Chapter 164: I can't wait any longer

When Chen Wuji was about to leave, Zhang Lao suddenly said again: "Right, you often go into the mountains; please pay more attention to valuable medicinal herbs for me, especially ginseng, lingzhi, dendrobium, and antler velvet—these several types of great tonics."

Chen Wuji's heart tightened: "Old sir, what's wrong with your health?"

Zhang Lao glared: "You little brat, can't you wish me well for once? My health is fine. But when troops are raised, there will be casualties; how can recuperation lack great tonics? This is a good opportunity for us master and disciple to make a little money—don't miss it."

Chen Wuji laughed helplessly: "Okay, okay, okay, that's very Zhang Lao."

At this time, he's still thinking about earning those people's silver—how wonderful.

"I'll pay more attention when I go into the mountains recently," Chen Wuji said.

"Alright, let's go."

Chen Wuji nodded, shouldered the things Zhang Lao had prepared for him, left Ciji Zhai, and after wandering around, arrived again at Yangji Tiejiangpu.

The blacksmith's shop was still bustling, the crisp ringing of hammering rising and falling.

Outside, many townspeople gathered to watch the excitement.

Chen Wuji squeezed through the crowd and found the busy Yang Tiejiang inside: "Old Yang, why are there so many people outside?"

Upon mentioning this, Old Yang's face instantly fell.

He grabbed the cloth tied around his neck, whose original color could no longer be distinguished, wiped his face hard twice, and said in a muffled voice: "Everyone's come to buy pots; iron pots have completely spread through the city, and many have come by reputation. But I still haven't finished making the pots you've already sold, so I can only send them away."

"'But they come in waves, one after another; this bunch is just obstinate—hearing they can't buy, they become even more enthusiastic. Someone suggested I issue vouchers for advance booking; I did, and from yesterday to now I've already lined up 138 people.'"

Chen Wuji chuckled: "This is a good thing; once this craze passes, we seem able to sell the pots to other cities."

"'But my bones will surely wear out at the furnace!' Yang Tiejiang shouted angrily. 'Earning this silver is both painful and joyful; I haven't made much yet, but I already feel like I'm about to die.'"

Chen Wuji advised with a smile: "After Hengtong Business Business Business Business Business delivers these iron pots, you can take it easy; others have no deadline, so why wear yourself out like this?"

Yang Tiejiang nodded: "I think the same. You came today because you're worried about me, right? It's fine; if anything happens, I'll come find you. But if that day ever comes, you better prepare to become an outlaw."

"'You're really straightforward,' Chen Wuji said."

"'What's the big deal? Before I agreed to help you, I'd already made the worst-case plans; I'm at ease, so don't worry about my side—just do what you need to do.' Yang Tiejiang said this very calmly, as if to him it was merely a trivial matter."

Chen Wuji understood clearly in his heart and also felt relieved.

With those words from Zhang Lao and Yang Tiejiang, there's no need to prepare anything else; just wait and see how things develop.

Chen Wuji stayed at Yang Ji for a couple of hours.

Both set aside the shocking deed they'd done the previous night and instead focused on discussing the iron pot business.

Besides, Fuwa's stall has been booming lately, earning quite a bit; Yang Tiejiang suggested settling the accounts and clearing Chen Wuji's share.

However, Chen Wuji didn't want the money, letting Yang Tiejiang handle it as he saw fit.

After leaving Yang Ji, Chen Wuji arrived at Li Si Fencha right on time for a meal.

Qin Zhanhong was already waiting there, sitting at the tea stall diagonally opposite Li Si Fencha, drinking tea.

Wearing a red dress and with that stunningly beautiful face, she was extremely eye-catching even in a crowd.

As Chen Wuji just walked past, he caught sight of her at a glance.

"'Why are you so late? I've already drunk three pots of tea—I'm about to burst.' Qin Zhanhong complained with a resentful look."

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly: "You didn't give a specific time either; I finished my business over there and hurried over. Have you taken care of your affairs?"

"'Yeah, from now on I'll keep a close watch on them; any hint of movement and we'll get the news immediately. Besides, I've prepared some secret backup plans.' Qin Zhanhong said, curling the corner of her mouth in a smug smile, lowering her voice."

"'Let's go eat; Li Si Fencha has recently become famous—I want to see just how good their food is.' Qin Zhanhong stood up and naturally squeezed next to Chen Wuji, not caring about onlookers' gazes."

"'Not bad; I've eaten there once before.' Chen Wuji said."

Chen Wuji thought Li Si Fencha, no matter how popular, couldn't get that popular.

But as soon as he entered the shop, he was shocked by the scene before him.

People were everywhere, with a crowd lining up for numbers.

How could just a few dishes cause Li Si Fencha to produce such an exaggerated scene?

"'Looks like it won't be easy for us to get this meal; I've never seen such a scene even in Jingcheng.' Qin Zhanhong was also startled by the crowd-packed scene, her cold expression barely holding."

"'Let me check.' Chen Wuji struggled to squeeze to the counter."

Shopkeeper Li was holding a stack of wooden plaques, distributing them to the people gathered before him.

These are the number tags.

Chen Wuji glanced casually and saw they'd already been issued past number forty.

If we actually get to eat this meal, it'll probably be afternoon; better to go back and have him calculate something for Qin Zhanhong.

Just as he was about to leave, a tag was suddenly shoved into Chen Wuji's hand.

"'Number forty-nine; when a table opens up, someone will call you—just wait… huh, Mr. Chen?!' Shopkeeper Li trailed off mid-sentence before noticing the person before him was Chen Wuji."

"'Shopkeeper Li, how long will number forty-nine take approximately?' Chen Wuji asked."

Shopkeeper Li's face broke into a Maitreya-like smile as he hastily said politely: 'What are you saying? You come to eat and still have to queue—isn't that slapping my own face?'"

"'Someone, quickly take Mr. Chen to the backyard and bring two jars of fine daughter-red.'"

Shopkeeper Li hurriedly shouted for a servant.

Qin Zhanhong looked at Chen Wuji with some surprise, and only after they entered the backyard did she couldn't help but ask: 'You're acquainted with the shopkeeper of Li Si Fencha?'

"'Those hot dishes they're serving now are the ones I taught.' Chen Wuji smiled faintly, hiding his talent and fame."

"'No wonder, though after eating that insect dish you made, I'm not really surprised by your cooking anymore.' Qin Zhanhong said, 'If I'd known you had this skill, we'd have eaten whatever we wanted here and then gone back to Sanlipu for you to cook for me—wouldn't that be better?'"

"'That's not impossible; want to leave?' Chen Wuji said."

Qin Zhanhong waved her hand: 'Forget it; given the decent environment here, let's just have a meal. I don't know if they have beds where we could take a little nap.'