Gu Nanjiao placed the spicy strips and spicy beef jerky next to the braised food, and a wooden sign that read "Free Sample" was also placed next to it. Soon, the spicy and fragrant aroma wafted in the air.

"Hey, what's this? It smells so good!"

At this moment, several middle-aged women gathered around, pointing at the spicy strips and spicy beef jerky in front of them, and couldn't help but praise them repeatedly.

"Huh? Now that you mention it, it's true! This unassuming thing looks red, but it smells so good! How is it made?"

When Gu Nanjiao and Lu's mother saw so many people rushing towards them, they quickly and warmly greeted them:

"These are our new spicy strips and spicy beef jerky, made with an exclusive secret recipe, which we cannot disclose at this time. Come on, come on, you can try them for free!"

Lu's mother and Gu Nanjiao used small toothpicks they had prepared to pick up some spicy strips and beef jerky and distribute them to the onlookers.

"Mmm, it tastes really good. I've never had such a spicy and refreshing snack before."

"Yes, yes! Why not buy some? When the New Year comes, we can put a plate of it on our relatives and friends. It's so pretty with its bright red color."

"Having some in the dead of winter is not only appetizing and makes you feel warm, but it also warms you up."

"Young lady, what kind of spicy strips are these? How much are they?! Can I have a pound of them first? I want to try them at home."

In the crowd, a young man in his twenties wearing a light blue blouse stared intently at the spicy strips and asked a question.

Although the man was wearing a short jacket, the fabric was not cheap, suggesting he was likely a servant or steward from a wealthy household.

Gu Nanjiao's eyes lit up, and she said with a warm smile, "Brother, our spicy strips are 30 coins per pound, and our beef jerky is a little more expensive at 150 coins per pound. If you buy two pounds of beef jerky, we'll give you one pound of spicy strips for free."

Upon hearing the price, everyone immediately began to discuss it. Those who had initially been eager to try their luck all shook their heads.

"Isn't the price a bit too high?"

"Yes, yes, how could ordinary families like ours afford to eat that?"

Seeing everyone's reaction, Lu's mother looked at Gu Nanjiao with concern. Gu Nanjiao gave her a reassuring look, and Lu's mother finally felt relieved.

The young man considered for a moment and said, "Then give me two pounds of beef jerky, but could you give me an extra pound of spicy strips?"

Gu Nanjiao was delighted upon hearing this and immediately replied, "No problem."

When everyone heard that they were getting two pounds free, they thought, "What a bargain! If I buy a pound of beef jerky, wouldn't I get a pound of spicy strips for free?"

"Then... if we buy a pound of beef jerky, could you give us a pound of spicy strips for free?"

Gu Nanjiao pretended to be in a difficult position when she heard this: "It seems that won't work. Small businesses don't make much money to begin with, but you two can buy two catties together, and I can pack them separately for you."

“Then I’ll go with you, let’s buy two jin together,” an older woman said excitedly, pulling at another older woman next to her.

In no time at all, the spicy strips and beef jerky were all snapped up.

Gu Nanjiao was in a good mood. After leaving Jiaoniang Pavilion, she went straight into Baiji Pharmacy.

When Gu Nanjiao was promoting kudzu root powder, she visited no fewer than ten pharmacies. Only Baiji Pharmacy accepted her as a reseller and offered her a 10% cut of the profits.

As soon as Gu Nanjiao entered, she smelled a familiar scent. Wasn't that the smell of her spicy strips and beef jerky?

Did Manager Yao also go and buy some?

"Old Yao, that's so unfair. I paid for this, and you just took most of it."

"Where did you buy such delicious snacks? Buy more next time, and I'll pay you back."

The shopkeeper, Yao, from Baiji Pharmacy, and the man in the blue shirt who bought Gu Nanjiao's beef jerky that morning were fighting over the last half pack of spicy strips and beef jerky.

Huh? Isn't this the young man who bought my spicy snacks the first time this morning? He actually knows Manager Yao.

Gu Nanjiao chuckled softly, catching the attention of the two men.

"You've arrived." Shopkeeper Yao hurriedly put down the spicy strips in his hand and came to Gu Nanjiao warmly.

"Manager Yao, how are the kudzu root powder sales lately?" Gu Nanjiao nodded in response and asked directly.

When Manager Yao heard Gu Nanjiao ask this question, she became excited: "I did as you said and put up the efficacy of kudzu root powder. These days, the pharmacy's business is getting better and better. Many rich young ladies and wives have asked if we still have any stock, and some even want to pay a lot of money to pre-order."

Shopkeeper Yao was very excited. He hadn't expected kudzu root powder to be so popular, even attracting the attention of the young master. He really wanted to meet the expert who made the kudzu root powder.

"Oh, that's good. We have the goods, but it will take some time." Gu Nanjiao was very happy to hear that the kudzu root powder was selling well, but the kudzu roots were all dug up by her own family in the back mountain, so the supply was limited.

It seems we need to make some acquisitions. After a while, we'll save up some money to buy some land or lease the back mountain. Next March, we'll plant kudzu extensively and sell it ourselves.

"What's that smell? What delicious food have you been eating behind my back?" A clear male voice rang out, and a young man came down from upstairs. The man looked to be around twenty years old. He wore a moon-white robe that accentuated his slender figure. He held a jade fan in his hand, and his peach blossom eyes were full of charm. At this moment, there was a faint smile on his lips. Even Gu Nanjiao, who was used to seeing Lu Yanzhao's stunning good looks, couldn't help but admire him in her heart.

"Young...Young Master, you must have smelled something wrong." Bai Su quickly hid the remaining spicy strip behind his back, looking guilty.

Bai Luochen's beautiful peach blossom eyes fell on his servant's hands hidden behind his back, and he smiled and said, "Oh? What are you hiding behind your back? Let me see."

Bai Su's expression changed, and she reluctantly handed the last spicy strip in her hand to Bai Luochen: "Young Master, I spent five taels of silver to buy it, you have to reimburse me."

"No problem, bring it here, let me try it."

Gu Nanjiao...

These middlemen are making an outrageous profit from the price difference.

Bai Su glanced guiltily at Gu Nanjiao, his eyes carrying a strong warning. Gu Nanjiao returned his gaze with a reassuring look.

Bai Luochen stretched out his long, slender, fair hand, picked up a spicy strip, tasted it, and nodded in satisfaction.

It's spicy and refreshing, just the flavor I like.

Gu Nanjiao, standing to the side, was once again stunned, her jaw dropping. Such a handsome man was actually eating with his bare hands. However, even eating with his hands, he was still a sight to behold.

"Here's ten taels of silver. Bring me some more tomorrow," Bai Luochen said to Bai Su beside him, his mouth greasy with food.

Gu Nanjiao, who was standing to the side, stared wide-eyed. Ten taels of silver! With me here, how could I let the middleman make a profit?

"I made these spicy strips. Give me the money, and I'll make them and bring them to you tomorrow." Gu Nanjiao eagerly ran up to Bai Luochen and volunteered.

Bai Su, standing to the side, pouted, clearly dissatisfied!

"You?" Bai Luochen looked Gu Nanjiao up and down. She was dressed in coarse cloth, like a woman, but her skin was fair and beautiful, especially her eyes, which were as bright as stars. She seemed to have the power to heal all wounds at first glance, and Bai Luochen suddenly became interested.

"You call this spicy strip, or did you make it?"