The groundwork had been laid.
The rest would come naturally.
Just as Xu Feng thought that was the only good news he would hear,
Master Zhao shook his wine gourd, took a sip, and said, "Speaking of which, is your plan to take on apprentices still on?"
Xu Feng said, "Of course it is. Why, Master? Have you agreed?"
Master Zhao said, "Hah! How could I neglect something the shopkeeper asked me to do?"
Forget it. People get a little resentful when they step back from the front line. Let him make a few barbed remarks.
Xu Feng could tell, anyway.
His master meant no harm.
A few barbed remarks were no great problem.
So Xu Feng said, "Then, Master Zhao, have you given my request some thought?"
Master Zhao gave Xu Feng a light smack. "I have, I have. Someone's already sent a go-between to ask. Times aren't so hard that people can't feed themselves, though. I've never heard of anyone asking to become a Corpse Sewer when that isn't the case."
He shook the wine gourd again and took another sip. "I came to ask what you have in mind. Do you want two or three apprentices who can work, or apprentices who can learn the craft?"
Xu Feng said, "Master, what kind of question is that? I want proper apprentices I can pass the craft on to. I'll teach them the way you taught me.
"If I need workers, I can just hire a couple."
Master Zhao curled his lip. "Well, look at you! A toad opening its mouth wide enough to swallow the sky!
"'Just hire a couple of workers,' he says. Anyone listening would think we were pampered lords!
"Fine. Leave this to me. I'll find you two promising disciples."
Xu Feng snatched the wine