Chapter 85 Chapter 85 Of course I can. (Second update)...
Lin Zhi agreed and wrote down all the suggestions on paper. He then said, "I'm also thinking of making some portable oil-paper bags. I can put fried chicken strips and wings in these bags, so they're convenient for customers to take away. I can also print our Lin Zhi Ji name on them, which is like free advertising."
"That's a good idea!" Chen Yan agreed. "It's not just ordinary people who come and go on Imperial Street. There are also many servants of officials and merchants from other places. If they are satisfied with the food, maybe they will come to our shop in the future."
"That's right."
"This thing has to be customized in advance." Lin Sen took note of this and planned to go to the shops in the market tomorrow to inquire about it and prepare it before the warm-up activities began.
After everyone had almost finished discussing the matter, Tao Yingce finally spoke, "We'd have to trouble Sister Zhi to prepare some more meals for the Dali Temple. We've been very busy investigating old cases lately, and the brothers haven't had time to go home for dinner."
Then he opened his purse and took out a stack of Jiaozi: "I'll pay you yesterday's money and the next few days' money in one lump sum."
Lin Zhi didn't take it, but smiled and pushed it back. "We're all acquaintances, so why rush? We can settle the bill together after we're done with this."
Lin Sen also nodded: "We all keep accounts, so we can settle them together when the time comes, and it will be easier for you to report."
Seeing both Lin Zhi and Lin Sen agree, Tao Yingce didn't insist. He took his money bag and handed Lin Zhi the meal order his colleagues had placed for the day before saying goodbye and returning to work.
After seeing them off, Lin Zhi and his family continued discussing the five-day warm-up preparations. However, as soon as Lin Zhi opened his mouth, Lin Sen was shocked. He exclaimed in astonishment, "Me? Seriously?"
"Of course it's true. Dad will learn from me later and we can do it once we determine the frying temperature and time." Lin Zhi promised, "Then I will be in charge of marinating the ingredients, Dad will be in charge of frying, and Mom will be in charge of packing and collecting the money."
Lin Sen became inexplicably nervous: "Oh, oh..."
After the family had finalized all the trivial matters for the warm-up activities, the three of them were busy cleaning the kitchen.
Seeing that there were still some bread crumbs left on the kitchen counter, Lin Sen couldn't help but walk over, pick up a small handful with his fingertips and put it into his mouth to chew.
Immediately, the aroma of wheat mixed with a hint of burnt flavor spread across his tongue. Lin Sen couldn't help but nod, "I only thought the red bean paste bread was delicious before, but I never thought these breadcrumbs would be so flavorful, and the color is beautiful too."
"Dad, when you're out there, you should order it as steamed bread bran." Lin Zhi, who was cleaning the stove, turned back and warned. It wasn't because bread was a modern term, but because she wanted to mislead people.
"Oh, yes, steamed bun bran!" Lin Sen quickly corrected himself, grabbed another handful and took a look, then asked curiously, "But can ordinary steamed buns be made like this?"
"Of course it can be made, but the bran used in steamed buns has a poorer aroma and taste. It also absorbs oil well, so it will become soft and sticky after frying. It won't be chewy, so it's not suitable for our fried food."
When Lin Sen heard this, he immediately laughed: "So, if someone listens to our advice and really uses steamed buns to make steamed bun bran——"
Lin Zhi gave a mischievous smile: "Then it's definitely over."
After the words fell, Lin Sen and Song Jiaoniang couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh secretly. Although it was a bit mischievous to think so, the three of them were inexplicably looking forward to it. Would someone fall for it?
In the next few days, the Linzhi family not only went to the brokerage shop twice, but also followed the broker to visit all the shops, big and small, in Bianjing City.
This time, their requirements were slightly higher: three rooms wide and two rooms deep, with a yard, servants' rooms, a well, vegetable fields, and a stable.
Of course, after adding these configurations, the price also doubled. The cheapest one costs 1,800 guan, and it is located in a garbage location with no village or shop nearby. The most expensive one is located in Zhouqiao Night Market, and the starting price is 6,000 guan.
Looking at it this way, the 4,000 guan at Xie Da Mutton Restaurant isn't that expensive after all :)
Several brokers noticed the Linzhi family's embarrassment. When they returned to the shop, they pulled out a pile of documents filled with loan agreements from various Jiaozi offices and shops. They all patted their chests and said, "These are all government-run or well-known shops in Bianjing City. They have the lowest interest rates. Would you like to take a look?"
After reading and studying, the Linzhi family became more determined to win first place in both the warm-up and subsequent events and take home the prize money!
In the following days, apart from taking care of the daily business of the shop, Linzhi spent the rest of his time in the kitchen studying and adjusting the ratio of ingredients and powder for fried foods.
Lin Sen specifically followed Lin Zhi to learn how to fry chicken, from the thickness of the bran coating to the control of the heat of the oil. He tried again and again, and gradually he became quite good at it. The fried chicken fillets he made were golden and crispy, and the taste was as good as Lin Zhi's.
Song Jiaoniang took on the chores. She first sent the cart to the carpenter's shop and asked the craftsman to polish it clean with sandpaper and re-apply a layer of shiny tung oil. She then went to the cloth shop to order banners and hanging cloths printed with the words "Linzhi Ji". She also went to the oil paper shop to order a batch of oil paper bags. The bags were printed with not only the store name but also the store's address to make it easier for customers to find them in the future.
Just as the whole family was working together and striving hard, the weather in Bianjing City was getting colder day by day, and gradually even the wind was becoming bitingly cold.
"Wow... so cold!" Lin Sen, returning from outside, felt the wind biting into his bones, even after donning his new windproof hood, jacket, and cotton shoes. He stamped his feet, rubbed his hands, and went straight into the kitchen to warm himself by the fire. Only then did his bones feel weak, and he kicked back to recover. "It's too cold out here."
"Yes, it looks like it's going to snow."
"It's only a few days until the warm-up period. Business will be difficult if it snows." Lin Sen looked at the dark sky and felt worried.
"It's okay. This event is held every year, and it's not the first time for our family." Lin Zhi handed the heated thermos to Lin Sen and comforted him, "If other families can do it, we can definitely do it too!"
"That's right." Lin Sen murmured, "I'll try to make some money from the warm-up event, and then get the first prize of 1,000 guan!"
"That way we'll have enough!"
"That's right, I can collect the 2,000 strings of cash to buy a shop!"
Just thinking about the silver and money swaying in front of them, the three members of the Linzhi family were full of fighting spirit.
"Jiao Niang, Jiao Niang!" Just at this moment, Madam Yu from next door hurriedly pushed the door open and called out to Song Jiao Niang, panting: "Hu, hu, hu... I have something to tell you!"
"What's wrong?"
"Didn't I tell you a few days ago that Xie Da Mutton Restaurant was shut down by the Dali Temple? They said they couldn't sell it until the case was concluded."
"Yes." Song Jiaoniang remembered this incident. Because of the death of Manager Xie, the shop was sealed off by the Dali Temple and could only be put on the market for sale after the case was over.
When she and Madam Yu talked about it, they couldn't help but feel sympathy for Manager Xie's wife and children. Not only did they owe a lot of debts, but they also had this good shop on their hands. The interest on the debt was rolling up every day, and they didn't know when they could sell it and get the money.
If it is delayed for a year or two, the interest owed will cover the principal, and then Manager Xie’s wife and children will be really finished.
"Huff, huff..." Madam Yu held onto the door frame, breathing heavily as she pointed to the location of Xie Da Mutton Restaurant. "So, look over there, over there... the seal on the door lintel over there is gone!"
Song Jiaoniang looked in the direction she pointed and saw that the door lintel of Xie Da Mutton Restaurant was indeed bare, and the red seal that had been affixed was gone. Her heart tightened. "This shop is right next to the Dali Temple. Who would be so bold as to tear off the seal in public?"
"Of course no one's so bold. It was the officials from the Dali Temple who tore it down!" Madam Yu wiped the sweat off her forehead and hurriedly said to Song Jiaoniang, "I thought it was strange, so I went up to ask. Guess what? The official said someone had transferred the shop! I heard that the paperwork has been completed, and they're just waiting to clean up and reopen!"
"Huh!? How is this possible? Isn't the case not completely closed yet?" Lin Sen was shocked when he heard this.
Lin Zhi, who was kneading dough in the kitchen, also heard the noise. She put down the dough in her hand and walked out quickly. "Madam Yu, tell me again, who told you that? Who was the person who transferred the ownership?"
Song Jiaoniang also hurried to ask, and the three members of the family surrounded Madam Yu, their eyes full of shock, and a hint of loss.
Although no one mentioned it, the three of them knew it in their hearts. They really preferred Xie Da Lamb Restaurant to other shops.
As the warm-up activities were approaching, the family of three was ready to take the next step, but they didn't expect that the shop would be taken over by someone else. This news was like a bucket of cold water, making the three of them feel uneasy.
"I did ask, but the official didn't tell me." Madam Yu was so anxious that she jumped up and down. Seeing that the situation was not good, she quickly told Song Jiaoniang about the matter: "And he told me to stop pestering her!"
Just as the family of three looked at each other in dismay, Chen Yan pushed the door open and walked in. He heard what Madam Yu had said just now, and seeing the silence of the three people, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.
After a while, Chen Yan walked forward and bowed to Madam Yu before turning to the Linzhi family: "I need to explain to you about the Xie Da Mutton Restaurant."
Seeing his serious expression, Lin Sen had a vague guess in his mind, but he still couldn't help asking: "Chen Lang? Could it be you...?"
"I bought the shop." Chen Yan gave an affirmative answer.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhi and Song Jiaoniang were both filled with disbelief. Before they could ask, Chen Yan hurriedly explained, "I just completed the formalities a few days ago. I had originally planned to find a chance to tell you after your competition, but I didn't expect the officials to come and tear off the seal today."
"I have no intention of opening a shop."
"In fact, the brokerage firm has been urging the government to handle the formalities. I inquired and learned that they have received inquiries from several parties, all targeting the Xie Da Mutton Restaurant. Two of them are restaurant businesses in the city, with very deep pockets. They said that as long as the case has any progress, they are willing to pay a high price and pay in full."
He paused and looked at Lin Zhi. "You've been looking forward to this shop for a long time, but as it stands now, even if we make some money from the pre-sale event, combined with your savings, it's still a long way from the total price of the shop. Once the case is completely settled, those two companies will definitely rush to buy it, and you won't have a chance at all."
"I know you want to buy this shop," Chen Yan said incessantly, then pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Lin Zhi. "I just happen to have this information with me. Take a look. This is the estimated value of this shop. Adding in the debt owed by Shopkeeper Xie, the total price is 4,200 strings of cash. Even if you win first place, you can only raise 2,000 strings of cash. The remaining gap is too large. Even if you take out a monthly loan, the monthly interest will not be small."
Lin Zhi took the paper, which was densely covered with the details of the shop's expenses. She quickly scanned it and knew that Chen Yan was telling the truth.
Four thousand two hundred strings of cash. Even if they won the first prize in the New Year Party, plus the subsequent profits, they would not be able to raise the full amount in a short period of time.
The fact that there are two companies eyeing the shop means that even if they pay in full, they may not be able to compete with the bidding.
"So you bought the shop first?" Song Jiaonian finally came to her senses, her tone a little complicated.
Chen Yan nodded: "I thought, instead of letting the shop fall into the hands of others, why not I buy it first and then discuss it with you."
He looked at the Linzhi family with a sincere look in his eyes: "I know you don't want to owe us a favor, so I figured out a way."
"First, you can attend the Newcomers' New Year Party with peace of mind. After the competition is over, you can pay me 2,000 kan in one lump sum as a down payment. The remaining 2,200 kan is an interest-free loan to you. You can pay me 200 kan every month. You can pay it back within a year."
Lin Zhi was shocked: "How can this be possible?"
Chen Yan smiled and said, "I do have a request. After the game, you must pay me two thousand strings of cash, otherwise our deal will be void. How do you do that?"
I believe you can take first place, can you?
Lin Zhi met Chen Yan's eyes, and her eyes darkened: Of course I can.
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