Chapter 88 The New Flavor Restaurant Opens

The opening day of the restaurant was a lively affair. Lin Yao continued the style of her previous store opening, setting up a pot at the entrance and frying stinky tofu.

Upon hearing the news, many neighbors rushed over, and some even came from other towns specifically to try this legendary delicacy with its unique, pungent smell. Among the crowd, Chen Qianyuan twisted and pushed his way to the front, a smile on his face, and said, "Miss Lin, your new restaurant is opening, you must save us old customers a good spot!"

"Don't worry, Dr. Chen, a seat has already been reserved for you inside," Lin Yao replied with a smile, picking up a few pieces of stinky tofu and putting them into the oil. As soon as the stinky tofu hit the pan, it began to tumble and expand rapidly in the hot oil, and its unique aroma wafted uncontrollably into the distance, causing many people to instinctively cover their noses.

Chen Qianyuan was someone who loved trying new things. Although the smell of this stinky tofu was even stranger than that of pickled bamboo shoots, he didn't care at all. Instead, he said curiously, "Is this the new dish that Lin Xiaoniangzi came up with? The taste is really strong."

Lin Yao took in everyone's reactions and announced loudly, "That's right! Today is the grand opening of our new shop, and every customer who makes a purchase will receive three pieces of stinky tofu!" Tofu was a rare delicacy in ancient times, and free tofu, even if it was the strangely flavored stinky tofu, would be irresistible. People flocked to join the fun, thinking it was a waste not to try it. Lin Yao knew that once she could overcome everyone's aversion to stinky tofu, she wouldn't have to worry about sales.

Sure enough, the moment those words were spoken, the crowd erupted in excitement. Those who had been hesitating, covering their noses, suddenly brightened up. Free tofu, even if it tasted a bit strange, was still a real treat! A man dressed in coarse cloth pushed his way forward and shouted, "Manager Lin, do you keep your word? Whatever the price, it's all here!"

“Of course it counts.” Lin Yao picked up her long chopsticks, scooped up the freshly fried stinky tofu, drained the oil, and arranged it on a plate. She said earnestly, “Whether you order a bowl of snail rice noodles or a side dish, we’ll give you three pieces free. No cheating, young or old.”

The man swallowed hard, then pulled his wife towards the shop: "Come on, let's try it! It's free anyway!" His wife hesitated, but he half-dragged, half-pulled her inside. With the first person to try it, others couldn't resist and surged in, quickly stretching the originally loose queue to the street corner.

More and more people entered the shop. Lin Yao added stinky tofu to the oil pot while calling out to the customers in line, "Don't rush, everyone gets some! First come, first served, be careful not to burn yourself!"

Lin Yao was busy frying stinky tofu when a deep, powerful voice came from behind the crowd: "Congratulations! Miss Lin, it hasn't been long, and you've opened another new shop!"

She looked up and saw that it was Wu, the镖头 (bodyguard/escort), who hadn't been to the shop since the beginning of the year. She quickly handed over the task of frying stinky tofu to Wan Chunlai and hurried forward to greet him: "Please come in, there's a seat inside. It's been a long time since I've seen Wu,镖头."

Wu, the镖头 (bodyguard), strode over and said with a smile, "I just went to the restaurant, and Ah Zhu said you opened a new shop here with some novel dishes, so I came right away."

Lin Yao led him into the shop, through the noisy crowd, and found an empty seat at the back: "Chief Wu, sit down and rest. Afu, bring Chief Wu a pot of hot tea."

As soon as Wu Biaotou sat down, he was drawn in by the stench wafting from the next table: "This is the new dish you were talking about? It smells even worse than the braised pork offal in the capital."

"This is called stinky tofu, and there's also snail rice noodles. Both are made using methods from the south," Lin Yao explained, pointing to the food in the bowls of the customers at the next table. "The stinky tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the snail rice noodles are sour, fresh, and appetizing. Would you like to try them, Chief镖头?"

"You absolutely have to try it!" Wu Biao Tou slapped the table heartily. "Your cooking has never disappointed anyone."

He picked up the hot tea that Afu had brought him, took a big gulp, and then slowly said, "Speaking of which, it's been almost half a year since I last came. Around the New Year, I escorted a batch of silk to the capital, but I never expected to run into bandits in Cangyan Mountain. Good heavens, dozens of men came rushing out with knives!"

Lin Yao handed him a plate of freshly fried stinky tofu and asked, "That was dangerous. You weren't hurt, were you?"

Wu, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), sighed: "I'm alright, except I slashed my arm and it took me more than three months to recover. But five of the brothers in the team were seriously injured and still can't get out of bed, and two others... didn't make it."

The noise in the shop seemed to fade away instantly. Lin Yao looked at his reddened eyes and said softly, "My condolences, Chief镖头."

"It's alright." Wu, the head镖师, waved his hand and forced a wry smile. "Those of us in this line of work have long been risking our lives. We've been busy these past few days getting medicine for the injured brothers and settling the families of those two brothers. Fortunately, that shipment was saved in the end, and the compensation from the employer was quite generous, which will make things a little easier for the brothers' families."

Lin Yao felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this. When they were setting up a stall at the dock, Wu the镖头 (bodyguard) and his bodyguards often patronized their food stall. When they were falsely accused, Wu the镖头 and his men also spoke up to help them.

Lin Yao turned to the kitchen and called out, "Afu, bring that jar of newly brewed rice wine, and make Wu Biaotou a bowl of snail rice noodles with meat, and add extra pickled bamboo shoots." She turned back to Wu Biaotou and said, "This meal is on me today, consider it a welcome dinner for you, Biaotou."

"You're always so polite, girl." The redness in Wu's eyes faded a little as he pointed to the stinky tofu in his bowl. "This stuff is really delicious, just to my liking. Once the brothers are all better, I'll bring them all to try it."

"You're welcome anytime." Lin Yao smiled and poured him some tea. "Has Chief Escort Wu ever escorted goods to the capital before?"

“How could I not have escorted goods? In the past, our favorite route was to the capital. Not only were our clients generous, but the roads were also peaceful. Who would dare to rob goods on the official road?” He shook his head. “I’m afraid the world is about to become more turbulent.”

Lin Yao did not respond after hearing this, but nodded thoughtfully.

As the sun gradually set outside the window, customers came and went in waves. The restaurant's revenue on its first day of business was thirteen taels, a very substantial figure. However, Lin Yao was not happy. The reason was none other than what she had heard from Wu the镖头 (bodyguard) that day.

Wu Biaotou's goods were robbed near the capital. Bandits who can operate near the capital must have strong backing. If the capital is in such a state, how long can the peaceful days last?

Lin Yao was preoccupied with something and couldn't sleep well all night. She woke up very early the next day.

Just as dawn was breaking, Lin Yao knocked on Lin Cheng's door next door. "Brother, it's market day today. Come with me to buy some ingredients."

Today is market day in town, and she wants to go to the market to see if any hunters have hunted any large animals that can be used to make cured meat, just in case. Also, she used up almost all of her soybeans a few days ago making stinky tofu, so she plans to replenish her stock.

“Yesterday, I heard from Chief Escort Wu that they encountered bandits on the official road near the capital. I was worried that the situation might change, so I thought I would stock up on more meat and grain.” Lin Yao said as she walked out the door, briefly explaining what happened yesterday and her own speculations. “It’s always good to stock up on more grain. In case the world becomes more turbulent in the future, we can hold out longer.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Cheng's expression tightened, and he nodded repeatedly: "You're right, we should stock up on more."

When the two arrived at the market, the town entrance was already packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, and incredibly noisy. Lin Cheng, familiar with the place, walked towards the corner where the hunters were gathered, pushing through the crowd, while Lin Yao followed closely behind him.

"Brother Zhang!" Lin Cheng called out from afar. Zhang the hunter was squatting on the ground skinning a wild deer. When he saw him, and then looked at Lin Yao behind him, he smiled and replied, "Brother Cheng, is this your sister? I've heard a lot about the novel dishes made by the owner of the Lin family restaurant in town. Today I've finally met her."

"Yes! My sister's cooking is absolutely amazing!" Lin Cheng patted his chest, his face full of pride. "We recently opened a new restaurant, and their stinky tofu and snail rice noodles are incredibly delicious. There's always a line every day!"

Hearing this, Zhang, the hunter, stopped skinning the animals in his hand: "Oh? Such a rare delicacy? I spend all my time wandering in the mountains and have missed out on such a good thing. After I finish processing these wild game, I must try it."

Lin Yao listened from the side and gently tugged at Lin Cheng's sleeve. Remembering the important matter, Lin Cheng stopped his rambling and asked, "Brother Zhang, what goods have you got lately?"

Hunter Zhang tucked his skinning knife into his waistband and gestured towards the thatched shed: "What a coincidence! I just hunted a wild boar weighing over 300 pounds yesterday. The hide has been cleaned and is hanging in the shed. It's perfect for making cured meat; the meat is firm and will be very fragrant after curing. There are also three wild goats and a wild deer, which were lassoed a few days ago; the meat is very tender. There are also about ten wild rabbits in the corner, all with intact pelts."

Lin Yao's eyes lit up. Although there wasn't much meat from the wild rabbit, its fur could be kept to make winter clothes and blankets: "That's great! Let's buy all of them. It'll be enough to make cured meat for a whole year."

Lin Cheng nodded and looked at Zhang the Hunter: "Brother Zhang, we'll take them all. Name your price."

Hunter Zhang readily agreed: "We're all acquaintances, so I won't overcharge you. Wild deer is forty coins a pound, wild goat is thirty-five coins a pound, wild boar is twenty coins a pound, and wild rabbit is fifteen coins each. In total," he counted on his fingers, "just give me a round number, five hundred coins a string will do."

Before Lin Cheng could speak, Lin Yao interjected, "Brother Zhang, one string of cash is too little. These things are worth much more. You're kind enough, and we can't take advantage of you. I'll give you one string of cash and eight hundred coins. Have someone process them and deliver them to the Lin Family Restaurant as soon as possible. Make sure the rabbit's pelt is intact, okay?"

Zhang the hunter was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Manager Lin is such a straightforward man! Alright, it's as you say! I'll call someone to handle it right away, and I guarantee it will be delivered within two hours!" With that, he called over two waiters and instructed them to clean the meat and send it to Lin's restaurant as soon as possible.

Lin Yao nodded, said goodbye to Zhang the hunter, and walked towards the grain shop with Lin Cheng.

The grain shop owner was dozing off at the counter when he heard footsteps. He looked up abruptly and, seeing Lin Yao and Lin Cheng, immediately greeted them warmly: "Oh, it's Shopkeeper Lin and Brother Cheng! What kind of grain would you like to buy today?"

"Manager Li, we've come to buy some fine rice, millet, and soybeans," Lin Yao said. "We used up all the soybeans we had stockpiled while making stinky tofu a few days ago, so we need to buy some more to replenish our stock."

"No problem, our soybeans are all freshly harvested, plump and easy to use." Manager Li said, leading them towards the grain pile. "Look at this fine rice, it's bright in color and smells delicious when cooked. And this millet, it's perfect for making porridge, it's so good for your stomach."

Lin Yao grabbed a handful of soybeans, rubbed them between her fingers, and found that the grains were indeed plump and free of impurities. She nodded in satisfaction: "Manager Li, bring three hundred catties each of refined rice and millet, two hundred and fifty catties of soybeans, and one hundred and fifty catties of flour as well."

Manager Li was taken aback for a moment, and said in surprise, "Buying so much? Manager Lin, are you stockpiling grain?"

"How could that be? We recently opened a new store, and it's always busy. We're just buying more to stock up so we don't have to keep making the trip." Lin Yao made up an excuse on the spot. She wouldn't dare to talk about war, which was completely unfounded.

Lin Cheng chimed in, "That's right, Manager Li. We have a lot of employees in our shop and workshop, and this grain won't last long."

Seeing this, Manager Li didn't ask any more questions and said with a smile, "Alright, since Manager Lin wants a lot, I'll give you a discount."

"Manager Li is very helpful," Lin Yao replied with a smile. "Then I'll trouble you to have someone pack it up quickly and deliver it to the restaurant."

When Lin Yao and her brother returned to the restaurant after buying grain, the meat they had purchased from Zhang the hunter had already arrived. The courtyard was piled high with wild boar, venison, goat, and rabbit meat, all hanging there. Wang Xiaoyu and the others were looking at the meat with expressions of surprise.

"Shopkeeper, have you emptied Zhang the Hunter's shop?" Wang Xiaoyu stared wide-eyed at the pile of meat. "Buying so much, we probably won't be able to finish it even next year!"

Ah Zhu chimed in, "Yes, shopkeeper, how much does this cost? Even though our shop is doing well, we don't need to buy so much meat, do we?"

Lin Yao smiled and walked to the center of the courtyard, saying, "This meat is for making cured meat, so it can be stored for a long time. I've heard some news lately that things might not be peaceful in the future, so it's good to stock up on meat." She paused, then continued, "Not only meat, but I've also bought a lot of grain. Remember to tell your families when you get home to stock up on grain, so you won't be caught off guard."

Ah Zhu scratched his head: "Shopkeeper, is something wrong?"

"It's nothing serious, it might not even happen, it's just a precaution." Lin Yao didn't want to make things too serious to avoid causing panic. "Don't worry, I'll prepare your share for the shop and workshop staff, so no one will go hungry or cold."

Wang Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief: "I'll buy more food and stock up at home later."

Lin Yao sorted the meat and handed it to Zhao Niangzi and Su Niang: "These wild boar and wild venison are suitable for making cured meat. Go and process them first, rub them with salt and spices, and hang them up to air dry."

Lin Yao said, "Ayu, go and clean these wild rabbits. I'll make dry pot rabbit meat for everyone."

"Okay!" Wang Xiaoyu replied happily, then turned and ran towards the kitchen.

Afu also said, "Manager, I'll go and tidy up the storeroom so there'll be a place to put the grain when it arrives."

"Go ahead and tidy up carefully," Lin Yao instructed. Seeing everyone busy with their tasks, Lin Yao felt much more at ease. As long as everyone worked together, even if something did happen, they could definitely overcome it.

In the kitchen, Wang Xiaoyu had already cleaned the rabbit meat. Lin Yao cut the rabbit into small pieces and set them aside. Then she took out dogwood, dried Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom from the cupboard. She poured some cooking wine and soy sauce into a bowl, sprinkled in some salt and white pepper powder, added a few slices of ginger and scallions, then poured in an appropriate amount of cornstarch and mixed the seasonings thoroughly with the rabbit meat.

"Ayu, go and make the fire in the stove burn brighter," Lin Yao said as she placed the iron pot on the stove. Lin Yao first put the ginger and garlic slices into the pot and stir-fried them. Then, she put the dogwood, along with dried peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom into the pot and stir-fried them over low heat. The spices simmered in the hot oil, and the aroma became increasingly rich.

Next, Lin Yao poured the marinated rabbit meat into the pot and stir-fried it quickly. The rabbit meat rolled around in the pot and gradually changed color. After the moisture on the surface of the rabbit meat dried, she poured in two large spoonfuls of homemade chili oil and continued to stir-fry, turning the rabbit meat into an enticing reddish-brown color. This dish is only authentic with Pixian chili bean paste, Lin Yao thought as she stir-fried, pondering the feasibility of making her own chili bean paste.

As the rabbit meat continued to stir-fry, the aroma became increasingly intense. Lin Yao then added the soaked shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms, which she had specially prepared as side dishes for this dish. These not only enhanced the texture but also absorbed the aroma of the rabbit meat.

"Ayu, bring a big basin," Lin Yao called out. Wang Xiaoyu quickly handed over a large earthenware basin, and Lin Yao ladled the stir-fried rabbit meat into it. The rabbit meat was a bright red color, garnished with scallions and cilantro, and smelled delicious. "Come on, take this basin out and let everyone have a taste," Lin Yao said to Wang Xiaoyu.

The workers in the courtyard had already smelled the spicy aroma coming from the kitchen. When Wang Xiaoyu carried the steaming hot pot of rabbit meat out of the kitchen, they all gathered around.

The dry-pot rabbit was placed on the stone table in the center of the courtyard. Lin Yao smiled and said, "Everyone has been busy all day. Try my dry-pot rabbit and eat it while it's hot!"

Everyone picked up their bowls and chopsticks, took some rabbit meat and put it in their mouths. The rabbit meat was tender and flavorful, and the spicy taste whetted their appetites. Everyone enjoyed the meal very much.

After the meal, Lin Yao gathered up the furs from the yard, carefully wrapped them in coarse cloth, and headed towards the embroidery workshop. Madam Tang, the workshop's headwoman, was instructing several embroiderers on a painting depicting longevity. Seeing Lin Yao enter, she quickly put down her needlework: "Manager Lin, what brings you here today?"

"Madam Tang, I have some rabbit skins here. I would like to trouble you to make cloaks and blankets for me." Lin Yao placed the cloth bag on the table, untied the rope, and revealed several complete rabbit skins inside.

Madam Tang picked up a rabbit skin, rubbed it between her fingers, examined it against the light, and nodded, saying, "This rabbit skin is of good quality, with thick fur and no damage. It's perfect for making a cloak and a blanket."

Lin Yao carefully instructed, "The cloak doesn't need to be too fancy, just simple and elegant. Use some durable fabric to trim the collar and cuffs so it can last longer. As for the blanket, make it as thick and large as possible, so that it can completely wrap around the person."

Madam Tang smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Manager Lin, I've remembered all of that. When do you plan to take them?"

"No rush, take your time, and be meticulous," Lin Yao said.

Stepping out of the embroidery workshop, Lin Yao looked up at the sky. The setting sun was slowly sinking, bathing the streets in a golden glow. She took a deep breath, her thoughts racing. She had only ever seen wars on television before, never imagining she would experience it herself. Now, facing this situation, she truly understood what it meant for human life to be so cheap.

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Author's Note: [Let me see] Writing is hard work, please add this to your favorites.

For recipes on dry-pot rabbit, please refer to Baidu.