Chapter 205 Training Newcomers

Zhang Min'en frowned and asked, puzzled, "Young Master, what do you mean by that? Is there something I did wrong that you want to fire me?"

Jiang Mi was taken aback: "Why would you think that?"

Zhang Min'en said in a muffled voice, "When my previous employer wanted to fire me, this is how he talked to me. First, he praised me to the skies, then he said that their place was too small to accommodate me, and that I was more suited to a bigger and more powerful place. Then he told me to pack my things and leave."

Jiang Mi was silent for a while. She didn't expect Zhang Min'en to have such a past. However, she didn't think the other person had done anything wrong. After all, if you don't want someone anymore, it's not wrong to gently persuade them to leave.

"No, they might have said that to get you to leave, but I truly believe it from the bottom of my heart. Zhang Min'en, you're very smart, you brew wine quickly and well, and you have your own ideas. I'm wondering if you're suited for business?"

Despite her young age, Zhang Min'en had a furrowed brow and already looked like an adult.

"What do you mean? Doing business? I've never done any business."

Jiang Mi only has an idea right now; the specifics depend on whether Zhang Min'en has the ability to implement it.

"The business in the shop isn't very big yet, but there's a lot to do. My older brother is a straightforward and honest person. There are advantages and disadvantages to being like that. It's better for businessmen to be a little more tactful. So I hope there's someone in the restaurant who can play the bad cop, and my older brother can play the good cop."

Zhang Min'en pondered for a moment before understanding Jiang Mi's meaning: "You want me to play the bad cop?"

Jiang Mi knew that Zhang Min'en was smart and would understand her meaning immediately.

"That's right, that's what I mean. I'm making you the second-in-command, and I'll increase your monthly salary. You can also make any other requests you may have."

Zhang Min'en's eyes lit up when she heard about the wages, and she immediately asked, "Does that mean I can't continue brewing wine?"

Seeing that he liked it, Jiang Mi naturally wouldn't stop him: "Of course not. If you like brewing wine, you can continue, but you may have less time. As the second manager, there will be a lot of things to do, and you will be very busy. You may not have time to brew wine."

Zhang Min'en lowered her head and thought for a while before saying, "Okay, as long as the pay is good, I'll do it. I really need the money right now. Once I have money, I can do what I like. After all, I'm still young and can try more things. But I'm just an outsider. There are so many people in the Jiang family; it's unlikely I'll get a chance. What if..."

Jiang Mi had naturally thought about this question as well.

“I’ve thought about what you’re worried about. After all, neither of us has any experience. Let’s start from scratch and figure it out together. As for my family, they only lend a hand occasionally and don’t know much. You can discuss anything with my older brother and the others.”

When Zhang Min'en heard that Jiang Mi hadn't included him in her words, he asked in confusion, "What about you?"

Could it be that she feels uncomfortable being a woman and not being able to show her face in public? But after spending so many days together, Jiang Mi is not like an ordinary woman. She is too different from others. If she were not a woman, she would definitely have made a name for herself.

“I have other things to do, and if business gets better in the future, I want to open more restaurants and shops. I definitely won’t be able to take care of everything then. This Jiang’s Restaurant is our established brand, so I need someone trustworthy to help me. Zhang Min’en, are you willing to grow with me?”

Zhang Min'en's eyes were completely filled with Jiang Mi. She was only two or three years older than him, but her thinking was so mature. Some of her ideas were even extraordinary, making him, a man, feel inferior to her.

"I do." He was willing to follow in her footsteps and fight alongside her. This woman was the first person who didn't look down on him because of his age, and the first person who thought he was smart. If he really was a talented horse, then Jiang Mi was his mentor.

Jiang Mi knew Zhang Min'en would agree; this young man was not only intelligent but also ambitious.

"Min-en, you've been to school..."

"Huh?" Jiang Mi saw that Zhang Min'en was working at such a young age, and guessed that her family was too poor and she hadn't received much schooling.

Zhang Min'en used to dislike talking about his family. When others asked him, he would either remain silent or change the subject. But this time, the person asking him was Jiang Mi, so he wasn't as resistant.

"Actually, my family was a declining clan. We were very poor, but we had the most books. My grandfather taught me to read and write from a young age. However, my parents became seriously ill and passed away one after another. My grandfather was also old and could not bear the heavy responsibility of the family. So I had to go out to work and earn money to support him."

"So that's how it is. No wonder you have such a different aura." Perhaps it was because of this experience that Zhang Min'en was reluctant to talk to others. Thinking about it carefully, this child is quite pitiful.

"You said your family is a declining clan, but I see you know how to brew wine. Did your family make your fortune through brewing wine?"

Zhang Min'en nodded: "My family used to supply tribute wine to the royal family. Later, two of my family members became top scholars in the imperial examinations, so we had some status in the court. However, because of the wine, we angered the emperor, who confiscated all of our family's property. But I was still very young at that time, still an infant. My grandfather told me all these things."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mi felt that it was beneath him to let him do business: "How about this, I'll send you to the academy so you can study. If you're capable, you might even become the top scholar in the imperial examination. That would be my good fortune."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Min'en shook her head, her eyes clouded: "No need. At that time, the Emperor issued an edict that my family was forbidden from serving as officials in the court for generations, so I could never have this opportunity."

"What?" Jiang Mi didn't expect it to be this serious. It seems that it's not just about the alcohol. There must be other reasons, but Zhang Min'en is unwilling to say, or he doesn't know them either.

“Alright, although many people want to take that path, it’s not suitable for everyone. Take my older brother, for example; he’s not cut out for studying, but he’s quite suited for manual labor. So I plan to have him take care of the crops at home. The restaurant will depend on you more. In your spare time, learn more about business and managing the restaurant. Maybe one day you’ll have your own shop.” Jiang Mi comforted him.