The previous owner of the medical clinic had moved to another city, hence the urgency to sell. Ye Qingcheng happened to be there at the right time.
With the clinic secured, Ye Qingcheng personally inspected it. After making a few changes to her dissatisfaction, she prepared to officially open.
However, before that, she privately instructed Can Jian to handle two matters.
These actions were kept secret, even from Xiao Wangye, who had no idea what she was planning.
After briefing Can Jian, Ye Qingcheng, along with her people, arrived at the clinic. Their first order of business was to have a signboard erected at the entrance.
The signboard bore several prominent characters: "Patients from Ningcheng Receive Treatment for Only One Qian!"
As soon as this signboard was put up, the newly opened clinic became an instant sensation!
Although Ningcheng was not far from Fengdu City, it was a crucial hub for trade between the two countries, bordering Japan, and was therefore extremely prosperous.
In the city's medical clinics, besides apprentices, ordinary physicians charged three qian for a consultation.
Not to mention renowned doctors, whose fees generally started at ten taels of silver, a sum only the wealthy could afford.
Ye Qingcheng's clinic already had a good reputation. Now, with its reopening and the one-qian promotion, the news spread throughout Ningcheng in less than half a day.
Initially, only the poorer citizens tentatively sought treatment from Ye Qingcheng. Once they confirmed that the consultation fee was indeed only one qian, they were completely at ease.
Furthermore, many individuals suffering from difficult and complex ailments received accurate diagnoses and treatment from her, recovering their health.
As her reputation for exceptional medical skills spread, even families who initially dismissed the one-qian price were drawn to her clinic.
Later, everyone discovered that the prices for prescribed medicine at her clinic were also reasonable, further enhancing her fame.
One day, a group of people arrived at the clinic, causing a commotion.
"Doctor Ye, a group of Japanese people have arrived. They have stomach pains!"
A young assistant, sweating profusely, rushed to Ye Qingcheng, speaking anxiously.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingcheng raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile appearing in her eyes. She then quickly walked over.
A group of foreigners with distinct attire and short stature, with their foreign faces, were wailing in the clinic. Several of the clinic's doctors stood by, helpless and hesitant to approach.
Given Ningcheng's proximity to Japan, there were quite a few Japanese residents in the city, many of whom had influential backgrounds, making them people that ordinary individuals dared not offend.
"You all go and attend to your other duties. I'll handle this."
Ye Qingcheng waved her hand, dismissing the helpless doctors. She walked up to the group of Japanese people alone.
After examining their pulses, she immediately understood their condition. It was merely a case of food poisoning.
Although she could have resolved it with a set of silver needles, her eyes suddenly darted, and she reached out to write a prescription for the assistant to prepare the medicine.
She then administered the concoction to the Japanese patients, who felt immediate relief and were no longer in pain.
Deeply impressed by the swift results, the group of Japanese patients found it quite miraculous. They stood up and quickly expressed their gratitude to Ye Qingcheng, speaking in imperfect Chinese.
"Thank you very much, you are truly a divine physician!"
Accepting their thanks, Ye Qingcheng stood up, pursed her lips in a smile, and repeatedly gestured with her hands.
Then, she instructed the young assistant to approach them and said,
"Your illnesses have been cured. Please settle the payment for the medicine."
The assistant approached the Japanese patients, displaying a polite smile, but his gesture of extending his hand was swift and decisive.
The group nodded in unison, reached for their money pouches at their waists, and placed one hundred wen into the assistant's hand.
Having paid one qian, the Japanese individuals prepared to turn and walk out the door.
Ye Qingcheng immediately signaled with her eyes, prompting the assistant to stop them.
"Esteemed guests, our signboard clearly states that the rule of one qian applies only to residents of Ningcheng. As you are Japanese, you do not qualify for this discount."
Seeing them turn back in confusion, Ye Qingcheng narrowed her eyes and smiled again as she explained.
However, her eyes were now filled with a calculating look, hidden deep within, almost imperceptible.
Upon hearing this, the Japanese men froze, exchanging glances, unsure of what to do.
But Ye Qingcheng gave them no chance to react. She tilted her chin, instructing the assistant to block the entrance.
"Your consultation fee and medicine combined amount to fifty taels of silver. Please settle this amount before you leave."
At these words, everyone present was stunned, staring at her in disbelief.
Fifty taels?
This was an exorbitant price, one that even renowned doctors wouldn't dare to quote.
Let alone the Japanese men, even the young assistant blocking the door felt that their shopkeeper was being excessively greedy. This price was truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.
As expected, the Japanese men, having recovered from their shock, immediately changed their expressions. Their faces turned red as they glared angrily at Ye Qingcheng.
"Why are you treating us differently? Everyone else pays one qian, but we are charged fifty taels? You are too heartless!"
The men puffed out their chests, their faces flushed with indignation at Ye Qingcheng's words. Relying on their numbers, they advanced menacingly.
Ye Qingcheng, however, remained remarkably calm, her smile unwavering. She shrugged her shoulders and replied placidly,
"This is the rule of our clinic, and it is clearly written. You have received your consultation and medicine, and now you wish to renege on the payment?"
With that, she gave them a provocative glance.
The Japanese men, holding a not insignificant position in Ningcheng, had their initial gratitude vanish upon seeing her defiant attitude.
With darkened faces, they launched into a torrent of abuse in their awkward Chinese,
"This is a black-hearted clinic, extorting our money! If you don't teach you a lesson today, you won't respect our country!"
Saying this, they moved to attack, smashing items within the clinic.
The few patients who were still being treated in the clinic, seeing the escalating situation, quickly fled, gathering outside to watch.
The assistants and doctors within the clinic were furious at the destructive actions of the Japanese men.
A few who attempted to intervene were stopped by Ye Qingcheng, who told them to stand aside to avoid injury.
Xiao Wangye, who had been in the inner chambers of the clinic, heard the commotion and immediately came out to investigate. Upon witnessing the scene of the Japanese men furiously smashing the establishment,
His expression turned stern. He reached for the sword at his waist, preparing to charge at them.
Seeing this, Ye Qingcheng quickly restrained him, shaking her head and gesturing with her eyes for him not to.
Feeling her refusal, Xiao Wangye suppressed his anger, turned, and returned to the inner rooms, observing the unfolding events with cold eyes.
Following this, Ye Qingcheng called the young assistant and whispered a few words in his ear.
The assistant nodded vigorously upon hearing her instructions and left the clinic, his destination unknown.
The Japanese men, having vented their anger by smashing everything in the clinic, dared not cause physical harm in broad daylight.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingcheng, along with the clinic staff, watched them, unmoved.