Chapter 342 The Grand River Banquet Opens
The early spring sun shines down, casting dappled shadows under the locust tree.
Standing atop a high rock, the village head passionately recounted the future plans for Dahe Village, presenting a vivid picture to everyone present—
The area was bustling with people, traffic, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares...
Will Dahe Village really be so bustling and lively in the future?
"I finally understand what crowdfunding means." Old Mrs. Zhu squeezed out of the crowd. "Then I'll raise fifty taels of silver!"
The villagers gasped in astonishment. Old Mrs. Zhu used to be the poorest widow in the village, but now she was asking for fifty taels of silver, putting her far ahead of them.
"I won a hundred taels of silver as a prize for participating in the competition last time. I spent more than ten taels to buy an oxcart, and kept twenty taels to build a house. I just don't feel at ease keeping the rest in my hands." Old Mrs. Zhu said with a smile, "Since this is a decision made jointly by Aunt Dashan and the village head, it must be right. I, this old woman, will just follow the wise man. Tiger, go back and get fifty taels of silver!"
Zhu Huzi nodded and turned to go back to get the money.
Aunt Wang gritted her teeth and stepped forward: "Our family will also contribute fifty taels of silver!"
Her husband won first place in the last competition and received a reward of one hundred taels of silver. In addition, their family had earned a lot of money with Da Shan's mother in the past six months, and their savings amounted to more than one hundred and ten taels of silver. This was enough to build a house or help their children get married. Taking out fifty taels to support the construction of Dahe Village was what their family should do.
“My family doesn’t have that much money,” said Old Mrs. Zhao. “Our family will contribute twenty taels of silver.”
In the past, the Zhao family's annual savings never exceeded two taels of silver. However, in the past six months, everyone in the family has been earning money. Old Man Zhao works as a carpenter, Zhao Youcai delivers goods every day, Wenshi works as a maternity nurse, Chunhua helps out there, Xiahua occasionally takes her embroidery to town to exchange for money, and Dawang has also earned some money with Ergou... The family's savings have reached twenty-five taels of silver. Although taking out twenty taels of silver is like bleeding money for Old Madam Zhao, she knows that investing this money will definitely bring huge returns.
You can never go wrong by following your eldest son's wife's lead in everything.
Manager Yan also attended the meeting. He raised his hand and said, "Our Yan family is new here and has not contributed anything before. This time, we will contribute more, sixty taels of silver."
The village head was overjoyed: "Good, good, good! You are all far-sighted people. Although I am the village head, to be honest, my family doesn't have much money left. My family will contribute fifteen taels of silver."
Master Zhao then said, "My family is poor, so please give me two taels of silver."
Some of the village leaders readily contributed money, and those who lacked their own opinions, seeing this, dared not hesitate any longer and followed the crowd, for it was always the right thing to do.
Finally, everyone in Dahe Village, including Zhang Wulai's family, participated in the crowdfunding, raising a total of 1,003 taels of silver.
The people of Xindahe Village naturally couldn't participate in crowdfunding, but all the men volunteered to build houses. They were paid thirty copper coins a day, and the construction period was about fifteen days. That meant they would hand over almost half a tael of silver, and they would also get a share of the profits at the end of the year.
"Our Dahe Village truly deserves to be called the most united and outstanding village in Ping'an County and even Huzhou. Let's concentrate all our efforts on this important matter, and Dahe Village will only get better and better in the future!" The village head was so excited that his blood was boiling. "Zhao Anjiang, you take some people to the city to buy bricks right now. Wang Yongcheng, you organize people to start digging the foundation. Tiezhu, you are in charge of the registration..."
Everything was arranged immediately, and the people of Dahe Village threw themselves into a lively and enthusiastic work.
In the distance, Lord Wu stood at the door of Manager Yan's house and couldn't help but praise, "Truly worthy of being called Lady Sui, she has a very long-term vision. In the future, this village will definitely get better and better."
He even felt that this Lady Sui would be promoted.
During his stay in Dahe Village, he must spend more time with this Lady Sui, a wise woman worthy of his learning.
The village market is located in the southwest. The first phase of the plan is a short street with two rows of houses facing each other. Each house is two stories high, with a single storefront on the first floor. Some houses will have their second floors opened up and can be used as inns in the future.
The right side of the first phase has reserved space for the second phase, which runs northeast and forms a crossroads with the first phase... Of course, the second phase will not start construction until the first phase is developed.
Cheng Wanwan carefully explained the blueprints to Zhao Anjiang. This place would become the representative site of Dahe Village, and every detail had to be done to perfection.
Because the project had to be completed within fifteen days, and because anyone who came to work would contribute to the crowdfunding effort, everyone in the village, young and old, came to help. In just two days, the foundation for the house was dug.
Zhao Sidan, Zhao Tiezhu, and Yu Zhan also finished their second county-level examination.
At the same time, the "Daheyan" restaurant opened.
These past few days, Zhao Ergou has been busy with preparations. The restaurant, inside and out, has been thoroughly cleaned.
A plaque covered with a red cloth hangs at the main entrance. Stepping over the threshold, you enter a lotus pond with pink lotus flowers and green lotus leaves. Water flows gently beneath the pond, and live fish swim around. Passing through the entrance hall, you reach the counter, where four dishes are displayed above, each featuring chicken, duck, fish, or meat, accompanied by a short, humorous poem. The walls of the restaurant are also adorned with various dishes, each painted with exquisite artistry and enticing colors, making your mouth water at first glance.
There are six tables in the main hall, spaced far apart, with green plants placed in the middle to provide diners with a degree of privacy.
Further on, you'll find the kitchen.
The kitchen has been expanded to twice its original size, and is now spacious and bright. First, there is an area for storing ingredients, then an area for cutting and preparing vegetables, and at the very back is the cooking area, which is Wu Huiniang's domain.
She went out today without her child, wearing an apron around her waist and holding a spatula, quickly preparing the food.
The kitchen was bustling with activity, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered at the front door.
Cheng Wanwan sat in a private room on the second floor and waited. Before long, she saw a carriage stop at the entrance of the restaurant. It was Magistrate Shen who had arrived.
Originally, she hadn't planned to invite Magistrate Shen to the opening ceremony, but that kid Shen Zheng insisted on getting Magistrate Shen to come and help. Magistrate Shen agreed without hesitation, leaving her no room to refuse.
As soon as Magistrate Shen stepped off his carriage, many people gathered at the entrance of the restaurant knelt down.
"Rise, all of you," Magistrate Shen said gently. "I am not wearing my official robes or hat today; I am just an ordinary diner. There is no need for such formalities."
Cheng Wanwan came out from inside the door and said with a smile, "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join in the fun. The auspicious time has just arrived, so please do me the honor of unveiling the silk cloth for my shop."
Magistrate Shen had already made preparations.
When the firecrackers went off, he picked up the tool in his hand, lifted it up, then grabbed a corner of the red silk cloth and gently pulled it down.
The three characters "Dahe Yan" (Great River Banquet) shone brightly in the early spring morning sunlight, gleaming like gold.
"Hello everyone, Dahe Banquet Restaurant is now open for business!" Cheng Wanwan announced loudly. "For the first three days of the opening, the restaurant will provide free tasting snacks and a 20% discount on all purchases. In addition, the restaurant is launching a membership card program. Once you become a member, you will receive a 20% discount on every purchase and will also have priority access to the private rooms on the second floor."
After she finished speaking, she made way for the doorway, and the crowd filed in.
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