The square in front of Qingniu Medical Hall transformed overnight into a garlic-scented "creative epidemic-prevention bazaar." Huwa, wearing sunglasses strung together from abacus beads, held up a megaphone playing "Epidemic Prevention Disco" and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Step right up, don't miss out! Today we're using creativity to turn dysentery bacteria into a 'slow-moving inventory item'—buy one, get three free, and free shipping!"
The market exploded with excitement the moment it opened. The stall of the Tibetan apprentice Dawa drifted with the fragrance of Tibetan medicine, while prayer wheels carried by yaks rolled out "epidemic prevention blessing slips," each bamboo slip engraved with Tibetan medicine chants. Meanwhile, the Silla apprentice Kim set up an "arithmetic mystery box stall." Customers spun a wheel engraved with formulas from *The Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art*, and the grid where the pointer stopped corresponded to different garlic-themed cultural and creative goods—including glowing formula bookmarks and pop-up greeting cards that dispensed epidemic prevention knowledge. The most eye-catching of all was Xiaotao Eatery's "Garlic Steamed Bun Merchandise Shop," which offered everything from bun-shaped throw pillows to plush pendants that shouted, "Eat me to ward off illness!"
The garlic steamed buns kicked off a "commercial empire." Huwa designed all sorts of distinct "personas" for the buns: a "Scholar Bun" wearing a graduation cap that, when…
Chapter 533