This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Cheng Jun asked curiously, "How so?"

Du's mother said worriedly, "I just calculated that I will have to make at least five thousand flatbreads every day from now on... Even if I work day and night, I still can't make that many."

"I regret agreeing to it now. I haven't kept my promise. It's okay to blame me, but I'm afraid of implicating you."

That's true... Cheng Dong'e nodded in agreement as he listened from the side.

Making over five thousand flatbreads a day, the work surface is practically smoking from all the kneading...

At this moment, Cheng Jun couldn't help but chuckle and said:

"I thought something big was making you so worried, but it turns out it's just a small matter."

Everyone turned to look at him.

Mother Du quickly asked, "Does Cheng Sanlang have a solution?"

Cheng Jun held up two fingers. "Two methods."

"First, you should start your own factory."

Mrs. Du was taken aback. "Start a factory?"

Cheng Dong'a immediately perked up his ears. He was particularly interested in the new words Cheng Jun was using, and couldn't help but lean closer to listen carefully.

Cheng Jun nodded and said, "You can't make five thousand sesame cakes by yourself. You can rent a place and hire people to help you make them."

"All you need to do is buy flour and charcoal, and outsource the work of kneading and shaping the dough to others, and pay them for their work."

“I helped you set up the ‘Du Family Flatbread’ brand, and my cousin helped you raise the price of the flatbread. You can set up a factory and hire people to make the flatbread. You won’t have to worry about sales or making money.”

Du's mother's eyes lit up, "This one is good, this one will do!"

Cheng Dong'e, however, was scratching his head anxiously and said, "Aunt Du, why don't you listen to my third cousin's second method?"

Cheng Jun glanced at him, noticing his curiosity, and before Du's mother could ask, he spoke up:

"The second option is franchising."

Another new term... Cheng Dong'e was delighted and quickly asked, "What is 'franchising'?"

Cheng Jun said, "It's about finding someone to cooperate with."

He looked at Du's mother and said, "For example, Aunt Du, since you live in Da'anfang, you can find some people in Da'anfang who know how to make pancakes, teach them your pancake-making skills, have them make the pancakes and deliver them to you, and then you can sell the pancakes."

Cheng Jun asked, "Buy low and sell high, I don't need to teach you that, do I?"

Du's mother hesitated, "I understand that, but as the saying goes, 'Teach your apprentice and you'll starve yourself'..."

Cheng Jun waved his hand and said, "What's so technical about making pancakes?"

"The important thing is the signboard."

Cheng Jun gestured with his chin toward the line of people and said, "Are they buying your pancakes because they're delicious? If so, you should have had this kind of business before, but you didn't. This shows that whether the pancakes taste good or not isn't the key; the key is the brand."

Cheng Jun laughed and said, "They buy your cakes because I help you promote your products and build your brand. They will only buy 'Du Family Flatbread'."

Du's mother suddenly realized and smiled broadly, "I understand! Cheng Sanlang really knows a lot."

"Because I've seen it all before..." Cheng Jun smiled and asked, "Any more questions?"

Mrs. Du waved her hand with a smile and said, "That's all, that's all!"

Cheng Jun turned around, sat back down, and continued signing autographs.

Looking at Cheng Jun, Cheng Dong'a's eyes were filled with admiration that almost welled up with tears. He asked excitedly, "Third cousin, I've noticed that anything becomes effortless in your hands. How do you do it?"

Cheng Chumo patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Is that even a question? It must be from his studies."

Cheng Jun smiled but did not refute, because this was a difficult question to answer; he couldn't very well say that he had seen too many.

Another half hour passed, and Cheng Jun realized it was already noon. Looking up, he saw that the queue was still very long. This wouldn't do...

He stood up decisively, cupped his hands in greeting to the people in line, and said loudly, "That's all for today, everyone. I'm going to have lunch. If I need to sign autographs another day, I'll let you know in advance."

Seeing the disappointment on the faces of many in the crowd, Cheng Jun turned to Du's mother and said:

"Aunt Du, please give everyone another piece of cake, it's on me."

Then he called out to the crowd again, "Ladies and gentlemen, it's noon, you must be hungry. Take a piece of bread here before you go back."

Many people in line still felt regretful, but seeing how kind Cheng Jun was and offered them pancakes, their regret was lessened considerably.

Cheng Jun left Du's mother there, and together with Cheng Chumo, Cheng Chuliang, and Cheng Dong'e, they mounted their horses and sped away from the place.

"it is finally over."

As Cheng Chumo rode his horse, he said, "We've been busy all morning and haven't even had a chance to properly explore Dong'e."

Cheng Dong'e and Cheng Chuliang were riding the same horse. Hearing him say this, Cheng Dong'e quickly replied, "I think it's much more interesting than visiting Chang'an City."

Cheng Chumo smiled and said, "It's fine as long as you have no objections."

After saying that, he looked at Cheng Jun and asked, "Third brother, shall we go to Leyunlou for dinner?"

Cheng Jun laughed and said, "I'll listen to my older brother!"

Cheng Chumo laughed heartily, then led them on horseback towards Leyun Tower.

…………

Inside the Imperial City, at the Ministry of Works, in a hall.

Du Jingjian was sorting through official documents with his head down.

Because of his capture of the Turkic spy, he was rewarded by the emperor and has now been promoted from probationary official to full-fledged official, wearing a blue official robe.

Although his official rank was low, he was already very satisfied.

He believed that he was put in official robes because of Cheng Jun, which of course had both advantages and disadvantages.

Because of the matter of the government office's capital and the money-catching clerk, Cheng Jun offended Changsun Wuji. Cheng Jun didn't feel anything, but Du Jingjian truly felt that the people around him were avoiding him.

Du Jingjian didn't take it to heart; on the contrary, he was very grateful to Cheng Jun.

Without Cheng Jun's help, he would already be a criminal, imprisoned in Dali Temple Prison, awaiting punishment.

After tidying up the official documents, Du Jingjian got up and prepared to go to the yamen to deliver them to the Assistant Minister of Works.

Before he could even step out of the hall, a man in his thirties dressed in a light green official robe walked in. Seeing him get up to leave, he asked with a smile, "Where are you going, Brother Du?"

Du Jingjian cupped his hands and said, "I'll go find Master Wu."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately stepped forward and said earnestly, "It just so happens that I am going to see the magistrate. I can take you there. You can go back and rest."

Du Jingjian was somewhat surprised.

This man, named He Quan, usually treated him coldly, but today he was being unusually attentive. Something was definitely amiss. Du Jingjian became wary and shook his head, saying:

"No need, I can deliver it myself."

The middle-aged man said sincerely, "Yes, yes, we are colleagues, and colleagues should take care of and help each other."

Seeing his insistence, Du Jingjian hesitated for a moment, then handed him the official document and said, "Well... thank you for your trouble."

"Little things, little things."

The middle-aged man smiled and tucked the official document under his arm, asking, "By the way, I heard you're close to Cheng Jun?"

"Do I even need to hear about this? Everyone in the court knows..." Du Jingjian nodded silently.

The middle-aged man asked, "Then... could you please help me get his autograph?"

Du Jingjian was taken aback. "What signature?"

The middle-aged man was surprised. "You didn't know? This morning, Cheng Jun signed autographs for his admirers in Huai De Fang. The news has spread."

As he spoke, he sighed, "My daughter actually came to me today, crying and saying that if I don't get her an autograph, she'll cry every day. But she's my only daughter, so I can't not spoil her."

So that's how it is... Du Jingjian suddenly realized why he was so attentive; it turned out he wanted a favor from him. A thought suddenly struck him: this was an opportunity to build a relationship.

"I try my best."

Du Jingjian nodded and said.

Seeing that he had left room for maneuver in his words, the middle-aged man was not angry at all, but rather delighted and said, "Good, good, I'm relieved to hear you say that. I'll go deliver the official document to you!"

After saying that, he left happily.

No sooner had he left than six or seven of his colleagues came in.

"Brother Du, you must be thirsty after a busy morning. Have a cup of tea."

"Brother Du, I noticed that the writing implements on your desk are a bit old, so I've replaced them with new ones. Why don't you give them a try?"

"Brother Du, leave all the miscellaneous tasks to me from now on."

Du Jingjian looked at his colleagues, who usually avoided him, now addressing him as brothers. He felt as if he had been in another world, and his expression became dazed.

……

At noon, at Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin was in a very good mood today, so he had Anan prepare a meal and invited Empress Zhangsun, Li Chengqian, and Li Lizhi to have lunch together.

"Second brother, you're so busy, eat more."

There's still some in the bowl, you can eat some too.

Taking the food from Empress Zhangsun's plate, Li Shimin ate while saying to Zhang Anan:

"Ananda, how are the preparations for the banquet going?"

Zhang Anan replied, "My men say everything is ready."

Li Shimin smiled with satisfaction, "Very good. Today I am hosting a banquet for my ministers. When the gunpowder project shines brightly in the three kingdoms of Haidong, I will celebrate with all the people."

At this moment, he noticed that Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi were holding their rice bowls with their heads down, but not touching their chopsticks. He frowned and said, "Gao Ming, eat! What are you standing there for?"

He then looked at Li Lizhi and said, "And you, Lizhi, why are you so distracted during the meal today? What's wrong?"

Li Chengqian lowered his head and remained silent, looking sullen and unhappy.

Li Lizhi then said directly, "I'm thinking about how to get Cheng Jun's autograph."

Li Shimin asked in confusion, "Why do you need his autograph? Are you out of money?"

Li Lizhi scolded, "Father, you mustn't joke about Cheng Jun!"

"..."

Li Shimin twitched the corners of his mouth, and seeing that his little cotton-padded jacket was about to be draped over Cheng Jun, he said somewhat displeasedly, "What's so good about his autograph? I'll sign it for you."

Li Lizhi shook her head like a rattle-drum, saying, "I don't want yours."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow and said, "What, is my signature inferior to his?"

Li Lizhi said, "If I take out Father's autograph, people won't envy it; they'll just admire it. But if I take out Cheng Jun's autograph, people will envy it."

Li Shimin frowned and said, "His signature has such charm?"

Li Lizhi nodded and said, "I heard that Cheng Jun signed autographs for his admirers in Huaidefang today, and the scene was incredibly popular. The line stretched all the way to Zhuque Street!"

Li Shimin scolded, "You're really neglecting your duties!"

Li Lizhi said reproachfully, "Father, if you speak ill of him again, I won't eat!"

"..."

Seeing Cheng Jun's number one fan leader defending Cheng Jun like this, Li Shimin felt a little uncomfortable. He looked at Li Chengqian, slammed his fist on the table, and cursed, "You scoundrel, you want to do this too?"

Seeing Li Shimin's glare, Li Chengqian shrank back and said, "Your subject did not want his autograph."

Li Shimin glared at him and said, "Then why aren't you eating?"

Li Chengqian said in a muffled voice, "Your subject is not hungry."

Li Shimin's eyes widened even more as he said, "Say that again?"

Seeing that his father was just taking his anger out on him, Li Chengqian quickly picked up his chopsticks and said, "Your subject is feeling a little hungry again..."

Li Shimin's expression softened, but then he heard Li Chengqian's voice, filled with resentment: "Father, Cheng Jun is off today, he must have gone to Leyun Tower, and he didn't even invite me..."

"..."

Li Shimin put down his chopsticks and stared at him. "Leyun Tower...is that a brothel? You want to go there too?"

Li Chengqian was deeply shaken. He raised his head and said with clear eyes, "Your subject thinks the food there is delicious."

Seeing that Li Shimin was still staring at him, Li Chengqian looked to Empress Zhangsun for help.

Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "Second brother, why are you arguing with the children?"

"Come, eat the fish. I've already removed all the bones."

Li Shimin felt a warmth in his heart. Looking at the fish in the bowl, he said, "Guanyinbi, between my handwriting and Cheng Jun's signature, which do you think is better?"

Empress Zhangsun laughed and said, "Of course, Second Brother's is better. Second Brother's Feibai style is unparalleled in the world."

Li Shimin was immediately satisfied and deliberately glanced at Li Lizhi.

At this moment, Empress Zhangsun's voice rang out again: "However, I've heard that Cheng Jun's signature is quite beautiful. Perhaps I can have him get one for you later?"

Is this a compliment to me...? Upon hearing this, Li Shimin put down his chopsticks again.

Empress Zhangsun asked in surprise, "Second Brother, why aren't you eating again?"

Li Shimin felt a little uneasy, as if he had been overshadowed by Cheng Jun.

At this moment, Li Chengqian's voice rang out: "Father must have heard me say that the food at Leyunlou is delicious and wants to eat there. Father, shall I take you there?"

Seeing Li Chengqian staring at him expectantly, Li Shimin picked up the memorial beside him, slapped it on the head, and scolded him:

"Eat your leg!"