Chapter 40 Promoting Restaurants
Before Aunt Zhao could even finish her enthusiastic boasting about Jiang Zhi, Xie Hua was already getting impatient.
He pulled over a servant to stand in line for him, while he himself strode to the front of the line with his hands behind his back, sniffing the fragrant aroma in the air while observing the female boss's movements.
The female boss was currently receiving a burly man with a beard. Xie Hua could tell at a glance that this guy was probably from the military, and those people had rather...unpleasant tempers.
Although Xie Hua saw through it, he didn't utter a sound. He just stared at Jiang Zhi with great interest, wanting to see what she planned to do.
*
Jiang Zhi was aware of Xie Hua's existence, but at this moment, she was too busy to pay attention to him or spare any time to entertain him.
The griddle she used could fry 12 pieces of tofu at a time, and then give each person 2 pieces, meaning she could cook for about six people at a time.
That doesn't sound like a small number, but it's still far from the endless queues.
As soon as the pot of tofu was removed from the hot plate, Jiang Zhi picked up a spatula and smoothly wiped the hot plate with the oil paper next to her.
Then, using the tip of a shovel, he scooped out a little bit from the lard barrel next to him, heated it over a fire underneath, and then spread it with oil paper. It sizzled and formed a film of oil on the iron plate.
This is a method that Jiang Zhi figured out after watching others do it these past two days.
Perhaps because she lived in such a good era, she had never cared much about the ingredients before. But in this era, whether due to limitations in productivity or personal finances, she had to adapt to local customs.
Without her even realizing it, her mind had already wandered aimlessly through this experience.
But his hands moved swiftly, almost as if he could leave a blur: with a flick of his wrist, he shook the water-soaked tofu to remove the surface moisture, and then neatly arranged it on the iron plate.
Then, he gently kicked it with his foot, and seeing that the flames underneath had noticeably intensified, the tofu, which was neatly arranged on the hot plate, began to sizzle from the bottom.
She barely had time to look up, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead, before introducing the burly man at the front of the line and the people behind him.
"Dear guests, today's dish is fresh and delicious fermented soybeans, each piece costs one copper coin, and each person can buy a maximum of two pieces!"
As she spoke, Jiang Zhi would occasionally glance down at the tofu frying in the oil below, sometimes picking it up with a spatula to stir it a couple of times, while making a couple of embarrassed "uh-huh" sounds, her smile appearing particularly shy. She continued speaking.
"There are two flavors to choose from: fresh and savory, and garlic. You can choose whichever you prefer!"
As she spoke, she scooped out two large spoonfuls of different sauces from a jar in a bamboo basket and gently placed them on the tofu, which was already golden brown on both sides.
Then she gently brushed some lard onto the tofu, and then, I don't know what she did next between the tofu and the hot plate, but the heat suddenly ignited on the tofu. After scorching it for a second or two, Jiang Zhi put the lid on, and then lifted it off again.
Instantly, the fragrance became so sweet...
The smell can be detected for miles around!
*
The burly man at the front of the line, who had previously been cold and fierce, had now taken the bamboo box from Jiang Zhi and taken a big bite.
While eating, he didn't care at all about the people who hadn't gotten any food, only focusing on smacking his lips and looking completely satisfied.
The tofu and ginger slices weren't very big, so for a big man, it only took a bite or two for the delicious tofu to disappear into his tongue and throat, leaving only a lingering taste.
He gulped down the remaining bits of sauce and broth in one go, then leisurely walked to the back of the line, ready to try again.
When the group of people in line with him saw what he did, their eyes lit up, and they began to imitate him in a similar manner.
Xie Hua was stunned when he saw this.
So that's how it can be done?
As he pondered this, he finally walked to the line where the servant had stood in his place.
*
As soon as Aunt Zhao, who was standing in front of him, saw Xie Hua, who had just asked the question, return to his original position, she simply grabbed the young master's sleeve and began to ramble on and on about her story.
Xie Hua had just gone to the front to watch the female boss's operation and personally experienced the extremely tempting aroma. He finally felt that Aunt Zhao's boasting was somewhat true.
He carefully pulled his sleeve back while listening silently.
*
Jiang Zhi's hand speed is quite fast.
Before Xie Hua could even get impatient, it was already their turn in line.
Because of the actions of the burly man in front of him, Xie Hua also became a little wary.
He then pulled over the servant who had been reserving a spot, and the two of them could buy four pieces of tofu together.
Xie Huahao said: "Give him two pieces of each flavor!"
Although she noticed this somewhat cunning move, Jiang Zhi didn't say anything. She just smiled and moved her hand, scooped up the two kinds of tofu with the seasonings and sauces, and they were neatly placed in the bamboo box.
She maintained her gentle, smiling expression and handed him the bamboo box.
*
Before Xie Hua had even fully grasped the bamboo basket, he smelled an extremely tempting aroma. The faint fragrance of beans was mixed with the crispy aroma of charred beans, and there was also a hint of hot spiciness that rushed straight to his nose.
Xie Hua himself only felt a slight itch on the tip of his nose, while his servant who had helped him reserve the seat, perhaps because he was already close by, couldn't help but let out a loud sneeze.
Xie Hua was almost startled by the sneeze, but fortunately the servant was very self-aware and bent down before sneezing, so that he didn't drip his own saliva on him.
Perhaps it was because of the smell that this image flashed through Xie Hua's mind. He silently glanced at the bamboo box in his hand, then smelled the fragrance again, and ultimately couldn't give it up, choosing:
Silently distance yourself from your closest servant!
These random thoughts floated through his mind for a moment, then he shook his head, pulling himself out of them.
Upon seeing the golden-brown fried soybean curd covered in seasoning and smelling its incredibly enticing aroma, he first swallowed hard, then, feigning modesty, picked up the so-called "garlic flavor" piece and took a small bite.
*
As a slightly spoiled young master from a wealthy family who was used to eating, drinking, and having fun, Xie Hua had naturally eaten bean curd before, but not much. After all, for people like them, bean curd was not considered a high-class ingredient.
The dishes made were always extremely bland and tasteless. Xie Hua's strongest impression of this ingredient was that when his aunt was sick and bedridden, his father liked to have the family cook prepare one or two bowls of vegetarian food for the whole family. The soup in these vegetarian meals was often just a soup made with beans and milk and a few other random ingredients.
Therefore, when Xie Hua discovered that the female boss was using fermented soybeans as an ingredient, for a moment, he actually wanted to run away.
Only one thought flashed through his mind:
Those poor people don't know how awful this stuff is, but he certainly does, right?
But before he could even think of leaving, a fragrant aroma wafted into his nose on the wind. The scents of garlic and spiciness, two slightly stronger aromas of food, seemed to be fighting each other, vying for attention in everyone's nostrils.
Suddenly, Xie Hua felt hungry.
Seeing the burly man devour the two pieces of tofu in no time, a look of pure delight appearing on his face, Xie Hua, besides feeling hungry from the aroma, also felt a slight curiosity about the tofu.
However, even though he had mentally prepared himself for this, he was still stunned when he actually took a bite.
Xie Hua first ate the garlic flavored one.
The hot, crispy skin of the tofu, grilled on the iron plate, felt like it was burning Xie Hua's tongue, like a flame exploding between his lips and teeth.
Immediately afterward, the flames subsided, and the sauce coating the fermented bean curd dripped onto the tongue. The rich aroma of minced garlic exploded on the tongue, mixed with a hint of soy sauce and the smoky fragrance of the fried tofu, all mingling together in a battle on the tongue!
Before the crispy outer layer of the tofu could be fully savored, the tofu core had already been bitten out. After all, Jiang Zhi had just made the tofu that afternoon, and now, it didn't have the usual gritty texture of old tofu. Instead, it was exceptionally soft and tender, almost trembling on the tip of the tongue!
And when you chew down to the very bottom, you'll feel the freshness and crispness of something just cooked on the hot plate...
The flavor, combined with the price, is simply delicious and affordable! Just a small piece of this fermented bean curd makes me feel like the taste is comparable to meat I usually get elsewhere!
Even Xie Hua, who is usually very particular about food, couldn't help but lick his lips, thinking to himself in amazement.
Not to mention others.
*
While Jiang Zhi was busy running around, Xiao Mahua had already noticed that there wasn't much tofu left.
While Jiang Zhi was taking a short break to fry the tofu, she quietly tugged at Jiang Zhi's skirt and pointed to the box containing the tofu.
Now, the box that was originally packed full is now only half full.
Jiang Zhi then realized the problem. She estimated the numbers and realized that there weren't enough people in the queue behind her.
After thinking for a moment, he simply shouted it out loud.
"Dear uncles and aunts, I'm afraid we won't have enough food today! I didn't expect so many people today, it's all my fault! How about this, I've calculated that we probably have about 50 servings left. Those of you who couldn't get a meal because of the long queues can come to my newly opened Jiang's Eatery tomorrow morning for breakfast. I'll treat you to a small snack as an apology, how about that?"
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Author's note: Today's close was pretty good, so my darlings, can I dream of Thursday when it reaches 200?
If it really works out, I'll give everyone a long chapter of at least 4000 words! [Please][Please][Please]
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