Qin Liuxi declined Landlord Qian's invitation, and though he was disappointed, he knew he couldn't force her and dared not offend her. As he took a box from the butler and handed it to Qin Liuxi, he asked another question.
"Dr. Qin truly lives up to her reputation. Although I, Mr. Qian, have been engaged in business outside for many years and have seen many doctors, I have never encountered one as young as you with such exceptional medical skills."
"That's because Landlord Qian has not met enough people. Not to mention Da Feng, where the land is vast and the people are talented, but also beyond Da Feng, there are several small countries such as Shang Country and Yu Country, and even the barbarian lands, all brimming with talented individuals, none of whom I can compare to." Qin Liuxi, smiling, took the box filled with consultation fees and handed it to Chen Pi behind her.
Landlord Qian laughed and said, "Then it is because I have too shallow a connection with them, hence I have not met them."
Qin Liuxi thought to herself that businessmen indeed know how to speak.
"Dr. Qin, I, Mr. Qian, also know many affluent businessmen, some of whom are rich but unfortunately have been suffering from chronic hidden ailments and cannot be cured. If they wish to consult Dr. Qin, where could they find you? Rest assured, they are all capable of paying a substantial consultation fee."
This was just another way to try to find out how to locate Qin Liuxi.
Forming ties with a Daoist doctor with profound medical skills was all advantage and no disadvantage for Landlord Qian. Firstly, it ensured that his family had access to a good doctor, and secondly, by acting as a middleman in facilitating these connections, he could accumulate a lot of favors owed to him.
Thus, Landlord Qian's current submissive attitude towards Qin Liuxi was also for that invisible benefit. After all, in business, pursuing profit is normal.
Qin Liuxi saw through his thoughts but was not annoyed. She did not lack patients, nor did she lack wealthy patients. It all depended on whether she was willing to 'advance' herself. But since someone wanted to facilitate these connections, her involvement was optional; whether to treat them or not depended solely on her mood.
Qin Liuxi then said, "Since you were able to find out that I am from Qingping Temple, naturally you can also find me there. Just go to Qingping Temple. However, our Daoist doctors are not like ordinary doctors. Especially me, I do not save the wicked or those immersed in karma, even for a vast amount of wealth."
Landlord Qian shuddered inside.
"Landlord Qian is kind-hearted and frequently does good deeds, surely there will be blessings, and even future generations will benefit from these virtues. People say one earns wealth for their descendants to enjoy prosperity. But if one commits sins, no matter how good their fortune, it will dissipate, and all the amassed riches become meaningless."
Landlord Qian quickly bowed down: "I, Mr. Xie, am grateful for your guidance."
Qin Liuxi waved her hand, then thought for a moment before asking, "What business does your family do?"
Landlord Qian replied, "It varies. I started by trading goods from the north and the south, it's essentially general merchandise. Traversing from the south to the north, we stock everything commonly needed by the common folk. And you, Dr. Qin?"
"Do you have fabrics like silk and cotton?"
"Of course, those are bulk items."
"I'll have someone visit your store to pick some fabrics. It doesn't matter how fine they are, as long as they are practical. Could your shopkeeper oversee the quality?" Qin Liuxi said.
Landlord Qian gasped, "Dr. Qin, aren't you causing distress to old Mr. Qian? If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll deliver it to your house. Why should you spend your own money?"
"That won't do. There are no free lunches in this world, and even if there are, I do not partake. And don't mention anything like saving lives. You've paid the consultation fee, so we are even. If I deal with you in business, it must also be square, with payment exchanged for goods, otherwise, I would not dare to do business with you."