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Chapter 7: Astonishment of the Crowd - Apprentice Pharmacist!

Among the numerous apprentices, Lu Changsheng was not conspicuous.

Many apprentices didn't even recognize Lu Changsheng and didn't know his name.

This time, when they saw that Lu Changsheng was applying to become an apprentice pharmacist, they were genuinely surprised.

How long had it been?

At most, they had been in Miaoshou Garden for only about five months.

In five months, they couldn't even recognize all the characters, let alone become apprentice pharmacists.

You see, apprentice pharmacists needed to memorize the names, properties, and growth environments of at least hundreds of medicinal herbs, all of which had to be learned from books.

Without knowing how to read, how could one learn?

Even Zhang, the steward, frowned and asked with some doubt, "Are you sure you want to apply for the apprentice pharmacist assessment?"

"Sure."

"Do you have much confidence?"

Lu Changsheng thought for a moment, not daring to sound too confident, so he said conservatively, "Maybe about seventy to eighty percent."

A hint of surprise appeared on Steward Zhang's face.

Having a seventy to eighty percent chance meant he was quite likely to become an apprentice pharmacist.

Lu Changsheng was still quite young, and in just five months, he had a good chance of becoming an apprentice pharmacist. That was impressive!

There was a great possibility that he could become a pharmacist or even a doctor in the future!

In Miaoshou Garden, the doctors who saw patients held a very high status. Even the guards in the guard squad couldn't compare to a doctor from Miaoshou Garden.

Thinking of this, Steward Zhang's expression became serious, and he nodded, saying, "I approve. You can go."

After a pause, he added, "Well, it's quite troublesome for you, a miscellaneous apprentice, to go on your own. I'll take you there myself."

Steward Zhang was clearly trying to build a good relationship with Lu Changsheng.

The future doctors of Miaoshou Garden had limitless potential, making it worth Steward Zhang's effort to befriend them.

"Then I'll trouble Steward Zhang."

Lu Changsheng bowed.

He then followed Steward Zhang out of the square.

Once Steward Zhang left, the other apprentices erupted in chatter.

"Is he really going to apply to become an apprentice pharmacist?"

"I've seen Lu Changsheng holding those herb books before, but I thought he was just pretending. I didn't expect him to actually understand them."

"I can't even recognize all the characters, and Lu Changsheng can memorize herb books?"

"Master Mo seems to like Lu Changsheng a lot. He often teaches him privately."

"Ah, I didn't expect Lu Changsheng to lack talent in martial arts but have such talent in academics. Once he becomes an apprentice pharmacist, he'll earn a salary, and his status will greatly improve. He won't be on the same level as us..."

"No, I need to work hard to learn to read and recognize characters so I can become an apprentice pharmacist too."

The apprentices were discussing excitedly, some with envy and admiration, but mostly with motivation.

With Lu Changsheng as an example, more apprentices would surely strive to become apprentice pharmacists as soon as possible.

Lu Changsheng paid no attention to the thoughts of the other apprentices.

He followed Steward Zhang and arrived at the herb storage room in the heart of Miaoshou Garden.

This was where Miaoshou Garden prepared its medicinal herbs.

Inside, many pharmacists were supervising apprentices in the drying and processing of herbs.

"Master Wen."

Steward Zhang saluted an elderly man with all-white hair and an aged appearance.

Master Wen raised his head to glance at Steward Zhang and then asked, "Steward Zhang, what brings you here?"

"Master Wen, this is a miscellaneous apprentice who has been here for only five months. He's applying to become an apprentice pharmacist, and I've brought him here."

Steward Zhang explained the purpose of their visit.

"Hmm?"

"A miscellaneous apprentice who has been here for only five months, and he couldn't even read before, right? Yet he's applying to become an apprentice pharmacist."

A strange glint flashed in Master Wen's cloudy eyes.

He looked at Lu Changsheng and asked, "What's your name?"

"Lu Changsheng."

"That's a good name. How many types of medicinal herbs do you know?"

"Five hundred and eighty-three types of medicinal herbs."

"The Medical Classics list over three thousand six hundred types of medicinal herbs. Being able to remember over five hundred is indeed in line with the standards for an apprentice pharmacist. However, I need to test you."

Master Wen stood up and brought Lu Changsheng to the backyard herb storage room.

The ground was covered with medicinal herbs.

Master Wen pointed at a few herbs and asked, "Tell me the names of these three herbs and their main effects."

Lu Changsheng replied directly, "Chaihu, bitter taste, neutral property, non-toxic. It mainly treats abdominal bloating, food stagnation, cold and heat pathogenic factors, revitalizes the body, enhances vision with prolonged use."

"Baizhu, tonifies the spleen, boosts the stomach, dries dampness, harmonizes the middle, and stabilizes the fetus. It treats weakness of the spleen and stomach, lack of appetite, fatigue, weakness, abdominal distension, diarrhea, phlegm, edema, jaundice, dampness, arthralgia, difficult urination, dizziness, spontaneous sweating, and fetal restlessness."

"Huixiang, pungent in taste, warm in nature, enters the kidney and stomach meridians. It mainly treats cold in the middle-jiao, nausea and vomiting, and stagnation of stomach qi..."

Lu Changsheng spoke in great detail, reciting the words recorded in the Medical Classics without any omissions.

Master Wen nodded approvingly, and his cloudy eyes showed signs of satisfaction.

At the very least, the apprentice pharmacist assessment should not be a problem.

"Well done! Recognizing so many medicinal herbs is not just a matter of rote memorization; it means you genuinely understand and apply what you've learned."

"Steward Zhang, you've brought me a promising talent."

"Lu Changsheng, from today onwards, you are an apprentice pharmacist."

Typically, apprentice pharmacists would be assigned to learn from a pharmacist.

But Master Wen thought for a moment and then said, "Are you willing to be my personal apprentice?"

"Willing! I'm more than willing, and I thank Master Wen for this opportunity."

A hint of joy appeared on Lu Changsheng's face.

Seeing Steward Zhang's attitude earlier, it was evident that Master Wen held a significant position.

Being a personal apprentice to Master Wen was a rare opportunity that Lu Changsheng couldn't have hoped for.

"Lu Changsheng, being able to learn from Master Wen is your good fortune. Master Wen can identify even more medicinal herbs than those listed in the Medical Classics."

"Learn well from Master Wen. I hope that in the future, you will not only become a pharmacist but also a physician, or even a renowned doctor!"

Steward Zhang patted Lu Changsheng on the shoulder, encouraging him, and then left.

Lu Changsheng followed Master Wen, beginning his life as an apprentice pharmacist.

Apprentice pharmacists had some free time, and they even had days off.

One day off each month.

And they received wages. They earned three silver coins per month.

While the silver was not much, Lu Changsheng didn't mind.

What he cared about was the one month of free time.

With this time, he could finally go to Woniushan to retrieve the silver.

Lu Changsheng was patient.

Rather than rushing, he waited for a month, using the excuse of going out on his day off.

Then, he went to Woniushan and found the cave.

The cave was covered in dust and showed no signs of anyone visiting in the past few months, indicating that no one had been there.

Lu Changsheng retrieved the hidden gold and silver.

He didn't take the jewelry and ornaments.

He only took the gold and silver, as well as the silver notes.

Jewelry and ornaments needed to be sold, which would leave traces.

After all, these jewelry and ornaments were dirty goods of unknown origin.

Lu Changsheng took the gold and silver and returned to Miaoshou Garden.

He counted it briefly and found that aside from the jewelry and ornaments, he had around eight hundred taels of silver remaining, leaving him with about five hundred taels.

However, five hundred taels of silver was more than enough.

He only had two things left to do.

One, go to the martial arts academy to learn or perhaps purchase some simple martial skills.

Two, buy medicinal diets to practice the Grand River Vitality Technique.

Lu Changsheng disguised himself slightly, attaching a homemade mustache under his nose and using medicinal herbs to make his face look pale yellow, making him appear middle-aged.

Then, Lu Changsheng left directly and headed for the herbal shop.