Chapter 18: Running a restaurant, learning a secret...

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Xu You arrived at Zhang Ting's doorstep.

She argued her case logically, and her aunt agreed after only a short while.

Xu You even proudly boasted to Zhang Ting about her intelligence, which Zhang Ting found amusing.

After having breakfast at Zhang Ting's house, Xu You handed her the five thousand taels of silver notes he had brought, saying, "I trust you completely, sister."

Zhang Ting understood her meaning: even if she wanted to open the restaurant, she wouldn't take on all the responsibility herself and declined the offer with a few words.

He had spoken to Xu You in detail, and then coaxed and pulled her to Cui Jingji's place. The two of them discussed choosing a three- or four-story shop.

Cui Jingji had just returned from Zhang Ting's place yesterday. When Zhang Ting came to his door, she greeted him warmly, saying, "Oh, it's you! Please sit down, please sit down."

They then instructed someone to serve them tea, and Zhang Ting directly stated her purpose.

After hesitating for a long time, Cui Jingji finally said, "There are suitable shops, but..."

Xu You pressed further, "But what?"

"Between the east and west of the city, there is a shop in a prime location. It has four floors, is spacious and bright, and the wood is not old, so there is no need to renovate it. However, someone hanged himself there two years ago."

Upon hearing this, Xu You immediately stopped talking.

Zhang Ting was not afraid of ghosts or spirits, and asked, "Why did that person hang himself?"

"That shop was originally a food business called Ke Ying Men Restaurant. It had four floors and was always packed with customers, making a fortune every day. However, Song, the owner, made a bet with his rival Pin Xiang Zhai and held a food competition. In the end, he lost miserably, and his business gradually declined. Seeing that he could only wait to be acquired by Pin Xiang Zhai, Song, unable to bear it, hanged himself."

"Pinxiangzhai did want to buy this last shop, but they had a blood feud with the Song family and couldn't make it."

Fearing that Zhang Ting wouldn't believe him, Cui Jingji added, "This matter has caused quite a stir; people in the west and east of the city know about it."

Xu You's aunt's house is in the east of the city, Zhang Ting turned to ask the other party for confirmation.

Xu You nodded to her.

When Zhang Ting asked about the price of the Ke Ying Men Restaurant, Cui Jingji told her that the Song family had quoted four thousand taels of silver.

The price is reasonable, but since someone has died there, it's considered unlucky, and Zhang Ting absolutely cannot buy it at this price.

After discussing with Cui Jingji, they decided to go and look at the shop first. When they arrived, they were surprised to find that there was a large courtyard with a well in the back, and the shop assistants and managers also had rooms to live in.

Zhang Ting was even more satisfied, but Xu You felt a chill and pulled Zhang Ting away.

"This place is gloomy, let's find another one."

Zhang Ting told her that five years' rent elsewhere could buy the whole place.

In the end, reality prevailed, and Xu You stopped grumbling.

Zhang Ting asked Cui Jingji to discuss with the owner that if it was three thousand taels, she would buy it, since it was a food business and wouldn't be a disgrace to the shop.

That's a really ruthless bargaining move; she might even get kicked out by the client. Normally, Cui Jingji would just turn around and leave, but since she'd just received a favor from Zhang Ting, she felt she had to help her close the deal.

Xu You watched them go back and forth, finally settling things down, and was utterly perplexed.

Aren't intermediary businesses supposed to be ruthless and exploitative? When have they ever been so considerate of people?

Cui Jingji used all his knowledge and skills to persuade Zhang Ting to agree to a shop price of 3,400 taels of silver.

They quickly signed the contract, transferred the property, and then had Cui Jingji introduce craftsmen to repair the house.

Xu You was sent to the government office to go through the procedures and pay taxes. When he returned, he saw Zhang Ting holding blueprints and discussing with four craftsmen how to handle the details.

She leaned closer to listen, but couldn't understand.

Everyone has their own expertise; perhaps Xu You is naturally suited to contributing money without putting in any effort.

Cui Jingji helped Zhang Ting relay a message to a slave trader, asking to purchase several servants. That afternoon, the slave trader arrived with the "goods."

The slave trader was a wealthy and noble man. He smiled broadly, raised his pinky finger, and said, "This must be Master Zhang. He is truly a handsome man." As he spoke, he covered his mouth with his hand, pretending to be shy, and flirted with Zhang Ting.

Zhang Ting couldn't maintain her composure; for the first time, she broke down, and her lips twitched.

"Master, I would like to purchase a few servants. Please make the arrangements."

Zhang Ting looked displeased. Seeing that things were going well, the broker called for the "goods" to come up and line them up in two rows so that she could choose them easily.

There were seven men and three women in total, all around fourteen or fifteen years old.

Zhang Ting first asked them if they could read, but no one answered. Then she asked if they knew how to cook. Only two men said that they used to help their families cook.

Zhang Ting selected the two men and prepared them to work as kitchen helpers. The two men excitedly kowtowed to her.

Zhang Ting asked the others about their special skills. One man timidly said he could embroider and make clothes, but his skills were average; another man was particularly good at pickling vegetables and sauerkraut, which tasted okay, and he also had some weaving skills; the remaining three were ordinary, but Zhang Ting kept one of them, who was quick and efficient, to help out.

As for the three women, they were all thin and plain-looking, but they seemed honest enough. Zhang Ting kept them all and arranged for them to work as waitresses.

This time, he recruited eight people and paid the broker eighty taels of silver, making him extremely happy.

These men and women were all bought from the countryside by him, and now, with only two hands, the number has more than doubled.

Gather these eight people, take away those who know needlework and knitting, and settle the remaining six in the backyard of the restaurant.

Zhang Ting has already instructed the craftsmen to build a wall around the courtyard so that men and women will not live together.

Then, a notice was posted at the entrance: We are sincerely recruiting one accountant, one restaurant manager, and three kitchen helpers. Excellent benefits. Details to be discussed in person.

They gave each other ten taels of silver as money to buy bedding, mattresses, and other necessities for the next few days. They also sent two skilled cooks out to buy groceries and tidy up the place. From then on, the six of them would eat at the restaurant.

Afterwards, he went to check on the craftsmen's progress, saw them off, and instructed the six men to close the doors and windows and be careful. Only then did he take the remaining two men home, satisfied.

I asked their names on the way. The one who could sew was called Xiao Rong, and the one who could knit was called Xi Ge.

There were extra bedding and utensils at home, so they arranged for Zhang Ting to eat in the side room on the other side of Du Zaolang's house. Zhang Ting felt relaxed and began to eat.

Hmm, today we had Kung Pao Chicken, which is sweet and savory.

Zhang Ting decided to blacklist this dish.

The next day, the sky was overcast and a fierce north wind blew, stinging my face like needles.

Zhang Ting practiced with Li Ruilian for two hours as usual. After washing up, she called everyone together for a general meeting, saying that the inner and outer courtyards had been separated and that everyone should be careful not to bump into each other.

He first had four guards and a coachman wait outside the door, then left three behind for a private talk, warning them not to approach the main house without permission, and then assigned them tasks.

Among them, Du Zaolang was the most senior and the oldest. Zhang Ting ordered him to temporarily take over the position of steward of the inner courtyard, and he would receive an extra 300 cash per month. However, if anything happened, he would be held responsible. The rest of the staff would receive 300 cash per month, and after one month, they would be promoted and receive a raise based on their performance.

Finally, he specifically advised them: to be conscientious in their duties, to think carefully before acting, and not to be rash.

Du Zaolang hesitated for a long time before asking, "The Spring Festival is approaching. Do you have any instructions?"

Zhang Ting vaguely realized that she had been here for almost a month, but she had no idea about celebrating the festival. She said to him, "Du Zaolang, you should make the arrangements. Prepare some festival gifts for everyone, and then set up a few tables of sumptuous food. Just make a list and ask me to transfer the money."

They were supposed to go to a restaurant to train the other six people, but halfway there the carriage started to rain heavily. When they arrived, Zhang Ting was dry, but the other five were soaked to the bone.

He told them to go to the kitchen to dry their clothes first, and then come back to help. He also promised to treat them to a good night's drink.

The group, who had initially harbored some complaints, were instantly appeased and headed straight for the kitchen with their arms around each other's shoulders.

No one came to apply for the job today, so Zhang Ting had no choice but to temporarily take over as manager, supervisor, train the workers, and monitor the progress. He also coaxed Xu You, who was hiding in the Xu residence, to come and work as the accountant.

Even after the restaurant was almost fully renovated, no one applied for the job. In the end, the red envelope that Zhang Ting had given to Cui Jingji came in handy.

Choi Kyung-jeong privately introduced several people to Zhang Ting, all of whom came from the neighboring Jeju Prefecture.

"Guess what happened?" she asked Zhang Ting with a smile.

Zhang Ting had some guesses but couldn't be sure. After all, it was her first time recruiting talent in ancient times, and she didn't know the purpose or impact of the notice. But when Cui Jingji told her about the people's hometowns, she confirmed, "It's Pinxiangzhai."

Cui Jingji exclaimed in admiration: "The Queen's wisdom and talent are truly exceptional; she is indeed the epitome of the Fragrant Pavilion."

Cui Jingji thought highly of Zhang Ting and wanted to befriend her. With the idea of ​​doing a good deed to the end, Cui Jingji told Zhang Ting that Pinxiangzhai knew she had taken over the restaurant and secretly declared, "Anyone who dares to apply for the job will be made unable to make a living in the capital."

Ordinary people would have been furious upon hearing such arrogant and unrestrained words.

But Zhang Ting was deep in thought. The other party was so arrogant, so the backer behind him must be extraordinary.

Having lived in Kyoto for many years, Cui Jingji knew a thing or two. She admired Zhang Ting's composure and steadiness, but only subtly told Zhang Ting that the young master of the palace loved to eat the pickles from Pinxiangzhai.

Zhang Ting suddenly realized that the Junior Chamberlain was a fourth-rank official, serving as the deputy head of the Chamberlain's Office and an official under the Crown Prince.

This backer is indeed very powerful.

Knowing that she was pragmatic, Cui Jingji kindly advised her: "There are quite a few restaurants in the capital with decent customer traffic. You must not go head-to-head with Pinxiangzhai. If you do some small business, they will allow it."

The implication is that one should not steal the limelight from Pinxiangzhai, and only by being humble and unassuming can one gain her tolerance.

Liu Da, who was standing guard to the side, was furious: "Boss, what kind of arrogant and domineering Pinxiangzhai is this? Does she really think the whole capital belongs to her? Is there no law anymore?!"

Wang Wu also said, "Even among the local thugs, I've never seen anyone so arrogant!" He then said he was going out to find someone to confront and settle accounts with.

Anger solves nothing. Zhang Ting first told them to leave. The two women were still a little annoyed and it took them a while to back down with their necks stiff.

Zhang Ting thanked Cui Jingji and insisted that she stay for dinner. Sensing something amiss, Cui Jingji had a bad feeling and feared getting involved with Zhang Ting and getting into trouble. She declined, saying her husband had prepared food and wine at home, and hurriedly left.

No sooner had Cui Jingji left than the plaque Zhang Ting had ordered a few days earlier arrived.

Zhang Ting unveiled the red cloth, revealing the restaurant to be called Keyinglou.

The font flows smoothly and the brushstrokes are vigorous and unrestrained.

She nodded in satisfaction and instructed the waiter to cover it with the red cloth.

She didn't mean anything by it; she just wanted to do her job well for her former employer and facilitate the transfer of connections.

He went to the back hall to comfort Liu Da and Wang Wu: "I know you are standing up for me, but they are powerful. At times like these, we need to avoid their sharp edge. Pinxiangzhai's move is nothing more than to provoke our anger. If we can't hold back and rush up to cause trouble for them, they will use the trick of 'catching a turtle in a jar' and bite back. We will only suffer losses."

He added, "The road will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge. Although Pinxiangzhai has deep roots and flourishing branches, this is, after all, the capital, under the emperor's nose. Even if she becomes arrogant in the future, she cannot be too blatant."

The two women found this reasonable, and Zhang Ting's image of being shrewd and far-sighted was further elevated in their eyes, making them admire him greatly. Then, they felt embarrassed and apologized to Zhang Ting, "Sorry, boss. We are just a bunch of rough people and don't understand these intricacies. We almost ruined your plans."

Zhang Ting waved her hand dismissively.

He then went to hand over the duties to the new manager and accountant, establishing several rules for them and strictly prohibiting any violations, warning them that they would not be let off lightly.

After giving them a hard time, Zhang Ting said she would give them a reward, and that next month, based on their performance, she would select one manager and give them a raise.

When the two stewards and the accountant met the new master, they were well-organized, dignified, and respectful. They dared not be disrespectful and answered repeatedly. When they heard about the benefits she offered, they couldn't help but beam with joy.

As for the cooks, after assessing their abilities, the best cook among them was appointed as the head chef. A contract was signed and notarized, and then each cook was instructed in their cooking skills...

They were promised a guaranteed minimum of two taels of silver per month, plus a commission based on the price and quantity of the dishes.

The generous monthly allowance made everyone overjoyed.

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, Keyinglou opened for business.

Firecrackers crackled and drums resounded.

On opening day, the entire store offered a 50% discount. At the same time, it launched ten signature dishes with various dramatic and suspenseful stories, attracting diners to flock to them and explore the secrets.

The hype and limited-time discounts were extremely effective, attracting many people who came for the novelty. The scene was crowded and bustling with noise.

Diners only realize how different Ke Ying Lou is from other restaurants when they step inside. Its simple decor gives it a sense of being hidden in the city, and the dishes are unlike anything they've ever seen before. But once you've tasted it, you'll never forget the flavor.

In no time, Keyinglou became famous.