What idea do you have?

A population census, Xu Xinyuan said. I have checked. The last population census conducted in the Valley of Thousands of Medicine was 15 years ago. For some unknown reasons, there hasnt been a population census of that stockade since. It was as if that stockade had just disappeared until the recent accidents brought the stockade into our view again.

A population census could work, but He County does not manage those things, Guo Zhenghe said. We have to find a way from the provincial government.

Young Master, please ask about it, Xu Xinyuan said. Recently, the provincial government has been pushing for medical reform in rural villages. It requires all regions to send medical teams to villages and towns, especially in remote mountainous areas, to provide free medical services and establish personal medical files. That could provide us a very rare opportunity.

Yes, that is indeed an opportunity. Guo Zhenghe agreed.

At the least, they would be able to find out how many people were in their village and how old those people were. By comparing that information with the last population census, they would be able to glean some useful information. However, there were difficulties. This was southern Yunnan. Their family did not have many connections there because of its location, so they had limited influence.

Let me think about it for now, Guo Zhenghe said. You continue to pay attention to their news, and you must ensure your safety.

Noted.

Uncle Xu, its been a hard time for you, Guo Zhenghe sincerely said.

Through this period of contact and getting along, he found that Xu Xinyuan was a rare talent. He had both the brains and the means. He was not the kind of reckless man who only knew how to fight. He was a great help to him, who was almost alone there. It was quite timely.

It has also been so for you, Xu Xinyuan said.

People like them were the same as those helpers raised by big families. If they spent money to support someone, they would help them out at a critical moment.

If theres nothing else, Ill go now, Young Master.

OK, you can go, Guo Zhenghe said. You can come to me whenever you have something.

Alright.

After Xu Xinyuan left, Guo Zhenghe stayed put for a while more. He had two cups of tea, during which he was still thinking about the matter.

More than 200 years old? How can that be?

Guo Zhenghe was skeptical about how someone could live to that age. Looking at the time, he left the teahouse and went back to his office. He called his father and briefly told him about the situation.

I see. Secretary Guo answered with two simple words.

Pay attention over there. Leave and retreat immediately once you find yourself in danger.

Alright, I got it, Dad, Guo Zhenghe said. You should also pay attention to your health.

Alright, lets hang up. I have another meeting to prepare for.

Alright.

The dialogue between the father and the son was very brief. As long as the matter was conveyed clearly, it was done.

He is still like that! Guo Zhenghe chuckled.

His father was strict and awe-inspiring, but he cared about him. It was just that his way of caring was different.

The first thing is to be sure of how magical the secret recipe in the Valley of Thousands of Medicine is for now. If it can allow people to live to be 200 years old, it must be obtained at all costs! Guo Zhenghes eyes flashed with a trace of ruthlessness.

Since ancient times, from emperors to the common folk, almost everyone had the dream of living a long life. They longed for immortality, especially those emperors who already held great power in their hands. They already had the world. The next step was to think about how they could stay in power for thousands of generations. It was best if they could be in power all the time. The premise of all that was to have a healthy body. That was how the story of Emperor Qin sending Xu Fudong to look for the elixir of immortality came about. In this respect, it was not just him. Almost all the emperors had done that. It was just that he was the most famous one.

Immortality! Guo Zhenghe sighed.

How could people not be tempted?

In a provincial city in southern Yunnan

What? Are you going again? Yang Guanfeng felt a headache coming on.

You dont have to scratch your head, said a half-bald middle-aged man. The higher-ups have specifically asked for you.

No, wait, Boss. Why?

Dont you know about it? Its such a big thing. There are 19 dead. What if this continues? Are we going to let the Ministry send someone here?

Them?

Ah, what is that expression on your face? Do you think they may not have someone comparable to you?

I did not mean that.

Alright, you should set off quickly. Have Xiao Lu go with you this time. You guys are considered old partners.

Is he back?

He just came back.

Alright, lets go again then, Yang Guanfeng said.

He did not like the Valley of Thousands of Medicine. The last time he was there, he had felt that way. The two of them were poisoned and had almost died inexplicably. Moreover, Miao Xihe, who appeared to support them a lot on the surface, was quite disgusted with them. Yang Guanfeng needed to think about it.

In place isolated from the world, where he was the local emperor, who had ever tried to make indiscreet remarks or criticisms in front of him, let alone people from outside? Although he had left that place and He County during this time, he had not been idle. His main energy was focused on investigating the case. He had continued investigating the Valley of Thousands of Medicine. However, there was little information about the place. Even the most recent population census was more than a decade old. All the news and information he had gotten about the place was from others. He had gone to several villages near the Valley of Thousands of Medicine to inquire about it. However, most of the people very secretive about the place.

In the end, everything comes to the one who worked for it. He had gotten some useful information from some old people who were about to enter the earth.

The people there were proficient in medicine and poison usage, which they already knew about. This was a place passed that knowledge down from generation to generation. The Valley of Thousands of Medicine was like the King of Medicine Valley written about in martial arts novels. The chief was usually the most skilled person in medicine. That meant the Miao Xihe he had met several times in the Valley of Thousands of Medicine was actually someone with superb medical skills. According to the information he obtained, the people in the valley could cure most of the difficult and miscellaneous diseases, and even some incurable diseases, provided that they were willing to treat the person. Miao Xihes medical skills were the highest in the valley, and his ability to use poison was also the strongest.

Such a person, however, was willing to hide in such a small stockade. He was either a real hermit or had a bigger plan in mind. He did not look like a hermit in any way.

I really dont want to go, Yang Guanfeng said with a sigh.

Why dont you want to go? A man came into his office from the outside. He was in his 30s. He looked a little slovenly and had a cigarette in his mouth.

When did you come back?

Ive been back for a week, the man said. Why dont you want to go to the Valley of Thousands of Medicine?

I just dont want to go, Yang Guanfeng said.

I heard that the scenery there is quite good, the man said. Are there any beautiful girls?

Ah, I really dont want to talk to you. Your words always revolve from girls! Yang Guanfeng facepalmed himself as he spoke.

We had driven for hours, and our bones were almost falling apart. It felt strange when we went there.

What about the girls? his colleague seriously asked.

Well, I was investigating the case, so I was not paying attention, Yang Guanfeng replied.

What? Did you not even see if the girls there were beautiful or not? Dont you think that mission was a failure?

Lu Xiufeng, dont bother acting, Yang Guanfeng said. If you really like them, why arent you married by now?

There are so many flowers, so how can I pick only one?

Come on, you still cant get away from it. Yang Guanfeng lit a cigarette.

Oh, I really dont want to talk to you, Lu Xiufeng said with a sigh.

You have no sense of humor, and you always poke at others sore spot.

You asked for it, Yang Guanfeng said.

Well, to be honest, Id like to go and see it. Lu Xiufeng narrowed his eyes.

After all, theyre last names are all Miao.

In a mountain village thousands of miles away

Inside the clinic

Why do you have time to come here? How are the medicine sales? Wang Yao asked.

Since it has been produced and Sir has said that the effect is good, the sales should not be a problem, Zheng Weijun said with a smile. The rest depends on time.

The first batch of medicine had been successfully produced, which was a good start. The upcoming work and preparation for the sales, as he had just said, did not require them to worry. After all, this was the prescription provided by Wang Yao. In that respect, he had absolute trust.

Sir, have you thought about what medicine you want to make next? This was the real purpose of Zheng Weijuns visit.

A pharmaceutical factory, and one that had so much investment, could never only produce one kind of medicine.

Let me think about it, Wang Yao said.

He already had two prescriptions in mind. He was just considering which one to use. One was to clear away heat and relieve pain. The other was to clear the blood vessels and remove blood stasis. Both of them were in liquid form.

Oh, sure. Zheng Weijun nodded.

After chatting for a while, he left. He had more important work to do. It needed to use his connections to quickly promote the medicine.

No hurry at all, Wang Yao softly said.

At Jia Zizais house

Ah, my wife, look, the medicine that Sir gave us worked, Jia Zizai said.

What are you doing? Where did you get the mouse from? When Hu Mei entered the room, she found her husband staring at a cage on the table. Inside the cage was a small mouse.

I caught it. I spent a lot of effort on it.

Is that what you went out for today? Hu Mei asked. You havent been bitten, have you?

No, would be fine even if I got bitten, Jia Zizai replied. Didnt Sir say that we are all invincible now?

This old rat can spread the plague. That is not poison, right?

Isnt that bullsh*t? Jia Zizai asked. Mice are afraid of people. Even when I stand here, it is afraid of me! Hu Mei rolled her eyes at him.

No, its different. You look at its eyes, reaction, and expression. Jia Zizai pointed to the little mouse.

Eyes? Reaction? What expression does a mouse have?

Well, mammals have expressions, Jia Zizai said. I heard the experts talk about it when I watched Humans and Nature. Come on, squat down and have a look. Take a closer look.

Hu Mei did gave in and came closer. She squatted to look.

He was right. The little mouse kept running back and forth in the cage. It was obvious that it wanted to escape. She could see a little panicked expression on its face.