Gan Xing had a plan in mind, but he told no one.

But since they were all tea bottle carriers, the remaining two naturally had their own ideas.

Although carrying tea bottles is a leisurely job, the money earned is little.

What if there is a way to make cold noodles?

Gan Xing was about to leave. He naturally wanted to work alone, but when he saw the two men's understanding eyes, he had to say, "What do you think, my dear brothers? It seems that we really can't earn the money of the palace steward."

"But you can earn other money." One of them said immediately.

Gan Xing looked at them.

At this moment, they didn't know what to say. The three of them all wanted to do the cold noodle business, but they were afraid that the other party would also do this business, and they were even more afraid of causing trouble.

Finally, Gan Xing suggested: "It would be difficult for us to find the person who has the secret recipe of Liangpi with our own strength. Why don't we buy the house together and then open our own shops?"

That's one way.

The most important thing is that this method will harm everyone’s interests.

"If we just open a shop, everyone should stay away from each other, otherwise it will affect business." Gan Xing's last words were the final word.

Kyoto is so big that it’s not a problem for everyone to be far away.

Even if they open a store, it won't be very big and they won't be able to do that much business, so it's okay for them to split up.

After making a plan, the three tea bearers began to look for connections everywhere.

Although it is difficult to get information from the palace, it is still much easier as long as you know the direction.

However, the news they heard were mostly similar, and all of them were praises for the Western Kitchen.

What: "The western kitchen has made delicious food again."

"How are the braised noodles made? Why are they so delicious?"

"Why don't you talk about sliced ​​noodles?"

"The twice-cooked pork is also good. It tastes delicious when eaten in the western kitchen."

"So you didn't have braised pork rice last time?"

"You don't know this, right? I only want braised pork and no rice. I chop it up and put it in the pancake. It smells so good. The only side dish is green pepper. Chop up the braised pork and put it in the pancake. It immediately becomes a roujiamo!"

"There's actually this way of eating it! I want to try it next time!"

"Of course, this is what Su Wan taught me!"

The last few sentences made Gan Xing hungry. Pancakes with vegetables were so delicious, so pancakes with meat must be even better. It was a pity that he didn’t know this last time.

But the name is Su Wan.

Gan Xing felt like he had heard it somewhere before.

After meeting the other two, everyone mentioned the name Su Wan.

It seemed like she was the one who changed the entire western kitchen.

They didn't know that Su Wan already knew that they were asking about the West Kitchen and was preparing to say that they were asking about her.

The three of them often hung around the Lingtai Gate of the Imperial Palace and had long been spotted by the Li family's big pig's hoof. When they met Wei Jun and Zhuohui, they immediately told the two of them about this.

It tells the story of three tea bearers who were asking who in the western kitchen knew how to make cold noodles and who was the first to do it.

After knowing this, Wei Jun and Zhuo Hui stopped doing their work and went to the west kitchen to report the matter.

The relationship between them is so good that any unusual movement like this must be reported.

Su Wan didn't expect that Liangpi had been coveted by people outside the palace, and from the sound of it, they had all tasted it?

Wei Jun said: "What are you going to do? They are relatively low-key in their inquiries. If it weren't for the fact that the hostess of the Li family's big pig's trotter is very careful, she wouldn't actually know."

“So not many people know about this.”

After all, since it was related to people from the imperial palace, the three tea bottles who came to inquire about the news did not dare to speak carelessly. Su Wan already had an idea in her mind after hearing this.

I guess he just wants to buy the secret recipe or cooperate with us.

But it must be resolved before anything goes wrong.

It’s just that it’s not convenient for her to leave the palace or see people, which is a bit troublesome.

Wei Jun smiled: "Do you know what time it is now?"

Su Wan raised her eyes. Yes!

Now it is summer, the noble ladies in the inner palace are not here, and many of the eunuchs are not here either, so it is the right time to send the gifts.

Wei Jun said: "The Lingtaisi next to the Lingtai Gate is originally used for family visits. If there is an emergency, it is okay to meet outsiders."

"It just so happens that you have extra time to visit relatives this month. I will bring him over after you have met your aunt."

"I just want to make some delicious food for Zhuo Hui to bring to the guards of Lingtaimen. It's not a big deal to meet one more person."

This is good.

Su Wan nodded: "It's simple to make food, I can bring it with me when I visit my relatives. Today is the ninth day of the sixth lunar month, I will get my monthly salary tomorrow, and visit my relatives the day after tomorrow."

"But I'll have to trouble you to tell them the news."

Wei Jun Zhuohui nodded.

But Zhuo Hui still said: "Why aren't you angry? I thought you would be angry about this."

Who wouldn’t get angry when being asked about something?

Su Wan wouldn't do that. Instead, she smiled and said, "Why should I be angry when someone rushes to give me money?"

Wei Jun already understood a little bit.

When those people asked questions, they were very polite and humble, and they didn't seem like they were there to cause trouble.

Come to think of it, who would cause trouble for people in the palace?

Even though Su Wan is just a little palace maid now, everyone in the West Outer Palace is respectful to her. One has to be polite to such a person.

Since you are not here to cause trouble, then you are here to seek cooperation.

In fact, the method of making cold noodles is not a secret. Even people in Xiwai Palace vaguely know the method, but they have never tried it, and they can’t explain the details. However, if you try a few more times, you will be able to make it.

Besides, there were more than a hundred people in the kitchen, so Su Wan had no intention of hiding the fact that she made the cold noodles.

Now that the person who is willing to trace the origin and find the first person to make cold noodles is a sign of sincerity as a partner, she will definitely not refuse.

This is to give money.

When Gan Xing and his companions saw the palace guards coming over, they thought they had offended someone. But after the guards spoke, they realized that their attempt to gather information had already reached the ears of the young palace maid Su Wan.

In the past few days, they have heard of Su Wan's name very well, and no one in Xiwai Palace doesn't know her.

In everyone's eyes, whatever she cooks is delicious and great.

Before they could find a way to contact Su Wan, Su Wan's friend arrived first.

After Zhuo Hui finished giving the instructions, the three of them thanked him repeatedly and promised to wait until the morning of June 11th at the Lingtai Division outside the Lingtai Gate. They also said many words of praise for Su Wan.

Zhuo Hui wanted to laugh when he heard this. Su Wan's guess was indeed correct. These three people really had no intention of offending him. They were only respectful.

But when guard Zhuo Hui left, Gan Xing and the others looked at each other.

On June 11, only one person can go to Lingtai Division to find Su Wan, so they have to discuss in advance how to negotiate with the young palace maid Su Wan, and also discuss who will go to see Su Wan.

Su Wan was staring at the "zoo" in the small courtyard.

The two ducks are still as plump and beautiful as ever, as are the black chickens, and the fish are swimming happily.

Now that the big kitchen is getting on track and familiar with the summer menu, she will soon be able to randomly select a lucky audience member from the small kitchen "zoo"!

After feeding the baby the rotten vegetable leaves, Su Wan clapped her hands and left, with countless recipes already appearing in her mind.

The western kitchen has been noticeably more excited these days.

It is also an exciting day every month.

Last time I received my monthly salary was on the tenth day of May, so this month’s date is naturally the tenth as well.

Ordinary palace servants rely on these monthly salaries to support their families.

Su Wan received two taels of silver for this month. The old treasury manager who distributed the silver smiled and said, "This monthly salary is a little low, but as long as the time for you to enter the palace is about right, your monthly salary may increase."

The words were spoken softly, and only Su Wan and Yu Shu behind her heard them, so they were naturally happy.

If it were in other places, a salary increase is just a salary increase, nothing else means anything else.

But this is the palace, and everyone has a fixed monthly salary. If you want to increase your monthly salary, you must increase your position.

Since the former chief steward dared to say so, he was not just making empty promises and must have received some news.

Su Wan smiled and nodded. This is a good thing.

At this time, Concubine Jiang's people were watching nearby, so Su Wan didn't dare to ask too much.

She didn’t care whether she was a senior palace maid or not, but she cared a lot about the increase in monthly salary!

A young palace maid gets two taels of silver a month, while an older palace maid gets ten taels!

It increased fivefold!

Yu Shu looked at Su Wan enviously.

But she also knew that Su Wan would definitely be promoted to senior palace maid, but they had only been in the palace for two months, otherwise she would have been promoted long ago.

It’s hard to say about her.

When the monthly salary was put in her hands, Yu Shu knew that the money was just passing through her hands and would have to be handed over the next day.

She knew why her mother hated her. If she got married, the old man would give them a small restaurant, but she chose to run away to the palace.

Not to mention the small restaurant was closed, the old man was a frequent customer of her family's restaurant and often entertained people there. After this incident, not only did the old man stop going, he also stopped going with many of his business partners.

Now her restaurant business is not as good as before, so even if it is just to disgust her, she will take all the monthly salary.

The last time they met, she learned from the maid that her father also hated her because of this incident and said that she had implicated the entire family.

Yu Shu was still unhappy after receiving her monthly salary, and everyone could see it when she returned to her residence.

Xiao Yue said, "You are in the palace anyway, so just don't give it to them. They won't dare to do anything to you."

Chunxiang said, "After all, they are my parents. It would be bad if I didn't give them to you. I'll give you half."

"I'm in the palace now, but what about the future?" Yu Shu said, "I'll have to leave the palace sooner or later, and I can't stay in the palace forever."

No matter whether I get married or not, I will go back sooner or later.

What to do then?

Su Wan looked at her and said, "Be a female official."

"As long as you become a female official, your family can't do anything to you."

Yu Shu looked at her and said, "There are not many female officials in the whole palace."

"How do you know if you don't try?" Su Wan smiled, "What if?"

Yes.

What if?

As long as you become a female official, you can escape from your home.

Su Wan thought for a moment and said, "Go find the Right Chief and tell him about your difficulties."

Right in charge?

The Right Master was always serious, and only Su Wan seemed normal in front of her, but others, even the senior palace maids, were a little scared.

"I know it's difficult, but if I can't even take this step, how can I talk about the future?" Su Wan made her bed and climbed up quietly. She saw her roommates in the three beds next to her were all looking at her.

Su Wan smiled and said, "We still have a lot of time."

Yu Shu finally nodded slightly, but still felt a little embarrassed. Su Wan was two years younger than her, and she didn't expect that she would be the one to comfort her.

But I didn't sleep that night.

Everyone else was happy to see their family, but she was the only one who felt sad.

There are now 120 people in the West Kitchen, and the newcomers look on with envy at the extra time that the palace servants in the past were allowed to visit their families.

But the new palace servants also knew how busy they were at that time, so this was what they deserved.

Su Wan was one of the first palace maids who could see her family.

And there were other things to do today, so she had to set off early. In her hand, she was holding some snacks that she had made in the kitchen early in the morning, and she would give them to the Lingtai and guards to taste later.

Su Wan walked out of the Lingtai Gate and entered the Lingtai Division next door. The third aunt was already waiting at the table in the corner.

It’s the same place as last time, so Su Wan can find it easily.

After not seeing each other for a month, Third Aunt was still the same as before, with a sad look on her face, but the maid from the Su family beside her was obviously more polite.

It seems that threatening, giving money, and Yan Pei's visit are all effective.

When I got closer, I found that the third aunt had changed into new clothes.

As soon as Su Wan took a look, she heard her aunt say, "You should save some money on the fabric you bought for me."

Su Wan smiled: "It looks very good."

It wasn't really her purchase, she just paid for it, and Yan Pei helped with the rest.

However, the material is average, but still soft, and the color is not that bright. It is practical and only suitable for the third aunt to wear.

I changed it specially when I came to see my daughter this time.

The two chatted for a while. Su Wan put the food box on the table, took out a plate of kidney bean rolls from the top shelf and handed it to the Su family maid. She said, "I went to the dessert department to get it yesterday. It tastes great. Do you want to try it?"

The last time the Su family’s maid came with the Third Aunt, she tasted the snacks from the palace. Is she getting the same experience again this time?

Thinking of the taste of the snacks last time, the maid happily took it and avoided it consciously without Su Wan reminding her.

But there was obviously something else in the food box, why didn’t you give it to her?

As soon as the maid left, the third concubine slowly began to talk about what was going on at home. It was nothing more than a quarrel between the wife and the second concubine, and the power of housekeeper was almost lost.

She also received some food that Su Wan had asked someone to send her. Although she could only keep half of it, she was very content.

Another thing is to ask Su Wan to take good care of herself and not think about her all the time.

After that, the third aunt said, "You've grown taller. Will the clothes you wore last time be too small?"

This time, the third aunt only brought her newly made shoes and no clothes, which made her a little uneasy.

Su Wan smiled: "It's okay. If it doesn't work, just have someone bring it in to me later. I'll talk to Lingtaimen."

As he spoke, Zhuo Hui, who had already made arrangements, came over. Su Wan handed the food box to him and said, "It should taste good. Have it as a snack."

Zhuo Hui nodded and went over with the food box.

It would be difficult for others to see the second person, but she is Su Wan.

Based on their previous experience of eating Su Wan's noodles with soybean paste and beef bone noodle soup, they would all help.

Besides, I thought of them when I made the delicious black plum soup before, and the guards of Lingtai Gate knew it.

Moreover, now that half of their people have been transferred away and the noble ladies in the inner palace are not here, it is not that strict. As long as it is done under their noses, it will be fine.

Originally, the guards at Lingtai Gate said they didn't want any thanks.

But when Zhuo Hui said that the food was made by Su Wan herself, no one would refuse it!

The food in the west kitchen is delicious now, which has a lot to do with Su Wan. The meals she makes must be extraordinary.

Su Wan talked to the Third Aunt and gave her a few more coins as usual, half of which was made public and half was hidden, so that the Third Aunt's life could be better.

The guards who were not on duty at Lingtai Gate opened the food box given by Su Wan.

It was filled with braised chicken feet? There was a lot of it, but it wasn't a proper meal.

Is this the food Su Wan made?

I thought at worst it would be noodles or dim sum.

How do you eat this? There's not much meat on it.

That being said, the color of the chicken feet is too tempting, with a rosy red hue. You can tell at a glance that they have been braised for a long time. However, this is a little different from simply braised chicken, as it looks wrinkled.

The other ingredients are pretty much the same.

Never mind, just try it first.

Who would have thought that when I put the chicken feet in my mouth, before I even bit into it, the meat on the surface and the fat inside would fall off the bones.

Just chew the chicken bones with your mouth and only the smooth bones are left, and the small bones inside can also be spit out cleanly.

That's fine, what's more important is the taste.

The skin on ordinary chicken feet definitely does not have such a chewy texture, and the meat is fat and easy to fall off the bones, and the flavor of the marinade is also richer.

It’s completely different from the chicken feet we usually eat!

Moreover, the fishy smell is removed very well, and there is a slight sweet aftertaste.

No one noticed that the chicken feet on the plate had been eaten clean.

Zhuo Hui, who had just gone out to do something, just entered the guards' resting place and saw a table full of bones and a group of good brothers who were savoring the taste of chicken feet.

Zhuo Hui held his forehead with his hand: "I came here originally to explain something."

"Su Wan said that chicken feet are best eaten as a side dish. I didn't expect you guys had already finished them."

Good to drink?

No need to download at all!

One person can eat a whole plate.

How come Su Wan can make even simple chicken feet differently from others?

This naturally requires mentioning the approach.

Su Wan got up early and blanched the chicken feet that she had brought earlier. After blanching, she carefully removed the water from each chicken foot before using it.

What she wanted to make was not just braised chicken feet, but tiger skin chicken feet.

Any food with the word "tiger skin" in it is bound to be delicious.

Things like tiger skin green peppers, tiger skin meatballs, and tiger skin braised eggs.

The eggs that Yan Pei ate this morning were the tiger skin eggs that Su Wan made.

Since we are making tiger skin, we naturally have to fry it, so the step of removing moisture is very important.

The skin of the fried chicken feet is slightly yellow, which allows them to absorb the flavor and juice well. However, the fried chicken feet are not peeled directly. Instead, they are placed in ice water prepared in advance. Deep well water can be used instead if ice water is not available.

After soaking for 25 minutes, the skin of the chicken feet will slowly become wrinkled, which is what people often call tiger skin.

After soaking, start preparing the brine ingredients on the other side.

Chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns are essential, as are some other spices. Sugar and rice wine are also indispensable. This is the secret to making chicken feet sweet and fishy.

Such a good marinade cannot be used just for chicken feet. Su Wan also added dried tofu and fried eggs in it, and the taste is also very good.

Su Wan packed most of the chicken feet into a food box and sent it over. After all, the Lingtaimen guards had helped her, so this thanks was a must.

But this gratitude is too great.

When Su Wan was talking to the third aunt, several guards came over from time to time and looked at Su Wan with friendly faces.

Su Wan herself was fine, but she scared the Third Aunt and the maid from the Su family who had just returned from snacks.

If Su Wan wasn’t so young, everyone would probably think that she was here to propose marriage!

Fortunately, the visiting time was over and the Third Aunt was about to leave. This time, Su Wan gave money to the Third Aunt and her two companions to hire a carriage to go back, so Zhuo Hui didn't have to come.

After all, those guards just now were already frightening enough.

This actually helped her in an invisible way.

The last time the Third Aunt left, Su Wan also had to go back to the small kitchen. This time, she was specifically told that she didn't have to leave and could just secretly return to the second group of palace servants.

Everyone is anxious to see their families and won't pay attention to such things.

Su Wan was fine, as Gan Xing was already waiting at the door dressed neatly and holding a bottle of tea.

He had been helping the palace steward search for food for so long, but this was his first time entering the palace.

This is not called entering the palace, he is just taking a look at the Lingtai Division at the palace gate, but this is enough to make him nervous.

Fortunately, the family members who came here to visit the palace servants were all nervous, so he didn't stand out that much.

Gan Xing is twenty-three years old this year. He comes from a poor family and his parents died early. Fortunately, with his eloquence and a naturally smiling face, he can make ends meet by working as a teapot carrier.

Now that I see the opportunity to make cold noodles, I have made up my mind.

No matter what, he must convince the little palace maid Su Wan. He really wants to do this business!

When the guard Zhuo Hui brought Gan Xing to Su Wan, the words he wanted to say disappeared instantly.

Is this the Su Wan who made the cold noodles?

He is too young.

After eating cold noodles last time, Gan Xing couldn't forget it. He thought that the palace maid Su Wan must be an old lady in the palace, or she must be quite old, so she could come up with such delicious food.

But this kid is so young, is he maybe twelve years old?

Su Wan smiled and said, "Let's stop talking nonsense. How are you going to cooperate?"

???

Are we talking about cooperation now?

Is it too fast?

Su Wan did not answer. As soon as she met the man holding the tea bottle named Gan Xing, she understood that the man did not trust her. In that case, the right to speak about cooperation naturally had to be in her hands.

She mentioned it suddenly, and the person on the other side was stunned and wanted to express his thoughts.

But Gan Xing thought about the other two people waiting at the palace gate, and decided to grit his teeth and proceed as planned.

Unexpectedly, Su Wan didn't even give him a chance to make big promises. She said directly, "There are only two ways. One is to give me a share. I'll get a share of the profits based on how much you earn."

"The other way is to buy out the recipe from me, right?"

"Please tell me how much you will give as a share."

"If I buy out the recipe, how much will you give me?"

After Su Wan finished speaking, even Zhuo Hui next to her was dumbfounded.

On weekdays, Su Wan is always smiling and does things efficiently, but she only likes to think about food and doesn't say much what others say.

But it’s so easy to talk about cooperation now?

Gan Xing looked at Su Wan deeply, and said with a cupped hand: "Then I will tell you everything."

What I mean is that he told the truth.

Zhuo Hui left after hearing this. He was originally worried that Su Wan would be bullied. After all, those people were young people, and Su Wan was just a child!

But now it seems that there is no need to worry at all.

Gan Xing didn't expect this, but when he looked at Su Wan, he knew that this little girl was definitely not easy to fool. Since that was the case, he didn't bother to play around with it.

Since we are going to cooperate, we must be sincere.

"The first way is to profit from the profits. The three of us are going to open three stores. We will give you 20% of all the profits. The palace can visit you once every three months, and we will give you the account books every three months. Or if you have family members to help, you can check the accounts at any time."

“The second kind of buyout.”

"Give us one hundred taels of silver at once, and we can use this cold noodle recipe."

When he mentioned one hundred taels, Gan Xing took a deep breath.

This is one hundred taels!

It was not the several hundred or several thousand taels in the storybooks, but a hundred taels, which was enough for one to live in Kyoto for six or seven years without doing anything.

It is the family fortune of the three of them.

Gan Xing even had to sell some of his things to make enough money.

But he vaguely felt it was worth it.

Because once he tasted the cold noodles, he knew it was definitely worth it.

Not only the cold noodles, but also the way the sauce is prepared is worth spending so much money on it.

Su Wan looked at him and was not overwhelmed by the one hundred taels. Instead, she said calmly, "The price of the cold noodles is OK. I agree."

Do you agree now?

He actually has the right to raise the price.

And doesn’t Su Wan plan to get a share of the profits?

Su Wan looked at his expression and laughed in her heart. Not to mention that she was in the palace, it was not convenient for her to check the accounts.

Even if she was outside the palace, she would not share the profits with others. She was young and could not take care of things. She also had to check the accounts and argue every time. It was not worth wasting her energy on this.

It would be better to buy it out directly, saving her time and trouble.

Besides, so many people in the Western Kitchen know how to make cold noodles, so it’s estimated that it will spread within half a year.

The teapots also know this. It is just spending money to buy time and spend money to seize the market legitimately.

But the cold noodles are sold.

What about the other thing?

Su Wan laughed again, and Gan Xing felt a little scared when he saw it. If the little girl in front of him laughed, it would be terrible.

Sure enough, Su Wan said, "I bought the cold noodle recipe, but what about the gluten?"

"Since you have tasted the cold noodles from the western kitchen, you naturally know that gluten is indispensable."

Wait, gluten!

How could he have forgotten this?

Su Wan looked at his expression and waited quietly for him to make a bid.

It feels so good to make money.