Zhuque Avenue in Chang'an.
Pan Hu was directing a group of apprentices to boil water, knead dough, and fry dough sticks.
His job is very easy now; he just occasionally gives pointers to his apprentices, telling them how much water to add, how much flour to add, and how long to fry it.
This is the new way the young master has come up with for him to make money: taking on apprentices!
Each apprentice was charged a ten-string fee to become an apprentice, and after completing their apprenticeship, they would work for me for free for three months.
Although it's said to be free, in reality, after they've worked for three months, he, as their mentor, will also give them cooking utensils, a cart, and other items as a form of support for his apprentices' independent entrepreneurship.
For just ten strings of cash, you can learn a family craft that can be passed down through generations.
This attracted many people in Chang'an who lined up every day to give him money.
However, his energy is limited, and he can only instruct ten apprentices at the same time. Otherwise, he could become the richest man in Chang'an in less than two months!
Pan Hu now admires his young master more and more. Although the sugar business is gone, the speed at which he makes money is not slow.
In just two months, he earned five thousand strings of cash!
Just as he was leisurely drinking his soy milk, he suddenly saw an elderly man dressed in fine clothes walk up to the stall.
"Are you the owner here?"
"I wouldn't dare call myself a boss, I'm just making a living on the streets!"
"Would this distinguished guest like to eat here or take it away?"
After a moment's thought, Changsun Wuji replied.
"Let's eat here, and I'll chat with you while I'm at it!"
"chat?"
Pan Hu immediately lost interest upon hearing this. What was there to talk about with someone who couldn't read a single word? He'd rather spend that time dealing with his bunch of stupid apprentices.
"You flatter me, sir. How could I possibly dare to chat with someone of your stature!"
Although Pan Hu made it clear that he didn't want to chat, Changsun Wuji still didn't give up.
"The owner sounds like he has a bit of a Guizhou accent, so he must be from Guizhou?"
Upon hearing this, Pan Hu immediately became alert. His young master had already warned him that his Guizhou accent was a big problem and would cause them great trouble sooner or later.
Therefore, he has been trying to learn the Chang'an dialect for the past two months, but accents are really hard to change. Even though he is very careful, he still unconsciously speaks the local dialect of Qianzhou.
"You flatter me, sir. I am from Xianyang, but I traveled to many places with my father in my early years of business, which is why I picked up a bit of a regional accent."
Although Pan Hu tried his best to reply in Chang'an dialect, Changsun Wuji could still hear a heavy Guizhou accent in his voice.
"Hehe, it's alright..."
"Boss, don't be nervous. I was just asking casually."
"These fried dough sticks don't seem to be from the Central Plains. They look more like they came from the Western Regions. I wonder if the owner learned this craft from the Hu people?"
Upon hearing this, Pan Hu immediately shook his head.
"no!"
"This is a technique personally taught by my young master, not some barbarian skill!"
"oh?"
"Your young master?"
The person Pan Hu admired most in his life was the young master. Whenever the young master was mentioned, he would start to boast to the old man in front of him.
"Let me tell you, my young master is incredibly capable. He knows everything from astronomy to geography. He knows five thousand years of history and five thousand years of the future. There's nothing in heaven or on earth that he doesn't know!"
"oh?"
"So, your young master is quite talented?"
"More than just talented, my young master is a genius!"
"Since you've described him so impressively, I'd like to see this genius for myself. Would you be so kind as to introduce me?"
"No, no, no, my young master doesn't like to see people. He prefers to lock himself in his room and study new and interesting things."
Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji sighed.
"Alas, what a pity! Such a talented young man, I have never had the chance to meet him. It is truly a great regret in my life!"
Pan Hu was immediately moved with compassion when he saw how pitiful Changsun Wuji was.
"Actually, it's not impossible for you to see him. My young master comes to Chang'an every ten days. You can see him when you come to my stall to eat fried dough sticks!"
"Oh, thank you so much for the directions, boss! Hahaha!"
Changsun Wuji disliked greasy food, so he forced himself to take a bite of the fried dough stick and then quickly left.
He hadn't gone far when he whispered something to a vendor selling dates nearby.
"Keep an eye on things for me. If that young master shows up, immediately send someone to inform me!"
"promise!"
After finishing this matter, Changsun Wuji walked to another street, got into a carriage, and slowly went home.
He is now almost certain that this Pan Hu is from Qianzhou, and is very likely related to the former crown prince.
It's just unclear whether this person is a man of the Crown Prince or the Crown Prince's eldest son, Li Xiang.
However, no matter who this person is, he has a million ways to make him disappear from Chang'an without a trace!
It's not necessary yet, since he hasn't met that mysterious young master. Let's wait until he meets him!
Just as Changsun Wuji got off the carriage and was about to go to his study to read, he suddenly saw the steward speaking to him with a serious expression.
"Master, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived..."
"What!"
Changsun Wuji was terrified when he heard this. He had warned Li Zhi not to come unless necessary, so as not to arouse the emperor's suspicion.
However, this child is so disobedient, coming to me for advice on even the smallest things.
"All right!"
"Take him to the study, I'll be there shortly!"
"promise!"
Not long after, Changsun Wuji changed his clothes and came to the study to talk with Li Zhi.
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