"I am willing."

Ethan Sullivan's unhesitating answer left Abraham Brooks somewhat disappointed.

"You're only fourteen, yet you can converse with me so confidently, and you lie without hesitation. Someone like you... is a natural fit for officialdom."

Ethan Sullivan gave a wry smile and said, "Mr. Brooks, the reason you are so intent on sending me into officialdom is nothing more than the fact that there are all those explicit and implicit rules in the bureaucracy. If you cross the line, you'll find it hard to get by. But I don't like that kind of life. If I really became an official, I'd probably end up being a rule-breaker. Would you be willing to accept that?"

Abraham Brooks shook his head helplessly and said, "You, you... But since you've come up with stir-fried dishes, you'd better be careful."

He left almost gleefully, as if taking pleasure in Ethan Sullivan's coming troubles.

Go ahead and stir things up, but the restaurant business in Bianliang is no pushover. The powerful people behind those establishments won't just sit by and let their profits be harmed.

After walking a dozen or so steps, he suddenly said, "If you regret it, come find me. I'll take care of everything for you."

Ethan Sullivan shook his head slightly and said, "We'll talk about it then!"

Abraham Brooks shook his head and walked away, but the flow of people at the night market kept increasing.

The soldiers were shouting themselves hoarse, driving away the newcomers.

Those vendors had only undergone five days of intensive training from Ethan Sullivan, but their debut today actually set off an explosion in Bianliang.

At this moment, they were most grateful to Ethan Sullivan, but had no time to dwell on it.

Business was already as good as it could possibly get. The problem now wasn't a lack of customers, but too many.

The diners were even more amazed.

The Zhouqiao night market had existed for many years, and the sudden strike by all vendors was surprising enough. But after reopening today, it was all stir-fried dishes.

The rumored stir-fried dishes were said to be available only in a few big restaurants like Fanlou, shrouded in mystery, as if eating them was like tasting the elixir of immortality from the gods of Longhu Mountain.

George Washington felt he had been patient enough, but every evening he found himself hungry.

"That place with the steamed chicken..."

He was kind-hearted and didn't want to trouble the imperial chefs late at night just to satisfy his own cravings.

Charles Brooks grinned and said, "Your Majesty, I already ordered people to wait outside the palace for instructions. I'll have them buy a chicken right away."

George Washington nodded with a stern face, and Charles Brooks hurried off.

George Washington picked up a memorial and began to read slowly.

When hurried footsteps sounded again, George Washington sighed, "Slow down, don't fall. I'm not in a rush."

Charles Brooks rushed in, looking shocked, and was empty-handed.

George Washington's expression changed as he demanded, "What's the matter?"

The Song Dynasty had suffered many disasters; not only were there many internal problems, but there were also two wolves eyeing them from outside. Any disturbance would make George Washington nervous.

Charles Brooks, panting, said, "Your Majesty, Zhouqiao... there's trouble at Zhouqiao."

George Washington sprang to his feet and ordered, "Send someone to get information immediately, ask Abraham Brooks. Also, the Privy Council will surely have a response—go ask them."

News kept coming in. The Privy Council had no reaction; several bigwigs hadn't even received word. The minor disturbance had already been quelled by Abraham Brooks.

"Your Majesty, the Zhouqiao night market is all stir-fried dishes!"

What?

George Washington's eyes widened in disbelief. "The kind we have in the palace?"

Charles Brooks said awkwardly, "Zhouqiao is already packed; I can only send someone to investigate tomorrow."

Hiss!

George Washington drew in a sharp breath and said, "Is it really that delicious? Whose doing is this?"

Charles Brooks bowed his head and said, "It's still that vendor..."

Bianliang went wild tonight. All the foodies flocked to the Zhouqiao night market and brought back news that drove people crazy.

"This is stir-fried food like never before! Flavors like never before!"

A man with a mouth full of grease stood outside the gates of Fanlou, shouting, "Screw you! Last time you said the chef didn't want to make stir-fried dishes—go see for yourself! Go to Zhouqiao! It's all stir-fried food, and it's better than yours!"

The dozen or so burly men guarding Fanlou looked at each other in confusion.

Is this guy crazy?

Fanlou was huge, with many businesses inside.

Most of these businesses had some powerful backers—half officials, half merchants.

And now, someone dared to stir up trouble here?

Two burly men approached menacingly, but the man kept shouting.

"You're finished! Done for!"

The sound of hooves approached. The two burly men, grinning viciously, glanced over and then stopped, shouting, "Why are you riding at night? Abraham Brooks will come after us tomorrow..."

The newcomer dismounted and shouted, "The Zhouqiao night market is all stir-fried dishes, all stir-fried!"

The dozen or so burly men couldn't help but laugh.

"Isn't that just a rumor?"

The newcomer rushed inside, and soon a large group of people came out.

These were all merchants running food businesses inside Fanlou.

They stared blankly ahead.

"A buddy is in line to buy stir-fried dishes—he'll be back soon."

The sound of hooves came quickly. No one cared about any violations; at worst, they'd just hand someone over or pay a fine.

The rider approached, dismounted carefully, and someone went over to take the food box he was carrying.

"I'll go get some chopsticks!"

Someone, quick-witted, wanted to use this chance to win the merchants' favor.

"No need."