Chapter 61 Jiang's Braised Food [Minor revisions at the end of the previous chapter] "No, not really..."

[Minor revisions made to the end of the previous chapter]

"I don't know if it will work out."

“Mother, why are you in such a hurry? We have a shop and a skill now. We can establish ourselves in business and take it slow.” Su Zhihan glanced at Jiang Zhenniang and felt that she was not as composed as she was when she was in the Marquis’s mansion. She seemed a little impatient.

"I'm not in a hurry... sigh." Jiang Zhenniang was reluctant to speak at first, but later changed her tune. She pointed to the things her neighbor had brought, her head hanging low: "Look at us, life hasn't been as easy as it used to be since we came out. I'm afraid if our business doesn't go well, we'll just be sitting here eating our savings..."

After leaving the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, Jiang Zhenniang couldn't help but think back to her days in the village. Those days were truly difficult and unbearable. Even though she now had a house and hired servants, she still felt uneasy.

Today, especially, seeing the housewarming gifts people brought, I felt even more upset. The gifts from the neighbors were either plain white cloth, hairpins adorned with low-quality beads, or fruit and meat wrapped in oiled paper. There was even a half-picked batch of spare ribs that they brought.

The most valuable item was a set of porcelain bowls given by Grandma Chen's family, which was far less valuable than the gifts given by the servants of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion in the past.

Jiang Zhenniang knew that the Marquis's mansion was wealthy and luxurious, and that things would never be the same after she left. The huge difference in their circumstances only made her more anxious, and she wished she could make a lot of money immediately.

"We used to have a tough time."

“Look, we now have a house and servants. Even if my skills don’t make me famous, we can learn from Yao’s son and rent out the shop and then subdivide the house to rent out. We can make a good amount of money every month,” Su Zhihan casually comforted him.

"What are you saying?" Jiang Zhenniang protested. "Look how satisfied everyone is today! Your skills will definitely make you a star in the future!"

Jiang Zhenniang secretly grumbled to herself, but she couldn't bear to see her daughter belittle herself. She immediately cheered up and, together with her daughter, planned to choose an auspicious day for the opening, the most important thing being what to sell in the shop.

“Our house is in a good location. The main road outside leads to the city gate, and many people passing by here will pass by our house.”

"It would have been better to just open a banquet hall."

"What a pity..." Jiang Zhenniang heard what the brokers said and knew that if she were to open a banquet shop now, given her family's situation, it would be like throwing a stone into a water vat, trying to make a quick buck.

Let alone succeed, the shop will probably go out of business if it stays open for too long.

Jiang Zhenniang put her mind at ease and then talked to her daughter about the shops that were doing well nearby: "There are quite a few shops around us that are doing well, such as Li's Fried Goods Shop, which is always packed with people, and Zhou Xiangong's Pickles Shop, which is cheap and has many customers... Oh, the pickled cucumbers I bought last time were from their shop."

"And there's Grandma Shen's mutton soup restaurant. They slaughter sheep fresh every morning in front of their house and use mutton. They've been open for over ten years..."

"There are two more braised meat shops and one stewed meat shop further ahead, and they're all doing quite well." Jiang Zhenniang had previously explored the surrounding market and thoroughly understood the shops, so she spoke with great expertise.

How many legitimate restaurants are there?

"The restaurants are all clustered around Xiangshui Lane, while here there are mostly foot-operated shops, and most of them serve breakfast."

"I don't see any restaurants around here..."

“If we open one shop, we might be able to take over the business of an entire street!” Jiang Zhenniang said, her eyes suddenly lighting up and her voice rising.

"Wrong, it's because it's not here that we can't open it." Su Zhihan shook her head and explained the reason to Jiang Zhenniang in detail.

The saying in later business texts, "Small meals tend to cluster together, large meals tend to cluster together, small meals tend to cluster together," refers to this situation.

Judging from Jiang Zhenniang's description of the dishes served at these shops, these foot-and-mouth restaurants mostly serve the local people, offering simple, affordable, and reasonably priced dishes that suit the consumption habits and budgets of nearby residents.

This also means that most local residents mainly eat simple daily meals and rarely dine out in fancy restaurants nearby. Even if they do have such a need, they can find restaurants and eateries in the more upscale and elegant Xiangshui Lane, instead of choosing their own place mixed in with the foot shops.

"...Is this why the upper-class households couldn't last long?" Jiang Zhenniang asked hesitantly after hearing this.

"Such a good location, if business were booming, why would anyone be willing to transfer it?" Su Zhihan chuckled. This was another line from a business philosophy from later generations: transferring a business doesn't necessarily mean it's a good shop, but a good shop is never transferred.

While this statement has some limitations, it is mostly reasonable. Established shops that have been operating for several, ten, or even several decades can usually get more favorable purchase prices, maintain stable rent, and have stable income from regular customers. Unless absolutely necessary, most people would not be willing to transfer ownership.

Even if they were to be transferred, most of them could be quickly sold to buyers, so there was no chance for her and her mother to snag a bargain.

Jiang Zhenniang was still somewhat skeptical, so Su Zhihan patiently asked her, "You've observed the flow of people before, where do most of the people passing by come from? What are they doing?"

"Those coming and going... are they all people living in these alleys? This place isn't far from the government office, and there are quite a few minor officials and clerks from the government office living around here, as well as students from outside the city who come to study or prepare for exams, and some local residents from the capital..."

As Jiang Zhenniang slowly recounted her story, she gradually came to her senses. She had previously counted the number of people passing by the shop and knew that most of them were residents from the neighborhood, with few outsiders.

"Right?" Seeing that Jiang Zhenniang suddenly understood, Su Zhihan recited another business principle, which was also extremely important: do not sell the same products as the seller.

"If that restaurant does well, people in the surrounding area might still remember it. We can't change the impression, so we've lost customers."

"If we do something bad, or if something went wrong before, and we do the same thing again, it might lead people to make associations."

Seeing that her daughter spoke logically, Jiang Zhenniang believed her to a large extent: "Then tell me, what exactly are we going to do?"

Su Zhihan did indeed have an idea, and said with a smile, "I'm going to make braised dishes and rice bowls."

"Braised food? And what about rice bowls?"

"It's things like glutinous rice balls, rice wrapped in scallion, and longhua rice." Su Zhihan plans to sell mainly braised dishes, with dine-in options as well. Dine-in customers can choose several braised dishes, along with vegetables, pickles, and rice or flatbread, sold as set meals.

"...Why not cook stir-fries?"

"Firstly, I don't know the situation of the restaurant that did the previous one. Secondly, I intend to do banquets in the future. If I were to cook stir-fries, I would have to stay in the shop the whole time and wouldn't be able to be in two places at once."

When it comes to making braised food, Su Zhihan only needs to prepare the braising broth base. As for other tasks such as cooking rice, making pancakes, and even selling the food, she can teach them to Jiang Zhenniang and the servants.

"Is this kind of food alright?"

“Mother… have you forgotten? Our family started out making braised tofu.” Su Zhihan chuckled and poked Jiang Zhenniang’s forehead.

Jiang Zhenniang blinked: "Oh right?"

A few days later, Jiang's braised meat shop opened for business.

Knowing that Jiang's braised meat shop was opening, the neighbors who had previously attended the housewarming banquet were all preparing to come and join in the fun.

Yao Lang walked ahead, chatting with Sun Guanren: "Why do you think Jiang's wife opened a braised meat shop? The taste is better suited for a restaurant!"

Mr. Sun knew about braised tofu. Recalling his first experience with it, he laughed and said, "Perhaps the young lady from the Jiang family is also very skilled at making braised dishes?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Lang shook his head repeatedly: "How old is that young lady? She's good at stir-frying, where would she get the energy to figure out braised dishes? Besides, there are two or three braised meat and sauce shops to the left. If you ask me, she probably has no business experience and doesn't know the ins and outs of it..."

Before he could finish speaking, he heard Master Song's laughter. Yao Lang was displeased, but out of respect for the man's status as an official, he forced a smile and asked, "Master Song, do you have any brilliant ideas?"

Yao Lang spoke, but he didn't expect Master Song to reply. Master Song was usually arrogant and wouldn't even give him a second glance when he spoke, as if he were deaf and mute...

"I agree with Mr. Sun's opinion."

Unexpectedly, Master Song actually spoke up.

Not only was Yao Lang taken aback, but even Master Sun looked surprised and suddenly raised his eyes to look at Master Song.

"Huh? Huh... I see?" Yao Lang responded dryly, not knowing how to react. He wished he could take bigger steps and walk to Jiang's braised meat shop in one stride.

Song Guanren was a registrar at the Imperial Academy. Although he was a low-ranking ninth-grade official, he knew some people at the academy. He learned from a servant in the Zhongyong Marquis's household that Jiang Zhenniang and her daughter came from there. He also learned from the servant that the two were guests of honor of the Marquis's wife, and that the eldest son of the family was a fifth-grade military officer.

Although he didn't know why such an official's wife would open a braised meat shop to make a living, Song Guanren didn't want to miss this golden opportunity to build relationships with others.

At the same time, he remained silent, unwilling to explain the reasons, for fear that his thoughts would be discovered.

Sun Gongren secretly glanced at Song Gongren. Although Song Gongren had praised him a few times at the banquet that day, he never mentioned it again. Why was he so enthusiastic today?

The three had different thoughts and walked straight ahead. When they reached the intersection, before they even got close to Jiang's braised meat shop, a mixed aroma of braised meat wafted straight into their nostrils.

Caught off guard, the smell of the braised food caused their stomachs to rumble with dissatisfaction.

"...It smells so good!"

"Is this smell coming from Jiang's braised meat shop?" Yao Lang followed the aroma and his gaze fell directly on the shop at the entrance of the alley. He saw that several people had already gathered outside the shop, all lured by the arrogant and domineering aroma.

"Let's go take a look."

"Okay, okay, okay... let's go take a look." Official Song subconsciously agreed twice and quickened his pace to go forward.

He slowed his pace only when he reached the alley entrance, shook his clothes with both hands, put on an official air, and then strode forward.

In front of Jiang's braised meat shop, a number of customers had already gathered, drawn by the aroma. All eyes were fixed on the large pot, where the broth was bubbling and the fragrance of the braising sauce wafted out, quite overpowering.

Uncle Chai, the male servant, carried a large ladle and scooped out the ingredients stewing in the pot one by one, placing them on a bamboo rack to drain the excess broth, then breaking them down into small pieces and piling them on a plate.

"Sir, would you like to try some?"

"Our store is opening today, and all braised food is 20% off. Spend 30 coins and get two duck feet or chicken feet, or even a duck head for free. Spend 50 coins and get a free cup of milk tea. Spend 100 coins and get an extra 20-coin voucher!" Jiang Zhenniang greeted the people around her with a smile.

Smelling the delicious aroma, many people generously opened their wallets.

Although no one knew what the milk tea tasted like, everyone understood the concept of getting something for free with a purchase of thirty coins. Among the five or six people who bought it first, everyone bought thirty coins.

"Sir, please take this."

"Young lady, here, please take this."

Jiang Zhenniang and her two servants quickly got to work, and soon delivered the steaming hot braised food to everyone. Some people hurried away with their paper bags, while others, seeing that there were seats available in the shop, simply sat down, picked up a duck foot, and brought it to their lips, ready to taste it.

The duck feet are deboned, and when you take a bite, they are soft, sticky, and savory with a hint of spiciness that floods your mouth and quickly fills every inch of your territory.

"Hmm..."

The diner's eyes lit up, and he couldn't resist taking another bite. This time, he bit into the cartilage inside, which crunched loudly as he chewed, presenting a completely opposite texture to the soft and tender duck foot meat.

What's even more amazing is that after the salty, savory, and spicy flavors, there's actually a hint of sweetness hidden inside?

It's salty, sweet, and a little spicy?

If someone had described the taste of the dishes to him like that normally, he would have thought that person was talking nonsense. But at this moment, this diner couldn't help but widen his eyes and take another bite without hesitation.