Chapter 12 A steady stream of water
It was snowing and the temperature was low in Yanggu County. The steamed buns were no longer warm when they were brought back to the county government office, but Wu Song still ate them with gusto.

"Sanlang, is this really made by your brother? If you can keep this skill, you will definitely be able to run a successful business at home."

"That's natural."

Yang Chang nodded and added: "But when my brother opens the shop tomorrow morning, you'd better call your brothers to go to Zi Shi Street to show your support. Only by building up a reputation first can the subsequent business be guaranteed."

"Isn't this inappropriate? If the county magistrate finds out, won't he accuse me of abusing my power for personal gain?"

After Wu Song finished speaking, he took a bite of the bun and immediately waved his hand to reject Yang Chang's suggestion.

But Yang Chang did not give up after hearing this. He took out a silver ingot from his arms.

"If I treat my brothers to steamed buns, outsiders will not only not accuse me of abusing my power for personal gain, but will also praise me for caring for my brothers. This money will earn reputation for both my eldest and second brothers, which is very cost-effective!"

"That makes sense, but I have to pay for it. I have hundreds of brothers here, so if each of them invites one."

"Two or three taels of silver at most."

Before Wu Song could finish his words, Yang Chang had already calculated the expenses and reminded him, "I will go to Zishi Street to help tomorrow morning. Don't ask everyone to go after you finish drawing the Mao. You can divide it into three days and go in batches. Otherwise, it will scare the people on the street."

"Sanlang is very thoughtful."

Wu Song nodded in affirmation, and then curiously asked: "Where is this method made? It feels different from other methods. I have been to many places and have never seen it before."

"When I was young, a distant relative came to visit my family. I think they were from somewhere south of the Yangtze River. They made it this way, but I can't remember exactly where. Fortunately, I missed the taste and remembered the recipe, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to teach it to my eldest brother."

Whether Yang Chang was talking to his uncle and aunt or the Wu brothers, if he couldn't make his point he would push the blame onto his original family. Anyway, the whole family had died of the plague, and even if they were to verify it, there would be no evidence.

After all, the dead are the most important, so Wu Song did not doubt or ask any further questions.

His friendship with Yang Chang now surpasses that with Song Jiang he met before, and he treats him as a real brother.

After drawing the Mao the next day, Wu Song brought a group of people in plain clothes to Zi Shi Street. From afar, he saw many diners gathered in front of his house.

It was a bright morning in the cold winter.

Most of the people who gathered in front of Wuda’s stall were called here by Yun Ge.

Before dawn, Yun Ge arrived at Wu's house, and after receiving instructions from Yang Chang, he put a few buns in his pocket and went to work.

Yun Ge was from Yanggu County. He had been hanging around in the streets since he was young. He knew when and where there were many people, so he walked around the streets shouting and promoting Wu Dalang's steamed buns for breakfast, praising them highly.

Some wanted to take advantage, some wanted to try something new, so they went to Zi Shi Street one after another.

Wu Song was unwilling to go forward, so he gave some copper coins to the archers he was traveling with, and asked them to buy some buns, and then go back to patrol the streets to do their work.

As for the rest who come to attract customers, they will come to Zi Shi Street in batches according to the time of day, thus maintaining the prosperous scene of breakfast.

Of course, this was all Yang Chang’s idea.

In addition, there is a red cloth banner hanging above the door, which reads "Wu Ji Breakfast, Grand Opening Promotion, Buy Five Get Three Free in the First Three Days." There is a wooden board hanging on the door behind the stall, which clearly shows the types and prices of the buns. Wu Da no longer needs to worry about being tongue-tied when introducing each one.

Yang Chang's handwriting was too ugly to be shown to others, so Wu Da took his manuscript and went to Hu Ji's shop opposite to buy some cold wine, and asked the owner Hu Zhengqing to write for him.

There were crowds of people in front of Wu Da's stall. Hu Zhengqing looked at his own calligraphy and thought to himself that although Wu Da was not good-looking, he had two brothers who were both talented in literature and martial arts.

It seems that using red cloth for promotion is quite effective in attracting customers. Do you want to learn it?

While Hu Zhengqing was stroking his beard in deep thought, Zhao Zhongming, who ran a paper horse shop next door, came over.

"Wu Da came here yesterday. Looking at the sign on his door, it must have been written by Tie Si. His handwriting is really good. Tie Si must have contributed 50% to the fact that there are so many customers in front of his stall."

"Silang, don't talk nonsense. My calligraphy is just the icing on the cake. The key is that his ideas are brilliant. You also ate the buns he sent. They tasted really good, right? In addition, I haven't been a chef for many years, so don't call me that in the future."

"Wu Da used to carry a load on his shoulder and walk around the streets, so why is he suddenly selling breakfast in front of his house? And his buns are so delicious, why is he selling them now?"

"It was his brother's idea."

"What?"

Zhao Zhongming was shocked when he heard this, and interrupted him to ask, "Are you talking about the Wudutou who killed the tiger?"

"No."

Hu Zhengqing shook his head in denial, pointing to the stall opposite and explaining: "It's the brother Wu Da recognized, Yang Chang Sanlang, who is helping out at the stall right now."

"Oh? Let me take a look."

Zhao Zhongming was curious when he heard this, so he stood on tiptoe across the street to take a peek, but there were too many people and he couldn't squeeze in, so he had to return to his shop in disappointment. This business is so good that it makes people jealous.

There were many people on the first day of opening, and Yang Chang did not stay in front of the stall all the time. He kept going to the kitchen to get steamers and was busy all morning.

Before noon, hundreds of buns and pancakes had been sold out.

Yang Chang brought out the last steamer and stood in front of the stall to help.

Wu Da didn't know the situation in the kitchen, and when he saw that there was only half a basket left, he urged Yang Chang to "stock up".

"Sanlang, it's almost gone again."

"We'll close the stall after we've sold out, and the ones at the back have all been taken away."

"Is this gone?"

Seeing that there were still many customers and it was still early, Wu Da whispered, "I remember there are some noodles and stuffing left. Please help me sell the last half basket and I will go back to the kitchen to make some more."

"There's no end to the money, but today is enough."

"Huh? Oh"

Since Yang Chang had said enough, although Wu Da didn't understand why he didn't make money, he had to passively agree when someone in front of the stall urged him to buy buns.

At two quarters after noon, the last pancake was sold.

"Dear guests, our store has sold out all the buns and pancakes today. If you haven't bought any, please come back early tomorrow."

"I came all the way from Beiyu Street, but you told me that the buns were sold out? Why did you ask people to shout when there was no stock?"

"That's right. It's still early now. Can't we just do it later?"

"You don't want to make money even if you have it? What a great show!"

"The buns are not cheap. Do you think you are the only one eating in Zishi Street? There is a wonton shop in front."

Everyone was talking at once, making Wu Da sweat profusely in the winter.

Seeing this, Yang Chang immediately smiled and explained to everyone, "Don't be upset, I really didn't expect so many people to come. Our buns require mixing dough and stuffing, and the production process is quite complicated. I can't make them well in a hurry. I will definitely prepare more tomorrow. As the saying goes, good food is worth waiting for. Please forgive me, forgive me!"

"That's right. Good food is worth waiting for. I will come early tomorrow morning and I must taste the steamed buns. When will the stall open?"

"I'll be out at daybreak."

Seeing a guest trying to smooth things over, Wu Da hurriedly bowed in response, but he didn't know that it was Yang Chang's comrade who was deliberately helping to resolve the situation.

"Well, let's come back tomorrow. Let's go."

The crowd gradually dispersed, and Yang Chang helped Wu Da clean up.

After a while, he returned to the house and gave the copper coins he had collected to Pan Jinlian for counting. Then he looked at Yang Chang with curiosity.

"Why didn't Sanlang let me make it again? Many diners were angry just now. I'm afraid they won't come again in the future."

"On the contrary, you feel guilty when you can't get what you want. They will come tomorrow morning. Besides, there is no end to making money. You got up in the middle of the night and have been busy until now. If you continue, you will definitely collapse from exhaustion."

“I am not afraid of being tired”

"Cough cough."

Yang Chang glanced at Pan Jinlian and reminded Wu Da: "I know that you can endure hardships, but your sister-in-law has been busy for a long time. You have to leave time to buy meat and vegetables, and also leave time to rest and recover. You have to make money slowly and steadily."

"Oh, that's right."

Feeling Pan Jinlian's sharp eyes, Wu Da no longer insisted. However, he was still excited at this time, so he took his shoulder pole and went to the market to buy.

Yang Chang also said goodbye and went to the yamen, leaving Pan Jinlian alone at home counting money.

Pan Jinlian felt tired halfway through counting, so she took her cloth bag and went upstairs to take a nap.

Perhaps her hands were sore from counting money, and when she was closing the window she suddenly lost her grip, causing the pole to fall and hit a passerby. From the way she was dressed, one could tell she was of high status.

"Ah, sir."

(End of this chapter)