The leisurely residence in the prefectural city.
Manager Hao smiled broadly, but politely declined, "Young Master Zheng, these long green beans are rarely seen and not commonly eaten by us locals. Even if Youranju buys them, no one will want to eat them. Wouldn't that be a pure waste of money?"
Businessmen are shrewd; they won't do business that loses money.
Zheng Ruqian said eagerly, "Shopkeeper, these green beans taste excellent. Can't we try some?"
Manager Hao didn't refuse him, after all, the two truckloads of vegetables sent from Yunshui County were so delicious that they made Youranju's business much better.
He waved his hand, and the waiter went out carrying a bundle of dried green beans. Not long after, he brought out three plates.
One plate stir-fried, one plate stewed, and one plate steamed.
Apart from the stewed dishes, which were edible, the rest had a foul odor and tasted like chewing on firewood.
Zheng Ruqian couldn't believe it. He grabbed the stew and ate a few more bites, only to find that it not only lacked the chewy, flavorful, and delicious taste he had in Anyang County, but it was also far inferior in flavor.
He was dumbfounded.
Manager Hao was still trying to persuade him, saying, "Young Master Zheng's idea of introducing new dishes is good, but people are used to local flavors and often can't accept other tastes."
Otherwise, why would anyone experience acclimatization problems, or crave the "taste of home"?
Zheng Ruqian was distraught and did not stay at Youranju. He left with two carts of vegetables.
I saw several dried vegetable shops on the way, but when I went up to ask, none of them were willing to buy my dried vegetables.
Zheng Ruqian was somewhat unconvinced.
Shopkeeper Hao's words make some sense. Locals prefer local flavors, but if the flavors from elsewhere are fresh and delicious enough, people will still try them.
For example, fish, shrimp, and crabs—who ate them every day when they were young? If they were really transported from other places, wouldn't everyone eagerly try them?
Ultimately, they just couldn't capture the flavor of Anyang County.
Having identified the root of the problem, Zheng Ruqian returned to the Zanhua Courtyard and began attempting to recreate the flavor of the large pot cooking pot from Anyang County.
Even seasoned cooks can make mistakes when trying to replicate a dish, let alone someone like Zheng Ruqian who has almost never cooked before.
After he set the kitchen door on fire for the third time, Zhang Xianglian rushed in, saying, "Leave the child to me."
Zheng Ruqian patted the soot off his clothes with embarrassment and mumbled softly, "Then I'll leave it to you, Auntie."
Zhang Xianglian truly lived up to her reputation as a culinary master; she made half a pot of braised pork ribs that very day, and the taste was even slightly better than that of Youranju, but still couldn't compare to the local flavor in Anyang County.
“Something’s still missing.” Zheng Ruqian pondered deeply. “What exactly is missing?”
No one can answer this question.
He didn't even know about the only thing he had actually tasted, so naturally he had no idea about the others that he had never even tried.
"If only I could try it myself," Zhang Xianglian sighed softly.
Zheng Ruqian suddenly raised his head.
If I do the math, there are only eight days left until Chinese New Year.
Jiang Sheng had already prepared all the clothes and food needed for the New Year, and even bought the big "Fu" character and decorations. However, Zheng Ruqian stopped in the city and got into a fight with dried green beans.
It takes five days to travel from Xieyang County to Anshui Prefecture. If Zheng Ruqian doesn't set off in three days, he will definitely miss the New Year.
In the small courtyard.
With all four older brothers present, Xu Mo already on his annual leave, and Wen Zhiyun's clinic officially closed, everyone had plenty of free time.
Jiang Sheng's eyes lit up. "How about we go to the prefectural city for the New Year?"
She counted on her fingers, "Auntie is here, Uncle Zhang and Aunt Cui'er are here, and most importantly, Second Brother is there too. We can't reunite in Xiyang County, but we can reunite in the prefectural city."
Everyone else is easy to talk to, but Zheng Lao Er is the most important person.
They promised not to separate, and of course, there couldn't be any regrets during such a joyous family reunion as the Lunar New Year.
Fang Heng was the first to respond, "I have no objection. The servants have all had their contracts terminated, so they can come with us."
Wen Zhiyun pulled Chang Yan aside and whispered together, "We have no objections either."
All eyes were on Xu Mo, who was drinking tea. They were all worried that Master Xu might not be able to rest easy about the people of Xiyang County.
"Cough cough." Xu Mo choked on his drink, and rarely laughed and scolded, "What do you take me for? The people of Xieyang County and Magistrate Bian, of course the second brother is more important to me."
"However, he's not coming back to celebrate the New Year with us this time because of business, so he deserves to be punished." Old Master Xu's words were light and casual, but they were enough to leave a dent on the ground.
Jiang Sheng shrank back, silently mourning for her heartless second brother.
"Then let's go."
Fang Heng picked up a wooden stick, Wen Zhiyun carried a small medicine box, and Jiang Sheng and Chang Yan carried their newly bought clothes and food.
Jiang Yi and Jiang Er were already waiting at the door in a horse-drawn carriage (donkey cart), with six brave figures holding long sticks sitting behind them, giving them a great sense of security.
For the first time, Jiang Sheng felt that emptying her savings was really worth it.
People ride in horse-drawn carriages, while goods are loaded onto donkey carts.
They set off from Xieyang County towards Anshui County.
On the way, Jiang Sheng did not forget to stop in front of a clothing store to buy a new outfit for her aunt, Uncle Zhang, as a New Year's gift.
Six days later.
They arrived at the entrance of the Zanhua Courtyard, looking travel-worn, and knocked on the door. Zhang Qiquan opened it for them.
Seeing this large, chaotic group of children, he was taken aback at first, but quickly exclaimed with delight, "What brings you all here? Are you planning to stay in the prefectural city for New Year's Eve?"
Jiang Sheng nodded, huffing and puffing, "Who told Second Brother not to come home? Where is Second Brother? Where is Second Brother?"
She was like a little fly, drifting from the east room to the west room, and then to the front yard.
The workshop workers were all on vacation, and the entire Zanhua Courtyard was empty, as if there was no one there except Zhang Qiquan.
Zheng Ruqian is not here either.
Jiang Sheng was dumbfounded.
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