It's hard for my elder sister. I rely on the mountains to farm and pay off my debts.

After the goods were delivered and the payment was received, Song Zhi was arranged by Manager Zhou to enter the inner room.

During this time, Shopkeeper Zhou treated the two of them to tea and cakes, and was even more attentive and courteous than before.

"Miss Song, please have some tea and rest here first. My young master will be here later." Manager Zhou said with a smile on his face.

Song Zhi agreed generously: "Shopkeeper, go and do your own thing. Don't worry about me leaving."

With Song Zhi's words, Manager Zhou finally felt relieved. He couldn't let the young master make another wasted trip!

After Shopkeeper Zhou left, Song An swallowed nervously, "Sister, will we really be able to see the county magistrate later?"

Seeing that he was nervous, Song Zhi took a piece of cake and handed it to him, "We are here to discuss cooperation with the county magistrate, we can't panic."

Song An nodded, not quite understanding, and took the cake and took a big bite, "Sister, I'm not panicking."

Song Zhi looked at her younger brother's obviously straightened back and stern face, and nodded with a smile, "That's right. The first thing to do in a negotiation is to show your strength."

After hearing what her sister said, Song An's little chest straightened even more.

Song Zhi ate two snacks and drank a cup of tea in the inner room, and finally met Zhou Yu.

When Song Zhi saw the newcomer, she hurriedly bowed with her younger brother and said, "I, a humble woman, greet the county magistrate."

Zhou Yu waved his hand, "Sit down!"

He sat down directly at the top.

As soon as Zhou Yu sat down, Liangtian brought him tea and snacks.

He calmly placed it on the coffee table beside the young master, then stepped back and stood by.

Originally, he wanted to leave when the young master was discussing something, but considering that the other party was just a girl, Liangtian was tactful enough not to leave.

Zhou Yu saw that the other party was calm and composed, without the panic that ordinary people would have when seeing him.

Even the little boy next to him was sitting with his back straight, but his posture was a little too stiff.

He withdrew his gaze from the two of them and asked directly, "Yesterday, Madam Song said that the city's herbal medicine shops were buying herbs at low prices, and that there were many mountains and herbs in the jurisdiction. What exactly do you want to say?"

"That's right, sir. My family was in financial difficulty before, and I tried to collect herbs and sell them to clinics, but they either refused to accept them or offered a lower price."

"Later, because of selling jelly, I came into contact with some merchants from other places. That's when I realized that the herbs I sold were sold at a low price."

As she spoke, her tone was tinged with bitterness. "For a poor person like me, relying on the little income from the fields is barely enough to make ends meet. If someone in the family falls ill, or the weather is bad, life becomes very difficult."

"So I boldly propose to you, sir, that we open a government-run shop, stocking it with local specialties like furs and herbs for sale to passing merchants. As long as the prices are fair and the quality is good, I don't believe those merchants won't be tempted!"

"This way, we can provide the people with a place to sell their goods, and also generate income for the government. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

Zhou Yu's heart moved slightly. He was short of money right now. If he could generate income through the government-run shop, it seemed like a good idea.

But there is still a problem. He doesn't even know much about herbs, so how can he talk to the common people?

As he thought about this, he asked, "But the common people who know herbs are few in number after all. How can we harvest enough herbs to sell to those merchants?"

Song Zhi was waiting for him to ask, so she introduced it frankly, "I wonder if you have heard of Forsythia suspensa?

"It is a good medicine for clearing away heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling and dispersing nodules. It has a wide range of applications and extremely high medicinal value. Our jurisdiction is mountainous, and there is a large area of Forsythia in the mountains of almost every village."

"When the autumn harvest comes, my Lord, all you have to do is agree on the purchase amount with the medicine merchants who come here, and then send the village heads to visit the villages, and the matter will be settled."

Zhou Yu didn't expect that she was so thoughtful and even took into account the most difficult issue of the people not knowing the medicine.

He asked tentatively, "The forsythia harvest has to wait until autumn. For now, if we open a government-run shop, what can we sell?"

Song Zhi smiled and said solemnly, "This is also the cooperation I want to discuss with the county magistrate next!"

"Oh? Cooperation? What kind of cooperation?" Zhou Yu asked with great interest.

Song Zhi stood up and said to Liang Tian who was standing behind Zhou Yu, "I have a bag of tea here. Can you please help me make a pot of tea?"

Liangtian was suddenly called and was a little confused. He looked at his young master hesitantly.

Zhou Yu nodded and motioned him to do it.

After Liangtian brewed the tea, Song Zhi said, "How about you try this tea, sir?"

Zhou Yu picked up the teacup and took a look at the tea in the cup. He saw that the tea soup was clear and crisp.

He took a sip from the cup and found it sweet and refreshing with a long aftertaste.

He nodded in agreement, "This tea is clear but not bland, fragrant but not strong, and has a long aftertaste. It's even good."

Zhou Yu asked bluntly, "Is drinking this tea with me related to that cooperation?"

Song Zhi nodded. "This tea is made from the leaves of the forsythia suspensa. This season is a good time to pick them. With your status and position, it will be easy to promote this tea."

"If you think this tea is good, I'd like to share my recipe with you. The only condition is that you give me 10% of the profits within three years."

Zhou Yu was a little surprised when he heard her say that the tea was made from Forsythia suspensa leaves.

As for what he just said about being very relaxed, Zhou Yu didn't take it to heart at all.

He asked curiously, "Since you can make tea, it shouldn't be difficult for you to make money with it. Why do you want to cooperate with me?"

Song Zhi said frankly, "At first, I really didn't think of telling you about the Forsythia Tea."

"It's an aunt from the village. She asked me if I could find more buyers so they can help pick the fruits and profit from it."

"But my power is limited after all. Making tea, preparing tea, and finding buyers are beyond my ability. If I miss this season, I'll have to wait until next year. After much thought, I think the only way to let the people of the entire county benefit is to hand this over to you, my Lord."

"That's why I dared to give you this advice today. I hope you won't blame me for my audacity!"

He is a man who understands righteousness.

Zhou Yu said bluntly, "You are wrong. Not only is there no fault, but it is a merit."

"You care deeply about the people and are willing to use your own efforts to promote the well-being of the entire county. Such broad-mindedness and foresight are truly rare. This county will not blame you. Instead, we should thank you for your sincere heart."

"Without hesitation, please tell me first, what preparations are needed for making and preparing tea?

"When I have my men prepare everything, the county will also hand over the responsibility of making and preparing the tea to you."

Song Zhi thought, 'This means he approves her proposal!'