Yun Jiao brought this out because she didn't have much silver left. Manager Wang had already bought more than ten grams of musk, and surely couldn't take more. This ancient small county town had a sparse population and extremely limited purchasing power.
After much consideration, she decided to take out this ginseng as well, to prepare for opening an apothecary in Prefecture City after the new year.
She noticed Manager Wang's hand tremble slightly, "Is it truly fifty years old?"
Yun Jiao nodded, "Look at how dense the root bowl is on top. You could count them slowly, and you'll know."
Manager Wang had planned to count earlier but felt embarrassed. Hearing Yun Jiao's suggestion, he took the ginseng and went to the courtyard in back, counting earnestly under the daylight.
He finished counting with fifty-two, and had no more doubts about the ginseng's age. Yet soon enough, he became troubled again.
