After leaving the tooth shop, Zhang Erzhuang went to the tile market to buy a lot of soybeans.

Yesterday, Miao Wan (narrated by Qiao Bailao) made two plates of tofu. Except for setting aside some to send to the restaurant for cooking, the rest was eaten up by the two families.

You know, soybeans are much cheaper than grain.

Although it is possible to extract oil, it is not as convenient as lard, and the oil yield is not that high. Most of the people who can really extract oil from beans are merchants.

The price of soybean oil is high, but the soybeans are really cheap.

The Qiao family had eaten tofu pudding in Beijing, but it was the first time for the Zhang family to taste tofu with this texture.

The beans, which used to not taste very good after being cooked, turned out to be so delicious when made into tofu, which gave the Zhang family a lot of surprises.

So Zhang Erzhuang bought a lot of Dadu, and everyone went home first.

Uncle Geng was startled when he opened the door. "Oh, how come there's a fire here?"

Qiao Shengwen strolled back from outside and laughed when he heard this: "This is a Kunlun slave. Many powerful families in Yuejing have them. Why did you buy a Kunlun slave?"

The Qiao family was of peasant origin. Even though Qiao Shengwen was considered a farming and scholar family, and Geng's family was a noble family, the life in the Minister's Mansion had never been extravagant, and there were few servants in the house.

Qiao Shengwen asked this because he didn't understand. His wife and daughter-in-law were not high-profile people. Keeping a Kunlun slave at home would attract too much attention.

But everyone else's eyes were on Qiao Shengwen, especially Geng, who seemed to be hesitant to speak, with a look on her face as if she had just gotten to know her partner all over again.

Miao Wan suppressed her laughter and asked, "Dad, is this sling useful?"

Originally, it was Aunt Geng's job to take care of Taotao. Although Qiao Shengwen loved his granddaughter, he had never held her in his arms. Now, he just tied her to his body in a baby carrier.

It seems that he went to Zhang's house to show off and just came back. Taotao was lying in front of his grandfather. Maybe he was excited to go out, so he couldn't fall asleep yet.

After teasing her father-in-law, Miao Wan whispered to Qiao Shengwen, "His name is A Dun, he's good at farming, and he can play a big role."

Regardless of what the function is, once it gets dark, A Dun is more powerful than anyone else.

When Taotao found his mother, he immediately cried for a hug.

When Taotao was taken away, he happened to see Adun. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly turned around and grabbed his grandfather's clothes.

There are some strange uncles. Compared to my mother, my grandfather is definitely more resilient.

Miao Wan: “…”

If Adun, who looks so different, goes to the street, he will attract too much attention. Miao Wan asked him and the two old masters to stay in Qiao's house first, and asked Uncle Geng to arrange for them to wash and rest first, and the rest will be dealt with after he comes back in the evening.

Miao Wan put on a baby carrier and took Taotao to the restaurant. This was the best solution she could think of.

It’s too troublesome to go back and forth, so it’s better to learn from Sister Chenxi and take the baby to work.

Geng was worried about Miao Wan taking Taotao out because the child was still too young, so she followed them to the restaurant and kept an eye on Taotao's mother to make sure she didn't eat anything she shouldn't.

The baby carriers made by Aunt Geng are more comfortable than the ones you buy on TB later on.

The style is similar, like a backpack, with a bag at the bottom containing Taotao's diapers, cotton towels and small clothes. Several cotton straps extend from the top to firmly fix Taotao on the person's chest.

If Taotao falls asleep, he can sleep in her arms. When he is awake, she can hold him with his back facing away, which does not delay Miao Wan's work. She can also lose weight by walking with weight. It's perfect.

It’s hard to say whether the eight newly bought boys were encouraged by the pay and quickly threw aside their anxieties and threw themselves into the training, or whether it was because Taotao with his wooden pacifier was so adorable that they couldn’t be nervous at all.

While Zhang Sanzhuang was writing hard and the eight young men were practicing, the original eight people were extremely nervous. When Miao Wan called them into the kang room to talk, their faces were pale.

Upon seeing this, Miao Wan took out the forty strings of cash she had previously reserved and counted out seven strings of cash.

"Third brother should have told you, right? As long as you work hard, in addition to wages, there will be bonuses. Since the two aunts are here for a shorter time, your bonus this month is 500 coins, and your bonus for the rest of you is 1 guan."

A few people were dazzled by the copper coins, but they felt much more at ease. There was also a bonus, which proved that they were not going to be sold out.

After everyone calmed down, Miao Wan continued, "I have an important job for you. The advantage of this job is that you don't have to deal with all kinds of people. The disadvantage is that most of the time it will be harder than working in a restaurant.

Those who need to work outdoors will get higher wages, and those who don't need to work outdoors will get less wages, but they will all receive bonuses based on their performance."

Ah Xun, who always had a strong presence, asked quietly, "Boss, I still want to work in the restaurant. Can I stay here?"

Although Axun is a little bad at speaking, he is careful in his work and likes this kind of job that deals with the smell of fireworks.

He knelt on the ground and hurriedly explained, "Even if I can't be a waiter, I'm willing to wash dishes in the kitchen, or do any other work. I'm not afraid of being tired."

"You get up first. We don't care about these things. You can call me or my name." Miao Wan leaned over while holding Taotao. Her daughter was still young. If she asked someone to kneel down again, it would shorten her life.

Ah Xun also realized that he had almost scared the young boss, so he quickly got up.

Miao Wan looked at a few people. Some of them seemed relieved and happy. They probably really didn't like working in a restaurant.

The two old women, Axun, and another servant who had been treated sarcastically by Miao Wan did not want to leave.

She remembered that the guy was so engrossed in her story that he almost joined her in cracking melon seeds. He probably just liked the hustle and bustle.

"Then you can discuss it among yourselves. The restaurant doesn't need that many people, so you can stay with a maximum of three people."

The two maids looked at each other, and one of them dared to ask in a low voice, "Excuse me, sir, what can we do after leaving the restaurant? We can't do anything else but wash and clean."

Both women spoke with the accent of Dengzhou Prefecture. What is Dengzhou Prefecture most famous for? Big steamed buns!

Miao Wan asked, "Do you know how to make steamed buns? And flower rolls?"

"Yes, yes, we can also make pickled cabbage dumplings." An old woman nodded quickly.

Another one also rushed to say: "I can also make sauerkraut. I learned it by helping people while fleeing famine."

Miao Wan's eyes lit up. Sour cabbage?

Sauerkraut juice is better for making tofu than vinegar. During a live broadcast, a host from Northeast China made a kind of old tofu made with sauerkraut juice.

And with sauerkraut, sour soup beef, and sour soup fish, how far is it?

"You guys will just be cooking for other people and cleaning the house. You might make some noodles or pickled vegetables at other times, and you'll also have to do some washing up. It'll be less work than in a restaurant."

The two old women stopped competing in the restaurant and stayed in the kitchen until their hands were wrinkled from soaking.

If they can do what they are better at in the future, their boss will definitely give them more rewards... Oh no, it's bonuses.

Since the two old women didn't fight for it, Axun, Acheng who loved to listen to stories, and Lu Sheng, a waiter in another lobby, were all willing to stay.

All three of them said that they would be willing to do even the washing and scrubbing work, as they might even be noticed by the chef and be offered the position of apprentice.

"The two aunts and the three of you will come back with me tonight. Now, move those small stoves to the living room and the kang room and place one on each table."

After arranging these people, Zhang Sanzhuang's second uncle and third uncle also arrived, and Yu Daqiang followed behind.

"Second uncle, third uncle, Brother Yu." Miao Wan poked her head out the back door. "Oh, you brought so many people here? Actually, the work isn't that much."

Lin Erzhi waved his hand and called his son and nephew in with their tools. "More hands means faster work. I just heard a customer say that Jufu Restaurant is too capricious in opening its doors. They just closed down without a word and threw away money instead of earning it. It really got people talking about it."

Miao Wan: "..." It was she who threw it out, and it was also she who said it.

But she did this to make more money, so it was only right for her to give up some money... She didn't feel sorry at all for the money that ran away.

Miao Wan stopped being polite and called out to Sun Ada, "Sun Ada, aren't you trying to figure out how done the barbecue is before serving it? We'll be preparing two tables for the Lin family uncles and a few brothers later. Let them help us taste test the food."

The Lin family and Yu Daqiang wanted to refuse, but before they left, the elders repeatedly told them that anyone who dared to eat meat and drink in the restaurant would be beaten with a stick when they got home.

But since Miao Wan asked them to help taste the food, they couldn't refuse. However, they also knew Miao Wan's good intentions, so they were full of energy and wanted to get to work quickly.

Miao Wan first explained the situation to Uncle Lin, who had the heaviest workload. "I'd like you to cover the door with something and paint some borders. I asked my dad to write something, and I'd like you to paint it onto the wall with different colored putty. Is that okay?"

Advertising cannot be done with just words. Painting murals on the wall is not very realistic, unless you ask your father-in-law to come over, as that would be too ostentatious.

But it is still okay to write on the wall. You can write a few jokes and riddles for people to see. Those who guess them correctly can get lottery tickets. It can provide people with fun and they can also get some benefits. This is much more cost-effective than hiring a dragon dance team.

"As for the inside of the house, except for the wall near the central door, the other three walls need to be re-puttyed. The pattern should be simple, both inside and outside. However, they will need to be re-painted every once in a while, so I'll have to trouble you to come here frequently."

Lin Dazhi agreed: "No problem, I will arrange it for my eldest son. If you need to repaint the wall, you can send someone to the Lin family to tell them, or set a date, and we will come early."

Their family is still making money by making toothpaste. Several women in the family are busy with needlework in front of the stove. This money is almost like picking it up for free.

The Lin family’s attitude towards the God of Wealth is very clear - they have to praise him faster than anyone else.

As for calling the Yu family over, Miao Wan wanted them to make the blackboard.

She stretched out her arms to indicate the approximate width. "We need two boards two feet wide and four feet high. How do you shape the two boards into a triangle, supporting them with wooden legs. Then, dye both outer surfaces black. I don't know how to do it, though."

She didn't know how to make a blackboard either, and thought, isn't a blackboard just a board dyed black?

Even if it doesn't work, at least it has to be made into a tripod billboard. If it can only be made in natural wood color, then you have to use ink to write, which may be wasteful. You have to replace it with a new one every few days, and the old one... just take it apart and burn it as firewood.

But Yu Daqiang gave her a surprise. The Yu family had been making furniture for people for many years and knew something about dyes. They used black quite a lot, so he immediately gave her a solution.

"Boil the gallnut shells, chestnut peels, and lotus seed peels together, then add some green vitriol. Soak the board overnight, then expose it to the sun for a day. The color will fade very slowly and remain true to color."

Miao Wan was very happy. As expected, there were many experts among the people. As long as she had creative ideas in her mind, she would not be afraid of not being able to come up with the technology.

"Then I'll trouble you, brother. Please make ten first." Miao Wan thought for a moment, "Do you know of any other dyes?"

Yu Daqiang nodded. "My family can make red and navy blue dyes. If you need more colors, you might have to go to the Gu people's shop to buy them. They have a lot of mines in the Hehuang Valley, so they have a lot of dyes."

Miao Wan simply took out a small ingot of silver and gave it to Yu Daqiang. "Then I'll trouble you, Brother Yu, to arrange it. I remember someone boiled gypsum, added different colored water, and poured it into a mold to make plaster of different colors. I want five colors of plaster pens: red, white, yellow, green, and blue. They should be as thick and long as your little finger."

Yu Daqiang thought that this was not a difficult thing, gypsum was sold in pharmacies, so he took the money and agreed to it.

"Then I'll go right away."

Miao Wan quickly stopped him, saying that Yu Daqiang had left now and would definitely not come over to eat later.

"No rush, no rush. Just deliver it to us before the evening of the day after tomorrow. There are other things we need you to do."

Miao Wan pointed to the relatively open area on the right after entering the door and said, "I want Uncle Lin to help build a few kangs here, but we need to make some screens to separate it from the diners in the hall."

"I'd also like you to make some copper basin stands. Natural wood will do. I need you to make twenty of them. I'd also like you to bring the copper basins over when the time comes."

"We also need to custom-make some food boxes with our signature logo. When the restaurant has enough staff and we need to deliver food to customers, can you help us figure out how to secure the small clay stove inside the food boxes so that our customers can enjoy their hot takeout?"

Yu Daqiang nodded repeatedly, thinking that no wonder the door had to be closed, it was such a big noise, the Zhang family's goddaughter was quite troublesome.

While he was measuring the dimensions, Miao Wan pulled Uncle Lin aside to discuss what the kang would look like.

Kang is a good thing. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. Even when the weather is hot, it is very cool to spread a mat on it. She plans to make the reception area the same as the kang room, so that guests can wait comfortably.

After arranging the things that needed to be changed, Miao Wan went back to feed Taotao once. With Geng accompanying the child around the restaurant, Taotao didn't fuss and fell asleep after watching for a while.

Miao Wan then went to find Sun Laohuo. The most important part should be left to the end, mainly because she had time to eat secretly.

"Sun Ada, these are the broad beans I asked Aunt Geng to soak last night. Boil them and let them cool. Then use scissors to cut a slit in each bean and fry them in oil. They will look like blooming orchids when fried. We'll use them as snacks for the customers waiting in line at our restaurant."

While cooking broad beans, she continued to recall the recipe for strange-flavored beans, "The previous one was the recipe for salt-baked orchid beans, and there's another one that's a bit more complicated.

Peel the skins off the broad beans, add a bowl of flour paste made with egg liquid, add the five spices you use for barbecue, coat the dried broad beans with the paste, and then deep-fry them. This is how to make five-spice strange-flavor beans. The same principle applies to spicy strange-flavor beans.

It didn't sound difficult to Sun Laohuo, and he made it in one go without even trying.

Miao Wan was quick-eyed and quick-handed, and she reached out to grab the spicy strange-tasting beans.

"Awan!" Geng called from behind. Seeing Miao Wan turned around and looked at her with a smile, "Did you forget something?"

Miao Wan: "..." She has been single for so many years, and her hand speed is still not fast enough. This is unscientific!

Miao Wan handed the spicy strange-tasting beans to her mother-in-law in a servile manner, "I want to give you a taste. Where's Taotao?"

Geng took it without mercy, "Aunt Zheng is watching, I can tell from the smell... you must be filial to me."

Miao Wan: “…”

Ah Xun, who was working nearby with his head down, and Ah Cheng, who was gossiping, were grinning secretly. Does the boss also get treated sarcastically?

It just feels so fucking good.

Miao Wan touched her nose. She could only eat salt-baked orchid beans and five-spice strange-flavor beans. They were fragrant and chewy in her mouth, and they could also satisfy her craving. The aroma of lard and flour just after being fried was really fragrant.

The few people in the front who were still practicing welcoming guests, and even Zhang Sanzhuang who was supervising and copying books, all looked up frequently. What were they doing?

Don't you need someone to try it?

"No need to try again, Sun Ada, you are so amazing, this is the taste!" Miao Wan said excitedly.

Geng understood what he meant and asked curiously, "Have you eaten it?"

Miao Wan: "Ahem, does it count in a dream?"

Geng: “…”

Then only the last thing was left. Miao Wan turned her eyes to the tofu placed aside, swallowed her saliva, and then handed over the recipe.

Miao Wan, who can't recall which book it was from, once said, "Mapo Tofu can be described in eight words: numb, spicy, fragrant, crispy, tender, fresh, and lively."[Note]

The tender white tofu is cut into small cubes and blanched in boiling water, making it appear as translucent as jade.

Cook it in minced pork stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorn oil and black bean sauce, and sprinkle with chopped green onions and garlic sprouts before serving.

It is as white as the first falling snow, as red as plum blossoms in the snow, and dotted with green like jade. It is served in a coarse earthenware dish, with a bright oily luster like agate, and a spicy and refreshing taste that will make your neck grow three inches longer.

Even Geng couldn't help swallowing her saliva. The most amazing thing was that Mapo Tofu didn't have the strong aroma of meat, but the spicy flavor had the unique fragrance of tofu, which greatly increased people's appetite.

Miao Wan gently tugged at Geng's sleeve and swung her, almost leaning against her chest. "Mom, you're the best. Just let me eat a little, and I promise I'll just eat a little."

Geng looked at her daughter-in-law helplessly. Seeing this well-behaved and sweet young lady, she said, "These words sound just like those playboys who frequent brothels. Do you believe it?"

Before she could be persuaded by Miao Wan, she heard her granddaughter crying. Obviously, Taotao was awakened by the delicious smell.

Miao Wan was overjoyed: "Mom, Taotao must want to eat it too, but she probably won't be able to eat it within two years. It sounds cruel. How about letting her try the Mapo Tofu flavored rations?"

Everyone: “…”

The author has something to say:

The recipes for strange-flavored beans and mapo tofu were both found on Baidu.

Note: The eight-character motto of Mapo Tofu is quoted from Baidu information.

Taotao: Mom, I will definitely be filial to you in the future!