look more carefully...”

With that, he took the jade pendant and walked away.

Seeing the price drop from twenty strings to just one in an instant, how could Mrs. Bolton agree?

“This jade... I’m not selling it anymore, give it back to me!”

Did Henry Miller not recognize its value?

Of course not...

He saw the value of the jade pendant at a glance, but to pay twenty strings for it was clearly out of the question. As the rumors said, Henry Miller was a businessman with connections. He was the brother of the magistrate of Wuyin County, and his daughter was also the concubine of Luke Bolton’s nephew, Mark Bolton!

Nanyang Commandery was under the jurisdiction of Jingzhou.

Because Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han, Liu Xiu, rose to power in Nanyang, after the establishment of the Eastern Han regime, Wancheng was made the secondary capital, also known as the Southern Capital.

Nanyang Commandery governed a total of 37 counties, all under Liu Biao’s control.

But in reality, ever since Jack Bolton and Luke Bolton, uncle and nephew, invaded Nanyang, the commandery had been split in two.

With Jiyang as the boundary, north of Jiyang was Luke Bolton’s territory, while south of Jiyang, including Jiyang and sixteen other counties, was governed by Liu Biao.

If this were Wancheng, Henry Miller would not be considered anyone important.

But here in Wuyin, with Henry Miller’s status and his elder brother as his backing, he was definitely the local tycoon of Zhongyang Town.

“You troublesome woman, why so much fuss? One moment you’re selling, the next you’re not—what do you think this place is?”