When the Li family went to the Cao family, they even brought their own materials for the kang (heated brick bed).

"Sir, this kang (heated brick bed) was invented by my mother because she was afraid of the cold. We've tried it at home and it works exceptionally well. I immediately thought of you, sir. Please allow us to build one for you."

Upon meeting Cao Shangjin, Li Xuming explained the benefits of the kang (heated brick bed) to him, and also recounted its origins.

"·····"

Cao Shangjin raised an eyebrow; the Li family's attentiveness was quite unexpected.

"Have you made money selling tofu lately?"

"Relying on the power of the adults, we will operate on a low profit margin but high sales volume."

"Is this kang (heated brick bed) really that good?"

"I've tried it at home. When this person lies on the kang (heated brick bed), he feels warm all over and is no longer afraid of the cold in winter."

"Then pack up your tools and come with me."

My aunt had fallen into the water when she was young and had been suffering from this cold constitution ever since, making winter the most difficult time for her. If we had this good stuff, we would naturally give it to my uncle and aunt first.

Those who came with Li Xuming included Li Xushi, Li Xuhe from the fourth branch of the family, Li Xuluan and Li Xuya from the seventh branch of the family, and Li Xuhai's eldest son.

Upon hearing Cao Shangjin say that he was going to take his tools out, the group all glanced at Li Xuming.

Upon arriving at the county magistrate's residence, Cao Shangjin instructed Li Xuming and the others to wait in the courtyard. He then ordered his servants to bring in the materials, which were not prepared by the Li family but were delivered by a shop at Cao Shangjin's request. These were all top-quality materials.

The Li family had frequented official residences before, but their reaction upon entering the county magistrate's home was lukewarm. They didn't look around much, simply standing and waiting for Cao Shangjin's instructions.

"Auntie!"

"Come on in."

Cao Shangjin's aunt, Gao, was an oval-faced woman. Perhaps because her son had died young, she had a full head of white hair and a heavy gloomy aura. However, when she saw Cao Shangjin, she finally smiled.

"Auntie, how are you feeling?"

"Of course it's good. It would be great if you could come and play more often. Your sister has asked you about it several times."

"Haha." Cao Shangjin chuckled. His younger sister was born to a concubine in the mansion and was only fifteen years old. She was born after his cousin died.

His aunt raised him single-handedly, and he's now registered under her name. She's been spoiled a bit; she's quite unruly, and sometimes he can't stand her temper.

“Auntie, I’ve come today on business. My men’s mother is visiting here for the first time. She’s old and gets cold easily, so my brothers have set up a kang (heated brick bed) for me. I think it’s a nice thing, so I should make one for my uncle and aunt first.”

"Okay, okay, you're a good person."

Madam Gao smiled and patted Cao Shangjin's hand, very pleased with Cao Shangjin's filial piety.

“My aunt developed a condition when she was young; she was also sensitive to the cold, and I remember that.”

Hearing this, Madam Gao felt even more comforted, realizing that her love for him had not been in vain.

Where is he now?

"They're waiting in the yard. Auntie, you can decide where to build it. I've also had the materials delivered, so we can start construction right away."

"Okay, let's make one and give it a try."

"Give it a try."

Following Gao's instructions, the Li family members were led to the backyard by servants, and more servants brought in the materials. The Li family members immediately got to work with great enthusiasm.

Cao Shangjin and Gao Shi won't keep an eye on things; the servants will take care of it.

"Mother, I heard my cousin is here. Where is he?"

Cao Shangjin was talking to Madam Gao in the hall. A young girl dressed in a light green Suzhou embroidered dress fluttered in like a butterfly.

The young girl had a graceful figure, her clothes fluttering in the breeze. Her skin was delicate, her eyes were bright and sparkling, her face was rosy and her cheeks were peach-like. Beneath her arched willow-leaf eyebrows were a pair of eyes that gleamed with a mischievous light.

She entered like the wind, exuding an aura of lightness and grace.

"Little sister is here."

"I just heard from the servants that my cousin brought some people to build a kang (heated brick bed). What kind of novel thing is this?"

Cao Ying bowed to Gao Shi, then went directly to Gao Shi's side, took Gao Shi's hand, and asked Cao Shangjin about the kang (heated brick bed) in a sweet voice.

"You," Gao shook her head and gently tapped Cao Ying's nose. "This child."

Cao Ying refused and shook Gao's hand.

The mother and daughter are very close.

"It's just because your cousin treats you well."

Seeing her daughter acting coquettishly, Madam Gao couldn't bear to say anything.

"Auntie, my sister is showing me affection."

Gao rolled her eyes at Cao Shangjin, but her face was full of smiles.

"You siblings have a good relationship, but it's my fault for meddling."

"It's true that we have a good relationship, but it's not true that my aunt is a busybody."

Cao Shangjin hurriedly begged for forgiveness and explained hastily, his actions making Gao laugh.

"Hey, cousin, tell me quickly, what's that kang (heated brick bed)?"

Cao Shangjin watched his younger sister act coquettishly with a smile. He was much older than Cao Ying, and now he looked at her as if she were his own daughter.

"I haven't used it yet, but my subordinates said it sounded pretty good. I'll get one for my sister to try too."

"You don't know either, okay?"

Cao Ying was just curious for a moment, and if she didn't get an answer, she would let it go. Anyway, her family was working on it, and she would know when it was finished.

Cao Shangjin changed the subject, chatting about recent happenings in the county to cheer up the mother and daughter.

For a time, both host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

As soon as the weather gets cold, the Li family starts selling bean sprouts.

In winter, fruits and vegetables were something even wealthy families couldn't always afford. Ordinary families couldn't even dream of them.

The Li family was also clever; they didn't plan to sell at the market from the beginning. Instead, they went to partner with restaurants and eateries.

These places are frequented by wealthy people who are willing to spend money, so restaurants are naturally willing to sell bean sprouts at high prices. However, the Li family is not in it for the sake of selling bean sprouts.

What they wanted to sell was a recipe for bean sprouts, which was a different name they came up with, since the name bean sprouts was too obvious and anyone could easily guess it.

Piaoxianglou, the largest restaurant in several surrounding towns, is located in Liantang Town and is owned by the Gu family of Shaoguan County.

The first tofu order that Li Xuyue signed was from Piaoxianglou.

"Oh, so you're the one delivering tofu today?"

Manager Gu of Piaoxianglou was quite surprised to see that it was Li Xuyue who had come.

He remembered this person, after all, he brought recipes to sell vegetables.

Although everyone knows how to make tofu nowadays, he was still given other tofu recipes, which were unique to him.

They can afford to host a tofu feast.

"Manager Gu, it's been a while. Today I have another business deal to discuss with you."

"Oh, this way please."

Manager Gu quickly pulled Li Xuyue upstairs and into a private room.

"Is it another recipe they want to sell me?"

Manager Gu was plump and muscular, with a glint of shrewdness in his small eyes.

"Hehe, no, it's a new vegetable we grow at home, sprouts."

Li Xuyue made no attempt to hide anything, directly putting down the bamboo basket on his back, which contained sprouted vegetables.

"Can you grow vegetables in your home during this winter?"

Manager Gu looked at the sprouts and was slightly surprised. It was normal for wealthy families to be able to grow vegetables in greenhouses. How did the Li family manage to grow them?