Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 7 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Gao Qianyi, representing Xia Yuan, the owner of Shouyuan Apothecary, approached Chen's Apothecary to discuss a partnership for selling Yurong Powder. Shouyuan Apothecary demanded a 60% profit share. Chen's Father was hesitant, believing their business could grow steadily on its own. Chu Shaohua, however, urged him to accept, proposing that they leverage Shouyuan Apothecary's extensive network to establish the Chen's brand nationwide by ensuring all Yurong Powder sold bore their logo.
Chen Dashun supported Shaohua's vision, but Chen's Father remained unconvinced, ending the discussion by stating the matter was settled. Shaohua later confided in Chen Dashun that their father was too focused on immediate profits, though Dashun believed their father had his reasons. Shaohua became deeply interested in the military medical supplies order for Shanxi, diligently reading Peking newspapers to follow the civil war.
Chen Dashun initially dismissed her interest, arguing that Chen's Apothecary was too small to compete with giants like Shouyuan Apothecary and Shanghai Tian's Apothecary. However, he soon suggested she also consult Shanghai newspapers like the "Republican Daily News" and the "Shun Pao" for a comprehensive understanding of the situation, even recommending certain insightful reporters. Shaohua, surprised by his knowledge, acknowledged his broader perspective.
Bypassing Special Envoy Xu and Mr. Lan, whom other merchants sought for profit, Shaohua approached Mr. Shang, presenting herself as someone more concerned with healing and saving lives than mere financial gain. Initially dismissive of her quotation sheet, Mr. Shang became attentive when Shaohua revealed her custom-designed herbal packs for various injuries. She further impressed him by accurately recalling his past gunshot wound and the chronic pain he suffered, explaining how her specialized bone-setting herbal pack could have prevented it.
While Mr. Shang downplayed his past, he acknowledged that no other apothecary dared to offer a tenfold penalty for substandard goods, a testament to Chen's Apothecary's commitment to quality. Shaohua then advocated for the soldiers, hoping that whoever secured the bid would uphold high standards to save lives. Mr. Shang expressed his helplessness, explaining that Special Envoy Xu favored Shouyuan Apothecary and Mr. Lan favored Shanghai Tian's Apothecary, leaving no hope for Chen's Apothecary.
Before leaving, Shaohua offered him a specially prepared herbal remedy for his persistent cough, which he gratefully accepted, trusting her sincerity. Shaohua then sought out Mr. Zhao, a prominent gang leader in Bada Hutong, offering him 500 silver dollars if he could help them secure the military order. Mr. Zhao was still annoyed about how Shaohua had orchestrated Kang Erniu's fake illness for her redemption. Shaohua admitted to helping Kang Erniu get out of her contract.
She then fabricated a story that a former associate, Wu, had stolen a valuable item worth 2,500 silver dollars from her family, offering Mr. Zhao half the bounty if he recovered it. After confirming the substantial reward, Mr. Zhao agreed to help with the military order, settling the previous incident with Wu.
Mr. Zhao later discovered that Xu Hongnian, Shouyuan Apothecary's head manager, had spent 4,000 silver dollars to redeem a famous courtesan named Xiao Yihuan and another 800 silver dollars on a mansion, both of which he then gifted to Special Envoy Xu. Mr. Zhao passed this crucial address to Chu Shaohua. Shaohua promptly wrote an anonymous letter to a Shanghai newspaper, exposing Xu Hongnian's bribery. The news quickly spread, with headlines detailing Shouyuan Apothecary's corruption.
Special Envoy Xu confronted Xu Hongnian, believing Shanghai Tian's Apothecary was behind the leak. In retaliation, Xu Hongnian instructed Xia Yuan to accuse Tian's Apothecary of selling substandard goods, which was also published. Amidst the scandals, Military Governor Yan, furious at the widespread corruption, disqualified both Shouyuan Apothecary and Tian's Apothecary from the military medical supplies bid, entrusting all procurement to Mr. Shang. Mr. Shang personally visited Chen's Apothecary to award them the military order.
Chen Dashun joyfully explained to his father how their fame, combined with Mr. Shang's new authority, led to this success. Chen's Father initially questioned Shaohua's contribution, which Chen's Mother echoed, but Shaohua humbly explained that Mr. Shang, a principled man, trusted their high-quality, fairly priced medicines. Realizing the 5,000 silver dollar profit from the order, Chen's Father toasted Shaohua, and Chen's Mother's attitude softened considerably.
Shaohua confirmed she had repaid the 200 silver dollars she owed, which Chen's Father admitted was a tactic to motivate her. Shaohua then declared her ambition, vowing that Chen's Apothecary would one day surpass Shouyuan Apothecary and become Peking's leading apothecary. The family celebrated her vision. Separately, Japanese pharmacist Mr. Komura met with Xia Yuan, hoping to acquire Chinese secret formulas.
Xia Yuan firmly refused to sell his prescriptions, stating that money was not an issue for him, but offered a trade: his formulas for Komura Pharmaceuticals' secret formulas. Mr. Komura, deeming it a joke, left disappointed. Back at Chen's Apothecary, Shaohua and Chen Dashun proposed using the military order's profits to open a branch. Chen's Father was hesitant, citing the financial risk and their already busy main store.
Shaohua passionately argued for the urgency of expanding while Yurong Powder was popular, suggesting a national footprint for the Chen's brand. She presented detailed financial projections, showing how a branch would significantly boost annual profits from 3,000 to 8,000 silver dollars, and cited Xia Yuan's aggressive expansion strategy as a model for success. Dashun strongly supported her, emphasizing the benefits of increased customer base, better supply deals, and reduced costs that branches would bring.
Chen's Father eventually agreed to the branch. Meanwhile, Xia Yuan was enraged by losing the military order and the subsequent newspaper reports. He pressed Xu Hongnian to explain the leak of their bribery, concluding that Chen's Apothecary was likely behind it as they were the ultimate beneficiaries. Gao Qianyi, recalling earlier discussions, acknowledged Shaohua as the truly formidable force behind Chen's Apothecary's innovative success.
Following the agreement, Chen's Father entrusted the branch's management to Shaohua and Chen Dashun, while he oversaw the main store. Shaohua immediately demanded 50% of the branch's shares, citing her contributions, including Yurong Powder and the military order. Chen's Mother vehemently protested, viewing it as a move to split the family. Shaohua insisted she sought recognition and a proper title for her efforts, not just money.
Chen Dashun intervened, suggesting he manage the branch alone and that Chen's Father would need to hire a capable, trustworthy manager for the main store who would also require shares. After weighing his options, Chen's Father agreed to give Shaohua and Dashun 50% shares, but with a condition: the branch must achieve an annual profit of 4,000 silver dollars. Shaohua eagerly suggested formalizing this in an agreement for clear accountability.
Chen's Father, trusting her, dismissed the need for a formal document. Dashun later praised Shaohua's clever use of "strategic withdrawal." Shaohua dedicated herself to the new branch's preparations. She received a letter from Kang Erniu, who had settled well into a silk factory in Shanghai and urged Shaohua to come and fulfill her own grand ambitions. Inspired, Shaohua immediately proposed opening their next branch in Shanghai.
With Chen Dashun's enthusiastic support, she outlined an ambitious plan for national expansion, envisioning branches in Guangzhou, Hankou, and Chengdu, aiming to establish Chen's Apothecary across the entire country, one city at a time. Soon after, Chen's Father took Chen Dashun to Shanxi to collect the final payment for the military order. They traveled with clerks from Wei Donglai's apothecary, who were also heading to Shanxi for business.
Before their departure, Shaohua and their daughter, Xuan, came to see Chen Dashun off. Xuan cried uncontrollably, which was unusual for her. Shaohua urged Chen Dashun to return quickly, and he promised to be back for the branch's grand opening. Shaohua and Chen Dashun shared a fond farewell. A month passed, but Chen's Father and Chen Dashun had not returned from Shanxi. Chen's Mother grew increasingly anxious. Shaohua offered to visit Wei Donglai's house the next morning for news.
Their daughter, Xuan, again cried inconsolably. The following day, Wei Donglai informed Shaohua that a plague had broken out in Shanxi. Military Governor Yan had sealed all routes, trapping Chen's Father, Chen Dashun, and Wei Donglai's clerks in the region, with no clear timeline for their return. Though Chen's Mother panicked about the deadly disease, Shaohua calmly reassured her that their decades of experience in the medicinal trade would guide them in protecting themselves.
