Ketchup Goes on Sale

After a precise stab to Hooke's heart, Little Ox, in a great mood, uncharacteristically invited Xu Yun out for a lentil sandwich on the street.

Looking at the sign for the Song of Songs Inn not far away, Xu Yun chewed on the dry bread, a hint of emotion surfacing in his heart.

According to the normal course of history, a fire that would go down in history would occur in London in 1666.

Due to its profound impact, historians even gave this fire a name: 'Great Fire'.

Hooke displayed exceptional architectural talent after this fire and directly participated in the reconstruction of London. Therefore, it wasn't until the end of 1668 that he had the time to go to Trinity College to challenge Barrow.

At that time, Barrow was helpless against Hooke's questions. He was severely humiliated and mocked by Hooke in front of many students, and eventually even the Chancellor of Cambridge University was alerted.

Barrow fell seriously ill because of this. After recovering, he resigned from his Lucasian professorship in 1669 and nominated Little Ox as his successor.

In the years that followed, Barrow abandoned mathematics and devoted himself entirely to theology, somewhat akin to the heroes in local martial arts novels who see through worldly affairs and cut off their troubles.

Later, Barrow obtained his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1670, officially became the Master of Trinity College in 1672, and was promoted to Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University in 1675. While this resume appears impressive, it acknowledges Barrow's theological achievements, not his mathematical ones.

Furthermore, from the end of 1673, Barrow had been bedridden. He passed away in 1677.

No one can say for sure whether Barrow's untimely death was directly related to Hooke's disruption, but one established fact is very clear:

A top-tier Lucasian Professor had retired early, switching from mathematics to theology.

One must realize that at this point, Barrow had already obtained theorems for the product, quotient, and differentiation of two functions, a height that Little Ox couldn't even touch right now.

In terms of research progress, he was actually the foremost figure in the field of Calculus at this time!

Therefore, in certain small circles, Barrow's evaluation was somewhat similar to a minor general in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," a "star general" who fell prematurely.

Now, with Xu Yun's appearance, Little Ox, by chance, averted a major disaster for his teacher, but also directly incurred Hooke's enmity. It's unknown whether this is good or bad.

Twelve days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was Sunday again.

Grantham.

St. Titus Didymus Church.

The entrance to the church was as crowded as ever today, with deep, majestic hymns faintly echoing from within the building. The scale was even larger than when Xu Yun first visited.

This was the second Sunday in November. According to the customs of the British Isles in the 17th century, on the second Sunday of each month, the entire British Isles would hold a large trade fair based on the fourth administrative district.

The trade fair started on Sunday afternoon and lasted until two or three o'clock on Monday afternoon.

Therefore, on this day, the church bells would ring an hour earlier, and the worship service would omit the Communion, allowing everyone ample time to buy or sell goods.

Although such gatherings appeared to be spontaneously organized by the public, they actually could not happen without the support of the church parish.

Thus, in past gatherings, the church would also sell Holy Books, portraits of saints, or wine, among other things.

However, at this particular moment, the stall belonging to the Grantham parish was different from usual:

There were no Holy Books, no portraits, only small clay pots, about the size of a fist, neatly arranged on a table.

Behind the table stood four or five large earthenware vats. Xu Yun, Little Ox, the William family, and several helpers in church attire stood by the vats.

According to the agreement originally made by Yarlin and William.

The parish would extend the sales range of ketchup to over one-fifth of the East Midlands region, with Grantham being only a small part of that territory.

At the same time, considering that this kind of non-religious business was somewhat out of character for the church, Yarlin handed over the stall for the gathering to the William family.

The parish only assigned a few staff members to assist with data collection and some logistical arrangements.

Mrs. William, dressed in a linen-and-cotton outfit and with a white headscarf wrapped around her head, nervously wiped her hands on her apron:

"Dear, how much longer until the meeting ends?"

William Escu, much calmer than his wife, turned his head to look at the town's clock tower and said:

"It should be soon, maybe five to ten minutes."

"Duang--"

Before William could finish speaking, a deep bell chime rang from the direction of the church.

This was the church's closing bell, signaling the end of the service.

In less than a moment.

Creak--

The church's two heavy doors slowly opened, and a stream of people, accompanied by a wave of body odor, flowed out.

Mrs. William's expression became even more anxious. She hurriedly instructed Lisa and the others:

"Lisa, check the spoons again. Elula, make sure all the jar lids are closed. Andrea, where are the potatoes? Hurry up and bring out the potatoes!"

The gathering place was on a street next to the church. The parish's stall was at the very front of the street, the only entrance.

Coupled with the exclusive cross sign, anyone entering the street, unless they were a complete stranger, would inevitably see this stall first.

Tiffany Boli, who had just left the church, held her son Dino's hand and pulled his slightly loose scarf tighter, asking him as she looked down:

"Dino, tell Mommy, did you listen carefully in Sunday school today?"

Dino, who was eight years old this year, hopped along, stepping on the bricks on the ground, and happily said:

"Yes! Today we learned about the story of Job. Huh? Mommy, what's that?"

Tiffany Boley had been smilingly listening to Dino speak when she subconsciously turned her head to see where Dino was pointing. It was a stall at the entrance of the marketplace.

She smiled and patted her son's head, saying:

"Oh, that's the church's stall. Let's go take a look."

Tiffany Boley's husband was a tailor in Grantham town. Due to his superb craftsmanship, his income was not low, and the family basically had no worries about food or clothing, making them a middle-class family.

In August of this year, Tiffany Boley had just bought a portrait of Apostle Peter at a fair and hung it at home. Not long ago, a cat ran into the house and tore a large part of the portrait.

Therefore, since the beginning of the month, she had been planning to buy a new portrait at the fair.

As soon as she led Dino to the stall, a man's voice reached her ears:

"Hello, would you like some of our newly launched ketchup? Free tasting!"

"Ketchup?"

Looking at the strange young man with black hair and black eyes in front of her, Tiffany Boley swallowed the words she was about to say and asked curiously:

"What is that?"

The black-haired young man skillfully pushed a plate in front of her and took a small piece of potato cut into thin, long strips from the side:

"This is a new type of sauce from the East, made from non-toxic tomatoes. The Grantham diocese guarantees it. Take a look, and here's a handwritten letter from Pastor Yarlin.

Supplies are limited and will be sold until gone. You can try it before deciding."

"Tomato?"

Upon hearing the word, a hint of hesitation appeared on Tiffany Boley's face.

In her understanding, tomatoes were a poisonous food.

Then she glanced at the Grantham diocese sign on the stall and the church-clad diocese personnel behind it. The trust brought by faith finally gradually overcame the impression brought by rumors.

The tailor's wife carefully picked up a potato strip, dipped it lightly in the ketchup, and took a bite.

A moment later, her eyes lit up:

"How much is this?"

Opposite her, Xu Yun smiled at her and held up two fingers:

"10 ounces of ketchup, only 2 pence!"